TAYUG, Pangasinan - A judge of the Regional Trial Court here is facing an administrative case filed before the Supreme Court in connection with the still unresolved slaying of Pasay City RTC Judge Estrellita Paas in September last year in Natividad town.

The complaint against RTC Judge Ulysses Raciles Butuyan of Branch 51 was filed by Renerio Paas, husband of the late Judge Paas who questioned the refusal of Judge Butuyan to issue warrants of arrest against the two accused who eventually dismissed the case for murder and theft filed against them.

The widower, represented by his son Ronald, accused Judge Butuyan with three counts for violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act, two counts for ignorance of the law, four counts for violation of judicial conduct and violations of Article 206 and 207 of the Revised Penal Code and gross incompetence.

Judge Paas was brutally killed inside the bathroom of the master’s bedroom of their house with both of her hands tied behind her back.

There were two suspects who were presented by the prosecution, namely Elmer Cabiles and Jornald Vargas whose warrants of arrest Judge Butuyan did not issue unless he examined first the complaint and the witnesses to determine probable cause.

But Judge Butuyan invoked Article III of the Constitution in not issuing warrants of arrest for the accused unless he personally examined the complainant and his witnesses.

He said during the hearing the complainant was not around and the prosecution also did not present the witnesses.

Butuyan eventually dismissed the case on December 2, 2005 while at the same time the Paas family was still filing an  urgent motion seeking the presiding judge to inhibit from the case.

Judge Butuyan said he is unperturbed by administrative case filed before the Supreme Court against him by Renerio Paas.

“The Supreme Court knows best. It is free to choose who between us (obviously referring to him and Paas) is the worse evil. Let the Supreme Court worry, not me,” Butuyan said.

Butuyan earlier insinuated he was receiving threat on his life after dismissing the case agaisnt the two accused in the Paas slaying. (PNA-Demetrio G. Gapasin)