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Reynaldo de Vera vs Sancho A. Dames II, et al.

REYNALDO DE VERA, complainant, vs. JUDGE SANCHO A. DAMES II, Regional Trial Court of Camarines Norte, Branch 38, respondent.

AM No. RTJ-99-1455 | 1999-07-13

D E C I S I O N


PANGANIBAN, J.:

Judges cannot be disciplined for every erroneous order or decision rendered in the absence of a clear showing of ill motive, malice or bad faith. This, however, is not a license for them to be negligent or abusive in performing their adjudicatory prerogatives. The absence of bad faith or malice will not totally exculpate them from charges of incompetence and ignorance of the law when they render decisions that are totally bereft of factual and legal bases.

The Case

Before this Court is a "Petition for Removal" dated November 24, 1997, filed by Reynaldo de Vera, charging Judge Sancho A. Dames II of the...