Case Digest (A.M. No. R-592-RTJ)
Facts:
- On April 4, 1986, Mr. Juanito L. Haw Tay filed a sworn Administrative Complaint against Judge Eduardo Singayao of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 14, Cotabato City.
- The complaint alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019, as amended) and gross ignorance of the law.
- Judge Singayao denied the allegations, claiming harassment by the complainant.
- On January 20, 1987, the Supreme Court referred the case to Associate Justice Eduardo R. Bengzon of the Court of Appeals for investigation and suspended Judge Singayao pending the inquiry.
- Initial hearings scheduled for March 25-27, 1987, were deferred at Judge Singayao's request due to financial difficulties.
- Rescheduled hearings on April 22-24, 1987, saw Judge Singayao absent, as did further attempts on May 4 and 5, 1987.
- The Investigating Justice deemed Judge Singayao to have waived his right to cross-examine the complainant's witnesses.
- The investigation revealed that Judge Singayao solicited and received money from the complainant in 1983, including amounts of P1,000, P3,000, and P1,500, as well as a round-trip airplane ticket.
- He improperly issued a writ of preliminary injunction in a case with an incorrectly posted bond.
- The Investigating Justice concluded that the complainant substantiated his allegations, leading to findings of serious misconduct and gross ignorance of the law.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court found Judge Singayao guilty of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
- The Court ruled that Ju...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court condemned Judge Singayao's actions as serious misconduct, stating that soliciting and receiving money from a party-litigant undermines judicial integrity and public trust.
- Such behavior is deemed intolerable and constitutes a severe breach of judicial conduct.
- Judge Singayao's failure to comply with the Rules of Court regarding bond posting indicated a lack of under...continue reading
Case Digest (A.M. No. R-592-RTJ)
Facts:
On April 4, 1986, Mr. Juanito L. Haw Tay filed a sworn Administrative Complaint against Judge Eduardo Singayao of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 14, Cotabato City, alleging violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019, as amended) and gross ignorance of the law. In response, Judge Singayao denied the allegations and claimed that the complainant was subjecting him to systematic harassment. On January 20, 1987, the Supreme Court referred the case to Associate Justice Eduardo R. Bengzon of the Court of Appeals for investigation, report, and recommendations, while simultaneously suspending Judge Singayao from office pending the investigation. The hearings were initially scheduled for March 25, 26, and 27, 1987, but Judge Singayao requested a deferment due to financial difficulties stemming from his courtesy resignation accepted by the President. The hearings were rescheduled to April 22, 23, and 24, 1987, but the respondent failed to appear. Further attempts to hold hearings on May 4 and 5, 1987, also saw Judge Singayao absent. Consequently, the Investigating Justice considered him to have waived his right to cross-examine the complainant's witnesses. The investigation revealed that Judge Singayao had solicited and received money from the complainant on multiple occasions in 1983, including ...