Palace: We respect SC independence over 'narco-judges' probe

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang distanced itself from the move of the Supreme Court to conduct a motu propio investigation on the four judges earlier named by President Rodrigo Duterte in his drug shame list.

 

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said on Wednesday that the Palace recognizes the separation of the three branches of government.

 

"We recognize the independence of the Supreme Court, which exercises administrative supervision and control of all courts, including power to discipline erring members of the judiciary," Andanar said.

 

Duterte lashed out against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno last week after the latter sent a letter to the president saying that the concerned judges could not be prejudged over their alleged drug links.

 

RELATED: Judge on ‘narco list’ quits

 

Angered by the chief justice's moves, Duterte even asked if Sereno would rather impose martial law than wait for the warrants of arrest be issued against erring drug personalities. 

 

RELATED: 1987 Constitution explained: Can Duterte declare martial law?

 

The president  said an imminent threat exists adding that drastic action must be done versus drug users and protectors. Duterte, however, apologized after Sereno opted to be quiet despite the president's tirades, averting a potential constitutional crisis between the executive and judicial branches.

 

Last Tuesday, the SC ruled that a special team be tasked to look into the allegations hurled by President Duterte against  the four “narco-judges” namely: Ezekiel Dagala (Municipal Trial Court – Dapa, Siargao), Adriano Savilo (Regional Trial Court – Branch 13, Iloilo City), Domingo Casiple (Kalibo, Aklan) and Antonio Reyes (Baguio City).

 

SC spokesman Theodore Te said the high court has appointed retired Justice Roberto Abad as the sole investigator to handle the complaint-affidavits against them.

 

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Director General Isidro Lapeña were asked to file necessary complaints or provide information on the four judges.

 

Te added that the four judges would also be asked to submit their responses before the fact-finding committee handling the case. 

 

Abad was directed to conclude the investigation within 30 days from receipt of the answers of the four judges. He was also authorized "to issue notices of the hearing to the four judges and all other necessary parties upon commencement of the probe."

 

Abad and the secretariat were asked to treat all the proceedings with confidentiality. The direct clerk of court en banc and any division clerk of courts were also asked to administer the oath to any witness who might give a testimony or to attest to the veracity of any documents that might be submitted by the parties.