AFTER 40 days, the Supreme Court rendered a decision on the scandal involving justices of the Court of Appeals (CA). The scandal is one of the lowest points in the history of Philippine judiciary as it threatens to destroy its integrity and the credibility of the courts.

The CA scandal is an offshoot of the Meralco war between the Lopez family and the Arroyo regime. Early this year, the Arroyo regime thru its stooge, GSIS President Winston Garcia, launched an all-out war against the Lopez economic empire.

Meralco, the foremost electric distribution company in the country is the crown jewel of the Lopez economic empire. The electric utility company had been controlled by the Lopezes since the 60s and removing them from it is the best way to undermine their economic clout.

In its all-out offensive to take over Meralco, the administration spared no effort and deployed all available means to defeat the Lopezes. Sensing defeat in the proxy votes the Arroyo regime using the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) moved to prevent an imminent Lopez victory by issuing a cease-and-desist order that the Lopez group ignored.

With the SEC hot on its trail, the Lopez group (who won control of Meralco) went to the Court of Appeals for relief. The CA issued a temporary restraining order while it hears the case. Eventually last July CA came up with a decision voiding the SEC order.

Scandal erupts when few days after the CA issued its decision on the Meralco case, a CA justice, Jose Sabio in a press conference told the stunned nation attempts were made by a Meralco representative to bride him with Php 10 million. Sabio’s disclosure made public the squabble among CA justices on the Meralco case.

In a rare en-banc session, the CA elevated the matter to the Supreme Court. With speed, the High Tribunal formed a special panel composed of three retired Supreme Court justices to look into the scandal. The investigation under full media coverage gave the public a glimpse of corruption, unethical practices, and dubious actions going on in the Court of Appeals.

Stories of corruption in the CA had been going around for many years. Justice is for sale in the CA and it usually goes to the highest bidder. The investigation on the Meralco case exposed to the public the shenanigans of many justices in the CA. What the people got were shocking revelations of the extent and depth of corruption in the second highest judicial body in the land.

Based on the result of the investigation, the Supreme Court dismissed CA justice Vicente Roxas who wrote a favorable decision to Meralco. Roxas was found by the High Court as dishonest, untruthful and disrespectful of his colleagues. He fabricated transcripts of deliberations, resorted to falsehood and exhibited “undue interest” in handling the case. Dismissal from the court and forfeiture of benefits were among the harsh penalties imposed by the High Court on Roxas.

Presiding Justice of the CA, Condrado Vasquez Jr., was severely reprimanded by the Supreme Court for failing to act promptly to prevent the scandal. Another CA justice, Beinvenido Reyes was reprimanded for discourtesy while Justice Myrna Dimaranan-Vidal was admonished for signing the decision without reading the memoranda.

Justice Jose Sabio Jr., the whistle blower of the scandal, did not escape punishment. He was suspended without pay for two months and received a reprimand. It came out in the investigation Sabio did not come to court with clean hands.

GSIS board member and lawyer of First Gentleman Jesus Santos talked to Camilio Sabio, PCGG chair and Jose Sabio’s brother about the Meralco case. Camilio in return called and talked to his brother Jose about the Meralco case, explaining to Jose the GSIS side. Many wondered why Jose Sabio agreed to met and discussed the Meralco case with lawyer Francis de Borja, his alleged briber even after the offer was made. Jose Sabio Jr. is professor of legal ethics in Ateneo Law School. Did he not consider the acts of his brother and that of his unethical?

It appears, Jose Sabio’s act of exposing the bribery was nothing but a deed of a sore loser. He was leaning toward GSIS and talks abound of promises of a Supreme Court position and other favors in return for favoring GSIS. When Roxas, working for the other side beat him into it, he cried foul.

What is clear in the scandal is the bastardization and prostitution of justice in this country. Justice has been reduced to a commodity for sale with justices in the second highest court of the land acting as pimps. It is not only Roxas who should be stripped of his position. Sabio Jr. and others deserve the same. If Sabio and the other justices involved in the scandal handle a case in the future can the public still trust they will be fair, honest and just? Certainly not. Their credibility and integrity has been destroyed beyond repair.

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