5/26/2017 A.M.No.

084253RTC

THIRDDIVISION


INRE:REPORTONTHE A.M.No.084253RTC
JUDICIALAUDIT
CONDUCTEDINTHE Present:
REGIONALTRIALCOURT,
BRANCH45,URDANETA CARPIOMORALES,Chairperson,
CITY,PANGASINAN, BRION,
ANDREPORTONTHE BERSAMIN,
INCIDENTATBRANCH49, VILLARAMA,JR.,and
SAMECOURT. SERENO,JJ.

Promulgated:

January12,2011

xx

DECISION

BERSAMIN,J.:


TheCourt,throughtheOfficeoftheCourtAdministrator(OCA),routinelyconductsanauditof
the caseload and performance of a retiring trial judge. The Court will unhesitatingly impose
appropriate sanctions despite the intervening retirement of the judge or member of the staff
should the audit establish any inefficiency on the part of the retiring trial judge or of any
memberofthestaff.

Here, we sanction a judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) and his Branch Clerk of Court,
despitetheformersinterveningretirement,fortheinefficientmanagementoftheircourtrecords
and caseload. The sanction should serve as a timely reminder yet again to all incumbent trial
judges and court personnel to handle court records and to manage caseloads efficiently and
systematically,orelsetheysuffertheappropriatesanctions.

ANTECEDENTS

A.
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 1/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

FindingsonCaseloadandDocketInventoryofBranch45

OnSeptember1819,2007,theOCAconductedajudicialauditofthecaseloadofBranch45of
the Regional Trial Court (RTC Branch 45) in Urdaneta City in view of the compulsory
retirementofPresidingJudgeJovenF.Costales(JudgeCostales)byNovember21,2007.

[1]
As its preliminary findings, the judicial audit team reported that RTC Branch 45s caseload
totaled465cases(i.e.,197civilcasesand268criminalcases),ofwhich:

(a)16weresubmittedfordecisionorresolutionbutstillunresolved

(b)14includedunresolvedincidents

(c)11hadnoactiontakensincetheirfiling

(d)Threewerecriminalcasesawaitingcompliancerelativetothelastincidents

(e)39underwentnofurtherhearingsoractions

(f)Sevenwerecivilcasesawaitingexpartereceptionofevidenceand

(g)14werecriminalcaseswithunservedwarrantsoraliaswarrantsofarrest.

Further, the judicial audit team concluded that the docket inventory of RTC Branch 45
wasinaccurate,because:

(a) The docket inventory contained numerous typographical errors that led to the
confusionaboutwhethersomecaseswerereportedornot
(b) TheformprescribedinAdministrativeCircularNo.1094datedJune29,1994
wasnotadopted

(c)Somecaserecordshadnodatesofreceiptand

(d) InCriminalCaseNo.U13095,Branch45issuedanorderdatedJuly27,2007
resetting the trial notwithstanding that one of the accused had not been
[2]
arraigned.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 2/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

OnNovember19,2007,theOCA,throughthenDeputyCourtAdministrator(DCA)Jose
[3]
P. Perez, issued a memorandum to Atty. Max Pascua (Atty. Pascua), the Branch Clerk of
[4]
CourtofRTCBranch45, directinghimthuswise:

InviewofthecompulsoryretirementofJudgeJovenF.CostalesonNovember21,2007,youare
DIRECTED to (a) bring these cases to the attention of your pairing/acting judge for his/her
guidanceandappropriateactionand(b)informthisOffice,withinten(10)daysfromnotice,if
therewereanychangesinthestatusofthelistedcasesinAnnexAattachingtheretocertifiedtrue
copiesoftheorders/decisions.

Further, you are DIRECTED to (a) COMMENT, within ten (10) days from notice, on the
followingfindings:civilcasesforreceptionofevidenceexpartelistedunderTable10inaccurate
DocketInventoryReportdescribedinletterH.2andcaserecordswithnodateofreceiptand(b)
henceforthADOPTTHEPRESCRIBEDFORMunderAdministrativeCircularNo.1094dated
June29,1994re:SubmissionofSemestralDocketInventoryReport.

Inpartialcompliancewiththememorandum,Atty.PascuarepliedbyletterdatedJanuary
4,2008(accompaniedbyareportonthestatusofcriminalandcivilcasesandonothermatters),
[5]
explaining:

RegardingtheinaccurateDocketInventoryandthetypographicalerrorsincriminalcasesrecords
as observed by the audit team (letter H2 of the memorandum), rest assured Your Honor that
undersignedisarrangingthingsinits(sic)properorderandhaveinstructedthecivilandcriminal
recordsclerkinchargeregardingthematter,includingtheadoptionoftheprescribedformunder
Adm.CircularNo.1094insubmissionofSemestralDocketInventoryReport.


[6]
It appears that on January 8, 2008, the OCA informed Judge Costales that (a) the
clearancenecessaryfortheapprovalofhisclaimforcompulsoryretirementbenefitscouldnot
issue pending his compliance with the memorandum dated November 19, 2007 and (b) his
request for the release of his retirement benefits, less the amount that might answer for any
liability,wasstillunderevaluationbytheCourt.

[7]
InhisletterdatedJanuary8,2008, JudgeCostaleswrotetotheOCA,viz:

ThisisinconnectionwithyourletterdatedNovember19,2007whichtheundersignedreceived
onNovember20,2007,directinghimtoconductaninvestigationregardingtheirregularityinthe
punchingofBundyclockoftheemployeesofRTC,Branch49,UrdanetaCity,Pangasinanandto
submithisreportwithinten(10)daysthereof.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 3/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

Iamawfullysorryforfailingtocomplythesame(sic)onthefollowinggrounds:

1.I received said memorandum only on November20,2007, the date of my compulsory
retirement.

2.That a week before my retirement on November 21, 2007, I was too busy reading and
signingdecisionsandresolutionsofmotionsinorderthatatthetimeofmyretirementall
casessubmittedfordecisionaredecidedandallmotionsforresolutionsareresolved,which
Iwasabletodoso.

3.Thatduringmylastdayoftheservice,November20,2007,IinstructedmyBranchClerk
ofCourt,Atty.MaxPascuatowriteyourHonortoinformyouthatasmuchasIamalready
retired after November 21, 2007, the Executive Judge should be the one to conduct such
investigation.However,IonlylearnedyesterdaythattheBranchClerkofCourtwasunable
todowhatIdirectedhimtodobywritingyouonthematter.

4. Anent my comments on the findings of the Audit Team regarding the cases pending
beforeBranch45,IhavealsoorderedAtty.Pascuatomakethenecessaryreply,comment
and/or explanations on the matter, as I am no longer in the Judiciary after November 21,
2007.Nonetheless,IwastoldbyAtty.Pascuathathewouldsubmitsaidcomments,reply
and/orexplanationsbynextweek.

5.ThatIhavenotgonetoBranch45OfficesinceIretiredlastNovember21,2007,andI
wasofthenotionandbeliefthatAtty.Pascuahadwrittenyouonthematter.

Ontheabovereasons,asIamnolongerconnectedwiththeJudiciary,myfailuretocomplywith
thesaidmemorandumdatedNovember10,2007earlierisreasonableandwellfounded.

Again,Iwouldliketoreiteratemyapologyforwhathappened.

Thankyou,Sir!

[8]
JudgeCostalessenttotheOCAanotherletterdatedJanuary26,2008, asfollows:

TheundersignedreceivedlastJanuary23,2008thefollowing:

1.MemorandumdatedNovember19,2007directingmetosubmitmyreport
andrecommendationrelativetotheirregularityinthepunchingofBundy
clock at RTC, Branch 49 when I was theActing Executive Judge of the
RTC,UrdanetaCity,Pangasinan.

2.AletterdatedNovember19,2007directingmetogivemycommentonthe
findingsoftheJudicialAuditTeamconductedinmysala,RTC,Branch45.

3.AnnexA,refindingsoftheAuditTeam.

4. Memorandum dated November 19, 2007, addressed to Atty. Max Pascua,
BranchClerkofCourtofRTC,Branch45,UrdanetaCity,Pangasinan.

Anent No. 1, Please be informed that I sent to Your Honor a letter last January 8, 2008,
explainingmyfailuretosubmitmycommentsonthematter,acopyofwhichisheretoattached

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 4/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

andmarkedasAnnexA.

Withregards(sic)toNo.2,myexplanationisalsocontainedinmyletterdatedJanuary8,2008.
Nonetheless,ifIamdirectedtopersonallysubmitmycomment,Iwouldlikethentostatethaton
Tables1and2:A.CASESSUBMITTEDFORDECISIONonCivilandCriminalCases,Ihave
already decided all said cases, a Certification issued by the Branch Clerk of Court Atty. Max
Pascua,markedasAnnexBisheretoattached.Likewise,acopyofthelettercommentofAtty.
PascuamarkedasAnnexCisheretoattached.Insaidcomments,AnnexC,ofAtty.Pascua,all
thecommentsand/orexplanationsonthefindingsoftheAuditTeamfromTable1toTable11are
sufficientlyindicatedtherein.Iamadoptingthereof,thecommentsand/orexplanationsofAtty.
Pascuaasmycommentsand/orexplanationonthematter.

IhopeYourHonor,thattheabovecommentsand/orexplanationsonmypartwouldsufficeonthe
matter/sIamdirectedtodo.

YourHonor,itisindeedregrettable,thatuptothistimeormoretwomonthssinceIretiredafter
renderingcontinuousoralmost40yearsofGovernmentservice,Ihavenotyetreceivedasingle
centavo of the Retirement Benefits I am supposed to receive. It is true that an Administrative
Case was filed against me, however, a Letter of Retention in order that I can also receive the
benefits accorded to me was also submitted by me. I hope that the resolution/decision of my
administrativecaseberesolved/decidedbytheHonorableSupremeCourtatthesoonest.

In the interest of justice, I should be given my Retirement Benefits as soon as possible. I am
earnestly requesting Your Honor, to please help me on the matter for the early release of my
RetirementBenefits.

Thankyouverymuch,YourHonor!


B.
FailureofJudgeCostalestoinvestigate
andtoreportonbundyclockincident

InadditiontobeingthePresidingJudgeofRTCBranch45,JudgeCostalesservedasthe
acting Executive Judge in the absence of the Executive Judge. In that capacity, he discharged
duties, among them the investigation of administrative complaints brought against court
personnel within his administrative area and the submission of his findings and
[9]
recommendationstotheCourt.

OnSeptember19,2007,inthecourseofthejudicialauditofBranch45,FernandoS.Agbulos,
Jr.(Agbulos,Jr.),teamleaderofthejudicialaudit,visitedRTCBranch49toremindtheBranch
ClerkofCourtonthemonthlyreportofcasestobesubmittedtotheOCA.Afterfindingonly
twoemployeesactuallypresentinBranch49,heinspectedthebundycardsanddiscoveredthat
all of the court personnel of Branch 49 except two Helen Lim and Rowena Espinosa had

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 5/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

punched in on that day. He immediately referred his discovery (bundycards incident) to the
attentionofJudgeCostalesasactingExecutiveJudge.

WhennothingwasheardfromJudgeCostalesabouthisactiononthebundycardsincident,the
OCAissuedtohimamemorandumonNovember19,2007toremindhimthathisreportonthe
incidentwasalreadyoverdue,andtodirecthimtosubmithisreportwithintendaysfromnotice.
However,JudgeCostalesstilldidnotcomplywiththedirectiveoftheOCA.

Lateron,JudgeCostalesexplainedthroughhisaforecitedletterdatedJanuary8,2008that
hehadinstructedAtty.PascuauponhisreceiptofthememorandumonNovember20,2007to
advisetheOCAofhisforthcomingretirement,butthatAtty.Pascuahadfailedtosoinformthe
OCA that in the week prior to his retirement on November 21, 2007, he had been too busy
reading and signing decisions and resolutions to conduct the investigation of the bundycards
incident and that his intervening retirement had left to the new Executive Judge the duty to
investigateandreportonthebundycardsincident.



C.
OCAsFinalFindingsandRecommendations

[10]
In their memorandum dated April 22, 2008 for the Chief Justice, Court Administrator
ZenaidaN.ElepaoandDCAPerezrenderedthefollowingfindings,namely:

(a)SomecaserecordsborenodatesofreceiptbyBranch45

(b) Several case records did not contain the latest court actions/court processes
taken

(c)Noactionwastakeninsomecasessincetheirfiling

(d) The case record of Criminal Case No. U12848 was not immediately
transmitted to the Office of the Prosecutor, although the transmittal had been
orderedasearlyasJanuary19,2005

(e)Somecaseswerenotsetforfurtherhearing,orhadnofurtheractionstakenon
them

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 6/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

(f)TheissuanceofsummonsesandaliassummonsesbytheBranchClerkofCourt
wasdelayeddespitethecorrespondingordersbythejudge

(g)Noactionsweretakenoncasessetforexpartereceptionofevidenceand

(h)CriminalCaseNo.U13095wassetfortrialwithrespecttooneoftheaccused
whohadnotbeenarraigned.
CourtAdministratorElepaoandDCAPerezfurtherfoundthatdespitehissubmissionof
thereportonthestatusofcasesonJanuary4,2008andFebruary18,2008,Atty.Pascuadidnot
furnishtotheOCAcopiesoftheordersandrelevantpapersshowingthestatusoffourcriminal
cases (i.e., Criminal Case No. U15010, Criminal Case No. U15183, Criminal Case No. U
13095,andCriminalCaseNo.U14936)andtwocivilcases(i.e.,CivilCaseNo.U2377and
CivilCaseNo.U8793).

AnentthebundycardsincidentinRTCBranch49,CourtAdministrator.ElepaoandDCAPerez
[11]
statedasfollows:

OnSeptember19,2007,theseconddayofthisjudicialaudit,Mr.FernandoS.Agbulos,Jr.,
team member, went to Branch 49, same court, to remind the Clerk of Court of the Monthly
ReportsofCasesdueforsubmissiontotheOfficeoftheCourtAdministrator.Hewassurprisedto
see only two (2) employees inside the office. An inspection of the bundy cards would show,
however,thatonlyMs.HelenQ.LimandMs.RowenaEspinosadidnotpunchintheircardson
thesaidday.TheteamimmediatelyreportedtheincidentandreferredthesametoJudgeCostales,
then Acting Executive Judge of RTC, Urdaneta City, for his investigation, report and
recommendation.

OnNovember19,2007,thisOfficeremindedJudgeCostalesofhisoverduereportonthe
investigationconductedinSeptember2007.Thus:

In the course of the judicial audit conducted in your court on September 19,
2007, the audit team discovered an appearance of irregularity in the punching of
bundy cards at Branch 49, same court. This was immediately referred to you, in
yourthencapacityasActingExecutiveJudge,forinvestigation.

Inviewthereof,youareherebyDIRECTED,withinten(10)daysfromnotice,
tosubmityourreportandrecommendationthereon.

No response was received from his end. After his retirement on November 21, 2007, he
wrote:

Iamawfullysorryforfailingtocomplyxxxonthefollowinggrounds:

1.IreceivedsaidmemorandumonlyonNovember20,2007,thedateofmy
compulsoryretirement
2.ThataweekbeforemyretirementonNovember21,2007,Iinstructedmy
BranchClerkofCourt,Atty.MaxPascuatowriteyourHonortoinform

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 7/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

you that as much as I am already retired after November 21, 2007, the
Executive Judge should be the one to conduct such investigation.
However, I only learned yesterday that the Branch Clerk of Court was
unabletodowhatIdirectedhimtodobywritingyouonthematter.
3.xxx

xxx

Ontheabovereasons(sic),asIamnolongerconnectedwiththeJudiciary,my
failure to comply with the said memorandum dated November 10, 2007 earlier is
reasonableandwellfounded.

The explanation is unmeritorious. The assignment was given to him long before his
retirement. The Memorandum dated November 19, 2007, even if received on November 20,
2007, a day before his compulsory retirement (contrary to his statement that his compulsory
retirementwasonNovember20,2007),isamerereminder.

In a long line of cases, the Court has consistently ruled that failure to comply with the
directivesoftheCourtistantamounttoinsubordination.Inthecaseatbar,JudgeCostalesfailed
tocomplywiththeMemorandumdatedNovember19,2007 directing him to submit his report
andrecommendationontheinvestigationconductedinSeptember2007.


Accordingly,CourtAdministratorElepaoandDCAPerezrecommendedthat:

1. Retired Judge Joven F. Costales, Regional Trial Court, Branch 45, Urdaneta City be HELD
ADMINISTRATIVELY LIABLE for the omissions brought about by records and caseflow
mismanagement and insubordination in connection with the nonsubmission of his report and
recommendation on the investigation on the irregularities in the punching of bundy cards at
Branch49,samecourt

2.Atty.MaxG.Pascua,BranchClerkofCourt,samecourt,JudgeCostalesbelikewiseHELD
ADMINISTRATIVELY LIABLE for the omissions brought about by records and caseflow
mismanagementandhisfailuretosubmitalltherequirementsinconnectionwiththeevaluation
ofthefindingsduringthejudicialaudit

3.JudgeCostalesandAtty.PascuabeFINEDintheamountofFiveThousandPesos(P5,000.00)
each

4. Atty. Pascua be DIRECTED to DEVICE (sic) an efficient system of record management to
ensurethatallpendingcasesareincludedinthecalendarofhearingandthattheactualstatusof
eachcaseisreflectedineachcaserecord,withaSTERNWARNINGthatsimilarinfractioninthe
futureshallbedealtwithmoreseverelyand

4. Atty. Pascua be DIRECTED to APPRISE, within ten (10) days from notice, the Acting
PresidingJudgeofBranch45ofthestatusofthefollowingcasesbyfurnishingthejudgecopies
ofthelatestOrdersorcourtprocessesin(a)CriminalCasesNos.U15010,U15183,U13095
(transmittallettertotheOfficeoftheProsecutor)andU14936andCivilCasesNos.U2377and
U8793and(b)CriminalCaseNo.U13095insofarasthearraignmentofaccusedJ.Suetusis
concernedand

5. The Executive Judge, Regional Trial Court, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan be DIRECTED to
ENSUREthatnoirregularitiesinthepunchingofbundycardsinherstationcould,henceforth,be
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 8/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

contrived.


RULING

WeadoptthewellsubstantiatedfindingsofCourtAdministratorElepaoandDCAPerez,butwe
imposehigherpenaltiesonJudgeCostalesandAtty.Pascua.

A.
EfficientHandlingandPhysicalInventoryofCases,
ImportantandNecessaryintheAdministrationofJustice

All judges discharge administrative responsibilities in addition to their adjudicative

responsibilities. They should do so by maintaining professional competence in court
managementandbyfacilitatingtheperformanceoftheadministrativefunctionsofotherjudges
[12]
andcourtpersonnel.

Anorderlyandefficientcasemanagementsystemisnodoubtessentialintheexpeditious
dispositionofjudicialcaseloads,becauseonlytherebycanthejudges,branchclerksofcourts,
andtheclerksinchargeofthecivilandcriminaldocketsensurethatthecourtrecords,which
willbethebasesforrenderingthejudgmentsanddispositions,andthereviewofthejudgments
and dispositions on appeal, if any, are intact, complete, updated, and current. Such a system
necessarilyincludestheregularandcontinuingphysicalinventoryofcasestoenablethejudge
tokeepabreastofthestatusofthependingcasesandtobeinformedthateverythinginthecourt
[13]
isinproperorder. Incontrast,mismanagedorincompleterecords,andthelackofperiodic
inventorydefinitelycauseunwanteddelaysinlitigationsandinflictunnecessaryexpensesonthe
partiesandtheState.

Althoughthepresidingjudgeandhisorherstaffsharethedutyoftakingacontinuingand
regular inventory of cases, the responsibility primarily resides in the presiding judge. The
continuity and regularity of the inventory are designed to invest the judge and the court staff
with the actual knowledge of the movements, number, and ages of the cases in the docket of
theircourt,aknowledgeessentialtotheefficientmanagementofcaseload.Thejudgeshouldnot
forgetthatheorsheisdutyboundtoperformefficiently,fairly,andwithreasonablepromptness
[14]
all his or her judicial duties, including the delivery of reserved decisions. Thus, the judge

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 9/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

mustdeviseanefficientrecordingandfilingsystemforhisorhercourtthatenableshimorher
[15]
toquicklymonitorcasesandtomanagethespeedyandtimelydispositionofthecases.
B.
InefficiencyandMismanagementof
RecordsofBranch45

TheOCAuncoveredthemismanagementoftherecordsofBranch45oftheRTCinUrdaneta
City,whilestillpresidedbyJudgeCostales,withAtty.PascuaastheBranchClerkofCourt.The
mismanagementincludedthefollowing,towit:(a)somecaserecordsborenodatesofreceipt
by the branch (b) several case records did not contain the latest court actions and court
processestaken(c)actionhadnotbeentakeninsomecasesfromthetimeoftheirfiling(d)the
caserecordofCriminalCaseNo.U12848hadnotbeenimmediatelytransmittedtotheOffice
oftheProsecutor,despitethetransmittalhavingbeenorderedasearlyasJanuary19,2005(e)
somecases
hadnotbeensetforfurtherhearing,orhadhadnofurtheractionstakenon
them(f)theissuancesofsummonsesandaliassummonsesbytheBranchClerkofCourthad
beendelayeddespitethecorrespondingordersforthatpurpose(g)actionhadnotbeentakenon
casessetforexpartereceptionofevidenceand(h)CriminalCaseNo.U13095hadbeenset
fortrialwithrespecttooneoftheaccusedwhohadnotbeenarraigned.

AsidefromtheforegoingfindingsbeingbasedontheactualrecordsofBranch45oftheRTCin
UrdanetaCity,wenotethatneitherJudgeCostalesnorAtty.Pascuahaverefutedthefindingsof
the OCA. Hence, we declare both of them to be administratively liable and subject to
appropriatesanctions.

1.
JudgeCostales
ThesinsofJudgeCostalesconsistedofomissions.Tostartwith,hefailedtoactonsome
casesfromthetimeoftheirreceiptatBranch45untiltheperiodoftheaudit.And,secondly,he
didnotproperlysupervisethecourtpersonnel,asbornebytherecordsofsomecaseseithernot
containingthelatestcourtactionsandcourtprocessestaken,ornotshowingtheactionstaken
from the time of their filing, or not being set for further hearing or action, or revealing the
delayedissuancesofsummonsesandaliassummonsesdespitethecorrespondingorderstowards
thatend,orbyinactiononcasessetforexpartereceptionofevidence.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 10/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

JudgeCostalesuncharacteristicallyignoredthathedischargedjudicialandadministrative
duties as the Presiding Judge of Branch 45. He seemingly forgot that his responsibility of
efficiently and systematically managing his caseload was the inseparable twin to his
responsibility of justly and speedily deciding the cases assigned to his court. He should have
rememberedalltooeasilythathehadassumedbothresponsibilitiesuponenteringintoofficeas
PresidingJudge,andthathewasboundtocompetentlyandcapablydischargethemfromthen
on until his compulsory retirement. His failure to discharge them properly by organizing and
supervisinghiscourtpersonnelwiththeendinviewofbringingthemtothepromptdispatchof
the courts business in anticipation of his forced retirement reflected his inefficiency and
breachedhisobligationtoobserveatalltimesthehighstandardsofpublicserviceandfidelity.
[16]

Inthisregard,JudgeCostalescouldnotdeflecttheblametoAtty.PascuaashisBranch
ClerkofCourt.Theresponsibilityoforganizingandcoordinatingthecourtpersonneltoensure
thepromptandefficientperformanceofthecourtsbusinesswasdirectandprimaryforhimas
the judge. Truly, the duty to devise an efficient recording and filing system that would have
enabledhimselfandhispersonneltomonitortheflowofcasesandtomanagetheirspeedyand
[17]
timely disposition pertained to him first and foremost. Moreover, he should know that his
[18]
subordinates were not the guardians of his responsibilities as the judge. Being in legal
[19]
contemplationtheheadofhisbranch, hewasthemasterofhisowndomainwhoshouldbe
[20]
readyandwillingtotaketheresponsibilityforthemistakesofhissubjects, aswellastobe
ultimately responsible for order and efficiency in his court. He could not hide behind the
inefficiencyortheincompetenceofanyofhissubordinates.

2.
Atty.Pascua

AswithJudgeCostales,omissionsmadeupAtty.Pascuasmyriadfaults.
Atty. Pascua bore the responsibility for the nonissuance of summonses or alias
summonses in some cases, for the failure to indicate the dates of receipt of case records by
Branch45,forthefailuretoreceiveevidenceexpartedespitetheorderstothateffect,forthe
failuretoprepareandsubmit(orcausethesubmissionof)themonthlyinventories,andforthe
failure to report and update the records of the cases of the branch. Such omissions involved

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 11/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

mattersthatheshouldhaveroutinelyandregularlyperformed.HisdutyastheBranchClerkof
Court of Branch 45 required him to receive and file all pleadings and other papers properly
[21]
presentedtothebranch,endorsingoneachsuchpaperthetimewhenitwasfiled.

Atty.PascuawasequallyaccountablewithJudgeCostalesfortheinefficienthandlingof
thecourtrecordsofBranch45.HisbeingtheBranchClerkofCourtmadehimthecustodianof
suchrecords(i.e., pleadings, papers, files, exhibits, and the public properties pertaining to the
branch and committed to his charge) with the sworn obligation of safely keeping all of them.
LikehisPresidingJudge,hecarriedonhisshoulderstheburdentoseetotheorderlyandproper
keeping and management of the court records, by which he was required to exercise close
[22]
supervisionofthecourtpersonneldirectlychargedwiththehandlingofcourtrecords. His
positionofBranchClerkofCourtrenderedhimanessentialandrankingofficerofthejudicial
system performing delicate administrative functions vital to the prompt and proper
[23]
administrationofjustice. Alas,hefailedtosoperform.

3.
BothJudgeCostalesandAtty.Pascua,Liable

Based on the foregoing, the OCA properly found that Judge Costales and Atty. Pascua
wereindividuallyandcollectivelyguiltyofmismanagementofthecaserecordsofBranch45,
fortheiromissionsledtotheirBranchsinabilitytodisposeofmanypendingmatters,causingthe
litigants concerned and even the Government to suffer needless delay and incur unnecessary
expense.

However, the recommendation of the OCA to impose a fine of P5,000.00 on each of
JudgeCostalesandAtty.Pascuatrivializestheiromissionsasalightcharge.Wecannotconcur
withsuchrecommendation,becausethecharacterandmagnitudeoftheomissionsindicatedthat
JudgeCostalesandAtty.Pascuahadbeeninefficientoveralongperiodoftimeandhadfailedto
deviseandputinplaceanypropersystemofrecordsmanagementinthatlengthoftime.They
were really guilty of violating Supreme Court rules, directives, and circulars, a violation that
Section9,Rule140,oftheRulesofCourttreatsasalessseriouscharge,viz:

Section9.LessSeriousCharges.Lessseriouschargesinclude:

1.Unduedelayinrenderingadecisionororder,orintransmittingtherecordsofacase
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 12/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

2.Frequentandunjustifiedabsenceswithoutleaveorhabitualtardiness

3.Unauthorizedpracticeoflaw

4.ViolationofSupremeCourtrules,directives,andcirculars

5.Receivingadditionalordoublecompensationunlessspecificallyauthorizedbylaw

6.Untruthfulstatementsinthecertificateofserviceand

7.SimpleMisconduct.

ThesanctionsonalessseriouschargearestatedinSection11,Rule140,oftheRulesof
Court,towit:



Section11.Sanctions.xxx
xxx
B.Iftherespondentisguiltyofalessseriouscharge,anyofthefollowingsanctionsshallbe
imposed:

1. Suspension from office without salary and other benefits for not less than one (1) nor
morethanthree(3)monthsor

2.AfineofmorethanP10,000.00butnotexceedingP20,000.00.
xxx

Accordingly,thefinetobeimposedonJudgeCostalesisinthemaximumofP20,000.00,
by reason of his higher and primary responsibility, and that on Atty. Pascua is P8,000.00, in
viewofhissubordinatebutnonjudicialposition.

C.
InsubordinationfurtherrenderedJudgeCostales
GuiltyofSimpleMisconduct

TherecordsestablishedthatJudgeCostalesdidnotinvestigatethebundycardsincident
inRTCBranch49fromthetimetheleaderofthejudicialauditteamhadreportedittohimin
hiscapacityastheActingExecutiveJudge.Hisinactionwasevensurprisingandinexplicable,
because the incident concerned the probable falsification of daily time records by subordinate
court employees, a very serious matter that when properly established might have merited for

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 13/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

[24]
thoseconcernedtheirdismissalfromtheservice. Hestillneededtobeproddedtoinvestigate
bytheOCA,butallthathecouldofferthereafterbywayofexplaininghisinactionwasthathis
forthcomingretirementonNovember21,2007lefthimnomoretimeandspacetolookintothe
incident.

WecannotexculpateJudgeCostalesfrominsubordination.

Section 3, Canon 2 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary
directs a judge to take or initiate appropriate disciplinary measures against lawyers or court
personnel for unprofessional conduct of which the judge may have become aware. This
imperative duty becomes the more urgent when the act or omission the court personnel has
supposedlycommittedisinthenatureofagraveoffense,likethebundycardsincidentinvolved
herein.Itwouldhavebeensurelydemandedinthebestinterestofthepublicservice,ifnotof
thecourtitself,thattheactoromissionreportedbythejudicialauditteamtoJudgeCostalesas
theActingExecutiveJudgebeinvestigatedandproperlydealtwithpromptly.

The explanation of Judge Costales of having no more time and space to look into the
bundycardsincidentwasimplausible.HavingbeeninformedoftheanomalyonSeptember19,
2007,hehadatleasttwomonthspriortoNovember21,2007,hisretirementdate,withinwhich
tocarryouthisinvestigation,andtorenderareportthereon.Thatlengthoftimewasample,if
onlyhehadactedpromptlytoinvestigatetheincident.

Moreover,JudgeCostalescouldnotreasonablyclaimthathehadnotbeenawareofthe
needforhimtoinvestigate.AlthoughitistruethathereceivedtheOCAsmemorandum dated
November19,2007 only on November 20, 2007, it is equally true that the memorandum was
only a reminder to him about his investigation report and recommendation being already
overdue. His inaction from the time when Agbulos, Jr. brought the incident to his official
attention indicated his having ignored the need for him as an Acting Executive Judge to
investigate.Thathedidnotevenbothertoexplainhisinactionorhisnoncompliancewiththe
reminderaggravatedhisinsubordination.Indeed,theattitudehetherebydisplayedsmackedof
anuncharacteristicindifferencetowardshisjudicialofficeandtowardstheCourt.

For disobeying or ignoring the directive to investigate the bundycards incident, Judge
Costales was guilty of insubordination, an omission that constituted simple misconduct,

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 14/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

classifiedunderSection9,no.4,Rule140,oftheRulesofCourt,supra,asalessseriouscharge,
andisthuspunishedwithafineofP12,000.00,conformablywithSection11,Rule140,Rulesof
Court,supra.

WHEREFORE,wefindandpronounce:

1. Retired JUDGE JOVEN F. COSTALES and BRANCH CLERK OF COURT
ATTY.MAXG.PASCUAguiltyofthelessseriouschargeofviolationofSupremeCourtrules,
directives,andcirculars,andarerespectivelyorderedtopayfinesofP20,000.00andP8,000.00
and

2. RetiredJUDGEJOVENF.COSTALESguiltyofthelessseriouschargeofsimple
misconduct,andisfinedintheamountofP12,000.00.

The fines imposed on JUDGE COSTALES shall be deducted from any retirement
benefitsduetohim.

TheCourtdirectsATTY.MAXG.PASCUA:

1. Todeviseanefficientsystemofrecordmanagementthatensuresthat:(a)allpending
caseareimmediatelyincludedinthecalendarofhearingand(b)theactualstatusofeverycase
isreflectedintherespectivecaserecordand

2. ToapprisethePresidingJudgeofBranch45oftheRegionalTrialCourtinUrdaneta
City, Pangasinan within ten (10) days from notice on the status of the following cases and
furnishingcopiesofthelatestordersorcourtprocessestherein,namely:(a)CriminalCaseNos.
U15010,U15183,U13095(transmittallettertotheOfficeoftheProsecutor)andCivilCase
Nos.U2377andU8793and(b)CriminalCaseNo.U13095(regardingthearraignmentofthe
accused).

TheincumbentExecutiveJudgeoftheRegionalTrialCourtinUrdanetaCity,Pangasinan
is directed: (a) to immediately investigate and determine the court personnel involved in the
bundy clock irregularity committed on September 19, 2007 (b) to report in writing on the
investigationtotheOfficeoftheCourtAdministratorwithinten(10)daysfromcompletionand
(c)toensurethatnosimilarirregularitiesarecommittedinthestation.
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 15/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

SOORDERED.



LUCASP.BERSAMIN
AssociateJustice

WECONCUR:



CONCHITACARPIOMORALES
AssociateJustice
Chairperson





ARTUROD.BRIONMARTINS.VILLARAMA,JR.
AssociateJusticeAssociateJustice





MARIALOURDESP.A.SERENO
AssociateJustice

[1]
Rollo,pp.2933.
[2]
Id.,p.33.
[3]
LatertheCourtAdministrator,andpresentlyaMemberoftheCourt.
[4]
Rollo,p.28.
[5]
Id.,p.19.
[6]
Id.,p.13.
[7]
Id.,pp.1617.
[8]
Id.,pp.1415.
[9]
SeeAdministrativeOrderNo.6enactedonJune30,1975.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 16/17
5/26/2017 A.M.No.084253RTC

[10]
Rollo,pp.112.
[11]
Id.,pp.1011.
[12]
Rule3.08,CodeofJudicialConduct.
[13]
Juanv.Arias,Adm.MatterNo.P310,August23,1976,72SCRA404.
[14]
Section5,Canon6,NewCodeofJudicialConductforthePhilippineJudiciary.
[15]
Karaanv.Lindo,A.M.No.MTJ071674,April19,2007,521SCRA423,435.
[16]
Rule3.09,CodeofJudicialConduct.
[17]
Gordonv.Lilagan,A.M.No.RTJ001564,July26,2001,361SCRA690,699.
[18]
SeeNiduav.Lazaro,A.M.No.R465MTJ,June29,1989,174SCRA581.
[19]
Re:ReportontheJudicialAuditandPhysicalInventoryofCasesinMCTCSaraArjuyLemery,Iloilo,A.M. No. 0510299
MCTC,December14,2005,477SCRA659,664.
[20]
Gonzalezv.Torres,A.M.No.MTJ061653,July30,2007,528SCRA490,500.
[21]
Section6,Rule136,RulesofCourt.
[22]
Makasiarv.Gomintong,A.M.No.P052061,August19,2005,467SCRA411,417.
[23]
MikrostarIndustrialCorporationv.Mabalot,A.M.No.P052097,December15,2005,478SCRA6,1112.
[24]
Re:FalsificationofDailyTimeRecordsofMariaFeP.Brooks,CourtInterpreter,RTC,QuezonCity,Branch96,A.M.No.P05
2086,October20,2005,473SCRA483,488.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/january2011/084253RTC.htm 17/17