SC warns judges not to "harass" the people

The Supreme Court is reminding judges that their task is to promote justice and not to harass people.

The High Tribunal has warned the judges that they would be slapped with stiff sanctions -including dismissal from service- if proven that they are abusing their power.

As an example, the SC recently fined judge Hector Barillo of the Municipal Trial Court in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, P40,000 and dismissed his clerk of court, Lucia Tangeres for grave misconduct.

The SC found Barillo guilty of violating certain rules as provided for under the Code of Judicial Conduct.

An investigation was conducted on Barillo and Tangeres based on the complaint of Eduardo Dayuno who claimed he was harassed by the concerned court officers.

The SC noted that Tangeres exploited her closeness to Barillo as well as her position as clerk of court to facilitate the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Dayuno, even after the provincial prosecutors office has already dismissed the complaint filed against him.

The SC also said Barillo manifested bias for Tangeres when he issued a notice of conference requiring Dayuno to appear before his sala even though no case has been filed against him. - Rene U. Borromeo