Don’t look at evidence piece-meal, says SC justice

Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Do not look at the evidence piece-meal, the committee tasked by the Supreme Court to investigate influence peddling in the judiciary said, a day after a photograph of a suspect with some members of the judiciary was released in major dailies.

“A photograph memorializes a moment. It may speak some truth but it may not be all of it. The proper context therefore must be understood and proven,” the high court’s Ad Hoc Committee chaired by Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said in a statement, referring to one Arlene Angeles Lerma, who was in a retirement party for a court official with members of the judiciary in 2012.

The committee confirmed that the photo was among the many documents and pieces of information that they have been studying.

While it appreciates the public’s interest in the investigation, the committee said there should be no rush to ferret out the truth.

“It takes very seriously its responsibility and duty to ferret out the truth regarding these allegations and related matters that have arisen,” the high court said.

“But determining the truth is often not achieved by a mad rush based on incomplete pictures, suggestive images or unsubstantiated contexts. It is best achieved by a sober, clear, complete and independent look at the entire context,” the committee said.

The committee’s statement did not mention if the members of the judiciary on the photo were being investigated as well.

The National Bureau of Investigation has been tapped by the high court to help them in in their investigation.

Related Stories:

Alleged ‘fixer’ in judiciary identified

Will the real Ma’am Arlene please stand up?

Sereno orders NBI probe of court ‘fixer’