Acting chief justice leonen to courts: silence on corruption marginalizes, disempower poor

Supreme Court Acting Chief Justice Marvic Leonen on Thursday urged court justices, judges and personnel to not be complicit on  corruption,saying these “acts benefit the powerful and weaken the poor.”

“Every act of corruption benefits the powerful or the wealthy. It weakens our ability to serve those who are poor or disempowered. Stand for integrity. Let us serve our people well,” the Acting Chief Justice said in Memorandum Order 94-2026 dated September 30,2026.

 The memorandum,issued on Thursday has directed all court justices, judges, lawyers, and court personnel to report all incidents and information  that warrant investigation involving possible violations of anti-graft and corruption laws by any judge, justice, or court personnel at any level of the judiciary.

 “To remain silent in the face of corruption is to become complicit in injustice,”Leonen said.

He said complaints of corruption involving court personnel and members of the judiciary may be sent to:  integrity@judiciary.gov.ph

He said incidents that must be reported  include private communications between a litigant and a judge or justice concerning a case; requests or offers of money, gifts, or favors in exchange for a court decision or service; and the unauthorized disclosure of information regarding the status or proceedings of a case.

Leonen also warned that  individuals who claim to have influence within the courts may also be reported, as well as judges, justices, court personnel, or lawyers who seek or facilitate favors within the judiciary.

Reports should contain clear and specific details to provide the Court with sufficient basis to conduct an investigation,the memorandum stated.