Another one caught

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Another judge had been penalized by the Sandiganbayan for having been caught demanding for money from a litigant. The amount was only P10,000, but the penalty was a dismaying nine years of imprisonment. The judge was found guilty of direct bribery, and the sentence noted that his guilt had been proven "beyond reasonable doubt".

This is not the first case we have heard or read about involving judges who have earned for themselves, to the disgust of their peers, the monicker of "Hoodlums in Robes". In Negros Island, we also had a case involving a judge who was entrapped by government agents who treated the money given to him with chemicals whose traces showed up on his hands during investigation.

Recently, the Supreme Court has been showing its teeth, especially when Chief Justice Reynato Puno himself confronted the justices with reports relayed to him about the corruption among them. These are already in high places, but despite their objections, those suspected cannot seem to escape notice because their behavior and that of their family members hint broadly that they do not live within their means, at least not from their income as a judge or justice.

It looks as if it will be a long time before we can see enough reforms in our judiciary. Even in the higher courts, reports have come out about the need to pay thousands of pesos before one can have the privilege of getting a temporary restraining order.

So far, we do not know of any justice being apprehended or warned but, with the disclosure to them by the Chief Justice of what he knows about such practices, TRO seekers may soon get some relief.

In the meantime, we hope there will be no let-up in the drive against such corruption in our courts. They are supposed to be our main resort when wronged, but how one get justice when it entails so much in unauthorized fees?*