Facts:

• Complaint filed by Atty. Jerome Norman L. Tacorda and Leticia Rodrigo-Dumdum against Presiding Judge Perla V. Cabrera-Faller and Ophelia G. Suluen of Branch 90, Regional Trial Court (RTC), Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
• Allegations of gross ignorance of the law, gross inefficiency, delay in the administration of justice, and impropriety.
• Stemmed from Civil Case No. 398810, initially pending before Judge Fernando L. Felicen of Branch 20, RTC, Imus, Cavite.
• Judge Felicen inhibited himself from the case and it was raffled to the sala of Judge Cabrera-Faller.
• Delays in the proceedings, including setting of pre-trial dates, referral for mediation, and filing of a motion to expunge the plaintiffs' pre-trial brief.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• No substantiation of charges of gross ignorance of the law and impropriety against Judge Cabrera-Faller and Suluen.
• Merit in the complaint for gross inefficiency and delay in the administration of justice against Judge Cabrera-Faller.
• Delay in the disposition of cases amounts to a denial of justice and erodes public faith and confidence in the Judiciary.
• Fine of Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) imposed on Judge Cab...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) found no evidence of gross ignorance of the law or impropriety on the part of Judge Cabrera-Faller and Suluen.
• However, the OCA found Judge Cabrera-Faller guilty of gross inefficiency and delay in the administration of justice for failing to promptly act on the motion filed by the Spouses Dumdum.
• The Court agreed with the findings of the OCA and emphasized that delay in the disposition of cases amounts to a denial of justice and erodes public faith an...continue reading