Vizconde: Carpio has 'tendency to submit to corruption'

MANILA, Philippines - Anti-crime advocate Lauro Vizconde on Thursday submitted before the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) a letter opposing the nomination of Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio's nomination for chief justice for the magistrate's "tendency to submit to corruption."

Vizconde, whose wife and two daughters were brutally killed inside their home in 1991, had accused Carpio of influencing the SC's ruling on the massacre case in favor of Hubert Webb.

Webb and the other accused have been absolved by the SC from the massacre case.

"I respectfully submit that insofar as my knowledge is concerned, at least in the case of People vs. Webb, Mr. Justice Carpio has exhibited his tendencies to submit to corruption and to entertain biases to serve his own personal interest and the interest of those close to him," Vizconde said in a 3-page letter to the JBC.

Carpio is an appointee of President Benigno Aquino III. He is one of the 22 nominees for the chief justice position, which was left vacant after the ouster of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Vizconde was accompanied by his lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, when he submitted the letter to the JBC. Topacio is also a lawyer of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo.

"I am respectfully submitting my vehement objection to the nomination and appointment of Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, as he is wanting in, and has not proven his possession of the qualities of integrity, probity and independence required of the highest post in the Judiciary..." Vizconde said in his letter.

"Binabraso niya (Carpio) para nga ma-acquit si Webb," Vizconde told reporters after submitting the letter.

Lauro's daughters Carmelita, 19; and Jennifer, 6; and his wife Estrellita, 49, were brutally murdered inside their residence at BF Homes, Paranaque City on June 30, 1991. Lauro was in the United States when his family was massacred.

Carpio has five days to answer or give his side on the opposition by the JBC.