SC dismisses Baguio judge for immorality

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the dismissal from service a Baguio City judge on grounds of immorality even as it imposed fines on four other judges for various offenses. In a 55-page en banc decision, the High Court found Judge Clarence J. Villanueva of the Baguio regional trial court guilty of immorality for maintaining a mistress. “Judge Clarence J. Villanueva is found guilty of immorality and is dismissed from the service, with prejudice to his reinstatement or appointment to any public office, including government-owned or controlled corporations, and forfeiture of retirement benefits, if any, except accrued leave credits," the SC said in its ruling. On the other hand, Judges Abraham Borreta, Amado Caguioa and Antonio Esteves were fined P2,000 each; while Judge Antonio Reyes was assessed a P30,000 fine. Villanueva’s dismissal stemmed from the complaint filed by Judge Ruben Ayson, who claimed that Villanueva has a daughter with lover Emy Tumaneng. “The Code of Judicial Ethics mandates that the conduct of a judge must be free of a whiff of impropriety not only with respect to his discharge of judicial duties, but also to his behavior outside his sala and as a private individual. A judge’s official life cannot simply be detached from his personal existence. His public as well as his private life must be above suspicion," the SC said. The high tribunal said the charge of immorality proven against Villanueva “demonstrates his unfitness to remain in office and continue to discharge the functions of a judge." “Rule 140 of the rules of court classifies immorality as a serious offense. It is punishable by dismissal from the service with accessory penalties. With the view we take of the case, there is no reason for not meting out the severest form of disciplinary action, specially since the offense was committed in the very city where the respondent judge holds office," the decision read. Meanwhile, Reyes was fined based on the complaint filed by Ramon Ilusorio on Sept. 20, 2001 who claimed the judge received a favor from a person who is a party on one of the cases he was handling. “Judge Reyes’ acts of impropriety and patent lack of delicadeza verily run counter to the injunction prescribed by the rule of the Code of Judicial Conduct," the SC said. Judge Ayson also filed complaints against Borreta, Caguioa, Esteves and Villanueva for gambling and drinking in the court premises during office hours. He said the four were found to have played ‘pusoy,’ a card game, while betting money and drinking liquor during office hours in the court premises at least three times. - GMANews.TV