A.C. No. 3086 - MAY 1989 - PHILIPPINE JURISPRUDENCE CASE NUMBERCASE TITLE A.C. No. 3086 May 31, 1989In Re: Judge Baltazar R. Dizon G.R. No. 77231May 31, 1989San Jose City Electric Service Coop., Inc.vs. Ministry of Labor and Employment G.R. No. 80264 May 31, 1989San Miguel Village Schoolvs. Amir Pukunum D. Pundogar G.R. No. 84358May 31, 1989Ramon Carenanvs. Honorable Court of Appeals G.R. No. 50974-75May 31, 1989Juan Castrovs. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 53998 May 31, 1989Enrico Malonzovs. Herminio Mariano G.R. No. 55372May 31, 1989Letty Hahnvs. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 65589May 31, 1989The People of the Philippinesvs. Romeo Somera G.R. No. 79902May 30, 1989Metro Manila Tran. Corpvs. C. Morales G.R. No. 82007May 30, 1989Felipe Relucio IIIvs. the Hon. Catalino Macaraig, Jr. G.R. No. 76048May 29, 1989People of the Philippinesvs. Bonifacio Pigon G.R. No. 83376May 29, 1989Stronghold Insurance Company, Inc.vs. Hon. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 33166 May 29, 1989A.D. Guerrerovs. Mercedes P. Juntilla G.R. No. 67195 May 29, 1989Heirs of E. Roxasvs. Intermediate Appellate Court G.R. No. 63279 May 25, 1989Nonita C. Buenconsejovs. Employees' Compensation Commission G.R. No. 80908 & 80909 May 24, 1989Emerito M. Ramos, Sr.vs. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 74291-93May 23, 1989People of the Philippinesvs. Oscar Lamosa G.R. No. 78290-94May 23, 1989Natalia Realty Corporationvs. Protacio Vallez G.R. No. 81957 May 23, 1989Philippine Veterans Bankvs. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 84051 May 19, 1989Francisco Bergadovs. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 85815May 19, 1989Eleno T. Regidor, Jr.vs. Gov. William Chiongbian G.R. No. 51333May 18, 1989Ramona R. Locsinvs. Carlos Panaligan G.R. No. 70493 May 18, 1989Glan People's Lumbervs. Intermediate Appellate Court G.R. No. 81314 May 18, 1989Eagle Security Agency, Inc.vs. National Labor Relations Comm. G.R. No. 82318 May 18, 1989Gilberto M. Duavitvs. the Hon. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 29759May 18, 1989Natividad Del Rosario Vda. De Albertovs. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 76671May 17, 1989Susana Salidovs. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 84750May 16, 1989Bulig-Bulig Kita Kamag-Anak Association, et al.vs. Sulpicio Lines, Inc. G.R. No. 84712May 15, 1989Seahorse Maritime Corporationvs. National Labor Relations Commission G.R. No. 85749May 15, 1989Commissioner of Internal Revenuevs. Antonio Tuason, Inc. G.R. No. 86899-903May 15, 1989Governor Amor D. Delosovs. Sandiganbayan A.M. No. 6484-RetMay 15, 1989Re: Application for Retirement Under R.A. No. 910 of Associate Justice Ramon B. Britanico of the Intermediate Appellate Court G.R. No. 33695May 15, 1989Manufacturer's Bank & Trust Companyvs. Diversified Industries, Inc. G.R. No. 37165 May 15, 1989Primitivo Nepomucenovs. Benjamin Salazar G.R. No. 47628May 15, 1989People of the Philippinesvs. Reynaldo Mancilla G.R. No. 48132May 15, 1989Leoncia Franciscovs. Lamberto B. Magbitang G.R. No. 74075May 12, 1989People of the Philippinesvs. Bernabe Macasinag G.R. No. 74461May 12, 1989Juan Asongvs. the Honorable Intermediate Appellate Court G.R. No. 77588May 12, 1989People of the Philippinesvs. June Sanchez G.R. No. 78277May 12, 1989San Miguel Corporationvs. National Labor Rel. Comm. G.R. No. 81006May 12, 1989Victorino Franciscovs. Winai Permskul G.R. No. 82278May 12, 1989Emelinda Sungavs. National Labor Relations Commission G.R. No. 82506May 12, 1989Construction Services of Australia Philippines, Inc.vs. Amado P. Peralta G.R. No. 83748May 12, 1989Flavio K Macasaet & Associates, Inc.vs. Commission on Audit G.R. No. 54445 May 12, 1989People of the Philippinesvs. Mario Nunag, et al. G.R. No. 68385May 12, 1989Ildefonso O. Elegadovs. Court of Tax Appeals, et al. A.M. No. P-88-241 May 9, 1989Lourdes Padolinavs. Ruben L. Henson G.R. No. 73854May 9, 1989Jose P. De La Concepcionvs. People of the Philippines G.R. No. 40464 May 9, 1989Policarpio Viscavs. Secretary of Agriculture G.R. No. 44588May 9, 1989Laura Velascovs. Sergio A. F. Apostol G.R. No. 61442 May 9, 1989Modesto A. Mahinayvs. Sandiganbayan G.R. No. 63971 May 9, 1989People of the Philippinesvs. Ricardo Elesterio A.C. No. 3091May 5, 1989Arsenio Reyesvs. Dante Tinga G.R. No. 70245 May 5, 1989Eleuterio Domingovs. Hon. Alfredo A. Rosero G.R. No. 74453 May 5, 1989Ambrocio Vengcovs. Hon. Cresenciano B. Trajano G.R. No. 75896 May 5,1989Renato A. Valdezvs. People of the Philippines G.R. No. 78012 May 5, 1989Delta Motors Corporationvs. N. Opulencia G.R. No. 78871-72 May 5, 1989Pacific Cement Company Inc.vs. National Labor Relations Commission G.R. No. 82363May 5, 1989People of the Philippinesvs. Armando Solares G.R. No. 82768May 5, 1989The People of the Philippinesvs. Anecito L. Estebal G.R. No. 45127 May 5, 1989People of the Philippinesvs. Judge Auxencio C. Dacuycuy G.R. No. 45656 May 5, 1989Pacific Banking Corporationvs. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 62806May 5,1989People of the Philippinesvs. Danilo Ison G.R. No. 76542May 5, 1989Aniano Matabuenavs. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 77282 May 5, 1989Associated Labor Unions (Alu)vs. Pura Ferrer-Calleja G.R. Nos. 63208-09May 5, 1989Camara Shoesvs. Kapisanan Ng Mga Manggagawa Sa Camara Shoes G.R. No. 49677May 4,1989Trade Unions of the Philippinesvs. National Housing Corporation G.R. No. 55336 May 4, 1989 Vallangcavs. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 76209 May 4, 1989Republic of the Philippinesvs. the Honorable Court of Appeals G.R. No. 77686 May 4, 1989People of the Philippinesvs. Sedan Alegarbes G.R. No. 84895 May 4,1989Republic of the Philippinesvs. Sandiganbayan G.R. No. 36343May 4, 1989Republic of the Philippinesvs. Julian B. De La Rosa G.R. No. 47491 May 4, 1989Galicano Golloyvs. Honorable Court of Appeals G.R. No. 40062 May 3, 1989Montelibano Esguerravs. Court of Appeals G.R. Nos. 32836-37May 3, 1989Daniel Victoriovs. the Hon. Court of Appeals The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation, Inc. In Re: Judge Baltazar R. DizonSan Jose City Electric Service Coop., Inc.vs. Ministry of Labor and EmploymentSan Miguel Village Schoolvs. Amir Pukunum D. PundogarRamon Carenanvs. Honorable Court of AppealsJuan Castrovs. Court of AppealsEnrico Malonzovs. Herminio MarianoLetty Hahnvs. Court of AppealsThe People of the Philippinesvs. Romeo SomeraMetro Manila Tran. Corpvs. C. MoralesFelipe Relucio IIIvs. the Hon. Catalino Macaraig, Jr.People of the Philippinesvs. Bonifacio PigonStronghold Insurance Company, Inc.vs. Hon. Court of AppealsA.D. Guerrerovs. Mercedes P. JuntillaHeirs of E. Roxasvs. Intermediate Appellate CourtNonita C. Buenconsejovs. Employees' Compensation CommissionEmerito M. Ramos, Sr.vs. Court of AppealsPeople of the Philippinesvs. Oscar LamosaNatalia Realty Corporationvs. Protacio VallezPhilippine Veterans Bankvs. Court of AppealsFrancisco Bergadovs. Court of AppealsEleno T. Regidor, Jr.vs. Gov. William ChiongbianRamona R. Locsinvs. Carlos PanaliganGlan People's Lumbervs. Intermediate Appellate CourtEagle Security Agency, Inc.vs. National Labor Relations Comm.Gilberto M. Duavitvs. the Hon. Court of AppealsNatividad Del Rosario Vda. De Albertovs. Court of AppealsSusana Salidovs. Court of AppealsBulig-Bulig Kita Kamag-Anak Association, et al.vs. Sulpicio Lines, Inc.Seahorse Maritime Corporationvs. National Labor Relations CommissionCommissioner of Internal Revenuevs. Antonio Tuason, Inc.Governor Amor D. Delosovs. SandiganbayanRe: Application for Retirement Under R.A. No. 910 of Associate Justice Ramon B. Britanico of the Intermediate Appellate CourtManufacturer's Bank & Trust Companyvs. Diversified Industries, Inc.Primitivo Nepomucenovs. Benjamin SalazarPeople of the Philippinesvs. Reynaldo MancillaLeoncia Franciscovs. Lamberto B. MagbitangPeople of the Philippinesvs. Bernabe MacasinagJuan Asongvs. the Honorable Intermediate Appellate CourtPeople of the Philippinesvs. June SanchezSan Miguel Corporationvs. National Labor Rel. Comm.Victorino Franciscovs. Winai PermskulEmelinda Sungavs. National Labor Relations CommissionConstruction Services of Australia Philippines, Inc.vs. Amado P. PeraltaFlavio K Macasaet & Associates, Inc.vs. Commission on AuditPeople of the Philippinesvs. Mario Nunag, et al.Ildefonso O. Elegadovs. Court of Tax Appeals, et al.Lourdes Padolinavs. Ruben L. HensonJose P. De La Concepcionvs. People of the PhilippinesPolicarpio Viscavs. Secretary of AgricultureLaura Velascovs. Sergio A. F. ApostolModesto A. Mahinayvs. SandiganbayanPeople of the Philippinesvs. Ricardo ElesterioArsenio Reyesvs. Dante TingaEleuterio Domingovs. Hon. Alfredo A. RoseroAmbrocio Vengcovs. Hon. Cresenciano B. TrajanoRenato A. Valdezvs. People of the PhilippinesDelta Motors Corporationvs. N. OpulenciaPacific Cement Company Inc.vs. National Labor Relations CommissionPeople of the Philippinesvs. Armando SolaresThe People of the Philippinesvs. Anecito L. EstebalPeople of the Philippinesvs. Judge Auxencio C. DacuycuyPacific Banking Corporationvs. Court of AppealsPeople of the Philippinesvs. Danilo IsonAniano Matabuenavs. Court of AppealsAssociated Labor Unions (Alu)vs. Pura Ferrer-CallejaCamara Shoesvs. Kapisanan Ng Mga Manggagawa Sa Camara ShoesTrade Unions of the Philippinesvs. National Housing CorporationVallangcavs. Court of AppealsRepublic of the Philippinesvs. the Honorable Court of AppealsPeople of the Philippinesvs. Sedan AlegarbesRepublic of the Philippinesvs. SandiganbayanRepublic of the Philippinesvs. Julian B. De La RosaGalicano Golloyvs. Honorable Court of AppealsMontelibano Esguerravs. Court of AppealsDaniel Victoriovs. the Hon. Court of AppealsThe Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation, Inc.

Manila

EN BANC

A.C. No. 3086 May 3, 1989

IN RE: Petition for the dismissal from service and/or disbarment of JUDGE BALTAZAR R. DIZON, Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Pasay City, Branch 113. HON. ALEXANDER A. PADILLA, Commissioner of Customs,Petitioner-Complainant

R E S O L U T I O N

PER CURIAM:

Acting on the motion for reconsideration filed by respondent Judge Baltazar R. Dizon praying that the resolution of this Court dated 23 February 1988 in this case be reconsidered, the Court took a second hard look at the present case in the light of the various arguments raised by the movant.

The sole charge brought against the respondent by the former Commissioner of Customs, Hon. Alexander A. Padilla, of which we found him guilty in our Resolution of February 23, 1988, is that he rendered a manifestly erroneous decision in Criminal Case No. 86-10126-P entitled "People of the Philippines v. Lo Chi Fa"through gross incompetence and gross ignorance of the law.

It was alleged that Judge Dizon not only acquitted Lo Chi Fai of the crime of violation of Central Bank Circular No. 960 in spite of the accused having been apprehended with US$355,349.57 worth of foreign currencies while boarding a plane for Hongkong, erroneously ruling that the State must first prove the criminal intent to violate the law and benefit from the illegal act; he also ordered the return of US$3,000.00 out of the US$355,349.57 thus seized to the accused on the grossly wrong interpretation that Central Bank Circular No. 960 exempts this amount from seizure and forfeiture proceedings.

This court pointed out that in offenses punished by special laws, proof of malice or deliberate intent is not necessary. The offenses aremala prohibita.C.B. Circular No. 960 also requires a tourist upon arrival to declare any foreign currency he is carrying if the same exceeds US$3,000.00. Respondent having manifestly disregarded and failed to apply this plain and fundamental legal principle, despite the fact that the record did not so clearly bear out the second charge in fact, it would now appear that the US$3,000.00 was never returned to Lo Chi Fai by order of the respondent or otherwise we considered that "his actuations in this case amounted to grave misconduct prejudicial to the interest of sound and fair administration of justice" and ordered his dismissal from the service.

The respondent now comes to us appealing for a compassionate review of the Court's judgment. He admits that his decision was erroneous but pleads that his mistaken judgment proceeded from good faith and not from a deliberate desire to pervert his position. He pleads also "(E)ven for the sake of his family alone, ... for a review of (such a) pronouncement which not only imposes the stigma of removal from his position, but adds the trauma of the loss of all benefits derived from his long years of service and the forfeiture of further gainful employment in the Government." (Motion for Reconsideration, p. 2)

After another painstaking look at the records of this administrative case, we have decided to act favorably on the respondent's plea to view with less rigor the error of judgment he committed. We have also taken into account the long government service of the respondent spanning more than twenty-six (26) years.

The story of Lo Chi Fai that he and five other business associates from Japan and Hongkong separately brought the foreign currencies into the Philippines for a business venture and that he tried to declare his US$50,000.00 and Yen 8,500,000.00 upon arrival but the Central Bank representive refused to accept his declaration pending confirmation from the Hongkong source is, as we ruled, palpably concocted. Instead of looking for criminal intent, the respondent should have immediately rejected the unbelievable story.

This notwithstanding, there is no clear indication from the records that the respondent's assailed decision was inspired by corrupt motives or a reprehensible purpose to set the plainly guilty free. There is gross misjudgment — yes, but not a deliberate twisting of facts to justify his decision. His plea that because the penalty for violation of CB Circular No. 960 was that provided for in the Revised Penal Code, he believed that intent or malice was an essential element of the offense of course deserves but scant consideration. But because such belief is clearly wrong does not rule out its being held and acted upon in good faith, not from improper motives. There is likewise no question that he did not transgress the procedural requirements needed for the rendition of a judgment in a criminal case. The facts are all stated in the decision. It was his egregiously erroneous interpretation of the law which led us to discipline the respondent.

In our February 23,1988 resolution, we stated that "(A) judge can not be held to account or answer, criminally, civilly, or administratively, for an erroneous decision rendered by him ingood faith." (Emphasis supplied) The foregoing doctrine remains the law.

We do not, by any means, exonerate the respondent from all blame nor do we completely overlook the erroneous judgment. His act remains unjustified. It does not speak well of an officer who must "read, study and ponder" and "personify learning and equanimity." (Lopez v. Fernandez, 99 SCRA 603 [1980]). In the case ofFajota v. Balonso(105 SCRA 1, 4 [1981]), this Court reiterated the strong admonition of former Chief Justice Enrique M. Fernando in his concurring opinion inQuizon v. Baltazar, Jr.(65 SCRA 293, 299 [1975]), to wit:

While the Court does not require perfection and infallibility, it reasonably expects a faithful and intelligent discharge of duty by those who are selected to fill the positions of administrators of justice.

In considering the respondent's humble submission which "respectfully entreats the kind of indulgence and sympathetic understanding of this most Honorable Supreme Court," we have taken into account the overloaded dockets of Metro Manila trial judges, the unceasing strain caused by daily hearings on complex cases and the sad lack of libraries, decent courtrooms, office equipment, supplies, and other court facilities which sometimes result in less than thorough appreciation of all relevant data and applicable laws thus leading to lapses and errors which we find difficult to comprehend once the case reaches us. Still, a Judge must rise above environmental difficulties and keep a clear and cool mind when writing down his decisions.ℒαwρhi৷

The respondent states that in his five years as a trial Judge, he disposed of 2,601 cases. In 1985, we assigned him to handle the cases in Branch 112 in addition to his regular work as Presiding Judge of Branch 113 of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court. He has never found time to go on leave except when compelled by illness. He has never gone on a foreign trip.

The factors mentioned in the respondent's motion for reconsideration and subsequent motions for reinstatement do not excuse or exculpate but they suggest that our earlier penalty of dismissal may be mitigated.

We are not unmindful of the fact that in a few other recent decisions, this Court also applied the doctrine ofres ipsa loquiturin judging the errant Judge's misdeeds. (People v. Valenzuela, 135 SCRA 712 [1985]; Cathay Pacific Airways v. Romillo, 142 SCRA 262 [1986]; Prudential Bank v. Castro, 142 SCRA 223 [1986]; and Consolidated Bank and Trust Corporation v. Capistrano, 159 SCRA 47 [1988] We differentiate this case from these cited cases.

In theseres ipsa loquiturresolutions, there was on the face of the assailed decisions, an inexplicable grave error bereft of any redeeming feature, a patent railroading of a case to bring about an unjust decision, or a manifestly deliberate intent to wreak an injustice against a hapless party. The facts themselves, previously proven or admitted, were of such a character as to give rise to a strong inference that evil intent was present. Such intent, in short, was clearly deducible from what was already of record. Theres ipsa loquiturdoctrine does not except or dispense with the necessity of proving the facts on which the inference of evil intent is based. It merely expresses the clearly sound and reasonable conclusion that when such facts are admitted or are already shown by the record, and no credible explanation that would negative the strong inference of evil intent is forthcoming, no further hearing to establish them to support a judgment as to the culpability of a respondent is necessary.

Thus,when asked to explainthe clearly gross ignorance of law or the grave misconduct irresistibly reflecting on their integrity, the respondent Judges were completely unable to give any credible explanation or to raise reasonable doubt which have justified a more lenient judgment of their conduct.

Respondent Judge Dizon has, in our view, sincerely evinced a humble repentance. He admits his errors in interpreting the law but he pleads that they are not of such gravity as to deserve a penalty of "virtually capital punishment." Even as he asked for "mercy, compassion, and humanity in the light of his good faith and long years of dedication and devoted service to the government," he begs leave to state that "no man is perfect" and that he himself "is subject to commission of mistakes." He submits, however, that his error "was not motivated by any improper considerations." The respondent "sincerely declares that he respects the wisdom of this Honorable Court, its unquestionable disciplinary authority over the members of the bench and the lofty purposes sought to be subserved by the exercise of such constitutional power." He ends his motion for reconsideration with a "respectful and earnest prayer" that we reconsider our Resolution in this administrative matter.

Our decision to dismiss the respondent Judge took effect on February 23, 1988. On the basis of the foregoing considerations, we feel he has been sufficiently punished for the administrative infraction. We, therefore, order his reinstatement.

WHEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING,the motion for reconsideration is herebyGRANTED.The judgment in the Resolution of this Court dated February 23, 1988 isMODIFIED.Respondent Judge Baltazar R. Dizon is considered suspended from office without pay for the period from February 23, 1988 to the date this resolution is promulgated. He may, therefore, beREINSTATEDto office immediately. Let a copy of this resolution be attached to the respondent's personal record.

Fernan, C.J., Narvasa, Gutierrez, Jr., Cruz, Paras, Feliciano, Gancayco, Bidin, Cortes, Griño-Aquino, Medialdea and Regalado, JJ., concur.