SC Orders Nationwide Reporting of Graft and Corruption in the Judiciary

Photo via Manila Standard

The Supreme Court (S.C.) has issued a memorandum order directing courts nationwide to strengthen efforts against graft and corruption by providing litigants and court personnel with a channel to report alleged irregularities involving justices, judges, and court employees.

Senior Associate Justice (SAJ) Marvic Leonen, who signed the memorandum on Sept. 30, reaffirmed the High Court’s commitment to protecting judicial integrity and addressing acts that undermine the proper administration of justice.

Under the order, regional court managers, as well as appellate, first-level, and second-level courts, are required to inform litigants and court personnel about the judiciary’s dedicated integrity email address: integrity@judiciary.gov.ph, established pursuant to Memorandum Order No. 72-2024.

The memorandum encourages justices, judges, litigants, and court personnel to report specific and actionable information involving possible violations of graft and corruption laws and the 2025 Code of Judicial Conduct and Accountability.

Among the matters covered are alleged improper communications between litigants and judges or justices, demands for or offers of money, gifts, or favors in exchange for court processes or actions, and attempts to obtain confidential information regarding the progress of cases. This includes efforts to identify the ponente handling cases before appellate courts or the S.C., as well as individuals who claim to influence court officials.

The Court emphasized that complaints submitted through the integrity email should contain concrete and relevant facts that can provide a sufficient basis for inquiry, fact-finding, or investigation. 

Individuals with information are encouraged to disclose as much pertinent information as they can safely provide.

“Stand for integrity. Let us serve our people well. To remain silent in the face of corruption is to become complicit in injustice,” SAJ. Leonen said.

He further stressed that corruption can disproportionately benefit the powerful and wealthy while weakening the judiciary’s ability to effectively serve poor and disadvantaged communities.

Through the memorandum, the S.C. underscored the importance of public participation and accountability in safeguarding the integrity, independence, and credibility of the Philippine judiciary.