MANILA, Philippines ? (UPDATE) The Supreme Court stood pat on the penalty it imposed against the Court of Appeals justices and a businessman who were linked to the controversy surrounding the case filed by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) against the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

In its ruling, the high court denied with finality the appeals of the four appellate court justices and Francis de Borja for ?absence of compelling reason? to dismiss its earlier decision.

The four associate justices are Vicente Roxas, who was dismissed; Justice Jose Sabio, who was suspended for two months; Presiding Justice Conrado Vazquez, who was reprimanded; and Justice Myrna Dimaranan-Vidal, who was admonished.

They were penalized for the lapses they committed in varying degrees on the Meralco case.

The Supreme Court asked the Department of Justice to investigate De Borja for possible criminal liability.

The controversy stemmed from the revelation by Sabio that he was offered P10 million by businessman Francis De Borja to inhibit from the Meralco case.

Sabio and Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes were also at odds with each other as they contested as to who should head the division handling the Meralco case. Roxas ended up writing the decision that favored the private power firm.