Why “Ma’am Arlene” thrives in the judiciary

Rappler’s Editor-at-large Marites Dañguilan Vitug writes about why people who curry favor with judges roam freely within the halls of justice. The Supreme Court is currently investigating reports of a Janet Napoles-type of political operator, dubbed “Ma’am Arlene” by the media. Vitug says there is a real Ma’am Arlene – identified as Arlene Angeles Lerma – but “she is merely the face of a culture in the judiciary that fosters corruptions. Vitug goes on to write, “Some judges are impervious to their code of ethics and forget that they are arbiters of conflicts and, at all times, should be seen as impartial. They socialize with lobbyists, accept gifts, play golf with lawyers and litigants.”


Read the full Thought Leaders piece on Rappler.