A.M. No. 99-12-08-SC

**A.M. No. 99-12-08-SC** is an administrative matter by the Supreme Court *En Banc* January 18, 2000

## REFERRAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS AND CASES TO THE DIVISIONS OF THE COURT OF TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND CHAIRMEN OF DIVISIONS FOR APPROPRIATE ACTIONS

WHEREAS, a considerable number of administrative matters or cases are still
referred to the Court *En Banc* for disposition, determination or
resolution;

WHEREAS, the Court *En Banc* should be relieved of most of such cases
to enable it to have more time for judicial matters which require lengthy
careful deliberations.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Court hereby RESOLVES, thus:

I. To REFER to the Divisions for
their appropriate action or resolution the following:

1) Administrative matters relating
to

(a) inhibition of judges;

(b) extension of time to decide
cases;

(c) compulsory, optional or
disability retirement of judges and court personnel;

(d) application for survivorship
benefits;

(e) dropping from the roll of
employees who are absent without leave;

(f) transfer of venues;

(g) reports on financial and
judicial audits, unless they are converted into administrative cases;

(h) reports on burning or
destruction of court records; and

(i) cases left undecided by retired
or promoted judges unless the matter has ripened into an administrative case.

2) Administrative cases relating to

(a) the discipline of officials and
personnel of the judiciary, except those involving the Presiding Justices and
Associates Justices of the Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan which shall
be resolved by the Court *En Banc*; *Provided*, *however*, that
if the penalty to be imposed is dismissal from the service, suspension for more
than one (1) year, or fine of more than P20,000, the Division concerned shall
refer the case to the Court *En Banc* for final action;

(b) the discipline of members of
the Philippines Bar; *Provided*, *however*, that where the penalty to
be imposed is disbarsement, indefinite suspension for more than one (1) year, *or*
fine of more than P20*,*000 *the Division concerned shall refer the*
case to the Court *En Banc* for final action; and

(c) any other administrative matter
which has repined into an administrative case.

II. To REFER to the Chief Justice
and the Chairmen of the Divisions for their appropriate action or resolution,
for and in behalf of the Court *En Banc*, administrative matters relating
to

(a) appointments of personnel in
the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals Sandiganbayan, Court of Tax Appeals, the
lower courts (including the Sharia'h courts), the Philippine Judicial Academy,
and officers and members of existing committee;

(b) creation of *ad hoc*
committees;

(c) extension of service of court personnel after
reaching the compulsory age of retirement;

(d) details of Judges and court personnel, except the
assignment of a Judge, in addition to the regular duties of his own court, as
acting Presiding Judge of a vacant court or as assisting Judge of another
Judge, which may be done by the Chief Justice alone;

(e) foreign travel of Justices or Judges and court
personnel; and

(f) disposal of old records and unserviceable vehicles,
equipment and the like.

Upon the effectivity of this Resolution, all of the above matters or cases
presently assigned to the Court *En Banc*, except those whose decisions or
resolution are subject to motions for reconsideration, shall be transferred to
the Divisions to where their *ponentes* are assigned or to the Chief
Justice and Chairman of the Divisions, as the case may be.

The provisions of previous Circulars, resolutions, or orders inconsistent
herewith are deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

This Resolution shall take effect on 15 February 2000 and shall be published
once in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines before 30 January

Enacted this 18th day of January 2000.

*Davide, Jr., C.J., Bellosillo, Puno, Buena, Kapunan, Ynares-Santiago,*
Panganiban, Melo, Purisima, Vitug, Mendoza, Quisumbing, Pardo, Gonzaga-Reyes
and De Leon, Jr., JJ.

## Trivia

* Special Orders
* Peralta Court