Supreme Court—INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
As part of its efforts to eliminate corruption in the judiciary, the Supreme Court has launched a dedicated channel for the public to report justices, judges, and other judiciary employees who are believed to be involved in corrupt practices or perceived to have violated judicial ethics.
The high court said that the violations may involve, among others, the extortion of money, gift, or favor from any litigant or counsel for the service of any process, including warrants, summons, writs of executions, or extortion to gain inside information on the progress of any case, including the name of the ponente in any appellate court, as well as the Supreme Court.
The high tribunal said individuals may also report the names and activities of those who claim influence in any court.
READ: SC Justice Leonen: Corruption still exists in courts
The complaints or information may be sent to integrity@judiciary.gov.ph. The reports will be accessible to the Supreme Court ethics committee chaired by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, with Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen as working vice chair.
“The public may also submit confidential complaints directly to the Chief Justice, the Senior Associate Justice, or any Justice of the Supreme Court,” the high tribunal said.
No premature posting
While the reported information may be used as a basis for entrapment operations, the Supreme Court warned that premature social media postings might undermine efforts to investigate and prosecute the suspected violators.
It further cautioned lawyers who participate in, advise on, or tolerate any form of corruption that they would be dealt with severely.
Earlier in May, a Pasay City judge and a court employee were placed under preventive suspension for 90 days while they were both being investigated for allegedly accepting a bribe of P6 million in exchange for a favorable decision in a civil case.