CANON 6

COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE

Intelligence
Diligence
- The possession of sufficient learning, ability and skill in a particular
discipline enhanced by actual and sufficient experience in the field.
-Is the quality of a person characterized by his earnest willingness and
capability to promptly do or undo what is required by the nature of
the obligation or duty in accordance with existing rules.
-Carries the elements of perseverance, industry, quickness and
carefulness.

Section 1. The judicial duties of a judge take precedence over all
other activities.
Primary duty of judges
Article 9. No judge or court shall decline to render judgment by
reason of the silence, obscurity or insufficiency of law (NCC).
RE: Complaint Against Justice Asuncion of the CA
A.M. No. 06-6-8-CA (518 SCRA 512)

Atty Roberto C. Padilla vs. Assoc. Justice Asuncion, CA
A.M. No. 06-44-CA-J
518 SCRA 512
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COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE
Section 2. Judges shall devote their professional activity to judicial
duties, which include not only the performance of judicial
functions and responsibilities in court and the making of
decisions, but also other tasks relevant to the judicial office or the
courts operations.
Devotion to Judicial Duties
Longboan vs. Polig (186 SCRA 557)
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COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE
Section 3. Judges shall take reasonable steps to maintain and enhance
their knowledge, skills and personal qualities necessary for the proper
performance of judicial duties, taking advantage for this purpose the
training and other facilities which should be made available, under
judicial control, to judges.

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COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE
Competence is a mark of a good judge.
Ignorance of the law is the mainspring of justice.
NORTHCASTLE PROPERTIES and ESTATE CORPORATION vs. PAAS
A.M. No. MTJ-99-1206, October 22,1999
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COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE
Section 4. Judges shall keep themselves informed about
relevant developments of international law, including
international conventions and other instruments establishing
human rights norms.
The competence of Philippine judges must not be confined
to domestic laws and jurisprudence.
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COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE
Section 5. Judges shall perform all judicial duties, including
the delivery of reserved decisions, efficiently, fair and with
reasonable promptness.
Judicial duties must be performed efficiently, fairly and with
reasonable promptness.
Constitutional Provision on Period of Adjudication of cases.
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 (1987 Philippine
Constitution)
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COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE
Section 5. Judges shall perform all judicial duties, including
the delivery of reserved decisions, efficiently, fair and with
reasonable promptness.
CASIA vs. GESTOPA, JR.
A.M. No. MTJ-99-1181, August 11, 1999
Judges must be conversant with the fundamentals of decision- making.
Judges have the duty to be prompt in the performance of judicial
duties.
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COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE
Section 6. Judges shall maintain order and decorum in all
proceedings before the court and be patient, dignified, and
courteous in relation to litigants, witnesses, lawyers, and
others with whom the judge deals in an official capacity.
Judges shall require similar conduct of legal
representatives, court staff and others subject to their
influence, direction or control.
Order and proper decorum must be maintained in the court.
Conduct of Trial or proceedings must not be attended with
fanfare and publicity.
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COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE
Section 7. Judges shall not engage in conduct incompatible
with the diligent discharge of judicial duties.
Conduct Incompatible with diligent discharge of judicial
duties, to be avoided.
Specific provisions prohibiting certain acts or conduct:
1. Prohibition to accept gifts, bequests or favors.
2. Prohibition from serving as officer, director, manager, adviser or
employee of any business except as director of a family business of
the judge.
3. Prohibition to practice law or other profession incompatible with
judicial duties.
4. Prohibition to permit court staff or subordinates to discriminate
against persons
5. Prohibition to take part in proceedings where he is disqualified.