MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court refused to act on the petition of Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño to stop his 90-day suspension over a bribery controversy.

Instead, the court remanded Zuño’s petition to the Court of Appeals, saying the official should have followed the hierarchy of courts.

“Let the petition for certiorari and prohibition with verified urgent prayer for issuance of ex parte temporary restraining order, temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction be referred to the Court of Appeals, it appearing that the petition violates the principle of hierarchy of courts,” the high court’s third division said.

The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) suspended Zuño for 90 days starting May 29, for refusing to pursue drug charges against three high-profile suspects – Jorge Joseph, Joseph Tecson, and Richard Brodett.

The three suspects allegedly supplied drugs to upscale nightclubs in Metro Manila. Agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) claimed to have refused bribes from the suspects in exchange for the dropping of the charges.

Zuño said he could not be suspended because the evidence against him was not strong.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered a reinvestigation of the case against Brodett, Joseph, and Tecson and charges were eventually re-filed.