A.M. No. MTJ-00-1307 - Bunyi vs. Caraos

Complainants are members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Candelaria, Quezon.
In 1996, the Sangguniang Bayan decided to demolish the old public market building for a new construction.
A temporary market site was designated for market vendors, and an ordinance was passed prohibiting vendors from operating in the PNR compound.
Over 300 market vendors began operating in the PNR compound without a Mayor's permit, leading to criminal cases filed against them in the Municipal Trial Court of Candelaria, Quezon.

The arraignment of the accused was scheduled for December 10, 1996, with the trial set for January 28, 1997.
The respondent judge failed to appear on the trial date without providing an explanation.
As of February 17, 1997, the cases remained pending, prompting the filing of an administrative complaint against the judge.

The Court emphasized the importance of Rule 3.05 of Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which mandates judges to dispose of court business promptly.
Delays in judicial proceedings undermine public confidence in the judiciary and tarnish its image.
The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) found that the one-year delay in the status of the cases constituted inefficiency and a violation of judicial conduct.

The Court noted that the respondent judge's comments regarding the relocation of vendors, although seemingly innocent, should have been avoided to prevent any appearance of bias.
Judges must not only be impartial but also appear impartial to maintain public trust in the judicial system.

The respondent judge characterized the complaint as harassment and attributed delays to political conflicts and the actions of the complainants' lawyers.
He claimed that the postponements and arguments among counsel contributed to the delays in the cases.