SC creates channel for judicial corruption complaints

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it has created a channel where the public can send information on violations of corruption laws and ethics involving justices, judges, and court personnel.

According to the court, the violations may involve, among others:

• 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 court said the complaints may be sent to integrity@judiciary.gov.ph

Meanwhile, confidential complaints may be submitted directly to the Chief Justice, the Senior Associate Justice, or any Justice of the Supreme Court. It said whistleblowers will be given proper protection by the Court.

The SC warned that the reported information may be used as basis for entrapment operations and that posting these on social media may undermine the efforts to investigate violators. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA Integrated News