Facts:

• Judge Rafael C. Climaco served in the Court of First Instance of Negros Occidental, Branch I, Silay City.
• A verified complaint was filed on October 15, 1968, by Acting City Fiscal Norberto L. Zulueta and Eva Mabug-at, widow of Norberto Tongoy.
• The complaint accused Judge Climaco of gross malfeasance, gross ignorance of the law, and rendering an unjust judgment.
• Charges stemmed from Judge Climaco's order on September 5, 1968, and his decision to acquit Carlos Caramonte in Criminal Case No. 690, involving robbery with homicide.
• After a lengthy trial, Judge Climaco took judicial notice of certain facts and acquitted Caramonte on September 21, 1968.
• The prosecution appealed the acquittal, but the Supreme Court dismissed it on January 30, 1969, citing double jeopardy.
• An investigation by Associate Justice Nicasio Yatco recommended exoneration for Judge Climaco.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court exonerated Judge Climaco from charges of gross malfeasance and gross ignorance of the law.
• The Court determined that the acquittal was not unjust and was based on reasonable doubt regarding Caramonte's guilt.
• Acting ...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court found insufficient evidence to prove that Judge Climaco acted with malice or corrupt intent in his order or judgment.
• For liability on grounds of gross malfeasance or ignorance of the law, judicial acts must be shown to be corrupt or in persistent disregard of legal rules.
• The evidence did not su...continue reading