Facts:

• Judge Virgilio D. Quijano presided over the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, Branch 20.
• An administrative matter arose due to his failure to resolve several civil cases within the mandated 90-day period.
• A Judicial Audit Team from the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) conducted an audit on November 22, 1999.
• The audit report, dated January 6, 2000, revealed that Judge Quijano did not resolve eight civil cases on time, with submission dates from January 1997 to August 1999.
• The audit also indicated that he failed to act on eight additional civil cases for an extended period.
• On March 8, 2000, the Supreme Court required Judge Quijano to explain his inaction and withheld P20,000 from his retirement benefits for potential administrative liability.
• Judge Quijano submitted a two-page explanation on May 5, 2000, claiming the delays were unintentional.
• The OCA recommended a fine of P20,000 for his failure to act on the cases.
• The Supreme Court found his explanation unsatisfactory, noting violations of constitutional mandates and the Code of Judicial Conduct.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court found Judge Virgilio D. Quijano liable for undue delay in resolving cases.
• A fine of P10,000 was imposed, to be deducted from ...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Constitution mandates that all lower courts resolve cases within three months from submission.
• Rule 3.05 of Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct requires judges to dispose of court business promptly.
• Judge Quijano's explanation for the delays was deemed inadequate, lacking valid reasons for the prolonged pendency of cases.
• The audit ...continue reading