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The
Supreme Court yesterday dismissed the sexual harassment charges
filed against a judge of Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch
16 by a court stenographer for her failure to prove her allegations
beyond reasonable doubt.
In
a 14-page en banc resolution penned by Associate Justice Cancio
Garcia, the high court said the evidence against Judge Emmanuel
Carpio is insufficient to warrant his dismissal or suspension
from service.
"With
the view we thus take of the case, complainant has failed
to prove her charge against the respondent judge with the
quantum of proof required under the premises."
However,
the high court admonished Carpio to "avoid any act or
conduct that would in any way diminish public trust and confidence
in the courts and the individuals representing the institution."
The
high court's ruling set aside the report of the investigating
justice of the Court of Appeals who recommended a three-month
suspension based on the testimony of the complainant that
on several occasions, Carpio allegedly tried to kiss her and
at other times, directed her to go to the comfort room so
that he could kiss her.
"Administrative
proceedings against judges are, by nature, highly penal in
character and are to be governed by the rules applicable to
criminal cases. The quantum of proof required to support the
administrative charges or to establish the grounds for the
removal of a judicial officer should thus be more than substantial;
they must be proven beyond reasonable doubt," the Court
said.
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