Public widely believes judges can be bribed — IBP

 

Citing a Scoial Weather Stations survey, the IBP said that public perception of corruption in the judiciary is pervasive, with the sources of corruption ranked as follows: 1. judges and justices ask for bribes (39 percent), 2. litigants pay bribes (36 percent), and 3. lawyers suggest bribes to win cases (20 percent).

 

"Corruption breeds contempt of the judicial process," said Integrated Bar of the Philippines National President Atty. Roan Libarios in his statement on the search for the next Chief Justice.

 

Last May, Chief Justice Renato Corona was convicted by the Senate impeachment court for  betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Philippine Constitution.

 

The court ruled that Corona was guilty of Article II of the impeachment complaint: the chief magistrate did not fully disclose his assets in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN)..

 

As of last month, SWS net satisfaction ratings were moderate for the Supreme Court, but lower than the previous quarter. The Supreme Court's satisfaction rating for the second quarter of 2012 was +13 (43% satisfied, 30% dissatisfied), down 14 points from net +27 (50% satisfied, 22% dissatisfied) in the first quarter.  

"With the new and refreshing spirit of transparency sweeping the JBC, the search process, as aired live on media, has drawn public attention to the pressing problems that beset our justice system," Libarios said.

 

Corruption, along with court docket congestion are the "twin evils that gnaw at the core of the Philippine justice system," he said, adding that these twin evils render the justice system inefficient, unreliable and unjust. 

 

According to Libarios, the twin evils are the root causes behind the low level of public trust and confidence in the judiciary. Leadership of the highest caliber

 

In order to tackle these issues, Libarios said leadership of the highest caliber is required. For the IBP president, such a leader must have clarity of vision, a well-crafted program of action, and infinite passion to communicate the reform agenda to stakeholders and to galvanize support.

 

The Judicial and Bar Council earlier announced it was set to vote this Monday to select a shortlist for the position of chief justice. But the voting was again moved to Wednesday, August 8. The JBC earlier conducted a four-day public interview of the 20 nominees for the chief justice post. 

 

In his statement, Libarios said the constitutional credentials of judgeship may not suffice. Beyond competence, intgrity, probity and independence, he said the next chief justice must "be able inspire and lead the judiciary, steer its course from the backwaters of clogged dockets and corruption into the high seas of judicial efficiency, integrity, independence and excellence."

 

Last July 28, the IBP held a mock balloting, where they selected 10 of the 20 nominees for the chief justice position. The IBP list includes acting Supreme Court Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, as well as Associate Justices Roberto Abad, Ma. Lourdes Sereno, Arturo Brion and Leonardo de Castro. — Carmela Lapeña/RSJ/HS, GMA News