Case Digest (A.M. No. MTJ-04-1521)
Facts:
In the case of Romeo B. Almojuela, Jr. vs. Judge Revelino M. Ringor and Amalia L. Directo, the complainant, Romeo B. Almojuela, Jr., filed a sworn complaint on November 12, 2003, against Judge Revelino M. Ringor, the Acting Presiding Judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Balaoan, La Union, and Amalia L. Directo, the Clerk of Court. The complaint alleged grave misconduct, gross ignorance of the law, dishonesty, and violation of judicial ethics. Almojuela was one of the accused in three criminal cases (Nos. 4941, 4942, and 4943) pending before Judge Ringor. On November 12, 2002, the private offended party, Belinda Enriquez, executed a waiver exculpating Almojuela from the charges. Following this, on January 2, 2003, Almojuela filed an Omnibus Motion in Criminal Case No. 4941, seeking to quash the complaint. During the hearing on January 8, 2003, neither the Chief of Police nor Enriquez appeared to oppose the motion. On January 15, 2003, Judge Ringor granted the motion, statin...
Case Digest (A.M. No. MTJ-04-1521)
Facts:
- Complainant and Criminal Cases: Romeo B. Almojuela, Jr., the complainant, was one of the accused in Criminal Cases Nos. 4941, 4942, and 4943 pending before Judge Revelino M. Ringor of the Municipal Trial Court (MTC) of Balaoan, La Union.
- Waiver of Complaint: On November 12, 2002, Belinda Enriquez, the private offended party, executed a waiver exculpating Almojuela from the charges.
- Omnibus Motion: On January 2, 2003, Almojuela filed an Omnibus Motion to quash the complaint, citing the waiver.
- Hearing and Order: On January 8, 2003, the hearing for the Omnibus Motion proceeded without opposition from the Chief of Police or Belinda Enriquez. On January 15, 2003, Judge Ringor granted the motion to quash, citing the waiver.
- Allegations of Coercion: Belinda Enriquez later claimed she was coerced into signing the waiver and was unaware of its contents. Based on this, Judge Ringor instructed his staff to withhold the January 15, 2003 Order. However, the Order was allegedly leaked to Almojuela.
- Cancellation of Order: On March 24, 2003, Judge Ringor issued another Order canceling the January 15, 2003 Order, citing Enriquez’s allegations of coercion.
- Complainant’s Allegations: Almojuela alleged that Judge Ringor privately communicated with Enriquez, acted irregularly by canceling the Order, and failed to conduct a proper preliminary investigation. He also claimed bias and procedural irregularities.
- Respondents’ Defense: Clerk of Court Amalia L. Directo denied receiving instructions to withhold the Order. Judge Ringor defended his actions, stating he acted within his authority and that Almojuela could have filed a motion for reconsideration instead of an administrative complaint.
Issue:
- Whether Judge Ringor committed Gross Misconduct, Gross Ignorance of the Law, Dishonesty, and Violation of Judicial Ethics.
- Whether Clerk of Court Amalia L. Directo committed Grave Misconduct and Dishonesty.
- Whether Judge Ringor’s actions, including the cancellation of the January 15, 2003 Order, were proper and in accordance with the law.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)