Res Gestae
Tainting the Court of Appeals
(Note: The columnist yields his space to the position statement of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines (ALSP) on the raging controversy at the Court of Appeals. The columnist is a former Vice President of ALSP - Visayas Regional Board (SY 2006-2007) and was a member of the Philippine Delegation in ALSA Conference in Singapore in May 2006.)
POSITION STATEMENT OF THE ALSP ON THE ALLEGATIONS OF COURT OF APPEALS (CA) JUSTICE JOSE SABIO
In light of the ongoing controversies involving Justices of the Court of Appeals, the Association of Law Students of the Philippines (ALSP), a federation of Law Student Governments all over the Philippines, the officially-recognized student counterpart of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and an active member of the Asian Law Students' Association (ALSA), issues this Statement to condemn and oppose all kinds of corruption, and to rally behind the truth.
We express our special interest in this case at hand, as its repercussions reach far and wide; not only for us, Law students, but also for all Filipinos who continue to believe in the respectability of our Courts and the Justice System.
The Court of Appeals has been shaken by the revelations of one its own, Justice Jose Sabio, regarding the attempted bribery offer of TEN MILLION (Php10,000,000.00) Philippine pesos in connection with the MERALCO vs. GSIS case.The issue of bribery should be resolved the soonest time possible, as such allegation tarnishes, to a great extent, the credibility of the Courts.
We detest any form of bribery for said act is not only vile but also destructive. Such an act builds up cavities into the pillars of our Government and Society, leading to the decay of the culture and structures of our country.
We detest any form of influence to any member of the Judiciary for such is inimical to the interest of justice and fairness in the resolution of cases. Influence-peddling attacks to the core the extreme independence and utmost uprightness of our country's Systems.
We detest any attempt to seduce these "Men-in-Robe" to un-robe themselves by succumbing to the evils of corruption and bribery. The integrity of the Judiciary and the Law Profession should always be protected from these acts.
We are for the independence of the Judiciary. The New Code of Judicial Conduct is no less emphatic about this for it provides that, Judicial Independence is a pre-requisite to the Rule of Law and a fundamental guarantee of a fair trial.
We commend the audacity of Justice Sabio in bringing into the surface the issue of the alleged bribery. We laud the Supreme Court in creating a panel to investigate this controversy. We make special mention of the undeniably disinterested and unbiased conduct of the investigative proceedings by the members of the panel: Associate Justice Carolina Griño-Aquino, Justice Romeo Callejo, Jr., and Justice Flerida Ruth Romero. Their neutral stance shows that there is a solemn pursuit of the Truth and a serious devotion to uphold the honor of the Judiciary, even if it would mean having to police their equals.
However, the Supreme Court should call for further investigation on the non-observance of some Court of Appeals Justices with respect to its prescribed Rules and Procedures and punish those parties who have shown "great interest" and tried to erode and taint the integrity and independence of the Judiciary in the said case.
Let not the POWER, PRESTIGE and PRIVILEGE of the Judiciary and the Members composing the same be channeled towards oblivion, much less be left at the mercy of Corruption and Bribery. Let us continue the battle against, and the punishment of, the offenders of the Law and the swift administration of justice without corruption, greed, prejudice or avarice; as the motto of the Court of Appeals says it all: justitia per legem, justice through law.
Certified true and correct by:
MELANIE ROSE TAN
Secretary General
Philippine Law School
Attested to by:
MARK LEO M. CHANG
President
University of San Carlos