Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 15) — A Court of Appeals justice has been fined for failing to decide on 160 cases within the 90-day reglementary period during her stint as regional trial court judge.
The Supreme Court announced on Thursday that Justice Marilyn Lagura-Yap was found guilty of gross inefficiency for the unresolved cases and for failing to inform the Judicial and Bar Council about the pending caseload – a requirement for her application to the appellate court in 2011.
She was ordered to pay one year’s worth of her current salary, which should be settled within 30 days from receipt of notice.
Lagura-Yap, who served as presiding judge of Branch 28 of the Mandaue City Regional Trial Court, cited heavy caseload, voluminous records, death of family members, and being understaffed for the delay, the Supreme Court said.
While these may be recognized as true and reasonable, these “are not sufficient to exonerate her from liability,” the high court’s statement read.
The per curiam decision on Lagura-Yap’s case was promulgated on June 23, but was only made public on Thursday. The Supreme Court said this is part of purging the judiciary, and stressed that there should always be prompt disposition or resolution of cases to earn public trust.
