Facts:

• Dr. Julian L. Espiritu, Jr. filed a complaint against Presiding Judge Santiago M. Arenas of the RTC of Quezon City, Branch 217.
• The complaint, dated December 5, 2023, alleged gross ignorance of the law and inefficiency related to Civil Case No. Q-00-41263.
• Judge Arenas issued a decision on July 13, 2010, favoring Dr. Espiritu, awarding him 5/6 of the disputed property.
• The decision was appealed and affirmed by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, becoming final.
• Execution proceedings were remanded to the RTC, and Dr. Espiritu filed a Motion for Execution on July 9, 2015.
• Judge Arenas resolved the motion nearly three years later, on July 6, 2018, which Dr. Espiritu claimed was an undue delay.
• Judge Arenas entertained various motions from the defendants, which Dr. Espiritu argued reopened a decided case.
• Judge Arenas defended himself by stating the delay was not entirely his fault and that he had cautioned the defendants.
• Judge Arenas retired on October 27, 2020.
• The OCA recommended dismissing the gross ignorance charge but found him liable for undue delay, suggesting a fine of PHP 15,000.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Court dismissed the charge of gross ignorance of the law against Judge Arenas.
• The Court found Judge Arenas administratively liable for simple negle...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Court upheld the OCA's recommendation to dismiss the gross ignorance charge, stating that Judge Arenas acted within his judicial discretion by entertaining subsequent pleadings.
• Errors in his rulings should have been addressed through judicial remedies, not an administrative complaint.
• Regarding undue delay, the Court agreed with the OCA that Judge Arenas neglected his duty due to significant delay...continue reading