AM 07 10 254 METC; (June, 2008) (Digest)
A.M. No. 07-10-254-MeTC ; June 12, 2008
RE: ABSENCE WITHOUT OFFICIAL LEAVE OF MERLIE N. YUSON, Court Stenographer, Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 1, Manila
FACTS
This administrative case concerns Merlie N. Yuson, a Court Stenographer at the Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) of Manila, Branch 1. Records from the Employees Leave Division of the Office of Administrative Services (ELD-OAS) revealed that Yuson had not submitted her daily time records (bundy cards) since April 2007. She had also failed to report for work and did not file any application for leave of absence. On July 11, 2007, the ELD-OAS sent Yuson a telegram directing her to submit her bundy cards, but she did not comply. In a subsequent letter, Judge Ma. Ruby B. Camarista confirmed to the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) that Yuson had been absent without filing any leave since April 2007.
The OCA, upon recommendation, initially ordered the withholding of Yuson’s salaries and benefits. Subsequently, the OCA recommended that Yuson be dropped from the rolls effective April 1, 2007, due to her absence without official leave (AWOL), and that her position be declared vacant.
ISSUE
Whether or not Merlie N. Yuson should be dropped from the rolls and separated from the service for her prolonged absence without official leave.
RULING
The Supreme Court approved the OCA’s recommendation. The legal basis is Rule XVI, Section 63 of the Omnibus Civil Service Rules and Regulations, as amended, which mandates that an official or employee who is continuously absent without approved leave for at least thirty (30) calendar days shall be considered on AWOL and shall be separated from the service or dropped from the rolls without prior notice. Yuson’s unauthorized absence since April 2007 clearly falls under this rule.
The Court emphasized that such conduct by a court employee disrupts judicial operations and causes delay in the administration of justice, which is prejudicial to public service. It constitutes a gross disregard of official duties and a failure to uphold the high standards of responsibility, integrity, and efficiency required of public servants. By going on AWOL, Yuson showed indifference to the judiciary’s sacred duty and diminished public faith in the institution. The Court cannot tolerate any act that violates norms of public accountability. Consequently, Merlie N. Yuson is DROPPED from the rolls, and her position is declared VACANT.