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FIRST DIVISION
Present:
SERENO, CJ.,
- versus - Chairperson,
LEONARDO-DE CASTRO,
DEL CASTILLO,
JARDELEZA, and
TIJAM, JJ.
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DECISION
TIJAM, J.:
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entertained a second motion for reconsideration so as to gain leverage in
his request for a certain amount. 5
2
ld. at 3.
3
ld. at 5.
4
ld. at 923-936.
'Id. at 923-925.
Decision 3 A.M. No. RTJ-16-2479
[Formerly OCA IPI No. 10-3567-RTJ]
6
/
ld. at 40-61.
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7
ld. at 42-43 and 925-926.
8
Jd. at 44.
9
ld. at 45.
10
id. at 926.
Decision 4 A.M. No. RTJ-16-2479
[Formerly OCA IPI No. I 0-3567-RT.T]
11
14
Id. at 66.
ld. at 928-929.
ld. at 931.
'f\
Decision 5 A.M. No. RTJ-16-2479
[Formerly OCA IPI No. 10-3567-RTJ]
As regards the charge that Judge Natino delayed the release of the
decision in Civil Case No. 20225, the Investigating Justice found no proof to
support the same and noted that there was no pattern in Judge Natino's
actuation that says that he has been known and shown to have adhered to a
practice of delaying release of decisions. What was clear, as shown in the
subject decision, was that Judge Natino finished drafting the same on April
21, 2010. The Investigating Justice was convinced that the power outages
which frequented the area had caused the confusion in the date of the subject
decision and ruled that such inadvertence did not necessarily militate·
punishment or sanction but reminded judges to exercise prudence in writing
every aspect of their decision. 15
The allegation on the failure to act upon the Motion to Show Cause, as
well as the imputation of corruption in entertaining a second motio11 for
reconsideration in Civil Case No. 07-29298 were also unsubstantiated.
According to the Investigating Justice, Judge Natino's October 18, 2010
Order in the said case showed the downright falsity of such charges. 17
In its Memorandum dated July 12, 2016, the OCA adopted the
Investigating Justice's findings and recommendations. 19
The Issue
This Court is now burdened for its final action to resolve the matter,
the only issue being: whether or not Judge Natino is guilty of the charges
against him.
15
ld. at 931-932.
16
ld. at 932.
17ld.
18
19
ld. at 935.
ld. at 954-959.
't(
Decision 6 A.M. No. RTJ-16-2479
[Formerly OCA IPI No. 10-3567-RTJ]
As to the charges on the alleged failure to act upon Panay News, Inc. 's
motion, as well as, again, the imputation of corruption against Judge Natino
in Civil Case No. 07-29298, the October 18, 2010 Order indeed
comprehensively refuted said charges as it states in details the court's actions
on the said motion.
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20
Esguerra v. Judge loja, 392 Phil. 532, 535 (2000).
21
717Phil.11 (2013).
Decision 7 A.M. No. RTJ-16-2479
[Formerly OCA IPI No. 10-3567-RTJ]
This Court has constantly emphasized that the office of a judge exacts
nothing less than faithful observance of the Constitution and the law in the
discharge of official duties. 23
~
27Jd.
28
Duque v. Judge Garrido, supra note 23, at 488.
Decision 8 A.M. No. RTJ-16-2479
[Formerly OCA IPI No. 10-3567-RTJ]
SO ORDERED.
~
(
NOEL GI ~ TIJAM
Assoc ate Justice
29
Re: Cases Submitted for Decision Be.fore Hon. Baluma, supra note 21, at 17.
30
"SEC. 9. Less Serious Charges. - Less serious charges include:
I. Undue delay in rendering a decision or order, or in transmitting the records of a case;
xx xx."
31
Re: Proposed Amendment to Rule 140 of the Rules of Court Re: Discipline of Justices and
Judges effective October I, 2001.
2
' Re: Cases Submitted for Decision Before Hon. Baluma, supra note 21, at 18.
33
Duque v. Judge Garrido, supra note 23, at 490-491.
34
Esguerra v. Judge loja, supra note 20, at 536.
Decision 9 A.M. No. RTJ-16-2479
[Formerly OCA IPI No. 10-3567-RTJ]
WE CONCUR:
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fi'RESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO LZ~~;:;
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MARIANO C. DEL CASTILLO
Associate Justice Associate Justice
Associate Justice