DOJ recommends raps vs. Pasay court employee for bribery

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of direct bribery charges against a Pasay court employee whom the Supreme Court had earlier placed under preventive suspension.

In a resolution, DOJ prosecutors recommended the filing of charges against Mariejoy Lagman, the acting branch clerk of Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 108, for direct bribery, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and violation of the Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Meanwhile, the complaint against Judge Albert Cansino, who had also been placed under preventive suspension along with Lagman, was referred for conduct of preliminary investigation.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) previously arrested Lagman during an entrapment operation for allegedly accepting P6 million from a litigant in exchange for a favorable judgment in a civil case.

The operation was prompted by an anonymous complaint that the Judicial Integrity Board received through email.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has placed the two under preventive suspension for 90 days to ensure an unhampered formal investigation. — VDV, GMA Integrated News