A.M. No. P-21-027 - Santiago-Avila vs. Narisma, Jr.

On July 6, 2017, Court Stenographer Nenita Paderes reported an irregularity involving Eddie Cantoja, who was masquerading as Judge Santiago-Avila’s long-time driver.
Paderes indicated that Cantoja, together with a court insider, was involved in extorting money from court litigants.

Through Paderes’ eventual disclosure, the insider was named as Juanito B. Narisma, Jr., process server of RTC Branch 36, General Santos City, South Cotabato.
Shirley Chan, the complainant involved in the case, later confirmed the involvement by recounting encounters with Narisma.

In November 2016, Cantoja introduced himself as the judge’s driver and bodyguard, assuring Shirley Chan that he could help expedite a favorable bail resolution for her daughter, Christine Madison Chan.
Narisma subsequently approached Judge Santiago-Avila on two separate occasions (in the second week of November and in December 2016) regarding the early release of Christine, claiming her family’s urgent desire for discharge.
In a bail hearing, Narisma was reported to have warned Shirley not to enter the courtroom as he would personally facilitate the release, while simultaneously implying that Judge Santiago-Avila was involved in demanding a PHP 200,000.00 “facilitation fee.”

Alarmed by Shirley’s disclosures, Judge Santiago-Avila coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to set an entrapment operation targeting Cantoja and his cohorts.
Cantoja was arrested on July 12, 2017 after accepting marked money from Shirley; his cellular phone later yielded text messages linking him directly to Narisma.

Criminal informations were filed against both Cantoja and Narisma for robbery and for the violation of Section 7(d) of Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).
Judge Santiago-Avila issued Memorandum Order No. 2017-13 on July 18, 2017, temporarily relieving Narisma of his duties pending the criminal investigation.
An administrative complaint for grave misconduct was subsequently instituted against Narisma.

The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) received a detailed investigation and recommendation from Executive Judge Adelbert S. Santillan, who found substantial evidence linking Narisma to the extortion of Shirley Chan during the bail proceedings for Christine.
The Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) concurred with these findings, emphasizing that Narisma’s actions were attended by a corrupt purpose and directly contravened the ethical standards mandated for court personnel.

Whether the evidence is sufficient to hold Juanito B. Narisma, Jr. administratively liable for grave misconduct.

Determining if his conduct—soliciting and accepting money in exchange for alleged favorable court action—constituted a breach of ethical and administrative norms.

Whether Narisma’s status and previous unblemished service record mitigate against his alleged misconduct.

Assessing if his 25 years of service counterbalance the gravity of the extortion attempt.

Whether the separation from service (dropped from the rolls) renders the administrative case moot or still subject to further penalties.

Evaluating the continued relevance of imposing administrative disabilities despite his prior removal from service.