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Justice Teresita Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (200 (20088- Legal 2015) Ethics
LE8AL ETHIC% UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW Respondent Court Stenographer Monia prepared an e!tra "udicia sette#ent o$ estate $or the co#painant %rienda and her si&ings' n ruing that the respondent is guit o$ si#pe #isconduct* the Supre#e Court hed that the preparation o$ an e!tra"udicia sette#ent o$ estate constitutes practice o$ a+ as de,ned in Caetano ' Monsod* 201 SCR% 210 (1..1) to +it/ ractice o$ a+ #eans an actiit* in or out o$ court* +hich reuires reuires the appication o$ a+* ega procedure* procedure* no+edge* training and e!perience' - Letic eticia ia A. Ar Arie ien nda vs. vs. Eveln eln A. !"ni "nilla lla# C"$ C"$rt %ten"gra&her III# Regi"nal Trial C"$rt# 'ranch (# Lega)&i Cit * A.!. N". P**+,-# /$ne *# +*0
%U%PEN%ION# DI%'AR!ENT AND DI%CIPLINE OF LAW1E LAW1ER% R% The right to institute a dis&ar#ent dis&ar#ent proceeding proceeding is not con,ned to cients nor is it necessar that the person co#paining su3ered in"ur $ro# the aeged +rongdoing' % a+er +ho paid another +ith a persona chec $ro# a &an account +hich he ne+ has aread &een cosed e!hi&ited an e!tre#e o+ regard to his co##it#ent to the oath he too +hen he "oined his peers* there& serious tarnishing tarnishing the i#age o$ the pro$ession +hich he shoud hod in high estee#' - Cecilia A. Agn" vs. Att. !arcian" /. Cagatan# A.C. N". (2*2# /$l *(# +Cear* there$ore* the act o$ a a+er in issuing a chec +ithout su4cient $unds to coer coer the the sa#e sa#e consti constitut tutes es such such +i$u +i$u dis dishon honest est and i##ora i##ora conduc conductt as to under#ine the pu&ic con,dence in the ega pro$ession' e cannot "usti$ his act o$ issuin iss uing g +orth +orthess ess checs checs & his dire dire ,nanci ,nancia a condit condition ion'' Moa Moa shoud shoud hae hae contracted de&ts +hich are &eond his ,nancia capacit to pa' $ he su3ered a reersa o$ $ortune* he shoud hae e!pained +ith particuarit the circu#stances +hich +hich cause cause his $aiur $aiure e to #eet #eet his o&ig o&igati ations ons'' is genera generai6 i6ed ed and unsu& unsu&sstantiated aegations as to +h he reneged in the pa#ent o$ his de&ts pro#pt despit despite e repea repeated ted de#an de#ands ds and su4ci su4cient ent ti#e ti#e a3ord a3orded ed hi# canno cannott +iths +ithstan tand d scru scruti tin n' - /err T. W"ng vs. Att. Att. %alvad"r N. !"a II# A.C. N". 3,4+# Oct"5er *4# + The Court hae hed that the issuance o$ checs +hich +ere ater dishonored dishonored $or haing &een dra+n against a cosed account indicates a a+er7s un,tness $or the trust and con,dence reposed on her' t sho+s a ac o$ persona honest and good #ora character as to render her un+orth o$ pu&ic con,dence' The issuance o$ a series series o$ +orth +orthess ess chec checs s aso aso sho+s sho+s the re#or re#orse seess ess attitu attitude de o$ respo responde ndent* nt* un#ind$u to the deeterious e3ects o$ such act to the pu&ic interest and pu&ic order' t aso #ani$ests a a+er7s o+ regard to her co##it#ent to the oath she has taen +hen she "oined her peers* serious and irrepara& tarnishing the i#age o$ Att. %ina7ar the pro$ession she shoud hod in high estee#' - Walter Wil6ie vs. Att. E. Li7"s# A.C. N". 422# Oct"5er +(# +-
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Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008- Legal 2015) Ethics
% a+er has the responsi&iit to diigent prosecute the case o$ his cients to the &est o$ his a&iit +ithin the &ounds o$ a+' % a+er* +hen he undertaes his cient7s cause* #aes a coenant that he +i e!ert a e3orts $or its prosecution unti its ,na concusion' - Cesar Talent" and !"desta Herrera Talent" vs. Att. Ag$stin F. Paneda# A.C. N". 4(00# Dece75er +0 +, nce he agrees to tae up the cause o$ a cient* the a+er o+es ,deit to such cause and #ust a+as &e #ind$u o$ the trust and con,dence reposed in hi#' e #ust sere the cient +ith co#petence and diigence* and cha#pion the atter7s cause +ith +hoehearted ,deit* care* and deotion' This si#p #eans that his cient is entited to the &ene,t o$ an and eer re#ed and de$ense that is authori6ed & the a+ o$ the and and he #a e!pect his a+er to assert eer such re#ed or de$ense' - %&"$ses 9irgili" and Angelina Aranda vs. Att. E77an$el F. Elada# A.C. N". 4,4# Dece75er *2# +*
RE:AD!I%%ION TO THE 'AR t is +e setted that the o&"ectie o$ a discipinar case is not so #uch to punish the indiidua attorne as to protect the dispensation o$ "ustice & shetering the "udiciar and the pu&ic $ro# the #isconduct or ine4cienc o$ o4 cers o$ the court' Restoratie "ustice* not retri&ution* is our goa in discipinar proceedings' C"nstancia L. 9alencia vs. Att. Di"nisi" C. Antini;# A.C. N". *0+# /$ne 0# +-
NOTARIAL PRACTICE 9 $aiing to co#p +ith the conditions set $or SC Circuar :o' 1 .0 and ioating the proision o$ the Rues on :otaria ractice o$ 200;* respondent "udge $aied to conduct hi#se$ in a #anner that is &eond reproach and suspicion' Judges are en"oined & the Code o$ Judicia Conduct to reguate their e!tra"udicia actiities in order to #ini#i6e the ris o$ con) #onths $ro# the date o$ su&#ission +ithin +hich to decide the cases or #atters pending &e$ore the#' Rue >'05* Canon > o$ the Code o$ Judicia Conduct directs "udges to ?dispose o$ the court7s &usiness pro#pt and decide cases +ithin the reuired periods'@ Aina* Canons B and o$ the Canons o$ Judicia thics e!hort "udges to &e pro#pt and punctua in the disposition and resoution o$ cases and #atters pending &e$ore their court' - Re< /$dicial A$dit C"nd$cted In The Regi"nal Trial C"$rt =RTC># 'ranch *(# age + o$ *(
Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008- Legal 2015) Ethics Dava" Cit# Presided "ver 5 /$dge Willia7 !. Laag$e# A.!. RT/4+0,# A&ril *-# + The i#age o$ a court o$ "ustice is necessari #irrored in the conduct* o4cia or other+ise* o$ the #en and +o#en therein* $ro# the "udge to the east and o+est o$ its personneE hence* it &eco#es i#peratie and sacred dut o$ each and eerone in the court to #aintain its good na#e and good standing as a true te#pe o$ "ustice' The conduct o$ court personne #ust &e* and aso perceied to &e* $ree $ro# an +hi3 o$ i#propriet* +ith respect not on to their duties in the "udiciar &ut aso in their &ehaior outside the court' R"nnie C. Dela Cr$) vs. Redent"r A. Za&ic"# ?$irin" 1. Itli"ng II# and Od"n C. 'alani# A.!. N". +4:+2:%C# %e&te75er *-# +t #ust &e stressed that a "udicia e#poees #ust deote their o4cia ti#e to goern-#ent serice' The #ust e!ercise at a ti#es a high degree o$ pro$essionais# and responsi&iit* as serice in the "udiciar is not on a dutE it is a #ission' To inspire pu&ic respect $or the "ustice sste#* court o4cias and e#poees are at a ti#es &ehoed to strict o&sere o4cia ti#e' Strict o&serance o$ o4cia ti#e is #andator est the dignit o$ the "ustice sste# &e co#pro#ised' Thus* Section 1* Canon = o$ the Code o$ Conduct $or Court ersonne #andates that the sa#e sha co##it the#sees e!cusie to the &usiness and responsi&iities o$ their o4ce during +oring hours' n the case at &ar* +e ,nd that Facarie#G has $aied to ie up to the standard o$ e4cienc and pro$essionais# that the "udiciar de#ands $ro# its court personne' Aurther#ore* & +riting $ase and inaccurate entries in her $or#er o4ces7 Log&oo o$ er#ission Sips and Log&oo o$ Dai %ttendance o$ Court ersonne* Facarie#G ie+ise $aied to #eet the standard o$ honest' - /$dge Placid" C. !ar@$e) and Att. Ln L. Lla7asares vs. L$cila C. Pacarie7# A.!. N". P:3:++(,# Oct"5er -# + The unreasona&e dea o$ the respondent "udge in resoing the #otion su&#itted $or his resoution cear constituted a ioation o$ co#painant7s constitutiona right to a speed disposition o$ his case' aing $aied to resoe the Motion $or Reconsideration +ithin the prescri&ed period o$ ti#e* respondent "udge is ia&e $or undue dea in resoing a decision or order +hich is considered a ess serious o3ense' - Att. Ra$l H. %es5re" vs. /$dge Irene" L. 8a6"# /r. and !an$el 8. N"ll"ra# A.!. N". RT/:-:+*((# N"ve75er 0# +RaHing o$ cases/ Respondent "udge cannot e!cuse hi#se$ $ro# his dut as !ecutie Judge & dispensing +ith the raHe o$ the case and dis#issing it outright on the prete!t that it +oud &e "ust a +aste o$ ti#e on his part to raHe and entertain the case' %s !ecutie Judge* he ought to no+ that raHing o$ cases is his persona dut and responsi&iit' e is e!pected to eep a&reast and &e conersant +ith Supre#e Court rues and circuars that a3ect the conduct o$ cases &e$ore hi# and strict co#p there+ith at a ti#es' Aaiure to a&ide & these rues under#ines the +isdo# &ehind the# and di#inishes respect $or the rue o$ a+' Judges shoud there$ore ad#inister their o4ce +ith due regard to the integrit
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Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008- Legal 2015) Ethics o$ the sste# o$ a+ itse$* re#e#&ering that the are not depositories o$ ar&itrar po+er* &ut "udges under the sanction o$ a+' Conte#pt o$ court/ The sautar rue is that the po+er to punish $or conte#pt #ust &e e!ercised on the preseratie* not indictie principe* and on the correctie and not retaiator idea o$ punish#ent' The courts #ust e!ercise the po+er to punish $or conte#pt $or purposes that are i#persona* &ecause that po+er is intended as a sa$eguard not $or the "udges as persons &ut $or the $unctions that the e!ercise' %ergi" 8racelda N. Andres vs. /$dge /"se %. !aBad$c"n# A.!. N". RT/:0: *43+# Dece75er *4# +Co#painant contends that she does not no+ ho+ to sign her na#e and on a4!es her thu#&#ar to docu#ents to signi$ her consent* +hie the signature o$ her hus&and appearing on the docu#ent is er di3erent $ro# his custo#ar signature' Respondent $aied to su4cient re&ut the co#painant7s assertion that her signature in the deed o$ sae is $orged* as co#painant does not no+ ho+ to read and +rite and instead o$ signing docu#ents* she #ere a4!es her thu#&#ar' - D"7inga C. !en"r vs. Te"d"ra P. 8$iller7"# A.!. N". P:-: +2-4# Dece75er *-# + The Court has incessant ad#onished #e#&ers o$ the &ench to ad#inister "ustice +ithout undue dea* $or "ustice deaed is "ustice denied' The present cogged docets in a ees o$ our "udicia sste# cannot &e ceared uness eer #agistrate earnest* painstaing and $aith$u co#pies +ith the #andate o$ the a+' Indue dea in the disposition o$ cases a#ounts to a denia o$ "ustice +hich* in turn* &rings the courts into disrepute and uti#ate erodes the $aith and con,dence o$ the pu&ic in the "udiciar' The Court +ishes to re#ind that as an o4cia o$ the Judiciar* a Judge is e!pected to $oo+ the rues aid do+n & this Court $or the pro#pt and speed disposition o$ cases' Aaiure to decide cases and other #atters +ithin the rege#entar period constitutes gross ine4cienc and +arrants the i#position o$ ad#inistratie sanction' $ a "udge can not co#p +ith this Courts directies on the #atter o$ disposition o$ cases* he #a see e!tensions $ro# this Court to aoid ad#inistratie ia&iit' - Letter " /$dge /"sena D. Farrales# Acting Presiding /$dge# RTC# 'r.4+# Ol"nga&" Cit Re< 0 Cases and -( !"ti"ns %$57itted F"r Decisi"n Res"l$ti"n in the said C"$rt# A.!. N". 3:0:*,3:RTC# Dece75er +(# +%s a tria "udge* respondent is the isi&e representation o$ a+ and "ustice' Inder Canon 1'01 o$ the Code o$ Judicia Conduct* she is e!pected to &e the e#&odi#ent o$ co#petence* integrit and independence' Judges are e!pected to eep a&reast o$ deeop#ents in a+ and "urisprudence' e shoud strie $or e!ceence e!ceeded on & his passion $or truth* to the end that he &e the personi,cation o$ "ustice and the Rue o$ La+' hen the a+ is su4cient &asic* a "udge o+es it to his o4ce to si#p app itE anthing ess than that +oud &e gross ignorance o$ the a+' - Oce " the C"$rt Ad7inistrat"r vs. /$dge N"r7a C. Perell"# "r7er Cler6 " C"$rt L$is C. '$ca"n II# C"$rt %ten"gra&hers Thel7a A. !angilit# Cecili"
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Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008- Legal 2015) Ethics '. Arga7e# !aricar N. E$geni"# and Radig$nda R. La7an and Inter&reter Pa$l !. Res$rrecci"n# all " the Regi"nal Trial C"$rt# 'ranch +43# !$ntinl$&a Cit# A.!. N". RT/:2:*,2+# Dece75er +(# + The +ithdra+a o$ co#paints cannot diest the Court o$ its "urisdiction nor strip it o$ its po+er to deter#ine the eracit o$ the charges #ade and to discipine* such as the resuts o$ its inestigation #a +arrant* an erring respondent' - A$re" 'aaca vs. /$dge Tran@$ilin" Ra7"s# A.!. N". !T/:4:*343# /an$ar +,# +, The sheri3* as an o4cer o$ the court upon +ho# the e!ecution o$ a ,na "udg#ent depends* #ust necessari &e circu#spect and proper in his &ehaior' - E7ilia !arias vs. Terenci" 8. Fl"rend"# A.!. N". P:4:+0(# Fe5r$ar *+# +, %t the core o$ a "udge7s estee#ed position is o&edience to the dictates o$ the a+ and "ustice and so a "udge #ust &e the ,rst to e!hi&it respect $or authorit' - !a. Theresa 8. Winterniit) and Ra@$el 8"n)ales vs. /$dge Li)a5eth 8$tierre): T"rres# A.!. N". !T/:,:*400# Fe5r$ar +(# +, %n dea in the ad#inistration o$ "ustice* no #atter ho+ &rie$* depries the itigant o$ his right to a speed disposition o$ his case* $or* not on does it #agni$ the cost o$ seeing "ustice* it under#ines the peope7s $aith and con,dence in the "udiciar* o+ers its standards and &rings it to disrepute' !arietta D$@$e vs. /$dge Cris"st"7" L. 8arrid"# A.!. NO. RT/:3:++4# Fe5r$ar +4# +, The $aiure to i#pe#ent a +rit o$ e!ecution #a&e cassi,ed as a ess grae o3ense o$ si#pe negect o$ dut punisha&e & suspension $ro# o4ce $or one #onth and one da to si! #onths $or the ,rst o3ense' - Estelit" R. !ara5e vs. Tr"ne 9. Tan# %heriG I9# OCC# Regi"nal Trial C"$rt# !ala5ala Cit# '$6idn"n# A.!. N". P:2:*,,3# A&ril +*# +,
Dishonest or grae #isconduct carries the e!tre#e penat o$ dis#issa $ro# the serice +ith $or$eiture o$ retire#ent &ene,ts* e!cept accrued eae credits &ut the court #a neertheess i#pose ,nes to &e deducted $ro# the accrued eae credits $or "udg#ent &ased on another set o$ $acts' - Peter '. !all"nga vs. !arites R. !ani"# C"$rt Inter&reter III# Regi"nal Trial C"$rt =RTC># 'ranch (# T$g$egara" Cit# A.!. N". P:4:++,-# A&ril +(# +, % person cannot* $or diso&edience* &e punished $or conte#pt uness the act +hich is $or&idden or reuired to &e done is cear and e!act de,ned* so that there can &e no reasona&e dou&t or uncertaint as to +hat speci,c act or thing is $or&idden or reuired' - 9enanci" In"n"g vs. /$dge Francisc" '. I5a# A.!. N". RT/,+*42# /$l +-# +, The act o$ a #arried #an coha&iting +ith a +o#an not his spouse constitutes an i##ora conduct and the e#po#ent o$ the de$ense o$ denia cannot oerthro+ the positie testi#onies o$ the +itnesses' - L"lita %. Regir vs. /"el T. Regir# A.!. N". P:3:++-+# A$g$st (# +,
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Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008- Legal 2015) Ethics
Judges #ust aoid not on i#propriet &ut aso the appearance o$ i#propriet' The are #andated not to ao+ $a#i* socia or other reationships to in1 o$ the Canons o$ Judicia thics* proide* respectie* that the ?ad#inistration o$ "ustice shoud &e speed and care$u@K that "udges ?shoud &e pro#pt in disposing o$ a #atters su&#itted to the#* re#e#&ering that "ustice deaed is o$ten "ustice deniedK@ and that in the discharge o$ his "udicia duties* a "udge ?shoud &e conscientious thorough'@ Rue >'05* Canon > o$ the Code o$ Judicia Conduct e!press directs that a "udge shoud dispose o$ the court7s &usiness ?pro#pt and decide cases +ithin the reuired periods'@ - Narcis" 'ernard"# /r. vs. /$dge Peter !. !"nt"B"# !$nici&al Trial C"$rt# R"75l"n# A.!. N". !T/:*:*42(# Oct"5er +# +* % "udge7s su&#ission o$ $ase certi,cates o$ serice serious under#ines and re '. Ra7as# A.!. N". RT/:3:+*2# Dece75er *2# +* The acco#pish#ent o$ the DS is a reuire#ent under the Cii Serice Rues and Reguations $or e#po#ent in the goern#ent' Since truth$u co#petion o$ DS is a reuire#ent $or e#po#ent in the Judiciar* the i#portance o$ ans+ering the sa#e +ith candor need not &e gainsaid' Aurther#ore* in the deter#ination o$ the penaties to &e i#posed* e!tenuating* #itigating* aggraating or aternatie circu#stances attendant to the co##ission o$ the o3ense sha &e considered' %#ong the circu#stances that #a &e ao+ed to #odi$ the penat are (1) ength
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Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008- Legal 2015) Ethics o$ serice in the goern#ent* (2) good $aith* and (>) other anaogous circu#stances' - Oce " the C"$rt Ad7inistrat"r vs. /$dge !a. Ellen !. Ag$ilar# Regi"nal Trial C"$rt# 'ranch 4# '$rg"s# Pangasinan# A.!. N". RT/:4:+-4# /$ne 4# +**
here the a+ inoed is si#pe and ee#entar* ac o$ conersance there+ith constitutes gross ignorance o$ the a+' Judges are e!pected to e!hi&it #ore than "ust cursor acuaintance +ith statutes and procedura a+s' The #ust no+ the a+s and app the# proper in a good $aith' Judicia co#petence reuires no ess' The #istae co##itted & respondent Judge is not a #ere error o$ "udg#ent that can &e &rushed aside $or &eing #inor' The disregard o$ esta&ished rue o$ a+ +hich a#ounts to gross ignorance o$ the a+ #aes a "udge su&"ect to discipinar action' - Att. Fac$nd" T. 'a$tista vs. /$dge 'las O. Ca$sa&in# /r.# Presiding /$dge# Regi"nal Trial C"$rt# 'ranch 0+# 8$i75a# N$eva EciBa# A.!. N". RT/:4: +((# /$ne ++# +** The #&uds#an rendered a decision ad"udging &oth LT o4cers* Rees* guit o$ grae #isconduct and eao6a guit o$ si#pe #isconduct' n ad#inistratie and uasi-"udicia proceedings* on su&stantia eidence is necessar to esta&ish the case $or or against a part* ho+eer* under +e-esta&ished doctrine o$ due process in ad#inistratie proceedings* the ,ing o$ charges and giing reasona&e opportunit $or the person so charged to ans+er the accusations against hi# constitute the #ini#u# reuire#ents o$ due process' - Oce " the O75$ds7an vs Ant"ni" T. Rees# 8.R. N". *42*+# Oct"5er 2# +** .
The Court dee#s 9enedictos7 $asi,cation o$ her &und cards tanta#ount to dishonest' 9enedictos7 sience on a principa charge against her is ad#ission* especia considering that she +as gien a#pe opportunit to den the sa#e' n seera ad#inistratie cases* the Court re$rained $ro# i#posing the actua penaties in the presence o$ #itigating $actors' - Falsicati"n " Dail Ti7e Rec"rds " !a. E7cisa A. 'enedict"s# Ad7inistrative Ocer I# Regi"nal Trial C"$rt# !al"l"s Cit# '$lacan# A.!. N". P:*:+4-(# Oct"5er *,# +** % resoution o$ the Supre#e Court shoud not &e construed as a #ere reuest* FandG shoud &e co#pied +ith pro#pt and co#pete' Such $aiure to co#p &etras not on a recacitrant strea in character* &ut aso a disrespect $or the Court7s a+$u order and directie' Aurther#ore* this contu#acious conduct o$ re$using to a&ide & the a+$u directies issued & the Court has ie+ise &een considered as an utter ac o$ interest to re#ain +ith* i$ not conte#pt o$* the sste#' The conduct or &ehaior o$ a court personne is circu#scri&ed +ith the hea &urden o$ responsi&iit' Ti#e and again* the igh Court a4r#s the practica reait that the i#age o$ the court as a true te#pe o$ "ustice is #irrored & the conduct o$ eerone +ho +ors therein* $ro# the "udge to the o+est cer' t is there$ore i#peratie that those inoed in the ad#inistration o$ "ustice #ust ie up to the highest standard o$ honest and integrit in the pu&ic serice' - Re< Re&"rt "n age - o$ *(
Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008- Legal 2015) Ethics Financial A$dit C"nd$cted at !CTC# %antiag":%an Este5an# Il"c"s %$r# A.!. N". P:**:+,2# /an$ar *4# +*+ t is +e to re#ind Nutierre6 that dishonest is a #aeoent act that has no pace in the "udiciar' u&ic serice reuires ut#ost integrit and discipine' % pu&ic serant #ust e!hi&it at a ti#es the highest sense o$ honest and integrit* $or no ess than the Constitution decares that a pu&ic o4ce is a pu&ic trust* and a pu&ic o4cers and e#poees #ust at a ti#es &e accounta&e to the peope* and sere the# +ith ut#ost responsi&iit* integrit* oat and e4cienc' These are not #ere rhetorica +ords to &e taen ight as ideaistic senti#ents* &ut as +oring standards and attaina&e goas that shoud &e #atched +ith actua deeds' - Leave Divisi"n# Oce " Ad7inistrative %ervices# Oce " the C"$rt Ad7inistrat"r vs. Le"nci" . 8$tierre) III# Cler6 III# Regi"nal Trial C"$rt# 'ranch **3# Pasa Cit# A.!. N". P:**:+,2*# Fe5r$ar *2# +*+ Co#petence is a #ar o$ a good "udge' hen a "udge dispas an utter ac o$ $a#iiarit +ith the rues* he erodes the pu&ics con,dence in the co#petence o$ our courts' t is high i#peratie that "udges &e conersant +ith the a+ and &asic ega principes' 9asic ega procedures #ust &e at the pa# o$ a "udges hands' - Dr. Ra7ie 8. Hi&e vs. /$dge R"land" T. Literat"# !$nic&al Trial C"$rt# !ainit# %$riga" N"rte# A.!. N". !T/:**:*4-*# A&ril +2# +*+ Section 15(1)* %rtice = o$ the Constitution* #andates that cases or #atters ,ed +ith the o+er courts #ust &e decided or resoed +ithin three 7"nths $ro# the date the are su&#itted $or decision or resoution' ith respect to cases $aing under the Rue on Su##ar rocedure* ,rst ee courts are on ao+ed 0 das $oo+ing the receipt o$ the ast a4dait and position paper* or the e!piration o$ the period $or ,ing the sa#e* +ithin +hich to render "udg#ent' In$ortunate* Judge Torres $aied to ie up to the e!acting standards o$ dut and responsi&iit that her position reuires' Cii Case :o' 201.1 +as su&#itted $or resoution on Ju 1.* 200B* et it +as sti pending +hen =ade6 ,ed the present ad#inistratie co#paint on June ;* 2010* and re#ained unresoed per co#painants #ani$estation ,ed on Septe#&er 8* 2010' More than $our ears a$ter &eing su&#itted $or resoution* Cii Case :o' 201.1 +as sti a+aiting decision & respondent' Records aso do not sho+ that Judge Torres #ade an preious atte#pt to report and reuest $or e!tension o$ ti#e to resoe Cii Case :o' 201.1' - Fe D. 9alde) vs. /$dge Li)a5eth 8. T"rres# !eTC# 'ranch 3# !andal$"ng Cit# A.!. N". !T/:**:*4,3# /$ne *0# +*+
:ot eer "udicia error is tanta#ount to ignorance o$ the a+ and i$ it +as co##itted in good $aith* the "udge need not &e su&"ected to ad#inistratie sanction' hie Judge 9aona ad#itted that he erred in insisting on the production o$ the Jarder Resoution despite the proisions o$ the DJ-:S Manua* such error cannot &e categori6ed as gross ignorance o$ the a+ as he did not appear to &e #otiated & &ad $aith' ndeed* the rues o$ procedure in the prosecution o4ce +ere not cear as to +hether or not an inestigating prosecutor7s resoution o$ dis#issa
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Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008- Legal 2015) Ethics that had &een reersed & the cit prosecutor shoud sti $or# part o$ the records' Cit Pr"sec$t"r Ar7and" P. A5anad" vs. /$dge A5raha7 A. 'a"na# Presiding /$dge# !$nici&al Trial C"$rt in Cities# 'ranch 4# 'ac"l"d Cit# A.!. N". !T/:*+:*-(# /$l 0# +*+
The rue is that those inoed in the ad#inistration o$ "ustice $ro# the highest o4cia to the o+est cer #ust ie up to the strictest standards o$ honest and integrit in the pu&ic serice' %s an o4cer o$ the court* =aente +as dut-&ound to use reasona&e si and diigence in the per$or#ance o$ her o4cia-designated duties as cer o$ court' $ indeed anaigan +as at the MCTC o4ce and +as persona $urnished a cop o$ the notice o$ hearing & =aente herse$* then =aente shoud hae reuired anaigan to sign the origina cop o$ said notice as proo$ o$ receipt' =aente7s $aiure to secure anaigan7s signature as proo$ o$ receipt o$ a cop o$ the notice o$ hearing e!hi&ited ac o$ due diigence reuired & her position as Cer o$ Court' - Anecita Panaligan vs' Ethelda '. 9alente# Cler6 " C"$rt II# 0rd !$nici&al Circ$it Trial C"$rt# Patn"Jg"n# Anti@$e# A.!. N". P:**:+,2+# /$l 0# +*+
The Court hods that the #istaes or errors in the contents o$ the orders* su&poena* and Minutes o$ the earing co##itted & respondents Lag#an (Lega Researcher) and 9assig (Stenographer) coud &e attri&uted to their ac o$ attention or $ocus on the tas at hand' These coud hae easi &een aoided had the e!ercised greater care and diigence in the per$or#ance o$ their duties' e ,nd respondents Lag#an and 9assig ia&e $or si#pe negect o$ dut' - !e7"randa " /$dge Eli)a '. 1$ iss$ed t" Legal Researcher !arieB" P. Lag7an and t" C"$rt %ten"gra&her %"ledad /. 'assig# all " !etr"&"litan Trial C"$rt# 'ranch (4# Pasa Cit# A.!. N". P:*+:000# A$g$st *2# +*+
:either the Rues nor "urisprudence recogni6es an e!ception $ro# the periodic ,ing o$ reports & sheri3s as pursuant to Rue >.* Section 1; o$ the Rues o$ Court' $ on Sheri3 Ro!as su&#itted such periodic reports* he coud hae &rought his predica#ent to the attention o$ the RTC and ANI and he coud hae gien the RTC and ANI the opportunit to act andOor #oe to address the sa#e' - Ast"rga and Re&"l La; Oces# re&resented Att. Arn"ld '. L$gares vs. Le"del N. R"as# %heriG I9# Regi"nal Trial C"$rt# 'ranch 33# !a6ati Cit# A.!. N". P: *+:0+,# A$g$st *2# +*+
age * o$ *(
Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008- Legal 2015) Ethics
Judges shoud re#e#&er that the #ust not on aoid i#propriet* &ut the appearance o$ i#propriet as +e' %so* the preious Code o$ Judicia Conduct speci,ca +arned the "udges against seeing pu&icit $or persona aingor' =aingor* in its ordinar #eaning* re$ers to an indiidua7s e!cessie or ostentatious pride especia in one7s o+n achiee#ents' - 8erlie !. U and !a. C"ns"laci"n T. 'asc$g vs. /$dge Er;in '. /avellana# !$nici&al Trial C"$rt# La Castellana# Negr"s Occidental# A.!. N". !T/:4:*333# %e&te75er 2# +*+ hen a #otion to uash a +rit o$ e!ecution +as ,ed & the petitioner and such #otion +as aread set $or a hearing* the Court rued that the prudent course o$ action o$ the Sheri3 +as to de$er i#pe#entation o$ the +rit o$ e!ecution unti a deter#ination o$ the #otion to uash' o+eer* +hen a #otion to uash the rit +as "ust ,ed and +as not et een set $or hearing* in the a&sence o$ a court order* Sheri3 has to proceed +ithout haste and to e#po such #eans as necessar to i#pe#ent the su&"ect rit o$ !ecution and to put co#painant in possession o$ the disputed properties' %so* it is +orth to note that once the RTC has rendered a decision in the e!ercise o$ its appeate "urisdiction* such decision sha* under Rue 0* Section 2120 o$ the Rues o$ Court* &e i##ediate e!ecutor* +ithout pre"udice to an appea ia petition $or reie+ &e$ore the Court o$ %ppeas andOor Supre#e Court' The decision o$ the regiona tria court in cii cases goerned & this Rue* incuding $orci&e entr and una+$u detainer* sha &e i##ediate e!ecutor* +ithout pre"udice to a $urther appea that #a &e taen there$ro#' - L$cia Na)ar 9da. De Felician" vs. R"7e" L. Rivera# %heriG I9# Regi"nal Trial C"$rt# Oce " the Cler6 " C"$rt# 9alen)$ela Cit# A.!. N". P:**:+,+ %e&te75er *,# +*+ n this case* there is a&soute no sho+ing that Judge Sario +as #otiated & &ad $aith or i #otie in rendering the decision in Cii Case :o' C928' Thus* an error Judge Sario #a hae co##itted in dis#issing Cii Case :o' C9-28 #a &e corrected & ,ing an appea o$ respondent7s decision &e$ore the Court o$ %ppeas* not & instituting an ad#inistratie case against the respondent &e$ore this Court' Moreoer* records sho+ that Magdadaro did ,e an appea &e$ore the Court o$ %ppeas' Said appea* is sti pending &e$ore the appeate court' %n ad#inistratie co#paint against a "udge cannot &e pursued si#utaneous +ith the "udicia re#edies accorded to parties aggrieed & his erroneous order or "udg#ent' %d#inistratie re#edies are neither aternatie nor cu#uatie to "udicia reie+ +here such reie+ is aaia&e to aggrieed parties and the sa#e has not et &een resoed +ith ,nait' Aor unti there is a ,na decaration & the appeate court that the chaenged order or "udg#ent is #ani$est erroneous* there +i &e no &asis to concude +hether respondent "udge is ad#inistratie ia&e' !arcelin" !agdadar" vs. /$dge 'ienvenid" %aniel# /r.# A.!. NO. RT/:*+: +00*# Dece75er *# +*+
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Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008- Legal 2015) Ethics Aaiure to decide a case +ithin the rege#entar period is not e!cusa&e and constitutes gross ine4cienc +arranting the i#position o$ ad#inistratie sanctions on the de$auting "udge' - Re< Cases %$57itted "r Decisi"n 'e"re H"n. Te"l" D. 'al$7a# F"r7er /$dge# 'ranch *# Regi"nal Trial C"$rt# Tag5ilaran Cit# '"h"l# A.!. N". RT/*0+022# A$g$st +-# +*0 Sheri3s and their deputies are the $rontine representaties o$ the "ustice sste#* and i$* through their ac o$ care and diigence in the i#pe#entation o$ "udicia +rits* the ose the trust reposed on the#* the ineita& di#inish the $aith o$ the peope in the JudiciarK %s such* the Court +i not toerate or condone an conduct o$ "udicia agents or e#poees +hich +oud tend to or actua di#inish the $aith o$ the peope in the Judiciar' - Oce " the C"$rt Ad7inistrat"r vs. Desideri" W. !ac$si# /r.# %heriG I9# Regi"nal Trial C"$rt# 'ranch +2# Ta5$6 Cit# alinga# A.!. N". P:*0:0*2# %e&te75er **# +*0 hen a sheri3 taes adantage o$ an erroneous increase o$ his parce o$ and +hich +as unno+n to the true o+ners & eeping sient on the error* securing a ne+ tite re cear states that court personne shoud indicate in their &und cards the ?truth$u and accurate ti#es@ o$ their arria at* and departure $ro#* the o4ce' rocess Serer7s entries in his DTRs $or dates that had not et co#e to pass +ere a cear ioation o$ C% Circuar :o' -200>' Aurther#ore* Section ;* Rue P= (on Noern#ent 4ce ours) o$ the #ni&us Rues #pe#enting 9oo = o$ !ecutie rder :o' 2.2 and ther ertinent Cii Serice La+s aso proides that $asi,cation or irreguarities in the eeping o$ ti#e records +i render the guit o4cer or e#poee ad#inistratie ia&e'
% "udge +ho dei&erate and continuous $ais and re$uses to co#p +ith the resoution o$ the Supre#e Court is guit o$ gross #isconduct and insu&ordination' Thus* +hen it too three directies and three ears $or a "udge to su&#it his Co##ent on an ad#inistratie #atter against hi# and another* and $aiure to o3er an apoog andOor e!panation $or his ong dea in co#ping +ith the directiesOorders o$ the C% and this Court* said conduct constitutes no ess than a cear act o$ de,ance* reeaing the "udge7s dei&erate disrespect and indi3erence to the authorit o$ the Court' t is co#pete unaccepta&e especia $or a "udge' Oce " the C"$rt Ad7inistrat"r vs. H"n. Cader P. Indar# Al HaB# Presiding /$dge and A5d$lrah7an D. Piang# Pr"cess %erver# 'ranch *(# '"th " the Regi"nal Trial C"$rt# 'ranch *(# C"ta5at" Cit# A.!. N". RT/:**:++-4# /an$ar ++# +*(
This Court has a+as e#phasi6ed the need $or "udges to decide cases +ithin the constitutiona prescri&ed .0-da period' %n dea in the ad#inistration o$ "ustice* no #atter ho+ &rie$* depries the itigant o$ his right to a speed disposition o$ his case' :ot on does it #agni$ the cost o$ seeing "ustice* it under#ines the peope7s $aith and con,dence in the "udiciar* o+ers its standards* and &rings it to disrepute' % #e#&er o$ the &ench cannot pa #ere ip serice to the .0-da reuire#entK heOshe shoud instead perseere in its i#pe#entation' ea caseoad and de#anding +oroad are not aid reasons to $a &ehind the #andator period $or disposition o$ cases' The Court usua ao+s reasona&e e!tensions o$ ti#e to decide cases in ie+ o$ the hea caseoad o$ the tria courts' $ a "udge is una&e to co#p +ith the .0da rege#entar period $or deciding cases or #atters* heOshe can* $or good reasons* as $or an e!tension and such reuest is genera granted' 9ut Judge 9usta#ante did not as $or an e!tension in an o$ these cases' aing $aied to decide a case +ithin the reuired period* +ithout an order o$ e!tension granted & the Court* Judge 9usta#ante is ia&e $or undue dea that #erits ad#inistratie sanction' n 4ce o$ the Court %d#inistrator ' Narcia-9anco* the Court hed that the .0-da rege#entar period is #andator' Aaiure to decide cases +ithin the rege#entar period constitutes a ground $or ad#inistratie ia&iit e!cept +hen there are aid reasons $or the dea' - Oce " age *0 o$ *(
Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro Cases (2008- Legal 2015) Ethics the C"$rt Ad7inistrat"r vs. /$dge '"rr"7e" '$sta7ante# A.!. NO. !T/:*+: *-3# A&ril 4# +*(
hie it is true that respondent Sahi is #ere hu#an and #a co##it #istaes* there is si#p no e!cuse $or #aing the sa#e #istaes repeated despite her superior constant caing her attention to correct the#' Nranting that respondent Sahi +as not good at using co#puters in the &eginning* she shoud hae taen steps to earn and hone her co#puter sis +hich +ere essentia to her +or' The conduct and &ehaior o$ eerone connected +ith an o4ce charged +ith the dispensation o$ "ustice* $ro# the presiding "udge to the o+iest cer* #ust a+as &e &eond reproach and #ust &e circu#scri&ed +ith the hea &urden o$ responsi&iit' - Presiding /$dge /$an 8a5riel Hi)"n Alan"# !ar Anna5elle A. ati&$nan# %$)ee W"ng /a7"till"# Analie Del Ri" 'alit$ng# Ed;in" /as"n Oliver"s and R"5ert" 'a5a"d"n" vs. Pad7a Lati& %ahi# A.!. N". P:**:0+# /$ne +2# +*(# /. Le"nard":De Castr"
age *( o$ *(
