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BENITO B. NATE, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE LELU P. CONTRERAS, BRANCH 43, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, VIRAC, CATANDUANES (THEN CLERK OF COURT, RTC-IRIGA CITY), RESPONDENT.

BENITO B. NATE, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE LELU P. CONTRERAS, BRANCH 43, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, VIRAC, CATANDUANES (THEN CLERK OF COURT, RTC-IRIGA CITY), RESPONDENT.

A.M. No. RTJ-15-2406 [Formerly OCA IPI No. 11-3638-RTJ] | 2015-02-18

FIRST DIVISION

D E C I S I O N

SERENO, C.J.:

This administrative case concerns allegations that respondent Judge Lelu P. Contreras committed three counts of grave misconduct while she was still holding the position Clerk of Court VI of the Regional Trial Court in Iriga City, Camarines Sur (RTC–Iriga City). According to the complaint, respondent allegedly notarized an administrative complaint; certified a document (a labor complaint) as a true copy of the original; and appeared as counsel for her father in a hearing before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). Clerks of court are indeed authorized to act a sex officio notaries...