Cavite Crusade for Good Government, complainant, vs. Judge Novato T.

Cajigal, respondent
Pardo, J. (23 November 2001)
Facts:
On May 21, 1997, a group of citizens of Cavite formed the Cavite Crusade for
Good Government (CCGG). They then filed a letter to the Supreme Court concerning
alleged illegal and grossly immoral activities of Judge Novato T. Cajigal, Regional
Trial Court, Branch 19, Bacoor, Cavite. The CCGG had pooled together its resources
for an investigation into Judge Cajigal, and the results were as follows:
Judge Cajigal used a kaliwaan scheme in order to get money when deciding
on motions. He was also frequently absent in his sala, without notice to litigants. He
travels yearly, twice in 1996, to the United States without securing the necessary
Supreme Court authority. After leaving his Nueva Viscaya assignment, the judge
made numerous new car purchases. He also made several purchases of new real
estate. He was frequently seen at Manila Bay KTV Night Club in Roxas Boulevard
with a tall, young mestiza. He allegedly solicited funds from big establishments in
Rosario, Cavite to cover the costs of the Regional Trial Court Judges Convention held
in Imus, Cavite.
Within the same period, the Office of the Court Administrator found him guilty
of failure to decide a case within the prescribed period. On March 12, 1993, the
Supreme Court dismissed respondent judge from the service for gross inefficiency
and grave and serious misconduct in the discharge of his functions. On September
2, 1993, the Court instead suspended him from the service for 6 months with a fine.
It was also found that Judge Cajigal had not been filing his SALN. The Office of the
Court Administrator submitted its report and recommendation on July 1, 1997. On
July 7, 1997, the Anti-Graft Division of the NBI issued a subpoena duces
tecum requiring the Office of the Court Administrator to give certain documents
found in the 201 files of Judge Cajigal, and the NBI later gave its report on the
matter to the Office of the Court Administrator. On June 28, 1999, the Office of the
Court Administrator reported that Judge Cajigal was indeed not submitting his SALN,
and it recommended that he be dismissed from the service.
Issue: Whether or not Judge Cajigal had the duty to file his SALN, as mandated by
Section 7 of Republic Act No. 3019, as amended, and Section 8 of Republic Act No.
6713
Held:
Judge Cajigal had the duty to file his SALN. As such, he violated Section 7 of
Republic Act No. 3019, as amended, and Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6713.
However, as the SALNs were later filed, he was only suspended for 6 months, in
addition to a fine and a stern warning.
Ratio:

The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act was aimed at minimizing

opportunities for corruption, and at maintaining standards in public service. Judges
are strictly mandated to abide by the law, the Code of Judicial Conduct, and other
existing administrative policies in order to maintain faith in the judicial system.