Code of Judicial Conduct / Ethics
SECTION 10. Withholding of retirement benefits. - If the respondent is retiring or has retired from service, the Supreme Court may, on its own initiative or upon the recommendation of the JIO, order the withholding of the respondent's retirement benefits, in full or in part, for a period not exceeding three (3) months from the effectivity date of their retirement.
If the proceedings are not terminated or resolved within three months from the effectivity date of retirement, the respondent's retirement benefits shall be immediately released, unless it is shown that the delay in the resolution of the case is due to justifiable reasons or is attributable to the retiring judge. If the delay in the resolution of the case is for justifiable reasons or is attributable to the retiring judge, the retirement benefits shall not be released pending full resolution of the case. The release of the respondent's retirement benefits shall be without prejudice to the final outcome of the case.
Retirement benefits may also be withheld, in accordance with the foregoing rules, if the retiring or retired judge is the subject of a pending criminal case where the act or omission involved also constitutes a violation of this Code.
The benefits withheld shall in no case include the judge's terminal or accrued leave benefits.