SC probing photo of 'Ma'am Arlene' with justices

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) Ad Hoc Committee is investigating the photo of Arlene Angeles Lerma who is being tagged in news reports as "Ma'am Arlene" or the so-called "Janet Lim-Napoles" of the judiciary.

The Committee, chaired by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, said the photograph that was published in three national broadsheets on Friday is among the documents that are being looked into.

In the photo, Lerma is shown seated in the center and surrounded by female justices of the Court of Appeals and a magistrate of the Supreme Court.

Read: Photo shows ‘Ma’am Arlene’ rubbing elbows with justices

Lerma has been tagged by investigators as the “Ma’am Arlene” who is allegedly involved an influence peddler or fixer of cases in courts.

The Committee said it will not publicize such documents and photographs pending the release of a formal report.

"A photograph memorializes a moment. It may speak some truth but it may not be all of it. The proper context therefore must be understood and proven," the Committee chaired by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said in a statement.

The Committee said part of its responsibility is to determine which information is reliable and credible to unravel the truth of news reports regarding the alleged judicial corruption involving non-judiciary members.

But it explained that it is doing its duty with "due and deliberate speed."

"[D]etermining the truth is often not achieved by a mad rush based on incomplete pictures, suggestive images or unsubstantiated contexts. It is best achieved by a sober, clear, complete and independent look at the entire context. This is what the Committee has committed to do," it said.

The Committee said it will submit a preliminary report to the Supreme Court en banc within six months or earlier from the time it was created.

It said that the media will be able to "find the right balance between the public’s need for information and the necessity for the Committee to do its job effectively and efficiently."