Another CA justice facing administrative charges before SC

MANILA, Philippines — Another appellate court magistrate was slapped with administrative charges for allegedly asking bribe money from a litigant, a radio report said. Radio dzRH quoted Court Administrator Jose Perez as saying that Justice Rosemarie Carandang was the subject of a complaint by Marlyn Repano for asking P1.5 million to rule in her favor in a case she was involved in. Perez did not clearly state the case of Repano, the report said. The report said Repano’s complaint was immediately forwarded to the Supreme Court, whose decision is now being awaited. The Supreme Court on September 9 dismissed a justice of the Court of Appeals, suspended one, and sanctioned three others for improprieties related to the bribery scandal which marred the ownership case of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) against the Government Insurance and Service System (GSIS). The high court ordered Roxas' dismissal after he was found guilty of multiple violations of the canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct, grave misconduct, dishonesty, undue interest and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service. Associate Justice Jose Sabio, who had exposed a P10-million bribe offer for him to inhibit from the Meralco case, was suspended for two months after he was found guilty of simple misconduct and conduct unbecoming a justice of the CA. Presiding Justice Conrado Vasquez was "severely reprimanded for his failure to act promptly and decisively in order to avert the incidence that damaged the image of the Court of Appeals." Justice Bienvenido Reyes and Myrna Dimaranan-Vidal were reprimanded. for "simple misconduct." The court also found Vidal guilty of conduct unbecoming a justice of the appellate court for allowing herself to sign the decision without reading the parties' memorandum. The panel also recommended that businessman Francis de Borja, who allegedly bribed Sabio, undergo a preliminary investigation by the Department of Justice since he is a private individual. It also referred the case of PCGG chairman Sabio to the Bar confidante since he is a lawyer. - GMANews.TV