SC forms bodies for raps vs judges, court personnel

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has created two bodies to handle complaints against erring members of the judiciary.

In a resolution released yesterday, the High Court approved the establishment of the Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) and the Corruption Prevention and Investigation Office (CPIO) in a bid to address corruption in the judiciary.

The JIB will resolve complaints against erring justices in appellate courts, trial court judges, as well as court officials and personnel, while the CPIO is tasked to conduct lifestyle checks on them. Both are permanent offices under the supervision of the SC.

The SC created the new bodies upon the recommendation of its technical working group on judicial integrity under the committee on continuing legal education and Bar matters.

It amended salient provisions in Rule 140 of the Rules of Court, which covers rules on disciplinary actions on members of the judiciary, to incorporate the new bodies.

The proceedings for the discipline of the justices, judges and court personnel will start with the filing of a verified complaint, supported by affidavits and other authentic documents or an anonymous complaint supported by public records of indubitable integrity.  

In the same resolution, the SC warned that complainants who will file charges against judges and court personnel without basis would be cited for indirect contempt of court.