NEWSFLASH

DAGUPAN LADY JUDGE SACKED FOR GRAFT

Manila, April 4, 2000 - The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed from office a lady trial court judge in Dagupan City who demanded money and accepted gifts from litigants.

The high tribunal also stripped Judge Erna Falloran-Aliposa of her entire retirement benefits. The judges was also perpetually barred from holding any government office.

"A judge must be the first to abide by the law and to weave an example for the others to follow. A judge should always be a symbol of rectitude and propriety, comporting himself in a manner that will raise no doubt whatsoever about his honesty," the 28-page decision read.

The corrupt practicees of Judge Aliposa's were revealed by her staff, among them stenographers Melinda Macaraeg and Evelyn Daroy, clerk Rosyla del Castillo, interpreter Ever Mejia and researcher Gloria Ydia, who all filed sworn affidavits.

The lady judge was accused of giving favorable decisions to the highest bidder,. She was also charged with issuing "fictitious receipts," ordering her staff to "solicit gifts, in cash or in kind," from lawyers on the occasion of her birthday. She was also charged with "antedating" a decision.

"The evidence before us is a sad testament to respondent's (Aliposa) utter disregard of such a mission as well as an appalling demonstration of gross abuse and misuse of judicial prerogatives," the 15-member Tribunal stated.

The SC also warned and fined six other judges for administrative offenses ranging from gross ignorance of the law to gross misconduct.

Among those sanctioned were Zamboanga RTC Judge Carlito Eisma, Cebu RTC Judge Ireneo Lee Gako Jr., Legaspi RTC Judge Rafael Santeciles, Pasay RTC Judge Porfirio Macaraeg, Polomoc, South Cotabato MeTC Judge Orlando Oco and Santo Tomas, La Union MeTC Judge Benjamin Almazan.