Judge Duberli Rodriguez on Thursday tendered his irrevocable resignation as Chairman of the Judicial Branch.
Published this morning, an official tweet showed Rodriguez's resignation letter.
In the document —addressed to Supreme Court Chief Judge Francisco Tavara— Rodriguez announces his decision to resign from the Judiciary Executive Council as well.
Rodriguez, 68, had not ruled out the possibility of relinquishing his post after the release of audio recordings that triggered a crisis in the justice system.
According to his words, positions are not forever, so one has to be prepared to step aside if required.
Tavara will temporarily take over the presidency. The new chairman will be elected on July 25.
Case
Supreme Judge Cesar Hinostroza is implicated in a series of audio recordings released by Panorama TV show and investigative journalism site IDL—Reporteros.
In the conversations, the judge offers and accepts favors to and from National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) members and other officials.
According to statements contained in one audio recording, Hinostroza had allegedly negotiated —with an unknown caller— the application of a mild punishment against a child rapist.
Likewise, the CNM opened an investigation on Hinostroza. Also, an impeachment motion against him was submitted to Congress.
Furthermore, Hinostroza was removed from the presidency of the Supreme Court's Second Transitory Criminal Chamber.
The consultative commission is intended to propose urgent and concrete measures to
reform the justice system thus contributing to effective, timely, transparent, efficient, and incorruptible justice.
(END) MVF/RMB/MVB
Published: 7/19/2018