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THIRD DIVISION

A.M. No. P-01-1459¹             January 31, 2005

MARITONI M. NIEVA, complainant,
vs.
SATURNINA ALVAREZ-EDAD, Branch Clerk of Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 32, Quezon City, respondent.

D E C I S I O N

SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ, J.:

For our resolution is the instant administrative complaint² filed by Maritoni M. Nieva, former legal researcher of the Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC), Branch 32, Quezon City, charging Saturnina Alvarez-Edad, Branch Clerk of Court, also of the same Branch, with the following administrative offenses:

1) Falsification of daily time records;

2) Dishonesty;

3) Demanding or receiving commissioner’s fee for reception of evidence ex-parte;

4) Conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service;

5) Issuing certified true copies of warrant of arrest without payment of the corresponding fees; and

6) Discourtesy in the conduct of official business.1a\^/phi1.net

Complainant’s allegations in her complaint are:

Respondent falsified her daily time records (DTR). The entries therein of the time of her arrival in the office and departure therefrom vary from her entries in the logbook. To support her charge, complainant submitted xerox copies of respondent’s DTR and the logbook showing such variance, thus:

Date	Daily Time Record	Office Log Book
April 6, 1998 May 14, 1998 May 28, 1998 June 18, 1998 June 26, 1998 August 6,1998 August 12,1998	7:20 sick leave 7:35-12:00 12:30-4:30 7:50-12:00 12:30 7:55-12:00 12:30-4:00 8:00-12:00 halfday (sic) 8:00-4:00 7:15-12:00 12:30-4:30	7:20-12:00 12:30-4:30 7:35-12:00 12:00-2:30 7:50-12:00 12:30-4:30 7:55-12:00 12:30-4:30 8:00-12:00 12:30-4:30 8:00-12:00 12:30-4:30 7:15-12:00 12:30-4:00

Respondent demanded from one Billy Ranas, a messenger from Unifunds, the sum of ₱1,500.00 as commissioner’s fee in connection with the ex-parte hearing in Unifunds vs. Sps. Ann and Jose Aquino et al. held on July 16, 1998. When Ranas followed up the case, he tried to hand ₱500.00 to respondent, but she rejected it because she was expecting to receive ₱1,500.00. In the presence of other court employees, she shouted at Ranas, "Yuong hinihingi kong legal, iyang negosyo ninyo ang illegal dahil ang taas taas ng singil ninyo sa interest. Tapos hindi ninyo babayaran ang commissioner’s fee!"³ ("What I am asking for is legal, but your business is illegal because you charge usurious rates of interest. Now you can’t even pay my commissioner’s fee!") Respondent then threatened to delay the disposition of the case.

Eventually, respondent received ₱500.00 from Melinda De Guzman of Unifunds. Upon respondent’s instruction, Judith Cueto, Stenographer II, prepared a receipt for ₱500.00 as payment for "stenographic notes." Respondent then signed the receipt for the ₱500.00 but kept ₱300.00 for herself and gave Cueto only ₱200.00.

Respondent harassed complainant and Helen Santiago, stenographer, in the following manner: On August 28, 1998, respondent indicated in the logbook that complainant attended office for only one half day.⁴ When complainant insisted that she was present the whole day and was sitting beside her (respondent) in the afternoon, respondent replied sarcastically that she did not see her that same afternoon.

One morning in November 1998, respondent prematurely closed the logbook at 8:20 A.M. by indicating therein that it was already 8:30 A.M. When Helen Santiago politely apprised respondent that it was still 8:20 A.M., respondent tauntingly remarked, "Eh di ilagay mong 8:29." ("So write down 8:29."). Helen then reported the matter to the Presiding Judge who settled their dispute. However, respondent still issued a memorandum dated November 19, 1998 to Helen directing her to explain within 72 hours why no disciplinary action should be taken against her for her disrespectful and discourteous conduct.

Respondent allowed Lily Monteverde, accused in Criminal Case No. 90201, to post bail although she did not personally appear in court, in violation of the Rules of Court.

In August and December 1998, respondent issued certified true copies of warrants of arrest in Criminal Cases Nos. 052743-4, entitled "People of the Philippines vs. Raquel ‘Mana’ Rodriguez," without requiring the requesting party to pay the corresponding fees.

Respondent displayed conduct unbecoming of a public servant by publicly humiliating complainant, the lawyers, the accused, and the members of her staff.

Respondent unjustly charged Danilo Dela Cruz, a utility worker, with insubordination.⁵ As a result, Dela Cruz was dismissed from the service per the Supreme Court en banc Resolution dated September 8, 1998.1a\^/phi1.net

Finally, complainant was forced to resign on September 22, 1998 as legal researcher of Branch 32 on respondent’s "pretext" that she "did not live up to her expectations."

On April 5, 1999, then Court Administrator Alfredo L. Benipayo required respondent to comment on petitioner’s complaint.

In her comment⁶ dated June 14, 1999, respondent denied all the charges against her. She submitted her DTR and the logbook showing the following entries:

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Date	Office Log Book	Daily Time Record
April 6, 1998	7:20 sick leave	7:20-12:00 12:30-4:30
May 14, 1998	7:35-12:00 12:30-2:007	7:35-12:00 12:30-2:30
May 28, 1998	7:50-12:00 12:30	7:50-12:00 12:30-4:30
June 18, 1998	7:55-12:00 12:30-4:00	7:55-12:00 12:30-4:30
June 26, 1998	8:00-12:00 Halfday (sic)	8:00-12:00 12:30-4:30
August 6, 1998	8:00-4:00	8:00-12:00 12:30-4:30
August 12,1998	7:15-12:00 12:30-4:00	7:15-12(sic)12:30-4:30

On August 7, 2000, we issued a Resolution referring the case to the Executive Judge, MeTC, Quezon City, for investigation, report, and recommendation.

In his Report dated January 15, 2001, Executive Judge Gregorio D. Dayrit exonerated respondent from all the charges, except for dishonesty.

Investigating Judge Dayrit found that respondent demanded from the representative of Unifunds ₱1,500.00 as commissioner’s fee and received ₱500.00 in the guise of payment for stenographic notes. She kept ₱300.00 for herself without the consent of Judith Cueto, a stenographer. Judge Dayrit then recommended that respondent be found guilty of two (2) counts of dishonesty and be suspended from the service for one (1) year without pay and be disqualified for promotion or from receiving any increase in salary during the pendency of the suspension, pursuant to Section 46 (b), Subtitle A, Title I, Book V of Executive Order 292;⁸ Section 22, Rule XIV, Omnibus Rules Implementing Book V of E.O. No. 292; and Section 7 of Republic Act No.6713.⁹

In our Resolution dated November 12, 2001, we referred the Report of Executive Judge Dayrit to the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) for evaluation, report and recommendation.

On March 26, 2002, Deputy Court Administrator (DCA) Christopher O. Lock submitted to this Court his Evaluation and Recommendation reproduced hereunder:

"Evaluation and Recommendation of this Office

Except for the charge of dishonesty and misconduct for demanding & collecting commissioner’s fee, this Office finds the foregoing findings and recommendation to be well-taken. Records show that complainant failed to prove by substantial evidence to hold respondent administratively liable. As found by the investigating judge, the other charges were not proven.

After a thorough evaluation of the voluminous records of this case inclusive of the transcript of stenographic notes, exhibits and pleadings filed by complainant and respondent, this Office departs from the findings of the investigating judge that the respondent is guilty of dishonesty for demanding and collecting commissioner’s fee.

This Office believes that respondent did not commit dishonesty when she demanded commissioner’s fee from the Unifunds. As shown by the evidence established by the complainant, it shows that respondent is actually guilty of Violation of the Manual for Clerks of Court, specifically under the following provisions: (a) Section B, Chapter II (p. 36), which states that: ‘No Branch Clerk of Court shall demand and/or receive commissioner’s fees for reception of evidence ex-parte;' and (b) Section D.7, Chapter IV(p. 74), which states that: ‘The Court shall allow the commissioner, other than an employee of the Court, such reasonable compensation as the circumstances of the case warrant to be taxed as costs against the defeated party, or apportioned, as justice requires.’ [underscoring ours]. For all intents and purposes, respondent is in reality collecting commissioner’s fee when she demanded payment from Unifunds through messenger Billy Ranas and Documentation Officer Melinda De Guzman even though she issued a receipt in the guise of collecting payment for transcript of stenographic notes (TSN) in behalf of Court Stenographer Cueto. This Office surmised that when respondent gave Court Stenographer Judith Cueto the sum of ₱200.00 pesos, she is merely giving the latter her share for transcribing the stenographic notes of the case of Unifunds. Clearly, the intent or motive to gain out of Cueto’s collectibles for the payment of TSN is totally absent. In fact, it was established during the investigation that respondent collected the sum of ₱500.00 in the presence of the other staff and especially Court Stenographer Judith Cueto. The latter, upon receipt of the ₱200.00 pesos, did not object or complain. Presumably, respondent and Court Stenographer had a previous understanding or some sort of an ‘agreement’ to this kind of arrangement, which they call it a ‘package deal’ when conducting ex-parte hearing. As testified by Court Stenographer Cueto, the normal fee for ex-parte hearing, as far as their court is concerned, is ₱1,500.00 pesos, with the following sharing scheme: ₱1,000.00 goes to the Branch Clerk, then PP500.00 goes to the Court Stenographer. Were it not for this kind of arrangement, respondent could have pocketed everything instead of giving part of it to Cueto. Since respondent was able to collect PP500.00 pesos only, she gave Cueto the ₱200.00 and retained for herself the ₱300.00 pesos. Thus, the absence of an intent or motive to gain.

Respondent’s defense that it was Presiding Judge Marquez who conducted the ex-parte hearing as evidenced by the Transcript of Stenographic Notes dated 16 July 1998 is of no consequence. Regardless of whether or not respondent was authorized by the presiding judge is beside the point. The above-cited provisions in the said Manual is very clear that a Branch Clerk is prohibited to demand commissioner’s fee.

Besides, Section 9, Rule 30, 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure is very specific that: ‘x x x in default or ex-parte hearings, and in any case where the parties agree in writing, the court may delegate the reception of evidence to its clerk of court who is a member of the bar. x x x.’ As a Branch Clerk of Court who is a non-lawyer, she ought to know that under the said rule it is only a member of the bar who is authorized to receive evidence ex-parte. Records reveal that there is no order of the presiding judge showing that she was authorized to act as such. Respondent even committed further blunder when, aware of the existing rules and even without prior authority from the judge, she gave the appearance to the parties concerned that she is legally collecting commissioner’s fee. This is based from the very words she uttered to Witness-Documentation Officer Melinda De Guzman when she said, ‘Ang hinihingi naman namin is legal eh. Ang illegal ay yung pagcha-charge nyo ng mataas na interest sa mga kliyente ninyo’ in the presence of the rest of the staff including the complainant and witness Cueto.

To curb the appalling practice of the Branch Clerks of Court, then Acting Court Administrator Zenaida N. Elepaño issued Circular No. 50-2001 dated 17 August 2001, which states: ‘Pursuant to the Resolution of 27 June 2001 in A.M. No. 01-4-222-RTC, Clerks of Court are not authorized to collect compensation for services rendered as commissioners in ex-parte proceedings.’

In the case of RTC Makati Movement Against Graft and Corruption versus Atty. Inocencio E. Dumlao, Acting Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Valenzuela, Metro Manila (A.M. No. P-93-800, 09 August 1995), it was held that:

‘On the issue of Respondent’s demanding and receiving so-called ‘commissioner’s fees,’ we find the charges against Respondent meritorious. The Manual for Clerks of Court, which in essence is the ‘Bible for Clerks of Courts,’ specifically provides that:

"No Branch Clerk of Court shall demand and/or receive commissioner’s fee for reception of evidence ex-parte.

... The Court shall allow the commissioner, other than an employee of the court, such reasonable compensation as the circumstances of the case warrant. (Italics ours).’

Respondent Inocencio E. Dumlao, who was found guilty of grave misconduct and gross ignorance of the duties pertaining to his office and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service for the commission of the following acts: (a) demanding and collecting commissioner’s fees; (b) lending money at usurious rates of interest; (c) ignorance of the existing contents of the Manual for Clerks of Court; and (d) remiss in his duties in the preparation of monthly report of cases, was dismissed from the service.

In the present case, the facts do not warrant respondent’s dismissal from the service considering that out of the seven (7) charges, complainant was able to prove only one (1) of the charges.

The recommended penalty of the investigating judge which is ‘suspension from the service for one (1) year without pay and be disqualified for promotion or any increase in salary during the period she is under suspension,’ is too stiff to the administrative offense committed by the respondent. Records in the Docket & Clearance Division, Legal Office, OCA show that this is the first time that respondent was administratively charged after serving the judiciary for ten (10) years from January 1988 when she started as Legal Researcher in RTC, Morong, Rizal up to the time the instant case was filed sometime January 1999. Moreover, there is nothing in the record, which shows that respondent had committed a similar act of collecting commissioner’s fee in the past. In fact, Presiding Judge Marquez, who appeared during the investigation, testified that she is always the one who conducts hearing of ex-parte reception of evidence. Clearly, the present complaint should be treated as an isolated incident. Thus, this Office believes that a lesser penalty, which is commensurate under the circumstances of this case, should be imposed upon the respondent.

In view thereof, this Office recommends that a FINE be imposed upon the respondent in the sum of One Thousand Pesos (₱1,000.00) and that she is SEVERELY REPRIMANDED with WARNING that a repetition of a similar act shall be dealt with more severely. Respondent should also be REMINDED to strictly follow Section 9, Rule 30, 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure and Supreme Court Circular No. 50-2001 dated 17 August 2001, Section B, Chapter II (p. 36), Section D.7, Chapter IV (p. 74) of the Manual for Clerks of Court to avoid similar violations.

Premises considered, it is most respectfully submitted for the consideration of the Honorable Court the following recommendations:

(a) That the respondent be EXONERATED in the following charges:

(1) Falsification in the accomplishment of Daily Time Record (DTR);

(2) Dishonesty for collection commissioner’s fee;

(3) Conduct unbecoming of a public official, which is further re-classified as follows:

(1) Favoring a celebrity when respondent allowed Lily Monteverde to post a cash bond without personal appearance in court;

(2) Issuing certified true copies of a warrant of arrest without requiring requesting party to pay legal fees;

(3) Being Discourteous and disrespectful in the conduct of official business in court, as follows:

(a) Unfair and unreasonable closing of the attendance logbook before the 30-minute grace period;

(b) Unfair and unreasonable notation in the logbook that the complainant reported in the office ‘half-day’ on 20 August 1998;

(c) Humiliating lawyers and litigants;

(d) Insulting complainant in front of the lawyers in the Ozone case; and

(e) Forcing complainant and utility worker Danilo De la Cruz to resign from the service.

(b) That the respondent be found guilty of Gross Violation of Section B, Chapter II (p. 36), Section D.7, Chapter IV (p. 74) of the Manual for Clerks of Court when she demanded and collected commissioner’s fee. And that respondent be imposed a FINE in the sum of One Thousand Pesos (₱1,000.00) and SEVERELY REPRIMANDED for the said violation with a WARNING that a repetition of a similar act shall be dealt with more severely. Respondent should also be REMINDED to strictly follow Section 9, Rule 30, 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure and Supreme Court Circular No. 50-2001 dated 17 August 2001, Section B, Chapter II (p. 36), Section D.7, Chapter IV (p. 74) of the Manual for Clerks of Court to avoid similar violations."

We sustain DCA Lock’s Evaluation and Recommendation, except the suggested penalty.

The administration of justice, by its very nature, is a sacred task, circumscribed with a heavy burden of responsibility. All those involved in its dispensation – from the presiding judge to the lowliest clerk – should live up to the strictest standards of competence, honesty and integrity in the public service. Their conduct, at all times, must not only be characterized by propriety and decorum but, above all else, must be above suspicion. No other office in the government service exacts a greater demand for moral righteousness and uprightness from an employee than in the Judiciary.¹⁰

Clerks of court, like the respondent herein, are important officers in the judicial system. Their administrative functions are vital to the prompt and sound administration of justice.¹¹ They cannot be allowed to overstep their powers and responsibilities.¹² Their office is the hub of adjudicative and administrative orders, processes and judicial concerns.¹³ They perform a very delicate function as custodian of the court’s funds, revenues, records, property and premises.¹⁴ They are specifically imbued with the mandate to safeguard the integrity of the court as well as the efficiency of its proceedings, and to uphold the confidence of the public in the administration of justice.¹⁵ Thus, they are required to be persons of competence, honesty and probity.¹⁶

We cannot countenance any act or omission of any court personnel that would violate the norm of public accountability and diminish the faith of the people in the Judiciary.¹⁷

Here, respondent overstepped her powers and responsibilities. The records convincingly show that she demanded and received a commissioner’s fee from a litigant in an ex-parte proceedings. Such act violates Section B, Chapter II of the Manual for Clerks of Court which provides: "No Branch Clerk of Court shall demand and/or receive commissioner’s fees for the reception of evidence ex-parte."¹⁸

This rule has been restated in Circular No. 50-2001 dated August 17, 2001 issued by the Office of the Court Administrator, which partly states: "For the guidance and information of all concerned, "x x x Clerks of Court are not authorized to collect compensation for services rendered as commissioners in ex parte proceedings.’" In Conception vs. Hubilla ,¹⁹ we held that "branch clerks of court are not entitled to demand or receive commissioner’s fees for the reception of evidence ex parte."

To be entitled to reasonable compensation, a commissioner must not be an employee of the court. Section D (7), Chapter IV of the same Manual for Clerks of Court provides that "The Court shall allow the commissioner, other than an employee of the court, such reasonable compensation as the circumstances of the case warrant to be taxed as costs against the defeated party, or apportioned, as justice requires."²⁰ Accordingly, respondent, as a court employee, has no authority to demand or receive any commissioner’s fee. In RTC Makati Movement Against Graft and Corruption vs. Atty. Inocencio E. Dumlao, Acting Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Valenzuela, Metro Manila,²¹ we held:

"The Manual for Clerks of Courts, which in essence is the ‘Bible for Clerks of Courts,’ specifically provides that ‘No Branch Clerk of Court shall demand and/or receive commissioner’s fees for reception of evidence ex parte. The court shall allow the commissioner, other than an employee of the court, such reasonable compensation as the circumstances of the case warrant.’"

Respondent does not meet the strict judicial standard when she demanded and collected commissioner’s fee.

For violating a Supreme Court rule, directive or circular, the OCA recommends that respondent be fined ₱1,000.00 and be severely reprimanded. The OCA stresses that after all, respondent is a first-time offender.

The penalty recommended is too light.

Under the facts of this case, respondent’s transgression constitutes simple misconduct, classified as a less grave offense under Section 52 (B), Rule IV of the Revised Uniform Rules On Administrative Cases In The Civil Service,²² thus:

"RULE IV – PENALTIES

Section 52. Classification of Offenses. – Administrative offenses with corresponding penalties are classified into grave, less grave or light, depending on their gravity or depravity and effects on the government service.

x x x

B. The following are less grave offenses with the corresponding penalties:

x x x

2. Simple Misconduct

1st Offense – Suspension

1 mo. 1 day to 6 mos.

2nd Offense – Dismissal

x x x."

WHEREFORE, the Court finds respondent Branch Clerk of Court Saturnina Alvarez-Edad GUILTY of demanding/receiving commissioner’s fee in violation of Section B, Chapter II and Section D (7), Chapter IV of the Manual for Clerks of Court. She is hereby SUSPENDED for two (2) months without pay and WARNED that a repetition of the same or a similar offense shall be dealt with more severely. Let a copy of this Resolution be attached to the service records of respondent Saturnina Alvarez-Edad.

SO ORDERED.

Panganiban, (Chairman), Corona, Carpio-Morales, and Garcia, JJ., concur.

Footnotes

¹ Formerly docketed as: OCA IPI No. 99-584-P.

² Complaint-Affidavit dated January 10, 1999, Rollo at 1.

³ Id. at 4.

⁴ Id. at 22.

⁵ Id. at 29.

⁶ Id. at 40.

⁷ Should be 2:30 per Annex "D".

⁸ Administrative Code of 1987.

⁹ Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

¹⁰ Angeles vs. Eduarte, A.M. No. P-03-1710 , August 28, 2003, 410 SCRA 40; Madrid vs. Quebral, A.M. No. P-03-1744 , October 7, 2003, 413 SCRA 1; Solidbank Corporation vs. Capoon, Jr., A.M. No. P-98-1266 , April 15, 1998, 289 SCRA 9; Jerez vs. Paninsuro, A.M. No. P-99-1286 , March 4, 1999, 304 SCRA 180.

¹¹ Escañan vs. Monterola II, A.M. No. P-99-1347 , February 6, 2001, 351 SCRA 228.

¹² Nones vs. Ormita, A.M. P-01-1532 , October 9, 2002, 390 SCRA 519.

¹³ Solidbank Corporation vs. Capoon, Jr., supra.

¹⁴ Office of the Court Administrator vs. Marcelo, A.M. No. P-00-1415-MeTC , August 30, 2001, 364 SCRA 1.

¹⁵ Marasigan vs. Buena, A.M. No. 95-1-01-MTCC , January 5, 1998, 284 SCRA 1; Neeland vs. Villanueva, A.M. No. P-99-1316 , October 29, 1999, 317 SCRA 652; Samonte vs. Gatdula, A.M. No. P-99-1292 , February 26, 1999, 303 SCRA 756.

¹⁶ Cain vs. Neri, A.M. No. P-98-1267 , July 13, 1999, 310 SCRA 207.

¹⁷ Angeles vs. Eduarte, supra.

¹⁸ See p. 36 of the Manual.

¹⁹ Adm. Matter No. P-02-1594, February 19, 2003, 397 SCRA 640.

²⁰ Manual at 74.

²¹ A.M. No. P-93-800-A, August 9, 1995, 247 SCRA 108.

²² CSC Memorandum Circular No. 19, s. 1999, implementing Book V of Administrative Code of 1987 (Executive Order No. 292).

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