Source: http://lawlibrary.chanrobles.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49739:am-mtj-07-1672-2007&catid=1494&Itemid=566
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 00:08:49+00:00

Document:
CAPT. SALVADOR BERNALDEZ (ret.), Complainant, v. Judge HENRY B. AVELINO and Clerk of Court GUILLERMO E. ACOLOLA, Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Panay-Pontevedra, Pontevedra, Capiz, Respondents.
This is an administrative complaint1 for abuse of authority against respondents Judge Henry B. Avelino and clerk of court Guillermo E. Acolola, both of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Panay-Pontevedra in Pontevedra, Capiz (MCTC-Pontevedra).
Certain that the MCTC had jurisdiction over the subject matter, respondent clerk of court scheduled a preliminary conference11 on June 19, 1998. The complainant filed an urgent motion for postponement due to unavailability of counsel.12 The motion was granted and the preliminary conference was moved to August 28, 1998.13 But on that date, the complainant moved for another postponement because of the unavailability of counsel.14 The motion was again granted and respondent clerk of court rescheduled the preliminary conference on October 9, 1998,15 and again on November 13, 1998.16 Complainant filed an urgent motion to postpone it because his attorney-in-fact had to go to Manila.17 The motion was again granted, for the third time.
On July 3, 2000, respondent judge denied Calinao's motion to dismiss.19 The case was once more set for preliminary conference on August 21, 2000 and April 24, 2001 but both (scheduled) preliminary conferences did not push through.20 Thereafter, no further proceedings took place and the case remained dormant for almost two years.
On January 28, 2003, the complainant moved to set the case for preliminary conference.21 Acting on the motion, respondent clerk of court scheduled one on March 4, 200322 but respondent judge postponed it due to an illness.23 No subsequent preliminary conference was scheduled and the case again remained idle.
On July 5, 2004, the complainant filed this complaint in the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). He alleged that respondents abused their authority in inordinately delaying the resolution of Civil Case No. 37124 which was governed by the Rule on Summary Procedure (the rule). Despite the specific mandate of the rule to dispense with cases falling under its scope25 within a specified period,26 Civil Case No. 371 remained unresolved for almost 10 years.
Respondents denied the complainant's allegation.
2. A fine of more than P10,000.00 but not exceeding P20,000.
We adopt the findings of the OCA with modifications.
All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative bodies.
Respondent judge could have facilitated the prompt disposition of Civil Case No. 371. He could have denied the motions for postponement since he had full control of the proceedings. He could have even dismissed the action for failure to prosecute.44 Instead, he allowed the case to remain pending for years.
As noted by the OCA, this was not the first time respondent judge failed to act promptly on matters pending in his court.chanrobles virtual law library He was sanctioned for gross inefficiency in 2005.46 For this reason, we find that the recommended fine of P20,000 is not sufficient. He should also be suspended from office for three months without pay.
While clerks of court are not guardians of a judge's responsibility, they are expected to assist in the speedy disposition of justice.52 Thus, as an administrative assistant, respondent clerk of court should have reminded respondent judge that Civil Case No. 371 had been pending for almost 10 years and that it called for immediate action, being summary in nature. He should have noted these on the monthly reports53 he submitted to respondent judge.54 Moreover, he should have adopted a system whereby long-standing cases could be given priority over more recent ones. Because Civil Case No. 371 remained undecided for an unreasonable length of time, respondent clerk of court obviously failed to perform what was expected of him.
We thus find him liable for simple neglect of duty. But since this is his first offense, he deserves some leniency.
WHEREFORE, Judge Henry B. Avelino is hereby found GUILTY of violating Section 9(1), Rule 140 of the Rules of Court, Section 5, Canon 6 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, and the provision on promptness (no. 6) of the Code of Judicial Ethics. Accordingly, he is suspended from office without salary and benefits for three months55 effective upon notice hereof and ordered to pay a fine of P20,000.00. He is warned that a repetition of the same or similar offense shall be dealt with more severely. He is also directed to promptly dispose of Civil Case No. 371.
Clerk of court Guillermo E. Acolola is found GUILTY of simple neglect of duty and is hereby SUSPENDED from office without salary and benefits for three months.56 He is warned that a repetition of the same or similar offense shall be dealt with more severely.
Let a copy of this resolution be attached to the personal records of respondents in the Office of Administrative Services, Office of the Court Administrator.
1 Dated July 5, 2004.
2 Complainant appointed his sister, Elda Vigo, as his attorney-in-fact.
5 Id., p. 26. The first page of the paper Calinao filed is missing. It is not known if the paper he filed was an answer or a motion to dismiss. Based on the records, respondent judge did not issue an order resolving the matter.
6 Notice dated January 12, 1998, id., p. 24.
7 Reply of Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer, id., p. 22.
8 Respondent judge's comment, id., p. 94.
Section 76. Repealing Clause. Section 35 of Republic Act Number 3844, Presidential Decree Number 316, the last two paragraphs of Section 12, Presidential Decree Number 1038 and all other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed or amended according.
The quoted provision modified the jurisdiction of the DAR over tenancy disputes.
11 Id., p. 41. This notice and all subsequent ones used pre-trial conference instead of preliminary conference.
12 Motion dated June 9, 1998, id., p. 40. Complainant's counsel had a hearing with Regional Trial Court (RTC) - Kalibo, Aklan for a hearing in Civil Case No. 5326, Cahilig v. de Jesus.
14 Motion dated August 24, 1998, id., pp. 28-29. Complainant's counsel had a hearing with RTC-Cebu City for a hearing in Civil Case No. CEB-21208, Sezian v. Alyssa Resort.
15 Notice dated September 1, 1997, id., p. 47. According to respondent clerk of court's answer, this preliminary conference was postponed upon the complainant's motion.
16 Notice dated October 7, 1998, id., p. 39.
17 Motion dated November 10, 1998, id., p. 30.
18 Id., pp. 27, 52, 68, 74. The records show that pre-trial conferences were scheduled (but not held due to unknown reasons) on January 5, 1999, February 4, 1999, May 9, 2000 and June 20, 2000.
19 Id., pp. 66-67. This order pertains to Calinao's motion (to dismiss) dated February 10, 1999 and opposition dated March 1, 1999.
21 Motion dated January 28, 2003, rollo, p. 90.
22 Notice dated January 29, 2003, id., p. 91.
23 Respondent judge's answer, id., p. 95.
24 Complaint, id., pp. 2-3.
25 See, The 1991 Revised Rules on Summary Procedure, Sec. 1. The section provides the scope of the Rules.
Sec. 9. Submission of affidavits and position papers. Within ten (10) days from receipt of the order mentioned in the next preceding section, the parties shall submit the affidavits of their witnesses and other evidence on the factual issues defined in the order, together with their position papers setting forth the law and facts relied upon by them.
Sec. 10. Rendition of judgment. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of the last affidavits and position papers, or the expiration of the period for filing the same, the court shall render judgment.
However, should the court find it necessary to clarify certain material facts, it may, during the said period, issue an order specifying the matters to be clarified, and require the parties to submit affidavits or other evidence on the said matters within ten (10) days from receipt of the said order. Judgment shall be rendered within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of the last clarificatory affidavits or the expiration of the period for filing the same.
The court shall not resort to the clarificatory procedure to gain time for the rendition of judgment.
27 Respondent judge's answer, rollo, pp. 95-96.
31 Respondent clerk of court's answer, id., pp. 107-108.
33 Rules of Court, Rule 140, Sec. 9 (1).
WHEREFORE, the Court finds Judge Henry B. Avelino administratively liable for gross inefficiency and is hereby meted the penalty of FINE of TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS (P20,000.00), payable within thirty (30) days. He is further admonished to be more diligent in the performance of his sworn duty as a dispenser of justice.
37 Id. The OCA did not provide any legal basis for the exoneration of respondent clerk of court.
38 Bank of the Philippine Islands v. Generoso, A.M. No. MTJ-94-407, 25 October 1995, 249 SCRA 477, 480-481.
39 Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 6, Sec. 5. See also Code of Judicial Conduct (1989), Canon III, Rule 3.05.
40 Code of Judicial Ethics, no. 6.
41 Office of the Court Administrator v. Judge Henry B. Avelino, supra note 34 at 480.
42 Tugot v. Coliflores, AM No. MTJ-00-1332, 16 February 2004, 423 SCRA 1, 9.
43 Bank of the Philippine Islands v. Generoso, supra note 38, at 15.
In this case, the complainant repeatedly moved for the cancellation of scheduled preliminary conferences. These cancellations are tantamount to failure to prosecute. See also Rules of Court, Rule 17, Sec. 3.
45 Office of the Court Administrator v. Judge Henry B. Avelino, supra note 34 at 16.
47 RE: Report on the Judicial Audit Conducted in the Regional Trial Court Branches 61, 134 and 147, Makati, Metro Manila, A.M. P-93-944, 5 September 1993, 248 SCRA 5, 25. See also Nones v. Ormita, A.M. No. P-01-1532, 9 October 2002, 390 SCRA 519.
48 This provision pertains to clerks of first level courts.
49 2002 Manual of Clerks of Court, Chapter VII, D.1.1.1.1.c.
50 Id., Chapter VII, D.1.1.1.2.i.
51 RE: Report on the Judicial Audit Conducted in the Regional Trial Court Branches 61, 134 and 147, Makati, Metro Manila, supra note 47, at 25.
53 2002 Manual of Clerks of Court, Chapter VII, D.1.1.1.1.c.
54 RE: Report on the Judicial Audit Conducted in the Regional Trial Court Branches 61, 134 and 147, Makati, Metro Manila, supra note 46 at 24. The monthly report which shows the status of each case is submitted to the judge.
55 Rules of Court, Rule 140, Sec. 11(B).
Sec. 23. Administrative offences with its (sic) corresponding penalties are classified into grave, less grave, and, light depending on the gravity of its (sic) nature and effects of said acts in government service.

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