Re: Ronie B. Sumampong

SECOND DIVISION

[A.M. No. 16-05-157-RTC. June 27, 2016.]

RE: DROPPING FROM THE ROLLS OF RONIE B. SUMAMPONG, UTILITY WORKER, BRANCH 6, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, PROSPERIDAD, AGUSAN DEL SUR

NOTICE

Sirs/Mesdames :

Please take notice that the Court, Second Division, issued a Resolution dated 27 June 2016 which reads as follows:

"A.M. No. 16-05-157-RTC — (Re: Dropping from the Rolls of Ronie B. Sumampong, Utility Worker, Branch 6, Regional Trial Court, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur)

The records of the Employees' Leave Division (ELD), Office of Administrative Services (OAS), Office of the Court Administrator (OCA), show that Ronie B. Sumampong, Utility Worker, Branch 6, Regional Trial Court, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur (RTC), did not submit his Daily Time Records (DTRs) for August and October 2015 and the months thereafter. Thus, he has been absent without official leave since October 1, 2015.

A Letter, 1 dated October 2, 2015, was sent by the OAS, OCA to Sumampong at his last known address on record directing him to submit his lacking DTRs, or if he was on leave of absence, the necessary application for leave favorably recommended for approval by the Presiding Judge, with a warning that his continued non-compliance would constrain the OCA to recommend that his name be dropped from the rolls. A copy 2 of the said letter was also sent to his court station, coursed through Presiding Judge Hector B. Salise.

To date, Sumampong has only submitted his July and September 2015 DTRs and leave applications. The salaries and benefits of Sumampong were withheld pursuant to Memorandum WSB No. 4e-2015, 3 dated April 24, 2015.

Verification from the Employees' Welfare and Benefits Division (EWBD), OAS, OCA discloses that Sumampong has not filed an application for optional retirement. According to the Personnel Division of the same office, he is still in active service. The records of the Docket and Clearance Division, Legal Office, OCA, on the other hand, reveal that there was no pending administrative case against him. Based on the records of the Court Management Office, OCA, he is not an accountable officer.

OCA Recommendation

In its Report, 4 dated May 10, 2016, the OCA recommended that Sumampong be dropped from the rolls effective October 1, 2015, for having been on absence without official leave; that his position be declared vacant; and that he be informed of his separation from the service or dropping from the rolls at his last known address at Purok 3, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, appearing in his 201 File. It added, however, that he would still be qualified to receive the benefits he was entitled to under the existing laws and to be reemployed in the government. CAIHTE

The Court's Ruling

The Court agrees with the recommendation of the OCA.

Section 63, Rule XVI of the Omnibus Rules on Leave, as amended by Memorandum Circular No. 13 s. 2007, provides:

Effect of Absence Without Approved Official Leave — An official or an employee who is continuously absent without an approved leave for at least thirty (30) working days shall be considered on absence without official leave (AWOL) and shall be separated from the service or dropped from the rolls without prior notice. . . .

It is clear that the prolonged unauthorized absence of Sumampong causes inefficiency in the public service. 5 It should be remembered that the conduct and behavior of all court personnel are circumscribed with a heavy responsibility. Any 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 or tend to diminish the faith of the people in the Judiciary, cannot be countenanced. 6

By going on AWOL, Sumampong grossly disregarded and neglected the duties of his office. He failed to adhere to the high standards of public accountability imposed on all those in the government service. 7

WHEREFORE, Ronie B. Sumampong, Utility Worker, Branch 6, Regional Trial Court, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur is hereby DROPPED from the rolls effective October 1, 2015 and his position is DECLARED VACANT. He is, however, still qualified to receive the benefits he may be entitled to under existing laws and may still be reemployed in the government.

Let a copy of this resolution be served upon him at his address appearing in his 201 file pursuant to Section 63, Rule XVI of the Omnibus Civil Service Rules and Regulations, as amended. aScITE

SO ORDERED. (Del Castillo, J., on official leave)"

Very truly yours,

MA. LOURDES C. PERFECTODivision Clerk of Court

By:

(SGD.) TERESITA AQUINO TUAZONDeputy Division Clerk of Court

Footnotes

1. Rollo, p. 6.

2. Id. at 4-5.

3. Id. at 7-8.

4. Id. at 1-2.

5. Judge Florendo v. Cadano, 510 Phil. 230, 235 (2005).

6. Re: Absence Without Official Leave (AWOL) of Atty. Marilyn B. Joyas, Clerk of Court V, Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 16, 555 Phil. 737, 740 (2007).

7. Re: Dropping from the Rolls of Cornelio Reniette Cabrera, Utility Worker I, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Branch 1, Lipa City, 669 Phil. 142, 146 (2011).