RTC clerk of court suspended anew

CEBU, Philippines – The over-all clerk of court of the Regional Trial Court in Cebu has been suspended yet again, this time, for implementing a decision of the court despite the subject case still on appeal.

In a decision promulgated on August 11, 2010, the Supreme Court found lawyer Jeoffrey Joaquino guilty of gross ignorance of the rules and dereliction of duty and ordered him suspended for six months. The SC decision was served last week.

Just last April, Joaquino and his sheriff, Arthur Cabigon, were suspended for two months for negligence of duty when a court record was lost under their custody.

Joaquino second suspension came after the Development Bank of the Philippines filed a complaint against him before the Supreme Court after he issued a writ of execution in relation to a court order involving a case between DBP and Palacio Shipping Incorporated. The order favored Palacio Shipping.

The writ of execution issued by Joaquino was served by Sheriff Constancio Alimurong, but DBP cried foul, saying Joaquino should not have issued the writ because the case is still on appeal.

Supreme Court Administrator Jose Maidas Marquez and Deputy Administrator Edwin Villasor said Joaquino show have known better.

"He is expected to know the rules of procedures particularly those roles that pertain to its function as an officer of the court," they said.

RTC Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes admitted that Joaquino made a mistake. (FREEMAN)