Case Digest (A.M. No. P-08-2579)
Facts:
- Maritess R. Manio, a court interpreter III at Branch 4 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Tuguegarao City, is the respondent in this administrative complaint.
- The complainant, Odaline B. Narag, alleged that Manio solicited money for an unauthorized adoption case.
- Narag's sister, Veneranda Obdulia B. Baquiran, wanted to adopt her two stepchildren and sought Narag's help in finding a lawyer.
- Narag's officemate, Susana Wandag, mentioned that Manio might be able to assist.
- Manio personally visited Narag's office and claimed that a certain Atty. Mac Paul Soriano had agreed to handle the adoption case.
- Manio informed Narag that Atty. Soriano needed money for the necessary pleadings during his vacation.
- Narag gave Manio a partial payment of P20,000 and obtained an acknowledgment receipt.
- Manio was later found to have no authorization from Atty. Soriano, and she subsequently disappeared and stopped reporting for work.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- Manio is guilty of grave misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming of a court employee.
- The court agreed with the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) that Manio's actions constituted dishonesty and conduct unbecoming of a court employee, falling within the purview of grave misconduct.
- Dishonesty and grave misconduct are classified as grave offenses punishable by dismissal for the first offense.
- Manio's guilt was evident, as she solicited money from Narag without authorization and disappeared after receiving the payment.
- Her actions tarnished the honor and dignity of the judiciary and undermined public confidence in it.
- Manio had been previously dismissed from the service for dishonesty and gra...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The court based its decision on the principles that public servants are expected to uphold the highest sense of honesty and integrity and that public office is a public trust.
- Manio's solicitation of money from Narag constituted serious impropriety and created the impression that decisions could be bought and sold.
- This ac...continue reading
Case Digest (A.M. No. P-08-2579)
Facts:
This case involves an administrative complaint against Maritess R. Manio, a court interpreter III at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Tuguegarao City, Branch 4. The complainant, Odaline B. Narag, accused Manio of grave misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming of a court employee. Narag's complaint stemmed from an incident where her sister, Veneranda Obdulia B. Baquiran, wanted to adopt her two stepchildren and sought Narag's assistance in finding a lawyer. Narag's officemate, Susana Wandag, mentioned that her friend, Manio, might be able to help. Manio personally visited Narag's office and claimed that Atty. Mac Paul Soriano had agreed to handle the adoption case. Manio informed Narag that Atty. Soriano needed money for the necessary pleadings during his vacation, which turned out to be unknown and unauthorized by Atty. Soriano. Manio then asked for a 50% down payment of P40,000 for the adoption case, to which Narag readily gave P20,000. However, Manio failed to provide any updates on the case and was eventually found to be absent from work. Narag's complaint was supported by sworn statements from her officemates, Wandag and Ma. Lourdes H. Golino. Manio, on the other hand, failed to file her comment despite receiving a notice from the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). It was also discovered that Manio had a history of previous administrative complaints, including one for dishonesty and grave misconduct, resulting in h...