MANILA — The Supreme Court has issued Memorandum Order No. 72-2024 creating a specific channel, through [email protected], where the public can send actionable information on violations of corruption laws and ethics rules involving Justices, judges, and court personnel.
The violations may involve, among others:
- extortion of money, gift or favor from any litigant or counsel of any party in exchange for any result;
- extortion of money, gift or favor from any litigant or counsel for the service of any process including warrants, summons, writs of execution;
- extortion of money, gift or favor from any litigant or counsel for any activity of judges, Justices, or court personnel;
- extortion of money, gift or favor to gain inside information on the progress of any case, including the name of the ponente in any appellate court, including the Supreme Court; and
- names and activities of any influence peddler who claims influence in any court.
The public however is reminded that as such reported information may be used as basis for entrapment operations, premature posting on social media may undermine efforts to investigate and prosecute violators.
The Court also warned that lawyers who participate, advise, or tolerate any form of corruption shall be dealt with severely.
Information sent to [email protected] will be accessible to the Ethics Committee of the Supreme Court, chaired by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, with Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen as working Vice Chairperson.
The public may also submit confidential complaints directly to the Chief Justice, the Senior Associate Justice, or any Justice of the Supreme Court.
Whistleblowers with credible information will be given the proper protection by the Court.
The creation of this latest channel is part of the Supreme Court’s efforts to cleanse the courts of all forms of corruption. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
FULL TEXT of Memorandum Order No. 72-2024 at: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/memorandum-order-no-72-2024/
