Compliance with the Directives, Mandates, and Requirements of the Court and the Office of the Court Administrator

February 6, 2023

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 48-2023

 

Most recently, particularly after the launch of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI), the Court and the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) had been requiring the accomplishment of surveys, submission of reports and data, and other similar compliances from trial courts. Regrettably, several, if not numerous, judges and court personnel fail to comply with the said requirements.

As a reminder to all judges and personnel of the first and second level courts, when the Court or the OCA directs/mandates the accomplishment of surveys, submission of reports and data, and other similar compliances, the same should be complied with dispatch and accuracy as these surveys and data will be used primarily to aid the Court and/or the OCA in the formulation of policies in pursuit of the objectives and secure the intended outcomes of the SPJI.

This Office cannot stress enough the import of complying with the directives and mandates of the Court and the OCA. As pronounced by the Court in the case of Teopicio Tan v. Salvacion D. Sermonia, 1 "failure to comply with the OCA's directive x x x constitutes a clear and willful disrespect, not just for the OCA, but also for the Court, which exercises direct administrative supervision over trial court officers and employees through the OCA. x x x Such failure to comply accordingly betrays not only a recalcitrant streak in character, but also disrespect for the Court's lawful order and directive. This contumacious conduct of refusing to abide by the lawful directives issued by the Court has, likewise, been considered as an utter lack of interest to remain with, if not contempt of, the system."

For guidance and strict observance.

(SGD.) RAUL B. VILLANUEVACourt Administrator

Footnotes

1. A.M. No. P-08-2436 (Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 06-2394-P) dated 4 August 2009.