G.R. No. A.M. No. 07-9-454-RTC and A.M. No. 05-2-108-RTC. March 18, 2014.
RE: JUDICIAL AUDIT CONDUCTED IN THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 20, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, MISAMIS ORIENTAL and REQUEST OF JUDGE GREGORIO D. PANTANOSAS, JR., REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 20, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO DECIDE CRIMINAL CASES NOS. 92-1935 & 26 OTHERS.

FACTS

A judicial audit was conducted from February 21 to 24, 2005, in RTC Branch 20, Cagayan de Oro City, presided by Judge Gregorio D. Pantanosas, Jr. The audit revealed a total caseload of 599 cases. Numerous deficiencies were found: failure to act on cases from filing; no further action in many cases; unresolved pending incidents and undecided cases beyond the reglementary period; failure to submit Monthly Reports of Cases; unupdated docket books; and missing certificates of arraignment. The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) issued memoranda directing compliance. Judge Pantanosas, Jr. explained his failures were due to incomplete transcripts, retired stenographers, inherited cases, heavy caseload, and lack of Commissioner’s Reports. Despite follow-up audits and repeated directives, significant backlogs remained. In a related matter (A.M. No. 05-2-108-RTC), Judge Pantanosas, Jr. had requested extensions to decide 27 criminal cases, which was initially granted but later investigations revealed he had falsely certified in his Certificates of Service that he had no pending matters or unresolved incidents, when in fact many existed. He compulsorily retired on February 22, 2008, before the conclusion of the administrative matters.

ISSUE

Whether Judge Gregorio D. Pantanosas, Jr. is administratively liable for gross inefficiency and dishonesty.

RULING

Yes. Judge Pantanosas, Jr. is guilty of gross inefficiency for failing to decide cases and resolve incidents within the reglementary periods. He is also guilty of dishonesty for rendering false Certificates of Service. For gross inefficiency, a judge may be dismissed even for a first offense. For dishonesty, a judge may also be dismissed even for a first offense. However, since Judge Pantanosas, Jr. had already compulsorily retired, the penalty of dismissal could no longer be imposed. The Court imposed the penalty of forfeiture of all retirement benefits, except accrued leave credits, and disqualified him from reemployment in any government branch or instrumentality.