EN BANC
A.M. No. MTJ-06-1619 January 23, 2006
[formerly OCA IPI No. 04-1556-MTJ]
JESUSA ODONEL GENIL, Complainant,
vs.
JUDGE ROGACIANO Y. RIVERA, Municipal Trial Court, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, Respondent.
D E C I S I O N
CARPIO MORALES, J.:
Judge Rogaciano Y. Rivera (respondent) of the Municipal Trial Court (MTC) of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental is the subject of two letter-complaints1 filed on September 11, 2003 before the Office of the Chief Justice by Jesusa Odonel Genil (complainant), barangay captain of Amio, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.
The events which spawned the filing of the complaint against respondent are related by complainant as follows:
On May 30, 2003, one of complainant’s constituents, Nancy Silfaban (Nancy), filed before the MTC of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental two criminal complaints against Roderick Sales, one for rape and the other for forcible abduction with rape, docketed as Criminal Case Nos. 3791 and 3792, respectively. On even date, Nancy also filed a criminal complaint against Janice Sales for violation of Republic Act 7610, otherwise known as the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, docketed as Criminal Case No. 3793.
Respondent conducted a preliminary investigation of Criminal Case Nos. 3791 and 3792 two and a half months later or on August 13, 2003 after the accused was ordered to submit his counter-affidavit, which preliminary investigation was made in open court.
During the above-said preliminary investigation, Nancy, a minor, was called to the witness stand and, in the course of her testimony subjected to humiliation as all those present, including respondent, the counsel for the defense Atty. Arturo Erames, and SPO4 Herminigildo Ortiz Cadungog (SPO4 Cadungog) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who acted as prosecutor, were laughing.2
Respecting Criminal Case No. 3793 against Janice Sales, respondent had yet to act on it.3
Apprehensive that respondent would dismiss the cases which Nancy filed,4 complainant requested this Court for a change of venue.
The letter-complaints were eventually referred for investigation to Judge Orlando C. Velasco of Branch 63 of the Regional Trial Court of Bayawan City who directed respondent to file his Comment thereon and to require the public prosecutor and the counsel of Roderick Sales to also submit their respective comments.
Complying with Judge Velasco’s directive, respondent, by Comment5 dated October 9, 2003, explained that preliminary investigation on the complaints filed by Nancy were not immediately conducted as the evidence was "weak" and "unbelievable," it being "manifestly inconsistent with, and repugnant to, the natural course of things."6
Respecting the conduct of preliminary investigation in open court on August 13, 2003, respondent claimed that not only did Nancy not request otherwise; she, albeit a minor, "looks energetic, psychologically mature and somewhat aggressive who answers questions quickly," and there was nothing in her affidavit or testimony which warranted the exclusion of the public from the proceedings. And respondent disclaimed the occurrence of any laughing incident during the preliminary investigation, he adding that "all were eager to observe the proceedings."7
On complainant’s request for change of venue, respondent suggested that the cases be forwarded to the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City, and unless otherwise directed, he would proceed to resolve the cases.8
In his Comment,9 SPO4 Cadungog claimed that he is not learned in the law which could explain complainant’s dissatisfaction with his performance when he acted as prosecutor during the preliminary investigation of the complaints which Nancy filed. And he too denied that there was laughing during the preliminary investigation.10
Defense counsel Atty. Erames, by his Comment,11 also disclaimed that there was laughing during the preliminary investigation. He advanced though that the relatives of the accused in the first two criminal cases "may have been pleased" with Nancy’s testimonies which tended to support the defense claim that the accused and Nancy were sweethearts. On complainant’s request for transfer of venue of the criminal cases, he interposed no objection.12
In his Investigation Report13 dated October 16, 2003, Judge Velasco noted that Nancy was subjected to "unhampered ridicule, embarrassment and humiliation" during the preliminary investigation, and respondent even "ordered her to turn clockwise to the delight of every one present."14
Regarding the status of Criminal Case Nos. 3791 and 3792, Judge Velasco reported that they had remained unresolved by respondent, while Criminal Case No. 3793 had yet to be acted upon.15
By letter16 dated August 13, 2004, respondent, in compliance with two telegrams17 dated January 23, 2004 and July 19, 2004 of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) directing him to report the status of the cases, informed that they had been resolved and were ready for transmittal to the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City for further disposition.
By Report18 of February 14, 2005, the OCA recommends that the administrative case against respondent be docketed as a regular administrative matter and that he be fined in the amount of P21,000 for gross ignorance of the law, with warning that a repetition of the same or similar act would be dealt with more severely, in light of the following observations:
xxx [Respondent] took no action on Criminal Case No. 3793 from the date of its filing on 30 May 2003 until 09 October 2003 and offered no explanation for its delay before him. He conducted the preliminary investigation in Criminal Case Nos. 3791 and 3792 only on 13 August 2003, but he has not yet submitted his resolutions thereon to the Provincial Prosecutor. Assuming he had already resolved the cases on 13 August 2004, still there was undue delay. xxx
Respondent judge displayed blatant insensitivity to the child victim. He allowed the defense counsel to cross-examine the child witness and her mother which caused them extreme humiliation and embarrassment. xxx Parties cannot be subjected to direct examination or cross-examination. Questions or issues that may arise during the investigation should be addressed to the investigating judge who should propound the same to the party concerned. Noteworthy is that the Rule on Examination of a Child Witness (A.M. No. 004-07-SC 21 November 2000) does not permit a defense counsel to even approach a child who is testifying if it appears that the child is fearful of or intimidated by the counsel. xxx Neither does the Rule require a manifestation from the child or her mother to exclude the public from the hearing. The court may motu proprio exclude the public from the courtroom to protect the right to privacy of the child; if requiring the child to testify in open court would cause psychological harm to him; if it would hinder the ascertainment of truth or result in his inability to effectively communicate due to embarrassment, fear or timidity; and if the evidence to be produced is of such character as to be offensive to decency or public morals.19 (Emphasis and underscoring supplied)
By Resolution20 of March 16, 2005, this Court noted the February 14, 2005 OCA Report and required the parties to manifest within 20 days whether they were submitting the case on the basis of the pleadings/records already filed and submitted.
Respondent has manifested, by Compliance21 submitted on June 3, 2005, that he is submitting the case for resolution. Appended to the Compliance was the December 28, 2004 Resolution22 of Assistant Prosecutor Gloria Cynthia P. Icao of the Provincial Prosecution Office of Negros Oriental, bearing the approval of the Provincial Prosecutor in I.S. Case No. 2004-544 which affirmed and adopted the Resolution of the MTC of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental dismissing Criminal Case No. 3793 (People v. Janice Sales) for lack of merit.
This Court noted respondent’s Compliance by Resolution23 of July 6, 2005, as it did note complainant’s failure to comply with the March 16, 2005 Resolution, by Resolution24 of August 10, 2005.
Section 3(b), Rule 112 of the Rules on Criminal Procedure provides that within ten (10) days after the filing of a criminal complaint, the investigating officer shall either dismiss it if he finds no ground to continue with the investigation, or issue a subpoena to the respondent to which a copy of the complaint and supporting affidavits and documents should be attached.
Section 3(e) and (f) of the same Rule provide:
(e) The investigating officer may set a hearing if there are facts and issues to be clarified from a party or a witness. The parties can be present at the hearing but without the right to examine or cross-examine. They may, however, submit to the investigating officer questions which may be asked to the party or witness concerned.
The hearing shall be held within ten (10) days from submission of the counter-affidavits and other documents or from the expiration of the period for their submission. It shall be terminated within five (5) days.
(f) Within ten (10) days after the investigation, the investigating officer shall determine whether or not there is sufficient ground to hold the respondent for trial. (Emphasis and underscoring Supplied)
Moreover, Section 5 of still the same Rule provides:
SEC. 5. Resolution of investigating judge and its review. – Within ten (10) days after the preliminary investigation, the investigating judge shall transmit the resolution of the case to the provincial or city prosecutor, or to the Ombudsman or his deputy in cases of offenses cognizable by the Sandiganbayan in the exercise of its original jurisdiction, for appropriate action. The resolution shall state the findings of facts and the law supporting his action, together with the record of the case which shall include: (a) the warrant, if the arrest is by virtue of a warrant; (b) the affidavits, counter-affidavits and other supporting evidence of the parties; (c) the undertaking or bail of the accused and the order for his release; (d) the transcripts of the proceedings during the preliminary investigation; and (e) the order of cancellation of his bail bond, if the resolution is for the dismissal of the complaint.
xxx (Emphasis and underscoring supplied)
On top of the above-quoted provision of Sec. 3(e) of Rule 112 that the parties in a preliminary investigation have no right to examine or cross-examine, the Rule on Examination of a Child Witness25 provides that the court shall exercise control over the questioning of children so as to facilitate the ascertainment of the truth and ensure that questions are stated in a form appropriate to their developmental level and protect them from harassment or undue embarrassment.26
The same Rule on Execution of a Child Witness provides that when a child testifies, the court may, motu proprio, order the exclusion from the courtroom of all persons who do not have a direct interest in the case. In issuing such order, the court is to consider, inter alia, the developmental level of the child, the nature of the crime, and the nature of his testimony regarding the crime. It may also exclude the public from the courtroom if the evidence to be produced is of such character as to be offensive to decency or public morals.27
As reflected earlier, while the criminal complaints of Nancy were filed on May 30, 2003 before the MTC, it was only on August 13, 2003 or after two and a half months that respondent conducted the preliminary investigation for Criminal Case Nos. 3791 and 3792. And, per the Investigation Report of Judge Velasco, as of October 16, 2003 or more than four months after Criminal Case No. 3793 was filed, no action had yet been taken thereon by respondent.
By respondent’s admission, as of August 13, 2004 or more than a year after the criminal complaints were filed and exactly a year after the preliminary investigation for Criminal Case Nos. 3791 and 3792 was conducted, his resolutions thereon had yet to be transmitted to the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City.
As the above-quoted provisions of the Rules direct, after a preliminary investigation is conducted, the investigating judge must perform his ministerial duty to transmit within ten days after the conclusion thereof the resolution of the case together with the entire records to the provincial prosecutor.28 If on the other hand he determines, after examining the complaint and other documents offered in support thereof, that there is no ground to continue with the inquiry, he should dismiss the complaint and transmit the order of dismissal together with the records of the case to the provincial prosecutor within ten days from the filing of the complaint. And, examination or cross-examination by the parties is proscribed. Yet respondent not only allowed SPO4 Cadungog who acted as prosecutor to cross-examine the accused Roderick Sales; he also allowed the defense counsel to propound questions to Nancy and her mother.
It is a fundamental principle that the accused in a preliminary investigation has no right to cross-examine the witnesses which the complainant may present. Section 3, Rule 112 of the Rules of Court expressly provides that the respondent shall only have the right to submit a counter-affidavit, to examine all other evidence submitted by the complainant and, where the fiscal sets a hearing to propound clarificatory questions to the parties or their witnesses, to be afforded an opportunity to be present but without the right to examine or cross-examine.29 (Underscoring supplied)
Indubitably then, respondent was remiss in the performance of his duties when he not only allowed the cross-examination of the parties during the preliminary investigation but also failed to resolve the criminal complaints within the period mandated by law.
Judges owe it to the public to be knowledgeable, hence, they are expected to have more than just a modicum of acquaintance with the statutes and procedural rules.30 When the law is so elementary, not to know it or to act as if one does not know it constitutes gross ignorance of the law,31 the mainspring of injustice.32
And judges must be faithful to the laws and maintain professional competence.33
xxx Indeed, competence is a mark of a good judge. When a judge displays an utter lack of familiarity with the rules, he erodes the public’s confidence in the competence of our courts. Such is gross ignorance of the law. Having accepted the exalted position of a judge, he owes the public and the court the duty to be proficient in the law. Unfamiliarity with the Rules of Court is a sign of incompetence. Basic rules must be at the palm of his hands. A judge must be acquainted with legal norms and precepts as well as with procedural rules. xxx
x x x x
Verily, failure to follow basic legal commands embodied in the law and the Rules constitutes gross ignorance of the law, from which no one is excused, and surely not a judge.34 (Emphasis and underscoring supplied)
For gross ignorance of the law or procedure then, which is classified as a serious charge under Rule 140 of the Rules of Court, as amended by A.M. No. 01-8-10-SC,35 this Court faults respondent for which, under Section 11 of the same rule, any of the following sanctions may be imposed: (1) dismissal from the service, forfeiture of all or part of the benefits as the Court may determine, and disqualification from reinstatement or appointment to any public office, including government-owned or controlled corporations; provided, however, that the forfeiture of benefits shall in no case include accrued leave credits; (2) suspension from office without salary and other benefits for more than three (3) but not exceeding six (6) months; or (3) a fine of more than P20,000 but not exceeding P40,000.
The recommendation of the OCA to impose a fine of P21,000, being well-taken, is approved.
WHEREFORE, for gross ignorance of the law and procedure, respondent, Judge Rogaciano Y. Rivera of the Municipal Trial Court of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, is FINED in the amount of TWENTY ONE THOUSAND (P21,000) PESOS and STERNLY WARNED that a repetition of the same or similar act will merit a more severe penalty.
Let a copy of this Decision be entered in Judge Rivera’s personal record.
SO ORDERED.
CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:
ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBAN
Chief Justice
REYNATO S. PUNO
Associate Justice |
LEONARDO A. QUISUMBING
Asscociate Justice |
CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO
Associate Justice |
ANGELINA SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ
Asscociate Justice |
ANTONIO T. CARPIO
Associate Justice |
MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ
Asscociate Justice |
RENATO C. CORONA
Associate Justice |
ROMEO J. CALLEJO, SR.
Asscociate Justice |
ADOLFO S. AZCUNA
Associate Justice |
DANTE O. TINGA
Asscociate Justice |
MINITA CHICO-NAZARIO
Associate Justice |
CANCIO C. GARCIA
Asscociate Justice |
Footnotes
1 Rollo, pp. 2-4.
2 Id. at 2.
3 Id. at 3.
4 Ibid.
5 Id. at 23-25.
6 Id. at 23.
7 Id. at 24.
8 Ibid.
9 Id. at 33-34.
10 Id. at 33.
11 Id. at 35-36.
12 Id. at 36.
13 Id. at 26-27.
14 Id. at 26.
15 Ibid.
16 Id. at 42.
17 Id. at 43-44.
18 Id. at 81-83.
19 Id. at 82-83.
20 Id. at 84.
21 Id. at 88.
22 Id. at 86-87.
23 Id. at 96.
24 Id. at 97.
25 A.M. No. 00-4-07-SC.
26 Rule on Examination of a Child Witness, sec. 19.
27 Rule on Examination of a Child Witness, sec. 23.
28 Domingo v. Reyes, 368 Phil. 12, 18 (1999) (citation omitted), Cantela v. Almoradie, A.M. No. MTJ-93-749, February 7, 1994, 229 SCRA 712,716.
29 Paderanga v. Drilon, G.R. No. 96080, April 19, 1991, 196 SCRA 86, 93.
30 Domondon v. Lopez, 432 Phil. 953, 964 (2002) (citation omitted).
31 Mina v. Vianzon, A.M. No. RTJ-02-1682, March 23, 2004, 426 SCRA 56, 61, Agcaoili v. Ramos, A.M. No. MTJ-92-6-251, February 7, 1994, 229 SCRA 705, 710 (citation omitted), Uy v. Dizon-Capulong, A.M. No. RTJ-91-766, April 7, 1993, 221 SCRA 87, 95 (citation omitted).
32 Obedencio, Jr. v. Murillo, A.M. No. RTJ-03-1753, February 5, 2004, 422 SCRA 21, 24 (citation omitted).
33 Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3, Rule 3.01.
34 Guillen v. Cañon, 424 Phil. 81, 88-89 (2002) (citations omitted).
35 Promulgated on September 11, 2001 and effective on October 1, 2001.
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