A.M. No. P-09-2603

Ruling

accordingly by filing appropriate administrative cases against them. B. SANCTIONS The following sanctions shall be imposed for violation of the policy on habitual absenteeism: 1st offense - Suspension for six (6) months and one (1) day to one (1) year. 2nd offense -- Dismissal from the service. Sheriff Marcos' absences seriously prejudiced the public service. His excessive unauthorized absences indicated an utter lack of a sense of responsibility for his position in the court and a basic disregard for the welfare of litigants. As we held in Juntilla v. Calleja : [11] Public office is a public trust. All public officers are accountable to the people at all times. Their duties and responsibilities must be strictly performed. As administration of justice is a sacred task, this Court condemns any omission or act which would tend to diminish the faith of the people in the Judiciary. Every employee or officer involved in the dispensation of justice should be circumscribed with the heavy burden of responsibility and their conduct must, at all times, be above suspicion. We find that Nelson Marcos' habitual absences constitute gross misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the public service that warrant his dismissal from the service. WHEREFORE , premises considered, the Court finds Nelson G. Marcos, Sheriff III of the Metropolitan Trial Court, Caloocan City, guilty of gross misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the public service, and hereby DISMISSES him from the service, with forfeiture of retirement benefits, except earned leave credits, if any, and with prejudice to reinstatement or re-employment in any agency of the government, including government-owned or controlled corporations. SO ORDERED.