Sabio returns to work after 2-month suspension

MANILA, Philippines – After serving his two-month suspension without pay, Associate Justice Jose Sabio returned to work at the Court of Appeals yesterday.

Sabio told reporters that his suspension, brought about by his involvement in the CA’s handling of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) board election case, provided him with time to spend with his family and to teach at the Ateneo Law School in Makati.

Sabio also said that he served his suspension with a “clear conscience.”

“My conscience is clear. Although the verdict (by the Supreme Court) was surprising, I accepted it, being a good soldier,” he said.

The Supreme Court ordered Sabio’s suspension last Sept. 9 after he was found guilty of committing simple misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a justice.

The Court also gave him a stern warning that a repetition of the same or similar acts will warrant a more severe penalty.

Sabio also confirmed the resignation of his daughter, lawyer Silvia Jo Sabio, from the legal staff of Chief Justice Reynato Puno, following the SC’s decision to suspend him.

In its decision to suspend Sabio, the Court said it agreed with the investigating panel that “Justice Sabio, by his own action, or more accurately inaction, failed to maintain the high standard of independence and propriety that is required of him” when he entertained the telephone call of his older brother, Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chair Camilo Sabio, who discussed the merits of the position of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on the case.

Meanwhile, PCGG officer-in-charge Narciso Nario has become tight-lipped on the matter of his predecessor’s foreign travels after he was “advised” to refrain from issuing statements that could stoke the anger of PCGG chairman Sabio, who is now on leave.

Nario declined to comment yesterday on the reported extensive foreign trips of PCGG officials and the use of almost $1 million from a $34.14-million foreign litigation fund of the agency deposited with the Philippine National Bank, citing the virtual gag order.

According to Nario, he was prohibited from making a comment on controversial PCGG matters by an edict from DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez.

Though it was not a “gag order,” Nario said that Gonzalez had advised him not to make comments to the media, especially on matters concerning Sabio, who was recently persuaded to go on a second leave of absence after trying to reassume his post last Oct. 31.  - With Rainier Allan Ronda