Case Digest (A.M. No. RTJ-10-2244)
Facts:
- The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) filed a complaint against Judge Lyliha A. Aquino, Presiding Judge of Branch 4, Regional Trial Court, Tuguegarao City.
- The complaint stemmed from a letter dated February 6, 2008, from the Trial Lawyers of Cagayan, accusing Judge Aquino of corrupt practices.
- Allegations included demanding bribes of P150,000 for annulments and adoption cases, and P50,000 for Temporary Protective Orders.
- Complainants claimed certain lawyers had undue influence, resulting in biased rulings.
- Additional charges involved non-payment of debts to staff, personal enrichment through selling goods to litigants, and habitual absenteeism.
- A judicial audit conducted in July 2009 revealed procedural violations in 41 annulment cases and adoption cases.
- Judge Aquino was directed to comment on the audit findings on August 2, 2012, where she denied the allegations and justified her actions.
- The OCA's memorandum on August 29, 2012, confirmed procedural violations but did not address corruption claims.
- The OCA recommended admonition and a stern warning for Judge Aquino.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- Yes, the Court found that Judge Aquino violated procedural rules in handling annulment and adoption cases.
- The Court found insufficient evidence to substantiate the corruption allegations against Judge Aquino.
- The Court imposed a fine of Ten Thou...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Court concurred with the OCA's findings on procedural violations, highlighting the necessity of an investigation report from the public prosecutor before pre-trial in annulment cases.
- It e...continue reading
Case Digest (A.M. No. RTJ-10-2244)
Facts:
In the case of Office of the Court Administrator vs. Judge Lyliha A. Aquino, the complainant, Office of the Court Administrator (OCA), filed a complaint against Judge Lyliha A. Aquino, the Presiding Judge of Branch 4 of the Regional Trial Court in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The complaint originated from a letter dated February 6, 2008, submitted by a group known as the Trial Lawyers of Cagayan. The letter accused Judge Aquino of engaging in corrupt practices, specifically demanding bribes of P150,000 for adoption cases and annulments, and P50,000 for issuing Temporary Protective Orders. The complainants alleged that certain lawyers had undue influence in her court, leading to biased rulings favoring them. Additional charges included non-payment of debts to staff, personal enrichment through selling goods to litigants, and habitual absenteeism. Following the complaint, a judicial audit was conducted by the OCA in July 2009. The audit revealed that from June 2003 to January 2009, Judge Aquino had decided 41 annulment cases without the required no-collusion reports and pre-trial procedures. She also failed to ensure that public prosecutors investigated potential collusion in cases where respondents did not file answers. In adoption cases, she proceeded with hearings and decisions without the necessary documentation, such as consent affidavits and child study reports. On August 2, 2012, the Court directed Judge Aquino to comment on the audit findings....