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TodayisSunday,August30,2015

RepublicofthePhilippines
SUPREMECOURT
Manila
SECONDDIVISION
A.M.No.RTJ062019April4,2007
[FormerlyA.M.No.067418RTC]
SHARONS.ALEGRIA,Complainant,
vs.
JUDGEMANUELN.DUQUE,RTC,Branch197,LasPiasCity,Respondent.
RESOLUTION
TINGA,J.:
It is well to remind judges that this Court has adopted a zerotolerance policy towards erring members of the
judiciaryaspartofitsefforttocleanseitsranksandimprovetheadministrationofjustice.1Intheimplementation
of this policy, however, the Court ensures that the requirements of due process are observed, such that
substantial evidence is required to prove the charge against a judge. Side by side with the observance of due
processisthisCourtsbestowalofboundenrespectforthesensibilitiesofcomplainant.Alltheseconsidered,the
Court will not hesitate to do its duty to discipline a judge or even dismiss him from the service when his guilt is
provenbytherequiredquantumofevidence.Conversely,thisCourtisboundtoabsolveajudgewhenthecharge
againsthimisbaselessorotherwisedoesnotmeetthesubstantialevidencestandard.
On 27 July 2005, Sharon SansonAlegria (complainant) then Clerk III, Regional Trial Court (RTC), Br. 197, Las
PiasCity,filedwiththeOfficeoftheClerkofCourt,RTC,LasPiasCity,anAffidavitComplaint2chargingJudge
ManuelN.Duque(respondent)for"commit[ting]actsinsultingtoandbelittling[her]moralsanddecency."On28
July2005,ZandraT.Bato,ClerkofCourtVI,forwardedtoJoselitodj.Vibandor,ExecutiveJudge,RTC,LasPias
City,saidAffidavitComplaint.3
TheCommitteeonDecorumandInvestigation(Committee)tookcognizanceofthecaseanddocketeditasCase
No.LP05002.Findingthecomplaintsufficientinformandsubstance,theCommitteedirectedrespondenttofile
ananswerunderoath.4On8August2005,respondentfiledhisAnswer.5
A prehearing conference was conducted on 7 March 2006, after which the Committee issued a PreHearing
Order6containingthestipulationoffacts,issue,andlistofthepremarkedexhibitsfortheparties.
On14March2006,complainantfiledanUrgentMotiontoorderthepreventivesuspensionofrespondentandhis
inhibition from the criminal cases being handled by complainants counsel and tried by respondent.7 On 4 April
2006,respondentfiledhiscommenttothismotionbycomplainant.Onthesameday,theCommitteeissuedan
Orderdirectingthepartiestosubmittheirrespectivepositionpaperswiththeaffidavitsoftheirwitnesses.8Before
theCommitteecouldtakeanyfurtheractioninthecase,on8May2006,itforwardedtherecordsofthecaseto
the Office of the Court Administrator pursuant to this Courts Resolution dated 7 March 2006 (A.M. No. 0512
757RTC)excluding"complaintsforsexualharassmentagainstJudgesof
Regular and Special Courts and Justices of the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan and the Court of Tax
Appeals"fromthejurisdictionoftheCommittee.9
In a Memorandum dated 26 June 2006, Court Administrator Christopher O. Lock recommended that the
complaintagainstrespondentjudgebedocketedasaregularadministrativecaseandthatthesamebereferred
to one of the consultants of his office for investigation, report and recommendation within sixty (60) days from
receiptoftherecords.10On6September2006,theCourtnotedtheMemorandumoftheCourtAdministratorand
adoptedhisrecommendations.11 The complaint was redocketed as an administrative case against respondent
andthesamewasreferredtoaconsultantforinvestigation,reportandrecommendation.
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Despite four (4) resettings,12 complainant and her counsel failed to appear at the 16 January 2007 scheduled
hearing. Respondent judge, on the other hand, appeared and submitted an "Opposition to Postponement and
Consider this Case Submitted for Resolution."13 Thus, Hearing Officer Designate Romulo S. Quimbo issued an
Orderconsideringthecasesubmittedforresolution.14
TheversionofcomplaintasfoundbytheHearingOfficerDesignateisasfollows:
In her complaint[,] complainant averred that in early February 2005, she went on leave for one week. She had
notified Atty. Jeanette Tolentino, the Branch Clerk of RTC Branch 197. She had gone on leave because of a
personalproblemwhichwasaffectingherwork.Whenshereturnedtowork,shewastoldthatrespondentJudge
wantedtotalktoher.Whenthelatterarrived,hecalledforher.Beforeshewenttorespondentsoffice,shewas
warnedbyherofficematestodistanceherselffromtherespondentbecausethelatterhadearlierkissedAtty.Ma.
JeanetteBaccayTolentinoonthelips.ComplainantsaidthatshedidnotthinktherespondentJudgewoulddothe
sametoherconsideringthatheknewherfatherwhowasachiefofpolice.
Upon entering the respondents office, complainant alleged that she sat on the chair facing him. Respondent
askedcomplainanttorelateherproblemandnottobeashamedbecausehetreatedasadaughter.Sheaverred
thatshecriedandbecausesherelatedherprobleminaratherloudvoice,therespondentJudgetoldhertokeep
hervoicelowsoasnottobeheardoutside.RespondentJudgethenstoodupandlockedthedoortohisofficeso
thatnoonewoulddisturbtheirconversation.RespondentJudgethensatdownbesideherandbecauseshewas
covering her mouth with her two hands while she was crying, respondent Judge took her hands away because
according to him he could not understand what she was saying. Immediately after he had removed her hands
from covering her mouth, he kissed her on the lips with his tongue out. This surprised her. Respondent Judge
thenrepeatedhisactofkissingherwithhistongueout.Thatwaswhencomplainantregainedhercomposureand
she told him that his son is outside. Before she left, the respondent Judge said "I love you" and told her not to
relatewhathappenedtoanyone.Shedidnotmindwhathesaidbecauseshewasthencrying.
Accordingtothecomplainant,shewentdowntotheofficeofher"daddy"whosawhercrying.Heaskedherwhy
shewascrying,shetoldhimthatherhusbanddidnotcomehome.Shedidthistopreventanyuntowardincident
and she thought the incident with the respondent Judge would not be repeated. From her daddys office she
returnedtothecourtbutshewasatalossastowhatshewoulddo.Duringlunchatthecanteen,shemettheir
branchsheriffwhonoticedthatshehadbeencrying.Thelatteraskedherwhyshewasweeping,sherelatedto
himwhathadhappenedbutsheaskedhimtokeepthestorytohimself.
1 a \^/p h i1 .n e t

During the last week of February 2005, the complainant declared that she was asked by respondent Judge to
bringcertainfoldersforhisstudy.Asshegavethefolderstohim,therespondentimmediatelyembracedher.She
pushedhimawayandrespondenttookholdofhis"baril."Heaskedheriftheycouldgooutonadate.Becauseof
herfear,complainantsaidthatsheagreedtotherespondentsinvitation.Hesetitfor08Marchbutshedemurred
becauseitwasherbirthday.Respondentsuggested10Marchandcomplainantagreed.Afterthatshewentback
toheroffice.
ComplainantfurtherdeclaredthatrespondentJudgecalledherattheofficetoremindheroftheirdate.Theytried
to record the call by using the cell phone of her officemate but it did not work. On 09 March, the day after her
birthday,complainantdidnotreporttoheroffice.RonaldoEsguerra,anephewoftherespondentJudge,senther
atextmessagethattherespondentwascallingforher.Shecalledtherespondentwhoaskedherwhyshewas
absent.Sherepliedthatshehadoverslept.Heremindedheroftheirdatethenextday.Hesuggestedthatthey
meetat"Citimotors"aftertherafflebecausehewasthedutyjudge.Shesaidyesandtherespondentwarnedher
thatifshewillnotappear,shebetternotreturntotheofficeeveratthesametimebangingthephone.Forthis
reason complainant stated that she did not report to the office anymore because she knew that she will be the
recipientofaseriesofmemorandabecausethatiswhathappenswhentherespondentJudgedoesnotgetwhat
hewants.Thissamethinghadhappenedtoherofficemateswhodonotwanttotalkforfearoflosingtheirjobs.
Becauseofhisseveralmemorandahersalaryandotherbenefitswerewithheld.Thatisthereasonshecouldnot
immediately filed her complaint. Moreover, she realized that she was the underdog because respondent Judge
knewmanyhighandmightypeople.15
InhisAnswer,16respondentdeniestheavermentsintheaffidavitcomplaintandrefutedindetailtheallegedact
of sexual harassment. According to respondent, sometime in February 2005, after he learned that complainant
hadreportedbackforworkafteraprolongedabsence,hetalkedtoheroverthephonethathewantedtoseeand
talk to her about her neglected work as civil case clerkincharge. Complainant came to his office already
trembling, crying and appeared hysterical. The door to respondents chamber was only halfclosed with
respondentssonstandingbythedoor.17
Complainantconfessedthatherhusband,whohadalreadybecomeadrugaddict,hadanotherwoman,nolonger
reportedforwork,andwasnolongercominghome.Complainantfurtherinformedrespondentthatherownfather
waslikewiseestrangedfromhermotherandwasalsolivingwithanotherwoman.Tothisrevelation,respondent
merelyadvisedcomplainanttoworkpunctuallyeverydayandtotakeaninterestinherworkforhertoforgether
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familyproblems.Complainantallegedlyapologizedandpromisednottorepeatbeingabsent.18

1 v v p h i1 .n t

Afewdayslater,on8March2005,complainantcalledrespondentaskingpermissionforhertobeabsentasit
was her birthday. Respondent told her that it was her privilege but that she had to notify the Branch Clerk of
Court.19
With respect to the other incident, respondent asserts that at the time complainant delivered the voluminous
foldersandrecordsofthreecases,shewasaccompaniedbyRonaldoEsguerra,theprocessserverwhocarried
the said records and waited with complainant in respondents chambers while the latter went over the said
records.ComplainantandEsguerrathereafterlefttogether.20
Inadditiontohisdenialandrefutationoftheallegedactsofsexualharassment,respondentfurtherstatedother
matterswithrespecttocomplainantsappointment,performance,andefficiencyasClerkofhiscourt.Respondent
statesthatcomplainantwasappointedtothepositionofClerkinBranch197uponhisrecommendation.21Despite
this,hecriticizesherperformanceasdocketclerk.Accordingtorespondent,severalmemorandawereissuedby
theBranchClerkofCourtrelativetocomplainantsperformanceofherduties,towit:(1)Memorandum22dated17
April2002directingcomplainanttoimmediatelysubmitallpleadings,motions,memoranda,andotherpapersto
avoiddelayandadverseconsequences,(2)Memorandum23dated19April2002directingcomplainanttoattach
the registry receipts and return cards to the records of the case to which they pertained, (3) Memorandum24
dated 9 February 2005, requiring complainant to explain why she did not furnish the parties with copies of the
decision dated 5 November 2004 in Civil Case No. 010148, and (4) Memorandum25 dated 2 December 2004
orderingcomplainanttoexplainherfailuretopreparetheorderinLRCLP040097.
ComplainantalsofrequentlyabsentedherselffromSeptembertoFebruary2005,seriouslyneglectingherworkto
the detriment and prejudice of the service.26 On at least three occasions too, complainant failed to follow
respondentsinstructionswithrespecttothereleaseofordersordecisionsinvariouscasesassignedtohim,27as
well as to properly keep case records.28 The Branch Clerk of Court also found further irregularities in
complainants performance of her duties in four more cases and informed respondent about these.29
Complainant, in response to the Memorandum dated 2 December 2004, admitted that she had a domestic
problemthatconsumedallhertimeandeffortandwhichalsoworeherdownduetostress.30
Accordingtorespondent,complainantwasnolongerreportingforworksince9March2005andthattheyhave
notreceivedanynoticeorinformationastothereasonforherprolongedabsence.31Becauseoftheseprolonged
absences,theBranchClerkofCourtwrotetheLeaveDivision,OfficeoftheCourtAdministratoron1July2005,
requesting for the immediate dropping of complainant from the roll of employees so that her position can be
declared vacant for the Court to indorse a new employee in her place.32 Another letter was addressed to the
OfficeoftheClerkofCourt,RTC,LasPiasCityrequestingsaidofficetoholdallcheckspayabletocomplainant
representingsalaries,benefitsandotherremunerations.33
On 29 June 2005, Caridad A. Pabello, OfficerinCharge, Administrative Services, Office of the Court
Administrator, wrote complainant requiring her to explain her unauthorized absences within five (5) days from
receipt of the letter, favorably endorsed by the Presiding/Executive Judge otherwise they will be constrained to
recommendthatcomplainantbedroppedfromtherolls.34
Respondentsurmisesthatitwasbecauseofthisletterthatcomplainantfiledtheinstantadministrativecomplaint
against him, dragging the names of the other personnel of the branch. The malicious prosecution against
respondentwasalsodesignedtocoveruphermisfeasancewhichhadbeendiscovered.35
On 22 February 2007, the Hearing Officer Designate transmitted to this Court, through the Office of the Court
Administrator, five (5) copies of his Report, recommending the dismissal of the case. In making his
recommendations,theHearingOfficerDesignatetooknoteofthefollowingcircumstances:36
1.Severalmonths(fromFebruary)passedbeforethecomplainantfiledthiscaseon27July2005.
2.ComplainantsfatherwasthenChiefofPoliceofLasPiasandhisofficeandrespondentsofficewereon
the same building. Immediately after she was assaulted, complainant left respondents chambers and
proceededtoherfathers.Whythendidshenotimmediatelyconfideinhimwhathadhappenedtoher[?]
Ontheotherhand[,]sheratherfreelytoldtheirbranchsheriffwhomshemetatthecanteen.
3.Complainantstatedthatbeforeshewentinthechambersoftherespondentwhenshewascalledinearly
February,shewaswarnedbyherofficematesnottobetooclosetorespondentashehadearlierkissed
Atty. Tolentino. Complainant had conveniently omitted to mention who were these office mates who had
warnedher.
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4. The complainant had been a habitual absentee even before the alleged sexual harassment. The
respondenthadsoughtherremovalfromhiscourt.Tothisend,hisBranchClerkofCourthadwrittenthe
Court Administrator, through the leave section, to report complainants delinquency and asking that her
namebedroppedfromtherollofemployees.
5. Respondent also took steps to prevent complainant from collecting her salary for the periods she was
absent. To this end, letters were written to the Court Administrator and to the Clerk of Court for the Las
PiasRegionalTrialCourttowithholdanycheckorotherbenefitthatwouldaccruetothecomplainant.
6.Itwasnotuntiltheseletterswerewrittenthatthecomplaintforsexualharassmentsurfaced.
Afterreviewingtherecordsoftheinstantadministrativecase,wefindtheaboveobservationsandconclusionsof
the Hearing Officer Designate to be welltaken as they are adequately substantiated by evidence and are
anchoredonapplicablelawandjurisprudence.
Sexualharassmentintheworkplaceisnotaboutamantakingadvantageofawomanbyreasonofsexualdesire
itisaboutpowerbeingexercisedbyasuperioroverhiswomensubordinates.Thatpoweremanatesfromthe
factthathecanremovethemiftheyrefusehisamorousadvances.37UnderSec.3ofA.M.No.030313SC(Re:
RuleonAdministrativeProcedureinSexualHarassmentCasesandGuidelinesonProperWorkDecoruminthe
Judiciary),workrelatedsexualharassmentiscommittedbyanofficialoremployeeintheJudiciarywho,having
authority, influence or moral ascendancy over another in a work environment, demands, requests or otherwise
requires any sexual favor from the other, regardless of whether the demand, request or requirement for
submissionisacceptedbythelatter.Itiscommittedwhen"thesexualfavorismadeasaconditioninthehiringor
in the employment, reemployment or continued employment of said individual, or in granting said individual
favorable compensation, terms, conditions, promotions, or privileges or the refusal to grant the sexual favor
results in limiting, segregating or classifying the employee which in any way would discriminate, deprive or
diminishemploymentopportunitiesorotherwiseadverselyaffectsaidemployee."38
Inthecaseatbar,whileitistruethattheelementofmoralascendancyispresent,respondentbeingtheperson
who recommended complainant to her present position, complainant has failed to prove the alleged sexual
advances by evidence other than her bare allegations in the affidavitcomplaint. Even her own actions or
omissionsoperatetocastdoubtonherclaim.
With no witnesses presented to prove or refute the allegations of the complaint, the case becomes a battle of
complainantswordagainstrespondents.
ItshouldberememberedthatthecasewasreferredtoaHearingOfficerwhoisnotconnectedwiththeLasPias
court but with the Office of the Court Administrator affording a more neutral venue for both parties. However,
despitefour(4)resettings39ofthehearing,complainantandhercounselfailedtoappearatthe16January2007
scheduled hearing, thereby denying the Hearing Officer the opportunity to question her and validate her
accusationagainstrespondent.Herderelictionenfeeblesherallegations.
Withrespecttorespondentjudge,hisversionoftheeventsisnottotallyimplausible.Crucially,hedoesnotadmit
tohavingcommittedanypositiveactthatcanbeconstruedasanuntowardsexualadvance.Alltold,thereisno
inherentweaknessintheversionheproffers.
Mostdamagingtocomplainantscauseisthat,basedontherecordsandcontemporaneouscircumstances,there
appears to be a strong motive on her part to make up charges against respondent judge. It should be
rememberedthatevenbeforetheallegedincident,complainantwasalreadyinhotwater,beingtherecipientofat
leastfourmemorandafromtheBranchClerkofCourt,allofwhichcalledhertotaskforherpoorperformanceas
clerkinchargeofcivilcases.Inaddition,amonthbeforecomplainantfiledtheinstantcase,theOfficeoftheCourt
Administratorhaddirectedcomplainanttoexplainherunauthorizedabsencesandtoincludeinsaidexplanationa
favorable endorsement from the Presiding/Executive Judge. Complainant was further warned that upon her
failuretocomplywiththesedirectiveswillconstrainsaidofficetorecommendherdroppingfromtherolls.
The circumstances being as they are, it is easy to engender the belief that the filing of the administrative case
againstrespondentwasabelated,vain,andfutileattemptbycomplainanttocoverupforherownmisfeasance,
i.e., prolonged leave of absence without official leave, among others, and a chance to get back at respondent
judge for initiating the administrative inquiry against her which resulted in the withholding of her salaries and
benefitsaswellastheriseofthe
possibility of her being dropped from the rolls.40 Considering that complainant has failed to substantiate her
allegations,failingeventoattesttoherclaimsbeforetheinvestigatorappointedbythisCourt,elementaryjustice
dictatesrespondentsexonerationofthecharge.
WHEREFORE,premisesconsidered,theCourtresolvestoDISMISStheinstantadministrativecaseagainstJudge
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ManuelN.Duque,RegionalTrialCourt,Branch197,LasPiasCityforlackofmerit.
SOORDERED.
DANTEO.TINGA
AssociateJustice
WECONCUR:
LEONARDOA.QUISUMBING
AssociateJustice
Chairperson
ANTONIOT.CARPIO
AssociateJustice

CONCHITACARPIOMORALES
AsscociateJustice

PRESBITEROJ.VELASCO,JR.
AssociateJustice

Footnotes
1SeeGoltiaov.Mamenta,A.M.No.P031699,1October2003,412SCRA403Bibosov.Villanueva,A.M.

No. MTJ011356, 16 April 2001, 356 SCRA 430 Madredijo v. Loyao, 375 Phil. 1 (1999) Simbajon v.
Esteban,371Phil.119(1999)Buencaminov.DeAsa,354Phil.708(1999)Vedaav.Valencia,356Phil.
317(1998).
2Rollo,pp.914
3Id.at8.
4Id.at44.
5Id.at7686.
6Id.at132135.
7Id.at149151.
8Id.at161162.
9Id.at5.The7March2006ResolutionofthisCourtinA.M.No.0512757RTCamendedSec.8ofthe

RuleonAdministrativeProcedureinSexualHarassmentCasesandGuidelinesonProperWorkDecorumin
theJudiciary(A.M.No.030313SC)toconformtoRulesofCourt,Rule140,Sec.3.
10Id.at14.
11Id.at171.
12Thefirstscheduledhearingwasrescheduledfrom24October2006to7November2006,onaccount

ofthefactthattheformerschedulewasdeclaredaSpecialHolidaytocelebratetheendofRamadan.On7
November 2006, both parties appeared but complainant prayed for a resetting because her counsel
intendedtowithdrawhisappearance.TheHearingOfficergrantedthisprayerandresetthehearingto28
November2006.On28November2006,theinvestigationwasagainresetto12December2006because
complainantscounselneededatleastfive(5)daystostudythecase.Thehearingof12December2006
didnotpushthroughandwasresetto16January2007becausetheHearingOfficerwassick.
13Rollo,pp.180181.
14Id.at242243.
15Report,pp.34.
16Rollo,pp.7686.
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17Id.at82
18Id.at83.
19Id.83.
20Id.at8384.
21Id.at7677.
22Id.at87.
23Id.at88.
24Id.at93.
25Id.at101.
26Id.at77.
27InCivilCaseNo.LP030120,respondent,infrontofhisLegalResearcher,gavecomplainantabrown

envelopewhichcontainedanOrderdated20September2004withinstructionsforthelattertoreleasethe
same to the parties and their respective counsels. When respondent reminded complainant about this a
monthlater,thelatterflatlydeniedhavingreceivedtheOrder.Whencomplainantwasnolongerreporting
for work, the Legal Researcher found in complainants working area the sealed brown envelope with the
Orderinside.(Id.at78)
Inanothercase,CivilCaseNo.010148,respondentsdecisiondated5November2004waskeptby
complainant.(Id.at79)
Instillanothercase,LRCCaseNo.040002,complainantfailedtomailrespondentsdecisiontherein
whichhadbeenrenderedayearbefore.(Id.at80)
28TherecordsoftheHatanakacasewhichweremissingsinceJanuary2005werefoundincomplainants

workingarea.(Id.at79)
29Seeid.at9495.
30Id.at102.
31Id.at96,80.
32Id.at9798.
33Id.at99.
34Id.at100.
35Id.at8182.
36Report,pp.89.
37Goltiao v. Mamenta, A.M. No. P031699, 1 October 2003, 412 SCRA 403, citing Floralde v. Court of

Appeals,337SCRA371(2000).
38 See Sec. 4 of A.M. No. 030313SC (Re: Rule on Administrative Procedure in Sexual Harassment

Cases and Guidelines on Proper Work Decorum in the Judiciary) and Sec. 3(a)(1) of Republic Act No.
7877, entitled "An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training
Environment,andforotherPurposes."
39Seesupranote12.
40Wenotethatthisisnotthefirsttimethatcomplainantmadeamoveagainstrespondentjudge.InA.M.

No. OCAIPI062414RTJ, an administrative case against respondent and his Branch Clerk of Court,
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complainant executed an affidavit on 6 January 2006, "confessing" her participation in an alleged

conspiracy to extort money from Socorro Casano, the plaintiff in a civil case in respondents court. This
Court,however,dismissedthecaseinitsResolutiondated10July2006.
TheLawphilProjectArellanoLawFoundation

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