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Alberto P. Abbariao vs. Judge Orlando D. Beltran.

ALBERTO P. ABBARIAO, Complainant, versus Judge ORLANDO D. BELTRAN, Respondent.

A.M. No. RTJ-04-1839 | 2005-08-31

THIRD DIVISION

D E C I S I O N 

PANGANIBAN, J.: 

In finding respondent guilty of the administrative charge, the Court reiterates that ignorance of simple and elementary law renders judges liable for gross ignorance of the law. Indeed, magistrates are expected to have more than just cursory knowledge of the scope of their authority. 

The Case and the Facts 

This administrative case originated from a Complaint[1] filed by Alberto P. Abbariao, charging Judge Orlando D. Beltran of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Tuguegarao City (Branch 2) with gross ignorance of the law and knowingly rendering an unjust judgment relative to...