SC sacks judge for borrowing court money, delayed rulings

The Supreme Court dismissed a judge from Nueva Vizcaya for borrowing more than P200,000 in court money, and for undue delay in ruling on more than 130 cases and motions.
 

The high court, sitting in full court and voting 8-5, dismissed Judge Alexander Balut of the Municipal Trial Court of Bayombong and Solano in Nueva Ecija. He has been with the judiciary for 22 years.

The Supreme court found undue delay in Balut's handling of 33 cases. He also failed to resolve 101 motion within the required 90-day period.

 

Five justices voted for a lesser penalty, but concurred in the finding of guilt.

 

The case against the judge arose from a judicial and financial audit and physical inventory of cases made in both courts where he is presiding judge.

Aside from the delay in ruling on the cases pending before his sala, the financial audit also revealed that Balut borrowed money from the various funds of the court collections.

Judge Balut or his court interpreter signed the withdrawal slips, with notations like "judge," "for judge," "taken by judge," and "given to judge."

 

Balut himself issued a certification stating that his cash accountability as of April 2002 with the fiduciary fund was P202,774.42. Similar certifications had been presented by clerks of court to attest that Balut had already settled his accountabilities.

 

"That judge Balut fully paid his cash liabilities does not free him from the consequences of his wrongdoings. His unwarranted interference in the court collections deserves sanction and not even his full payment of his accountabilities will exempt him from liability," ruled the SC.

 

The SC said Balut knowingly and deliberately made his clerks of court violate circulars on proper administration of court funds. His act of misappropriating court funds constitutes dishonesty and grave misconduct, punishable by dismissal from the service even on the first offense, said the SC.

 

"Wherefore, finding Judge Alexander Balut guilty of gross misconduct, the Court hereby imposes upon him the penalty of dismissal from the service, with forfeiture of all retirement benefits and with prejudice to re-employment in any branch of the the government, including government-owned and controlled corporations," said the SC in its resolution.

 

Balut, however, is still entitled to the "money value" of his accrued earned leave credits.

 

The SC ordered Balut to immediately cease and desist from rendering any order or decision, or from continuing any proceedings once he receives a copy of the SC resolution, which is immediately executory.

 

The SC said not even Balut's long tenure can mitigate his liability, noting that his acts were committed in a span of several years.

 

"He was a repeat offender, perpetrating misdeeds with impunity not once, not twice but several times in three different stations," said the SC.