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By Jomar Canlas, Reporter
Twelve justices of the Court of
Appeals suspected of “selling” temporary restraining orders are
now on the watchlist of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Supreme
Court.
Ombudsman Maria Merceditas
Navarro-Gutierrez has confirmed that the justices have been the
subject of numerous complaints from the litigants and lawyers.
The Manila Times has learned that
despite the sacking of CA Associate Justice Elvi John Asuncion,
Chief Justice Reynato Puno continues to monitor the court’s
magistrates.
The Times was told the justices
on the Ombudsman’s list are the same magistrates the Supreme Court
suspects of fixing cases.
Gutierrez refused to reveal the
names because she said the list was given to her confidentially. But
she said that the suspect justices who are based in Manila conduct
their nefarious transactions in three of the biggest hotels near the
appellate court.
Two of the justices, assigned in
Manila, are reportedly female.
The CA has 69 justices, 51 of
them in Manila.
One justice is a former judge
known for his “indiscriminate” and “improvident” issuance of
TROs. Another is a former regional trial curt judge known for his
lavish lifestyle.
Another ex-RTC judge tries to
project a reputation for being honest by restricting access to his
chambers.
One female justice reportedly has
strong connections with a big law office and the other, to a
gambling lord in Central Luzon. The two are said to frequent big
casinos wearing disguises.
Two justices have their wives
acting as their agents when they fix cases.
Another specializes in labor
cases and plays golf.
In Cebu, the most notorious
justice reportedly collects huge fees because he wants to live his
retirement in luxury.
The justice was said to be able
to submit a concurring opinion in a case ahead of the ruling of the
ponente or designated writer of the decision.
Other justices in Cebu reportedly
offer a “package” of a TRO, injunction, decision and resolution
on motions for reconsideration.
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