Facts:

• Judge Thelma A. Ponferrada, Presiding Judge of Branch 18 of the Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) in Manila, filed a complaint against her Staff Assistant II, Edna Relator, on August 26, 1987.
• The complaint alleged grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
• Specific accusations included making false entries in court dockets and falsifying court orders to facilitate the withdrawal of cash bail.
• The Supreme Court referred the case to Executive Judge Abelardo Dayrit for investigation on October 19, 1987.
• On January 11, 1988, Judge Dayrit recommended Relator's dismissal from service after discovering irregularities in court orders and dockets.
• The City Auditor of Manila reported a suspicious cash bail withdrawal of P3,300.00 in favor of Dominga Quiton.
• Relator was found to have manipulated court records and forged signatures, admitting to the false entries.
• Atty. Ramon Reyes, the Branch Clerk, confirmed he had not signed the documents attributed to him.
• Relator had been absent from work since August 31, 1987, without providing a forwarding address.
• The evidence presented was sufficient to establish Relator's misconduct.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court dismissed Edna Relator from her position as Staff Assistant II at Branch 18 of the MeTC in Manila, with prejudice to her reinstatement or reemployment in any government service.
• All retirement benefits and privileges to which she may have been entitled were forfeited.
• The Court ref...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Court's decision was based on Executive Judge Dayrit's findings, which confirmed that Edna Relator engaged in serious misconduct by falsifying court records and orders.
• Evidence, including certification from the Clerk ...continue reading