People v. Vicente Seromines

Ruling

WHEREFORE , Judge Agustin T. Sardido is found GUILTY of dishonesty, gross misconduct, and gross ignorance of the law, for which he is FINED in the maximum amount of forty thousand pesos (P40,000) to be deducted from his leave credits. [21] He is further DIRECTED to REMIT five hundred eighty-two thousand five hundred pesos (P582,500), representing the amount he borrowed from the CCFF, to be deducted also from his remaining leave benefits, if still adequate. Retired Clerk of Court Normandie A. Ines is found GUILTY of dishonesty and grave misconduct and is FINED in an amount equivalent to his salary for six (6) months, to be deducted from his retirement benefits. He is further ORDERED to RESTITUTE the amount of five hundred ninety-three thousand three hundred five pesos and thirty-two centavos (P593,305.32), representing the shortages he incurred during his incumbency as determined in the following manner: (a) the amount of four hundred seventy-two thousand five hundred twenty-six pesos (P472,526), which is the difference between the total shortage in the fiduciary fund and the obligation of Judge Sardido [P955,026 less P582,500]; (b) the amount of eighty-nine thousand four hundred twelve pesos and ninety centavos (P89,412.90), representing the shortage in the general fund; and (c) the amount of thirty-one thousand three hundred sixty-six pesos and forty-two centavos (P31,366.42), representing the shortage in the Judiciary Development Fund. All the foregoing shall also be deducted from the retirement benefits of Ines. Maxima Z. Borja is found GUILTY of simple neglect of duty and FINED five thousand pesos (P5,000). She is directed to adopt a more efficient system of collecting docket fees and of taking custody of court exhibits. Pablito W. Pendilla is found GUILTY of simple neglect of duty and likewise FINED five thousand pesos (P5,000). Both are warned that a repetition of the same or similar acts shall be dealt with more severely. SO ORDERED.