Senate panel seeks witnesses in alleged bribery on CA justices

The Senate justice committee may allow other parties with knowledge of corruption in the judiciary to speak at its hearing on alleged bribery in the Court of Appeals, according to panel chair Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III.

Pimentel, in a recent interview, noted that the resolution seeking an inquiry into supposed court payoffs was not limited to the allegation that two appellate court justices received P25 million each to block the preventive suspension of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay who is facing a corruption investigation by the Ombudsman.

The resolution, filed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, seeks a hearing by the justice and human rights committee into “justice for sale” in the Court of Appeals and other courts, and related anomalies in the

judiciary.

“Since it was not specific to the Binay suspension case, we can open the hearing to those with similar grievances or complaints. They are welcome to attend the hearing,” Pimentel said over the phone.

He said he will invite Court of Appeals justices, including those named by Trillanes, to the hearing to discuss the allegations as well as the rules and usual practices in court.

Trillanes earlier said his allegation of bribery in the Binay case was based on “reliable sources.”

He said he was leaving it to his informants to decide whether or not to come out. He said he may ask for an executive session for his sources. Leila B. Salaverria