THE Supreme Court has ordered the creation of a “specific channel” where the public can send “actionable information” against justices, judges, and court personnel who violate corruption laws and ethics rules.
The High Court’s Memorandum Order No. 72-2024 encourages citizens to send information to the web page integrity@judiciary.gov.ph involving judges and court personnel involved in extortion and those who solicit gifts or favors from litigants or counsels of any party in exchange for either positive or negative result in their court cases.
The specific violations include extortion of money, gift or favor from any litigant or counsel of any party in exchange for any result; extortion of money, gift or favor from any litigant or counsel for the service of any process including warrants, summons, 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 on 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 influence in any court.
The SC said the reports “may be used as basis for entrapment operations (so) premature posting on social media may undermine efforts to investigate and prosecute violators.”
It also warned lawyers who participate, advise, or tolerate any form of corruption that the SC will deal with these acts severely.
The SC said all information sent to integrity@judicial.gov.ph will be accessible to the SC Ethics Committee, which is chaired by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, with Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen as working vice chairperson.
It said the public may also submit confidential complaints directly to the Chief Justice or any SC justice. “Whistleblowers with credible information will be given the proper protection by the Court. The creation of the ‘specific channel’ is part of the High Court’s efforts to cleanse all forms of corruption in the judiciary,” it said.
