Source: http://lawlibrary.chanrobles.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=83920:58739&amp;catid=1589&amp;Itemid=566
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 18:16:57+00:00

Document:
A.M. No. RTJ-13-2360 (Formerly A.M. OCA IPI No. 08-3010-RTJ), November 19, 2014 - DOROTHY FE MAH-AREVALO, Complainant, v. JUDGE CELSO L. MANTUA, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF PALOMPON, LEYTE, BRANCH 17, Respondent.
DOROTHY FE MAH-AREVALO, Complainant, v. JUDGE CELSO L. MANTUA, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF PALOMPON, LEYTE, BRANCH 17, Respondent.
The instant administrative case stems from an Amended Administrative Complaint1 dated October 6, 2008 filed by Dorothy Fe Mah-Arevalo (complainant), Court Stenographer of the Regional Trial Court of Palompon, Leyte, Branch 17 (RTC), before the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA), against Judge Celso L. Mantua (respondent) of the same court, accusing him of Disgraceful/Immoral Conduct, Gross Neglect of Duty, Grave Misconduct, Dishonesty, Violation of Republic Act No. 3019,2 Gross Violation of the Judicial Code of Conduct, Abuse of Authority, and Gross Ignorance of the Law.
The essential issue in this case is whether or not respondent should be held administratively liable for Immorality and violation of SC Administrative Circular No. 3-92 in relation to A.M. No. 01-9-09-SC.
The Court concurs with the findings of the Investigating Justice and the OCA.
Attention is drawn to A.M. No. RTJ-89-327 (Nelly Kelly Austria v. Judge Singuat Guerra), a case involving unauthorized and improper use of the court’s premises for dwelling purposes by respondent and his family, in which the Court, by Resolution dated October 17, 1991, found respondent Judge guilty of irresponsible and improper conduct prejudicial to the efficient administration of justice and best interest of the service and imposed on him the penalty of SEVERE CENSURE, the Court declaring that such use of the court’s premises inevitably degrades the honor and dignity of the court in addition to exposing judicial records to danger of loss or damage.
In this case, complainant’s evidence had sufficiently established that respondent used his chambers in the Hall of Justice as his residential and dwelling place. As correctly pointed out by both the Investigating Justice and the OCA, respondent’s defense that he rented a house did not negate the possibility that he used the Hall of Justice as his residence, since it is possible that a person could be renting one place while actually and physically residing in another.
Finally, the Court agrees with the recommendation of both the Investigating Justice and the OCA that since respondent can no longer be dismissed or suspended from office on account of his compulsory retirement on January 9, 2009, he should be fined instead.25 In this light, the Court deems that given the circumstances herein discussed, it is proper to impose upon respondent the penalty of fine in the amount of P40,000.00.
WHEREFORE, respondent Judge Celso L. Mantua of the Regional Trial Court of Palompon, Leyte, Branch 17 is found GUILTY of Immorality and violation of Administrative Circular No. 3-92 in relation to A.M. No. 01-9-09-SC. Accordingly, he is hereby meted the penalty of a FINE in the amount of P40,000.00, which amount shall be deducted from the retirement benefits due him.
Sereno, C.J., (Chairperson), Velasco, Jr.* Leonardo-De Castro, and Del Castillo,** JJ., concur.
** Designated Additional Member per Raffle dated November 10, 2014.
1Rollo, pp. 1-9. Complainant filed with the OCA her first Administrative Complaint on September 3, 2008 (see id. at 14-22).
2 Entitled “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act” (August 17, 1960).
3 Id. at 1-6. See also id. at 212.
4 Id. at 150. Issued by Court Administrator Jose P. Perez.
5 By way of a 2nd Indorsement. Id. at 151-157. See also id. at 212-213.
7 Id. at 203-207. Signed by Court Administrator Jose P. Perez (now a member of the Court) and Deputy Court Administrator Nimfa C. Vilches.
8 See Court’s Resolution dated October 21, 2009; id. at 208-209.
9 Id. at 211-217. Penned by Associate Justice Pampio A. Abarintos.
Canon 2. A judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities.
Rule 2.01. A judge should behave at all times as to promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.
12 Entitled “PROHIBITION AGAINST USE OF HALLS OF JUSTICE FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES” (August 31, 1992).
13 Entitled “GUIDELINES ON THE OCCUPANCY, USE, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF HALLS OF JUSTICE” (October 23, 2001).
17 Id. at 280-290. Signed by Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez and Deputy Court Administrator Jenny Lind R. Aldecoa-Delorino.
20 Administrative Matter No. 01-9-09-SC (2001).
21Adlawan v. Capilitan, A.M. No. P-12-3080, August 29, 2012, 679 SCRA 184, 188-189.
22 See Section 11(A), Rule 140, Rules of Court.
23Geroy v. Judge Calderon, 593 Phil. 585, 597 (2008).
24 See Jallorina v. Taneo-Regner, A.M. No. P-11-2948, April 23, 2012, 670 SCRA 301, 308.
25 See National Bureau of Investigation v. Judge Villanueva, 421 Phil. 649, 663 (2001).

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