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OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE ALEXANDER BALUT, RESPONDENT. [DISSENTING OPINION BERSAMIN, J.]

OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, COMPLAINANT, VS. JUDGE ALEXANDER BALUT, RESPONDENT. [DISSENTING OPINION BERSAMIN, J.]

A.M. No. RTJ-15-2426 [Formerly A.M. No. 05-3-83-MTC] | 2015-06-16

DISSENT
 
BERSAMIN, J.:
 
The well-written main opinion presents well the undeniable facts of the case against respondent Judge, who has committed the grave offense of dipping his fingers into the judicial funds in the custody of court employees working under him. It dismisses respondent Judge from the service for gross misconduct.
 
Under ordinary circumstances, I would have no objection to imposing the supreme penalty of dismissal from the service. Respondent Judge should not have sullied himself by showing personal interest in the judicial funds because he should have been well aware of their nature as fiduciary funds. He...