SC axes court clerk for absenteeism

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) Office of the Court Administration (OCA) ordered the dismissal of a court employee in Manila who was found guilty of habitual absenteeism.

Tyke Sarceno, who was a clerk at the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 31, was found to have incurred 92 days of unauthorized absences from June to September 2009 and 37 absences in 2010, 34 of which were in July, August and September, according to a statement issued by the SC yesterday.

When asked in January 2010 to explain his absences in 2009, Sarceno said his absences were due to various illnesses such as abdominal pains, high fever and influenza. However, he failed to present any medical certificate as he did not seek medical attention. 

While the SC was still considering the recommendation on Sarceno’s constant absenteeism, it promulgated on Feb. 22, 2012 a resolution that dropped him from the rolls and declared his position vacant, without prejudice to the outcome of the administrative case.

The SC agreed with the OCA’s recommendation and adopted its findings. It cited Administrative Circular 14-2002, which stated that an employee in the civil service shall be considered habitually absent if he or she incurs “unauthorized absences exceeding the allowable 2.5 days monthly leave credit under the law for at least three months in a semester or at least three consecutive months during the year.”

The SC said Sarceno was also guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the public service and discouraged him from returning to government service. It also ruled that all of Sarceno’s retirement benefits be forfeited, except for accrued leave benefits.