IBP wants corrupt gov't execs jailed
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 01/13/2009 10:03 AM
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The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said Tuesday that it is willing to cooperate with the efforts of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to put corrupt officials within their ranks behind bars.
"The IBP supports any moves that shall be taken by the Department of Justice and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to rid their ranks of corrupt and erring officials, prosecutors, agents, and employees," IBP said in a paid advertisement published in the Philippine Star.
The Bar said it is willing to volunteer any assistance and expertise to put "soulless government personnel" behind bars. "It is not enough that they be tried in the bar of public opinion. If guilty, they need to feel the cold, hard bars of a prison cell," the group said.
Aside from government officials, IBP also called on lawyers "who may have violated their oath" to face the necessary sanctions.
PDEA official Major Ferdinand Marcelino earlier claimed that state prosecutors were offered up to P50 million in bribes to dismiss the case of "Alabang Boys" Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph, and Joseph Tecson, who are said to be top-level drug peddlers with links to an international narcotics syndicate.
On Sunday, President Arroyo ordered all DOJ officials and prosecutors who allegedly received bribes in the "Alabang Boys" case to take a leave of absence. Five DOJ officials complied with the order namely State Prosecutor John Resado, the one who filed the resolution for the dismissal of the "Alabang Boys" case, State Prosecutors Philip Quimpo and Misael Ladaga, who concurred with the dismissal, and Chief Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno, who approved the resolution.
The name of Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor was also dragged into the issue for allowing the drafted release order of "Alabang Boys" lawyer Felisberto Verano Jr. to course through his office to reach Gonzalez.
Verano is facing possible disbarment for drafting a release order using the official DOJ letterhead for his clients.
Meanwhile, IBP urged the public to be vigilant and conscientious in exposing corruption in government.
"It takes the resolve of a vigilant citizenry in general, and conscientious government personnel in the concerned agencies in particular, to expose and address these festering problem," IBP said.
