Palace thanks SC for curbing TROs vs gov’t projects

With several infrastructure projects lined up under the Duterte administration, Malacañang is grateful to the Supreme Court ( SC) for its issuance of several directives aimed at preventing judges from “wantonly” issuing temporary restraining orders (TROs) to halt projects.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the Palace appreciates the SC’s response to President Duterte’s expressing alarm over reports that some judges in the lower courts could be bribed into issuing TROs in favor of losing bidders of government projects.

“The high court issued several circulars on the matter – it is very much appreciated. It shows there is cooperation between the branches of government,” Abella said.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said the SC welcomed Duterte’s airing of his view that some judges abused their authority by readily issuing TROs against key government projects.

She said the SC, which disciplines members of the judiciary, welcomed the President’s highlighting corruption in the judiciary as she assured the public that the judicial branch “will do its best to rid its ranks of corruption.”

As part of efforts against corruption, she noted that the SC public information office has been, for the past few years, coming out with weekly updates on disciplinary actions taken by the tribunal against erring members.

“And I can assure the public that we will not stop cleansing our ranks,” Sereno said, urging victims of corruption in the judiciary to come out in the open and take appropriate action against erring judges.

Also, she revealed that the Court of Appeals issued 50 TROs on infrastructure projects last year while the SC issued only one.

Sereno revealed primary data showed none in the courts lower than the appellate court had actually issued a TRO.

The SC has issued at least seven circulars to remind judges and justices of restrictions in the issuance of TROs against government infrastructure projects.