A.M. No. P-04-1925 – 488 Phil. 62 – 447 SCRA 60 – Political Law – Law on Public Officers – Public Office is a Public Trust
Oscar Llamas was a cash clerk in the regional trial court of San Carlos City, Pangasinan. His brother was a judge in one of the branches therein. A complaint for immorality was filed against Llamas’ brother judge. The said case was filed by employees working in the same office where Llamas works. Thereafter, Llamas became belligerent and hostile towards his officemates.
His co-workers and superiors testified that Llamas often drinks at work; frequently absents himself; alters his daily time report; show hostile attitude by banging things in the office; and some other hostile acts.
The court personnel eventually filed a complaint against Llamas for being discourteous, disrespectful, and for his unbecoming conduct. Llamas did not appear during the hearing but he submitted his counter-affidavit.
ISSUE: Whether or not Llamas should be disciplined.
HELD: Yes. Llamas was not able to overcome the substantial evidence presented against him. The Supreme Court also castigated Llamas misplaced loyalty as public officer. As a public servant, Llamas owes his loyalty, not to his brother or to any other family member; but, rather, to the institution of which he is a part and, ultimately, to the public he is sworn to serve. Public service requires integrity and discipline. For this reason, public servants must exhibit at all times the highest sense of honesty and dedication to duty. By the very nature of their duties and responsibilities, they must faithfully adhere to, hold sacred and render inviolate the constitutional principle that a public office is a public trust; that all public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency. Government service is people-oriented; high-strung and belligerent behavior has no place therein.
