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Re: Investigation Report on the Alleged Extortion Activities of Presiding Judge Godofredo B. Abul, Jr., Branch 4, Regional Trial Court, Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte [DISSENTING OPINION, LEONEN, J.]

RE: INVESTIGATION REPORT ON THE ALLEGED EXTORTION ACTIVITIES OF PRESIDING JUDGE GODOFREDO B. ABUL, JR., BRANCH 4, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BUTUAN CITY, AGUSAN DEL NORTE

A.M. No. RTJ-17-2486 (Formerly A.M. No. 17-02-45-RTC) | 2019-09-03

DISSENTING OPINION

LEONEN, J.;

I join the able dissent of Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando and add the following thoughts for emphasis. In my view, the death of respondent Judge Godofredo B. Abul, Jr. prior to the promulgation and finality of a decision moots the administrative case against him. Proceeding further and imposing any penalty that will be suffered by his widow violates the principle of due process of law, a fundamental part of our Constitution.

To recall, a judicial audit was conducted based on a complaint filed by Reverend Father Antoni A. Saniel, the director of the Prison Ministry of the Diocese of Butuan, alleging...