SC recommendation on CA mess may impact on GSIS motion

MANILA, Philippines – The recommendation of the Supreme Court panel tasked to probe improprieties in the handling of the Manila Electric Co. board election case by the Court of Appeals may have an impact on the motion for reconsideration filed by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) before the SC.

SC spokesman Midas Marquez told reporters yesterday that the recommendation of the panel and the decision of the Court on the administrative case against the involved CA justices will be included in the pending cases, one filed by the GSIS and another by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

Both the GSIS and the OSG are questioning the validity of the decision penned by CA Justice Vicente Roxas. The OSG has filed its motion for reconsideration, representing the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“That decision has already been appealed to the Supreme Court. Well, the en banc can say that the records of this case be included in the records of the pending cases. There are actually two pending cases here regarding this particular case. The en banc can say that the records of this case be also filed in the two cases. So whatever decision will be rendered will take into consideration this case,” said Marquez.

Test case

Meanwhile, Marquez stressed that it would be the Court that will decide on the sanctions to be imposed on the erring CA justices.

“Whether or not sanctions have been recommended by the panel, I think will be immaterial at this point. The Court will decide if there will be sanctions to be imposed and what the sanctions will be. At this point that would be immaterial whether or not there is a recommendation as to the sanctions. Anyway, at the end of the day, it will be the High Court justices who will determine what sanctions would be imposed, if any,” he said.

Marquez said the Court will only decide on the administrative aspect of the case, which is the alleged improprieties committed by the CA justices, while the alleged bribery try on CA Justice Jose Sabio will not be touched by the Court.

Marquez also agreed with the view of some senators that the CA case is a test case for the Court.

Should the Court recommend dismissal for any of the involved CA justices in the Meralco case, Marquez said the order of dismissal will be made immediately executory.

“Decisions finding justices dismissed from the service are immediately executory. Of course they can file an appeal but while the motion for reconsideration is pending, that decision is enforceable.”

Marquez also admitted that the Meralco case has punctured the integrity of the courts and the legal system.

A panel composed of retired SC Justices Carolina Griño-Aquino, Flerida Ruth Romero and Romeo Callejo conducted an almost month-long fact-finding hearing on the alleged irregularities in the CA’s handling of the Meralco case. The panel’s findings were then submitted to Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

According to sources, the panel’s investigation showed irregularities and improprieties committed by CA Presiding Justice Conrado Vasquez and CA Justices Sabio, Roxas, Myrna Dimaranan Vidal and Bienvenido Reyes.

Quisumbing inhibits

Meanwhile, Supreme Court Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing has manifested his intention to inhibit from the deliberations on the report submitted by the three-man panel.

Marquez told reporters that Quisumbing intends to inhibit from hearing the case. However, the Court is still waiting for his formal inhibition.