Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
EN BANC
A.M. No. MTJ-91-565 October 5, 2005
Patricio T. Junio, Complainant,
vs.
Judge Pedro C. Rivera, Jr., MTC, Alaminos, Pangasinan, Respondent.
R E S O L U T I O N
SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ, J.:
Before us are letters dated November 17, 2004 and June 17, 2005 of respondent Judge Pedro C. Rivera, Jr. pleading for judicial clemency relative to our Resolution dated August 30, 1993 dismissing him from the service for kissing his boarder’s daughter while he was drunk during his birthday party, which act constitutes gross misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Judiciary. The dispositive portion of our Resolution reads:
"WHEREFORE, respondent Judge Pedro C. Rivera, Jr. is hereby found guilty of gross misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Judiciary, and is hereby DISMISSED from the service with prejudice to re-employment in any part of the government service including government-owned or controlled corporations, with forfeiture of all retirement benefits and privileges (if any), except the money value of accrued earned leave credits. Respondent Judge is hereby ORDERED to cease and desist immediately from rendering any order or decision, or continuing any proceedings, in any case whatsoever, effective immediately upon receipt of a copy of this Resolution."
After more than 11 years or on November 17, 2004, respondent Judge sent a letter to this Court, stating that he did not file a motion for reconsideration of our Resolution because he "accepted the verdict, in all humility." But he pleaded that based on humanitarian considerations and in the spirit of forgiveness, we grant him his monetary benefits corresponding to his long years of service in the government; and allow him to work in any government agency or government-owned or controlled corporations as a consultant. He further stated that he was acquitted in the criminal case for acts of lasciviousness filed against him; that he served the government for more than thirty-five (35) years, four (4) years of which was in the Judiciary; and that this is his first administrative offense.
He also stated that:
"x x x. My dismissal from the service was more than enough punishment for me. The humiliation suffered by me in the past constituted chastisement and atonement for the indiscretions and sins on my part. I feel that I have come to terms with reality and learned my lesson. Now I plead for the humanitarian consideration for the grant of the retirement benefit due me that was forfeited by the Resolution dated August 30, 1993 of this Honorable Court.
x x x. I am not seeking my reinstatement. That is beyond me now. But I am merely pleading for the release of the benefit due me for the long years of my government service. The benefits will go a long way to give me the wherewithal as I face the sunset of my life. x x x."
On June 17, 2005, respondent Judge again wrote this Court reiterating his plea for judicial clemency "in the light of my present personal circumstances." He stated that he is undergoing intensive medical treatment for cataract, prostatic enlargement, postural vertigo, hypertension and arthritis; that he is "under heavy financial crisis;" and that his ardent wish is "to reap the fruits" of his long years of service to the government.
To be sure, we have always been unsparing in wielding the rod of discipline against members of the Judiciary who fall short of the exacting standards decreed by the Code of Judicial Conduct. This is because a judge, upon his assumption to office, becomes the visible representation of the law and of justice.1 Membership in the judiciary circumscribes one’s personal conduct and imposes upon him certain restrictions, whose faithful observance is the price one has to pay for holding such an exalted position.2 Thus, a magistrate of the law must comport himself in a manner that his conduct must be free of a whiff of impropriety, not only with respect to the performance of his official duties, but also to his behavior outside his sala and as a private individual. His conduct must be able to withstand the most searching public scrutiny, for the ethical principles and sense of propriety of a judge are essential to the preservation of the people’s faith in the judicial system.3 We certainly do not require judges to measure up to the standards of conduct of the saints and martyrs, but we do expect them to be like Caesar’s wife in all their actions. Hence, their faithful adherence to the Code of Judicial Conduct is strictly demanded.4 A lackadaisical attitude towards these judicial standards is impermissible.
However, in respondent’s case, we note certain significant factors that spur us to consider his present plea for judicial clemency and reexamine with compassion the penalty imposed on him. These are:
1. Respondent Judge has rendered more than thirty five (35) years of government service.
2. This is his first and only administrative offense.
3. He demonstrated sincere repentance.
4. He was dismissed from the service more than ten (10) years ago and "has come to terms with reality and learned (his) lesson."
5. His regressing physical condition caused by various illnesses and old age necessitate financial support.
We cannot ignore respondent’s present difficult plight as depicted in his letter of June 17, 2005, thus:
"In 1990, I was operated on for prostate problem. Since then, I have to undergo continuing medication and treatment. In 2002, I had to undergo more intensive treatment by Dr. Nikko J. Magsanoc, a urologist. Please allow me to submit a medical certification issued by Dr. Nikko Magsanoc stating that I am suffering from benign prostatic enlargement, for which I am required to take daily medications. I have to undergo regular physical and medical examination to monitor possible progress of my disease to prostate cancer. My vision has greatly diminished. I am undergoing treatment and medication for cataract. Advance age has also impaired my ability to move with arthritis keeping me seethe in pain. I am also being treated for benign postural vertigo and hypertension. Please see the medical certificate issued by Dr. Jovito S. Rivera of Western Pangasinan District Hospital.
The house which I am occupying was the house of my parents which is in a state of disrepair and badly needs repair in keeping with my dignity as a man, if not as a former member of the bench. But under the present condition, huge outlay is needed to have the house repaired. Most kind Members of the High Bench, please allow me to enclose two pictures of the house left by my parents to let the Honorable Members of the Court have a glimpse of where I now live.
At present, I am reeling under heavy financial crisis. Where to source and how to maintain the stream for my daily subsistence renders me in constant state of uncertainty. I survive through the dole out from my son, which comes very irregularly.
x x x. I am keenly aware that my sunset will soon turn into eternity. But one of my last wishes is for me to reap the fruits of my long years of hard labor in the government, most of which were spent in the judiciary. The grant of my prayer is indeed within the gift of the Honorable Members of the Court. Again, with all humility and with fervent hope, which as the saying goes springs eternal, I most respectfully reiterate my prayer that my retirement benefit be granted me to keep my body and soul together during the last years of my life.
With my utmost respect."
Considering the above circumstances, we believe that extending to him our judicial clemency is in order. Let us "give him the chance to redeem himself," as we so aptly declared in State Prosecutors vs. Judge Manuel T. Muro.5 Let us not be heartless when we see a repentant respondent grieving over the wrong he committed. Justice without compassion is no justice at all.
We thus find merit in respondent’s entreaty that we allow him to find gainful employment in the government service (as a consultant, according to him). We likewise grant him his monetary benefits (if any) for his long service in the government as this will aid him in his daily sustenance and medical needs.
WHEREFORE, the letters dated November 17, 2004 and June 17, 2005 of respondent Judge Pedro C. Rivera, Jr. requesting judicial clemency is GRANTED. The prohibition for his "re-employment in any part of the government service including government-owned or controlled corporations" mandated in our Resolution dated August 30, 1993 is LIFTED. He is authorized (1) to be employed (if qualified) in any government office including government-owned or controlled corporations, and (2) to receive whatever monetary benefits due him for his long service in the government, if entitled thereto.
SO ORDERED.
ANGELINA SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:
|
HILARIO G. DAVIDE, JR.
Chief Justice |
|
REYNATO S. PUNO
Associate Justice
LEONARDO A. QUISUMBING
Associate Justice
ANTONIO T. CARPIO
Associate Justice
RENATO C. CORONA
Associate Justice
ROMEO J. CALLEJO, SR.
Associate Justice
DANTE O. TINGA
Associate Justice |
ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBAN
Associate Justice
CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO
Associate Justice
MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ
Associate Justice
CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES
Associate Justice
ADOLFO S. AZCUNA
Associate Justice
MINITA V. CHICO-NAZARIO
Associate Justice |
CANCIO C. GARCIA
Associate Justice
In his letter of November 17, 2004, respondent stated:
"As I mentioned in my letter dated April 23, 1992, I spent more than thirty-five (35) years in the government service. I was first employed in the Department of Labor and then in the Bureau of Internal Revenue. In July 1989, I was appointed Municipal Trial Court Judge and held such position until August 30, 1993. I have thus spent the best years of my life and career in the government service. Except for the administrative and criminal cases filed against me over the same incident subject of this A.M. MTJ-91-565, I was never haled before any criminal and administrative forum."
Footnotes
1 Pascual vs. Judge Rodolfo R. Bonifacio, A.M. No. RTJ-01-1625, March 10, 2003, 398 SCRA 695.
2 Id., citing Campilan vs. Judge Fernando Campilan, Jr., 381 SCRA 494 (2002); Marcelino vs. Singson, Jr., 243 SCRA 685 (1995).
3 Lim vs. Judge Demetrio D. Calimag, Jr., 377 SCRA 531 (2002); Alfonso vs. Juanson, 228 SCRA 239 (1993).
4 Office of the Court Administrator vs. Judge Marcelino L. Sayo, Jr., 381 SCRA 659 (2002).
5 A.M. No. RTJ-92-876, December 11, 1995, 251 SCRA 111, 117.
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