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Heck vs. Santos [DECISION]

HEINZ R. HECK, complainant, vs. JUDGE ANTHONY E. SANTOS, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 19, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, respondent.

A.M. No. RTJ-01-1657 | 2004-02-23

D E C I S I O N
 
CALLEJO, SR., J.:
 
May a retired judge charged with notarizing documents without the requisite notary commission more than twenty years ago be disciplined therefor? This is the novel issue presented for resolution before this Court.

The instant case arose when in a verified Letter-Complaint dated March 21, 2001 Heinz R. Heck prayed for the disbarment of Judge Anthony E. Santos, Regional Trial Court, Branch 19, Cagayan de Oro City.

The complainant alleged that prior to the respondent’s appointment as RTC judge on April 11, 1989, he violated the notarial law, thus:

Judge Santos, based on ANNEX...