Case Digest (A.M. OCA IPI No. 04-1606-MTJ)
Facts:
- Atty. Arturo Juanito T. Maturan filed a complaint against Judge Lizabeth Gutierrez-Torres, former Presiding Judge of Branch 60, Metropolitan Trial Court, Mandaluyong City, on August 12, 2004.
- The complaint alleged unjustifiable delay in rendering a decision in Criminal Case No. 67659 (People v. Anicia C. Ventanilla).
- The case had been pending since June 2002, despite being submitted for decision after the defense rested on April 10, 2002.
- The prosecution submitted its memorandum on June 3, 2002, while the defense waived its right to file one.
- Multiple motions to decide the case were filed by the prosecution on December 9, 2002, July 10, 2003, and February 4, 2004, but went unaddressed by Judge Gutierrez-Torres.
- On August 11, 2004, Maturan discovered no action had been taken on the motions; later that day, Judge Gutierrez-Torres signed an order stating the case was submitted for decision.
- Maturan argued that the judge's failure to render a decision within the 90-day period violated Canon 3, Rule 3.05 of the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Constitution, constituting gross inefficiency.
- The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) directed Judge Gutierrez-Torres to comment on the complaint, but she failed to comply and requested multiple extensions.
- The OCA found her behavior constituted gross misconduct and insubordination, recommending administrative sanctions.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Court found Judge Lizabeth Gutierrez-Torres guilty of gross inefficiency.
- A fine of P20,000.00 was imposed, to be deducted from her accrued leave credits.
- The Court ordered her to show cause why she should not be suspended f...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Court emphasized that judges must decide cases promptly, as required by Article VIII, Section 15(1) of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates resolution within specific timeframes.
- The New Code of Judicial Conduct reinforces this obligation, requiring judges to perform their duties efficiently and promptly.
- Judge Gutierrez-Torres's inaction ...continue reading
Case Digest (A.M. OCA IPI No. 04-1606-MTJ)
Facts:
The case involves Atty. Arturo Juanito T. Maturan as the complainant against Judge Lizabeth Gutierrez-Torres, the former Presiding Judge of Branch 60 of the Metropolitan Trial Court in Mandaluyong City. The complaint was filed on August 12, 2004, alleging unjustifiable delay in rendering a decision in Criminal Case No. 67659, entitled People v. Anicia C. Ventanilla. The case had been pending since June 2002, despite being submitted for decision after the defense rested its case on April 10, 2002. The prosecution filed its memorandum on June 3, 2002, while the defense waived its right to file a memorandum. Subsequently, the prosecution filed multiple motions to decide the case on December 9, 2002, July 10, 2003, and February 4, 2004, all of which went unaddressed by Judge Gutierrez-Torres. On August 11, 2004, Maturan discovered that no action had been taken on the motions, and later that day, Judge Gutierrez-Torres signed an order stating that the case was submitted for decision. Maturan contended that the judge's failure to render a decision within the 90-day period violated Canon 3, Rule 3.05 of the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Constitution, constituting gross inefficiency. The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) directed Judge Gutierrez-Torres to comment on the complaint, but she repeatedly failed to comply, requesting multiple extensions w...