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[A.M. No. 01-12-03-SC.December 11, 2001]

IN RE: PUBLISHED ALLEGED THREATS AGAINST THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT IN THE PLUNDER LAW CASE HURLED BY ATTY. DE VERA

EN BANC

Gentlemen:

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated DEC 11 2001.

A.M. No. 01-12-03-SC (In Re: Published Alleged Threats Against the Members of the Court in the Plunder Law Case Hurled by Atty. Leonard De Vera.)

Quoted hereunder are newspaper articles with contemptuous statements attributed to Atty. Leonard De Vera concerning the Plunder Law case while the same was still pending before the Court.The statements are italicized for ready identification:

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Tuesday, November 6, 2001

Erap camp blamed for oust-Badoy maneuvers

Plunder Law

De Vera asked the Supreme Court to dispel rumors that it would vote in favor of a petition filed by Estrada's lawyers to declare the plunder law unconstitutional for its supposed vagueness.

De Vera said he and his group were "greatly disturbed" by the rumors from Supreme Court insiders.

Reports said that Supreme Court justices were tied 6-6 over the constitutionality of the Plunder Law, with two other justices still undecided and uttered most likely to inhibit, said Plunder Watch, a coalition formed by civil society and militant groups to monitor the prosecution of Estrada.

"We are afraid that the Estrada camp's effort to coerce, bribe, or influence the justices-considering that it has a P500 million slush fund from the aborted power grab that May-will most likely result in a pro-Estrada decision declaring the Plunder Law either unconstitutional or vague, "the group said.

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Monday, November 19, 2001

SC under pressure from Erap pals, foes

x x x

"People are getting dangerously passionate.emotionally charged," said lawyer Leonard de Vera of the Equal Justice for All Movement and a leading member of the Estrada Resign movement.

He voiced his concern that a decision by the high tribunal rendering the plunder law unconstitutional would trigger mass actions, probably more massive than those that led to People Power II.

x x x

De Vera warned of a crisis far worse than the "jueteng" scandal that led to People Power II if the rumor turned out to be true.

"People wouldn't just swallow any Supreme Court decision that is basically wrong.Sovereignty must prevail."

WHEREFORE, the Court resolved to direct Atty. Leonard De Vera to explain within a non-extendible period of ten (10) days from notice why the above statements uttered by him may not be construed as tending not only to impeded, obstruct, embarrass and influence the Court in its resolution of the issues raised in the Plunder law case, but also to degrade the Court, destroy public confidence in it and bring it into disrepute; and thus be considered as indirect contempt of court.Puno and Buena, JJ., are abroad on official business.

Very truly yours,

LUZVIMINDA D. PUNO
Clerk of Court

(Sgd.) MA. LUISA D. VILLARAMA

Asst. Clerk of Court

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