A.M. No. MTJ-25-035 [Formerly JIB FPI No. 21-053-MTJ] - ANONYMOUS, COMPLAINANT, VS. HON. JULIETO N. BAJAN, PRESIDING JUDGE, BRANCH 2, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES, SURIGAO CITY, SURIGAO DEL NORTE.D E C I S I O N - Supreme Court E-Library

Ruling

accordingly FINED the total amount of [PHP] 18,000.00 , payable within a period not exceeding [three] months from the time the decision or resolution is promulgated; and 2. Respondent Judge Bajan be found GUILTY of simple neglect of duty and [be] FINED the total amount of [PHP] 18,000.00 , payable within a period not exceeding [three] months from the time the decision or resolution is promulgated; and 3. Respondent Judge be found GUILTY as member of the Philippine Bar for violations of Canon 1, Rule 1.01, Canon 11, [Rules] 11.02 and 11.03 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and he be FINED in the amount of [PHP] 5,000.00. [26] In its Report, [27] the JIB made the following recommendations: ACCORDINGLY , we respectfully RECOMMEND to the Honorable Supreme Court that the instant case be RE-DOCKETED as regular administrative matter and that retired Judge Julieto N. Bajan, Branch 2, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte be found GUILTY of: 1. Habitual absenteeism and[/]or tardiness and be FINED in the sum of [PHP] 50,000.00, payable within a period not exceeding [three] months from the time the decision or resolution is promulgated; 2. Violation of Supreme Court Rules, Directives and Circulars for smoking during court hearings and be FINED in the sum of [PHP] 50,000.00, payable within a period not exceeding [three] months from the time the decision or resolution is promulgated; 3. Simple misconduct for sleeping during court hearings and accordingly be FINED in the sum of [PHP] 50,000.00, payable within a period not exceeding [three] months from the time the decision or resolution is promulgated; 4. Violation of Supreme Court Rules, Directives and Circulars for hearing cases not raffled to his sala and be FINED also in the sum of [PHP] 50,000.00 payable within a period not exceeding [three] months from the time the decision or resolution is promulgated; 5. Simple neglect of duty in the performance of official functions for delay in resolving cases and incidents and be FINED in the sum of [PHP] 50,000.00, payable within a period not exceeding [three] months from the time the decision or resolution is promulgated; and 6. As a member of the Philippine Bar, respondent be found GUILTY of simple misconduct and be FINED the sum of [PHP] 50,000.00, payable within a period not exceeding [three] months from the time the decision or resolution is promulgated. [28] The Issue The issue posed for resolution is whether Judge Bajan should be held administratively liable for the charges against him and for the same acts, be sanctioned as a member of the Philippine Bar. The Court's Ruling The Court partly adopts the findings of the JIB in its Report, with modifications insofar as the offenses committed and the penalties imposed are concerned. At the outset, it bears pointing out that that despite Judge Bajan's retirement on May 23, 2023, the Court retains jurisdiction to declare him either innocent or guilty of the charges against him;