The Court of Appeals. FILE PHOTO
A concerned citizen asked the Supreme Court to conduct an investigation on persistent reports that a Court of Appeals justice is into the so-called “justice for sale” scheme.
Jennifer Suba Castro, a resident of Quezon City, specifically asked Supreme Court Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno to order a thorough investigation at the soonest possible time on reports that CA Justice Fernanda Lampas Peralta has been allegedly rendering favorable decisions in exchange for a fee.
Castro said it is only through a fair and no-holds barred probe against Peralta that Sereno can bring back the trust and confidence of the people in the country’s justice system.
“Hinihiling ko ngayon kay Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno ang pagsasagawa ng agarang masusing imbestigasyon ukol sa mga alegasyon laban sa naturang CA Justice at makapagsumite ng ulat at rekomendasyon sa loob ng 30 araw,” Castro said.
As a taxpayer, Castro said she was compelled to seek the assistance of the Supreme Court to clear things up amid reports coming out in the media that a number of CA justices, including Peralta, were into the illegal activity.
“Kamakailan, muling lumabas sa mga nasyunal na pahayagan at umere sa mga istasyon ng radyo ang isa na namang kaso ng pagbebenta ng desisyon ng isang CA Justice na walang iba kundi si Justice Peralta. Ayon sa mga alegasyon, tumanggap ng P20 milyon ang naturang huwes sa isang negosyante para maglabas ng paborableng desisyon kaugnay ng kinakaharap na kaso ukol sa pabahay ng gobyerno at port operations,” she added.
(“Recently, there have been news in national papers and aired on radio that another case of selling a decision has happened and this was [allegedly] done by Court of Appeals Justice Peralta. According to allegations, the said judge received P20 million from a businessman to come out with a favorable decision regarding a case on government housing and port operations.”)
Peralta is one of the justices who handled the suspension order on dismissed Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. and became controversial for allegedly issued a decision in favor of the young Binay in exchange for a hefty sum of money.
Catro appealed to Sereno not to turn a deaf ear or a blind eye on the issues coming out against Peralta.
“Habang nananahimik ang Korte Suprema sa naturang mga alegasyon, lalong lumalaki ang isyu ng korapsyon sa mga mahistrado at tumataas ang panawagan ng taumbayan para sa reporma sa sistema ng hustisya,” Castro said.
(“While the Supreme Court is silent over the allegations, the issue of corruption in the judiciary is getting worse and there has been a clamor of the citizenry to reform the justice system.”)
She added: “Umaasa ako at ang taumbayan sa agaran, patas at makatotohanang aksyon ng Korte Suprema sa naturang mahistrado. Ito ay upang maresolba, maibalik ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa mga korte at mahanap ang katotohanan.”
(“The people and I have high hopes that the Supreme Court action will be swift, fair and truthful on the case of the said CA Justice. This is to resolve, bring back the faith of the people in our courts and to find the truth.”)