The National Bureau of Investigation – Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) arrested MARIEJOY P. LAGMAN, Court Officer of RTC Branch 108 of Pasay City in an entrapment operation in Pasay City for Direct Bribery under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); Knowingly Rendering Unjust Judgement under Article 204 of the RPC; Sections 3b, c, and e of R.A. No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act); P.D. No. 46; Section 7d of R.A. No. 6713 (Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees); violation of Rule 1.01, Canon 1, and Rule 2.01, Canon 2 of the Code of Judicial Conduct; and Canon 1 of the Code of Conduct for Court Personnel.
The operation stemmed from a request letter received from the Supreme Court seeking the NBI’s immediate attention and action regarding allegations that RTC Branch 108 of Pasay City is extorting money from the parties involved in a case being litigated in the said branch. NBI-CCD operatives were able to establish communication with one of the parties (defendant) in the said case and revealed that the subject branch was indeed extorting money from the defendant in exchange for a favorable decision.
On May 23, 2024, NBI-CCD operatives together with defendant’s Liaison Officer proceeded to the staff office of RTC Branch 108 in Pasay City Justice Hall to hand over the demanded money amounting to Php 6,000,000.00. Upon handing over of the marked money, Subject Lagman in return, gave the Court Order containing the dismissal of the case in favor of the defendant. At this juncture, NBI-CCD operatives immediately entered the court staff room and arrested Subject Lagman.