Macariola vs.

Asuncion
A.M. No. 133-J May 31, 1982
MAKASIAR, J

BERNARDITA R. MACARIOLA, complainant,

HONORABLE ELIAS B. ASUNCION, Judge of the Court of First Instance of Leyte, respondent

FACTS
 Macariola charged Hon. Asuncion for acts unbecoming a judge
 Judge Asuncion violated Article 1491, paragraph 5, of the New Civil Code in acquiring by purchase a
portion of Lot No. 1184-E which was one of those properties involved in Civil Case decided by him;
 that he likewise violated Article 14, paragraphs I and 5 of the Code of Commerce, Section 3,
paragraph H, of R.A. 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Section 12,
Rule XVIII of the Civil Service Rules, and Canon 25 of the Canons of Judicial Ethics, by associating
himself with the Traders Manufacturing and Fishing Industries, Inc., as a stockholder and a ranking
officer while he was a judge of the Court of First Instance of Leyte;
 that respondent was guilty of coddling an impostor and acted in disregard of judicial decorum by
closely fraternizing with a certain Dominador Arigpa Tan who openly and publicly advertised himself
as a practising attorney when in truth and in fact his name does not appear in the Rolls of Attorneys
and is not a member of the Philippine Bar; and
 [4] that there was a culpable defiance of the law and utter disregard for ethics by respondent Judge
 Case DISMISSED in the RTC

ISSUES

RULING