Case Digest (A.M. No. MTJ-03-1505)
Facts:
The case involves Mamasaw Sultan Ali as the complainant against several respondents, including Hon. Baguinda-Ali Pacalna, the former Presiding Judge of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) in Balindong, Lanao del Sur, along with Hon. Pundaya A. Berua, Hadji Ibra Darimbang, and Mandag U. Batua-an. The events leading to this case began with a decision rendered on September 25, 2007, where Judge Pacalna was found administratively liable for dishonesty, serious misconduct, and gross ignorance of the law. The court determined that he violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, which mandates judges to maintain the integrity of the judiciary and perform their duties with honesty and diligence. Consequently, he was ordered to pay a fine of P20,000.00, with a warning that any repetition of similar acts would result in more severe penalties. Following this decision, Judge Pacalna did not file a motion for reconsideration and paid the fine on December 3, 2007. However, shortly after, an...
Case Digest (A.M. No. MTJ-03-1505)
Facts:
Initial Administrative Case:
- Baguinda-Ali A. Pacalna, former Presiding Judge of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Balindong, Lanao del Sur, was found administratively liable for dishonesty, serious misconduct, and gross ignorance of the law or procedure in a decision dated September 25, 2007.
- He was fined P20,000.00 and warned against repeating similar acts.
- The case arose from his mishandling of election-related petitions, including fabricating an order to cover up his official shortcomings.
Subsequent Administrative Case:
- A week after the 2007 decision, another administrative complaint was filed against Pacalna by members of the Marawi City Police.
- He was found liable for grave misconduct for misusing his authority by taking custody of an accused detained for carnapping charges without proper legal basis.
- He was suspended for six months, converted to forfeiture of his salary, and criminal charges for Obstruction of Justice were filed against him.
Resignation and Petition for Clemency:
- Pacalna resigned on December 1, 2009, while under investigation for the second administrative case.
- He later sought to rejoin the judiciary and applied for a position in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Marawi City.
- He filed a Petition for Judicial Clemency, requesting a reduction of the P20,000.00 fine imposed in the 2007 decision.
Lack of Evidence of Reformation:
- Pacalna’s petition was unsupported by any proof of remorse or reformation.
- He relied solely on his personal belief that he could be an effective judge and his promise not to repeat his past mistakes.
Issue:
- Whether Baguinda-Ali A. Pacalna is entitled to judicial clemency based on his petition.
- Whether the penalties imposed on him in the previous administrative cases should be reduced or lifted to allow his reinstatement in the judiciary.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Conclusion:
The Supreme Court denied Pacalna’s petition for judicial clemency, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the judiciary and the need for clear evidence of reformation before granting such requests.