BERSAMIN, J.

An employee in the private sector who did not expressly agree to the terms of an early retirement
plan cannot be separated from the service before he reaches the age of 65 years. The employer
who retires the employee prematurely is guilty of illegal dismissal, and is liable to pay his backwages
and to reinstate him without loss of seniority and other benefits, unless the employee has meanwhile
reached the mandatory retirement age under the Labor Code, in which case he is entitled to
separation pay pursuant to theterms of the plan, with legal interest on the backwages and separation
pay reckoned from the finality of the decision.

The Case

The petitioner seeks the review and reversal of the adverse decision promulgated on August 31,
2012,1 whereby the Court of Appeals (CA) upheld the ruling of the National Labor Relations
Commission (NLRC) dated June 21, 2010 affirming the dismissal of his complaint for illegal
dismissal by the Labor Arbiter.

Antecedents

The CA summarized the factual antecedents as follows:

On 1 June 2001, petitioner Alfredo F. Laya, Jr. was hired by respondent Philippine Veterans Bank as
its Chief Legal Counsel with a rank of Vice President. Among others, the terms and conditions of his
appointment are as follows; (sic)

"3. As a Senior Officer of the Bank, you are entitled to the following executive ben[e]fits:

• Car Plan limit of ₱700,000.00, without equity on your part; a gasoline subsidy of 300 liters per
month and subject further to The Car Plan Policy of the Bank.

• Membership in a professional organization in relation to your profession and/or assigned functions

in the Bank.

• Membership in the Provident Fund Program/Retirement Program.

• Entitlement to any and all other basic and fringe benefits enjoyed by the officers; core of the Bank
relative to Insurance covers, Healthcare Insurance, vacation and sick leaves, among others."

On the other hand, private respondent has its Retirement Plan Rules and Regulations which
provides among others, as follows:

ARTICLE IV

RETIREMENT DATES

Section 1. Normal Retirement. The normal retirement date of a Member shall be the first day of the
month coincident with or next following his attainment of age 60.

Section 2. Early Retirement. A Member may, with the approval of the Board of Directors, retire early
on the first day of any month coincident with or following his attainment of age 50 and completion of
at least 10 years of Credited Service.

Section 3. Late Retirement. A Member may, with the approval of the Board of Directors, extend his
service beyond his normal retirement date but not beyond age 65. Such deferred retirement shall be
on a case by case and yearly extension basis.

On 14 June, 2007, petitioner was informed thru letter by the private respondent of his retirement
effective on 1 July 2007. On 21 June 2007 petitioner wrote Col. Emmanuel V. De Ocampo,
Chairman of respondent bank, requesting for an extension of his tenure for two (2) more years
pursuant to the Bank's Retirement Plan (Late Retirement).
On 26 June 2008, private respondent issued a memorandum directing the petitioner to continue to
discharge his official duties and functions as chief legal counsel pending his request. However on 18
July 2007, petitioner was informed thru its president Ricardo A. Balbido Jr. that his request for an
extension of tenure was denied.2

According to the petitioner, he was made aware of the retirement plan of respondent Philippine
Veterans Bank (PVB) only after he had long been employed and was shown a photocopy of the
Retirement Plan Rules and Regulations,3 but PVB's President Ricardo A. Balbido, Jr. had told him
then that his request for extension of his service would be denied "to avoid precedence."4 He sought
the reconsideration of the denial of the request for the extension of his retirement,5 but PVB certified
his retirement from the service as of July 1, 2007 on March 6, 2008.6

On December 24, 2008, the petitioner 7

Ruling of the Labor Arbiter

On August 28, 2009, the Labor Arbiter rendered a decision dismissing the complaint for illegal
dismissal,8 to wit:

WHEREFORE, the charge of illegal dismissal and money claims raised by the complainant, together
with the counterclaim raised by the respondents are DISMISSED for lack of merit but by reason of a
flaw in the denial of complainant's application for term extension as discussed above, the respondent
bank is hereby ordered to pay the complainant the amount of ₱200,000.00 by way of reasonble (sic)
indemnity.

Ricardo Balbido, Jr., is hereby dropped as party respondent.

SO ORDERED.9

After his motion for reconsideration was denied,10 the petitioner appealed to the NLRC.11

Ruling of the NLRC

On June 21, 2010, the NLRC affirmed the dismissal of the petitioner's complaint, and deleted the
indemnity imposed by the Labor Arbiter,12 viz.:

WHEREFORE, premises considered the appeal of the complainant is hereby DENIED for lack of
merit. The appeal of respondents is GRANTED. The Decision below is hereby AFFIRMED with
MODIFICATION, deleting the award of indemnity to complainant.

SO ORDERED.13

The petitioner assailed the ruling to the CA through certiorari.

Ruling of the CA

On August 31, 2012, the CA promulgated the now assailed decision,14 holding that the petitioner's
acceptance of his appointment as Chief Legal Officer of PVB signified his conformity to the
retirement program;15 that he could not have been unaware of the retirement program which had
been in effect since January 1, 1996;16 that the lowering of the retirement age through the retirement
plan was a recognized exception under the provisions of Article 287 of the Labor Code; 17 that
considering his failure to adduce evidence showing that PVB had acted maliciously in applying the
provisions of the retirement plan to him and in denying his request for the extension of his service,
PVB 's implementation of the retirement plan was a valid exercise of its management prerogative.18

The CA denied the petitioner's motion for reconsideration on February 8, 2013.19

On April 8, 2013, the Court (First Division) denied the petition for review on certiorari.20 In his motion
for reconsideration, the petitioner not only prayed for the reconsideration of the denial but also
sought the referral of his petition to the Court En Banc,21 arguing that the CA and the NLRC had
erroneously applied laws and legal principles intended for corporations in the private sector to a
public instrumentality like PVB;22 and that to allow the adverse rulings to stand would be to condone
the creation of a private corporation by Congress other than by a general law on incorporation.23

In its resolution promulgated on August 28, 2013, the Court (First Division) denied the petitioner's
motion for reconsideration, as well as his prayer to refer the case to the Court En Banc. 24The entry
of judgment was issued on December 6, 2013.25

The petitioner filed a second motion for reconsideration on December 18, 2013,26 whereby he
expounded on the issues he was raising in his first motion for reconsideration. He urged that the
Court should find and declare PVB as a public instrumentality; that the law applicable to his case
was Presidential Decree No. 1146 (GSIS Law), which stipulated the compulsory retirement age of 65
years;27 and that the compulsory retirement age for civil servants could not be "contracted out."28

On March 25, 2014, the Court En Banc accepted the referral of this case by the First Division.29

On April 22, 2014, the Court En Banc required PVB and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to
file their comments on the petitioner's second motion for reconsideration.30

The comment of PVB poses several challenges to the petition.

In support of its first challenge, PVB contends that the Court should not have accepted the referral of
the case to the Banc because the First Division had already denied with finality the petitioner's first
motion for reconsideration, as well as his motion to refer the case to the Banc;31 that the Court En
Bane's acceptance of the case was in violation of the principle of immutability of final judgments as
well as of Section 3, Rule 15 of the Internal Rules of the Supreme Court32to the effect that a second
motion for reconsideration could be allowed only "before the ruling sought to be reconsidered
becomes final by operation of law or by the Court's declaration;"33 and that the First Division had
correctly denied the petition for review because the issues raised therein were factual matters that
this mode of appeal could not review and pass upon.34

As its second challenge, PVB demurrs to the propriety of the petitioner's attack on its corporate
existence. It submits that he should not be allowed to pose such attack for the first time in this
appeal;35 that his argument was also an impermissible collateral attack on the constitutionality of
Republic Act No. 3518 and Republic Act No. 7169;36 and that his seeking a declaration of PVB as a
public institution "partakes the nature of a petition for declaratory relief which is an action beyond the
original jurisdiction of the Honorable Court."37

Nevertheless, PVB maintains that it is not a public or government entity for several reasons, namely:
(1) the Government does not own a single share in it;38 (2) the Government has no appointee or
representative in the Board of Directors, and is not involved in its management;39 and (3) it does not
administer government funds.40

PVB insists that its creation as a private bank with a special charter does not in any way violate
Section 16, Article XII of the Constitution,41 explaining:

Firstly, the mischief which the constitutional provision seeks to prevent, i.e., giving certain
individuals, families or groups special privileges denied to other citizens, will not be present insofar
as the Bank is concerned. As this Honorable Court observed in Philippine Veterans Bank Employees
Union-NUBE vs. Philippine Veterans Bank –

These stockholdings (of the veterans, widows, orphans or compulsory heirs) do not enjoy any
special immunity over and above shares of stock in any other corporation, which are always subject
to the vicissitudes of business. Their value may appreciate or decline or the stocks may become
worthless altogether. Like any other property, they do not have a fixed but a fluctuating price.
Certainly, the mere acceptance of these shares of stock by the petitioners did not create any legal
assurance from the Government that their original value would be preserved and that the owners
could not be deprived of such property under any circumstance no matter how justified

Secondly, the obvious legislative intent is "to give meaning and realization to the constitutional
mandate to provide immediate and adequate care, benefits and other forms of assistance to war
veterans and veterans of military campaigns, their surviving spouses and orphans" Article XVI,
Section 7 of the Constitution states:
Section 7. The State shall provide immediate and adequate care, benefits and other forms of
assistance to war veterans and veterans of military campaigns, their surviving spouses and orphans.
Funds shall be provided therefor and due consideration shall be given them in the disposition of
agricultural lands of the public domain and, in appropriate cases, in the utilization of natural
resources.

The creation of Veterans Bank through Republic Act Nos. 3518 and 7169 should therefore be taken
in conjunction and harmonized with Section 16, Article XII of the Constitution. The predilection of the
said Republic Acts towards the welfare of the veterans, their widows, orphans or compulsory heirs is
supported by no less than a constitutional provision. That Republic Act Nos. 3518 and 7169 do not
fall within the proscription against the creation of private corporations is readily apparent from the
fact that in both laws, the intendment of the legislature is that Veterans Bank will eventually be
operated, managed and exist under the general laws, i.e., Corporation Code and General Banking
Act. The mere circumstance that the charter was granted directly by Congress does not signify that
only Congress can modify or abrogate it by another enactment.

Thirdly, the following mandate of Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7169 had been accomplished:

"The operations and changes in the capital structure of the Veterans Bank, as well as other
amendments to its articles of incorporation and by-laws as prescribed under Republic Act No. 3518,
shall be in accordance with the Corporation Code, the General Banking Act, and other related laws."

Pursuant hereto, the Bank had registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under its
certificate of incorporation/registration number 24681. It has its articles of incorporation and by-laws
separate and distinct from the provisions of Republic Act Nos. 3518 and 7169. The manner by which
the Bank's Board of Directors is to be organized and the Officers to be elected or appointed are
stated in the by-laws. The latest Definitive Information Sheet of the Bank indicates that as of April 30,
2014, the total number of shareholders of record (common and preferred) is 383,852. There had
been 25,303,869 common shares and 3,611,556 preferred shares issued, none of which belong to
the government. It is thus operating under and by virtue of the Corporation Code and the General
Banking Act.42

Through its comment, the OSG presents an opinion favorable to the position of the petitioner,
opining upon the authority of Boy Scouts of the Philippines v. Commission on Audit43 and Article 44
of the Civil Code44that PVB is a public corporation created in the public interest, and a government
instrumentality with juridical personality;45 hence, the law governing the petitioner's compulsory
retirement age was Republic Act No. 8291, and the compulsory retirement age for him should be 65
years.46

Issues

The following procedural and substantive issues are to be considered and resolved, namely: (1)
whether or not the Court could accept the petitioner's second motion for reconsideration; (2) whether
PVB is a private entity or a public instrumentality; and (3) whether the petitioner was validly retired by
PVB at age 60.

Ruling of the Court

In light of pertinent laws and relevant jurisprudence, the Court has ascertained, after going over the
parties' arguments and the records of the case, that the reconsideration of the Court's resolutions
promulgated on April 8, 2013 and August 28, 2013, and the lifting of the entry of judgment made
herein are in order; and that the appeal by the petitioner should be given due course.

1.

The Court En Banc properly accepted the petitioner's second motion for reconsideration.

As a general rule, second and subsequent motions for reconsideration are forbidden.47 Nevertheless,
there are situations in which exceptional circumstances warrant allowing such motions for
reconsideration, and for that reason the Court has recognized several exceptions to the general rule.
We have extensively expounded on the exceptions in McBurnie v. Ganzon,48 where we observed:
At the outset, the Court emphasizes that second and subsequent motions for reconsideration are, as
a general rule, prohibited. Section 2, Rule 52 of the Rules of Court provides that "[n]o second motion
for reconsideration of a judgment or final resolution by the same party shall be entertained." The rule
rests on the basic tenet of immutability of judgments. "At some point, a decision becomes final and
executory and, consequently, all litigations must come to an end."

The general rule, however, against second and subsequent motions for reconsideration admits of
settled exceptions. For one, the present Internal Rules of the Supreme Court, particularly Section 3,
Rule 15 thereof, provides:

Sec. 3. Second motion for reconsideration. - The Court shall not entertain a second motion for
reconsideration, and any exception to this rule can only be granted in the higher interest of justice by
the Court en bane upon a vote of at least two-thirds of its actual membership. There is
reconsideration "in the higher interest of justice" when the assailed decision is not only legally
erroneous, but is likewise patently unjust and potentially capable of causing unwarranted and
irremediable injury or damage to the parties. A second motion for reconsideration can only be
entertained before the ruling sought to be reconsidered becomes final by operation of law or by the
Court's declaration.

xxxx

In a line of cases, the Court has then entertained and granted second motions for
reconsideration "in the higher interest of substantial justice," as allowed under the Internal
Rules when the assailed decision is "legally erroneous," "patently unjust" and "potentially capable of
causing unwarranted and irremediable injury or damage to the parties." In Tirazona v. Philippine
EDS Techno-Service, Inc. (PET, Inc.), we also explained that a second motion for reconsideration
may be allowed in instances of "extraordinarily persuasive reasons and only after an express leave
shall have been obtained." In Apo Fruits Corporation v. Land Bank of the Philippines we allowed a
second motion for reconsideration as the issue involved therein was a matter of public interest, as it
pertained to the proper application of a basic constitutionallyguaranteed right in the government's
implementation of its agrarian reform program. In San Miguel Corporation v. NLRC, the Court set
aside the decisions of the LA and the NLRC that favored claimants-security guards upon the Court's
review of San Miguel Corporation's second motion for reconsideration. In Vir-Jen Shipping and
Marine Services, Inc. v. NLRC, et al., the Court en bane reversed on a third motion for
reconsideration the ruling of the Court's Division on therein private respondents' claim for wages and
monetary benefits.

It is also recognized that in some instances, the prudent action towards a just resolution of a
case is for the Court to suspend rules of procedure, for "the power of this Court to suspend
its own rules or to except a particular case from its operations whenever the purposes of
justice require it, cannot be questioned." In De Guzman v. Sandiganbayan, the Court, thus,
explained:

[T]he rules of procedure should be viewed as mere tools designed to facilitate the attainment of
justice. Their strict and rigid application, which would result in technicalities that tend to frustrate
rather than promote substantial justice, must always be avoided. Even the Rules of Court envision
this liberality. This power to suspend or even disregard the rules can be so pervasive and
encompassing so as to alter even that which this Court itself has already declared to be final, as we
are now compelled to do in this case x x x.

xxxx

The Rules of Court was conceived and promulgated to set forth guidelines in the dispensation of
justice but not to bind and chain the hand that dispenses it, for otherwise, courts will be mere slaves
to or robots of technical rules, shorn of judicial discretion. That is precisely why courts in rendering
real justice have always been, as they in fact ought to be, conscientiously guided by the norm that
when on the balance, technicalities take a backseat against substantive rights, and not the other way
around. Truly then, technicalities, in the appropriate language of Justice Makalintal, "should give way
to the realities of the situation." x x x.

Consistent with the foregoing precepts, the Court has then reconsidered even decisions that have
attained finality, finding it more appropriate to lift entries of judgments already made in these cases.
In Navarro v. Executive Secretary, we reiterated the pronouncement in DeGuzman that the power to
suspend or even disregard rules of procedure can be so pervasive and compelling as to alter even
that which this Court itself has already declared final. The Court then recalled in Navarro an entry of
judgment after it had determined the validity and constitutionality of Republic Act No. 9355,
explaining that:

Verily, the Court had, on several occasions, sanctioned the recall of entries of judgment in light of
attendant extraordinary circumstances. The power to suspend or even disregard rules of procedure
can be so pervasive and compelling as to alter even that which this Court itself had already declared
final. In this case, the compelling concern is not only to afford the movants-intervenors the right to be
heard since they would be adversely affected by the judgment in this case despite not being original
parties thereto, but also to arrive at the correct interpretation of the provisions of the [Local
Government Code (LGC)] with respect to the creation of local government units. x x x.

In Munoz v. CA, the Court resolved to recall an entry of judgment to prevent a miscarriage of justice.
This justification was likewise applied in Tan Tiac Chiong v. Hon. Cosico, wherein the Court held
that:

The recall of entries of judgments, albeit rare, is not a novelty. In Munoz v. CA, where the case was
elevated to this Court and a first and second motion for reconsideration had been denied
with finality, the Court, in the interest of substantial justice, recalled the Entry of Judgment as well as
the letter of transmittal of the records to the Court of Appeals.

In Barnes v. Judge Padilla, we ruled:

[A] final and executory judgment can no longer be attacked by any of the parties or be modified,
directly or indirectly, even by the highest court of the land.

However, this Court has relaxed this rule in order to serve substantial justice considering (a) matters
of life, liberty, honor or property, (b) the existence of special or compelling circumstances, (c) the
merits of the case, (d) a cause not entirely attributable to the fault or negligence of the party favored
by the suspension of the rules, (e) a lack of any showing that the review sought is merely frivolous
and dilatory, and (t) the other party will not be unjustly prejudiced thereby. (Citations omitted;
underscoring supplied)49

In short, the Court may entertain second and subsequent motions for reconsideration when the
assailed decision is legally erroneous, patently unjust and potentially capable of causing
unwarranted and irremediable injury or damage to the parties. Under these circumstances, even final
and executory judgments may be set aside because of the existence of compelling reasons.

It is notable that the retirement program in question herein was established solely by PVB as the
employer. Although PVB could validly impose a retirement age lower than 65 years for as long as it
did so with the employees' consent,50 the consent must be explicit, voluntary, free, and
uncompelled.51 In dismissing the petition for review on certiorari, the Court's First Division
inadvertently overlooked that the law required the employees' consent to be express and voluntary in
order for them to be bound by the retirement program providing for a retirement age earlier than the
age of 65 years. Hence, the Court deems it proper to render a fair adjudication on the merits of the
appeal upon the petitioner's second motion for reconsideration. Furthermore, allowing this case to be
reviewed on its merits furnishes the Court with the opportunity to re-examine the case in order to
ascertain whether or not the dismissal produced results patently unjust to the petitioner. These
reasons do justify treating this case as an exception to the general rule on immutability of judgments.

2.

The pronouncement of the Court in Philippine Veterans Bank Employees Union-NUBE v. The
Philippine Veterans Bank is still doctrinal on the status of the Philippine Veterans Bank as a
private, not a government, entity

In Philippine Veterans Bank Employees Union-NUBE v. The Philippine Veterans Bank,52 we

pertinently pronounced:

Coming now to the ownership of the Bank, we find it is not a government bank, as claimed by the
petitioners. The fact is that under Section 3(b) of its charter, while 51 % of the capital stock of the
1âwphi1

Bank was initially fully subscribed by the Republic of the Philippines for and in behalf of the veterans,
their widows, orphans or compulsory heirs, the corresponding shares of stock were to be turned over
within 5 years from the organization by the Bank to the said beneficiaries who would thereafter have
the right to vote such common shares. The balance of about 49% was to be divided into preferred
shares which would be opened for subscription by any recognized veteran, widow, orphans or
compulsory heirs of said veteran at the rate of one preferred share per veteran, on the condition that
in case of failure of any particular veteran to subscribe for any preferred share of stock so offered to
him within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of notice, said share of stock shall be available for
subscription to other veterans in accordance with such rules or regulations as may be promulgated
by the Board of Directors. Moreover, under Sec. 6(a), the affairs of the Bank are managed by a
board of directors composed of eleven members, three of whom are ex officio members, with the
other eight being elected annually by the stockholders in the manner prescribed by the Corporation
Law. Significantly, Sec. 28 also provides as follows:

Sec. 28. Articles of incorporation. - This Act, upon its approval, shall be deemed and accepted to all
legal intents and purposes as the statutory articles of incorporation or Charter of the Philippine
Veterans' Bank; and that, notwithstanding the provisions of any existing law to the contrary, said
Bank shall be deemed registered and duly authorized to do business and operate as a commercial
bank as of the date of approval of this Act.

This point is important because the Constitution provides in its Article IX-B, Section 2(1) that
"the Civil Service embraces all branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, and agencies of the
Government, including government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters."
As the Bank is not owned or controlled by the Government although it does have an original
charter in the form of R.A. No. 3518, it clearly does not fall under the Civil Service and should
be regarded as an ordinary commercial corporation. Section 28 of the said law so provides.
The consequence is that the relations of the Bank with its employees should be governed by
the labor laws, under which in fact they have already been paid some of their claims.53 (Bold
underscoring supplied for emphasis)

Anent whether PVB was a government or a private entity, therefore, we declare that it is the latter.
The foregoing jurisprudential pronouncement remains to be good law, and should be doctrinal and
controlling.

We also note that Congress enacted Republic Act No. 7169,54 whereby it acknowledged the Filipino
veterans of World War II as the owners of PVB, but their ownership had not been fully realized
despite the implementation of Republic Act No. 3518.55 As one of the mechanisms to rehabilitate
PVB, Congress saw fit to modify PVB' s operations, capital structure, articles of incorporation and
by-laws through the enactment of Republic Act No. 7169.56By restoring PVB as envisioned by
Republic Act No. 3518,57 and by providing that the creation of the PVB would be in accord with
the Corporation Code, the General Banking Act, and other related laws, Congress undeniably
bestowed upon the PVB the personality of a private commercial bank through Republic Act No.
7169. In that regard, Section 8 of Republic Act No. 7169 directed the Filipino veterans to raise
₱750,000,000.00 in total unimpaired capital accounts, prior to PVB's reopening, but excused the
Government from making any new capital infusion, viz.:

Section 8. Transitory Provisions. - Without requiring new capital infusion either from the Government
or from outside investigators, the Filipino veterans of World War II who are real owners-stockholders
of the Veterans Bank shall cause the said bank to have at least Seven hundred fifty million pesos
(₱750,000,000.00) in total unimpaired capital accounts prior to reopening pursuant to this Act as a
commercial bank.

It is hereby provided that the Board of Trustees of the Veterans of World War II (BTVWW II) created
under Republic Act No. 3518 is hereby designated as trustee of all issued but undelivered shares of
stock.

With the Government having no more stake in PVB, there is no justification for the insistence of the
petitioner that PVB "is a public corporation masquerading as a private corporation."58

3.

Petitioner Alfredo Laya was not validly retired at age 60

Notwithstanding the rejection of the petitioner's insistence that PVB was a public corporation, we find
and declare that the petitioner was not validly retired at age 60.
Before going further, we clarify that the CA, in the exercise of its certiorari jurisdiction, is limited to
determining whether or not the NLRC committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or
excess of jurisdiction. The remedy is the special civil action for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules
of Court brought in the CA, and once the CA decides the case the party thereby aggrieved may
appeal the decision of the CA by petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court.

However, rigidly limiting the authority of the CA to the determination of grave abuse of discretion
amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of the NLRC does not fully conform with
prevailing case law, particularly St. Martin Funeral Home v. NLRC,59 where we firmly observed that
because of the "growing number of labor cases being elevated to this Court which, not being a trier
of fact, has at times been constrained to remand the case to the NLRC for resolution of unclear or
ambiguous factual findings"60 the CA could more properly address petitions for certiorari brought
against the NLRC. Conformably with such observation made in St. Martin Funeral Homes, we have
then later on clarified that the CA, in its exercise of its certiorari jurisdiction, can review the factual
findings or even the legal conclusions of the NLRC,61 viz.:

In St. Martin Funeral Home[s] v. NLRC, it was held that the special civil action of certiorari is the
mode of judicial review of the decisions of the NLRC either by this Court and the Court of Appeals,
although the latter court is the appropriate forum for seeking the relief desired "in strict observance of
the doctrine on the hierarchy of courts" and that, in the exercise of its power, the Court of Appeals
can review the factual findings or the legal conclusions of the NLRC. The contrary rule in Jamer was
thus overruled.62

There is now no dispute that the CA can make a determination whether the factual findings by the
NLRC or the Labor Arbiter were based on the evidence and in accord with pertinent laws and
jurisprudence.

The significance of this clarification is that whenever the decision of the CA in a labor case is
appealed by petition for review on certiorari, the Court can competently delve into the propriety of the
factual review not only by the CA but also by the NLRC. Such ability is still in pursuance to the
exercise of our review jurisdiction over administrative findings of fact that we have discoursed on in
several rulings, including Aklan Electric Coooperative, Inc. v. National Labor Relations
Commission,63 where we have pointed out:

While administrative findings of fact are accorded great respect, and even finality when supported by
substantial evidence, nevertheless, when it can be shown that administrative bodies grossly
misappreciated evidence of such nature as to compel a contrary conclusion, this Court had not
hesitated to reverse their factual findings. Factual findings of administrative agencies are not
infallible and will be set aside when they fail the test of arbitrariness.64

The review of the findings of the CA becomes more compelling herein, inasmuch as it appears that
the CA did not appreciate the fact that the retirement plan was not the sole prerogative of the
employer, and that the petitioner was automatically made a member of the plan. Upon reviewing the
resolution by the NLRC, the CA simply concluded that the petitioner's acceptance of the employment
offer had carried with it his acquiescence, which implied his knowledge of the plan, thus:

This Court finds petitioner's argument to be misplaced. It must be stressed that when petitioner was
appointed as Chief Legal Officer on 01 June 2001 among the terms and conditions of his
employment is the membership in the Provident Fund Program/Retirement Program. Worthy to note
that when petitioner accepted his appointment as Chief Legal Officer, he likewise signified his
conformity with the provisions of the Retirement Program considering that the same has already
been in existence and effective since 1 January 1996, i.e. prior to his appointment. As such, this
Court is not convinced that petitioner was not aware of the private respondent's retirement program.65

The retirement of employees in the private sector is governed by Article 287 of the Labor Code:66

Art. 287. Retirement. Any employee may be retired upon reaching the retirement age
established in the collective bargaining agreement or other applicable employment contract.

In case of retirement, the employee shall be entitled to receive such retirement benefits as he may
have earned under existing laws and any collective bargaining agreement and other
agreements: Provided, however, That an employee's retirement benefits under any collective
bargaining and other agreements shall not be less than those provided therein.
In the absence of a retirement plan or agreement providing for retirement benefits of
employees in the establishment, an employee upon reaching the age of sixty (60) years or
more, but not beyond sixty-five (65) years which is hereby declared the compulsory
retirement age, who has served at least five (5) years in the said establishment, may retire and shall
be entitled to retirement pay x x x x.

Under the provision, the employers and employees may agree to fix the retirement age for the latter,
and to embody their agreement in either their collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) or their
employment contracts. Retirement plans allowing employers to retire employees who have not yet
reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 years are not per se repugnant to the constitutional
guaranty of security of tenure, provided that the retirement benefits are not lower than those
prescribed by law.67

The CA concluded that the petitioner had agreed to be bound by the retirement plan of PVB when he
accepted the letter of appointment as its Chief Legal Counsel.

We disagree with the conclusion. We declare that based on the clear circumstances herein the CA
erred in so concluding.

The petitioner's letter of appointment pertinently stated:

3. As a Senior Officer of the Bank, you are entitled to the following executive benefits:

•Car Plan limit of ₱700,000.00, without equity on your part; a gasoline subsidy of 300 liters
per month and subject further to The Car Plan Policy of the Bank.

• Membership in a professional organization in relation to your profession and/or assigned

functions in the Bank.

• Membership in the Provident Fund Program/Retirement Program.

• Entitlement to any and all other basic and fringe benefits enjoyed by the officers; core of the
Bank relative to Insurance covers, Healthcare Insurance, vacation and sick leaves, among
others.68

Obviously, the mere mention of the retirement plan in the letter of appointment did not sufficiently
inform the petitioner of the contents or details of the retirement program. To construe from the
petitioner's acceptance of his appointment that he had acquiesced to be retired earlier than the
compulsory age of 65 years would, therefore, not be warranted. This is because retirement should
be the result of the bilateral act of both the employer and the employee based on their voluntary
agreement that the employee agrees to sever his employment upon reaching a certain age.69

That the petitioner might be well aware of the existence of the retirement program at the time of his
engagement did not suffice. His implied knowledge, regardless of duration, did not equate to the
voluntary acceptance required by law in granting an early retirement age option to the employee.
The law demanded more than a passive acquiescence on the part of the employee, considering that
his early retirement age option involved conceding the constitutional right to security of tenure.70

In Cercado v. Uniprom, Inc.,71 we have underscored the character of the employee's consent in
agreeing to the early retirement policy of the employer, viz.:

Acceptance by the employees of an early retirement age option must be explicit, voluntary, free, and
uncompelled. While an employer may unilaterally retire an employee earlier than the legally
permissible ages under the Labor Code, this prerogative must be exercised pursuant to a mutually
instituted early retirement plan. In other words, only the implementation and execution of the option
may be unilateral, but not the adoption and institution of the retirement plan containing such option.
For the option to be valid, the retirement plan containing it must be voluntarily assented to by the
employees or at least by a majority of them through a bargaining representative.72 (Bold emphasis
supplied)

Furthermore, the petitioner's membership in the retirement plan could not be justifiably attributed to
his signing of the letter of appointment that only listed the minimum benefits provided to PVB's
employees. Indeed, in Cercado, we have declared that the employee's consent to the retirement
plan that came into being two years after the hiring could not be inferred from her signature on the
personnel action forms accepting the terms of her job description, and compliance with the company
policies, rules and regulations, to wit:

We also cannot subscribe to respondent's submission that petitioner's consent to the retirement plan
may be inferred from her signature in the personnel action forms containing the phrase: "Employee
hereby expressly acknowledges receipt of and undertakes to abide by the provisions of his/her Job
Description, Company Code of Conduct and such other policies, guidelines, rules and regulations
the company may prescribe."

It should be noted that the personnel action forms relate to the increase in petitioner's salary at
various periodic intervals. To conclude that her acceptance of the salary increases was also,
simultaneously, a concurrence to the retirement plan would be tantamount to compelling her to
agree to the latter. Moreover, voluntary and equivocal acceptance by an employee of an early
retirement age option in a retirement plan necessarily connotes that her consent specifically refers to
the plan or that she has at least read the same when she affixed her conformity thereto.73

A perusal of PVB's retirement plan shows that under its Article III all the regular employees of PVB
were automatically admitted into membership, thus:

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP IN THE PLAN

Section 1. Eligibility at Effective Date. Any Employee of the Bank as of January 1, 1996 shall
automatically be a Member of the Plan as of such date.

Section 2. Eligibility after Effective Date. Any person who becomes an Employee after January 1,
1996 shall automatically become a Member of the Plan on the date he becomes a regular
permanent Employee, provided he is less than 55 years old as of such date.

Section 3. Continuation/Termination of Membership. Membership in the Plan shall be concurrent

with employment with the Bank, and shall cease automatically upon termination of the Member's
service with the Bank for any reason whatsoever.74 (Bold underscoring supplied for emphasis)

Having thus automatically become a member of the retirement plan through his acceptance of
employment as Chief Legal Officer of PVB,75 the petitioner could not withdraw from the plan except
upon his termination from employment.

It is also notable that the retirement plan had been in existence since January 1, 1996,76 or more than
five years prior to the petitioner's employment by PVB. The plan was established solely by the
PVB,77 and approved by its president.78 As such, the plan was in the nature of a contract of
adhesion,79 in respect to which the petitioner was reduced to mere submission by accepting his
employment, and automatically became a member of the plan. With the plan being a contract of
adhesion, to consider him to have voluntarily and freely given his consent to the terms thereof as to
warrant his being compulsorily retired at the age of 60 years is factually unwarranted.

In view of the foregoing, the Court disagrees with the view tendered by Justice Leonen to the effect
that the petitioner, because of his legal expertise and educational attainment, could not now validly
claim that he was not informed of the provisions of the retirement program. The pertinent rule on
retirement plans does not presume consent or acquiescence from the high educational attainment or
legal knowledge of the employee. In fact, the rule provides that the acquiescence by the employee
cannot be lightly inferred from his acceptance of employment.

Moreover, it was incumbent upon PVB to prove that the petitioner had been fully apprised of the
terms of the retirement program at the time of his acceptance of the offer of employment. PVB did
not discharge its burden, for the petitioner's appointment letter apparently enumerated only the
minimum benefits that he would enjoy during his employment by PVB, and contained no indication of
PVB having given him a copy of the program itself in order to fully apprise him of the contents and
details thereof. Nonetheless, even assuming that he subsequently obtained information about the
program in the course of his employment, he still could not opt to simply withdraw from the program
due to his membership therein being automatic for the regular employees of PVB.
To stress, company retirement plans must not only comply with the standards set by the prevailing
labor laws but must also be accepted by the employees as commensurate to their faithful services to
the employer within the requisite period.80 Although the employer could be free to impose a
retirement age lower than 65 years for as long its employees consented,81 the retirement of the
employee whose intent to retire was not clearly established, or whose retirement was involuntary is
to be treated as a discharge.82

With the petitioner having been thus dismissed pursuant to the retirement provision that he had not
knowingly and voluntarily agreed to, PVB was guilty of illegal dismissal as to him. Being an illegally
dismissed employee, he was entitled to the reliefs provided under Article 27983 of the Labor Code, to
wit:

Article 279. Security of tenure. -In cases of regular employment, the employer shall not terminate the
services of an employee except for a just cause or when authorized by this Title. An employee who
is unjustly dismissed from work shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of seniority rights and
other privileges and to his full backwages, inclusive of allowances, and to his other benefits or their
monetary equivalent computed from the time his compensation was withheld from him up to the time
of his actual reinstatement.

Considering that the petitioner's reinstatement is no longer feasible because of his having meanwhile
reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 years by June 11, 2012, he should be granted
separation pay. In this regard, retirement benefits and separation pay are not mutually exclusive.84

The basis for computing the separation pay should accord with Section 4,85 Article III of PVB's
retirement plan. Hence, his full backwages should be computed from July 18, 2007 - the date when
he was illegally dismissed - until his compulsory retirement age of 65 years on June 11, 2012. Such
backwages shall all be subject to legal interest of 12% per annum from July 18, 2007 until June 30,
2013, and then to legal interest of 6% interest per annum from July 1, 2013 until full satisfaction,
conformably with Nacar v. Gallery Frames.86

WHEREFORE, the Court GRANTS the petition for review on certiorari; REVERSES and SETS
ASIDE the decision promulgated by the Court of Appeals on August 31,
2012; FINDS and DECLARES respondent PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK guilty of illegally
dismissing the petitioner; and ORDERS respondent PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK to pay to the
petitioner, as follows: (a) backwages computed from July 18, 2007, the time of his illegal dismissal,
until his compulsory age of retirement, plus legal interest of 12% per annum from July 18, 2007 until
June 30, 2013, and legal interest of 6% per annum from July 1, 2013 until full
satisfaction; (b) separation pay computed at the rate of 100% of the final monthly salary received by
the petitioner pursuant to Section 4, Article V of the PVB Retirement Plan; and (c) the costs of suit.

The Court DIRECTS that any amount that the petitioner received from respondent PHILIPPINE
VETERANS BANKby virtue of his illegal retirement shall be deducted from the amounts hereby
awarded to him.

The Court DIRECTS the National Labor Relations Commission to facilitate the computation and
payment of the total monetary benefits and awards due to the petitioner in accordance with this
decision.

SO ORDERED.

LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Associate Justice

A.C. No. 8560, September 06, 2016

CARRIE-ANNE SHALEEN CARLYLE S. REYES, Complainant, v. ATTY. RAMON F. NIEVA, Respondent.

DECISION

PERLAS-BERNABE, J.:

For the Court's resolution is the Complaint1 dated March 3, 2010 filed by complainant Carrie-Anne Shaleen
Carlyle S. Reyes (complainant) against respondent Atty. Ramon F. Nieva (respondent), praying that the
latter be disbarred for sexually harassing her.
 The Facts

Complainant alleged that she has been working at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) as
an Administrative Aide on a Job Order basis since October 2004. Sometime in January 2009, she was re-
assigned at the CAAP Office of the Board Secretary under the supervision of respondent, who was then
acting as CAAP Acting Board Secretary. During complainant's stint under respondent, she would notice that
during office hours, respondent would often watch "pampagana" videos saved in his office laptop, all of
which turned out to be pornographic films. Complainant also averred that whenever respondent got close to
her, he would hold her hand and would sometimes give it a kiss. During these instances, complainant would
remove her hands and tell him to desist. According to complainant, respondent even offered her a cellular
phone together with the necessary load to serve as means for their private communication, but she refused
the said offer, insisting that she already has her own cellular phone and does not need another one.2

Complainant also narrated that at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon of April 1, 2009, respondent texted her to
wait for him at the office. Fearing that respondent might take advantage of her, complainant convinced two
(2) of her officemates to accompany her until respondent arrived. Upon respondent's arrival and seeing that
complainant had companions, he just told complainant and the other two (2) office staff to lock the door
when
they leave.3

Complainant further recounted that on the following day, April 2, 2009, respondent called her on her cellular
phone, asked if she received his text message, and told her he would tell her something upon his arrival at
the office. At about 9:30 in the morning of even date, respondent asked complainant to encode a
memorandum he was about to dictate. Suddenly, respondent placed his hand on complainant's waist area
near her breast and started caressing the latter's torso. Complainant immediately moved away from
respondent and told him "sumosobra na ho kayo sir." Instead of asking for an apology, respondent told
complainant he was willing to give her P2,000.00 a month from his own pocket and even gave her a note
stating "just bet (between) you and me, x x x kahit na si mommy," referring to complainant's mother who
was also working at CAAP. At around past 11 o'clock in the morning of the same day, while complainant and
respondent were left alone in the office, respondent suddenly closed the door, grabbed complainant's arm,
and uttered "let's seal it with a kiss," then attempted to kiss complainant. This prompted complainant to
thwart respondent's advances with her left arm, raised her voice in order to invite help, and exclaimed "wag
naman kayo ganyan sir, yung asawa nyo magagalit, sir may asawa ako." After respondent let her go,
complainant immediately left the office to ask assistance from her former supervisor who advised her to file
an administrative case4 against respondent before the CAAP Committee on Decorum and Investigation
(CODI).5

Finally, complainant alleged that after her ordeal with respondent, she was traumatized and was even
diagnosed by a psychiatrist to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder with recurrent major
depression.6 Eventually, complainant filed the instant complaint.

In his defense,7 respondent denied all of complainant's allegations. He maintained that as a 79-year old
retiree who only took a position at the CAAP on a consultancy basis, it was very unlikely for him to do the
acts imputed against him, especially in a very small office space allotted for him and his staff. In this regard,
he referred to his Counter-Affidavit8 submitted before the CODI, wherein he explained, inter alia, that: (a)
while he indeed watches "interesting shows" in his office laptop, he never invited anyone, including
complainant, to watch with him and that he would even close his laptop whenever someone comes near
him;9 (b) he never held and kissed complainant's hand because if he had done so, he would have been
easily noticed by complainant's co-staffers;10 (c) he did offer her a cellular phone, but this was supposed to
be an office phone which should not be used for personal purposes, and thus, could not be given any sexual
meaning;11 (d) he did tell complainant to wait for him in the afternoon of April 1, 2009, but only for the
purpose of having an available encoder should he need one for any urgent matter that would arise;12 and
(e) he would not do the acts he allegedly committed on April 2, 2009 as there were other people in the
office and that those people can attest in his favor.13 Respondent then pointed out that the administrative
case filed against him before the CODI was already dismissed for lack of basis and that complainant was
only being used by other CAAP employees who were agitated by the reforms he helped implement upon his
assumption as CAAP consultant and eventually as Acting Corporate Board Secretary.14

The IBP's Report and Recommendation

In a Report and Recommendation15 dated August 14, 2012, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)
Investigating Commissioner recommended the dismissal of the instant administrative complaint against
respondent.16 He found that complainant failed to substantiate her allegations against respondent, as
opposed to respondent's defenses which are ably supported by evidence. Citing respondent's evidence, the
Investigating Commissioner opined that since the CAAP Office of the Board Secretary was very small, it is
implausible that a startling occurrence such as an attempted sexual molestation would not be noticed by not
only the other occupants of said office area, but also by those occupying the office adjacent to it, i.e., the
CAAP Operations Center, which is separated only by glass panels. Further, the Investigating Commissioner
drew attention to the investigation conducted by the CODI showing that the collective sworn statements of
the witnesses point to the eventual conclusion that none of the alleged acts of misconduct attributed to
respondent really occurred.17

In a Resolution18 dated May 10, 2013, the IBP Board of Governors (IBP Board) unanimously reversed the
aforesaid Report and Recommendation. As such, respondent was found guilty of committing sexual
advances, and accordingly, recommended that he be suspended from the practice of law for three (3)
months.
In view of respondent's Motion for Reconsideration,19 the IBP Board referred the case to the IBP Commission
on Bar Discipline (IBP-CBD) for study, evaluation, and submission of an Executive Summary to the IBP
Board.20

In the Director's Report21 dated July 8, 2014, the IBP-CBD National Director recommended that the current
IBP Board adhere to the report and recommendation of the Investigating Commissioner as it is supported by
the evidence on record; on the other hand, the reversal made by the previous IBP Board is bereft of any
factual and legal bases, and should therefore, be set aside. In this light, the current IBP Board issued a
Resolution22 dated August 10, 2014 setting aside the previous IBP Board's Resolution, and accordingly,
dismissed the administrative complaint against respondent.

The Issue Before the Court

The essential issue in this case is whether or not respondent should be held administratively liable for
violating the Code of Professional Responsibility (CPR).

The Court's Ruling

Rule 1.01, Canon 1 of the CPR provides:

CANON 1 - A lawyer shall uphold the constitution, obey the laws of the land and promote respect
for law and legal processes.

Rule 1.01 - A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct.
The provision instructs that "[a]s officers of the court, lawyers are bound to maintain not only a high
standard of legal proficiency, but also of morality, honesty, integrity, and fair dealing."23

In similar light, Rule 7.03, Canon 7 of the CPR states:

CANON 7 - A lawyer shall at all times uphold the integrity and dignity of the legal profession and
support the activities of the Integrated Bar.

xxxx

Rule 7.03 - A lawyer shall not engage in conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law, nor
shall he, whether in public or private life, behave in a scandalous manner to the discredit of the legal
profession.
Good moral character is a trait that every practicing lawyer is required to possess. It may be defined as
"what a person really is, as distinguished from good reputation, or from the opinion generally entertained of
him, or the estimate in which he is held by the public in the place where he is known. Moral character is not
a subjective term but one which corresponds to objective reality."24 Such requirement has four (4)
ostensible purposes, namely: (a) to protect the public; (b) to protect the public image of lawyers; (c) to
protect prospective clients; and (d) to protect errant lawyers from themselves.25

In Valdez v. Dabon,26 the Court emphasized that a lawyer's continued possession of good moral character is
a requisite condition to remain a member of the Bar, viz.:
Lawyers have been repeatedly reminded by the Court that possession of good moral character is both a
condition precedent and a continuing requirement to warrant admission to the Bar and to retain membership
in the legal profession. This proceeds from the lawyer's bounden duty to observe the highest degree of
morality in order to safeguard the Bar's integrity, and the legal profession exacts from its members nothing
less. Lawyers are called upon to safeguard the integrity of the Bar, free from misdeeds and acts constitutive
of malpractice. Their exalted positions as officers of the court demand no less than the highest degree of
morality.

The Court explained in Arnobit v. Atty. Arnobit that "as officers of the court, lawyers must not only in
fact be of good moral character but must also be seen to be of good moral character and leading
lives in accordance with the highest moral standards of the community. A member of the bar and
an officer of the court is not only required to refrain from adulterous relationships or keeping a
mistress but must also behave himself so as to avoid scandalizing the public by creating the
impression that he is flouting those moral standards." Consequently, any errant behavior of the
lawyer, be it in his public or private activities, which tends to show deficiency in moral character, honesty,
probity or good demeanor, is sufficient to warrant suspension or disbarment.27 (Emphasis and underscoring
supplied)
Verily, lawyers are expected to abide by the tenets of morality, not only upon admission to the Bar but also
throughout their legal career, in order to maintain their good standing in this exclusive and honored
fraternity. They may be suspended from the practice of law or disbarred for any misconduct, even if it
pertains to his private activities, as long as it shows him to be wanting in moral character, honesty, probity
or good demeanor.28

After due consideration, the Court reverses the findings and recommendations of the IBP, and finds
respondent administratively liable for violations of the CPR, as will be explained hereunder.

To recapitulate, the IBP found that as compared to complainant's purposedly bare and uncorroborated
allegations, respondent's evidence point to the conclusion that none of the alleged sexual advances made by
respondent against complainant actually occurred. As such, it absolved respondent from any administrative
liability. In support of such finding, the IBP largely relied on the following: (a) the five (5)
photographs29 respondent submitted to the CODI to show that respondent's office space was so small that
any commotion caused by a sexual harassment attempt would have been easily noticed by the other
occupants thereof;30 and (b) the investigation conducted by the CODI per the Transcript31 submitted by
respondent where the witnesses said that they did not notice anything out of the ordinary on April 2, 2009,
the date when respondent's alleged sexual advances against complainant were committed.32However, the
foregoing evidence, taken as a whole, did not actually refute complainant's allegation that at around past 11
o'clock in the morning of April 2, 2009, respondent closed the door, grabbed complainant's right arm,
uttered the words "let's seal it with a kiss" and attempted to kiss complainant despite the latter's resistance.

A careful perusal of the aforesaid Transcript shows that at around past 11 o'clock in the morning of April 2,
2009, there was a time that complainant and respondent were indeed left alone in the office:
Mr. Mendoza: Ngayon, puwede mo bang idescribe sa amin nung 9:30 to 11:00 sinu-sino kayo doon?

Witness 1: Tatlo (3) lang kami sir po dun. Si Ma'am Carrie Anne [complainant], si sir Nieva
[respondent] tsaka aka po.

Mr. Mendoza: So ikaw lang ang witness, ang taong naroon 9:30 to 11?

Witness 1: Yes sir.

xxxx

Mr. Mendoza: Saan kayo kumakain ng lunch?

Witness 1: Sa loob po kami naglulunch.

Mr. Mendoza: Pag nag-order ng pagkain minsan may natitira pa bang iba?

Witness 1: Itong po yung dalawa yung natira nung umalis po aka. Um... pagbalik ko po wala na po si Ma'am
Caan [complainant] si Ma'am Amy nalang po ang nandoon.

Mr. Mendoza: So siya [complainant] nalang at tsaka si Atty. Nieva [respondent] ang naiwan doon
sa room? Eh nasaan na yung ibang OJT pa?

Witness 1: Tatlo lang po kasi kami nun sir, nasa Land Bank po yung dalawa.

Mr. Mendoza: So nasa Land Bank sila. So totoong may nangyari na naiwan silang dalawa[complainant and
respondent] na time na silang dalawa lang ang naiwan sa kuwarto?

Witness 1: Opo nung mga quarter to 12 siguro po nun.

Mr. Mendoza: Ilang beses na may nangyayaring ganun na silang naiiwan doon sa kuwarto?

Witness 1: Yun lang po kasi yung natatandaan ko po sir na time na naiwan sila eh.

xxxx

Mr. Abesamis: Umalis ka sa room para bumili ng pagkain nandoon si Atty. Nieva [respondent]?

Witness 1: Andoon pa po silang dalawa [complainant and respondent]. Pero tapos na po silang magtype nun
tas nag decide na maglunch na eh.

Mr. Abesamis: Saan? Sino ang naiwan?

Witness 1: Dalawa pa lang sila sir pagbalik ko tatlo na sila pero wala naman po si Ma'am Caan
[complainant]. Nung umalis po ako si sir Nieva [respondent] tsaka si Ma'am Caan yung nandoon then
pagbalik ko po wala na si Ma'am Caan, si sir Nieva tsaka silang dalawa na po yung nandoon.

Mr. Abesamis: Ok. So wala na silang kasamang iba?

Witness 1: Opo.33
The same Transcript also reveals that the CODI interviewed the occupants of the adjacent office, i.e., the
CAAP Operations Center, which, according to the IBP Investigating Commissioner, was only separated from
complainant and respondent's office, i.e. the CAAP Office of the Board Secretary, by glass panels. Pertinent
parts of the interview read:
Mr. Borja: Nung oras ng mga alas onse (11) pagitan ng alas onse (11) hanggang alas dose(12), nasaan
ka joy [Witness 4]?

Witness 4: Andun po sa ORCC [CAAP Operations Center].

Mr. Borja: Si ano naman Donna [Witness 5] ganun din? Kasi sinasabi dito noong bandang ganung oras past
eleven (11) parang nag-advance yata si Atty. Nieva [respondent] kay Ms. Reyes (Caan)
[complainant] ngayon nung chinachansingan siya parang ganun ang dating eh "Iraised up my voice also, so
that the OPCEN personnel will hear of the alarm" may narinig ba kayo na sumigaw siya?
Witness 4: Eh kasi sir wala pong braket yun yung time na ano yung RPCC 764 so nag-cocoordinate kami...

Mr. Borja: Ano yung 764?

Witness 4: Yung sa Tuguegarao yung nawawala siya so may alerfa tapos ditressfa so intransi po kami...
opo...

Mr. Borja: So busing-busy ka sa telepono?

Witness 4: Opo lahat kami.

Mr. Borja: Pati ikaw?

Witness 5: Opo.

Mr. Borja: Sinong walang ginagawa nun?

Witness 4: Wala kasi kanya-kanya kami ng coordination lahat kami nasa telepono.

Mr. Borja: Kaya kapag kumakalampag yung pader [sa] kabila hindi niyo maririnig?

Witness 4: Hindi siguro sir kasi kung nakasara din sila ng pinto tapos kanya-kanya kaming may kausap sa
telepono eh.

Mr. Borja: Kung hindi kayo nakikipag-usap ngayon wala kayong ginagawa, narinig niyo ang usapan doon sa
kabila.

Witness 5: Yes sir.

Atty. Gloria: Lalo na pag malakas.

Mr. Borja: Pag malakas pero therein normal voice lang level.

Witness 4: Kasi minsan malakas din yung radio nila eh. Kung minsan kasi sir may mga music sila. Eto sir
yung time na kinuha... Dami nila eh... Lumabas nakita naming mga ano mga 10:45 na yan nabasa sir.

Mr. Borja: Pero ang pinag-uusapan natin lagpas ng alas onse (11) ha bago mag-alas dose(12) ang
pinaka latest message mo dito 02/03/06 11:06. So between 11:06 to 12 wala kayong...

Witness 4: Kasi nakikipag-coordination talaga kami kahit... kami lang nandoon sa telepono.

Mr. Borja: Written pero voice coordination niyo sa telepono kayo?

Witness 4: Tsaka naka log-in sa log book.

xxxx

Mr. Abesamis: Ma'am Joy [Witness 4] sabi niyo kanina naririnig niyo si sir [respondent] sa kabila kung wala
kayong kausap lalong-lalo na kapag malakas yung salita?

Witness 4: Opo.

Mr. Abesamis: So ibig sabihin kahit hindi malakas may possibility na maririnig niyo yung usapan kung
walang radio? Siguro if intelligible or knowledgeable pero maririnig mo sa kabila?

Witness 4: Kung mahina o normal yung usapan?

Mr. Abesarnis: Normal na usapan, conversation.

Witness 4: Hindi siguro pag sarado sila.

Mr. Abesamis: Pero kung halimbawa sisigaw?

Witness 4: Maririnig siguro kasi kapag nagdidictate si Attorney [respondent] minsan naririnig namin.

Mr. Mendoza: Maski sarado yung pinto?

Witness 4: Ah opo.

Mr. Mendoza: Naririnig?

Witness 4: Kung malakas.

Mr. Mendoza: Ah kung malakas?

Witness 4: Opo.
Mr. Abesamis: So wala kayong naririnig man lang kahit isang word na malakas doon sa kanila during the
time na nangyari ito?

Witness 4: Nung time na iyan wala kasi kaming maalala...

Mr. Abesamis: Walang possibility na narinig niyo pero mas busy kayo sa telephone operation.

Witness 4: Busy kami.

Mr. Abesamis: Hindi makikilatis yung ano...

Witness 4: Kasi may time na sumigaw na babae nga pero kala lang namin ah...

Mr. Abesamis: Nung date na iyon o hindi?

Witness 4: Hindi, hindi pa sigurado eh kasi...

Mr. Abesarnis: Hindi yung date bang iyon ang sinasabi mo?

Witness 4: Hindi kasi busy talaga kami sa coordination nung ano eh nung time na iyon. Nasabay kasi eh
nung time na iyon hinahanap pa namin yung requirement.

Mr. Mendoza: Pero bago yung bago mag April 2, meron ba kayo na tuligan na nag-aanuhan ng ganun,
nagrereklamo tungkol kay Atty. Nieva [respondent], wala? May narinig kayong movie na parang sounding
na porno ganun?

Witness 4: Wala music lang talaga sir.

Mr. Mendoza: So music.

Witness 4: Kung minsan kasi binubuksan nila yung door pag mainit yung kuwarto nila.

Mr. Borja: At that time hindi bukas iyon?

Witness 4: Kami ano eh may cover ng ano cartolina na white.

Mr. Borja: Makakatestify lang kayo sa audio eh, kasi wala kayong nakikita.34
The above-cited excerpts of the Transcript show that at around past 11 o'clock in the morning of April 2,
2009, complainant and respondent were left alone in the CAAP Office of the Board Secretary as
complainant's officemates were all out on errands. In this regard, it was error on the part of the IBP to
hastily conclude from the testimonies of complainant's officemates who were interviewed by the CODI that
nothing out of the ordinary happened. Surely, they were not in a position to confirm or refute complainant's
allegations as they were not physically in the office so as to make a credible testimony as to the events that
transpired therein during that time.

Neither can the testimonies of those in the CAAP Operations Center be used to conclude that respondent did
not do anything to complainant, considering that they themselves admitted that they were all on the
telephone, busy with their coordinating duties. They likewise clarified that while their office is indeed
separated from the CAAP Office of the Board Secretary only by glass panels, they could not see what was
happening there as they covered the glass panels with white cartolina. In light of their preoccupation from
their official duties as well as the fact that the glass panels were covered, it is very unlikely for them to have
noticed any commotion happening in the adjacent CAAP Office of the Board Secretary.

Furthermore, the IBP should have taken the testimonies of the witnesses in the CODI proceedings with a
grain of salt. It bears noting that all those interviewed in the CODI proceedings were job order and regular
employees of the CAAP. Naturally, they would be cautious in giving any unfavorable statements against a
high-ranking official of the CAAP such as respondent who was the Acting Board Secretary at that time - lest
they earn the ire of such official and put their career in jeopardy.

Thus, the IBP erred in concluding that such Transcript shows that respondent did not perform the acts
complained of. On the contrary, said Transcript proves that there was indeed a period of time where
complainant and respondent were left alone in the CAAP Office of the Board Secretary which gave
respondent a window of opportunity to carry out his acts constituting sexual harassment against
complainant.

More importantly, records reveal that complainant's allegations are adequately supported by a Certificate of
Psychiatric Evaluation35 dated April 13, 2009 stating that the onset of her psychiatric problems - diagnosed
as post-traumatic stress disorder with recurrent major depression started after suffering the alleged sexual
molestation at the hands of respondent. Moreover, complainant's plight was ably supported by other CAAP
employees36 as well as a retired Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines37 through various
letters to authorities seeking justice for complainant. Perceptibly, complainant would not seek help from
such supporters, and risk their integrity in the process, if none of her allegations were true. Besides, there is
no evidence to establish that complainant was impelled by any improper motive against respondent or that
she had reasons to fabricate her allegations against him. Therefore, absent any competent proof to the
contrary, the Court finds that complainant's story of the April 2, 2009 incident was not moved by any ill-will
and was untainted by bias; and hence, worthy of belief and credence.38 In this regard, it should be
mentioned that respondent's averment that complainant was only being used by other CAAP employees to
get back at him for implementing reforms within the CAAP was plainly unsubstantiated, and thus, a mere
self-serving assertion that deserves no weight in law.39

In addition, the Court notes that respondent never refuted complainant's allegation that he would regularly
watch "pampagana" movies in his office-issued laptop. In fact, respondent readily admitted that he indeed
watches "interesting shows" while in the office, albeit insisting that he only does so by himself, and that he
would immediately dose his laptop whenever anyone would pass by or go near his table. As confirmed in the
Transcript40 of the investigation conducted by the CODI, these "pampagana" movies and "interesting shows"
turned out to be pornographic materials, which respondent even asks his male staff to regularly play for him
as he is not well-versed in using computers.41

Without a doubt, it has been established that respondent habitually watches pornographic materials in his
office-issued laptop while inside the office premises, during office hours, and with the knowledge and full
view of his staff. Obviously, the Court cannot countenance such audacious display of depravity on
respondent's part not only because his obscene habit tarnishes the reputation of the government agency he
works for - the CAAP where he was engaged at that time as Acting Corporate Secretary - but also because it
shrouds the legal profession in a negative light. As a lawyer in the government service, respondent is
expected to perform and discharge his duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism,
intelligence, and skill, and with utmost devotion and dedication to duty.42 However, his aforesaid habit
miserably fails to showcase these standards, and instead, displays sheer unprofessionalism and utter lack of
respect to the government position he was entrusted to hold. His flimsy excuse that he only does so by
himself and that he would immediately close his laptop whenever anyone would pass by or come near his
table is of no moment, because the lewdness of his actions, within the setting of this case, remains. The
legal profession - much more an engagement in the public service should always be held in high esteem,
and those who belong within its ranks should be unwavering exemplars of integrity and professionalism. As
keepers of the public faith, lawyers, such as respondent, are burdened with a high degree of social
responsibility and, hence, must handle their personal affairs with greater caution. Indeed, those who have
taken the oath to assist in the dispensation of justice should be more possessed of the consciousness and
the will to overcome the weakness of the flesh, as respondent in this case.43

In the Investigating Commissioner's Report and Recommendation adopted by the IBP Board of Governors,
the quantum of proof by which the charges against respondent were assessed was preponderance of
evidence. Preponderance of evidence "means evidence which is of greater weight, or more convincing than
that which is offered in opposition to it."44 Generally, under Rule 133 of the Revised Rules on Evidence, this
evidentiary threshold applies to civil cases:
SECTION 1. Preponderance of evidence, how determined. - In civil cases, the party having the burden
of proof must establish his case by a preponderance of evidence. In determining where the
preponderance or superior weight of evidence on the issues involved lies, the court may consider all the
facts and circumstances of the case, the witnesses' manner of testifying, their intelligence, their means and
opportunity of knowing the facts to which they are testifying, the nature of the facts to which they testify,
the probability or improbability of their testimony, their interest or want of interest, and also their personal
credibility so far as the same may legitimately appear upon the trial. The court may also consider the
number of witnesses, though the preponderance is not necessarily with the greater number. (Emphasis
supplied)
Nonetheless, in non-civil cases such as De Zuzuarregui, Jr. v. Soguilon45 cited by the IBP Investigating
Commissioner, the Court had pronounced that the burden of proof by preponderance of evidence in
disbarment proceedings is upon the complainant.46 These rulings appear to conflict with other jurisprudence
on the matter which contrarily hold that substantial evidence is the quantum of proof to be applied in
administrative cases against lawyers.47 The latter standard was applied in administrative cases such
as Foster v. Agtang,48 wherein the Court had, in fact, illumined that:
[T]he quantum of evidence required in civil cases is different from the quantum of evidence
required in administrative cases. In civil cases, preponderance of evidence is required. Preponderance of
evidence is "a phrase which, in the last analysis, means probability of the truth. It is evidence which is more
convincing to the court as worthier of belief than that which is offered in opposition thereto." In
administrative cases, only substantial evidence is needed. Substantial evidence, which is more than a
mere scintilla but is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a
conclusion, would suffice to hold one administratively liable.49 (Emphasis supplied; citations omitted)
Similarly, in Peña v. Paterno,50 it was held:
Section 5, in [comparison with] Sections 1 [(Preponderance of evidence, how proved)] and 2 [(Proofbeyond
reasonable doubt)], Rule 133, Rules of Court states that in administrative cases, only substantial
evidence is required, not proof beyond reasonable doubt as in criminal cases, or preponderance
of evidence as in civil cases. Substantial evidence is that amount of relevant evidence which a reasonable
mind might accept as adequate to justify a conclusion.51 (Emphasis supplied; citations omitted)
Based on a survey of cases, the recent ruling on the matter is Cabas v. Sususco,52 which was promulgated
just this June 15, 2016. In the said case, it was pronounced that:
In administrative proceedings, the quantum of proof necessary for a finding of guilt is substantial
evidence, i.e., that amount of relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate
to support a conclusion. Further, the complainant has the burden of proving by substantial evidence the
allegations in his complaint. The basic rule is that mere allegation is not evidence and is not equivalent to
proof. Charges based on mere suspicion and speculation likewise cannot be given credence.53 (Emphasis
supplied)
Accordingly, this more recent pronouncement ought to control and therefore, quell any further confusion on
the proper evidentiary threshold to be applied in administrative cases against lawyers.

Besides, the evidentiary threshold of substantial evidence - as opposed to preponderance of evidence - is

more in keeping with the primordial purpose of and essential considerations attending this type of cases. As
case law elucidates, "[d]isciplinary proceedings against lawyers are sui generis. Neither purely civil nor
purely criminal, they do not involve a trial of an action or a suit, but is rather an investigation by the Court
into the conduct of one of its officers. Not being intended to inflict punishment, it is in no sense a criminal
prosecution. Accordingly, there is neither a plaintiff nor a prosecutor therein. It may be initiated by the
Court motu proprio. Public interest is its primary objective, and the real question for determination is
whether or not the attorney is still a fit person to be allowed the privileges as such. Hence, in the exercise of
its disciplinary powers, the Court merely calls upon a member of the Bar to account for his actuations as an
officer of the Court with the end in view of preserving the purity of the legal profession and the proper and
honest administration of justice by purging the profession of members who by their misconduct have proved
themselves no longer worthy to be entrusted with the duties and responsibilities pertaining to the office of
an attorney. In such posture, there can thus be no occasion to speak of a complainant or a prosecutor."54

With the proper application of the substantial evidence threshold having been clarified, the Court finds that
the present charges against respondent have been adequately proven by this standard. Complainant has
established her claims through relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support
a conclusion - that is, that respondent had harassed her and committed despicable acts which are clear
ethical violations of the CPR. In fine, respondent should be held administratively liable and therefore,
penalized.

Jurisprudence provides that in similar administrative cases where the lawyer exhibited immoral conduct, the
Court meted penalties ranging from reprimand to disbarment. In Advincula v. Macabata,55 the lawyer was
reprimanded for his distasteful act of suddenly turning the head of his female client towards him and kissing
her on the lips. In De Leon v. Pedreña,56 the lawyer was suspended from the practice of law for a period of
two (2) years for rubbing the female complainant's right leg with his hand, trying to insert his finger into her
firmly closed hand, grabbing her hand and forcibly placed it on his crotch area, and pressing his finger
against her private part. While in Guevarra v. Eala57 and Valdez v. Dabon,58 the Court meted the extreme
penalty of disbarment on the erring lawyers who engaged in extramarital affairs. Here, respondent exhibited
his immoral behavior through his habitual watching of pornographic materials while in the office and his acts
of sexual harassment against complainant. Considering the circumstances of this case, the Court deems it
proper to impose upon respondent the penalty of suspension from the practice of law for a period of two (2)
years.

WHEREFORE, respondent Atty. Ramon F. Nieva is found GUILTY of violating Rule 1.01, Canon 1, and Rule
7.03, Canon 7 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. Accordingly, he is hereby SUSPENDEDfrom the
practice of law for a period of two (2) years, effective upon the finality of this Decision, with a STERN
WARNING that a repetition of the same or similar acts will be dealt with more severely.

Let copies of this Decision be served on the Office of the Bar Confidant, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines
and all courts in the country for their information and guidance and be attached to respondent's personal
record as attorney.

SO ORDERED.

A.M. No. MTJ-18-1908 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 14-2674-MTJ), January 16, 2018

BERNARDITA F. ANTIPORDA, Complainant, v. FRANCISCO A. ANTE, JR., PRESIDING JUDGE,

MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES, VIGAN, CITY, ILOCOS SUR, Respondent.

DECISION

PER CURIAM:

This administrative case arose from a verified complaint1 for grave misconduct filed by complainant
Bernardita F. Antiporda (complainant) against respondent Judge Francisco A. Ante, Jr. (respondent),
Presiding Judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

The Facts

Complainant alleged that between 7:30 and 8:00 in the morning of March 2, 2014, she was in the backyard
of a house located at Rizal St., Barangay III, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, when respondent, who was in the
adjacent lot attending to his fighting cocks, suddenly confronted her by saying, "Apay nga agkuskusilap
ka? (Why are you glaring/pouting at me?)" Then, he approached her, slapped her face several times, and
whipped her with a dog chain. He also pointed a .45 caliber pistol at complainant, as well as her boarders
and workers Clarinda Ridao (Ridao), Rosario Rabe (Rabe), and Pedro Alquiza (Alquiza), who witnessed the
incident.2

Although complainant admitted having glared at respondent at the time, she explained that it was because
she discovered that respondent had maliciously reported to the Office of the City Engineer of Vigan that her
house was being renovated without the necessary building permit inspite of the fact that she secured one.
She alleged that it was actually respondent who had building code violations, as the drainage pipes in his
house were left exposed outside the firewall abutting her property.3

To bolster her allegations, complainant offered in evidence: (1) her Sworn Statement dated March 3,
2014;4 (2) Police Blotter Report dated March 3, 2014;5 (3) Medical Report dated March 3, 2014;6 (4)
pictures of her body showing the hematoma caused by respondent;7 (5) pictures of the exposed drainage
pipes from respondent's house;8 and (6) Sworn Statements of witnesses Alquiza, Rabe, and Ridao.9

In defense,10 respondent claimed that it was complainant who attempted to kill him by ordering Alquiza and
two (2) others to attack him with bolos. He denied that he slapped and whipped her with a dog chain,
averring instead that it was she who struck him with a steel chain. He also maintained that complainant
harbored a grudge against him for having reported her illegal house renovation to the Engineering
Department of the City Hall of Vigan. Although complainant indeed secured a building permit therefor, she
did so only after the renovation was completed.11

In support of his defense, respondent submitted the affidavit12 of Misael Frando (Frando), a first degree
cousin of complainant, who witnessed the incident and narrated that it was complainant who held the dog
chain and that she snapped it, striking respondent on the head.13 When respondent got hold of the chain,
complainant hurriedly went inside her house and directed three (3) men with knives to kill respondent. Upon
seeing respondent's gun, however, they retreated.14 Moreover, respondent dismissed the affidavits of Rabe
and Ridao, who he asserted were not physically present at the time of the incident, as well as that of
Alquiza, who was complainant's laborer.15 In fact, he had already filed a criminal complaint16 for attempted
homicide against complainant and Alquiza as a result of the incident.17

In a letter18 dated November 11, 2014, complainant sought the dismissal of the administrative complaint
against respondent, explaining that respondent had not intentionally caused her harm, and that whatever
injury she sustained as a result of the incident was accidental. As such, she prayed that the charge against
respondent be dropped in order "to restore the good relationship existing" between them.

However, in a Memorandum19 dated May 4, 2015, the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) denied
complainant's request, as the mere desistance or recantation of a complainant in an administrative
complaint against any member of the bench does not necessarily result in the dismissal thereof.20Instead,
the OCA referred the matter to Executive Judge Marita Bernales Balloguing (Judge Balloguing) of the
Regional Trial Court of Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, for investigation, report, and recommendation.21

In her Report22 dated March 30, 2016, Judge Balloguing found that complainant had indeed sustained
physical injuries inflicted by respondent. However, she believed that it was complainant who held the steel
chain, which she used to defend herself when respondent approached her. Judge Balloguing also found that
respondent had a grudge against complainant because he reported the illegal renovation of her house to the
authorities, opining that he could have instead advised her to secure the necessary building permit. She
posited that this could have triggered complainant's anger towards respondent, prompting her to glare at
him at the time and date of the incident. On that note, Judge Balloguing further opined that respondent
could have exercised maximum tolerance towards complainant, and rejected his explanation that he
approached complainant simply to shake her hand, pointing out that he did so in order to confront her for
glaring at him.23

In a Supplemental Report24 dated November 15, 2016, Judge Balloguing recommended that respondent be
found guilty of acts unbecoming of a judge and be sanctioned with either a fine or suspension.25

The OCA's Report and Recommendation

In a Memorandum26 dated July 17, 2017, the OCA, while concurring with Judge Balloguing's conclusions of
fact, disagreed with respect to the recommended penalty.

Citing Judge Balloguing's findings, the OCA found that respondent's behavior during the incident left much to
be desired, having failed to exercise more tolerance and self-restraint in dealing with complainant. Had he
done so, he could have prevented the incident from further escalating. As such, respondent's infliction of
physical injuries on complainant amounts to grave misconduct, which contravenes the Code of Judicial
Conduct.27

Under the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RRACCS),28 grave misconduct is a
grave offense punishable by dismissal from service even on the first offense. However, respondent had been
previously found administratively guilty of grave misconduct, acts unbecoming of a judge, oppression, and
abuse of authority in A.M. No. MTJ-02-1411 (formerly OCA IPI No. 96-208-MTJ) entitled "Jocelyn Briones v.
Judge Francisco A. Ante, Jr. " dated April 11, 2002 and was suspended for three (3) months, with a warning
that a repetition of the same shall be dealt with more severely.29

In view thereof, the OCA initially observed that respondent should be dismissed from service with forfeiture
of all benefits, except accrued leave credits, if any, and with prejudice to reemployment in the government
or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned and controlled
corporations and government financial institutions.30 However, in light of respondent's retirement on
November 7, 2017 and finding the extreme penalty of dismissal much too harsh, considering his twelve (12)
years in the judiciary, the OCA instead recommended that a fine of P100,000.00 be imposed, to be deducted
from his retirement benefits should the Court resolve this administrative matter after his retirement.31
 The Issue Before the Court

The sole issue for the Court's resolution is whether or not respondent should be held administratively liable.

The Court's Ruling

Canon 2 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct32 states that "[i]ntegrity is essential not only to the proper
discharge of the judicial office but also to the personal demeanor of judges." Thus, Sections 1 and 2 thereof
provide:

Section 1. Judges shall ensure that not only is their conduct above reproach, but that it is perceived to be so
in the view of a reasonable observer.

Section 2. The behavior and conduct of judges must reaffirm the people's faith in the integrity of the
judiciary. Justice must not merely be done but must also be seen to be done.

Further, Sections 1 and 2 of Canon 4 thereof states:

CANON 4
Propriety

Propriety and the appearance of propriety are essential to the performance of all the activities of a judge.

Section 1. Judges shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all of their activities.

Section 2. As a subject of constant public scrutiny, judges must accept personal restrictions that might be
viewed as burdensome by the ordinary citizen and should do so freely and willingly. In particular, judges
shall conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with the dignity of the judicial office.

A judge should always conduct himself in a manner that would preserve the dignity, independence and
respect for himself/herself, the Court, and the Judiciary as a whole. He must exhibit the hallmark judicial
temperament of utmost sobriety and self-restraint. He should choose his words and exercise more caution
and control in expressing himself. In other words, a judge should possess the virtue of gravitas.33 Judges
are required to always be temperate, patient, and courteous, both in conduct and in language.34

In this case, the OCA, affirming the findings of Judge Balloguing, found that respondent's behavior towards
complainant amounted to a conduct that the Court cannot countenance. Apart from being a display of
arrogance, respondent's demeanor and actuations, which resulted in physical injuries to complainant, are in
direct contravention of the virtues of patience, sobriety, and self-restraint so espoused by the Court and
highly expected of a member of the judiciary. Regardless of the reason for the incident, respondent, being a
magistrate, should have observed judicial temperament which requires him to be always temperate, patient,
and courteous, both in conduct and in language.35

Respondent's acts, therefore, constitute grave misconduct, which the Court defines as "a transgression of
some established and definite rule of action, more particularly, unlawful behavior or gross negligence by a
public officer."36 The misconduct is grave if it involves any of the additional elements of corruption, willful
intent to violate the law, or a disregard of established rules, which must be proven by substantial
evidence,37 as in this case.

As aptly pointed out by the OCA, this is not the first administrative complaint charging respondent with
grave misconduct. In "Jocelyn Briones v. Judge Francisco A. Ante, Jr.,"38 the Court suspended respondent for
three (3) months on the charges of grave misconduct, acts unbecoming of a judge, and abuse of authority
for having hit complainant therein with a monobloc chair and shouted invectives at her.39Thereat,
respondent had already displayed "a predisposition to use physical violence and intemperate language which
reveals a marked lack of judicial temperament and self-restraint – traits which, aside from the basic
equipment of learning in the law – are indispensable qualities of every judge."40 Sadly, it seems that
respondent has not learned to mend his ways and hence, should be dealt with the full force of the law.

Grave or gross misconduct is classified as a serious charge under Section 8 (3) of Rule 140 of the Rules of
Court:

Section 8. Serious charges. – Serious charges include:

xxxx

3. Gross misconduct constituting violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct[.]

Section 11 of the same Rule states that:

Section 11. Sanctions. – A. If the respondent is guilty of a serious charge, any of the following sanctions
may be imposed:

1. Dismissal from the service, forfeiture of all or part of the benefits as the Court may determine,
and disqualification from reinstatement or appointment to any public office, including
government-owned or controlled corporations. Provided, however, That the forfeiture of benefits
shall in no case include accrued leave credits;

2. Suspension from office without salary and other benefits for more than three (3) but not exceeding six
(6) months; or

3. A fine of more than P20,000.00 but not exceeding P40,000.00. (Emphasis and underscoring supplied)

Since respondent has, however, retired on November 7, 2017 and hence, could not anymore be dismissed
from service, the Court, instead, finds it proper to order the forfeiture of all of his retirement benefits
(except accrued leave credits), and further, disqualify him from reinstatement or appointment to any public
office, including government-owned or controlled corporations.

WHEREFORE, respondent Judge Francisco A. Ante, Jr. is found GUILTY of Grave Misconduct. Accordingly,
considering respondent's retirement on November 7, 2017, his retirement benefits are
hereby FORFEITED, except accrued leave credits. He is further DISQUALIFIED from reinstatement or
appointment to any public office, including government-owned or controlled corporations.

SO ORDERED.

A.C. No. 9209

NENITA DE GUZMAN FERGUSON, Complainant

vs.
ATTY. SALVADOR P. RAMOS, Respondents

DECISION

Per Curiam,

Before the Court is the Complaint-Affidavit, 1 filed by Nenita De Guzman

Ferguson (complainant), seeking the disbarment of Atty. Salvador P. Ramos (Atty. Ramos) for
falsification, violation of notarial law and engaging in private practice while employed in the
government service.

The Antecedents

Complainant alleged that on November 25, 2007, she purchased a house and lot located in San
Rafael, Bulacan, for the sum of ₱800,000.00; that without her knowledge, the seller obtained a
Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) mainly to.transfer the title of the said property to her
name; that the seller was unaware that the said CLOA was void ab initio as the subject land was not
an agricultural land and there existed a 10-year prohibition to transfer the subject land; that in 2009;
complainant instituted a petition for the cancellation of the CLOA before the DAR Office; that the
defendants were represented by Atty. Ramos, who was the Chief Legal Officer of DAR-Provincial
Office in Bulacan; that complainant withdrew the petition before the DAR and filed the case before
the Regional Trial Court, Branch 12, Malolos City (RTC); that upon receipt of the Answer,
complainant found out that it was strikingly similar to the one filed by the defendants in the DAR,
which was prepared by Atty. Ramos; that complainant discovered that the Deed of Sale,2 dated April
24, 2009, which became the basis of the transfer of title was fraudulently altered as it only covered
the sale of the land, not the house and· lot, and the price indicated was only ₱188,340.00, not the
amount of ₱800,000.00 3 that she actually paid; that her signature and that of her husband, Douglas
Ferguson -(Douglas), were forged; that Atty. Ramos notarized the deed of Sale without their
presence;· and that complainant and her husband neither appeared, executed nor acknowledged
any document before Atty. Ramos as they never met him in person.
In his Comment, 4 Atty. Ramos denied that he represented the defendants in· the case before the
DAR but he admitted that he notarized their Answer. With respect to the charge of falsification of the
April 24,

2009 Deed of Sale and the notarization of the aforementioned deed, Atty. Ramos likewise denied
any participation and countered that his signature as a notary public was forged. Atty. · Ramos,
nonetheless, admitted that he notarized the "genuine" Deed of Sale, 5 dated May 12, 2009, executed
between vendor Alfredo Inosanto, and vendees complainant and her spouse, involving the same
property for the amount of ₱300,000.00.6 Atty. Ramos surmised that whoever benefited from such
dastardly act could be the culprit in the falsification of the document as the forged deed of sale which
indicated a lesser purchase price was the one presented in the Registry of Deeds of Bulacan in
order to evade payment of a higher capital gains tax.

In its Resolution, 7 dated February 29, 2012; the Court referred the complaint to the Integrated Bar of
the Philippines (IBP) for investigation, report and recommendation.

The case was then set by the Commission on Bar Discipline (CBD) of the IBP for mandatory
conference. Thereafter, parties were required to submit their respective position papers.

In its Report and Recommendation,8 dated November 21, 2014, the CBD found Atty. Ramos guilty of
violating the law on notarial practice and recommended that he be suspended from the practice of
law for a period of one (1) year and, in case he held a commission as a notary public; that it be
revoked and that he be disqualified to act as a notary public for a period of two (2) years to be
counted after his suspension. The CBD stated that the defense of forgery, without any corroborative
evidence, was not credible. As to the charge that of engaging in a private practice while employed in
the government service against Atty. Ramos, the CBD'opined that it should be addressed to the Civil
Service Commission for the determination of his appropriate administrative liability.

In its Notice of Resolution No. XXI-2015-458,9 dated June 6, 2015, the IBP-Board of Governors
adopted and approved with modification the report and recommendation of the CBD, as follows:

RESOLVED to ADOPT and APPROVE, as it is hereby ADOPTED and APPROVED, the Report and
Recommendation of the Investigating Commissioner in the above-entitled case, herein made part· of
this Resolution as Annex "A", finding the recommendation to be fully supported by the evidence on
record and applicable laws and Respondent's notarization of a document in the absence of the
parties'· in violation of the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice. Thus, Respondent Atty. Salvador P.
Ramos' notarial commission, if presently commissioned, is immediately REVOKED. Furthermore, he
is DISQUALIFIED from being commissioned as a Notary Public for two (2) years and is
SUSPENDED from the practice of law for six (6) months.

The Court agrees with the findings of the IBP but differs on the imposed penalty.

Section1, Public Act No. 2103, otherwise known as the Notarial Law states:

The acknowledgment shall be before· a notary public or an officer duly authorized by law of the
country to take acknowledgements of instruments or documents in the place where the act is done.
The notary public or the officer taking the acknowledgment shall certify that the person
acknowledging the instrument or document is known to him and that he is the same person who
executed it, acknowledged that the same is· his free act and deed. The certificate shall be made
under the official seal, if he isrequired by law to keep a seal, and if not, his certificate shall so state.

The importance of the affiant's personal appearance was further emphasized in Section 2 (b), Rule
IV of the Rules on Notarial Practice of 2004 which specifically provides that:

A person shall not perform a notarial act if the person involved as signatory to the instrument or
document -

(1) is not in the notary's presence personally at the time of the notarization; and

(2) is not personally known to the notary public or otherwise identified by the notary public
through competent evidence of identity as defined by these Rules.
The afore-quoted rules clearly mandate that a notary public, before notarizing a document, should
require the presence: of the very person who executed the same. Thus, he certifies that it was the
same person who executed and personally appeared before him to attest to the contents and truth of
what were stated therein. 10 The presence of the parties to the deed is necessary to enable the
notary ·public to verify the genuineness of the signature of the affiant. 11

In the present case, Atty. Ramos denied having notarized the April 24, 2009 deed of sale and
claimed that his signature was forged. He even alluded that the person who benefited from it could
be the forger as the capital gains tax liability was reduced. He, nonetheless, admitted notarizing the
"genuine" deed of sale, dated May 12, 2009.

Regardless of who the culprit was and the motive of such forgery, Atty. Ramos .cannot be
exonerated from liability.

A perusal of the record would reveal that Douglas, one of the parties in the; deed of sale, was not in
the Philippines on May 12, 2009, the day the "genuine" deed of sale was notarized. Complainant
presented a copy of Douglas' passport indicating that he entered the Philippines only on May 26,
2001 and left on June 12, 2001. This substantially established that indeed Douglas could not have
personally appeared before Atty. Ramos when he notarized the deed.

Moreover, an examination of the April 24, 2009 and May 12, 2009 deeds of sale disclosed that both
documents bore the same document number, page number and book number of the notarial registry
of Atty. Ramos. If, indeed, the April 24, 2009 deed of sale, which was issued earlier was forged, how
would the purported culprit know the details of Atty. Ramos' notarial registry?

It must be emphasized that notarization is not an empty, meaningless and routinary act. It is imbued
with public interest and only those who are qualified and authorized may act as notaries public. 12 In
the case of Gonzales v. Ramos, 13 the Court explained the significance of the act of notarization,
thus:

By affixing his notarial seal on the instrument, the respondent converted the Deed of Absolute Sale,
from a private document into a public document. Such act is no empty gesture. The principal function
of a notary public is to authenticate documents. When a notary public certifies to the due execution
and delivery of a document under his hand and ··seal, he gives the document the force of evidence.
Indeed, one of the purposes of requiring documents to be acknowledged before a notary public, in
addition to the solemnity which should surround the execution and delivery of documents, is to
authorize such documents to be given without further proof of their execution and delivery. A notarial
document is by law entitled to full faith and credit upon its face. Courts, administrative agencies and
the public at large must be able to rely upon the acknowledgement executed before a notary public
and appended to a private instrument. Hence, a notary public must discharge his powers and duties,
which are impressed with public interest, with accuracy and fidelity.

Not only did Atty. Ramos fail to comply with the Rule on Notarial Practice when he notarized the
deed of sale without the presence of the parties but he likewise violated Canon 1 of the Code of
Professional Responsibility which obliges a lawyer to uphold the Constitution, obey the laws of the
land and promote respect for the law and legal processes; and Rule 1.01, Canon 1 of the Code of
Professional Responsibility which proscribes a lawyer from engaging in any unlawful, dishonest,
immoral and deceitful conduct. 14

As a lawyer commissioned as notary public, Atty. Ramos was mandated to exercise the function of
his office and must observe with utmost care the basic formalities of his office and requisites in the
performance of his duties. 15When Atty. Ramos affixed his signature and notarial seal on the deed of
sale, he led us to believe that the parties personally appeared before him and attested to the truth
and veracity of the contents thereof. His conduct was fraught with dangerous possibilities
considering the conclusiveness on the due execution of a document that our courts and the public
accord on notarized documents. 16 Certainly, Atty. Ramos failed to exercise the functions of the office
and to comply with the mandates of the law.

In the case of Santuyo v. Atty. Hidalgo, the respondent lawyer similarly denied having notarized the
subject deed of sale. The Court found him negligent not only in the supposed notarization but in
allowing the office secretaries to make the necessary entries in his notarial registry which was
supposed to be done and kept by him alone. He was suspended from his commission as notary
public and was disqualified from being commissioned as notary public for a period of two years.
In the case of Ocampo-lngcoco v. Atty. Yrreverre, Jr., 18 the respondent lawyer was suspended from
the practice of law for a period of six (6) months for notarizing a document without the appearance of
the parties. The Court held that a notary public should not notarize a document unless the persons
who signed it are the very same persons who executed and personally appeared before him to attest
to the truth of the contents therein.

In line with these cases, the Court finds the suspension of Atty. Ramos for six (6) months in order. 1âw phi 1

With respect to the allegation that Atty. Ramos was engaged in a private practice while employed in
the government service, the Court agrees with the CBD that the issue should be brought before the
Civil Service Commission for the determination of his appropriate administrative liability, if any.

Finally, this Court cannot ignore the averments of Atty. Ramos that there were two (2) deeds of sale
covering Transfer Certificate of Title No. CLOA-T-15831. One was the April 24, 2009 Deed of Sale
which was presented to the Registry of Deeds of Bulacan, and the other one was the May 12, 2009
Deed of Sale which was kept on file at the Notarial Section of the RTC. Both deeds were registered
in the Notarial Registry of Atty. Ramos with document number 354, page number 71 and Book VII
series of 2009. Because of this irregularity, the Court deems it proper to refer this matter to the
Bureau of Internal Revenue for the assessment of the correct tax and for, investigation for possible
prosecution of the criminal liability of the culprits under the National Internal Revenue Code.

WHEREFORE, finding Atty. Salvador P. Ramos GUILTY of violating the Rule on Notarial Practice
and Rule 1.01 and Canon 1 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, the Court
hereby SUSPENDS him from the practice of law for six (6) months; REVOKES his notarial
commission, effective immediately; and PERMANENTLYBARS him from being commissioned as
notary public, with a STERNWARNING that a repetition of the same or similar conduct will be dealt
with more severely.

Let copies of this decision be furnished the Office of the Bar Confidant to be attached to the personal
record of Atty. Salvador P. Ramos; the Office of the Court Administrator for dissemination to all lower
courts; and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, for proper guidance and information.

The Civil Service Commission and the Bureau of Internal Revenue should likewise be given copies
of this decision for their appropriate actions.

SO ORDERED.