CA justice sacked, 4 others chastised over bribery case

MANILA, Philippines - A Court of Appeals justice was dismissed Tuesday while four others were sanctioned by the Supreme Court in connection with the alleged improprieties and bribery attending the disposition of the ownership case of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco). Voting 12-1, the SC ordered the relief of CA Associate Justice Vicente Roxas after he was found guilty of multiple violations of the canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct, grave misconduct, dishonesty, undue interest and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service. "Indeed, the fabrications and falsehoods that Justice Roxas blithely proffered to the panel in explanation/justification of his questioned handling of the Meralco case demonstrated that he lacks the qualification of integrity and honesty expected of a magistrate and a member of the appellate court," the high court said in its 58-page per curiam decision. Roxas penned the controversial July 23 decision stating that the Securities and Exchange Commission has no jurisdiction to validate the proxy votes counted in favor of the Lopez-bloc of the Meralco. The high court likewise voted to forfeit all of Roxas' benefits, except accrued leave credits if any, with prejudice to his re-employment in any branch or service of the government including government-owned and controlled corporations. Aside from Roxas, also sanctioned by the high court were Jose Sabio Jr., Bienvenido Reyes, Conrado Vasquez, and Myrna Dimaranan-Vidal. Sabio, who had exposed a P10-million bribe offer on him to inhibit from the Meralco case, was slapped with a two-month suspension after he was found guilty of simple misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a justice of the CA. Sabio admitted during the panel hearings that his brother, Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chairman Camilo Sabio, called him up twice to influence him on the position of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), which has a big stake in Meralco. SC spokesman Midas Marquez said that 10 justices voted for the Sabio’s suspension without pay. One justice voted for the associate justice’s dismissal while another one said Sabio should only be reprimanded to credit his role as a “whistleblower." On the other hand, Vasquez was being “severely reprimanded for his failure to act promptly and decisively in order to avert the incidence that damaged the image of the Court of Appeals." Meanwhile, Reyes was found guilty of “simple misconduct with mitigating circumstance." Vasquez and Reyes were also given a stern warning that the repetition of the same or a similar act may warrant more severe penalty. The court also found Vidal guilty of conduct unbecoming of a justice of the appellate court for allowing herself to sign the decision without reading the parties’ memorandum. “(She) is admonished to be more circumspect in the discharge of her judicial duty," said Marquez. The panel also recommended that businessman Francis de Borja, who allegedly bribed Sabio, undergo a preliminary investigation by the Department of Justice since he is a private individual. The panel also referred the case of PCGG's Sabio to the Bar confidante since he is a lawyer. “PCGG Chairman Camilo Sabio’s acts to influence the judgment of a member of the judiciary is hereby referred to the Bar confidante for appropriate action," the high court said. Marquez clarified that while the five justices could move for a reconsideration of the court decision, the sanctions would immediately take effect. “They can still file a motion for reconsideration but in cases like this, this is immediately executory so their motion for reconsideration if they would like to file one they would be filed however, they will have to start serving the penalties imposed already," Marquez said. The sanctions were based on the recommendation submitted by the three-man panel created by the SC to look into the reported irregularities and bribery attempt within the CA in connection with the Meralco-GSIS case. The panel was composed of retired SC justices Carolina Grino-Aquino, Flerida Ruth Romero and Romeo Callejo. Roxas was unavailable for comment as of press time, but his staff said that the justice has locked himself inside his chambers the whole day and left early after learning from the media about his dismissal. Sabio, who also could not be reached for comment, was in Bohol for an official leave, but his staff said that he was to return to Manila late in the afternoon as he still has classes at the Ateneo Law School in the evening. - GMANews.TV