BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Experiencing corruption in the courts can be frustrating and disheartening.
To address corruption and ensure a fair and just legal system for everyone, the Supreme Court has created a specific channel where the public can send information on violations of corruption laws and ethics rules involving Justices, judges, and court personnel.
Dubbed “judiciary integrity mail,” Acting Chief Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen issued Memorandum Order No. 72-2024 creating the email, integrity@judiciary.gov.ph, where the public may send tips and other information relating to any violation of the laws against graft and corruption, the Code of Judicial Responsibility, and other related laws and issuances by any judge, justice, or court personnel at any level.
The violations may include; extortion of money, gift, or favor from any litigant or counsel of any party to influence a court case or court process; extortion of money, gift, or favor from any litigant or counsel for the service of any process, including warrants, summons, and writs of execution; extortion of money, gift, or favor from any litigant or counsel for any activity of judges, justices or court personnel; extortion of money, gift, or favor to gain inside information as to the progress of any case, including the name of the ponente in any appellate court including the Supreme Court; and names and activities of any influence peddler who claims to be able to obtain favors in any court.
The information will be sent directly to the Committee on Ethics of the Supreme Court which is chaired by the Chief Justice with the Senior Associate Justice as working vice chairperson. The complaint will be treated with confidentiality.
“Whistleblowers with credible information will be given the proper protection by the court. Lawyers who participate, advice, or tolerate any form of corruption shall be dealt with severely,” the SC memo read.
The tribunal advised the public that actionable information is often used as a basis to set up entrapment actions to rid the court of undesirable elements.
“Therefore, posting on social media or any public platform prematurely can undermine our ability to arrest and prosecute,” the tribunal added.
The tribunal ordered the memorandum to be posted prominently in all courts and halls of justice.
“Do not test the resolve and commitment of the Chief Justice and all the justices of the Supreme Court to ensure integrity in the Judiciary. Many of our people suffer. For many of them, the judiciary is their last resort. We cannot fail them,” the memo stressed./PN
