SC steps into fighting of Sandigan justices

The Supreme Court building in Manila. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court has stepped into the infighting of Sandiganbayan justices after it ordered Associate Justice Jose Hernandez to vacate the chairmanship of the Anti-Graft Court’s third division.

During Thursday’s full court session, the high court ordered Hernandez to step out of the third division to give way for newly appointed Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotage-Tang to assume its chairmanship.

The high court stepped into the conflict after Tang wrote a letter to the high court and sought assistance.

She said Hernandez refused to give up the chairmanship  saying he has already become a permanent head of the division pursuant to the Internal Rules of the Sandiganbayan.

Hernandez assumed the position following the retirement of Presiding Justice Francisco Villaruz. With the appointment of Tang as Presiding Justice, she is supposed to sit as chair on Villaruz’ former division.

Tang is one of the most junior anti-graft court justices. With her latest appointment, she bypassed the more senior justices vying for the same position.