BAGUIO CITY – Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin vowed here yesterday to purge erring members of the Judiciary if evidence warrants.
He revealed that the Supreme Court, which is holding its traditional summer sessions here, has been investigating reports of corruption and other malfeasance against some members of the Judiciary and court personnel.
Bersamin, however, did not disclose their names pending final result of the investigation and the ultimate action of the SC on their cases.
The Chief Justice cited an earlier announcement of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that 13 judges are involved in the illegal drugs trade.
He said the SC immediately authorized Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta to coordinate with PDEA on the issue.
Reports stated that PDEA failed to release the names of the 13 judges pending further verification.
Bersamin said that reports about misbehaving judges are immediately being acted upon by the SC.
“We have been very careful because we know it is the Judiciary that would suffer most if its incumbent members and personnel are involved in corruption and other misbehavior,” he said.
“What I can assure you is that the SC will impose the penalty for those found guilty,” he stressed. (Rey Panaligan)