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Office of the Court Administrator vs. Balo

OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, COMPLAINANT, VS. HON. LORENZO F. BALO,* FORMER PRESIDING JUDGE, BRANCH 44, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, SURALLAH, SOUTH COTABATO, RESPONDENT.

A.M. No. RTJ-23-037 [Formerly JIB FPI No. 21-017-RTJ] | 2024-04-16

D E C I S I O N
 
INTING, J.:
 
The Court resolves the administrative disciplinary proceedings against respondent Judge Lorenzo F. Balo (Judge Balo), charging him with Gross Ignorance of the Law and Undue Delay in Rendering Decisions or Orders.
 
The Antecedents

Judge Balo was appointed as Presiding Judge of Branch 44, Regional Trial Court (RTC), Surallah, South Cotabato (RTC Surallah). In addition to his official station, he was also designated as Acting Presiding Judge of Branch 19, RTC, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat (RTC Isulan).[1]

On February 14, 2020, Judge Balo was designated as full-time Acting Presiding Judge of Branch 19, RTC...