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Uy Vs Javellana 680 SCRA 13
Uy Vs Javellana 680 SCRA 13
ISSUE/S
In Metro Manila and in chartered cities, the filing of criminal cases shall be
commenced only by information, except when the offense cannot be prosecuted de Whether Judge Javellana was grossly ignorant of the Revised Rule on Summary
oficio. Procedure.
RULING
GERLIE M. UY and MA. CONSOLACION T. BASCUG, Complainants
vs. Yes. Without any showing that the accused in People vs Lopez, et al were charged
JUDGE ERWIN B. JAVELLANA, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, LA with the special cases of malicious mischief particularly described in Article 328 of
CASTELLANA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL the Revised Penal Code the appropriate penalty for the accused would be arresto
mayor in its medium and maximum periods which under Article 329(a) of the
AM No. MTJ-07-1666 (Formerly AM OCA IPI No. 05-1761-MTJ) Revised Penal Code, would be imprisonment for two (2) months and one (1) day to
05 September 2012 six (6) months. Clearly, this case should be governed by the Revised Rule on
Ponente: Leonardo-De Castro, J. Summary Procedure. Also, the Revised Rule on Summary Procedure does not
provide for a preliminary investigation prior to the filing of a criminal case under
Rule 16, but in People vs. Lopez, Judge Javellana conducted a preliminary
investigation even when it was not required or justified.
FACTS
Section 11 of the Revised Rule on Summary Procedure states:
An administrative case was filed against Judge Javellana arising from a verified
complaint for gross ignorance of the law and procedures, gross incompetence, How commenced. The filing of criminal cases falling within the scope of this Rule
neglect of duty, conduct improper and unbecoming of a judge, grave misconduct and shall be etiher by complaint or by information; Provided, however, that in
others, filed by Public Attorneys Uy and Bascug of the Public Attorneys Office. Metropolitan Manila and in Chartered Cities, such cases shall be commenced only by
information, except when the offense cannot be prosecuted de oficio.
The complaint/allegations involve cases decided and/or were handled by Judge
Javellana and his alleged business relation as co-agent in a surety company. In On the other hand, Section 1, Rule 112 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure
People vs Lopez, a case of malicious mischief, Judge Javellana did not apply the only requires that a preliminary investigation be conducted before the filing of a
Revised Rule on Summary Procedure and, instead, conducted a preliminary complaint or information for an offense where the penalty prescribed by law is at
investigation in accordance with the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, then set least four (4) years, two (2) months and one (1) day without regard to the fine. As has
the case for arraignment and pre-trial, despite confirming that therein complainant been previously established herein, the maximum penalty imposable for malicious
and her witnesses had no personal knowledge of the material facts alleged in their mischief in People vs. Lopez, et al is just six (6) months.
affidavits, which should have been a ground for dismissal of said case.