Retired justices sworn in as members of court integrity board

Five retired justices took their oath Monday as members of the Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) that will have the power to act on administrative complaints against judges and court employees.

Retired Supreme Court (SC) justice Romeo Callejo, Sr., the vice chancellor of the Philippine Judicial Academy, was sworn in as the chairperson of the JIB. He will be on the board for three years.

Retired SC justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, a former member of the Judicial and Bar Council, took her oath as the JIB's vice chair, a position she will serve for two years.

The JIB's members are retired Court of Appeals justice Sesinando Villon, retired Sandiganbayan justice Rodolfo Ponferrada, and retired Court of Tax appeals justice Cielito Mindaro-Grulla. They will serve on the board for three years, two years, and one year, respectively.

The SC "reinvigorated" the JIB and the Corruption Prevention and Investigation Office this year in an effort to "continue the weeding out of misfits and purging the judiciary."

Both offices were created in 2018 but were "put on the back burner" as court authorities reviewed their functions, according to the SC Public Information Office.

The JIB has the power to receive and act on administrative complaints against the justices of the CA, Sandiganbayan, CTA Shari'ah High Court, the lower courts, and officials and employees of the judiciary.

Functions of the Office of the Court Administrator on administrative or disciplinary cases, complaints or referrals under Rule 140 of the Rules of Court and SC issuances will be transferred to the JIB, except in cases that the JIB may delegate to the OCA, according to the SC.

On the other hand, the CPIO is authorized to investigate or conduct intelligence, surveillance or entrapment operations or lifestyle checks on justices and judiciary officials and employees liable for various offenses. — BM, GMA News