OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE LYLIHA AQUINO, REGIONAL COURT OF MANILA, BRANCH 24.

Ruling

accordingly amended the By-Laws of the PJA. The Court writes finis to these cases with the following reminder to judges from In re: Solicitation of Donations by Judge Benjamin H Virrey [33] : A judge should so behave at all times as to promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. Public confidence in the judiciary is eroded by irresponsible or improper conduct of judges. A judge must avoid all impropriety and the appearance thereof. Being the su ject of constant public scrutiny, a judge should freely and willingly accept restrictions on conduct that might be viewed as burdensome by the ordinary citizen. A magistrate must comport himself at all times in such a manner that his conduct, official and otherwise, can bear the most searching scrutiny of the public that looks up to him as the epitome of integrity and justice. x x x The office of a judge exists for one solemn end - to promote justice and thus aid in securing the contentment and happiness of the people. A judge, so it has often been said, is like Ceasar's wife, and like her, he must be above suspicion and beyond reproach. x x x. (Citations omitted.) WHEREFORE, m view of the foregoing, judgment Is hereby rendered as follows: 1. In A.M. No. RTJ-15-2413 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR v. JUDGE LYLIHA AQUINO, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT oF MANILA, BRANCH 24, Judge Lyliha A. Aquino is ADMONISHED to be more circumspect in her actions so as to maintain propriety and the appearance of propriety in her judicial as well as non-judicial activities; 2. In A.M. No. RTJ-15-2414 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR v. JUDGE RALPH LEE, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF QUEZON CITY, BRANCH 83, Judge Ralph S. Lee is found GUILTY of violating Section 4(a) of the Guidelines on the Conduct of Elections of Judges' Associations and is ORDERED to pay a FINE of Twenty-One Thousand Pesos (P21,000.00) 3. In A.M. No. RTJ-15-2415 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR v. JUDGE ROMMEL BAYBAY, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MAKATI CITY, BRANCH 132, Judge Rommel O. Baybay is found GUILTY of violating Sections 4(a) and 4(d) of the Guidelineon the Conduct of Elections of Judges' Associations and ORDERED to pay a FINE of Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00); and 2. In A.M. No. RTJ-15-2416 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR v. JUDGE MARINO RUBIA, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF Biñan, LAGUNA, BRANCH 24, Judge E. Rubia is found GUILTY of violating Section 4(a) of the Guidelines on the Conduct of Elections of Judges' Associations and is ORDERED to pay a FINE of Twenty-One Thousand Pesos (P21,000.00). SO ORDERED.