Press Release
August 27, 2008

KIKO TO SC: DISCIPLINE JUSTICES AND ALL LAWYERS
UNDERMINING JUSTICE SYSTEM

"Palace must explain FG lawyer's role in GSIS-Meralco mess"

Examining the latest development on the Court of Appeals row involving Supreme Court Justice Jose Sabio and brother Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG) Chair Camilo Sabio, Senate Majority Leader and judicial reform advocate Kiko Pangilinan called on Malacañang to explain its latest implication in the bribery issue.

Atty. Jesus I. Santos, a counsel of the First Gentleman, admitted to Sabio's earlier claim that the lawyer called him to ask for help in the GSIS-MERALCO case before the Supreme Court.

"What was the role of Atty. Santos in this issue? What was his motive? Who was he representing? Given that he is the First Gentleman's lawyer, it would be best for Malacañang to come forward and explain whether or not Santos was acting on behalf of the President's husband," Kiko said.

Kiko also said "Atty. Santos should be called to explain his side before any proceedings be made against him. He should be made to explain why he was asking Camilo Sabio to try and influence the brother Justice Sabio. If his acts were true, these are unethical acts and must be addressed by the Supreme Court," Kiko said.

It is settled in jurisprudence that the relation of attorney and client is founded on principles of public policy, on good taste. The question is not necessarily one of the rights of the parties, but as to whether the lawyer has adhered to proper professional standard. The ethics of the legal profession rightly enjoin lawyers to act with highest standards of truthfulness, fair play and nobility in the course of the practice of law. A lawyer may be disciplined or suspended for any misconduct, whether in his professional or private capacity as public confidence in law and lawyer may be eroded by the irresponsible and improper conduct of a member of the bar.

Justice Sabio had blown the whistle on the P10M bribery attempt supposedly by MERALCO to inhibit himself from the case. The allegation was denied by businessman Francis de Borja, a childhood friend of MERALCO Chair Manolo Lopez, after being alluded to.

"The Supreme Court has supervision over all lawyers and justices who were involved in this shameless influence peddling and unethical acts must be disciplined. Now is an opportune time to clean up the practice of law in this country by going all out against justices, judges and lawyers who by their acts are ruining and undermining the system of justice," Kiko ended.

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