The Supreme Court (SC) expressed its gratitude to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for its assurance to protect members of the judiciary from intimidation and threats even on social media.

In a statement, SC’s Spokesperson and Chief of the public information office (PIO) Brian Keith F. Hosaka said:

“Nagpapasalamat po ang Korte Suprema sa sinabi ng PNP na poprotektahan nila ang mga miyembro ng hudikatura sa anumang klaseng pagbabanta at pananakot, maging sa social media o hindi. (The Supreme Court thanks the PNP for its statement that it will protect members of the judiciary from whatever threats and intimidation even on social media).

“Sana po ay masimulan na at tapusin nila ang pag imbistiga sa mga ganitong pananakot sa ating mga huwes. (The SC expresses hopes that the investigations started by the PNP on threats against judges be terminated).

“Napakahalaga po na malaya ang ating mga huwes sa anumang pagbabanta para siguradong sila’y makakapagdesisyon ng tama, naaayon sa batas, at walang kinikilingan. Maraming salamat po sa ating kapulisan. (It is very important that members of the judiciary are free from threats to assure them that they can hand down decisions according to the laws and without partiality. Thank you to all members of the PNP).”

The SC had earlier warned that fine or imprisonment or both will be imposed on “those who continue to incite violence through social media and other means which endanger the lives of judges and their families.”

The warning was issued by the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, Sept. 27, as it tackled motu proprio (on its own) during its full court session the social media posts of Loraine Marie T. Badoy, former spokesperson of the National Taskforce to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, against Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Marlo A. Magdoza-Malagar.

Last Sept. 21, Judge Malagar promulgated her ruling which denied the petition for proscription filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

Judge Malagar’s declaration that the CPP and NPA are not terrorist organizations drew criticisms from the public, one of them the social media posts of Badoy.

In a press statement, the SC’s public information office (PIO) said:

“Today, the Supreme Court En Banc tackled motu proprio possible actions in A.M. No. 22-09-16-SC (Re: Judge Marlo A. Magdoza-Malagar) regarding statements made by a certain Lorraine Badoy containing threats against Judge Marlo A. Magdoza-Malagar of the Manila Regional Trial Court, Branch 19.

"The Court STERNLY WARNS those who continue to incite violence through social media and other means which endanger the lives of judges and their families, and that this SHALL LIKEWISE BE CONSIDERED A CONTEMPT OF THIS COURT and will be dealt with accordingly."

In her Facbook post last Friday, Sept. 23, Badoy accused Judge Malagar of "lawyering" for the CPP-NPA.

"So, if I kill this judge and I do so out of my political belief that all allies of the CPP NPA NDF (National Democratic Front) must be killed because there is no difference in my mind between a member of the CPP NPA NDF and their friends, then please be lenient with me," Badoy also stated in her Facebook post that was deleted last Saturday, Sept. 24.

The Philippine Judges Association (PJA) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) had condemned the social media attacks against Judge Malagar.

A group of 174 lawyers, on the other hand, had asked the SC to take “firm action” against Badoy.

For its part, the PNP said in a statement that it will always be on the side of the law and ensures the safety and security of the honorable members of the court to enable them to promulgate decisions without fear of reprisal or retribution.

“As part of its mandate to serve and protect the public, the Philippine National Police (PNP) assures everyone that it is committed to undertake measures to protect the citizenry, including the members of our judiciary, against threats, intimidation, and crimes, including those perpetrated through the internet and social media platforms,” the statement read.

“We acknowledge that the judiciary is an independent and distinct branch of the government, and we value their key role in a democracy like our country in protecting fundamental rights, settling disputes and administering justice, among others,” it added.