"We never engage in illegal activities, never have been, never will. We adhere to the rule of law and we belie his statement," said Meralco spokesman Elpidio Cuna, referring to newspaper reports about CA Associate Justice Jose Sabio's claims.
According to Sabio, a businessman-emissary tried to bribe him with P10 million in exchange for dropping the case that stemmed from the tug-of-war between GSIS and Meralco during the utility's annual stockholders' meeting in May.
Cuna, however, said it is up to the appellate court to dig into Sabio's accusation.
He said that he only hopes the CA will decide on the merits of the case that saw a favorable ruling to Meralco.
"I hope they won't deviate from the merits of the case," Cuna said.
GSIS, meanwhile, sided with Sabio and hailed the magistrate for revealing what he knows about the bribery try.
Agency spokeswoman and legal counsel Estrella Elamparo said that the matter should be investigated.
Elamparo added that a legal team is already into studies on submitting a motion for reconsideration to appeal the CA ruling before the Supreme Court.
SC to probe conflict, bribery try
Earlier in the day, the CA said it is the Supreme Court which should investigate the conflict among justices in the appellate court and the alleged bribery attempt of a justice in the pending shareholder case of Meralco.
The Meralco case involves the fight for control of the board of the country's biggest power distributor between the Lopez family and the government, led by GSIS president and general manager Winston Garcia.
After a three-hour, closed-door meeting, the CA Clerk of Court and lawyer Teresita Marigomen announced that the appeals court decided:
* "that they will refer the investigation of the propriety of action of concerned justices to the Supreme Court through the Office of the Court Administrator";
* "they will leave the matter on the validity of the Meralco decision to the parties, to take whatever steps they may deem necessary after all the allegations"; and,
* "they will refer the issue of the conflict on rules to an internal committee within the appelate court."
The CA met primarily to discuss the validity of the 8th division's decision on the Meralco case favoring the Lopez family and the conflict in the interpretation of the CA's rules on who will handle cases.
The Lopez-led Meralco board had scored a win in blocking moves by GSIS's Garcia to take control of the board based on the decision of the 8th division of the CA last July 24.
The CA's announcement Thursday means the GSIS's only recourse is to appeal the Meralco decision.
Under the CA's internal rules, it has no power to assail or impugn the Meralco decision.
Other than a motion for reconsideration at the CA, the GSIS can also appeal to the Supreme Court by petition for review on certiorari.
It is also only the Supreme Court which has the power to investigate and punish magistrates for any impropriety.
CA Justice Jose Sabio, Jr. had alleged that he was offered a P10 million bribe to let go of the case involving the two warring major shareholders of Meralco.
Sabio had complained about the process by which the decision came about. He and another colleague in the 9th division previously issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) that favored the Lopez-led board in May and heard the oral arguments in June.
Both justices, however, were eased out when the case's ponente, or the designated writer of the decision, was transferred to the 8th division, which eventually issued a decision that favored the Lopez-led board.
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