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Cortes vs. Agcaoili [DECISION]

FLAVIANO B. CORTES, complainant, vs. JUDGE EMERITO M. AGCAOILI, Regional Trial Court, Branch 9, Aparri, Cagayan, respondent.

A.M. No. RTJ-98-1414 | 1998-08-20

D E C I S I O N
 
PANGANIBAN, J.:
 
A member of the judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence.[1] Any deviation from these exacting standards warrants reproof and sanction.
 
The Case
 
On August 14, 1996, the Office of the Court Administrator received from Flaviano B. Cortes a sworn letter-complaint[2] addressed to Chief Justice Andres R. Narvasa, accusing Judge Emerito M. Agcaoili of corruption, abuse of authority and ignorance of the law. Complainant Cortes alleged:
 
“1. Judge Emerito M. Agcaoili is irregular in attending his responsibilities in his office. He is...