EDUARDO, RAY BRADLEY B.
Legal Ethics – Sat. 6:00-9:00pm
LEGAL ETHICS CASE ANALYSIS
Who (parties) and what ANTONIO M. LORENZANA v. JUDGE MA. CECILIA I.AUSTRIA,
(case no. / date) A.M. No. RTJ-09-2200, April 2, 2014
Why and how
Complainant (all the
circumstances that
lead to file a case)
Respondent
(defenses)
What is the
recommendation of the
IBP-CBD?
What is the
recommendation of
OCA?
Issues raised to the SC
Dispositive portion
(final decision)
What are the core
moral values that were
ignored?
What are the virtues
that are missing
What are the vices that
the respondent got
involved in?
What are the lessons
that I learned from this
case so that no case of
similar can be filed
against me in the
- The respondent judge posted pictures of herself in
Friendster with hopes of looking for a compatible partner.
The photo shows her wearing a cloth that barely shows
her skin, as if nothing was worn underneath.
- Respondent judge believes that her act of maintaining a
personal social networking account (displaying photos of
herself and disclosing personal details as a magistrate in
the account) – even during these changing times when
social networking websites seem to be the trend –
constitutes an act of impropriety which cannot be legally
justified by the public’s acceptance of this type of conduct.
- In this case, none.
- That the respondent is unbecoming a judge and found
guilty for violation of Section 6, Canon 6 of the New Code
of Judicial Conduct.
- That she be fined P20,000.00 and a stern warning that a
repetition of the same will be dealt with more severely.
- Whether or not the respondent judge should be
suspended.
- No, the Court ruled in accordance with OCA
recommendation.
- That the respondent judge was found guilty for violation of
the same and increased the penalty to P21,000.00 with a
stern warning that a repetition of the same or any similar
act shall be dealt with more severely.
- Respect for authority
- Respect for human sexuality
- Modesty
- Purity
- Lust
- Temptation
- Ignobility
- A judge should always show courtesy and modesty to
thyself. Such act as presented in this case is highly
intolerable in the Bar and the Judiciary.
EDUARDO, RAY BRADLEY B.
Legal Ethics – Sat. 6:00-9:00pm
future?