Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2014 > September 2014 Decisions > G.R. No. 191712, September 17, 2014 - EDITA S. BUENO AND MILAGROS E. QUINAJON, Petitioners, v. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, NAPOLEON S. RONQUILLO, JR., EDNA G. RAÑA AND ROMEO G. REFRUTO, Respondents.:




G.R. No. 191712, September 17, 2014 - EDITA S. BUENO AND MILAGROS E. QUINAJON, Petitioners, v. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, NAPOLEON S. RONQUILLO, JR., EDNA G. RAÑA AND ROMEO G. REFRUTO, Respondents.

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. 191712, September 17, 2014

EDITA S. BUENO AND MILAGROS E. QUINAJON, Petitioners, v. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, NAPOLEON S. RONQUILLO, JR., EDNA G. RAÑA AND ROMEO G. REFRUTO, Respondents.

D E C I S I O N

VILLARAMA, JR., J.:

Before the Court is a petition for review under Rule 45 seeking to reverse and set aside the Decision1 dated November 4, 2009 and Resolution2 dated March 18, 2010 of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. SP No. 105925.  The CA affirmed the Decision3 dated January 22, 2007 of the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) in OMB-C-A-05-0065-B finding the petitioners Edita S. Bueno (National Electrification Administration [NEA] Administrator) and Milagros E. Quinajon (Director of NEA’s Institutional Development Department) guilty of violation of Section 5 (a) of Republic Act No. (RA) 6713 otherwise known as the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.”

Factual Antecedents

On February 13, 1998, former Administrator Teodorico P. Sanchez of the NEA issued a memorandum “Re: Consolidated Guidelines on the Candidacy of Coop Officials and Employees in Local, National and Barangay Elections and Related Matters.” Said memorandum provided, among others, that: (1) all board members, general managers and employees of electric cooperatives shall be considered automatically resigned from their respective positions effective upon filing of their Certificates of Candidacy; (2) directors who ran and lost in the national and local elections shall not be eligible for re-appointment; and (3) in the event that the spouse of an incumbent director runs and wins in these elections, the director shall be considered automatically resigned when the spouse takes his/her oath of office.4cralawlawlibrary

On the basis of the aforementioned memorandum of Administrator Teodorico P.  Sanchez, petitioner Edita S. Bueno who was then NEA Deputy Administrator for Cooperatives Development, issued on February 9, 2001 a memorandum addressed to all regional electrification directors  on the subject “Candidacy of Electric Coop Officials and Employees in the May 14, 2001 National and Local Elections” stating, among others, that “[A]ll board members, general managers and employees of ECs shall be considered automatically resigned from their respective positions effective upon filing of their Certificates of Candidacy.”5cralawlawlibrary

On June 25, 2001, in reply to NEA Administrator Manuel Luis Sanchez’s letters, the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) issued Opinion No. 1156 stating that the subject memoranda are not valid  rules and regulations, and hence have no force and effect on electric cooperatives for the following reasons: (1) they have not been formulated, adopted and approved by the NEA Board of Administrators which is the body vested by law with the power to promulgate rules and regulations; and (2) they have not been filed with the University of the Philippines (UP) Law Center as required by Chapter 2, Book VII of the Administrative Code of 1987.  In the same opinion, NEA was advised to have the subject memoranda approved by the NEA Board of Administrators and filed with the UP Law Center.

Under Resolution No. 56 issued on May 27, 2004, the NEA Board of Administrators approved the subject memorandum issued by former NEA Administrator Teodorico P. Sanchez.  The said memorandum was likewise published in the Official Gazette on March 21, 2005.7cralawlawlibrary

On December 7, 2004, private respondents Napoleon S. Ronquillo, Jr., Edna G. Raña and Romeo G. Refruto filed criminal and administrative complaints before the OMB charging petitioner Bueno (now the NEA Administrator) with “Gross Neglect of Duty and violations of the pertinent provisions of RA 6713. Private respondents alleged:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

3.  That notwithstanding said advise from NEA’s statutory counsel respondent BUENO who was fully aware of its existence being then the Deputy Administrator for Cooperatives Development and thereafter as Chief Operating Officer of NEA and eventually as its Administrator continued its implementation to the damage and prejudice of the 119 electric cooperatives nationwide;

4.  That its unlawful implementation specifically by respondents BUENO and QUINAJON had caused and is still causing irreparable damage and injury to officers and employees of electric cooperatives who happens to be victims of this null and void NEA Rules and Regulations, the latest of which was the case of ALEJANDRO RANCHEZ, JR. of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (INEC) who was unceremoniously and unlawfully removed as director of said electric cooperative by respondents BUENO and QUINAJON using aforesaid memoranda as basis, copies of the letter directives issued by them are hereto attached and marked as ANNEX “D” and ANNEX “D-1” for ready reference and made integral parts hereof;

5.  Respondent members of the NEA Board of Administrators chaired by DOE Secretary VINCENT PEREZ are being joined and included in this complaint by virtue of their tolerance and inaction in relation to the implementation of said null and void Rules and Regulations notwithstanding their acquiescence of its infirmities.

WHEREFORE, in the light of the foregoing considerations, complainants pray that:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

a) Pending hearing/investigation on the merits of this case respondents EDITA S. BUENO and MILAGROS E. QUINAJON be placed under PREVENTIVE SUSPENSION there being sufficient grounds to warrant its issuance pursuant to the Ombudsman Act and pertinent laws herein applicable;

b) That in aid of investigation that a subpoena duces tecum be issued to:
  1. EDITA S. BUENO and MILAGROS E. QUINAJON for them to produce the original copy of the advertive [sic] OGCC Opinion and the entire records of ALEJANDRO RANCHEZ, JR. of INEC including the latest recommendation of the NEA Legal Services Office issued a few days before the NEA Board meeting on November 24, 2004 making a pronouncement as to the impropriety/illegality of aforesaid memorandum;

  2. NOLLIE B. ALAMILLO for him to produce copy of the Petition for Review filed by ALEJANDRO RANCHEZ, JR.  with the NEA Board of Administrators together with the action/s taken by him and the NEA Board of Administrators specifically its board meeting dated November 24, 2004.
c) That after the determination of the existence of a PRIMA FACIE CASE against all the respondents, that the corresponding INFORMATIONS be filed with the SANDIGANBAYAN considering that they are holding positions from SALARY GRADE 26 and above;

d) That respondents be dealt with administratively by DISMISSING them from the service.8

The administrative aspect of the above complaint was subsequently docketed as OMB-C-A-05-0065-B for “Gross Neglect of Duty, RA 6713”, while the criminal aspect was docketed as OMB-C-A-05-0062-B.

Alejandro Ranchez, Jr. (Ranchez), who was mentioned in the complaint, was a duly elected Director of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (INEC) whose wife, Ms. Genaline Judith R. Ranchez, was elected and sworn into office as a Sangguniang Bayan Member of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.  As per the letter dated July 20, 2004 of Quinajon, Ranchez was considered automatically resigned as Director of INEC.  Ranchez sought reconsideration but NEA Administrator Bueno, in her letter dated September 27, 2004, denied his request and asserted that the subject memoranda shall be fully implemented unless and until declared illegal or unconstitutional by a competent court.9cralawlawlibrary

In his letter dated November 18, 2004 Ranchez had requested from Quinajon for a copy of the memorandum of the NEA Legal Office dated November 18, 2004 addressed to Quinajon. In another letter dated November 3, 2004 addressed to Bueno, Ranchez sought deferment of implementation by the Board of Directors of INEC of NEA’s decision on his disqualification as Director pending resolution of his petition for review filed before the NEA Board of Administrators.

On May 19, 2005, the OMB denied private respondents’ prayer for the preventive suspension of petitioners.10cralawlawlibrary

In their position paper, petitioners denied having committed any neglect of duty in connection with the implementation of the subject memoranda.  They explained that the February 13, 1998 memorandum of Administrator Teodorico P. Sanchez, the basis of Bueno’s February 9, 2001 memorandum have been duly ratified by the NEA Board of Administrators on May 27, 2004 under Resolution No. 56.  They also argued that the private respondents have no sufficient interest in the controversy and filed the complaint in bad faith since private respondent Ronquillo who is the Division Manager of NEA’s Legal Department should have advised the private respondents on the proper remedies.11cralawlawlibrary

Private respondents in their position paper again discussed the case of Mr. Ranchez which they said belied petitioners’ averments in their counter-affidavit that they were not negligent in the implementation of the subject memoranda declared as null and void by the OGCC.  Attached to the position paper is the affidavit executed by Ranchez, which reads:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

x x x x

4.  That sometime on the first week of October, 2004, I was accompanied by then INEC Director Parado to the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and inquired from the NEA Corporate Secretary if the Memorandum dated February 9, 2001 and the ELECTION GUIDELINES which was made by NEA Administrator Bueno in removing me as a duly elected Director of INEC had already been approved by the NEA Board of Administrators and eventually submitted to the UP Law Center as required by the Administrative Code.  The NEA Corporate Secretary informed me that there was no approval yet as of that date and hence it had not yet been submitted to the UP Law Center;

5.  That relying on the pronouncement made by the NEA Corporate Secretary, I filed a Motion [f]or Reconsideration with NEA on October 22, 2004 addressed to the NEA Board [o]f Administrators inviting their attention on the legal infirmities caused by said Memorandum of NEA Administrator Bueno, copy furnished the NEA Legal Department;

6.  That on October 29, 2004, the NEA Corporate Secretary Mr. Nollie Alamillo sent to me a letter with the information that my request will be taken up in the next regular meeting of the NEA Board of Administrators;

7.  That thereafter and when I made follow ups with the Office of the Corporate Secretary, Mr. Alamillo informed me that upon instructions made by NEA Administrator Bueno, said request for reconsideration was not included in the agenda for the Board Meeting and other meetings of the Board that transpired;

8.  That on November 2004 I again prepared another letter communication addressed to Administrator Bueno with the request that I be allowed to sit as Director pending resolution and determination by the NEA Board of Administrators of my Motion [f]or Reconsideration;

9.  That I made several follow ups with NEA but I was only referred to its different Offices one of which was the NEA Legal Office whom per information relayed by the Office of Administrator Bueno was tasked to attend to my case;

10.  That the Legal Department made a favorable recommendation on my case and I was instructed to follow up their recommendation with the Office of Director Milagros Quinajon;

11. That at the Office of Director whereby I was made to wait until 7:30 in the evening, I again reiterated the issue on the legal infirmities of the aforesaid Memorandum and they had even a telephone conversation with our local officials but Director Quinajon just told me to come back the following day;

12.  That when I came back the following day, I was informed by her staff that she (Quinajon) was on travel in the Province;

13.  That despite follow ups made, all efforts I had exerted resulted in futility because of the uncalled for acts unbecoming of public servants demonstrated by Administrator Bueno and her staff MILAGROS QUINAJON;

14.  That I ventilated this matter with the Office of the President thru the Malacañang Legal Staff whereby my case had [already been] submitted for decision;

x x x x12

Ruling of the Ombudsman

The Ombudsman dismissed the administrative case against respondent officials except petitioners, thus:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

WHEREFORE, in light of the foregoing ratiocination, this Office finds, as follows:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

  1. The complaint filed against former Secretary of the Department of Energy, VINCENT S. PEREZ; and PABLO M. PAN III, WILFRED L. BILLENA and JOSEPH D. KHONG HUN, all members of the Board of Administrators, NEA, is hereby DISMISSED for lack of substantial evidence; andChanRoblesVirtualawlibrary

  2. EDITA S. BUENO and MILAGROS E. QUINAJON, Administrator and Director, respectively, National Electrification Administration (NEA) are hereby found guilty of Violation of Section 5(a) of Republic Act No. 6713 in relation with Section 3(a)(2), Rule VI of the Rules Implementing Republic Act No. 6713.  Absent any showing of intent or bad faith on their part, they are accordingly meted the penalty of REPRIMAND pursuant to Section 10(a), Rule III of Administrative Order No. 7.  Further, the charge of Gross Neglect of Duty against them is hereby dismissed for lack of substantial evidence.

Let a copy of this Decision be furnished the Honorable Secretary of the Department of Energy for his information and the proper implementation of the same, with the directive that he should submit a compliance report to this Office within five (5) days from the implementation of this Decision.

SO DECIDED.13chanrobleslaw

According to the Ombudsman, since the NEA Board of Administrators already passed its resolution approving the subject memoranda as early as May 27, 2004, it cannot be said that Secretary Perez and Board of Administrators members Pan, Billena and Khong Hun are remiss in their duties or tolerated the problem.  It was found that said officials resolved to put an end to the controversy after much deliberation and taking into consideration the advice given by the NEA Legal Division through Atty. Hernandez.

However, as to petitioners, the Ombudsman found sufficient evidence for violation of Section 5(a) of RA 6713, viz:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Records would show that the letter dated November 3, 2004 of Alejandro E. Ranchez was received by the NEA Records Section on November 4, 2004 x x x.  It would appear however, that on May 27, 2004 or almost six (6) months before the said letter of Ranchez, the NEA Board of Administrator[s] had already passed Resolution No. 56.  Nonetheless, there is nothing in the records that would show that the NEA administration exerted efforts to enlighten Ranchez of the effect of Resolution No. 56 to his petition for review or reconsideration nor put an end to the issues brought about by his petition for review or reconsideration.

Although it may be argued that the subject Resolution itself would be enough to answer the query posited by Ranchez, the above-quoted provision is clear that there is a need for the agency to give a definite answer on the said letter/s of Ranchez.14chanrobleslaw

Petitioners filed a motion for reconsideration arguing that they cannot be found guilty of an offense which was not even charged in the complaint.  They claimed that they attended to all the queries of Ranchez through the letters dated November 18, 2004 and November 19, 2004 sent by Quinajon, attaching copies thereof to the motion.15cralawlawlibrary

In denying petitioners’ motion for reconsideration, the Ombudsman pointed out that in all the directives sent to petitioners, it is very clear that the charge of violation of RA 6713 was always indicated.  In addition, the complaint couched their charge in general terms: “xxx for GROSS NEGLECT OF DUTY and violations of pertinent provisions of the Code of Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees (R.A. 6713).”  Further, it was explained that even if the charge does not appear or is not explicitly written in the complaint, the Ombudsman is not precluded from charging and finding the respondents guilty of RA 6713 based on (a) the allegations of the complaint itself and the facts appearing in the records of the case; and (b) the administrative charge of Neglect of Duty as defined, means a failure on the part of a public officer to do and perform some of the duties of this office, and hence Section 5(a) would fall under this category.16cralawlawlibrary

As to the alleged letters sent to Ranchez by Quinajon, the Ombudsman found that there was no proof presented that Ranchez indeed was furnished copy of the said documents and the same were never submitted in evidence or attached to their counter-affidavits or position papers.17cralawlawlibrary

Ruling of the CA

The CA affirmed the Ombudsman in holding that the petitioners were properly informed of the charge against them and that they were guilty of violation of Section 5(a) of RA 6713, thus:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

As aptly pointed out by the Ombudsman, there is no proof that Ranchez received the November 19, 2004 letter.  Furthermore, even if such letter was indeed received by Ranchez, under the circumstances, such letter fails to address the situation.  It bears repeating that, at the time the alleged November 19, 2004 letter was made, the Board of Administrators of NEA had already approved the questioned memorandum.  Thus, the Petitioners should have, at the very least, notified Ranchez of such a fact instead of merely stating that [they] are evaluating [his] position in coordination with the NEA Legal Department.  While this Court will not characterize the acts of the Petitioners as deliberately misleading, they have certainly withheld crucial information which would have answered the query of Mr. Ranchez once and for all.18chanrobleslaw

In their motion for reconsideration,19 petitioners stressed that Ranchez is not the complainant in the case before the OMB but only private respondents; hence, it is incorrect for the OMB to have found petitioners administratively liable.  They also contended that it is legally presumed that Ranchez received the November 19, 2004 letter of NEA addressing his queries.  The CA denied the said motion.

Petitioners’ Argument

Petitioners aver that the CA failed to consider the fact that the Ombudsman erroneously found them administratively liable notwithstanding that Ranchez, who was the subject of the purported nonfeasance, was not even a complainant in the case before the Ombudsman.  Citing Section 20, paragraph 4 of RA 6670 (Ombudsman Act), petitioners argue that private respondents have no sufficient personal interest in the violation which have been committed.

It was also asserted that the dispositive portion of the Ombudsman’ decision stating the absence of proof that petitioners’ act was intentional or tainted with bad faith, even validates such lack of substantial evidence of violation of Section 5(a) of RA 6713.  Thus, the penalty of reprimand imposed on petitioners is not justified.

Our Ruling

The petition has no merit.

The authority of the Ombudsman to investigate and prosecute illegal and unjust acts of those who are in the public service emanates from no less than the 1987 Constitution.  Section 12 of Article XI states:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Section 12.  The Ombudsman and his Deputies, as protectors of the people, shall act promptly on complaints filed in any form or manner against public officials or employees of the Government, or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations,  and shall,  in  appropriate  cases,  notify the complainants of the action taken and the result thereof.

As mandated by the 1987 Constitution, The Ombudsman Act was enacted in line with the state’s policy of maintaining honesty and integrity in the public service and take effective measures against graft and corruption.20   Section 15 (1) of said Act provides:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

SEC. 15. Powers, Functions and Duties. – The Office of the Ombudsman shall have the following powers, functions and duties:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

(1) Investigate and prosecute on its own or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public officer or employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient.  It has primary jurisdiction over cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan and, in the exercise of this primary jurisdiction, it may take over, at any stage, from any investigatory agency of Government, the investigation of such cases;

x x x x

There is clearly no question on the legal standing of private respondents to file the administrative complaint against petitioners before the Ombudsman. Indeed, the Office of the Ombudsman is mandated to “investigate and prosecute on its own or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public officer or employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient.” The Ombudsman can act on anonymous complaints and motu proprio inquire into alleged improper official acts or omissions from whatever source, e.g., a newspaper.  Thus, any complainant may be entertained by the Ombudsman for the latter to initiate an inquiry and investigation for alleged irregularities.21cralawlawlibrary

It must also be mentioned that while Ranchez was not joined as complainants before the Ombudsman, he executed an affidavit attesting to the truth of the allegations in the complaint that petitioners failed to respond to his letters in connection with his pending motion for reconsideration with the NEA Board of Administrators and inform him of the status of the subject memoranda.  This affidavit was submitted by the private respondents before the Ombudsman in support of their charge of gross neglect of duty and violations of RA 6713 against the petitioners.

Petitioners argue that the Ombudsman erred in not dismissing the administrative complaint as there was no showing of sufficient personal interest on the part of private respondents, pursuant to Section 20(4) of RA 6770 and this Court’s ruling in Baltazar v. Hon. Ombudsman22 where an administrative complaint was dismissed due to want of personal interest in the subject matter.  They point out that as admitted by them in their sworn complaints, private respondents were former employees who were replaced upon the reorganization of NEA and have not been candidates to any elective position in any electric cooperative in the Philippines. Private respondents thus do not even stand to be affected by the subject memoranda which were declared null and void by the OGCC.

We disagree.

Section 20 of RA 6770 provides:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

SEC. 20. Exceptions.  – The Office of the Ombudsman may not conduct the necessary investigation of any administrative act or omission complained of if it believes that:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

(1)  The complainant has adequate remedy in another judicial or quasi-judicial body;

(2)  The complaint pertains to a matter outside the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman;

(3)  The complaint is trivial, frivolous, vexatious or made in bad faith;

(4) The complaint has no sufficient personal interest in the subject matter of the grievance; or

(5) The complaint was filed after one year from the occurrence of the act or omission complained of.  (Emphasis supplied.)

In Filipino v. Macabuhay,23 the Court interpreted the fifth exception under the above provision, as follows:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

The use of the word “may” clearly shows that it is directory in nature and not mandatory as petitioner contends. When used in a statute, it is permissive only and operates to confer discretion; while the word “shall” is imperative, operating to impose a duty which may be enforced. Applying Section 20(5), therefore, it is discretionary upon the Ombudsman whether or not to conduct an investigation on a complaint even if it was filed after one year from the occurrence of the act or omission complained of. In fine, the complaint is not barred by prescription.24   (Emphasis supplied.)

According to petitioners, the foregoing ruling is not applicable because it pertains to Section 20(5) and the issue therein was prescription of the administrative offense, whereas the present petition concerns the legal standing of complainants under the Section 20(4).

Petitioners are mistaken in asserting that Section 20(4) is a bar to the Ombudsman’s investigation into their acts or omissions in the case of Ranchez based on the supposed lack of personal interest on the part of private respondents who are the complainants in OMB-C-A-0065-B.

In Office of the Ombudsman v. Court of Appeals,25 the Court noted that Section 20 of RA 6770 has been clarified by Administrative Order No. 1726 (AO 17), which amended Administrative Order No. 07 (AO 07), otherwise known as the Rules of Procedure of the Office of the Ombudsman. Section 4, Rule III27 of the amended Rules of Procedure of the Office of the Ombudsman, reads:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Section 4. Evaluation. – Upon receipt of the complaint, the same shall be evaluated to determine whether the same may be:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

a) dismissed outright for any grounds stated under Section 20 of Republic Act No. 6770, provided, however, that the dismissal thereof is not mandatory and shall be discretionary on the part of the Ombudsman or the Deputy Ombudsman concerned;

b) treated as a grievance/request for assistance which may be referred to the Public Assistance Bureau, this Office, for appropriate action under Section 2 , Rule IV of this Rules;

c) referred to other disciplinary authorities under paragraph 2, Section 23, R.A. 6770 for the taking of appropriate administrative proceedings;

d) referred to the appropriate office/agency or official for the conduct of further fact-finding investigation; or

e) docketed as an administrative case for the purpose of administrative adjudication by the Office of the Ombudsman. (Emphasis in the original; underscoring supplied.)

Thus, even if the ground raised is the supposed lack of sufficient personal interest of complainants in the subject matter of the grievance under Section 20(4), the dismissal on that ground is not mandatory and is discretionary on the part of the Ombudsman or Deputy Ombudsman evaluating the administrative complaint.

In this case, the Ombudsman proceeded to investigate and decide the complaint filed by private respondents, and even assuming the latter may have no sufficient personal interest in Ranchez’s grievance mentioned in their complaint, such was deemed irrelevant and not enough basis for outright dismissal of the complaint.  The Ombudsman in this case cannot be faulted for exercising its discretion under Section 20 of RA 6670, which allows the Ombudsman to decide not to conduct the necessary investigation of any administrative act or omission complained of, if it believes that the complainant has no sufficient personal interest in the subject matter of the grievance.

Petitioners’ reliance on the ruling in Baltazar v. Hon. Ombudsman28 is likewise misplaced.  The Court therein clarified at the outset that there was no question on petitioner’s legal standing “[i]n so far as the Complaint-Affidavit filed before the Office of the Ombudsman is concerned” but that the filing of the petition for review on certiorari before this Court, after the Ombudsman, upon re-investigation, ordered the dismissal of the criminal complaint, is another matter.  Thus, applying the rule on real party-in-interest under Section 2,29 Rule 3 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, as amended, petitioner in said case was found to be a stranger and not an injured private complainant in a criminal complaint who has direct interest in the outcome of the criminal case.

On the finding of petitioners’ administrative liability, we find no reversible error committed by the Ombudsman.

Section 5(a) of RA 6713 explicitly mandates as follows:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

SEC. 5. Duties of Public Officials and Employees.–In the performance of their duties, all public officials and employees are under obligation to:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

(a)  – All public officials and employees shall, within fifteen (15) working days from receipt thereof, respond to letters, telegrams or other means of communications sent by the public. The reply must contain, the action taken on the request.

x x x x

Records showed that despite Ranchez’s written and verbal requests made between September and November 2004 in connection with his pending petition for review/reconsideration on his disqualification on the basis of the subject memoranda and its approval by the NEA Board of Administrators, petitioners did not respond to his queries or at the very least inform him that as early as May 27, 2004, the NEA Board of Administrators had already approved the subject memoranda.  Notably, Ranchez had invoked the OGCC’s Opinion declaring the subject memoranda to have no binding force and effect on electric cooperatives which is contrary to petitioner Bueno’s stance that the said regulations remain valid until declared illegal by a competent court.  Moreover, despite constant follow ups, Ranchez was not informed as to when the NEA Board of Administrators will take up or its action on his petition for reconsideration.  In any event, petitioners clearly failed to disclose crucial information sought by Ranchez within fifteen working days, in violation of Section 5(a) of RA 6713.

We note that the Rules Implementing the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees emphasizes promptness in attending to requests made upon government offices or agencies.  Rule VI, Sections 1 and 3(2) provides:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

SECTION 1.  As a general rule, when a request or petition, whether written or verbal, can be disposed of promptly and expeditiously the official and employee in charge to whom the same is presented shall do so immediately, without discrimination, and in no case beyond fifteen (15) working days from receipt of the request or petition.

x x x x

SEC. 3.  In case of written requests, petitions or motions, sent by means of letters, telegrams, or the like, the official or employee in charge shall act on the same within fifteen (15) working days from receipt thereof, provided that:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

(b)  If the communication is within the jurisdiction of the office or agency, the official and employee must:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(1) x x x

(2)  Where the matter is non-routinary or the issues involved are not simple or ordinary, write a note or letter of acknowledgment, informing the interested party, petitioner or correspondent of the action to be taken or when such requests, petitions or motions can be acted upon.  Where there is a need to submit additional information, requirements, or documents, the note or letter of acknowledgement shall so state, specifying a reasonable period of time within which they should be submitted, and the name of the particular official or employee in charge thereof.  When all the documents or requirements have been submitted to the satisfaction of the department or office or agency concerned, the particular official or employee in charge shall inform the interested party, petitioner, or correspondent of the action to be taken and when such action or disposition can be expected, barring unforeseen circumstances. (Emphasis supplied.)

Petitioners violated the above mandate and presented no proof whatsoever that they made a written reply to Ranchez’s requests within the prescribed period of fifteen (15) days. This constituted neglect of duty which cannot be countenanced.30   Petitioners should be reminded that as government officials and employees they are expected to adhere to the standards set by law in the discharge of their official duties, among others, commitment to public service, professionalism, justness and sincerity and responsiveness to the public.31cralawlawlibrary

Under Section 52 (C) (13) and (15), Rule IV of the Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, petitioners’ infraction is classified as a light offense.

SEC. 52.  Classification of Offenses. – x x x

x x x x

C. The following are Light Offenses with corresponding penalties:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

x x x x

13. Failure to act promptly on letters and request within fifteen (15) days from receipt x x x
1st Offense – Reprimand
2nd Offense – Suspension 1-30 days
3rd Offense – Dismissal
x x x x
15.  Failure to attend to anyone who wants to avail himself of the services of the office, or act promptly and expeditiously on public transactions
1st Offense – Reprimand
2nd Offense – Suspension 1-30 days
3rd Offense - Dismissal

This being petitioners’ first offense, the penalty of reprimand imposed by the Ombudsman was thus proper. As to the Ombudsman’s pronouncement in the fallo of its decision that petitioners have not been shown to have acted in bad faith and with malice, this will not exculpate them from administrative liability. There is nothing in RA 6713 or its implementing rules that requires a finding of malice or bad faith in the commission of the administrative offense defined under Section 5.

WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED for lack of merit.  The Decision dated November 4, 2009 and Resolution dated March 18, 2010 of the Court of Appeals  which upheld the Decision dated January 22, 2007 of the Office of the Ombudsman in OMB-C-A-05-0065-B are hereby AFFIRMED and UPHELD.

With costs against petitioners.

SO ORDERED.cralawred

Velasco, Jr., (Chairperson), Peralta, Reyes, and Jardeleza, JJ., concur.

Endnotes:


1Rollo, pp. 31-49. Penned by Associate Justice Normandie B. Pizarro and concurred in by Associate Justices Rosalinda Asuncion-Vicente and Ricardo R. Rosario.

2 Id. at 55-56.

3 Id. at 68-98.

4 Id. at 32-33.

5 Id. at 201.

6 Id. at 195-200.

7 Records, pp. 182-184.

8 Id. at 3-4.

9 Id. at 18, 20-21.

10 Id. at 32-38.

11 Id. at 160-170.

12 Id. at 247-248.

13 Rollo, p. 96.

14 Id. at 94-95.

15 Records, pp. 311-323.

16 Id. at 329-330, 333.

17 Id. at 331-332.

18 Rollo, p. 42.

19 Id. at 50-53.

20 Sec. 2, RA 6770; Office of the Ombudsman v. Galicia, 589 Phil. 314, 327 (2008).

21 Baltazar v. Hon. Ombudsman, 539 Phil. 131, 139-140 (2006), citing Sections 15(1) and 26 of RA 6670.

22 Id.

23 537 Phil. 858 (2006).

24 Id. at 867.

25 576 Phil. 784, 796 (2008).

26 Entitled “Amendment of Rule III, Administrative Order No. 07,” and signed by Ombudsman Simeon V. Marcelo on September 15, 2003.

27 Procedure in Administrative Cases.

28 Supra note 21.

29 SEC. 2.  Parties in interest. – A real party in interest is the party who stands to be benefited or injured by the judgment in the suit, or the party entitled to the avails of the suit.  Unless otherwise authorized by law or these Rules, every action must be prosecuted or defended in the name of the real party in interest.

30Lim, Jr. v. Judge Magallanes, 548 Phil. 566, 575 (2007).

31 Sec. 4 (a), (b), (c), and (e), RA 6713.



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September-2014 Jurisprudence                 

  • G.R. No. 205800, September 10, 2014 - MICROSOFT CORPORATION AND ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED, Petitioners, v. SAMIR FARAJALLAH, VIRGILIO D.C. HERCE, RACHEL P. FOLLOSCO, JESUSITO G. MORALLOS, AND MA. GERALDINE S. GARCIA (DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF NEW FIELDS (ASIA PACIFIC), INC.), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 201237, September 03, 2014 - PHILIPPINE TOURISTERS, INC. and/or ALEJANDRO R. YAGUE, JR., Petitioners, v. MAS TRANSIT WORKERS UNION-ANGLO-KMU* AND ITS MEMBERS, REPRESENTED BY ABRAHAM TUMALA, JR., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 199388, September 03, 2014 - OMNI HAULING SERVICES, INC., LOLITA FRANCO, and ANICETO FRANCO, Petitioners, v. BERNARDO BON, ROBERTO TORTOLES, ROMEO TORRES, RODELLO* RAMOS, RICARDO DELOS SANTOS, JUANITO BON, ELENCIO ARTASTE,** CARLITO VOLOSO, ROMEL TORRES, ROBERT AVILA, EDUARDO BAUTISTA, MARTY VOLOSO, OSCAR JABEL, RICKY AMORANTO, BERNARD OSINAGA, EDUARDO BON, JERRY EDUARCE, and FEDERICO BRAZIL, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 197329, September 08, 2014 - NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. LUIS SAMAR AND MAGDALENA SAMAR, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205298, September 10, 2014 - LEOPOLDO QUINTOS Y DEL AMOR, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 7474, September 09, 2014 - PRESIDING JUDGE JOSE L. MADRID, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 51, SORSOGON CITY, Complainant, v. ATTY. JUAN S. DEALCA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 199139, September 09, 2014 - ELSIE S. CAUSING, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS AND HERNAN D. BIRON, SR., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 197336, September 03, 2014 - CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. ROLANDO CORDERO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 195549, September 03, 2014 - WILLAWARE PRODUCTS CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. JESICHRIS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 183360, September 08, 2014 - ROLANDO C. DE LA PAZ,*, Petitioner, v. L & J DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 196182, September 01, 2014 - ECE REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT INC., Petitioner, v. RACHEL G. MANDAP, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 178837, September 01, 2014 - COLEGIO DE SAN JUAN DE LETRAN, Petitioner, v. ISIDRA DELA ROSA-MERIS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198139, September 08, 2014 - NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. FELICISIMO TARCELO AND HEIRS OF COMIA SANTOS, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 10196, September 09, 2014 - MELODY R. NERY, Complainant, v. ATTY. GLICERIO A. SAMPANA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 194507, September 08, 2014 - FEDERAL BUILDERS, INC., Petitioner, v. FOUNDATION SPECIALISTS, INC., Respondent.; G.R. NO. 194621 - FOUNDATION SPECIALISTS, INC., Petitioner, v. FEDERAL BUILDERS, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 204233, September 03, 2014 - RICARDO A. DALUSONG, Petitioner, v. EAGLE CLARC SHIPPING PHILIPPINES, INC., NORFIELD OFFSHORE AS, AND/OR CAPT. LEOPOLDO T. ARCILLAR, AND COURT OF APPEALS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 197174, September 10, 2014 - FRANCLER P. ONDE, Petitioner, v. THE OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF LAS PIÑAS CITY, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 8637, September 15, 2014 - IMELDA CATO GADDI, Complainant, v. ATTY. LOPE M. VELASCO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 178733, September 15, 2014 - ELISA ANGELES, Petitioner, v. HON. COURT OF APPEALS, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE MARILOU C. MARTIN, DEPUTY SHERIFF JOSELITO SP ASTORGA, MARCO BOCO, AND JOHN DOES, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF PASIG, BRANCH 268, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 194946, September 03, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ECO YABA Y BASA A.K.A. “PLOK,” Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 205357, September 02, 2014 - GMA NETWORK, INC., Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, RESPONDENT. SENATOR ALAN PETER “COMPAÑERO” S. CAYETANO, Petitioner-Intervenor.; G.R. NO. 205374 - ABC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent.; G.R. NO. 205592 - MANILA BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC. AND NEWSOUNDS BROADCASTING NETWORK, INC., Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent.; G.R. NO. 205852 - KAPISANAN NG MGA BRODKASTER NG PILIPINAS (KBP) AND ABS-CBN CORPORATION, Petitioners, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent.; G.R. NO. 206360 - RADIO MINDANAO NETWORK, INC., Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 199898, September 03, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. LEO DE LA TRINIDAD Y OBALLES, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 157583, September 10, 2014 - FRUMENCIO E. PULGAR, Petitioner, v. THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MAUBAN, QUEZON, BRANCH 64, QUEZON POWER (PHILIPPINES) LIMITED, CO., PROVINCE OF QUEZON,AND DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 198656, September 08, 2014 - NANCY S. MONTINOLA, Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 9925, September 17, 2014 - MARIANO R. CRISTOBAL, Complainant, v. ATTY. RONALDO E. RENTA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 212705, September 10, 2014 - ROBERTO CO, Petitioner, v. KENG HUAN JERRY YEUNG AND EMMA YEUNG, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 7184, September 17, 2014 - FELIPE B. ALMAZAN, SR., Complainant, v. ATTY. MARCELO B. SUERTE-FELIPE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 190198, September 17, 2014 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. CE LUZON GEOTHERMAL POWER COMPANY, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 184000, September 17, 2014 - PUERTO AZUL LAND, INC., Petitioner, v. PACIFIC WIDE REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 197857, September 10, 2014 - SPOUSES FRANCISCO SIERRA (SUBSTITUTED BY DONATO, TERESITA, TEODORA, LORENZA, LUCINA, IMELDA, VILMA, AND MILAGROS SIERRA) AND ANTONINA SANTOS, SPOUSES ROSARIO SIERRA AND EUSEBIO CALUMA LEYVA, AND SPOUSES SALOME SIERRA AND FELIX GATLABAYAN (SUBSTITUTED BY BUENAVENTURA, ELPIDIO, PAULINO, CATALINA, GREGORIO, AND EDGARDO GATLABAYAN, LORETO REILLO, FERMINA PEREGRINA, AND NIDA HASHIMOTO), Petitioners, v. PAIC SAVINGS AND MORTGAGE BANK, INC., Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-13-3102 [Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 07-2562-P], September 08, 2014 - JOSE S. VILLANUEVA, Complainant, v. ATTY. PAULINO I. SAGUYOD, CLERK OF COURT VI, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 6, PANIQUI, TARLAC, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 176121, September 22, 2014 - SPOUSES TEODORICO AND PACITA ROSETE, Petitioners, v. FELIX AND/OR MARIETTA BRIONES, SPOUSES JOSE AND REMEDIOS ROSETE, AND NEORIMSE AND FELICITAS CORPUZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 206912, September 10, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DEMOSTHENES BONTUYAN, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 189850, September 22, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. REYNALDO TORRES, JAY TORRES, BOBBY TORRES @ ROBERTO TORRES Y NAVA, BRION, AND RONNIE TORRES, Accused, BOBBY TORRES @ ROBERTO TORRES Y NAVA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 174353, September 10, 2014 - NESTOR CHING AND ANDREW WELLINGTON, Petitioners, v. SUBIC BAY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB, INC., HU HO HSIU LIEN ALIAS SUSAN HU, HU TSUNG CHIEH ALIAS JACK HU, HU TSUNG HUI, HU TSUNG TZU AND REYNALD R. SUAREZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 188773, September 10, 2014 - HEIRS OF VALENTIN BASBAS, ANSELMA B. ENDRINAL, GERTRUDES BASBAS, RUFINA BASBAS, CEFERINA B. CARTECIANO, ANACLETO BASBAS, ARSENIA BASBAS, ANASTACIO BASBAS, BEDACIO BASBAS, TEODOCIA B. OCAMPO, SEGUNDO C. BASBAS, MARIA B. RAMOS AND EUGENIO BASBAS IN REPRESENTATION OF PEDRO BASBAS; HERINO T. BASBAS AND NESTOR T. BASBAS IN REPRESENTATION OF LUCAS BASBAS; ADELAIDA B. FLORENTINO, RODRIGO BASBAS, FELIX BASBAS, JR., TEODULO BASBAS, ANDRESITO BASBAS, LARRY BASBAS AND JOEY BASBAS IN REPRESENTATION OF FELIX BASBAS, SR., VICTOR BEATO, ALIPIO BEATO, EUTIQUIO BEATO, JULIANA B. DIAZ, PABLO BEATO AND ALEJANDRO BEATO IN REPRESENTATION OF REMIGIA B. BEATO, AS REPRESENTED BY RODRIGO BASBAS, Petitioners, v. RICARDO BASBAS AS REPRESENTED BY EUGENIO BASBAS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 176697, September 10, 2014 - CESAR V. AREZA AND LOLITA B. AREZA, Petitioners, v. EXPRESS SAVINGS BANK, INC. AND MICHAEL POTENCIANO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 197486, September 10, 2014 - RENATO L. DELFINO, SR. (DECEASED), REPRESENTED BY HIS HEIRS, NAMELY: GRACIA DELFINO, GREGORIO A. DELFINO, MA. ISABEL A. DELFINO, RENATO A. DELFINO, JR., MA. REGINA DELFINO ROSELLA, MA. GRACIA A. DELFINO, MARIANO A. DELFINO, MA. LUISA DELFINO GREGORIO AND REV. FR. GABRIEL A. DELFINO, Petitioners, v. AVELINO K. ANASAO AND ANGEL K. ANASAO (DECEASED AND REPRESENTED BY HIS SOLE HEIR, SIXTO C. ANASAO), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 193426, September 29, 2014 - SUBIC BAY LEGEND RESORTS AND CASINOS, INC., Petitioner, v. BERNARD C. FERNANDEZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 176020, September 29, 2014 - HEIRS OF TELESFORO JULAO, NAMELY, ANITA VDA. DE ENRIQUEZ, SONIA J. TOLENTINO AND RODERICK JULAO, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES ALEJANDRO AND MORENITA DE JESUS, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 7337, September 29, 2014 - ROLANDO VIRAY, Complainant, v. ATTY. EUGENIO T. SANICAS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 204160, September 22, 2014 - SPOUSES MICHELLE M. NOYNAY AND NOEL S. NOYNAY, Petitioners, v. CITIHOMES BUILDER AND DEVELOPMENT, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 202701, September 10, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. EDILBERTO BALIBAY Y LABIS AND MARICEL BALIBAY BIJA-AN, Defendant-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 178911, September 17, 2014 - EDUARDO D. MONSANTO, DECOROSO D. MONSANTO, SR., AND REV. FR. PASCUAL D. MONSANTO, JR., Petitioners, v. LEONCIO LIM AND LORENZO DE GUZMAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 195289, September 24, 2014 - ROBINSON’S BANK CORPORATION (FORMERLY THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND [PHILS.], INC.), Petitioner, v. HON. SAMUEL H. GAERLAN, HON. HAKIM S. ABDULWAHID AND HON. RICARDO R. ROSARIO, IN THEIR CAPACITY AS ASSOCIATE JUSTICES RESPECTIVELY OF THE TENTH DIVISION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, AND TRADE AND INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 181921, September 17, 2014 - INTERORIENT MARITIME ENTERPRISES, INC., Petitioner, v. VICTOR M. CREER III, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. 2010-21-SC, September 30, 2014 - Re: ANONYMOUS LETTER-COMPLAINT ON THE ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT AND FOR ENGAGING IN THE BUSINESS OF LENDING MONEY AT USURIOUS RATES OF INTEREST OF MS. DOLORES T. LOPEZ, SC CHIEF JUDICIAL STAFF OFFICER, AND MR. FERNANDO M. MONTALVO, SC SUPERVISING JUDICIAL STAFF OFFICER, CHECKS DISBURSEMENT DIVISION, FISCAL MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET OFFICE.

  • G.R. No. 207950, September 22, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARK JASON CHAVEZ Y BITANCOR ALIAS “NOY”, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. 2008-23-SC, September 30, 2014 - ALLEGED LOSS OF VARIOUS BOXES OF COPY PAPER DURING THEIR TRANSFER FROM THE PROPERTY DIVISION, OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES (OAS), TO THE VARIOUS ROOMS OF THE PHILIPPINE JUDICIAL ACADEMY.; [A.M. No. 2014-025-Ret.] - RELEASE OF COMPULSORY RETIREMENT BENEFITS UNDER R.A. NO. 8291 OF MR. ISIDRO P. AUSTRIA, FORMER SUPPLY OFFICER II, PHILIPPINE JUDICIAL ACADEMY, SUPREME COURT.

  • G.R. No. 202733, September 30, 2014 - DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, JANEL D. NACION, DIRECTOR IV, LEGAL SERVICES SECTOR OF COA, AND THE SUPERVISING AUDITOR OF THE DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. P-14-3260 (Formerly A.M. No. 12-2-38- RTC ), September 16, 2014 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. EDGAR S. CRUZ, CLERK III, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 52, GUAGUA, PAMPANGA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 210658, September 17, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. PRIMO P. JAPSON ALIAS “LONGLONG”, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 187144, September 17, 2014 - CARMEN T. GAHOL, SUBSTITUTED BY HER HEIRS, RICARDO T. GAHOL, MARIA ESTER GAHOL PEREZ, JOSE MARI T. GAHOL, LUISITO T. GAHOL AND ALCREJ CORPORATION, Petitioners, v. ESPERANZA COBARRUBIAS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 191712, September 17, 2014 - EDITA S. BUENO AND MILAGROS E. QUINAJON, Petitioners, v. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, NAPOLEON S. RONQUILLO, JR., EDNA G. RAÑA AND ROMEO G. REFRUTO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 204755, September 17, 2014 - SOLEDAD TRIA, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 189863, September 17, 2014 - PEDRO LIBANG, JR., Petitioner, v. INDOCHINA SHIP MANAGEMENT INC., MR. MIGUEL SANTOS AND MAJESTIC CARRIERS, INC., Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 9115, September 17, 2014 - REBECCA MARIE UY YUPANGCO-NAKPIL, Complainant, v. ATTY. ROBERTO L. UY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 201644, September 24, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. JOSE C. GO AND AIDA C. DELA ROSA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 206555, September 17, 2014 - ATTY. FORTUNATO PAGDANGANAN, JR., ATTY. ABIGAIL D. SUAREZ, AND EUGENIO A. VILLANUEVA, Petitioners, v. FLORENTINO P. SARMIENTO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 188909, September 17, 2014 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS AND PRESIDENTIAL ANTI-GRAFT COMMISSION, Petitioners, v. FLORENDO B. ARIAS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF EQUIPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 158583, September 10, 2014 - ROSALIE L. GARGOLES, Petitioner, v. REYLITA S. DEL ROSARIO, DOING BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME AND STYLE JAY ANNE'S ONE HOUR PHOTO SHOP, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 158150, September 10, 2014 - AGRIEX CO., LTD., Petitioner, v. HON. TITUS B. VILLANUEVA, COMMISSIONER, BUREAU OF CUSTOMS (NOW REPLACED BY HON. ANTONIO M. BERNARDO), AND HON. BILLY C. BIBIT, COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS, PORT OF SUBIC (NOW REPLACED BY HON. EMELITO VILLARUZ), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 182794, September 08, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BOBBY BELGAR, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 206510, September 16, 2014 - MOST REV. PEDRO D. ARIGO, Vicar Apostolic of Puerto Princesa D.D.; MOST REV. DEOGRACIAS S. INIGUEZ, JR., Bishop-Emeritus ofCaloocan, FRANCES Q. QUIMPO, CLEMENTE G. BAUTISTA, JR., Kalikasan-PNE, MARIA CAROLINA P. ARAULLO, RENATO M. REYES, JR., BagongAlyansang Makabayan, HON. NERI JAVIER COLMENARES, BayanMuna Party-list, ROLAND G. SIMBULAN, PH.D., Junk VFAMovement, TERESITA R. PEREZ, PH.D., HON. RAYMOND V. PALATINO, Kabataan Party-list, PETER SJ. GONZALES, Pamalakaya, GIOVANNI A. TAPANG, PH. D., Agham, ELMER C. LABOG, Kilusang Mayo Uno, JOAN MAY E. SALVADOR, Gabriela, JOSE ENRIQUE A. AFRICA, THERESA A. CONCEPCION, MARY JOAN A. GUAN, NESTOR T. BAGUINON, PH.D., A. EDSEL F. TUPAZ, Petitioners, v. SCOTT H. SWIFT in his capacity as Commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, MARK A. RICE in his capacity as Commanding Officer of the USS Guardian, PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, HON. ALBERT F. DEL ROSARIO, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs, HON. PAQUITO OCHOA, JR., Executive Secretary, Office of the President, HON. VOLTAIRE T. GAZMIN, Secretary, Department of National Defense, HON. RAMON JESUS P. PAJE, Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, VICE ADMIRAL JOSE LUIS M. ALANO, Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines, ADMIRAL RODOLFO D. ISORENA, Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard, COMMODORE ENRICO EFREN EVANGELISTA, Philippine Coast Guard Palawan, MAJOR GEN. VIRGILIO O. DOMINGO, Commandant of Armed Forces of the Philippines Commandand LT. GEN. TERRY G. ROBLING, US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and Balikatan 2013 Exercise Co-Director, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 10438, September 23, 2014 - CF SHARP CREW MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED, Complainant, v. NICOLAS C. TORRES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 209286, September 23, 2014 - LINA DELA PEÑA JALOVER, GEORGIE A. HUISO AND VELVET BARQUIN ZAMORA, Petitioners, v. JOHN HENRY R. OSMEÑA AND COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS (COMELEC), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 182424, September 22, 2014 - NENITA CARGANILLO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 192957, September 29, 2014 - EMMANUEL B. MORAN, JR., (DECEASED), SUBSTITUTED BY HIS WIDOW, CONCORDIA V. MORAN, Petitioner, v. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS REPRESENTED BY THE HONORABLE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY EDUARDO R. ERMITA AND PGA CARS, INC., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 199133, September 29, 2014 - ESPERANZA TUMPAG, SUBSTITUTED BY HER SON, PABLITO TUMPAG BELNAS, JR., Petitioner, v. SAMUEL TUMPAG, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 179654, September 22, 2014 - HACIENDA LEDDY/RICARDO GAMBOA, JR., Petitioner, v. PAQUITO VILLEGAS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 206599, September 29, 2014 - 680 HOME APPLIANCES, INC., Petitioner, v. THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS, THE HONORABLE MARYANN E. CORPUS-MAÑALAC, IN HER CAPACITY AS THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MAKATI CITY, BRANCH 141, ATTY. ENGRACIO ESCASINAS, JR., IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF/CLERK OF COURT VII, OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, MAKATI CITY, FIRST SOVEREIGN ASSET MANAGEMENT (SPV-AMC), INC. AND ALDANCO MERLMAR, INC., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 198538, September 29, 2014 - EXOCET SECURITY AND ALLIED SERVICES CORPORATION AND/OR MA. TERESA MARCELO, Petitioner, v. ARMANDO D. SERRANO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 192398, September 29, 2014 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. PILIPINAS SHELL PETROLEUM CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. SB-14-21-J [Formerly A.M. No. 13-10-06-SB], September 23, 2014 - RE: ALLEGATIONS MADE UNDER OATH AT THE SENATE BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE HEARING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 AGAINST ASSOCIATE JUSTICE GREGORY S. ONG, SANDIGANBAYAN

  • G.R. No. 204369, September 17, 2014 - ENRIQUETA M. LOCSIN, Petitioner, v. BERNARDO HIZON, CARLOS HIZON, SPS. JOSE MANUEL & LOURDES GUEVARA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 202666, September 29, 2014 - RHONDA AVE S. VIVARES AND SPS. MARGARITA AND DAVID SUZARA, Petitioners, v. ST. THERESA’S COLLEGE, MYLENE RHEZA T. ESCUDERO, AND JOHN DOES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 157633, September 10, 2014 - NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC., Petitioner, v. MA. CONCEPCION M. DEL ROSARIO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 202066, September 30, 2014 - CBK POWER COMPANY LIMITED, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.; G.R. NO. 205353 - CBK POWER COMPANY LIMITED, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 152334, September 24, 2014 - H.H. HOLLERO CONSTRUCTION, INC., Petitioner, v. GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM AND POOL OF MACHINERY INSURERS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 200077, September 17, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ADEL RAMOS Y ABELLANA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 208716, September 24, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ELADIO B. LUMAHO ALIAS “ATTUMPANG,” Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 199780, September 24, 2014 - GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, Petitioner, v. JOSE M. CAPACITE, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-13-3130 [Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 11-3668-P], September 22, 2014 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Petitioner, v. MAY F. HERNANDEZ, CLERK III, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 199, LAS PIÑAS CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 182770, September 17, 2014 - WPM INTERNATIONAL TRADING, INC. AND WARLITO P. MANLAPAZ, Petitioners, v. FE CORAZON LABAYEN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 192973, September 29, 2014 - PEDRITO DELA TORRE, Petitioner, v. DR. ARTURO IMBUIDO, DRA. NORMA IMBUIDO in their capacity as owners and operators of DIVINE SPIRIT GENERAL HOSPITAL AND/OR DR. NESTOR PASAMBA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 202354, September 24, 2014 - AMADA C. ZACARIAS, Petitioner, v. VICTORIA ANACAY, EDNA ANACAY, CYNTHIA ANACAY-GUISIC, ANGELITO ANACAY, JERMIL ISRAEL, JIMMY ROY ISRAEL AND ALL OTHER PERSONS CLAIMING AUTHORITY UNDER THEM, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 173168, September 29, 2014 - PHILIPPINE AMANAH BANK (NOW AL-AMANAH ISLAMIC INVESTMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, ALSO KNOWN AS ISLAMIC BANK), Petitioner, v. EVANGELISTA CONTRERAS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 200065, September 24, 2014 - CAPITAL SHOES FACTORY, LTD., Petitioner, v. TRAVELER KIDS, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 195889, September 24, 2014 - PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES EDUARDO AND MA. ROSARIO TAJONERA AND EDUAROSA REALTY DEVELOPMENT, INC., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 211356, September 29, 2014 - CRISOSTOMO B. AQUINO, Petitioner, v. MUNICIPALITY OF MALAY, AKLAN, REPRESENTED BY HON. MAYOR JOHN P. YAP, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN OF MALAY, AKLAN, REPRESENTED BY HON. EZEL FLORES, DANTE PASUGUIRON, ROWEN AGUIRRE, WILBEC GELITO, JUPITER GALLENERO, OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL ENGINEER, OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL TREASURER, BORACAY PNP CHIEF, BORACAY FOUNDATION, INC., REPRESENTED BY NENETTE GRAF, MUNICIPAL AUXILIARY POLICE, AND JOHN AND JANE DOES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205561, September 24, 2014 - DIONISIO B. COLOMA, JR., Petitioner, v. HON. SANDIGANBAYAN (THIRD DIVISION) AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209195, September 17, 2014 - MANUEL J. JIMENEZ, JR., Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.; G.R. NO. 209215 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. MANUEL J. JIMENEZ, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 195594, September 29, 2014 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES ROGELIO LAZO AND DOLORES LAZO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 200566, September 17, 2014 - JEBSEN MARITIME INC., APEX MARITIME SHIP MANAGEMENT CO. LLC., AND/OR ESTANISLAO SANTIAGO, Petitioners, v. WILFREDO E. RAVENA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 180290, September 29, 2014 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 167454, September 24, 2014 - EMERITU C. BARUT, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 191237, September 24, 2014 - ROBERT KUA, CAROLINE N. KUA, AND MA. TERESITA N. KUA, Petitioners, v. GREGORIO SACUPAYO AND MAXIMINIANO PANERIO, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-13-1837 [formerly OCA IPI No. 12-2463-MTJ], September 24, 2014 - CONRADO ABE LOPEZ, REPRESENTED BY ATTY. ROMUALDO JUBAY, Complainant, v. JUDGE ROGELIO S. LUCMAYON, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES, BRANCH 1, MANDAUE CITY, CEBU, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198314, September 24, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RICHARD GUINTO Y SAN ANDRES, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 185345, September 10, 2014 - RONNIE L. ABING, Petitioner, v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, ALLIED BANKING CORPORATION, FACILITATORS GENERAL SERVICES AND MARILAG BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 173632, September 29, 2014 - AMBROSIO ROTAIRO (SUBSTITUTED BY HIS SPOUSE MARIA RONSAYRO ROTAIRO, AND HIS CHILDREN FELINA ROTAIRO, ERLINDA ROTAIRO CRUZ, EUDOSIA ROTAIRO CRIZALDO, NIEVES ROTAIRO TUBIG, REMEDIOS ROTAIRO MACAHILIG, FELISA ROTAIRO LEGASPI, JOSEFINA ROTAIRO TORREVILLAS, AND CRISENCIO R. ROTAIRO, MARCIANA TIBAY, EUGENIO PUNZALAN, AND VICENTE DEL ROSARIO, Petitioners, v. ROVIRA ALCANTARA AND VICTOR ALCANTARA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 194176, September 10, 2014 - LIMUELL C. NARCISO, OMAR C. MATUGUINA, ERIC MATUGUINA, AZENITH MAG-ASO, LILIBETH MASCARIÑAS, LUTGARDO OGAMA, LOLITO COLLAMAT, IRIS MATUGUINA AND ELMER BANILAD, CARLOS B. MATUGUINA, JR., BIBIANO ESTRERA, JR., PEDRO LINABOG, BOBBY ALQUEZA, SANTIAGO ATIS, MARLON DAMAYO, CASINILLO NESTRO, BERNARDITO DACAN, SABINIANO PATATAG, JOLLYBOY MONICIT, RODRIGO DAYDAY, REY ESTRERA, CRESENCIO CASIO, DOMINICO AVILA, ERVERT RICAZA, ENRIQUE PANTILGAN, JONARDEN E. GONZAGA, RENATO CASIO, BENNY BOOC, DUA CORSINO, RANILO IGOT, NARCISO PATERNO, ROBERTO RABAL, JULITO MONSALES, LEOPOLDO MONGUEZ, JR., ROWEL NEIGAS, EPIFANIO PIAMIL, LOUIE JUDILLAS AND MANUEL CENIZA, Petitioners, v. PACIFIC TRADERS & MANUFACTURING CORPORATION (PTMC)/TABOK WORKERS MULTI­PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (TWMPC), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 195443, September 17, 2014 - JUANARIO G. CAMPIT, Petitioner, v. ISIDRA B. GRIPA, PEDRO BARDIAGA, AND SEVERINO BARDIAGA, REPRESENTED BY HIS SON ROLANDO BARDIAGA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 196508, September 24, 2014 - LEONARDO A. VILLALON AND ERLINDA TALDE-VILLALON, Petitioners, v. AMELIA CHAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 185267, September 17, 2014 - CESAR T. QUIAMBAO AND ERIC C. PILAPIL, Petitioners, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, ADERITO Z. YUJUICO AND BONIFACIO C. SUMBILLA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 187621, September 24, 2014 - MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE EMPLOYEES UNION (MCCEU)/RUMOLO S. BASCAR, MARIBEL TESALUNA, ROLANDO TESALUNA, KENNETH BENIGNOS, MARILYN MANGULABNAN, EMELINA I. NACIONAL, JODELYN REBOTON, EVERSITA S. BASCAR, MAE BAYLEN, ERNA E. MAHILUM, EVELYN R. ANTONES, Petitioners, v. MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE, INCORPORATED, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 183345, September 17, 2014 - MA. GRACIA HAO AND DANNY HAO, Petitioners, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 187401, September 17, 2014 - MA. ROSARIO P. CAMPOS, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FIRST WOMEN’S CREDIT CORPORATION, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 180144, September 24, 2014 - LEONARDO BOGNOT, Petitioner, v. RRI LENDING CORPORATION, REPRESENTED BY ITS GENERAL MANAGER, DARIO J. BERNARDEZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 200055, September 10, 2014 - STANDARD INSURANCE CO., INC., Petitioner, v. ARNOLD CUARESMA AND JERRY B. CUARESMA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 202838, September 17, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JULITO GERANDOY, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 172843, September 24, 2014 - ALFREDO L. VILLAMOR, JR., Petitioner, v. JOHN S. UMALE, IN SUBSTITUTION OF HERNANDO F. BALMORES, Respondent.; G.R. NO. 172881 - RODIVAL E. REYES, HANS M. PALMA AND DOROTEO M. PANGILINAN, Petitioners, v. HERNANDO F. BALMORES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 200729, September 29, 2014 - TEMIC AUTOMOTIVE (PHILIPPINES), INC., Petitioner, v. RENATO M. CANTOS, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-08-2140 (Formerly A.M. No. 00-2-86-RTC), October 07, 2014 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. EXECUTIVE JUDGE OWEN B. AMOR, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, DAET, CAMARINES NORTE, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-14-2394 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 12-3847-RTJ), September 01, 2014 - GEORGE T. CHUA, Complainant, v. JUDGE FORTUNITO L. MADRONA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 189812, September 01, 2014 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. REYNALDO BATURI, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 200729, September 29, 2014 - TEMIC AUTOMOTIVE (PHILIPPINES), INC., Petitioner, v. RENATO M. CANTOS, Respondent.