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[A.M. No. 98-11-367-RTC.May 28, 2002]

RE: CASES LEFT UNDECIDED BY RESIGNED JUDGE HUSSIN U. AMIN

EN BANC

Gentlemen:

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated MAY 28 2002.

����������� AM No. 98-11-367-RTC(Re:Cases Left Undecided by Resigned Judge Hussin U. Amin, Regional Trial Court, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu; Resigned Judge Hussin U. Amin, respondent.)

For having filed his certificate of candidacy for Representative of the First District of Sulu in the May 11, 1998 elections, respondent Hussin U. Amin was considered automatically resigned as judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu, effective March 27, 1998. Accordingly, an inventory of the cases left by him was ordered.

In a Letter, dated May 14, 1998, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Jurata B. Igasan-Daud of the RTC, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu reported that respondent left undecided two criminal cases, i.e., Criminal Case No. 494-3, "People v. Alih Julpawan," and Criminal Case No. 524-3, "People v. SPO4 Carlito B. Llantada," which had been submitted for decision on August 1997 and February 6, 1998, respectively. On the other hand, the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) reported on October 28, 1998 that in the RTC, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu, to which respondent had been designated acting presiding judge in 1995, respondent had failed to act on 70 [1] cralaw criminal cases and 17 civil cases.

Acting on these reports, the Court required respondent to answer the allegations therein that he failed to decide Criminal Case No. 494-3 in the RTC, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu within the 90-day reglementary period and to act on 70 criminal cases and 17 civil cases pending in the RTC, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu within a reasonable period.

In his Explanation with Motion to Dismiss, dated March 19, 1999, respondent admitted that he failed to decide Criminal Case No. 494-3 in the RTC, branch 3, Jolo, Sulu. He claimed, however, that he learned about this only when he filed his application for terminal leave because before that he was under the impression that he had left no case undecided in view of the clearance issued to him by OIC Igasan-Daud. He also said that his political campaign preoccupied him so much that "unknowingly, without malice on his part and without any intention to cause prejudice to the parties in that particular criminal case subject of this matter, [he] failed to render judgment in said case within the period required by law." He said that much as he wanted to do something about the case, his election as Representative of the First District of Sulu made it impossible for him to do so. He asked for "understanding, compassion, and humanitarian consideration" from this Court in having the present case dismissed. With regard to the cases left unacted upon for a considerable length of time in the RTC, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu, respondent simply submitted the following handwritten report, dated April 21, 1999, of OIC Ajan N. Sarajan regarding the status of each:

1.Crim. Case No. 86-4���������������� Ordered Archived, October 22, 1997

2.Crim. Case No. 114-4�������������� Ordered Archived, January 25, 1997

3.Crim. Case No. 199-4�������������� Order of Arrest issued, Aug. 17, 1993

����������������������������������������������������������� Accused at large, Pending

4.Crim. Case No. 136-4�������������� Pending; For decision as of May 8, 1997

5.Crim. Case No. 271-4�������������� Dismissed, Aug. 12, 1996

6.Crim. Case No. 272-4�������������� Ordered Archived, Aug. 25, 1998.

7.Crim. Case No. 273-4�������������� Filed on Jan. 5, 1996; Pending

8.Crim. Case No. 277-4�������������� Ordered Archived, Aug. 26, 1998

9.Crim. Case No. 278-4�������������� Ordered Dismissed, Aug. 4, 1997

10.Crim. Case No. 280-4������������� Ordered Archived, Aug. 26, 1998

11.Crim. Case No. 282-4������������� Ordered Archived, Aug. 26, 1998

12.Crim. Case No. 283-4������������� Ordered Archived, Aug. 26, 1998

13.Crim. Case No. 284-4������������� Ordered Archived, Aug. 26, 1998

14.Crim. Case No. 285-4������������� Ordered Archived, Aug. 26, 1998

15.Crim. Case No. 286-4������������� Ordered Archived, Aug. 22, 1998

16.Crim. Case No. 287-4������������� Ordered Archived, Sept. 22, 1998

17.Crim. Case No. 288-4������������� Ordered Archived, Sept. 22, 1998

18.Crim. Case No. 289-4������������� Ordered Archived, Sept. 22, 1998

19.Crim. Case No. 290-4������������� Ordered Archived, Sept. 22, 1998

20.Crim. Case No. 291-4������������� Ordered Archived, Sept. 22, 1998

21.Crim. Case No. 292-4������������� Ordered Archived, Sept. 22, 1998

22.Crim. Case No. 293-4������������� Ordered Archived, Sept. 22, 1998

23.Crim. Case No. 294-4������������� Ordered Archived, Oct. 20, 1998

24.Crim. Case No. 295-4������������� Ordered Archived, Oct. 20, 1998

25.Crim. Case No. 296-4������������� Ordered Archived, Oct. 20, 1998

26.Crim. Case No. 299-4������������� Ordered Archived, Oct. 20, 1998

27.Crim. Case No. 298-4������������� Ordered Archived, Oct. 20, 1998

28.Crim. Case No. 300-4������������� Ordered Archived, Nov. 18, 1998

29.Crim. Case No. 301-4������������� Ordered Archived; Nov. 18, 1998

30.Crim. Case No. 302-4������������������������������������� - do -

31.Crim. Case No. 363-4������������������������������������� - do -

32.Crim. Case No. 306-4������������� - do -

33.Crim. Case No. 304-4������������������������������������� - do -

34.Crim. Case No. 307-4������������������������������������� - do -

35.Crim. Case No. 308-4������������������������������������� - do -

36.Crim. Case No. 309-4������������� Pending; For decision as of Oct. 20, 1997; Ordered Dismissed as of April 21, 1999 per Judge Asaali

37.Crim. Case No. 310-4������������� Ordered Archived, Nov. 18, 1998

38.Crim. Case No. 312-4������������� Ordered Archived, Jan. 25, 1999

39.Crim. Case No. 313-4������������������������������������� - do -

40.Crim. Case No. 3 14-4������������ Ordered Archived, Oct. 22, 1999

41.Crim. Case No. 3 15-4������������ Ordered Archived, Jan. 25, 1999

42.Crim. Case No. 316-4������������� Order of Arrest issued, July 24, 1997

43.Crim. Case No. 318-4������������� Ordered Archived, Oct. 22, 1997

44.Crim. Case No. 320-4������������� Ordered Archived, Jan. 25,1999

45.Crim. Case No. 321-4������������� Ordered Archived, Feb. 17, 1999

46.Crim. Case No. 322-4������������� Order of Arrest issued, Oct. 27, 1997

47.Crim. Case No. 323-4������������� Ordered Archived, Feb. 17, 1999

48.Crim. Case No. 324-4������������������������������������� - do -

49.Crim. Case No. 325-4������������������������������������� - do -

50.Crim. Case No. 326-4������������������������������������� - do -

51.Crim. Case No. 327-4������������� Ordered Archived, Feb. 18, 1999

52.Crim. Case No. 328-4������������� Ordered Archived, Feb. 17, 1999

53.Crim. Case No. 329-4������������� Ordered Archived, Feb. 17, 1999

54.Crim. Case No. 330-4������������� Ordered Archived, Feb. 18, 1999

55.Crim. Case No. 331-4������������� Order of Arrest Issued, Nov. 14, 1997

56.Crim. Case No. 332-4������������� Order of Arrest Issued, Dec. 16, 1997

57.Crim. Case No. 333-4������������� Order of Arrest Issued, - do -

58.Crim. Case No. 334-4������������������������������������� - do -

59.Crim. Case No. 335-4������������������������������������� - do -

60.Crim. Case No. 336-4������������������������������������� - do -

61.Crim. Case No. 337-4������������������������������������� - do -

62.Crim. Case No. 338-4������������������������������������� Active

63.Crim. Case No. 339-4������������������������������������� Active

64.Crim. Case No. 340-4������������� Accused at large; Order of Arrest issued, October 22, 1998

65.Crim. Case No. 341-4������������� Accused at large; Order of Arrest issued, January 15, 1998

66.Crim. Case No. 342-4������������� Accused at large; Order of Arrest issued; Sept. 22, 1998

67.Crim. Case No. 343-4������������� Accused at large; Order of Arrest issued on Nov. 13, 1998

68.Crim. Case No. 3 44-4������������ Accused at large; Order of Arrest issued on August 22, 1998

69.Crim. Case No. 319-4������������� Active as of this date -hearing set for the testimony of the defense

70.Same as No. 36

CIVIL CASES

����������������������������������������������������������������������� Date Filed����������������� Status

1.Civil Case No. 27-4������������������������������ 6-17-94��������������������� Dismissed, Oct. 21, 1998

2.Civil Case No. 32-4������������������������������ 9-27-96��������������������� Summon issued, unanswered

3.Civil Case No. 33-4������������������������������ 1-4-96������������������������ Summon issued, unanswered

4.Civil Case No. 22-4������������������������������ 3-27-92��������������������� Summon issued; July 13, 1992,����� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� unanswered

5.Civil Case No. 35-4������������������������������ 5-28-97��������������������� Active; for pre-trial

6.Civil Case No. 36-4������������������������������ 7-14-97��������������������� Summon issued; July 21, 1997,����� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� unanswered

7.Civil Case No. 37-4������������������������������ 8-7-97������������������������ Active

8.Civil Case No. 39-4������������������������������ 1-22-98��������������������� Active

9.Special Proceeding No. 119-4����������������������� 11-29-94������� No publication, pending

10.Spc. Proc. No. 123-14������������������������� 12-28-95������������������� Granted, Sept. 25, 1998

11.Spc. Proc. No. 126-4��������������������������� 5-21-96��������������������� No order of dismissal

Parties reconciled

12.Spc. Proc. No. 132-4��������������������������� 10-9-96��������������������� Dismissed

13.Spc. Proc. No. 134-4��������������������������� 11-25-96������������������� Active

14.Spc. Proc. No. 137-4��������������������������� 4-23-97��������������������� Pending for resolution

����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Last order, Jan. 12, 1998

15.Spc. Proc. No. 138-4��������������������������� 8-11-97��������������������� Active

16.Spc. Proc. No. 139-4��������������������������� 4-16-97��������������������� Granted

17.Spc. Proc. No. 143-4��������������������������� 11-6-97��������������������� Active

The OCA called attention to the item in the aforesaid handwritten report of OIC Ajan N. Sarajan showing that, in addition to Criminal Case No. 494-3 in the RTC, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu, respondent had also failed to decide Criminal Case No. 136-4, entitled "People v. Ibnohassan Sippaie," which had been submitted for decision on May 8, 1997 in the RTC, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu. For this reason, the OCA recommended that -

1.Hon. Hussin U. Amin. (resigned presiding judge of the RTC, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu) be FINED IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00), deductible from his terminal leave commutation, for failure to decide Criminal Case No. 494-3 in the RTC, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu and Criminal Case No. 136-4 in the RTC, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu, within the 90-day, reglementary period.

2.Hon. Tibing A. Asaali of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 17, Zamboanga City (designated acting presiding judge of RTC, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu and RTC, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu) be DIRECTED TO: (2-a) immediately inform this Court whether or not he had already rendered his decision in Criminal Cases Nos. 494-3 and 524-3 of RTC, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu, the records of which with complete transcripts of stenographic notes having been submitted to him by OIC Juata B. Igasan-Daud on February 19, 1999; and (2-b) decide Criminal Case No. 136-4 and Special Proceedings No. 137-4 of RTC, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu, within thirty (30) days from receipt of the records with complete transcripts of the stenographic notes from OIC Ajan N. Sarajan of RTC, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu, and thereafter, inform this Court of compliance herewith.

3.Officer-in-Charge Jurata B. Igasan-Daud of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu, be CLEARED of any administrative liability with respect to this administrative matter and REMINDED to be more conscientious in the performance of her duties.

4.Officer-in-Charge Ajan N. Sarajan of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu, be DIRECTED to: (4-a) cause, within twenty (20) days from notice, the completion of the transcripts of stenographic notes in Criminal Case No. 136-4 and Special Proceedings No. 137-4 and thereafter submit the records of these cases together with the transcripts to Acting Presiding Judge Tibing A. Asaali; and (4-b) to inform this Court of the date of submission thereof to Judge Asaali, within ten (10) days from compliance therewith. [2] cralaw

On the other hand, the Court required OIC Igasan-Daud, RTC, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu to inform it whether prior to his resignation effective March 27, 1998, respondent had decided nine cases which, as indicated in the docket inventory of OIC Igasan-Daud for July 1 to December 31, 1997, had been submitted for decision.

OIC Igasan-Daud's compliance, dated September 7, 1999, showed that all nine cases had been resolved by respondent; however, Special Proceeding No. 20 1-3, which was submitted for decision on July 9, 1997, was decided by respondent only on October 27, 1997. For this reason, the Court further required Judge Amin to explain within ten (10) days from notice why he failed to decide Special Proceeding No. 20 1-3 in the RTC, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu, while Criminal Case Nos. 136-4 and 309-4, both filed in the RTC, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu within the 90-day reglementary period, had not been decided by him at all despite the fact that when he resigned on March 27, 1998, these latter cases, had been submitted for decision for more than 90 days, on May 8, 1997 and October 20, 1997, respectively.

Respondent failed to submit his explanation. He is therefore deemed to have waived the filing of the same, and this case is now submitted for resolution.

Based on the foregoing, it appears that respondent failed to decide three cases despite the fact that they had been submitted for decision for more than 90 days before his resignation from office on March 27, 1998. These are Criminal Case No. 494-3 of the RTC, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu which was submitted for decision in August 1997 and Criminal case Nos. 136-4 and 309-4 of RTC, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu which were submitted for decision on May 8, 1997 and October 20, 1997, respectively. In addition, while respondent decided Special Proceeding No. 201-3 of the RTC, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu on October 27, 1997, he did so only after 90 days from the time the case was submitted for decision on July 9, 1997. Moreover, except for Criminal Case Nos. 86-4, 114-4, 271-4, 278-4, and 318-4, he likewise failed to act on the cases in the handwritten report, dated April 21, 1999, of OIC Jurata B. Igasan-Daud, RTC, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu.

Respondent's explanation is that he was unaware of the fact that Criminal Case No. 494-3, in the RTC, Branch 3, Jolo, Sulu had not been decided because he relied on the clearance issued to him by OIC Jurata B. Igasan-Daud. As Presiding Judge, however, respondent should know more than anyone else the status of his cases. He cannot leave solely to his staff the responsibility for the management of cases. [3] cralaw Respondent further pleads excusable negligence, claiming that his campaign for the congressional seat in the First District of Sulu took much of his time and that, human as he is, be easily forgot things he should do, including the important duty to decide cases within the period required by law.

The Court accepts this explanation in extenuation of respondent's responsibility as judge. Needless to say, by this we do not mean to say that judicial duties should be sacrificed for the pursuit of elective office. We take into account in this case that actually only three cases had been left undecided beyond the 90-day reglementary period at the time respondent resigned on March 27, 1998 and that with respect to those cases in which he failed to take interlocutory action, no particular prejudice to the parties has been shown.

WHEREFORE, respondent Hussin U. Amin is admonished to be more careful in the discharge of judicial functions since it is possible that he may return to the judiciary after his services in the legislative department. .

Very truly yours,

LUZVIMINDA D. PUNO
Clerk of Court

(Sgd.) MA. LUISA D. VILLARAMA

Asst. Clerk of Court



Endnotes:

[1] cralaw Should be 69 as it appears that OIC Ajan Sarajan reported Criminal Case No. 309-4 twice under the headings "People versus Mudjakar Kipili" and "People versus Mudjakar Abdulhamid."

[2] cralaw OCA Memorandum, dated July 9, 1999, pp. 2-3.

[3] cralaw See Hilario v. Concepcion, 327 SCRA 96 (2000).


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