Facts:

• Mary Jane Vallentos Jamin filed an administrative complaint against Judge Manuel A. de Castro of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Bohol.
• The complaint arose from an alleged rape incident on March 29, 2005, when Jamin, a waitress, claimed Judge de Castro entered the bathroom without permission while she was changing clothes.
• After serving Judge de Castro and his companions during a drinking session, he allegedly made unwanted advances, including inappropriate touching and kissing.
• Jamin asserted that despite her protests, Judge de Castro forcibly took her to a storage area (bodega) where he raped her.
• Co-worker Agnes Ybañez corroborated Jamin's account, stating she witnessed the judge dragging Jamin towards the bodega.
• Judge de Castro denied the allegations, claiming they were a malicious attempt to damage his reputation and asserted he was only inspecting the bar.
• He submitted affidavits of retraction from Jamin and Ybañez, claiming the charges were false.
• The Bohol Provincial Prosecutor dismissed the criminal aspect of the complaint on October 27, 2005, without prejudice.
• The Supreme Court later treated the matter as an administrative complaint and required Judge de Castro to respond.
• The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) found him guilty of gross misconduct and immorality, recommending his dismissal despite the retractions.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court found Judge Manuel A. de Castro guilty of gross misconduct and immorality.
• The Court ruled that the affidavits of retraction ...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court emphasized that judges must uphold the highest standards of morality and decency, reflecting integrity in both their official and private lives.
• Judge de Castro's actions, including sexual advances and inappropriate behavior in a public setting, were deemed unbecoming of a judge and violated the Code of Judicial Conduct.
• The Cou...continue reading