Sandigan justices scored for alleged purchase of 3 SUVs

MANILA, Philippines - The first presiding justice of Sandiganbayan on Wednesday scored the court’s present justices for allegedly purchasing three sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in time when the country is reeling from a series of oil price increases. Retired magistrate Manuel Pamaran said the acquisition of luxury cars is in contrast with the government’s call for austerity measures amid rising hunger index ratings among the country’s poor families. “This is shocking. During our time, we did not splurge on such luxuries. This is very wrong,” he said of the reported acquisition of three units of Honda CR-V, each costing around P1.27 million. Court informants said the justices have also increased their monthly gas allowances by 33 percent – from P7,500 to P10,000. Pamaran said the money used for the purchase of the said SUVs should have been used for the benefits of the ordinary workers of the anti-graft court. “They (justices) should have given more attention to the benefits of the rank and file employees. That is the correct thing to do when the country is in the middle of hardship like this,” he said. Pamaran visited the House of Representatives Wednesday to update lawmakers on the campaign for the benefits of the Filipino War veterans in the United States. He served as the first presiding justice of the Sandiganbayan when the special anti-graft court was created in 1978 by then President Ferdinand Marcos with the issuance of Presidential Decree no. 1486. - GMANews.TV