Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
THIRD DIVISION
A.M. No. P-12-3027 January 30, 2012
[Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 11-3584-P]
LUIS P. PINEDA, Complainant
vs.
NEIL T. TORRES, Sheriff III, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Branch 2, Angeles City, Respondent.
D E C I S I O N
PERALTA, J.:
Before us is an administrative complaint filed by Luis P. Pineda (complainant) against Neil T. Torres (respondent), Sheriff III, Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC), Branch 2, Angeles City, Pampanga, for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service in relation to his implementation of the writs of replevin issued in Civil Case Nos. 10-845 and 10-848.
Complainant Luis Pineda is the owner of a business enterprise under the business name, Victorious Bakeshop, located at Km 72, McArthur Highway, San Isidro, San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Complainant alleged that on October 7, 2010, the MTCC, Branch 2, Angeles City, Pampanga issued writs of replevin in Civil Case Nos. 10-845 and 10-848. In Civil Case No. 10-845, respondent was directed to take possession of a Mitsubishi L-300 van with plate number CRK-401.1 While in Civil Case No. 10-848, respondent was directed to take possession of another Mitsubishi L-300 van with plate number CRK-128.2
Complainant narrated that on October 28, 2010, by virtue of said writ of replevin, respondent proceeded to the premises of Victorious Bakeshop at Km 72, McArthur Highway, San Isidro, San Fernando City, Pampanga, and unlawfully took possession of a Mitsubishi L-300 van with plate number CRK-128.
Likewise, on November 22, 2010, respondent, again, proceeded to the premises of Victorious Bakeshop and forcibly took a Mitsubishi L-300 van with plate number CRK-401.
Complainant claimed that in both instances respondent served and implemented the writs of replevin without notifying in writing the sheriff- in-charge in San Fernando City, Pampanga, where the vehicles were located. Consequently, complainant argued that respondent not only abused his authority but he is also liable for violation of paragraph 5 of Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 12.
To prove his allegations, complainant submitted a Certification3 dated December 6, 2010, issued by Juanita M. Flores, Clerk of Court IV of the MTCC of San Fernando City, Pampanga, which stated that respondent did not request for assistance regarding the implementation of the subject writs.
Finally, complainant further narrated that respondent Sheriff also rudely threatened Edilberto Jimenez (Jimenez), the security guard who was watching over the vehicles at the time the writs were being implemented.
In his Sinumpaang Salaysay, Jimenez quoted respondent saying in the vernacular, "Nung bisa kung iyabe daka keni pota galang ali naka agyung ipagtanggol ning amu mu." (Kung gusto mo idadawit kita baka hindi ka kayang ipagtanggol ng amo mo.). Jimenez claimed that he was embarrassed and felt humiliated as respondent seemed to belittle his position as security guard.
On January 12, 2011, the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA), directed respondent to file his Comment on the charges against him.4
In his Comment5 dated February 18, 2011, respondent claimed that he seized the subject vehicles in his capacity as Sheriff of the MTCC, Angeles City, and pursuant to the writs issued by the court. He claimed that the Mitsubishi L-300 with plate number CRK-128 was voluntarily and peacefully surrendered to him. Likewise, respondent claimed that he also exerted reasonable and lawful force in taking possession of the Mitsubishi L-300 van with plate number CRK-401 even though defendant Orlando David was able to instruct Jimenez to padlock the gate leading to the van.
Respondent sheriff denied uttering threatening words to Jimenez. He claimed that he merely tried to explain to Jimenez that he could end up being implicated in the case if he will prevent him from implementing a lawful order of the court.
With regard to the alleged violation of Administrative Circular No. 12, respondent claimed that he went to the Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC), MTCC, San Fernando City, Pampanga, to coordinate with the sheriff of the said court in the implementation of the writs. However, respondent alleged that the OCC-MTCC merely received the court processes he had in possession.
In his Reply6 dated April 5, 2011, complainant pointed out that respondent could not have complied with Administrative Circular No. 127 and notified in writing the OCC-MTCC, San Fernando City, Pampanga. Complainant presented a copy of the security guard's logbook where it was shown that respondent arrived at Victorious Bakeshop around 10:08 in the morning to implement the writ on October 28, 2010, while the certified true copies of the writs which respondent presented indicated rubber-stamp marks on the upper right hand corner that the OCC-MTCC of San Fernando City received said copies much later or at 11:50 in the morning.
Complainant maintained that respondent merely submitted copies of the writs and made no notice in writing in seeking the assistance of the sheriff of the place where the execution shall take place. He asserted that respondent should not have proceeded with the execution of the writ unless and until the assistance of the Sheriff of San Fernando City is provided.
In a Memorandum8 dated November 9, 2011, the OCA found respondent sheriff guilty of Grave Abuse of Authority and Violation of Administrative Circular No. 12. Thus, it recommended that the instant complaint be re-docketed as a regular administrative matter and that respondent be fined in the amount of ₱5,000.00.
We agree with the findings and recommendation of the OCA.
By the very nature of his duties, a sheriff performs a very sensitive function in the dispensation of justice. He is duty-bound to know the basic rules relative to the implementation of writs of execution, and should, at all times show a high degree of professionalism in the performance of his duties. The sheriff is the front-line representative of the justice system in this country, and if he loses the trust reposed in him, he inevitably diminishes, likewise, the faith of the people in the judiciary.9
Indeed, Administrative Circular No. 12 is explicit as to the rules to be followed in the implementation of writs. Paragraph 2 thereof states:
x x x x
2. All Clerks of Court of the Metropolitan Trial Court and Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, and/or their deputy sheriffs shall serve all court processes and execute all writs of their respective courts within their territorial jurisdiction;
x x x x
Paragraph 5 of the same circular is likewise clear and self-explanatory.
5. No sheriff or deputy sheriff shall execute a court writ outside his territorial jurisdiction without first notifying in writing, and seeking the assistance of, the sheriff of the place where the execution shall take place;
Guided by the above-mentioned Circular, it is clear that respondent's act of implementing the subject writs in San Fernando City, when his territorial jurisdiction is confined only to Angeles City, is a violation of the Circular and tantamount to abuse of authority. While respondent claimed that he personally informed the OCC of San Fernando City, he, however, failed to prove that he made written notice as required by Administrative Circular No. 12. A mere submission of the copies of the court processes to the OCC will not suffice as to the written notice requirement.
Precisely, Administrative Circular No. 12 was promulgated in order to streamline the service and execution of court writs and processes in courts and to better serve the public good and facilitate the administration of justice.10 The requirement of notice is based on the rudiments of justice and fair play. It frowns upon arbitrariness and oppressive conduct in the execution of an otherwise legitimate act. It is an amplification of the provision that every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the performance of his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due, and observe honesty and good faith.11 An immediate enforcement of a writ does not mean the abdication of the notification requirement.12
We have consistently stressed that officers of the court and all court personnel are exhorted to be vigilant in the execution of the law. Sheriffs, as agents of the law, are therefore called upon to discharge their duties with due care and utmost diligence. They cannot afford to err in serving court writs and processes and in implementing court orders lest they undermine the integrity of their office and the efficient administration of justice.13
WHEREFORE, the Court finds Neil T. Torres, Sheriff III, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Branch 2, Angeles City, Pampanga, GUILTY of ABUSE OF AUTHORITY and Violation of Administrative Circular No. 12. He is ORDERED to pay a FINE in the amount of FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (₱5,000.00),14 with a stern warning that a repetition of similar acts shall be dealt with more severely.
SO ORDERED.
DIOSDADO M. PERALTA
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:
PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.
Associate Justice
Chairperson
JOSE CATRAL MENDOZA
Associate Justice |
BIENVENIDO L. REYES*
Associate Justice |
ESTELA M. PERLAS-BERNABE
Associate Justice
Footnotes
* Designated as an additional member in lieu of Associate Justice Roberto A. Abad, per Special Order No. 1178 dated January 26, 2012.
1 Rollo, p. 2.
2 Id.
3 Id. at 10.
4 Id. at 11.
5 Id. at 12-19.
6 Id. at 25-28.
7 ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 12
SUPREME COURT CIRCULARS AND ORDERS
TO: ALL JUDGES AND CLERKS OF COURT OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, AND MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES
SUBJECT: GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURE IN THE SERVICE AND EXECUTION OF COURT WRITS AND PROCESSES IN THE REORGANIZED COURTS
For the purpose of streamlining the service and execution of court writs and processes in the reorganized courts under Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as "The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980", and to better serve the public good and facilitate the administration of justice, the Court set forth hereunder the following guidelines:
1. All Clerks of Court, who are also ex-officio sheriffs, and/or their deputy sheriffs shall serve all court processes and execute all writs of their respective courts within their territorial jurisdiction;
2. All Clerks of Court of the Metropolitan Trial Court and Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, and/or their deputy sheriffs shall serve all court processes and execute all writs of their respective courts within their territorial jurisdiction;
3. The judge of the Regional Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, and the Municipal Trial Court in Cities, in the absence of the deputy sheriff appointed and assigned in his sala, may at any time designate any of the deputy sheriffs in the office of the Clerk of Court. However, the said judge shall not be allowed to designate the deputy sheriff of another branch without first securing the consent of the Presiding Judge thereof;
4. All sheriffs and deputy sheriffs shall submit a report to the judge concerned on the action taken on all writs and processes assigned to them within ten (10) days from receipt of said process or writ. Said Report shall form part of the records of the case;
5. No sheriff or deputy sheriff shall execute a court writ outside his territorial jurisdiction without first notifying in writing, and seeking the assistance of, the sheriff of the place where the execution shall take place;
6. No sheriff or deputy sheriff shall act as special deputy sheriff of any party litigant;
7. The judge may be allowed to designate or deputize any person to serve court processes and writs in remote areas in the absence of the regular sheriff thereat;
8. The sheriff is primarily responsible for the speedy and efficient service of all court processes and writs originating from his court and the branches thereof, and those that may be delegated to him from other courts. He shall submit to the Office of the Court Administrator, Supreme Court, a monthly report which shall indicate therein the number of writs and processes issued and served, as well as the number of writs and processes unserved, during the month, and the names of deputy sheriffs who executed each writ. Unserved writs and processes shall be explained in the report.
8 Rollo, pp. 32-35.
9 Reyes v. Cabusao, A.M. No. P-03-1676, July 15, 2005, 463 SCRA 433, 437-438.
10 Torres v. Cabesuela, 418 Phil. 45, 450 (2001).
11 Raymundo v. Calaguas, A.M. No. P-01-1496, January 28, 2005, 449 SCRA 437, 443.
12 Manuel v. Escalante, G.R. No. 134141, August 13, 2002, 387 SCRA 239, 246.
13 Torres v. Cabesuela, supra note 10.
14 Following Raymundo v. Calaguas, supra note 11, at 445.
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