Remulla: No sacred cows in fight vs corruption, not even partners in justice
JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla said nobody will be spared in the government’s campaign against corruption even partners in the administration of justice.
This after the Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service (DOJ-NPS) resolved the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) finding probable cause to indict for direct bribery an OIC Branch Clerk of Court of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 108.
Acting on the request from the Supreme Court (SC), the NBI conducted covert inquiries into allegations of extortion activities initiated by the erring court employee.
A certain informant told the NBI that the court employee allegedly demanded P5,000,000 from their camp who has a pending civil case before the Pasay RTC in exchange for a favorable decision.
The informant said the initial payment of goodwill money amounting to P1,000,000 which forms part of the total amount of P5,000,000 was supposed to be made on 22-23 May 2024 but was postponed.
This made the erring court employee increase the amount to P6,000,000 which was to be paid on 24 May 2024 at his office.
Consequently, an undercover NBI agent accompanied the informant to launch the entrapment operation against the court employee where the marked money was placed inside an eco bag then eventually received by the dishonest court employee. The arrest by the NBI ensued immediately after the favorable Court Order was handed to the informant.
“As principal agents of the State in the administration of justice, we must set among ourselves the highest level of standards at all times, in or out of court. We should always bear in mind that our relentless struggle for excellence and dedication as civil servants will have no significant meaning at all if we leave out the most essential part of our profession – Integrity,” Secretary Remulla stressed.
“May this serve as a warning to my fellow workers in the DOJ as well, always set the bar high and serve as role models,” the Secretary added.
The respondent will be charged with direct bribery under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, violation of Section 3(b) of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; violation of Section 7(d) of RA No.6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Considering that the presiding judge of the Pasay City RTC Branch 108 was included by the NBI in the complaint and the presents facts are insufficient, he will then be invited for a preliminary investigation to identify his culpability, if any.
