SC fines PHILJA employee over distribution of Marcos pamphlets

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has penalized an employee of the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) for allowing two persons to distribute to SC justices pamphlets that advocated a ruling favoring former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the election protest he filed against Vice President Leni Robredo.

In an eight-page resolution penned by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the SC ruled that chief judicial staff officer Luningning Marin of the PHILJA Office of the Chancellor was found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

From the original fine of P3,000, the amount was reduced to only P1,000, with a stern warning that “a repetition of similar acts would be dealt with more severely.”

The resolution was promulgated on Nov. 24, 2020 but was made available to the public only last July 2.

“This court notes that Marin acknowledged her mistake, expressed remorse and asked the SC indulgence for a second chance,” the SC said.

Marin has been working with the SC for more than three decades.

The SC dismissed the complaint against process server Joselito Santos, saying he did not actively participate in the incident.

Records showed that Edgar Rozon, an employee of Marcos, called up Marin on July 1, 2019 and told her that he would “distribute something” to the offices of SC justices.

Instead of Rozon, his two co-workers Arifa Macacua Jamil and Zeus Alonzo reportedly distributed a 39-page pamphlet that advocated for a ruling favoring Marcos in his election protest before the SC that sits as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.

The security guards allowed Jamil and Alonzo inside the SC premises since they were picked up by Marin from the entrance.

Marin claimed she did not know the contents of the documents distributed by Jamil and Alonzo.