SC seeks explanation from Kapunan on ‘bribery’ claim

(Updated 1:49 p.m.) The Supreme Court is demanding an explanation from lawyer Lorna Kapunan, former legal counsel for supposed pork barrel fund scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, regarding her claim about corruption in the high court. 

 

The one-page notice signed by SC clerk of court Enriqueta Vidal pertained to a television interview of Kapunan, in which the lawyer claimed there were justices in the high court who can be bribed.

 

"The Court resolved to direct Atty. Lorna Kapunan to explain her answers in her interview in Umagang Kay Ganda on November 21, 2013 regarding corruption in the judiciary, within ten (10) days from notice hereof," the court said.

In the same television interview, Kapunan also claimed that corruption persisted in the Court of Appeals, where a restraining order can cost as much as P5 million.

Calls made by GMA News Online to Kapunan have yet to be returned as of posting time.

Kapunan earlier represented Napoles in the latter's serious illegal detention case being heard by a Makati court. Kapunan later withdraw as counsel, saying they separated for the good of the case, and that her decision to leave did not mean that she found her client guilty.

 

Napoles is facing separate plunder complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman for supposed funneling of priority development assistance funds of several lawmakers through her non-existent non-government organizations.

 

In a speech at a gathering of the Philippine Bar Association (PBA) in September, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno urged the country's lawyers to blow the whistle on erring judges, saying such “hoodlums in robes” are besmirching the reputation of the judiciary.

 

Sereno said she was aware of complaints about judges who are allegedly corrupt and bias in their resolutions and decisions.

 

"It is common in lawyers' circles to talk of judges engaged in below-the-table dealings, which has besmirched the reputation of the bench. You talk about law firms and lawyers with vaults in their offices that are ready to churn out hard cash for pay-offs," Sereno said.

 

"Yet, you discuss these evils in hushed tones and through blind items. It is seldom that a lawyer comes up to the Supreme Court, armed with evidence to kick these culprits out of the bench and bar," she added.

 

The high court is currently investigating reports of a supposed “fixer” in the judiciary identified only in the media as “Ma'am Arlene,” said to be the judiciary's version of Napoles.

In response, Kapunan said: "I welcome the opportunity to cooperate in light of the statement of CJ Sereno that maybe this should be the opportunity for the legal profession to cleanse its ranks."

Kapunan said she recieved the notice last Tuesday and has until November 12 to submit her explanation. — Mark Merueñas /RSJ/LBG, GMA News