FERNANDO P. CHAN VS. JOVEN T. OLEGARIO (A.M. NO. P-09-2714, 06 DECEMBER 2010, J. ABAD) SUBJECTS: NON-SETTLEMENT OF DEBT BY COURT EMPLOYEE; SETTLEMENT OF DEBT NOT GROUND FOR DISMISSAL.
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CASE STORY
OLEGARIO BORROWED CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FROM CHAN WHO OWNS A HARDWARE. OLEGARIO WAS NOT ABLE TO PAY. ADMIN CASE WAS BROUHT AGAINST OLEGARIO. IN THE COURSE OF THE CASE OLEGARIO PAID CHAN AND CHAN MANIFESTED HE IS NO LONGER INTERESTED IN THE CASE.
CAN THE CASE NOW BE DISMISSMED? IF NOT WHAT CRIME DID OLEGARIO COMMIT?
SC RULED THAT THE WITHDRAWAL OF COMPLAINTS CANNOT DIVEST THE COURT OF ITS JURISDICTION NOR STRIP IT OF ITS POWER TO DETERMINE THE VERACITY OF THE CHARGES MADE AND TO DISCIPLINE, SUCH AS THE RESULTS OF ITS INVESTIGATION MAY WARRANT, AN ERRING RESPONDENT.
OLEGARIO IS GUILTY OF WILLFUL FAILURE TO PAY JUST DEBT AND CONDUCT UNBECOMING OF A COURT EMPLOYEE.
DOCTRINES:
CONDUCT OF COURT EMPLOYEES MUST AT ALL TIMES BE CHARACTERIZED BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, UPRIGHTNESS, PROPRIETY AND DECORUM.[1][1]
The Court cannot overstress the need for circumspect and proper behavior on the part of court employees. While it may be just for an individual to incur indebtedness unrestrained by the fact that he is a public officer or employee, caution should be taken to prevent the occurrence of dubious circumstances that might inevitably impair the image of the public office. Employees of the court should always keep in mind that the court is regarded by the public with respect. Consequently, the conduct of each court personnel should be circumscribed with the heavy burden of onus and must at all times be characterized by, among other things, uprightness, propriety and decorum.[2][1]
CASE CANNOT BE DISMISSED ON THE GROUND THAT THE CIVIL ASPECT IS ALREADY SETTLED.
Furthermore, the fact that Chan, on December 12, 2009, manifested that he is no longer interested to pursue the instant administrative case since he and Olegario have already agreed to settle their dispute amicably would not render this case moot. The withdrawal of complaints cannot divest the Court of its jurisdiction nor strip it of its power to determine the veracity of the charges made and to discipline, such as the results of its investigation may warrant, an erring respondent. Administrative actions cannot depend on the will or pleasure of the complainant who may, for reasons of his own, condone what may be detestable. Neither can the Court be bound by the unilateral act of the complainant in a matter relating to its disciplinary power. The Court’s interest in the affairs of the judiciary is of paramount concern. For sure, public interest is at stake in the conduct and actuations of officials and employees of the judiciary, inasmuch as the various programs and efforts of this Court in improving the delivery of justice to the people should not be frustrated and put to naught by private arrangements between the parties as in the instant case.[3][2]
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D E C I S I O N
PERALTA, J.:
Before this Court is a criminal complaint dated July 30, 2007 filed by Fernando P. Chan (Chan) against respondent Joven Olegario (Olegario), Process Server of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Makati City, Branch 6, Iligan City, for Estafa. The complaint was filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, however, Olegario being a court employee, the instant complaint was forwarded to the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) for administrative disciplinary action.
The antecedent facts of the case, as culled from the records, are as follows:
Complainant Chan is the owner/proprietor of XRG Hardware and Construction Supply located at Tibanga Highway, Iligan City.
On February 3, 2001, Olegario went to Chan’s hardware to obtain construction materials which will be utilized for the construction of his house. He introduced himself to Chan as a court process server at the RTC of Iligan, Branch VI, and showed certain documents as proof. Olegario explained then to Chan that he was short of funds for the construction of his house and that he had applied for a loan at GSIS. He then asked Chan for construction materials and promised that he will pay his loan as soon as he received the proceeds of his GSIS loan as well as an interest of 20% per annum.
Banking on the words of Olegario and his being a government employee, Chan agreed to his request and delivered to him construction materials, to wit: (1) 10 bags of cement; (2) 10 pcs. of Plywood; and (3) 10 pcs. of corrugated G.I. sheet. The total cost of the construction materials amounted to Four Thousand Five Hundred Ten Pesos (P4,510.00).
Three months after, Chan demanded payment from Olegario, but the latter told him that his loan has yet to be released. He promised though that he will pay his obligation with interest. His promise to pay his obligation went on and on.
Chan averred that for seven years, Olegario has not paid him even a single centavo.
On June 15, 2007, Chan sent another demand letter to Olegario to pay his obligation. Again, Olegario merely promised him that he will pay his obligation within 15 days, but he never did.
On October 16, 2007, the Court directed Olegario to submit his comment on the instant complaint against him.
In his Comment dated March 4, 2008, Olegario denied that he had been evading his obligation to pay his debts to Chan. He alleged that his wife died on February 6, 2008 after a month of fighting a massive stroke, thus, he had to attend to the needs of his wife.
Olegario likewise manifested that he attempted to tender partial payment to Chan, but the latter refused it. He asked the Court to give him more time to settle his obligation to Chan.
Subsequently, in its Memorandum dated September 23, 2009, the OCA recommended that the instant complaint be redocketed as a regular administrative complaint. It further found Olegario guilty of willful failure to pay just debt and conduct unbecoming of a court employee, thus, also recommended the imposition of a fine in the amount of P5,000.00.
We agree with the findings and recommendation of the OCA.
The Court cannot overstress the need for circumspect and proper behavior on the part of court employees. While it may be just for an individual to incur indebtedness unrestrained by the fact that he is a public officer or employee, caution should be taken to prevent the occurrence of dubious circumstances that might inevitably impair the image of the public office. Employees of the court should always keep in mind that the court is regarded by the public with respect. Consequently, the conduct of each court personnel should be circumscribed with the heavy burden of onus and must at all times be characterized by, among other things, uprightness, propriety and decorum.[4][1]
There is no question as to the existence of the debt and its justness as Olegario himself admitted them. Likewise, Olegario’s allegation of financial difficulties is not a sufficient excuse for failing to pay his debt to Chan. He claimed that he had no intention of evading his obligation, but we are unconvinced. The fact that it took more than seven years before he attempted to pay his obligation clearly negated his claim.
Moreover, we also take note that it was Olegario’s pronouncement that he is a court employee which induced Chan to trust him and extend a loan to him. Thus, Olegario’s non-payment of his debt for more than 7 years not only tainted his name but the court’s image as well. This we will not tolerate.
Furthermore, the fact that Chan, on December 12, 2009, manifested that he is no longer interested to pursue the instant administrative case since he and Olegario have already agreed to settle their dispute amicably would not render this case moot. The withdrawal of complaints cannot divest the Court of its jurisdiction nor strip it of its power to determine the veracity of the charges made and to discipline, such as the results of its investigation may warrant, an erring respondent. Administrative actions cannot depend on the will or pleasure of the complainant who may, for reasons of his own, condone what may be detestable. Neither can the Court be bound by the unilateral act of the complainant in a matter relating to its disciplinary power. The Court’s interest in the affairs of the judiciary is of paramount concern. For sure, public interest is at stake in the conduct and actuations of officials and employees of the judiciary, inasmuch as the various programs and efforts of this Court in improving the delivery of justice to the people should not be frustrated and put to naught by private arrangements between the parties as in the instant case.[5][2]
Likewise, the fact that Olegario settled his obligation with complainant during the pendency of the present complaint does not exculpate him from administrative liability. Willful failure to pay just debt amounts to conduct unbecoming a court employee.[6][3]
We cannot overlook the fact that Olegario’s unethical conduct has diminished the honor and integrity of his office and stained the image of the judiciary. Certainly, to preserve decency within the judiciary, court personnel must comply with just contractual obligations, act fairly and adhere to high ethical standards. Like all other court personnel, Olegario is expected to be a paragon of uprightness, fairness and honesty not only in all his official conduct but also in his personal actuations, including business and commercial transactions, so as to avoid becoming his court’s albatross of infamy.[7][4] The penalty imposed by the law is not directed at Olegario’s private life, but at his actuation unbecoming a public official.[8][5]
WHEREFORE, the Court finds JOVEN T. OLEGARIO, Process Server, Regional Trial Court of Iligan City, Branch 6, GUILTY of CONDUCT UNBECOMING OF COURT EMPLOYEE for which he is FINED in the amount of P5,000.00 with STERN WARNING that a repetition of the same or similar acts shall be dealt with more severely.
SO ORDERED.
DIOSDADO M. PERALTA
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:
ANTONIO T. CARPIO
Associate Justice
Chairperson
ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA ROBERTO A. ABAD
Associate Justice Associate Justice
JOSE CATRAL MENDOZA
Associate Justice
[1][1] Tan v. Hernando, A.M. No. P-08-2501, August 28, 2009, 597 SCRA 380.
[2][1] Tan v. Hernando, A.M. No. P-08-2501, August 28, 2009, 597 SCRA 380.
[3][2] Bayaca v. Ramos, A.M. No. MTJ-07-1676, January 29, 2009, 577 SCRA 93, 102.
[4][1] Tan v. Hernando, A.M. No. P-08-2501, August 28, 2009, 597 SCRA 380.
[5][2] Bayaca v. Ramos, A.M. No. MTJ-07-1676, January 29, 2009, 577 SCRA 93, 102.
[6][3] See Rosales v. Monesit, Sr., A.M. No. P-08-2447, April 10, 2008, 551 SCRA 80, 85.
[7][4] Tan v. Sermonia, A.M. No. P-08-2436, August 4, 2009, 595 SCRA 1, 9-10.
[8][5] See Tan v. Sermonia, supra, at 10.
J.A.B. Bulao & Associates 