Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 1999 > November 1999 Decisions > A.M. No. 99-10-10-SC November 29, 1999 - RE: DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST ANTONIO LAMANO:




PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

EN BANC

[A.M. No. 99-10-10-SC. November 29, 1999.]

RE: DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST ANTONIO LAMANO, JR., OF THE JUDGMENT DIVISION, SUPREME COURT.

R E S O L U T I O N


GONZAGA-REYES, J.:


Before us is an Affidavit-Complaint filed by Valeriana Almojeda, Property Division of the Court of Appeals against Antonio Lamano, Jr. of the Judgment Division of the Supreme Court for misconduct. The complaint states that at about 7:30 in the morning of March 5, 1999 while she was in line at the Supreme Court canteen she felt somebody from behind insert a finger in between her buttocks which reached her intimate part. When she turned to see who it was she saw the Respondent. She berated him and he immediately apologized. The complainant stated that instead of feeling remorse the respondent while eating kept laughing and occasionally looked her way and that even after the day of the incident the respondent continued to tell his friends about it causing more pain and humiliation to the complainant.chanrobles.com.ph : virtual law library

The respondent filed Answer to the Complaint and states that it was a case of mistaken identity. He only wanted to play a prank on his friend Carlo of the Judicial Records Office of the Supreme Court who looked like the complainant from behind. Respondent alleges that he touched or squeezed but not fingered the complainant’s buttocks and that when he saw that the person he touched was not his friend Carlo but the complainant he immediately apologized. Respondent denies spreading gossip about the incident.

A friend of the respondent, Rodolfo Reboredo, who was present at the scene of the incident stated in his affidavit:jgc:chanrobles.com.ph

"At nasaksihan ko na inakbayan niya (Lumano, Jr) ang nasabing nakasuot ng striped na T-shirt at maong na pantalon. Sa pag-aakala ko na kilala niya iyon hindi ko ito binigyan ng pansin, at laking gulat ko na lamang ang malakas na pagpapaumanhin ni Antonio Lamano na sabi ay "sorry po ma’am, hindi ko po sinasadya, inaamin ko na nagkamali po ako, sorry po talaga." Nang matapos ang argumento kami ay naupo na sa hapag kainan kasama si G. Otillo Pamittan, at si Antonio ay nakayukong umiiling-iling at natatawa sa kanyang sarili. Tinanong ko kung ano ang ginawa niya at ang sabi niya ay "pare, nagkamali ako, ang akala ko si Carlo yong babae, sinundot ko iyong puwet"

In her Reply complainant reiterated that respondent inserted his finger in between her buttocks as he admitted to Rodolfo Reboredo immediately after the incident. Complainant insists that she does not look even remotely similar to Carlo of the Judicial Records Office. She further states that even assuming that it was a case of mistaken identity the respondent should be held responsible for his acts which caused gross embarrassment to the complainant.

The Complaints and Investigation Division of this Court filed memorandum finding the respondent guilty of simple misconduct and recommends the imposition of a fine equivalent to his two weeks salary with stern warning that a repetition of the same act will be dealt with more severely. The investigating attorney found the respondent’s defense of mistaken identity untenable and stated that the act committed by the respondent by itself falls short of the highest degree of propriety and decorum required of government employees.chanrobles virtual lawlibrary

The recommendation of the Complaints and Investigation Division is well-taken.

Government officials and employees, more specifically those employed in the Judiciary, are bound by the highest standards of propriety and decorum to maintain the people’s respect and faith in the Judiciary. 1 Such dictates apply not only between the said personnel and the public but among co-workers as well. 2 Any transgression or deviation from the established norm of conduct, work related or not, amounts to a misconduct. Any scandalous behavior or any act that may erode the people’s high esteem for the Judiciary is considered an act unbecoming an employee of the Judiciary. 3

The affidavit of respondent’s own witness supports the complainant’s allegation that the respondent inserted his finger in between her buttocks which reached her private part. The act committed by the respondent in a public place is grossly humiliating to the complainant and such conduct cannot be condoned. Although malice was not sufficiently established the act committed exhibited a serious lack of proper decorum which is required of every employee. The act is lewd and rude and no excuse e.g. mistaken identity, can convince this Court to dismiss such conduct as an unfortunate incident. The complainant’s allegation that the respondent spread gossip about the incident is not supported by evidence.

Wherefore, respondent is found guilty of simple misconduct and imposed a fine equivalent to his two weeks salary.

SO ORDERED.chanrobles.com : virtual law library

Davide, Jr., C.J., Melo, Puno, Panganiban, Quisumbing, Purisima, Pardo, Buena, Ynares-Santiago and De Leon, Jr., JJ., concur.

Bellosillo, J., I agree with J. Mendoza that respondent should only be guilty of simple misconduct and an admonition or reprimand at most, should be imposed.

Vitug, J., I believe Antonio Lamano, Jr., is guilty of simple misconduct for which reprimand should be sufficient. I, therefore, so vote.

Kapunan, J., I join Justice Mendoza in his opinion that respondent is guilty of simple misconduct so that reprimand would suffice.

Endnotes:



1. OCAD v. Yambao, 221 SCRA 77; Quiroz v. Orfila, A.M. P-96-1210, May 7, 1997.

2. Tablate v. Tanjutco-Seechung, 234 SCRA 161 Policarpio v. Fortus, 248 SCRA 272.

3. Agapa v. Ponce, 245 SCRA 233; Moreno v. Bragat, A.M. P-94-1072, August 5, 1998.




Back to Home | Back to Main




















chanrobles.com





ChanRobles On-Line Bar Review

ChanRobles Internet Bar Review : www.chanroblesbar.com

ChanRobles MCLE On-line

ChanRobles Lawnet Inc. - ChanRobles MCLE On-line : www.chanroblesmcleonline.com






November-1999 Jurisprudence                 

  • A.M. No. P-99-1315 November 3, 1999 - JESUSA MANINGAS, ET AL. v. CARLITO C. BARCENAS

  • G.R. No. 136448 November 3, 1999 - LIM TONG LIM v. PHIL. FISHING GEAR INDUSTRIES

  • G.R. No. 137136 November 3, 1999 - NORTHWEST AIRLINES v. CAMILLE T. CRUZ, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 135913 November 4, 1999 - VICTORIANO B. TIROL v. CIPRIANO A. DEL ROSARIO, ET AL.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-98-1425 November 16, 1999 - DOMINGO G. PANGANIBAN v. PABLO B. FRANCISCO, ET AL.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-99-1504 November 16, 1999 - ANG KEK CHEN v. AMALIA R. ANDRADE

  • G.R. No. 106593 November 16, 1999 - NAT’L HOUSING AUTHORITY v. MAURO T. ALLARDE, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 106795 November 16, 1999 - STATE INVESTMENT HOUSE v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 113638 November 16, 1999 - A. D. GOTHONG MANUFACTURING CORP. EMPLOYEES UNION-ALU v. NIEVES CONFESOR, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 115180 November 16, 1999 - FILIPINO PIPE AND FOUNDRY CORP. v. NLRC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 123045 November 16, 1999 - DEMETRIO R. TECSON v. SANDIGANBAYAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 123686 November 16, 1999 - APOLINARIO MELO, ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 124166 November 16, 1999 - BENGUET CORP. v. NLRC, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 125814-15 November 16, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. SAMSON PATALINGHUG

  • G.R. No. 126332 November 16, 1999 - LAND BANK OF THE PHIL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL

  • G.R. No. 128361 November 16, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MOROY "SONNY" GALLO

  • G.R. No. 128452 November 16, 1999 - COMPANIA MARITIMA v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 128957 November 16, 1999 - ANTONIO PARE v. NLRC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 131235 November 16, 1999 - UST FACULTY UNION (USTFU) v. BENEDICTO ERNESTO R. BITONIO JR.

  • G.R. No. 131777 November 16, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ROSALINDA ARIOLA

  • G.R. No. 132497 November 16, 1999 - LUIS MIGUEL YSMAEL, ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • A.C. No. 5170 November 17, 1999 - LILIA FERRER TUCAY v. MANUEL R. TUCAY

  • ADM. MATTER No. RTJ-95-1324 November 17, 1999 - EVARISTO MANAHON v. ALVIN I. TAN

  • G.R. No. 123152 November 17, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. RODRIGO LASOLA

  • G.R. No. 129169 November 17, 1999 - NIA v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 129256 November 17, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JOEL PINCA

  • G.R. No. 130591 November 17, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. CARMELO LACABA

  • G.R. No. 130607 November 17, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. RUSTICO RIVERA

  • G.R. No. 131499 November 17, 1999 - HERMIE M. HERRERA, ET AL. v. COMELEC

  • G.R. Nos. 132216 & 133479 November 17, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. SALVADOR TORIO

  • G.R. No. 132238 November 17, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. LITO BAYGAR

  • G.R. No. 133148 November 17, 1999 - J.R. BLANCO v. WILLIAM H. QUASHA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 134467 November 17, 1999 - ATLAS CONSOLIDATED MINING & DEV’T. CORP. v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE

  • A.M. No. P-99-1326 November 18, 1999 - MARIVIC T. BALISI-UMALI v. SIXTO A. PEÑALOSA

  • A.M. No. P-99-1338 November 18, 1999 - ESTELA P. VALLES v. NILA ARZAGA-QUIJANO

  • G.R. No. 103476 November 18, 1999 - CODIDI MATA, ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS

  • G.R. No. 106531 November 18, 1999 - FERNANDO GARCIA, ET AL. v. PEOPLE OF THE PHIL., ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 109371 November 18, 1999 - JOSE GAUDIA v. NLRC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 122240 November 18, 1999 - CRISTONICO B. LEGAHI v. NLRC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 127167 November 18, 1999 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. NLRC, ET AL

  • A.M. No. P-94-1080, P-95-1128 & P-95-1144 November 19, 1999 - DINAH CHRISTINA A. AMANE, ET AL. v. SUSAN MENDOZA-ARCE, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 110048 November 19, 1999 - SERVICEWIDE SPECIALISTS v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 114198 November 19, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MATEO BALUDDA

  • G.R. No. 114508 November 19, 1999 - PRIBHDAS J. MIRPURI v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 115412 November 19, 1999 - HOME BANKERS SAVINGS AND TRUST COMPANY v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 126932 November 19, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. PASCUA GALLADAN

  • G.R. No. 127768 November 19, 1999 - UNITED AIRLINES v. WILLIE J. UY

  • G.R. No. 128797 November 19, 1999 - FIRST NATIONWIDE ASSURANCE CORPORATION v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 129096 November 19, 1999 - MARIVIC ZARATE v. COMELEC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 129732 November 19, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MARIO BASCO

  • G.R. No. 130772 November 19, 1999 - WALLEM MARITIME SERVICES v. NLRC, Et. Al.

  • G.R. No. 130922 November 19, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ALFREDO REQUIZ

  • G.R. No. 131479 November 19, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ROLANDO GASPAR

  • G.R. No. 131732 November 19, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. WILSON CATAMPONGAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 132474 November 19, 1999 - RENATO CENIDO v. AMADEO APACIONADO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 132644 November 19, 1999 - ERNESTO DAVID, ET AL. v. CRISTITO MALAY, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 134685 November 19, 1999 - MARIA ANTONIA SIGUAN v. ROSA LIM

  • A.M. No. P-94-1076 November 22, 1999 - ENRIQUE M. ALMARIO v. JAMESWELL M. RESUS, ET AL.

  • A.M. No. P-99-1341 November 22, 1999 - JULITO BIAG v. LUALHATI GUBATANGA

  • G.R. No. 97914 November 22, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JOEL BROMO

  • G.R. No. 122279 November 22, 1999 - C & A CONSTRUCTION CO. v. NLRC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 127566 November 22, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EULALIO PADIL

  • G.R. No. 135562 November 22, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. BENITO BRAVO

  • Administrative Case No. 5169 November 24, 1999 - ELMO S. MOTON v. RAYMUNDO D. CADIAO

  • A.M. No. P-99-1351 November 24, 1999 - RENATO G. CUNANAN v. ARTURO C. FLORES

  • G.R. No. 66508 November 24, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. FORTUNATO SIOC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 102648 November 24, 1999 - DRS. ALENDRY and FLORA P. CAVILES v. EVELYN and RAMON T. BAUTISTA

  • G.R. No. 110559 November 24, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ROLANDO SABAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 111854 November 24, 1999 - BARANGAY BLUE RIDGE "A" OF QUEZON CITY v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 114671 November 24, 1999 - AURELIO SALINAS v. NLRC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 119492 November 24, 1999 - ROLANDO MALINAO, ET AL. v. NLRC

  • G.R. No. 122006 November 24, 1999 - ALLIED INVESTIGATION BUREAU v. SECRETARY OF LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

  • G.R. No. 132748 November 24, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ROLANDO PATRIARCA

  • G.R. No. 135864 November 24, 1999 - AUGUSTO TOLEDO v. COMELEC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 138876 November 24, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EGMEDIO LAMPAZA

  • A.M. No. 99-9-141-MTCC November 25, 1999 - HOLD DEPARTURE ORDER ISSUED BY JUDGE FELIPE M. ABALOS

  • A.M. No. MTJ-99-1236 November 25, 1999 - GERMAN AGUNDAY v. NIETO T. TRESVALLES

  • A.M. No. MTJ-99-1237 November 25, 1999 - ALFONSO LUMIBAO, ET AL. v. MAMERTO C. PANAL

  • G.R. No. 109024 November 25, 1999 - HEIRS OF MARCIANO SANGLE v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 109307 November 25, 1999 - TEODORA SALTIGA DE ROMERO, ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 114262 November 25, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. QUIRINO QUIJADA

  • G.R. No. 119466 November 25, 1999 - SALVADOR and LIGAYA ADORABLE. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 122823 November 25, 1999 - SEA COMMERCIAL COMPANY v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 123059 November 25, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EDUARDO CAPILLO

  • G.R. No. 124140 November 25, 1999 - BERNARDO B. RESOSO v. SANDIGANBAYAN

  • G.R. No. 127347 November 25, 1999 - ALFREDO N. AGUILA v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 128389 November 25, 1999 - DON ORESTES ROMUALDEZ ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE v. NLRC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 129958 November 25, 1999 - MIGUEL MELENDRES v. COMELEC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 134340 November 25, 1999 - LININDING PANGANDAMAN v. COMELEC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 116616 November 26, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. RICARDO EMBERGA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 117929 November 26, 1999 - CORA VERGARA v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 129955 November 26, 1999 - MARIANO and JULIETA MADRIGAL v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 134229 November 26, 1999 - LITO and JERRY LIMPANGOG. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • A.M. No. 99-10-10-SC November 29, 1999 - RE: DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST ANTONIO LAMANO

  • G.R. No. 116320 November 29, 1999 - ADALIA FRANCISCO v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 119341 November 29, 1999 - EDUARDO FONTANILLA, ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. 119350-51 November 29, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MAURO SUBA

  • G.R. No. 123307 November 29, 1999 - SAMUEL BARANGAN v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 124640 November 29, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. JERRY A. CAPCO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 126800 November 29, 1999 - NATALIA P. BUSTAMANTE v. RODITO F. ROSEL, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 127840 November 29, 1999 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ROLAND PARAISO

  • G.R. No. 128743 November 29, 1999 - ORO CAM ENTERPRISES v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 133750 November 29, 1999 - APEX MINING, ET AL. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 133927 November 29, 1999 - MA. AMELITA C. VILLAROSA v. COMELEC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 135423 November 29, 1999 - JESUS L. CHU v. COMELEC, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 136191 November 29, 1999 - JESUS O. TYPOCO v. COMELEC, ET AL.