Case Summary (G.R. No. 246012)
Allegations of Unprofessional Conduct
The administrative case stems from allegations made by the complainants in a letter transmitted to the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) on July 21, 2010. The complainants reported that they were tasked by Executive Judge Antonio M. Natino to collect attendance record sheets for court employees every Monday at 8:00 a.m. On July 19, 2010, as they collected the record sheets, a woman identifying herself as an employee of the OCC-MTCC took the records under the pretext of submitting them since the office was not yet open. Shortly afterward, the complainants observed that these record sheets were being signed by employees arriving late. When they confronted this situation, they were met with hostility from respondents Sermonia and Zerrudo, who publicly berated and confronted them, causing embarrassment.
Procedural Developments Regarding Respondents
Following the incident, the OCA instructed both respondents to submit their comments on the complaint, granting them extensions repeatedly due to various claims for additional time including participation in seminars and the impact of an earthquake on operations at the court. Despite these extensions—which cumulatively provided them nearly two years to respond—neither respondent complied by submitting their comments.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
The OCA, citing the lack of responses from the respondents as an admission of guilt for the charges leveled against them, recommended their culpability for the allegations. The recommendation emphasized that their failure to respond not only indicated an admission of the complaints but also served to intensify their liability for discouraging the complainants and covering up their own irregularities regarding the attendance records. The respondents had also faced similar issues in previous instances, with a history of administrative complaints and penalties.
Recommendations and Final Decision
In a recommendation sent to the Court, the OCA proposed a six-month suspension without pay for both respondents, coupled with a warning that any recurrence of similar behavior would result in harsher penalties. It was emphasized that the continued refusal to submit any remarks constituted an affront to the court’s authority and regulations, reflecting poorly on the standard of conduct expected from judicial employees.
Court’s Final Resolution
The Court ultimately reprima
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Case Background
- This administrative case emerged from a complaint filed by L.G. Johnna E. Lozada and L.G. Liza S. Millado, security guards employed by Eagle Matrix Security Agency, Inc.
- The complainants were assigned to guard the CJ Ramon Avanceña Hall of Justice, which houses the Office of the Clerk of Court of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (OCC-MTCC) of Iloilo City.
- Complainants were tasked by Executive Judge Antonio M. Natino to collect attendance record sheets of court employees every Monday at 8:00 a.m. and submit these to the OCC-MTCC.
Incident Description
- On July 19, 2010, at approximately 8:10 a.m., a woman claiming to be from the OCC-MTCC took the record sheets from the complainants under the pretense of submitting them.
- Shortly after, the complainants observed that the record sheets were being distributed among employees who were attempting to sign in late.
- Respondent Salvacion D. Sermonia confronted the complainants in an aggressive manner, threatening to report their actions to Judge Natino.
- Respondent Ma. Theresa G. Zerrudo also approached the complainants, directing harsh words at Lozada, questioning her reliance on others and expressing hostility.
Nature of the Complaint
- The complainants felt that the actions of Sermonia and Zerrudo were aimed at humiliating them, given their lowly status as guards, and occurred in front of numerous court personnel and