G.R. No. A.M. No. P-89-295. May 29, 1992.
JUDGE ADORACION G. ANGELES, complainant, vs. EMMANUEL BANTUG and SYLVIA M. GUERRERO, respondents.

FACTS

Judge Adoracion G. Angeles, Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 121, Caloocan City, filed an administrative complaint against Emmanuel Bantug (Legal Researcher and Acting Branch Clerk of Court) and Sylvia Guerrero (Court Stenographer) for falsification of judicial records. The complaint arose from a questionable order dated November 17, 1985, allegedly issued by former Judge Salvador J. Baylen in Civil Case No. 11974, directing the Register of Deeds of Caloocan City to issue a new certificate of title in favor of intervenor Roqueta Dimson. Judge Angeles suspected the signature of Judge Baylen was forged, as the motion for leave to intervene was only granted on November 15, 1985, and the complaint in intervention was filed on December 5, 1985. The questioned order, along with return cards and stenographic notes, were found inserted into the court records without page numbers. Investigation revealed that the records were paginated on November 20, 1986, and the questioned documents were not present at that time. They were later discovered in the possession of respondent Guerrero on October 3, 1988. Guerrero admitted she wrote the stenographic notes and typed the November 17, 1985 order, but claimed she did so upon Judge Baylen’s instructions. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed the signature on the order was forged. Respondent Bantug signed a “Certificate of Finality” for the order on August 15, 1988, at Guerrero’s request, without verifying the authenticity of the order or its finality, and the certificate was not officially released.

ISSUE

Whether respondents Emmanuel Bantug and Sylvia Guerrero are administratively liable for their involvement in the falsification of judicial records.

RULING

The Supreme Court found respondent Sylvia Guerrero guilty of falsification of judicial records. She actively participated in preparing the forged order and stenographic notes, and her actions demonstrated dishonesty and misconduct. She was ordered DISMISSED from service with forfeiture of all retirement benefits and with prejudice to reinstatement in any government agency. Respondent Emmanuel Bantug was found grossly negligent in his duties as Acting Branch Clerk of Court for signing the Certificate of Finality without verifying the authenticity and finality of the questionable order. He was ordered to pay a fine of P5,000.00. The Court emphasized that all judiciary personnel must uphold integrity, honesty, and propriety in their conduct.