Case Summary (Adm. Case No. 194-J)
Functions of a Judge
- The role of a judge extends beyond merely rendering judgments or issuing resolutions.
- Judges are responsible for hearing cases and managing various incidents that arise during proceedings.
- The challenges faced by judges, including dealing with uncooperative witnesses and counsels, can test their patience and temperament.
- Regular salary payments are crucial for judges to maintain their physical, emotional, and mental readiness to perform their duties effectively.
Allegations Against Judge Abdulwahid A. Bidin
- The Secretary of Justice filed a complaint against Judge Abdulwahid A. Bidin for serious misconduct.
- The complaint highlighted that two civil cases were submitted for decision but remained undecided for an extended period.
- To collect his salary, Judge Bidin allegedly submitted certificates of service claiming that all cases pending for over ninety days had been resolved.
- Judge Bidin denied the allegations, asserting that the certificates were submitted after he had decided the cases.
Findings of the Investigation
- The investigation, led by Justice Mateo Canonoy, confirmed that both civil cases were indeed decided by Judge Bidin on December 29, 1970.
- The judge's salary was withheld from September to December 1970, which he received only in January 1971.
- The certificates of service submitted by Judge Bidin contained inaccuracies regarding the status of the cases.
Analysis of the Certificates of Service
- The certificates of service submitted by Judge Bidin were found to contain false statements regarding the status of the cases.
- The TOBM case had been pending for over ninety days by April 15, 1970, and the Hadji case was similarly delayed.
- Under Section 129 of the Revised Administrative Code, judges are required to accurately report the status of cases to be eligible for salary collection.
Context of the Cases and Judicial Workload
- The Central Bank filed a motion to suspend proceedings in the TOBM case, which contributed to the delay in its resolution.
- Justice Canonoy concluded that Judge Bidin did not have wrongful intent, as he decided the cases before submitting the certificates of service.
- The judge's workload was signif...continue reading