Bersamin vows judiciary purge if evidence warrants

BAGUIO CITY – Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin vowed here on Monday, April 8, to purge the judiciary of erring members if evidence

warrants.

He revealed that the Supreme Court (SC), which is holding its traditional summer sessions here, has been investigating reports of corruption and other malfeasance against some members of the judiciary and court personnel.

He did not disclose their names pending the final result of the investigation and the ultimate action of the SC on their cases.

The Chief Justice cited an earlier announcement of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that 13 judges are involved in illegal drugs trade.

He said the SC immediately authorized Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta to coordinate with PDEA on the issue.

Reports stated that PDEA failed to release the names of the 13 judges pending further verification.

Bersamin said that reports about misbehaving judges are immediately being acted upon by the SC.

“We have been very careful because we know it is the judiciary that would suffer most if its incumbent members and personnel are involved in corruption and other misbehavior,” he said.

“What I can assure you is that the SC will impose the penalty for those

found guilty,” he stressed.

On vacancies in the lower courts, Bersamin said the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has been submitting to President Duterte its nominees to the vacant positions.

“We have submitted the JBC’s nominees but we have to respect the prerogative of the President to study and peruse our recommendations,” he said.

“We are expecting that every now and then, the President would appoint judges for these vacancies. That is what the President has been doing anyway,” he added

In the SC, there is still one vacancy with the retirement of Associate Justice Noel G. Tijam last January 5.