EN BANC
[A.M. No. RTJ-01-1636.
OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, complainant, vs. JUDGE
ANTONIO P. QUIZON (Ret.) and BRANCH CLERK OF COURT FELIX C. MENDOZA, Regional
Trial Court, Branch 40, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro,
respondents.
D E C I S I O N
MENDOZA, J.:
In view of the compulsory retirement of respondent Judge Antonio
P. Quizon on July 9, 1997, an audit team of the
Office of the Court Administrator conducted a judicial audit and physical
inventory of cases assigned to the Regional Trial Court, Branch 40, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, of
which respondent Quizon was the Acting Presiding
Judge while respondent Felix Z. Mendoza is the Branch Clerk of Court. In addition, an audit was also made of the
cases in Branch 41 of the same court, where respondent Judge Quizon was also designated as the Acting Presiding Judge,
until the appointment thereto on
On
I. RTC, BRANCH 40, CALAPAN,
ORIENTAL
STATUS/STAGE CRIMINAL CIVIL TOTAL
Submitted for
Decision/Resolution 4 2 6
With Matters for Resolution 3 3 6
On Trial/Set for Hearing 71 45 116
For Pre-Trial Conference 0 1 1
For Arraignment 51 0 51
Ex Parte Reception of Evidence 0 17 17
With Pending Petitions etc,
In Court of Appeals 0 2 2
With Suspended
Proceeding 0 1 1
Not Further Acted or
Set in the Court Calendar after
Lapse of Considerable Length of Time 40 93 133
With Warrants/
Summoms 69 16 85
Not Acted Since
Raffled/Assigned 0 62 62
Newly Raffled/Assigned 0 8 8
Total 238 250 488
CRIMINAL CASES
Of the six (6) cases submitted to Judge Quizon
for decision/resolution, three (3) were appealed cases originating from the
lower courts; namely, Criminal Case No. C-5038 and Civil Case Nos. SCA-169 and
R-4481. Criminal Case No. C-5038 entitled “People vs. Venancio
The other three (3) cases submitted for decision were Criminal Case Nos.:
(a)
C-3974, entitled “People vs. Lucas de Leon et al.,” for Attempted
Murder, filed on
(b)
C-400, entitled “People vs. Leoncio Aranzado, et al.,” for Falsification of Public Document,
filed on
(c) C-4522, entitled “People vs. Marlon Marciano, et al.,” for Robbery, filed on
There are three (3) criminal cases with matters pending resolution. These are:
(a)
Criminal Case No. C-4710 entitled “People vs. R. Martinez, et al.,” for
Robbery with Frustrated Homicide. A
Demurrer to Evidence was filed by the defense on
(b)
Criminal Case No. C-4996, entitled “People vs. R. Lamina” for Illegal
Recruitment. A Motion to Dismiss the
case based on the Pag-uurong Sakdal
by the private complainant was filed by the prosecution on
(c) Criminal Case No. 5081, entitled
“People vs. N. Baculo” for Rape. On
The forty (40) criminal cases for further action and to be set in the court calendar despite the lapse of a considerable length of time are the following:
Criminal Case Nos.: C-3134, C-3291, C-3375, C-3523, C-3619, C-3668, C-3837, C-4291, C-4589, C-4710, C-4728, C-4758, C-4761, C-4784, C-4830, C-4847, C-4853, C-4862, C-4871, C-4893, C-4895, C-4908, C-4911, C-4915, C-4925, C-4965, C-4986, C-4987, C-4993, C-5005, C-5009, C-5019, C-5029, C-5050, C-5074, C-5086, C-5171, C-5184, C-5185 and C-5193.
Out of the sixty-nine (69) criminal cases with warrants of arrest,
the following thirty-two (32) criminal cases may now be acted upon pursuant to
Administrative Circular No. 7-A-92 dated
Criminal Case Nos.: C-4001, C-4130, C-4141, C-4851, C-4948, C-4953, C-4956, C-4968, C-4988, C-4999, C-5000, C-5002, C-5006, C-5010, C-5013, C-5016, C-5017, C-5018, C-5020, C-5026, C-5035, C-5043, C-5052, C-5054, C-5056, C-5062, C-5065, C-5067, C-5072, C-5073, C-5075 and C-5080.
After collating and tallying the cases actually examined, it was discovered that the records of fifty-four (54) criminal cases were not presented to the Audit Team which could not consequently determine the status thereof.
CIVIL CASES
Judge Quizon failed to render his decisions in the following two (2) civil cases appealed from the lower courts, to wit:
(a)
SCA-169, entitled “Malicad vs. Aceron,” for Forcible Entry. In an order dated
(b) R-4481, entitled “Mantaring
vs. Mantaring, et al.” for Forcible Entry, etc. The parties were given thirty (30) days from
receipt of Order dated
There are three (3) civil cases with matters for resolution, to wit:
(a)
Civil Case No. R-3946, entitled “Spouses Vigilia
vs. Adalia et al.,” for Partition, etc. filed on
(b) Civil Case No. R-4528, entitled “Alferez vs. Vda. de Alferez” for Judicial Partition etc. filed on
(c)
Civil Case No. N-104, entitled “Director of Lands vs. Cadiao, et al.” formerly designated Pinamalayan
RTC Cadastral Case No. 7. Due to the
request of claimant Leovigildo Mantaring,
the Supreme Court in an En Banc Resolution dated
The following ninety-three (93) civil cases were not further acted upon nor set in the court calendar after the lapse of a considerable length of time, to wit:
Civil Case Nos. R-3644, R-3649, R-3651, R-3638, R-3703, R-4050, R-4052, R-4055, R-4100, R-4138, R-4195, R-4196, R-4197, R-4206, R-4208, R-4212, R-4225, R-4241, R-4267, R-4294, R-4308, R-4320, R-4336, R-4346, R-4389, R-4393, R-4395, R-4403, R-4405, R-4413, R-4423, R-428, R-4432, R-4433, R-4440, R-4446, R-4463, R-4482, R-4492, R-4493, R-4499, R-4508, R-4514, R-4524, R-4525, R-4539, SP-4500, Petition Nos. 16,012, 16,476, 16,602, 16,892, 16,893, 16,949, 17,071, 17,073, 17,149, 17,222, 17,237, 17,238, 17,239, 17,400, 17,530, 17,547, 17,696, 17,865, 18,147, 18,174, 18,250, 18,328, 18,342, 18,362, 18,386, 18,480, 18,482, 18,483, 18,622, 18,661, 18,662, 18,690, 18,691, 18,692, 18,857, 18,868, 18,871, 18,873, 18,878, 18,879, 18,880, 18,881, 18,882, 18,883, 18,886 and 18,938.
There are also sixty-two (62) civil cases which have not moved from the time they were raffled or assigned to Branch 40. These are:
Civil Case Nos. R-4445, R-4477, R-4521, R-4540, R-4542, R-4543, R-4547, R-4563, OC-20, OC-23, OC-26, Petition Nos. 18,920, 18,954, 18,956, 18,984, 18,999, 19,000, 19,001, 19,002, 19,003, 19,004, 19,005, 19,007, 19,011, 19,013, 19,039, 19,042, 19,044, 19,046, 19,049, 19,050, 19,063, 19,068, 19,071, 19,072, 19,073, 19,076, 19,119, 19,120, 19,122, 19,126, 19,127, 19,159, 19,160, 19,161, 19,163, 19,164, 19,169, 19,204, 19,207, 19,208, 19,241, 19,243, 19,244, 19,264, 19,269, 19,271, 19,278, 19,279, 19,280, 19,312, 19,313.
Out of the sixteen (16) civil cases with summonses, the following
ten (10) civil cases may now be acted upon pursuant to Administrative Circular
No. 7-A-92 dated
Civil Case Nos. R-3617, R-3636, R-3655, R-3662, R-3663, R-4166, R-4211, R-4304, R-4305 and R-4394.
2. RTC, Branch 41, Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro - Based on this court’s available records, sixteen (16) cases were submitted for decision or resolution as of 2 July 1997.
Out of the aforementioned sixteen (16) cases, three (3) criminal cases were totally tried and submitted for decision before Presiding Judge Normelito J. Ballocanag. These are:
(a)
Criminal Case No. P-5556 and (b) Criminal Case No. 5557, both entitled
“People vs. Delos Santos,” for Rape, filed on
(b)
Criminal Case No. P-5569 entitled “People vs. Delica,”
for Rape filed on
In the above-mentioned cases the reglementary period to decide had not yet expired as of the date of audit.
Thirteen (13) cases out of the sixteen (16) cases submitted for decision were inherited by Judge Ballocanag from his predecessors. The records of said cases were not physically examined by the Audit Team because according to Branch Clerk of Court Damaso C. Gregorio, they had been transmitted to the JPDIO for decision-writing. These are:
(a) Civil Case No. R-1036-90, entitled
“Heirs of Constancio Marabid
vs. P. Mutya, et al.” for Recovery of Possession,
etc., filed on
(b)
Criminal Case No. P-3904, entitled “People vs. Nestor Amar, et al.” for Murder filed on
(c)
Criminal Case No. P-3991, entitled “People vs. Elpidio
Baon, et al.” for Murder filed on
(d)
Criminal Case No. P-3992, entitled “People vs. Elpidio
Baon, et al.” for Rape filed on
(e)
Criminal Case No. P-5102, entitled “People vs. Romeo Subalvaro,
et al.” for Robbery filed on
(f) Criminal Case No. P-5169, entitled
“People vs. Wilfredo Opis,
et al.” for Murder filed on
(g) Civil Case No. R-1106-92, entitled “Cacha vs.
(h)
Civil Case No. R-1107-92, entitled “Regalado
vs.
(i) Civil Case
No. R-1120-92, entitled “Caguida vs.
(j)
Civil Case No. R-1163-93, entitled “Rural Bank of Socorro vs. Spouses Cervaña” for Sum of Money filed on
(k)
Civil Case No. R-1213-94, entitled “Rico, et al. vs. Roño,
et al.” for Reconveyance etc. filed on
(l) Civil Case No. R-1259-95, entitled “Spouses
Lam vs. Spouses Tang” for Reconveyance etc. filed on
(m)
Civil Case No. R-772-85, entitled “Magararo,
et al. vs. Catibog et al.” for Damages filed on 14
June 1, 1985. The judge to whom this
case was submitted for decision was not determined because the record of this
case was transmitted to the JPDIO on
(1) There are two (2)
branches of Regional Trial Court stationed in Calapan,
Oriental Mindoro. Branch 39 is presided over by
Executive Judge Marciano T. Virola
and Branch 40 was under former Acting Presiding Judge Antonio R. Quizon, who before compulsorily retiring on
When the Audit Team inspected the records of cases at RTC, Branch 40, Atty. Felix C. Mendoza, Clerk of Court V, informed the team that the sala has a relatively higher caseload compared to RTC, Branch 39. Atty. Mendoza emphasized that the present distribution of cases in RTC, Calapan (three (3) for Branch 39 and four (4) for Branch 40) as well as the growing number of heinous cases directly assigned to their sala which was designated as special court to exclusively try heinous cases has contributed to the increase of its docket.
(2) Prior to his application for disability retirement Judge
Antonio R. Quizon was not in good health. This
observation was forwarded by RTC, Branch 40, Clerk of Court Felix C. Mendoza
who claimed that several cases were left unacted upon
because of Judge Quizon’s poor health.[2]
Acting on these findings, the Office of the Court Administrator
recommended on February 20, 1998 that respondent Judge Quizon
be fined in the amount of P20,000.00, the said amount to be deducted
from his retirement benefits, and that respondent Clerk of Court Mendoza be
directed to effect the completion, within 30 days from notice, of the transcripts of stenographic notes in several
cases, apprise the new Presiding Judge, Honorable Tomas C. Leynes,
of the status of various cases, and place on the calendar of the court 133 cases
not acted upon by respondent Judge Quizon.
Accordingly, on August 25, 1998, the Court ordered respondent
Judge Quizon to explain, within 15 days from notice,
why he failed to decide within the reglementary
period several criminal and civil cases, to act for an unreasonable length of
time upon 132 cases assigned to him, and to take initial action on 62 civil
cases and petitions designated to his sala. The amount of P20,000.00 was withheld
from the retirement benefits of respondent Judge Quizon
to answer for any fine which might be imposed upon him by this Court. Respondent Mendoza was directed to ensure
completion of the transcript of stenographic notes in all cases left by
respondent Judge Quizon and to submit a report on the
same, to report to the new Presiding Judge the status of 236 cases assigned to
the latter, including 42 cases which had been archived, and to show cause,
within 10 days from notice, why he should not be administratively dealt with
for failure to take steps for the early disposition of the aforesaid
cases. On the other hand, Judge Tomas C.
Leynes was directed to decide with deliberate speed
all cases left by respondent Judge Quizon and to act
on the other remaining cases in his sala, while Judge
Normelito J. Ballocanag, of
Branch 41 of the Regional Trial Court of Pinamalayan,
Oriental Mindoro, was directed to inform this Court,
within 10 days from notice, whether the decisions in certain criminal cases had
been promulgated in time.
On
In his manifestation, respondent Judge Quizon
explained that he had not returned to Calapan,
Oriental Mindoro since August 1998 because he had
been confined at the Veterans’ Memorial Hospital for treatment of “end stage
renal disease secondary to nephrosclerosis,” and that
before that, on May 26, 1996, he had to be rushed to the Hospital of the Holy
Cross in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro
and later transferred to the National Kidney Institute in Quezon
City, where he stayed until June 4, 1996.
He was unable to immediately return to Calapan,
Oriental Mindoro because he had to undergo dialysis
twice a week and consultations with his doctor, Dr. Filoteo
Alano, once a week. He thus filed a sick leave from
For his part, respondent Mendoza filed a manifestation, dated August 8, 2001, that he had already submitted an inventory of cases for the period 1997 to 2001, enclosing for this purpose copies of the inventory of cases; that the other cases mentioned by the Court in its resolution, dated August 25, 1998, had been decided and/or dismissed by Judge Tomas C. Leynes; that respondent Judge Quizon was sickly and was frequently absent from work; and that respondent Judge Quizon had been dead for almost two years.
On
On October 23, 2001, the matter was referred to the Office of the
Court Administrator (OCA) which, on December 3, 2001, recommended: (a) that a
fine of P20,000.00 be imposed in this case, the same to be taken from
the amount withheld from the retirement benefits of Judge Quizon; (b) that respondent Clerk of Court Mendoza be
fined in the amount of P5,000.00 for his inefficiency in the management
of court cases; and (c) that Judge Normelito Ballocanag be absolved from any responsibility.
First. We are
mindful of the heavy caseload of judges and the rigors of travel that they
sometimes have to make because of detail to vacant salas. This is why we have been sympathetic to
requests made by judges for extension of time for deciding cases and other
matters and incidents related thereto.
Hence, should he find himself unable to comply with the 90-day requirement
for deciding cases, a judge can ask for an extension and such request is
generally granted.[4]
In this case, respondent Judge Quizon did not deny the veracity of the findings of the judicial audit team that he failed to decide several criminal and civil cases submitted for decision or resolution, and to act upon over a hundred criminal and civil cases assigned to Branches 40 and 41 of the Regional Trial Court in Calapan and Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, respectively. Instead, respondent Judge attributed his failure to decide or act upon these cases to (a) the fact that he also had to try the cases in Branches 42 and 43 of the same court in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro due to the vacancy therein as a result of the retirement of the presiding judges; (b) the fact that he was designated as acting presiding judge of Branch 40, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro and he had to divide his time between Calapan and Pinamalayan, which are about 62 kilometers apart from each other, and he had to travel over rough roads; and (d) the fact that he was suffering from failing health, which was diagnosed as “end stage renal disease secondary to nephrosclerosis,” for which he had to undergo hospitalization and dialysis.
What respondent Quizon stated is indeed
true, particularly his claim that he was suffering from ill health. Respondent Clerk of Court Mendoza stated in
his manifestation, dated
The Court finds deserving of due consideration the explanation of respondent Judge for leaving ten (10) undecided cases before his retirement from the service. Serious illness may justify the inability of a judge to perform his official duties and functions. But then, the Court has to enforce what is required by law and to impose a reasonable punishment for a violation thereof. The members of the judiciary have the sworn duty to administer justice without undue delay. Failure to decide cases within the periods fixed by law constitutes neglect of duty, which warrants the imposition of administrative sanctions. When he was hindered by a grave malignancy, it was incumbent upon the respondent Judge to request this Court, through the Office of the Court Administrator, for additional time to decide the cases which he could not seasonably act upon and decide. For failing to do so, respondent Judge has to suffer the consequences of his omission.
Considering, however, that his failure to decide subject cases was
by reason of a serious illness beyond his control, the court is of the sense
that the recommended fine of Five Thousand (P5,000.00) Pesos is too
much, and a fine of Two Thousand (P2,000.00) Pesos should suffice under
the premises. As ratiocinated by the
Court, in the absence of bad faith, or willful intention to prejudice a party
litigant, or any showing that the Judge was impelled by some ulterior ends or
ill motives, the administrative liability for his delay in deciding cases
before him, especially when such delay is beyond his control, is entitled to
mitigation.
While the Court is sympathetic to the plight of judges, it cannot
be overemphasized that the public’s faith and confidence in the judicial system
is at stake in cases involving delays in the disposition of cases.[7]
No less than the Constitution[8]
mandates judges to decide cases with deliberate dispatch. Canon 3, Rule 3.05 of
the Code of Judicial Conduct enjoins judges to dispose of the court’s business
promptly and decide cases within the required periods.[9]
For it cannot be gainsaid that justice delayed is justice denied.
Procrastination among members of the judiciary in rendering decisions and
acting upon cases before them not only causes great injustice to the parties
involved but also invites suspicion of ulterior motives on the part of the
judge.[10]
In previous cases, we have imposed on judges the penalty of fines
ranging from P5,000.00[11]
to P20,000.00[12]
for their failure to decide cases within the reglementary
period. Under §9, in relation to §11(B),
of Rule 140, which took effect on
October 1, 2001, the imposable penalty for undue delay in rendering a decision
or order includes a fine of P10,000.00 but not exceeding P20,000.00. In view of the attenuating circumstances of
respondent Judge's serious illness and his heavy caseload, a fine of P5,000.00,
to be deducted from the amount of P20,000.00 withheld from respondent
Judge’s retirement benefits, would be appropriate.
Second. The Office of the Court Administrator found that
respondent
Chapter II, §B(1) of the Manual for Clerks of Court defines the duties of the clerk of court as follows:
The Clerk of Court is the administrative officer of the Court, subject to the control and supervision of the Presiding Judge and/or Executive Judge (in case of multiple sala Courts). Said officer has control and supervision over all Court records, exhibits, documents, properties and supplies; acts on applications for leave and signs daily time records; prepares and signs summons, subpoena and notices, writs of execution, remittance of prisoners, release of prisoners, certified true copies of decisions, orders, and other processes, letters of administration and guardianship, transmittals of appealed cases, indorsements and communications, and monthly reports of cases; determines the docket fees to be paid by the parties-litigants as provided in the Rules of Court; issues clearances in appropriate cases and performs and discharges such duties as may be assigned by the Executive Judge or the Presiding Judge. . . .
The duty of a clerk of court to conduct a monthly physical
inventory of cases for the guidance of the trial judge is important.[13]
It is his primary responsibility to prepare such inventory and to ensure that
the records of each case are regularly accounted for.[14]
Furthermore, it is likewise his duty to “prepare or cause to be prepared a
daily Court calendar which may include, at the discretion of the Presiding
Judge, cases for pre-trial, arraignment, trial, hearing on motions or incidents
and other matters.”[15]
On him, as much as on the judge, rests the responsibility for ensuring that
delay in the disposition of cases is kept to a minimum. His failure to discharge this responsibility
constitutes gross inefficiency warranting administrative sanction.[16]
In this case, respondent
In other cases, we have imposed the penalty of censure,[18]
reprimand,[19]
and/or a fine[20]
on erring clerks of court for their failure to conduct monthly inventories of
cases and to calendar these cases.
Considering, however, that this is the first time that respondent P2,000.00 would be appropriate under the circumstances.
WHEREFORE, respondent Judge Antonio P. Quizon
is declared liable for inefficiency in the disposition of cases for which a
fine of five thousand pesos (P5,000.00), to be deducted from the amount
of P20,000.00 withheld from his retirement benefits, is imposed on
him. The remaining balance of P15,000.00
is hereby ordered released in favor of his heirs.
On the other hand, respondent Clerk of Court Felix C. Mendoza is
hereby declared liable for inefficiency in the management of cases before the
court for which a fine of two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) is imposed on
him with warning that a repetition of the same or similar offenses will be dealt
with more severely.
SO ORDERED.
Davide, Jr., C.J., Bellosillo, Melo, Puno, Vitug, Kapunan,
Panganiban, Quisumbing,
Buena, Ynares-Santiago, De Leon, Jr.,
Sandoval-Gutierrez, and Carpio, JJ., concur.
[1] Report on the
Judicial Audit and Physical Inventory of Records of Cases in the RTC, Branch
40, Calapan and Branch 41, Pinamalayan
both in Oriental Mindoro, dated Jan. 26, 1998, p. 1.
[2]
[3] Annex A.
[4] Report on the Judicial Audit
Conducted in RTC-Brs. 61 & 63, Quezon; MTC-Calauag, Quezon & Tagkawayan, Quezon, 328 SCRA 543 (2000).
[5] Office of the Court Administrator v.
Quiñanola, 317 SCRA 37 (1999).
[6] Re: Cases Left Undecided by Judge Narciso M. Bumanglag, Jr.,
306 SCRA 50, 53-54 (1999).
[7] See Gallego
v. Doronila, 334 SCRA 339 (2000).
[8] 1987 CONSTITUTION,
ART. VIII, §15(1) provides: “All cases
or matters filed after the effectivity of this
Constitution must be decided or resolved within twenty-four months from date of
submission for the Supreme Court, and, unless reduced by the Supreme Court,
twelve months for all lower collegiate courts, and three months for all other
lower courts.”
[9] Balayo v.
Buban, Jr., 314 SCRA 16 (1999).
[10] Request for Assistance relative to
Special Proceedings No. 28 Pending at Regional Trial Court of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental,
Branch 55, Presided by Judge Jose Y. Aguirre, Jr., A.M. No. RTJ-01-1624,
[11] Sulla v. Ramos, 341
SCRA 157 (2000); Balayo v. Buban, Jr.,
314 SCRA 16 (1999).
[12] Re: Request on the Judicial Audit
conducted in the RTC, Branch 69, Silay City, A.M. No.
99-5-162-RTC,
[13] See Office of the Court Administrator v.
Albaytar, A.M. No. P-01-1479,
[14] Report on the Judicial Audit
Conducted in RTC-Brs. 61 & 63, Quezon; MTC-Calauag, Quezon & Tagkawayan, Quezon, 328 SCRA 543 (2000).
[15] Manual for Clerks of
Court, Chap. III, §Q.
[16] See Re: Report on the Judicial Audit
Conducted in RTC, Br. 82, Odiongan, Romblon, 292 SCRA 1 (1998).
[17] Manual for Clerks of
Court, Chap. I, §B.
[18] Report on the Judicial Audit
Conducted in RTC-Brs. 61 & 63, Quezon; MTC-Calauag, Quezon & Tagkawayan, Quezon, 328 SCRA 543 (2000).
[19] Office of the Clerk of Court v.
Quiñanola, 317 SCRA 37 (1999).