Sara Duterte slams ‘SC aspirant’ working to have her disbarment case withdrawn

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday accused a Supreme Court aspirant of trying to win her favor by working for the withdrawal of the disbarment case filed against her in 2011.

Duterte-Carpio said she has received reports that "certain individuals" are talking to the petitioners and witnesses asking them to withdraw the charges, which stemmed from an incident in July 2011 when she punched a court sheriff during a demolition of informal settler's shanties.

"Behind this is an individual who is seeking appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court. This person has been trying to spin my case to get a favorable ruling — hoping that I may take notice of him," she said, without naming the person.

"So the public may know, I have never asked any complainant or witness to withdraw their disbarment case against me as I have always maintained that I will face the consequences of my actions on that fateful day of July 1, 2011."

Two disbarment complaints were separately filed by lawyer Fernando Perito and the Sheriffs' Confederation of the Philippines against the mayor with the high court in relation to the incident.

The mayor also made it clear that she has no hand in SC appointments.

"That is beyond my authority as Mayor of Davao City," she said.

Duterte-Carpio warned Malacañang against appointing the person to the high court whether as an associate justice or chief justice, saying he "clearly lacks the virtues of honor, justice, and fairness."

There are currently two vacancies in the 15-man SC as a result of the appointment of Justice Samuel Martires to the Office of the Ombudsman and promotion of Justice Teresita Leonardo De Castro to Chief Justice. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News