NI: Rey G. Panaligan
Pinaalalahanan ng Supreme Court (SC) ang trial court judges sa pagbibigay ng opinyon at komento sa mga isyu at current events sa social networking sites dahil sila ay “may be considered inappropriate for members of the judiciary due to the higher standard of integrity, candor and fairness reposed on them.”
Sa isang circular na inisyu ni Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez, sinabi ng SC na ang ilang trial court judges at personnel ay aktibong gumagamit ng social working sites gaya ng Facebook, Twitter at Instagram.
Sinabi ni Marquez na “it has been observed that some judges and court personnel have been taking active part in social networking sites by sharing personal photographs and updates, and posting their views and comments on certain issues and current events.”
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Sakop ng circular ang mga judges at court personnel sa Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, Shari’a Circuit Courts, Regional Trial Courts at Shari’a District Courts sa buong bansa.
Ipinagdiinan ni Marquez na habang gumagamit ng social networking sites na ikinokonsiderang pagpapahayag ng freedom of expression, ito ay “may be considered inappropriate for members of the judiciary due to the higher standard of integrity, candor and fairness reposed on them.”
“Accordingly, in communicating and socializing through social networks, judges must bear in mind that what they communicate—regardless of whether it is a personal matter or part of his or her judicial duties—creates and contributes to the people’s opinion not just of the judge but of the entire judiciary of which he or she is a part,” ayon kay Marquez.
“All told, judges and court personnel who participate in social media are enjoined to be cautious and circumspect in posting photographs, liking posts and making comments in public on social networking sites, for ‘public confidence in the judiciary (may be) eroded by their irresponsible or improper conduct,’” ayon sa kanyang circular.
Ipinaliwanag ni Marquez na ang Section 6, Canon 4 ng New Code of Judicial Conduct, ay nagpapaalala na sa pagpapahayag ng freedom of expression, ang mga judge at court personnel “shall always conduct themselves in a manner as to preserve the dignity of the judicial office and the impartiality and independence of the judiciary.”
