Case Digest (A.M. No. 85-1-6874-RTC)
Facts:
- Milagros Santia was a stenographic reporter for Branch XXX of the Regional Trial Court in Iloilo City.
- She was absent from work without approved leave since January 1, 1984, after her leave expired on December 29, 1983.
- On March 28, 1984, Acting Court Administrator Arturo Buena directed Santia to explain her absence, warning of potential administrative action.
- Santia failed to respond or return to work.
- On October 10, 1984, Acting Executive Judge Amelia K. del Rosario informed the Chief Justice about Santia's ongoing absence and its negative impact on court operations.
- Judge del Rosario accused Santia of falsifying her signature on a special power of attorney, allowing her to collect paychecks for judges and court employees.
- This forgery led to the endorsement of 16 checks, and criminal charges were filed against her.
- On October 29, 1984, Santia was convicted of seventeen counts of falsification of private documents, receiving an indeterminate sentence and a fine.
- Acting Court Administrator Buena recommended her separation from service as a notoriously undesirable employee under Section 40(d) of P.D. 827.
- The court decided to separate Santia from her position due to abandonment and malfeasance, forfeiting her retirement benefits and barring her from future government employment.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- Yes, Milagros Santia should be administratively penalized for her prolonged absence without leave.
- Yes, the act of falsifying a signature constitutes sufficient grounds for her separation from service.
- The implications of her cr...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The court upheld administrative penalties against Milagros Santia for her continuous absence, which was classified as abandonment of her position.
- The court highlighted the necessity for public employees to fulfill their duties, as their absence can disrupt court operations.
- Santia's act of falsifying a signature was d...continue reading
Case Digest (A.M. No. 85-1-6874-RTC)
Facts:
The case involves Milagros Santia, a stenographic reporter for Branch XXX of the Regional Trial Court in Iloilo City. She had been absent from her duties without any approved leave since January 1, 1984, following the expiration of her previously approved leave on December 29, 1983. On March 28, 1984, Acting Court Administrator Arturo Buena issued a directive to Santia, requiring her to provide a written explanation for her prolonged absence, warning her that failure to comply could lead to administrative action, including her potential removal from service. Despite this warning, Santia did not respond or report back to work.
Subsequently, on October 10, 1984, Acting Executive Judge Amelia K. del Rosario communicated with the Chief Justice, detailing Santia's continued absence and its detrimental impact on court operations. She noted that Judge Jesus V. Ramos had previously addressed Santia's absence in a letter dated February 24, 1984. Furthermore, Judge del Rosario accused Santia of falsifying her signature on a special power of attorney, which allowed her to collect paychecks for judges and court employees for the latter half of February 1984. This act of forgery led to the endorsement of 16 checks, and it was reported that criminal charges had been filed against her.
On October 29, 1984, Santia was convicted of seventeen counts of falsification of private documents by Judge Ernesto S. Tengco in Criminal Cases Nos. 84-24341 to 84-24358. She received an indeterminate sentence ranging from four months and one day of arresto mayor to two years, four months...