MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed Ateneones S. Bacale, the Presiding Judge of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Biliran-Cabucgayan, Biliran, for gross misconduct related to a manipulated procurement of medical supplies for the City of Manila.

In a decision released Thursday, the High Court said in 2016, Bacale offered pharmaceutical supplier Aldrin Magaoay a P50,000,000 contract for the supply of medicine to four Manila hospitals. 

Bacale allegedly told Magaoay that his wife, Romilda, who was then the Executive Secretary to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, could facilitate the procurement process without the required bidding. 

Over the next three years, Bacale received various payments from Magaoay, totaling almost P20,000,000. Magaoay later realized the project had not advanced and filed a complaint against Bacale, it said.

During proceedings, Bacale claimed he was simply a messenger for his wife, who he said instructed him to retrieve documents from Magaoay after Typhoon Yolanda had devastated his home. 

His wife, Romilda, argued that she had requested Bacale’s help with the procurement documents, and upon realizing their falsity, promised to return the funds paid by Magaoay.

The Judicial Integrity Board recommended Bacale’s dismissal for violating the New Code of Judicial Conduct, citing his breach of integrity and propriety standards. 

The SC upheld this recommendation, emphasizing that judges must maintain the highest standards of conduct to preserve public trust in the judiciary.

The Court found that Bacale’s actions, which included accepting payments from Magaoay and involving himself in his wife’s illegal influence over the bidding process, amounted to gross misconduct. 

Bacale’s failure to inform his wife about the impropriety of their actions and his involvement in the scheme further eroded confidence in the judicial system, it said.

Magaoay, who trusted Bacale’s position as a judge, believed the contract would proceed under Bacale’s influence. 

In its ruling, the SC affirmed that judges must avoid actions that compromise their integrity or appear improper, and dismissed Bacale from the service.