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P10-M bribe try: GSIS chief urges 2 CA justices to resign


MANILA, Philippines - The Government Service Insurance System chief on Thursday urged two Court of Appeals justices linked to the P10-million "case-switching" and bribe try on Justice Jose Sabio to resign from their posts. In a statement issued Thursday night, GSIS chief Winston Garcia also said that CA Justices Vicente Roxas and Bienvenido Reyes should save what’s left of the CA's reputation as an institution and get ready to face criminal and administrative cases. Garcia vowed to file the cases. The challenge came after Roxas and Reyes were "practically accused" by another CA justice of working for the interest of Lopez-controlled Manila Electric Company (Meralco) in its case against the GSIS. The letter-complaint against Reyes and Roxas was made public on Thursday. In his letter, Sabio talked about an attempt by an unidentified businessman “brokering" for Meralco to bribe Sabio P10 million. The money was supposed to be given in exchange for giving way to Reyes as chair of the CA’s Special 9th Division. Sabio also expressed puzzlement on the above-normal interest shown both by Roxas and Reyes on the Meralco-GSIS case, to the point of their using the CA’s 8th Division to rule on the case despite its pendency before the Special 9th. “The sordid details of Meralco’s behind-the-scene maneuverings as narrated by Justice Sabio merely put in public display the contempt the Lopezes have for the law," Garcia said in his statement. “Lady Justice lies bleeding on the ground, and those who have bloods in their hands must be made to answer for this dastardly crime!" he added. In the same statement, Garcia said he would lead the filing of administrative and criminal cases against Reyes and Roxas over what he said is now disdainfully described in legal circles as the “Meralco switcheroo." “I call on all Filipinos, especially my colleagues in the noble practice of law, to rise up in unison to condemn these moves by Meralco to protect its interest at the expense of what is right and just," Garcia said. The same statement said that Roxas has two pending administrative cases with the Supreme Court, including one for “gross ignorance of the law" for ruling on the Philcomsat case despite the petitioner having withdrawn. - GMANews.TV
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