G.R. No. A.M. No. R-105-P November 16, 1984
Cresencia G. Soriano, complainant, vs. Felicisimo C. Quintos and Ma. Victoria Paule Quintos, respondents.

FACTS

A verified administrative complaint was filed against respondents Felicisimo C. Quintos and Ma. Victoria Paule Quintos, both court staff assistants in Balanga, Bataan. The complainant alleged that respondents contracted marriage on September 23, 1974, despite the fact that Felicisimo’s first marriage to Leticia Reyes Quintos was still subsisting, thereby committing bigamy. It was further charged that they lived together under scandalous circumstances, resulting in four children, and that Ma. Victoria had misrepresented herself as Felicisimo’s lawful wife, which led to her separation from a prior teaching job. Despite this, both were appointed to their court positions. Additional charges included falsification of Ma. Victoria’s age in their marriage contract and conduct unbecoming a public servant, citing an alleged case of grave oral defamation filed by a co-employee.
During the proceedings, respondent Felicisimo C. Quintos submitted his resignation. The case was referred to Executive Judge Luciano G. Elizaga for investigation. Judge Elizaga found the charges for falsification and conduct unbecoming unsubstantiated, as there was no proof Ma. Victoria prepared the marriage contract and the defamation case had been dismissed. However, he found the charge of disgraceful and immoral conduct to be proven.

ISSUE

Whether respondents are administratively liable for disgraceful and immoral conduct warranting their separation from the judiciary service.

RULING

Yes, both respondents are administratively liable. The investigating judge correctly found that the charges for falsification and specific unbecoming conduct were not substantiated by the evidence. However, the core charge of immoral conduct was conclusively established. Felicisimo C. Quintos indisputably contracted a second marriage while his first marriage was legally valid, constituting bigamy. Ma. Victoria Paule Quintos, by her own admission, learned of the first marriage in 1975 after the birth of her first child with Felicisimo. Despite this knowledge, she continued to cohabit with him as husband and wife. This conscious and continued cohabitation in a bigamous relationship constitutes disgraceful and immoral conduct, both prior to and during her government service. The Court emphasized that while human compassion is understandable, the good of the public service demands a high standard of morality from its officials and employees to maintain public respect and confidence in the government.
Accordingly, the Court imposed the penalty of separation from the service. Respondent Felicisimo C. Quintos was considered separated from the date of his resignation submission, with forfeiture of all benefits and with prejudice to reinstatement. Ma. Victoria P. Quintos was considered resigned from the date of her preventive suspension, also with prejudice to reinstatement, but without forfeiture of benefits.