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    Jorda vs. Judge Bitas

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    Tynny Roo Beldua
    This case involves a complaint filed by Prosecutor Jorda against Judge Bitas. [1] Jorda claimed the judge's line of questioning went beyond his authority and he later exhibited hostility towards her for filing a motion against him. [2] Witnesses corroborated that the judge publicly humiliated Jorda and told her to transfer courts. [3] The court found the judge's use of intemperate language violated the code of judicial conduct requiring judges to avoid impropriety.

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    Jorda vs. Judge Bitas

    Uploaded by

    Tynny Roo Beldua
    32 views2 pages
    This case involves a complaint filed by Prosecutor Jorda against Judge Bitas. [1] Jorda claimed the judge's line of questioning went beyond his authority and he later exhibited hostility towards her for filing a motion against him. [2] Witnesses corroborated that the judge publicly humiliated Jorda and told her to transfer courts. [3] The court found the judge's use of intemperate language violated the code of judicial conduct requiring judges to avoid impropriety.

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    6.-Jorda-Vs.-Judge-Bitas

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    This case involves a complaint filed by Prosecutor Jorda against Judge Bitas. [1] Jorda claimed the judge's line of questioning went beyond his authority and he later exhibited hostility towards her for filing a motion against him. [2] Witnesses corroborated that the judge publicly humiliated Jorda and told her to transfer courts. [3] The court found the judge's use of intemperate language violated the code of judicial conduct requiring judges to avoid impropriety.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    32 views2 pages

    Jorda vs. Judge Bitas

    Uploaded by

    Tynny Roo Beldua
    This case involves a complaint filed by Prosecutor Jorda against Judge Bitas. [1] Jorda claimed the judge's line of questioning went beyond his authority and he later exhibited hostility towards her for filing a motion against him. [2] Witnesses corroborated that the judge publicly humiliated Jorda and told her to transfer courts. [3] The court found the judge's use of intemperate language violated the code of judicial conduct requiring judges to avoid impropriety.

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    JORDA vs. Hon.

    Judge Bitas
    [A.M. No. RTJ-14-2376. March 5, 2014.]
    [Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 11-3625-RTJ]

    Complainant: Prosecutor Jorda Respondent: Hon. Judge Bitas


    FACTS OF THE CASE
     Complainant pointed out that respondent judge's line of questions went
    beyond judicial authority and discretion.
     Upon investigation, complainant claimed to have discovered that the
    family members of respondent judge are close associates of Miralles.
     Prompted by said events, complainant filed a motion for inhibition on
    December 14, 2009 against respondent judge. Respondent judge
    denied the motion. During the hearing on December 15, 2009,
    complainant alleged that respondent judge publicly humiliated her and
    exhibited his anger and animosity towards her for filing the motion for
    inhibition.
     Respondent judge was quoted saying, among others things, that:
    "I don't want to see your face! Why did you file the motion for inhibition
    when it should have been Attorney Sionne Gaspay who should have filed
    the same[?]" "You better transfer to another court!
    "So you are questioning the integrity of this court, you better transfer to
    another court."
    "I don't want to see your face."
     Complainant added that when she was supposed to conduct the cross
    examination, respondent judge stated off-the-record: "I don't want you
    to participate anymore," and refused to allow her to do the cross-
    examination.
     In support of her allegation, complainant presented the Joint Affidavit of
    Carmela D. Bastes and Marilou S. Nacilla, social workers who were
    present during the December 15, 2009 hearing of the subject case, and
    corroborated that indeed respondent judge uttered the
    abovementioned statements to complainant in open court in the
    presence of court personnel and the lawyers of the parties.
     Due to the continued hostility of respondent judge towards complainant
    during the subsequent hearings of the case, complainant opted to
    transfer to another court, pursuant to an office order issued by City
    Prosecutor Ruperto Golong.

    ISSUES: Whether or not the RULING: Yes, The use of intemperate


    respondent Judge violate the code language is included in the proscription
    of Judicial conduct. provided by Section 1, Canon 4 of
    the New Code of Judicial Conduct,
    thus: "Judges shall avoid
    impropriety and the appearance of
    impropriety in all the
    activities of a judge."

    RATIO DECIDENDI
     It bears stressing that as a dispenser of justice, respondent should
    exercise judicial temperament at all times, avoiding vulgar and
    insulting language. He must maintain composure and equanimity.
     This Court has long held that court officials and employees are placed
    with a heavy burden and responsibility of keeping the faith of the
    public. Any impression of impropriety, misdeed or negligence in the
    performance of official functions must be avoided. This Court shall not
    countenance any conduct, act or omission on the part of all those
    involved in the administration of justice which would violate the norm
    of public accountability and diminish the faith of the people in the
    Judiciary.

    Other Notes:

     
     

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