The disclosure of Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen that hoodlums in robes remain came as no surprise for Senator Francis Escudero.
“Even during the time of Jesus, there were already thieves,” Escudero said. “The problems of the world did not change.”
“If it came from him [Leonen], I have no doubts he’s drawing it from something and he has knowledge of it,” the senator added.
Leonen on Thursday urged lawyers to speak out against corruption, which he said continues to exist in government and in the judiciary.
“Impartiality suffers when corruption infects courts… Corruption weakens the rule of law and therefore the confidence of people in the government,” Leonen said during the 19th National Convention of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in Davao City.
He called on lawyers to report any member of the judiciary, including former judges or justices, who offer to “facilitate the outcome of a case.”
“You are obliged to report them to us, through the Office of the Chief Justice,” he added.
Escudero said he would welcome efforts by the judiciary to clean its own ranks even if he acknowledged it would be difficult.
“I believe discretion always equals corruption. The judiciary is purely discretionary. Oftentimes, 90-95% of cases are new and unique so discretion will enter,” Escudero said.
Leonen himself acknowledged as much as he urged lawyers and law students to do what is right even if it is difficult or uncomfortable.
“These times call on all of us to do our part, look at things differently, go outside what is comfortable, do what is just. The line of fire has always been the line of honor,” Leonen said.