Facts:

• Alfredo CaAada, Jr. filed a complaint against Judge Victorino Montecillo, Presiding Judge of Branch 57, Regional Trial Court, Cebu City, on February 18, 1997.
• The complaint alleged a violation of Section 1.1 of Administrative Circular No. 1, Series of 1988, and Article VIII, Section 15(1) of the 1987 Constitution.
• The underlying case, Civil Case No. CEB-14427, involved a land dispute over Lot 6733.
• The case's history began with Vicente CaAada, Alfredo's predecessor, who won Civil Case No. R-1630 in the Court of First Instance of Cebu City.
• The adverse party appealed and sold the property to Felix Gochan & Sons Realty Corporation (FGSRC) during the appeal.
• Vicente filed Civil Case No. R-6130 against FGSRC, which was dismissed after Mona Lisa Ma. Reyes claimed to be the real party-in-interest.
• On November 13, 1993, the heirs of Juan Jabutay and Angela Pacana filed Civil Case No. CEB-14427 against FGSRC, with the heirs of Olympia Jabutay as unwilling plaintiffs.
• FGSRC's motion to dismiss based on prescription and res judicata was denied by the trial court.
• Judge Montecillo ordered a discontinuation of proceedings, believing an agreement was reached, and directed a "Proposed Stipulation of Facts."
• FGSRC only reiterated its defenses, and Alfredo filed a motion for summary judgment on June 5, 1995, which was unresolved until January 9, 1996.
• The judge acknowledged his heavy caseload but failed to resolve pending motions promptly, leading to the complaint.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court found that Judge Victorino Montecillo failed to act seasonably in resolving the motions in Civil Case No. CEB-14427.
• A fine of One Thousand Pesos (P1,00...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Court highlighted the necessity of timely case resolution as mandated by Section 1...continue reading