EN BANC
A.M. No. RTJ-19-2549 [Formerly OCA IPI No. 19-4920-RTJ], June 18, 2019
OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, COMPLAINANT, v. PRESIDING JUDGE TINGARAAN U. GUILING; CLEOTILDE P. PAULO, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE; GAUDENCIO P. SIOSON, PROCESS SERVER; AND REYNER DE JESUS, SHERIFF, ALL OF BRANCH 109, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, PASAY CITY, RESPONDENTS.
D E C I S I O N
CARANDANG, J.:
This is an administrative complaint based on the Judicial Audit and Inventory of Cases conducted in the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 109 of Pasay City, presided by Judge Tingaraan Guiling, on April 14-30, 2015, pursuant to Travel Order No. 42 dated April 13, 2015.
In a Memorandum1 dated December 17, 2015, the judicial audit team reported that as of audit date, Branch 109 had a total case load of 1,456 active cases consisting of 409 criminal cases and 1,047 civil cases, based on the records actually presented to and examined by the team which are classified hereunder according to the status-stage of proceedings:
On May 28, 2015, June 22, 2015, July 10, 2015, and August 6, 2015, Branch 109 forwarded to the Court copies of Orders and Decisions in relation to the list of cases that were needed to be acted upon by RTC, Branch 109, Pasay City. Thereafter, the team found that there were 17 criminal cases with no action taken, 78 criminal cases with no further action/setting, 22 criminal cases with motions/pending incidents, and 24 criminal cases submitted for decision. Meanwhile, there were 22 civil cases with no action taken, 134 civil cases with no further action/setting, 92 civil cases with motions/pending incidents, and 132 civil cases submitted for decision.
STATUS/STAGE OF PROCEEDINGS CRIMINAL CIVIL TOTALWarrants/Summons 1 59 60Arraignment 9 0 9Preliminary Conference/Pre-Trial/JDR 62 73 135Trial/Hearing 177 265 442For Compliance 5 127 132No Action Taken 17 22 39No Further Action/Setting 78 131 209With Pending Motions/Incidents 22 92 114Submitted for Decision 24 130 154Decided/Withdrawn/ Terminated 2 48 50Dismissed 5 52 57Archived 4 45 49Suspended Proceedings 3 0 3Newly Filed 0 3 3TOTAL 409 1047 1456
(a) | DECIDE with dispatch the remaining five (5) criminal and eleven (11) civil cases submitted for decision referred to above, and SUBMIT to the Court, through the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA), copies of the decisions within thirty (30) days from notice; | |
(b) | RESOLVE with dispatch the remaining motions/incidents in six (6) criminal and fifty-four (54) civil cases, and SUBMIT to the Court, through the OCA, copies of the corresponding resolutions within thirty (30) days from notice; | |
(c) | TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION immediately in the two (2) criminal and eight (8) civil cases wherein no action was taken from the time of their filing, and thirty-eight (38) criminal and sixty (60) civil cases without further setting for a considerable length of time, and SUBMIT to the Court, through the OCA, within thirty (30) days from notice a copy of each order and resolution, if any, issued in connection therewith; and | |
(d) | EXPLAIN within thirty (30) days from notice why he proceeded to hear cases involving annulment of marriage despite invalid service of summons, and prior to the receipt of the Notice of Appearance of the Office of the Solicitor General and the Report of Collusion (in cases grounded on Article 36 of the Family Code); and the non-compliance of the parties with the Manifestation and Motion of Office of the Solicitor General to be furnished with copies of the petitions and their annexes; |
(1) | JUDGE TINGARAAN GUILING, former Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 109 of Pasay City, GUILTY of gross dereliction of duty, gross inefficiency and gross incompetence for undue delay in rendering judgment in 23 criminal cases and 40 civil case; undue delay in the resolution of motions or incidents in 17 criminal cases and 63 civil cases, violation of Supreme Court rules, directives and circulars, undue delay in the submission of monthly reports; failure to maintain the confidentiality of court records and proceedings, and violation of the rules of annulment of marriage, for which he is FINED Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) to be deducted from his retirement benefits; |
(2) | CLEOTILDE P. PAULO, officer-in-charge RTC, Branch 109 of Pasay City, GUILTY of violation of Supreme Court rules, directive and circulars, undue delay in the submission of monthly reports, and failure to maintain the confidentiality of court records and proceedings, for which she is SUSPENDED for six (6) months without salaries and allowances; |
(3) | REYNER DE JESUS, Sheriff of RTC, Branch 109 of Pasay City GUILTY for failure to maintain the confidentiality of court records and proceedings, and violation of the rules on annulment of marriage for which he is FINED Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00); and |
(4) | GAUDENCIO P. SIOSON, process server of RTC, Branch 109 of Pasay City GUILTY of violation of the rules on annulment of marriage for which he is FINED Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00). |
Very truly yours, (SGD) EDGAR O. ARICHETA Clerk of Court |
Endnotes:
1Rollo, Volume II, pp. 1086-1171.
2 SPA dated 9-8-11 in Civil Case No. 11-06088; undated SPA in Civil Case No. 14-16337; SPA dated 4-14-14 in Civil Case No. 14-16390; SPA dated 7-4-14 in Civil Case No. 14-16503; SPA dated 12- 16-14 in Civil Case No. 14-16593; SPA dated 9-22-14 in Civil Case No. 14-17741; Notice of Appearance of the OSG in Civil Case No. 13-15121; Notice of Appearance of the OSG in Civil Case No. 14-15711; Notice of Appearance of the OSG in Civil Case No. 14-16933; Notice of Appearance of the OSG in Civil Case No. 14-17753; Pre-Trial Brief in Civil Case No. 14-15536
3 Some of these cases are: 1) Civil Case No. 12-12177, Lagata vs. Lagata, Annulment of Marriage; 2) Civil Case No. 13-14791, Marzan vs. Marzan, Annulment of Marriage; 3) Civil Case No. 14-14641, Cejoco vs. Ambobayog, Annulment of Marriage; 4) Civil Case No. 14-15185, Colangoy vs. Colangoy, Annulment of Marriage; 5) Civil Case No. 14-16467, Virut vs. Virut, Annulment of Marriage; and 6) Civi Case No. 14-17037, Shimizu vs. Shimizu, Recognition of Foreign Divorce.
4 Some of these cases are: 1) Civil Case No. 07-1703, Fababaer vs. Fababaer; 2) Civil Case 10-04276, Charito Pasayan vs. Adeline Pasayan; 3) Civil Case No, 11-06948, Michelle Totralba vs. Eric Torralba; 4) Civil Case No. 11-06968, Frederick Padre vs. Margie Padre; 5) Civil Case No. 11-08178, Jenny Yntico vs. Eric Yntico; 6) Civil Case No. 12-10346, Nolito Tarnate vs. Efrenia Bahicos; 7) Civil Case No. 12-10178, Ma. Soledad Lumague vs. Robert Lumague; 8) Civil Case No. 12-11618, Patrick Mulato vs. Shierill Mulato; 9) Civil Case No. 12-11800, Evelyn Tugadi-Reyes vs. Raymond Reyes; 10) Civil Case No. 13-14322, Dulay vs. Man; 11) Civil Case No. 13-14944, C. Bautista vs. C. Bautista; 12) Civil Case No. 13-15028, M.I. Catacutan vs. E. Mateo; 13) Civil Case No. 13-15074, Rodriguez vs. Rodriguez; 14) Civil Case No. 13-15078, Rico vs. Rico; 15) Civil Case No. 14-15518, Abolencia vs. Abolencia; 16) Civil Case No. 14-15660, Oliveros vs. Oliveros; 17) Civil Case No. 14-15688, Candelario vs. Celeridad; 18) Civil Case No. 14-16110, Boles-Lagula vs. Lagula; 19) Civil Case No. 14-16549, Noel Chavez vs. Anna Marie Chavez; 20) Civil Case No. 14-16522, Tan vs. Tan; 21) Civil Case No. 14-17669, Gonzales vs. Manset-Gonzales; 22) Civil Case No. 14-17784, Legaspi vs. San Pedro; 23) Civil Case No. 14-17788, Imee Rose Molina vs. Roberto Molina; 24) Civil Case No. 14-17990, N. Cortez vs. J. Cortez; 25) Civil Case No. 14-18216, Rase vs. Rase; 26) Civil Case No. 14-18266, Leonardo vs. Torres; 27) Civil Case No. 14-18308, Samarita vs. Samarita; 28) Civil Case No. 14-18438, Rogelio Mangubat, Jr. vs. Joan Cabadu-Mangubat; 29) Civil Case No. 15-18648, Canete vs. Canete; 30) Civil Case No. 15-18750, Ronquillo vs. Solanoy-Ronquillo; 31) Civil Case No. 15-18784, Milario-Ytable vs. Ytable II; 32) Civil Case No. 15-18820, Almazon vs. Sangalang-Amazon; 33) Civil Case No. 15-18836, Rocha-Hibaya vs. Hibaya; 34) Civil Case No. 15-18897, Jimmy Ipaniz, Jr. vs. Jackylou Montanez; 35) Civil Case No. 15-18904, Bernardino vs. Rivero-Bernardino; 36) Civil Case No. 15-18928, Majait vs. Majait; and 37) Civil Case No. 15-19069, Aura vs. Serwelas-Aura.
5 Some of these cases are: 1) Civil Case No. 06-0320, Tan vs. Tan; 2) Civil Case No. 11-08101, Bobby G. Miguel vs. Joybelle R. Miguel; 3) Civil Case No. 12-10749, Nulod vs. Francisco-Nulod; 4) Civil Case No. 12-12195, Quilab vs. Quilab; 5) Civil Case No. 13-12605, Jimenez vs. Jimenez; 6) Civil Case No. 13-13071, Paguirigan vs. Paguirigan; 7) Civil Case No. 13-13387, Punta vs. Guervarra; 8) Civil Case No. 13-13873, G. Fevidal vs. A. Monforte-Fevidal; 9) Civil Case No. 13-13931, Michelle San Diego Sy Lee Yong vs. James Grundy; 10) Civil Case No. 13-14933, Ramos vs. Ramos; 11) Civil Case No. 13-14949, Alido vs. Alido; 12) Civil Case No. 14-15241, Alangcao vs. Alangcao; 13) Civil Case No. 14-15571, R. Dela Cruz vs. I. Babiera; 14) Civil Case No. 14-15837, Avila vs. Matawaran-Avila; 15) Civil Case No. 14-16153, Asuem vs. Asuero; 16) Civil Case No. 14-16311, Yamaro vs. Yamaro; 17) Civil Case No. 14-17081, Rivera vs. Rivera; 18) Civil Case No. 14-17503, Using vs. Lising; 19) Civil Case No. 14-17509, Paz vs. Tolentino; 20) 14-17609, Malapit vs. Malapit; 21) Civil Case No. 14-17717, Lleno vs. Lleno; 22) Civil Case No. 14-17863, Joson vs. Joson; 23) Civil Case 14-17915, Libang vs. Libang; 24) Civil Case No. 14-17931, M. Cura Canda vs. R. Canda; 25) Civil Case No. 14-18006, Gilhang vs. Gilhang; 26) Civil Case No. 14-18009, Dedicatoria vs. Dedicatoria; 27) Civil Case No. 14-18235, Bamba vs. Bamba; 28) Civil Case No. 14-18263, Cruz vs. Lugicmo; 29) Civil Case No. 15-18583, Escurel vs. Linsangan; 30) Civil Case No. 15-18851, Suehara vs. Suehara; 31) Civil Case No. 15-18947, Almirez vs. Almirez; and 32) Civil Case No. 15-19027, Faelnar vs. Faelnar.
6 Some of these cases are: 10-02866; 10-04276; 10-04198; 11-05662; 11-06700; 11-07202; 11-08178; 12-09545; 12-09975; 12-10346; 12-10379; 12-10878; 12-11329; 12-11641; 12-11650; 12-11724; 12-11896; 12-12035; 13-12834; 13-13091; 13-13280; 13-13373; 13-13359; 13-13625; 13-13657; 13-13680; 13-13813; 13-13834; 13-13914; 13-13970; 13-14042; 13-14099; 13-14268; 13-14289; 13-14487; 13-14623; 13-14816; 13-14878; 13-14944; 13-14949; 13-14977; 13-15050; 13-15028; 13-15077; 13-15151; 14-14641; 14-15185; 14-15224; 14-15241; 14-15312; 14-15394; 14-15436; 14-15450; 14-15462; 14-15477; 14-15524; 14-15572; 14-15685; 14-15698; 14-15732; 14-15736; 14-15742; 14-15763; 14-15908; 14-16069; 14-16108; 14-16211; 14-16417; 14-16680; 14-16754; 14-16758; 14-16933; 14-16966; 14-16011; 14-16183; 14-16208; 14-16269; 14-16271; 14-16315; 14-16333; 14-16390; 14-16497; 14-16408; 14-16430; 14-16500; 14-16503; 14-16506; 14-16522; 14-16548; 14-16549; 14-16610; 14-16881; 14-16899; 14-16917; 14-16919; 14-16932; 14-17015; 14-17036; 14-17072; 14-17090; 14-17097; 14-17105; 14-17153; 14-17228; 14-17360; 14-17404; 14-17415; 14-17451; 14-17460; 14-17472; 14-17501- 14-17503; 14-17518; 14-17521; 14-17734; 14-17556; 14-17569; 14-17577; 14-17761; 14-17609; 14-17751; 14-17788; 14-17864; 14-17948; 14-17990; 14-18008; 14-17990; 14-18008; 14-18024; 14-18056; 14-18207; 14-18230; 14-18234; 14-18235; 14-18307; 14-18462; 14-18505; 15-18630; 15-18786; 15-18809; 15-18851; 15-18915; 15-18970.
7 Some of these cases are: 13-13970; 13-14338; 13-14878; 13-14944; 13-14977; 13-15050; 14-15205; 15207; 14-15233; 14-15236; 14-15241; 14-15264; 14-15312; 14-15329; 14-15394; 14-15436; 14-15446; 14-15450; 14-15479; 14-15480; 14-15485; 14-15522; 14-15531; 14-15548; 14-15660; 14-15688; 14-15T20; 14-15732; 14-15742; 14-15809; 14-15811; 14-15871; 14-16011; 14-16014; 14-16039; 14-16110; 14-16150; 14-16153; 14-16201; 14-16211; 14-16252; 14-16267; 14-16265; 14-16337; 14-16383; 14-16390; 14-16497; 14-16408; 14-16450; 14-16467; 14-16500; 14-16548; 14-16549; 14-16597; 14-16610; 14-16701, 14-16713; 14-16739; 14-16777; 14-16787; 14-16919; 14-17072; 14-17091; 14-17140; 14-17153; 14-17356; 14-18016.
8Rollo, Volume II, pp. 1167-1171.
9 Id.
10Rollo, Volume I, pp. 61-63.
11Rollo, Volume II, pp. 1086-1171.
12 SECTION 15. (1) All cases or matters filed after the effectivity of this Constitution must be decided or resolved within twenty-four months from date of submission for the Supreme Court, and, unless reduced by the Supreme Court, twelve months for all lower collegiate courts, and three months for all other lower courts.
x x x x
13Re: Findings on the Judicial Audit Conducted at the 7th Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Liloan Compostela, Liloan, Cebu, 784 Phil. 334, 340 (2016).
14Re: Judicial Audit Conducted in the RTC, Br. 20, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, 730 Phil. 23, 41 (2014).
15 SECTION 1. Court personnel shall not disclose to any unauthorized person any confidential information acquired by them while employed in the Judiciary, whether such information came from authorized or unauthorized sources.
Confidential information means information not yet made a matter of public record relating to pending cases, as well as information not yet made public concerning the work of any justice or judge relating to pending cases, including notes, drafts, research papers, internal discussions, internal memoranda, records of internal deliberations, and similar papers.
The notes, drafts, research papers, internal discussions, internal memoranda, records of internal deliberations and similar papers that a justice or judge uses in preparing a decision, resolution or order shall remain confidential even after the decision, resolution or order is made public.
16Re: Evaluation of Administrative Liability of Judge Lubao, 785 Phil. 14, 28 (2016)
17 Id.
18Rollo, Volume I, pp. 293-297.
19 Id. at 1084-1085.
20 SECTION 11. Sanctions. — A. If the respondent is guilty of a serious charge, any of the following sanctions may be imposed:
x x x x
B. If the respondent is guilty of a less serious charge, any of the following sanctions shall be imposed:
1. Suspension from office without salary and other benefits for not less than one (1) nor more than three (3) months; or
2. A fine of more than P10,000.00 but not exceeding P20,000.00.
21Rollo, Volume I, pp. 363-365.
22 530 Phil. 454 (2006).
23Rollo, Volume I, pp. 319-320.