Investigate ‘justice for sale’ at Court of Appeals, Sereno urged

Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. RAFFY LERMA / PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

A GOOD governance watchdog on Monday called on Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno to look into reports that a female justice of the Court of Appeals (CA) has been receiving bribes to render favorable decisions.

In a statement to reporters covering the justice beat, the Alliance for Good Governance (AGG) said a reliable source had revealed that the justice “uses her nephew as a conduit” and the amounts involved ran into the millions of pesos.

“This is a clear case of justice for sale. We are writing the Supreme Court to formally inform them about this corruption in the judiciary,” the group said through their spokesperson, Alberto Vicente.

“Chief Justice Sereno and her peers should find cause to investigate and to find a solution, a long-term solution to this corruption in the judiciary,” Vicente said.

Pressed about the identity of the subject, Vicente said the group would reveal the name of the justice in a formal letter to Sereno. He said it was important to unmask the justice, who is handling a case involving a business dispute.

“We will reveal all in the letter. We came up with the statement to tell the Supreme Court that this is ongoing in the Court of Appeals. And we believe there should be a way for them to police their own ranks in the judiciary,” he said in a text message.

He also called on CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr. to direct the court’s ethics committee to look into the allegations. He said the group would be ready to provide details. Jerome Aning

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