Vizconde fails to submit evidence vs Carpio

MANILA, Philippines - Lauro Vizconde has refused to reveal to the Supreme Court (SC) the identity of his source who allegedly accused Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio of lobbying for the acquittal of Hubert Webb and six others convicted of the 1991 murder of his family.

Vizconde would only tell reporters that his source is a member of the judiciary.

“It would not be proper at this time to break the seal of confidentiality under which the information regarding Mr. Justice Carpio was given to (me) by those concerned,” he said.

He has not named his source upon advice of his counsel Ferdinand Topacio, Vizconde said.

Meanwhile, Topacio said they would pursue the filing of an impeachment complaint against Carpio before the House of Representatives.

Topacio said he was only quoting Vizconde in

making the allegations against Carpio to the media.

“Topacio told Vizconde that the question was no longer legal but was purely moral and ethical in its dimensions, because he and only he can and should decide as to whether or not to break the seal of confidentiality under which the information was given,” they told the SC in a five-page joint compliance.

“Both undersigned reiterate their utmost respect and support for the institution of the Supreme Court, their full faith in the integrity and leadership of Mr. Chief Justice Renato Corona, and states for the record that their pronouncements regarding Mr. Justice Antonio Carpio were made in reliance with the information given to them in confidence by unimpeachable sources, and that the same were motivated by a desire

to effect genuine reforms in the judiciary, which is their duty to aid as citizens and – in the case of Topacio – a member of the Bar.”

SC spokesman Midas Marquez said the compliances of Vizconde, Topacio and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption chairman Dante Jimenez would be submitted for the SC’s consideration in today’s session.

“Apparently, Mr. Vizconde is not giving proof of his allegation so let’s see how the court will consider that. I don’t want to preempt the court,” he said.

Marquez dared Vizconde’s camp to proceed with their planned impeachment case against Carpio.

“That’s their prerogative,” he said.

“They”re free to do whatever they want to do. But impeachment undermines the integrity of the Court so we are hoping they think twice if they really will file it.”

Meanwhile, Jimenez refused to apologize to the SC justices for badmouthing them on national television.

In a separate compliance, he said his words were just an “outburst” against the SC decision.

“The utterances of Dante Jimenez were expression of emotions and without malice,” read his compliance.

“Dante Jimenez vehemently disagreed with the judgment of the seven Justices of the Honorable Court, and considered their judgment unjust and contrary to the established jurisprudence.”

However, Jimenez appealed for the SC’s “understanding and compassion.”

“His utterance did not in any way mean to harbor ill-will or to spite or to malign the Honorable Court as an institution nor any individual justice of the Court,” read the compliance.

“Nowhere in his utterance did Dante Jimenez threaten, impede, obstruct, embarrass, and influence the Honorable

Court in its resolution of the case. Nor did he degrade the Honorable Court, destroy public confidence in it and bring it into disrepute,

and thus be considered in contempt of court.”

Upon learning of the SC ruling acquitting Webb and the six others last month, Jimenez told a press conference that the justices killed the criminal justice system and hurled invectives at them in Filipino.