Salonga to sacked CA justice: Name those behind bribe try

MANILA, Philippines - Dismissed Court of Appeals Associate Justice Vicente Roxas should name the personalities behind the alleged bribery try on magistrates involved in the disposition of the ownership case of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco). This was according to former Senate President Jovito Salonga, who said that such a revelation coming from Roxas would not only redeem himself but also bring back the public’s trust in the country’s judiciary as well. “He should name names… Who are the people who offered the bribe? There’s a possibility of redemption for any human being," Salonga said in an interview aired on GMA’s 24 Oras. The Supreme Court last Tuesday ordered the relief of 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. 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. In his report on 24 Oras, Jon Consulta quoted Salonga as saying that it is important for Roxas to unveil the truth in order to preserve the judiciary’s integrity, particularly of the CA. The Philippine Trial Lawyers Association (PTLA), on the other hand, said it is already too late for Roxas to disclose the names of those behind the bribery attempt on CA justices. PTLA President Romualdo Din Jr said Roxas should have made the disclosure during the hearings conducted by the three-man panel formed by the high court to probe the controversy in the appellate court. "I think it's too late now. There is already the decision by the Supreme Court. It should have been done during the investigation," Din said, adding that any disclosure by Roxas now will only be misconstrued considering the severe penalty he received from SC. Din added they are hopeful that the preliminary investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) would reveal those who were involved in the bribery attempt and would help redeem the integrity of our justice system. - GMANews.TV