Facts:

• Priscilla Imbing filed a complaint against Judge Benjamin C. Tiongson.
• The complaint originated from a letter dated July 25, 1991, sent to former President Corazon C. Aquino and later forwarded to the Office of the Court Administrator.
• Imbing accused Tiongson of abandoning and failing to support their two children.
• The couple married on November 1, 1981, according to Subanen tribal customs, officiated by tribal head Lantay Imbing.
• They had two children: Anna Freya (born September 19, 1982) and Benjamin Jr. (born December 6, 1983).
• Tiongson abandoned Imbing and their children after being assigned to Manila, leaving them without financial support.
• Imbing sought a monthly deduction of P5,000 from Tiongson's salary and a third of his retirement benefits for their children's education.
• Tiongson denied the marriage and paternity of Benjamin Jr., claiming Imbing was already married to another man at the time of their alleged marriage.
• He acknowledged paternity of Anna Freya but claimed to have sent P1,000 monthly for her support.
• Despite Imbing withdrawing her complaint, the Supreme Court continued its investigation due to public interest in judicial conduct.
• The investigation confirmed Tiongson fathered a child with Imbing while knowing of her existing marriage, raising concerns about his moral integrity.
• The Executive Judge recommended Tiongson's dismissal for gross immorality, leading to the Supreme Court's final decision.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Supreme Court found Judge Benjamin C. Tiongson guilty of gross immorality and dismissed him from service, forfeiting his retirement benefits and disqualifying him from reemployment in government service.
• The Court ruled that Imbing's withdrawal of the comp...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court emphasized that judges must uphold the highest standards of morality in both their professional and personal lives.
• Tiongson's actions, specifically fathering a child with Imbing while awa...continue reading