Letter-Complaint against Solicitations for Contributions by Court Personnel

May 31, 1991

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 4-91

 

It has been brought to the attention of this Office that there is a "deluge of solicitations for contributions from court personnel." One of the letters complaining of such solicitations is the following:

"The Court AdministratorSupreme CourtManila

S i r :

This is a letter of appeal for the Supreme Court to kindly investigate discreetly and put a stop to a deluge of solicitations for contributions from court personnel in practically all the courts in Metro Manila.

Without imposing, much less showing disrespect, the Supreme Court can easily verify that court personnel in Metro Manila usually request litigants and lawyers for contributions in connection with fund raising projects of barangays, raffles and support for team financial needs in athletic tournaments being conducted by the courts. All these contributions are necessarily shouldered by litigants.

It is in the light of the foregoing prevailing practices that the court is asked to put a stop to these solicitations.

A CONCERNED TAXPAYER"

Henceforth, all personnel of the lower courts under the administrative supervision of the Office of the Court Administrator are strictly enjoined from making any form of solicitation for contributions as it is strictly prohibited by law.

Consequently, all those found soliciting for and/or receiving contributions, in cash or in kind, from any person, whether or not a litigant or lawyer, will be dealt with severely in accordance with the sanctions prescribed by law.

May 31, 1991

(SGD.) JOSUE N. BELLOSILLOCourt Administrator