JOSE TEOFILO T. MERCADO and MA.

AGNES R. MERCADO, Petitioners,

- versus -
SECURITY AN! CORPORATION,
Respondent.

G.R. No. "#$%%&

T'e di(nit) o* t'e Co+rt ,an ne-er .e /rote,ted 0'ere in*ra,tion o* et'i,s 1eets 0it' ,o1/2a,en,) rat'er t'an
/+nis'1ent.T'e /eo/2e s'o+2d not .e (i-en ,a+se to .rea3 *ait' t'at a 1a(istrate is t'e e/ito1e o* 'onor a1on(st
1en.To /reser-e its di(nit), a ,o+rt o* 4+sti,e s'o+2d not )ie2d to t'e assa+2ts o* disres/e,t.
In,identa2 to t'e /resent /etition *or re-ie0 on ,ertiorari is t'e ,onte1/t /ro,eedin(s a(ainst /etitioner Jose Teo*i2o T.
Mer,ado arisin( *ro1 'is 2etter dated O,to.er "5, 6$$%, insin+atin( t'at7 (1) t'e /onente s+,,+1.ed to t'e 8tre1endo+s
/ress+re o* C'ie* J+sti,e 9i2ario G. Da-ide, Jr. in den)in( 'is /etition: (2) t'e Se,+rit) an3 Cor/oration, res/ondent,
*inan,ed t'e /onente8s tra-e2 to t'e United States: and (3) t'e /onente (a-e res/ondent a 8(o si(na2 to se22 'is /ro/ert).
T'e *a,ts are as *o22o0s7
On De,e1.er "6, 6$$;, Jose Teo*i2o T. Mer,ado and Ma. A(nes R. Mer,ado, /etitioners, *i2ed 0it' t'is Co+rt a Petition
*or Re-ie0 on Certiorari assai2in( t'e Co+rt o* A//ea2s (a) De,ision dated Ma) 6<, 6$$; in CA-G.R. SP No. <"&<$
dis1issin( t'eir /etition *or ann+21ent o* 4+d(1ent: and (b) its Reso2+tion dated O,to.er 6;, 6$$; den)in( t'eir 1otion
*or re,onsideration.
On Jan+ar) "6, 6$$%, 0e denied t'e /etition .e,a+se o* /etitioners8 *ai2+re to s'o0 t'at a re-ersi.2e error 'ad .een
,o11itted .) t'e A//e22ate Co+rt.
Petitioners *i2ed a 1otion *or re,onsideration a22e(in( t'at t'e Co+rt o* A//ea2s, in dis1issin( t'eir /etition *or ann+21ent
o* 4+d(1ent, 1ere2) re2ied on te,'ni,a2 r+2es o* /ro,ed+re, t'ere.) sa,ri*i,in( t'e (reater interest o* 4+sti,e and e=+it):
and t'at t'eir *or1er ,o+nse28s (ross ne(2i(en,e ,onstit+tes e>trinsi, *ra+d, a (ro+nd *or ann+22in( t'e tria2 ,o+rt8s
4+d(1ent.
On Mar,' 6%, 6$$%, 0e iss+ed a Reso2+tion (rantin( /etitioners8 1otion *or re,onsideration and reinstatin( t'eir /etition.
?e 2i3e0ise re=+ired Se,+rit) an3 Cor/oration, res/ondent, to ,o11ent on t'e /etition.
In its ,o11ent, res/ondent a-erred t'at t'e iss+es raised in t'e /resent /etition are 1ere re'as' o* t'e iss+es
/etitioners raised .e*ore t'e A//e22ate Co+rt.As to t'e a22e(ed ne(2i(en,e o* t'eir ,o+nse2, res/ondent /ointed o+t t'at
t'e sa1e ,annot .e ,onsidered an e>trinsi, *ra+d sin,e t'ro+(' t'e sa1e ,o+nse2, t'e) a,ti-e2) /+rs+ed and re,o-ered
1ora2 da1a(es and attorne)8s *ees.F+rt'er1ore, ass+1in( t'at /etitioners8 ,o+nse2 re*+sed to *i2e a 1otion *or
re,onsideration 0it' t'e tria2 ,o+rt, sti22, t'e) 'ad t'e o/tion to ter1inate 'is ser-i,es and 'ire anot'er: and t'at t'e)
s'o+2d not 'a-e 0aited *or *o+r @%A )ears .e*ore *i2in( t'e /etition *or ann+21ent o* 4+d(1ent.
On J+ne <, 6$$%, 0e iss+ed a Reso2+tion den)in( t'e /etition on t'e (ro+nd t'at /etitioners indeed *ai2ed to s'o0 t'at a
re-ersi.2e error 'ad .een ,o11itted .) t'e A//e22ate Co+rt.
Petitioners *i2ed a 1otion *or re,onsideration, .+t 0e dis1issed t'e sa1e in o+r Reso2+tion dated Se/te1.er "&, 6$$%,
t'+s7
?e *ind no ,o1/e22in( reason to (rant /etitioner8s 1otion *or re,onsideration.

T'e Co+rt o* A//ea2s 0as ,orre,t in 'o2din( t'at .e*ore a /etition *or ann+21ent o* 4+d(1ent ,an /ros/er,
/etitioners 1+st *irst *i2e an a//ea2, a 1otion *or ne0 tria2 or a /etition *or re2ie* as re=+ired .) t'e Re-ised R+2es
o* Co+rt. 9a-in( *ai2ed to do so, t'e) ,annot a-ai2 o* an a,tion *or ann+21ent o* 4+d(1ent, ot'er0ise, t'e) 0o+2d
.ene*it *ro1 t'eir ina,tion or ne(2i(en,e.

It .ears e1/'asis at t'is /oint t'at an a,tion *or ann+21ent o* 4+d(1ent ,annot and is not a s+.stit+te *or t'e 2ost
re1ed) o* a//ea2.

Petitioners8 ,ontention t'at t'eir *ai2+re to a//ea2 *ro1 t'e tria2 ,o+rt8s De,ision 0as d+e to t'e ne(2i(en,e o* t'eir
*or1er ,o+nse2 2a,3s 1erit. Re,ords s'o0 t'at t'e) /arti,i/ated a,ti-e2), t'ro+(' t'eir ,o+nse2, in t'e
/ro,eedin(s .e*ore t'e tria2 ,o+rt. As /art) 2iti(ants, t'e) 0ere e>/e,ted to .e -i(i2ant o* t'eir interests and,
t'ere*ore, s'o+2d 1onitor t'e /ro(ress o* t'e ,ase. T'+s, t'e) s'o+2d 'a-e ,onstant2) ,o11+ni,ated 0it' t'eir
,o+nse2 to .e ad-ised o* t'e stat+s o* t'eir ,ase. T'is 0a), t'e) 0o+2d not 'a-e 2ost t'eir o//ort+nit) to a//ea2.

Grantin( t'at /etitioners8 /etition *or ann+21ent o* 4+d(1ent is in order, sti22 t'e sa1e is dis1issi.2e. For t'e
re1ed) o* ann+21ent o* 4+d(1ent to /ros/er, eit'er one o* t'e *o22o0in( (ro+nds 1+st .e /resent7 (1) e>trinsi,
*ra+d or (2) 2a,3 o* 4+risdi,tion or denia2 o* d+e /ro,ess. Petitioner ar(+es t'at t'eir ,o+nse28s ne(2i(en,e
,onstit+tes e>trinsi, *ra+d. ?e are not ,on-in,ed. E>trinsi, *ra+d ,an .e ,o11itted .) a ,o+nse2 a(ainst 'is
,2ient 0'en t'e 2atter is /re-ented *ro1 /resentin( 'is ,ase to t'e ,o+rt. T'is sit+ation is not /resent in t'is ,ase.

?e reiterate t'at in G.R. No. "&"5"#, 0e r+2ed t'at t'e Co+rt o* A//ea2s did not ,o11it re-ersi.2e error in
dis1issin( /etitioners8 /etition *or ,ertiorari and /ro'i.ition assai2in( t'e tria2 ,o+rt8s order o* e>e,+tion o* its
De,ision in *a-or o* res/ondent .an3.

In *ine, t'is Reso2+tion s'o+2d no0 0rite finis to t'e instant ,ase.

Petitioners *i2ed a se,ond 1otion *or re,onsideration .+t 0as denied *or .ein( /ro'i.ited.
On O,to.er "5, 6$$%, /etitioner Mer,ado 0rote C'ie* J+sti,e 9i2ario G. Da-ide, Jr. statin( t'at7
On Mar,' 6%, 6$$%, t'e T'ird Di-ision, in its Reso2+tion, (ranted o+r Motion *or Re,onsideration and e-en (a-e
d+e ,o+rse and reinstated o+r /etition.

+t 0'en I re,ei-ed t'e Reso2+tion dated J+ne <, 6$$% den)in( 1) Petition *or Re-ie0 on J+2) "6, 6$$%, I
i11ediate2) ,a22ed 1) ,o+nse2, Att). Jose P. Bi22an+e-a, on t'e /'one. I as3ed 'i1 0') on eart' t'e ponente
denied a(ain 1) /etition on t'e sa1e (ro+nd 8*or *ai2+re o* /etitioners to s'o0 t'at a re-ersi.2e error 'ad .een
,o11itted .) t'e a//e22ate ,o+rtC My counsel said, the ponente informed him that she has to deny our
petition on the same ground because of the tremendous pressure from the Chief Justice to favor
Security an! Corporation (SC)" ) t'e 0a), 1) ,o+nse2 and t'e ponente are -er) ,2ose and 2on( ti1e
*riends to ea,' ot'er. ?'en I 'eard t'e .ad ne0s, I 0as so s'o,3ed in dis.e2ie*. #t is true, $hat you did is
unthin!able, ungodly, and malicious. #t is also very suspicious that after a fe$ days after my
conversation $ith %tty" &illanueva, he and his family left for 'ondon, leaving my case to the care of one
of his %ssociates" 'ater on, the ponente herself left for the ("S"%" to visit her children" #s this a
coincidence) %s the saying goes, *when there is smoke, there is fire" Anot'er ,oin,iden,e, .e*ore t'e
re,ei/t o* t'e Reso2+tion dated J+ne <, 6$$%, den)in( o+r /etition on t'e .asis o* SC8s +ns+.stantiated
8Co11ent, SCso2d o+r /ro/ert) to M. Miranda De-e2o/1ent Cor/oration and s+,,eeded in (ettin( a /er1it to
de1o2is' t'e *o+r@%A.+i2din( ere,ted in o+r /ro/ert) *ro1 t'e For.es Par3 Asso,iation, e-en i* t'e ,ase is sti22
/endin( and 0e 'a-e not e-en *i2edo+rMotion *or Re,onsideration 0it' t'e S+/re1e Co+rt, not to 1ention t'e
Lis Pendens annotated on t'e tit2e o* t'e /ro/ert) in t'e na1e o* SC. T'e /erson 0'o .o+('t o+r /ro/ert) *ro1
SC *or P"6$,$$$,$$$.$$ is 3no0n to 1) ne/'e0 and +s. ?'i2e t'e .+)er is drin3in( 0it' 1) ne/'e0 and
ot'ers, not 3no0in( t'at one o* t'e1 is 1) ne/'e0, 'e .ra((ed to t'e1 t'at 'e 4+st .o+('t t'e /ro/ert) o* t'e
Mer,ados in For.esPar3. +he buyer said *I paid already the property because SBC told me that they
already have the go-signal from the ponente to sell the property. Fe0 da)s t'erea*ter, a22 t'e i1/ro-e1ents
in o+r /ro/ert) 0ere tota22) de1o2is'ed .) a ,onstr+,tion ,o1/an) o0ned .) 1) /ro-in,e1ate in Pa1/an(a .)
t'e na1e o* Mr. ana, 0'o1 I /ersona22) 1et at t'e site 0'i2e t'e de1o2ition 0as .ein( ,arried o+t.

,ave you no conscience at all)%re you not bothered of the final -udgment after life) #s this the legacy
you $ant to impart to your children and all the .ilipino people)/hat you did to my family and # is
unforgivable not only to 0od and to humanity" 1ou have deprived us of our precious possession $ithout
due process" +his is also the abode of my $ife, my children, their respective spouses, and my 12
grandchildren, not to mention the several household members and their families"

I 0o+2d 2i3e to .e2ie-e t'at t'e S+/re1e Co+rt is t'e 2ast .+20ar3 o* tr+e 4+sti,e. #f you, the Chief Justice,
himself, are the first person to ma!e a moc!ery of our la$s, no $onder $hy foreign investors do not
$ant to invest in our country because they said, there is no -ustice in our courts, the Supreme Court in
particular" +his is in the highest degree of in-ustice" 1ou have deprived us of our basic fundamental
rights in the protection of our property $ithout due process" +here is no -ustice in our courts, the
Supreme Court in particular" Do )o+ t'in3 I 0i22 .rin( 1) ,ase to t'e S+/re1e Co+rt .) 1ere =+estion o* *a,tsC
Fro1 o+r /etition *or Ann+21ent o* J+d(1ent *i2ed .e*ore t'e Co+rt o* A//ea2s and no0 t'e Petition *or Re-ie0
on Certiorari 0it' t'e S+/re1e Co+rt, 1) 0i*e and I as /etitioners-1o-ants 'a-e ,2ear2) in-o3ed 8LAC! OF
JURISDICTION on t'e /art o* t'e tria2 ,o+rt to ad4+di,ate res/ondent SC8s 8,o+nter,2ai1 *or t'e /a)1ent o* t'e
2oan.As I +nderstand, 0'en t'e (ro+nd in-o3ed as .asis *or Ann+21ent o* J+d(1ent is 8LAC! OF
JURISDICTION8, t'e Petition 1a) .e *i2ed at an) ti1e .e*ore it is .arred .) esto//e2 or 2a,'es, neit'er o* 0'i,' is
o.tainin( in o+r ,ase.E-en in 2a)1an8s 2e(a2 /oint o* -ie0, t'is Petition o* o+rs ,2ear2) and +ndo+.ted2) raises a
=+estion o* 2a0.

P2ease I .e( o* )o+, 'a-e a 2ast 'ard 2oo3 on o+r Petition and t'e t0o @6A Motions *or Re,onsideration and let us
focus and not evade on the real issue on *'%C3 4. J(5#S6#C+#47 on the part of the trial court and not
concentrate on negligence of counsel and other trivial reasons, etc" 4r better yet, please refrain from
influencing the members of the +hird 6ivision"'et them deliberate regularly on our case or inhibit
themselves on the case"8lease let the #nstitution serve -ustice, and not individual pecuniary
interests"SC8s ,o+nse2s are e>/erts in *a.ri,ation o* *a,ts and in 1is2eadin( t'e ,o+rts.I 'a-e a *ee2in( t'at
t'e) 1i('t as 0e22 'a-e 2ed )o+ to .e2ie-e so1et'in(, 0'i,' is not tr+e.8lease dont be an instrument of their
$ic!ed schemes, lest the Supreme Court itself becomes their means to perpetrate in-ustice" T'is is t'e
on2) an3 0'i,' is not interested in a1i,a.2e sett2e1ent in s/ite o* 1) se-era2 sin,ere o**ers o* a1i,a.2e
sett2e1ent sin,e t'e ,ase 0as *i2ed in "DD& +/ to 6$$;, and t'ese are a22 in 0ritin( and d+2) re,ei-ed .)
SC.Un*ort+nate2), a22 1) o**ers 0ere re4e,ted .) t'e1.

I 0rote )o+ t'is 2etter as a 2ast resort .e,a+se 1) *a1i2) and I 2oo3ed +/ at )o+ .e*ore as t'e 1ost 'onest and
+/ri('t C'ie* J+sti,e.As 0e 0o+2d 2i3e to 3no0 i* )o+ rea22) 'ad inter-ened and /+t /ress+re, as t'e Ponente said
to Att). Bi22an+e-a, @1) ,o+nse2A to *a-or SC .e,a+se i* )o+ did, t'en 0e rest o+r ,ase. 8lease enlighten us
before $e see! another forum to see! redress the in-ustices, sleepless nights, humiliation and
embarrassment $e suffered"I* 0e are 0ron( a.o+t )o+, and I 'o/e 0e rea22) are 0ron(, /2ease a,,e/t o+r
a//ea2 *or *or(i-eness and a/o2o(ies.GOD is 1) 0itness, t'at 0'at I 'a-e to2d )o+ is t'e tr+t'.

Mr. C'ie* J+sti,e, t'e Fi2i/ino /eo/2e 3no0 'o0 re2i(io+s )o+ are.P2ease do 0'at a re2i(io+s 1an o+('t to do in
ser-in( 4+sti,e.P2ease 2i-e +/ to o+r, as 0e22 as 9IS e>/e,tations. @E1/'asis s+//2iedA


On No-e1.er 6, 6$$%, C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide re=+ired Mer,ado8s 2a0)er, Att). Jose P. Bi22an+e-a, to ,o11ent on t'e
2etter and s'o0 ,a+se 0') 'e s'o+2d not .e 'e2d in ,onte1/t o* ,o+rt.,'anro.2es-irt+a22a02i.rar)
On No-e1.er "<, 6$$%, t'e Co+rt8s T'ird Di-ision ordered Mer,ado to /ersona22) a//ear on No-e1.er 66, 6$$% and
s'o0 ,a+se 0') 'e s'o+2d not .e 'e2d in ,onte1/t o* ,o+rt.,'anro.2es-irt+a22a02i.rar)
On t'e s,'ed+2ed date, Mer,ado, to(et'er 0it' Att). Pa.2o G. Ma,a/a(a2, 'is ne0 ,o+nse2, a//eared .e*ore t'e T'ird
Di-ision and s0ore to t'e tr+t' o* t'e 2etter 'e 0rote.9e 1ani*ested t'at 'e on2) stated t'erein 0'at Att). Bi22an+e-a to2d
'i1 8 t'at 'is /etition 0as denied *or t'e se,ond ti1e 8.e,a+se o* t'e tre1endo+s /ress+re *ro1 t'e C'ie* J+sti,e.9e
*+rt'er 1ani*ested t'at d+rin( t'e 0a3e o* Att). Bi22an+e-a8s 1ot'er, 'e @Att). Bi22an+e-aA /ointed to J+sti,e An(e2ina
Sando-a2-G+tierreE, .ra((in( t'at s'e is 8a very very good, close and long time friend of his.9o0e-er, 0'i2e statin( t'is,
Mer,ado re*erred to Justice Conchita Carpio Morales as Justice 0utierre9.,'anro.2es-irt+a22a02i.rar)
Fort'0it', t'e T'ird Di-ision iss+ed in o/en ,o+rt a Reso2+tion dire,tin( Att). Ma,a/a(a2 to s+.1it a 0ritten e>/2anation
0') Mer,ado s'o+2d not .e 'e2d in ,onte1/t o* Co+rt.
For 'is /art, Att). Bi22an+e-a s+.1itted a ,o11ent, stron(2) den)in( Mer,ado8s a22e(ations in 'is 2etter.9e denied 'a-in(
to2d /etitioners t'at t'eir /etition 'ad to .e denied a(ain 8 because there was a tremendous pressure from the Chief
Justice in favor of Security Ban Corporation.9e a2so stressed t'at t'ere 0as no ,orre2ation .et0een t'e ponente!s tri/ to
t'e United States and 'is tri/ to London.9e e>/2ained t'at 'e and 'is *a1i2) 0ent to London to attend t'e (rad+ation o*
'is da+('ter, C'errie1a)a Be2oso Bi22an+e-a.To s+.stantiate t'is, 'e s+.1itted a /'oto,o/) o* 8London S,'oo2 o*
E,ono1i,s @LSEA and Po2iti,a2 S,ien,e Presentation Cere1onies8 0'ere t'e na1e o* 'is da+('ter, C'errie1a)a Be2oso
Bi22an+e-a, is 2isted as one o* t'e s+,,ess*+2 (rad+ates.9e 2i3e0ise s+.1itted a /'oto,o/) o* 'is /ass/ort indi,atin( 'is
de/art+re *or London on J+2) "%, 6$$% and 'is arri-a2 in t'e P'i2i//ines on J+2) 6<, 6$$%.In addition, 'e said 'e ne-er
1et an)one *ro1 res/ondent .an3, in,2+din( its 2a0)ers, and t'at t'ere is no tr+t' to Mer,ado8s state1ent re(ardin( 'is
ne/'e08s a22e(ed en,o+nter 0it' t'e ne0 o0ners o* t'e s+.4e,t /ro/ert).
On De,e1.er ";, 6$$%, Mer,ado s+.1itted 'is e>/2anation0') 'e s'o+2d not .e /+nis'ed *or ,onte1/t o* ,o+rt. 9e
,2ai1ed t'at t'e ,onte1/t+o+s state1ents in 'is 2etter 1ere2) reiterate t'e tenor o*Att). Bi22an+e-a8s state1ents. 9e
o**ered an a/o2o(), e>/2ainin( t'at 'e 0rote t'e 2etter 0'i2e 'e 0as 8 under the impulse of personal stress as 'e 0as
2osin( 'is residentia2 'o+se.
On Jan+ar) 6#, 6$$&, t'e T'ird Di-ision ordered .ot' Mer,ado and Att). Bi22an+e-a to a//ear on Fe.r+ar) 6", 6$$& to
e2+,idate t'eir res/e,ti-e /ositions.
Mer,ado testi*ied t'at it 0as Att). Bi22an+e-a 0'o in*or1ed 'i1 t'at t'e ponente is J+sti,e G+tierreE.Att). Bi22an+e-a
e-en .ra((ed t'at s'e is 'is 8very, very close friend.
For 'is /art, Att). Bi22an+e-a testi*ied t'at it 0as Mer,ado 0'o in*or1ed 'i1 t'at J+sti,e G+tierreE is t'e ponente.9e a2so
,on*ir1ed t'at s'e attended t'e 0a3e o* 'is 1ot'er.+t 'e denied Mer,ado8s ,2ai1 t'at 'e /ointed to J+sti,e G+tierreE
and said t'at s'e is 'is ,2ose *riend.,'anro.2es-irt+a22a02i.rar)
T'erea*ter, t'e T'ird Di-ision desi(nated Co+rt o* A//ea2s J+sti,e Renato C. Da,+dao as Co11issioner to re,ei-e
e-iden,e on t'e *a,t+a2 iss+es in-o2-ed in t'e ,onte1/t in,ident.
On Ma) "5, 6$$&, J+sti,e Da,+dao s+.1itted 'is In-esti(ation, Re/ort and Re,o11endation. 9e *o+nd Mer,ado 8 guilty
of improper conduct tending to bring the authority and the administration of -ustice by the Court into disrespect
$hen he openly belittled, degraded, and embarrassed the ,ighest Court of the land, particularly the Chief
Justice:::.9o0e-er, 'e 'e2d t'at 8there $as no sho$ing that he acted $ith malice and;or in bad faith or that he
$as properly motivated"T'+s, 'e re,o11ended t'at Mer,ado be fined in the sum of five thousand pesos
(8<,222"22).
?e ,annot s+stain J+sti,e Da,+dao8s *indin( t'at Mer,ado did not a,t 0it' 1a2i,e or .ad *ait' in i1/+tin( t'ose
dero(ator) and disres/e,t*+2re1ar3s a(ainst C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide and t'e ponente.
ad *ait' i1/+tes a dis'onest /+r/ose or so1e 1ora2 o.2i=+it) and ,ons,io+s doin( o* a 0ron(.It ,onte1/2ates a state o*
1ind a**ir1ati-e2) o/eratin( 0it' *+rti-e desi(n or so1e 1oti-e o* se2*-interest or i22-0i22 *or +2terior /+r/oses. Ma2i,e is o*
t'e sa1e (enre.It ,onnotes a sinister 1oti-e.
Mer,ado8s addressin( s+,' 2etter to C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide is a /er*e,t i22+stration o* .ad *ait' and 1a2i,e tendin( dire,t2) to
de(rade t'e ad1inistration o* 4+sti,e. It trans(resses t'e /er1issi.2e .o+nds o* *air ,o11ent and ,riti,is1s .rin(in( into
disre/+te, not on2) t'e a+t'orit) and inte(rit) o* C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide and t'e ponente, .+t a2so o* t'e entire
J+di,iar).?'i2e *ei(nin( to .e sear,'in( *or tr+t' on 0'et'er C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide indeed e>erted 8 tremendous pressure
to t'e ponente, 'e re/eated2) '+1i2iated 'i1 and t'e J+di,iar) in t'e 1ost 2o+tis' and inso2ent 1anner. 9e a,,+sed 'i1
o* doin( an 8unthinable, ungodly, and malicious a,t and o* de/ri-in( 'is @Mer,ado8s A *a1i2) o* t'eir 8 basic fundamental
rights in the protection of "their# property without due process.9e ,on,2+ded t'at 0'at C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide did to 'is
*a1i2) 8is unforgivable not only to $od and to humanity.In an ins+2tin( and inso2ent tenor, 'e stated t'at 8 if the Chief
Justice, himself, is the first person to mae a mocery of our laws, t'en t'ere is 8no wonder why foreign investors do not
want to invest in our country.
F+rt'er1ore, 'e a22e(ed t'at an irre(+2arit) or .ri.er) attended t'e denia2 o* 'is /etition *or re-ie0. 9e insin+ated t'at t'e
tra-e2s o*Att). Bi22an+e-a and t'e ponente a.road 0ere *inan,ed .) res/ondent .an3,statin( t'at 8when there is smoe,
there is fire.9e a2so re,32ess2) a,,+sed t'e ponente o* (i-in( res/ondent .an3 a 8go%signal to se22 'is /ro/ert). In t'is
.a,3dro/, 'e as3ed C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide to 8refrain from influencing the members of the &hird 'ivision: 8let them
deliberate regularly on the case or inhibit themselves on the case: and 8let the (nstitution serve )ustice, and not individual
pecuniary interests.
Fina22), 'e ,onde1ned t'e entire J+di,iar) .) sa)in( 8 there is no )ustice in our courts, the Supreme Court in
particular.And 0it' i1/+den,e, 'e t'reatened C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide to en2i('ten 'i1 .e*ore 'e 8 sees another forum to
see redress for the in)ustices, sleepless nights, humiliation and embarrassment 'is *a1i2) s+**ered.
?it'o+t do+.t, Mer,ado8s 2etter is 1ar3ed 0it' 1a2i,e, .ad *ait', and (ross disres/e,t.9e ,o11itted a re1ar3a.2e *eat o*
,'ara,ter assassination and 'onor -i2i*i,ation.Contrar) to 'is ,2ai1 t'at 'e is 4+st -eri*)in( t'e tr+t' o* Att). Bi22an+e-a8s
state1ents, t'e 0ords in 'is 2etter are 1ore a,,+sator) t'an in=+isitoria2. ?'at is dis,on,ertin( is t'at 'is a,,+sations
'a-e no .asis in *a,t and in 2a0.O.-io+s2), t'e) ,a+sed intense /ain and '+1i2iation on t'e /art o* C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide
and t'e ponente.
T'e Reso2+tion o* t'e T'ird Di-ision o* t'is Co+rt dated Se/te1.er "&, 6$$% den)in( Mer,ado8s 1otion *or
re,onsideration is 0e22 e>/2ained.A /rin,i/2e a21ost re/eated to satiet) is t'at 8 an action for annulment of -udgment
cannot and is not a substitute for the lost remedy of appeal.A /art) 1+st 'a-e *irst a-ai2ed o* a//ea2, a 1otion *or
ne0 tria2 or a /etition *or re2ie* .e*ore an a,tion *or ann+21ent ,an /ros/er.Its o.-io+s rationa2e is to /re-ent t'e /art)
*ro1 .ene*itin( *ro1 'is ina,tion or ne(2i(en,e.A2so, t'e a,tion *or ann+21ent o* 4+d(1ent 1+st .e .ased eit'er on (a)
e>trinsi, *ra+d or (b) 2a,3 o* 4+risdi,tion or denia2 o* d+e /ro,ess. 9a-in( *ai2ed to a-ai2 o* t'e re1edies and t'ere .ein( a
,2ear s'o0in( t'at neit'er o* t'e (ro+nds 0as /resent, t'e /etition 1+st .e dis1issed. 4nly a disgruntled litigant $ould
find such legal disposition unacceptable"
Mer,ado .e0ai2s t'e denia2 .) t'e T'ird Di-ision o* 'is /etition t'ro+(' a 1ere Min+te Reso2+tion and a*ter reinstating
the petition.A//arent2), 'e *inds t'e Co+rt8s 1anner o* denia2 and ,'an(e o* 'eart +n+s+a2 and ,asts sinister +ndertone
to t'e1.
In (n Re Laureta,0e r+2ed t'at t'e Co+rt is not 8duty=bound to render si(ned de,isions a22 t'e ti1e. It 'as a1/2e
dis,retion to *or1+2ate de,isions andFor 1in+te reso2+tions, /ro-ided a 2e(a2 .asis is (i-en de/endin( on its e-a2+ation o*
a ,ase.In t'e sa1e ,ase, 0e 'e2d t'at 8the recall of a due course 4rder after a revie$ of the records of the case is a
common occurrence in the Court.Li3e t'e res/ondents in t'e said ,ase, Mer,ado s'o+2d not t'in3 t'at it is on2) 'is
/etition 0'i,' 'as .een s+.4e,ted to s+,' re,a22.
T'e T'ird Di-isioninitia22) denied Mer,ado8s /etition .e,a+se it is a//arent on its *a,e t'at t'e Co+rt o* A//ea2s
,o11itted no re-ersi.2e error in dis1issin( 'is /etition *or ann+21ent o* 4+d(1ent.Considerin( 'is 1otion *or
re,onsideration a22e(in( t'at t'e A//e22ate Co+rt 1ere2) re2ied on te,'ni,a2 r+2es o* /ro,ed+re and t'at 'is *or1er
,o+nse2 ,o11itted (ross ne(2i(en,e, t'e T'ird Di-isiontoo3 t'e 1ost /r+dent ,o+rse .) reinstatin( t'e /etition.No0,
a*ter ,onsiderin( t'e /etition and t'e ,o11ent t'ereon, t'e T'ird Di-ision 0as ,on-in,ed t'at, indeed, t'e A//e22ate
Co+rt did not ,o11it an) re-ersi.2e error.Is t'is irre(+2arCT'e ans0er is a reso+ndin( 8no. +he reinstatement of a
petition does not guarantee that it $ill be subse>uently granted" 4ther$ise, the filing of comment and
subse>uent pleadings $ould be an e:ercise in futility"
No0, in a .id to es,a/e 2ia.i2it) *or ,onte1/t, Mer,ado in-o3es *reedo1 o* s/ee,' and /ri-a,) o* ,o11+ni,ation.
,ra2a0?e are not /ers+aded.
A /erson ,'ar(ed 0it' ,onte1/t o* ,o+rt *or 'is +tteran,es 0'i,' ,2ear2) ,onstit+te ,onte1/t 1a) not ordinari2) es,a/e
2ia.i2it) .) 1ere2) in-o3in( t'e ,onstit+tiona2 (+arant) o* *reedo1 o* s/ee,'.Li.ert) o* s/ee,' 1+st not .e ,on*+sed 0it'
a.+se o* s+,' 2i.ert).?'en 'e attri.+ted t'ose ,onte1/t+o+s re1ar3s to C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide and t'e ponente, Mer,ado
a.+sed s+,' 2i.ert).9is state1ents ,ast as/ersions to t'eir re/+tation and inte(rit) and ,reate a distr+st to t'e J+di,iar).
T'e *a,t t'at Mer,ado8s 2etter 0as addressed on2) to t'e C'ie* J+sti,e does not rinse it o* its ,onte1/t+o+s ,'ara,ter.In
(n Re Laureta, 0e r+2ed t'at 2etters addressed to indi-id+a2 J+sti,es, in ,onne,tion 0it' t'e /er*or1an,e o* t'eir 4+di,ia2
*+n,tions .e,o1e /art o* t'e 4+di,ia2 re,ord and are a 1atter o* ,on,ern *or t'e entire ,o+rt.
A,,ordin(2), 0e 'o2d Mer,ado (+i2t) o* indire,t ,onte1/t o* ,o+rt.
Se,tion ;, R+2e <" o* t'e "DD< R+2es o* Ci-i2 Pro,ed+re, as a1ended, /ro-ides7
Se,tion ;. (ndirect contempt to be punished after charge and hearing. ! A*ter a ,'ar(e in 0ritin( 'as .een *i2ed,
and an o//ort+nit) (i-en to t'e res/ondent to ,o11ent t'ereon 0it'in s+,' /eriod as 1a) .e *i>ed .) t'e ,o+rt
and to .e 'eard .) 'i1se2* or ,o+nse2, a /erson (+i2t) o* an) o* t'e *o22o0in( a,ts 1a) .e /+nis'ed *or indire,t
,onte1/t7

>>>>>>

d" %ny improper conduct tending, directly or indirectly, to impede, obstruct, or degrade the
administration of -ustice:

>>>>>>

As *or Att). Bi22an+e-a, 0'i2e J+sti,e Da,+dao did not ,ate(ori,a22) state t'at 'e @Att). Bi22an+e-aA to2d Mer,ado t'at
C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide e>erted 8tre1endo+s /ress+re on t'e ponente, t'e reason 0') t'e /etition 0as dis1issed *or t'e
se,ond ti1e, 'o0e-er, 0e are in,2ined to .e2ie-e t'at Att). Bi22an+e-a (a-e s+,' in*or1ation to Mer,ado.Not on2)
t'at,Att). Bi22an+e-a a2so re-ea2ed t'e na1e o* t'e ponente: t'at 'e and t'e ponente 'a-e 3no0n ea,' ot'er sin,e "D#%:
and t'at t'e ponente 0o+2d .e at t'e 0a3e o* 'is 1ot'er, t'+s7

A*ter a ,are*+2 and ,ons,ientio+s e>a1ination o* t'e e-iden,e add+,ed in t'e instant ,ase, t'e +ndersi(ned
in-esti(ator is *+22) ,on-in,ed t'at it 0as on2) t'ro+(' Att). Bi22an+e-a t'at /etitioner ,o+2d 'a-e 2earned or
3no0n t'e na1e o* t'e ponente in t'e ,ase.
As .et0een /etitioner and Att). Bi22an+e-a, t'e +ndersi(ned in-esti(ator in in,2ined to (i-e 1ore ,reden,e to t'e
testi1on) o* /etitioner. Not on2) 0as /etitioner ,onsistent, *ir1, and ,andid and detai2ed in 'is testi1on), .+t 'e
0as a2so a.2e to ,orro.orate 'is ,2ai1s, .) s+.1ittin( 'is diar) 0'i,' ,ontained -ita2 entries and .) /resentin(
t'e testi1on) o* 'is ne/'e0. >>>
Moreover, it $as admitted by %tty" &illanueva that he and Justice 0utierre9 have !no$n each other since
1?@A and that Justice 0utierre9 $as in the $a!e of his mother" +hese admissions tend to strengthen the
allegations of petitioner that %tty" &illanueva $as the one $ho told him the name of the ponenteB that
%tty" &illanueva told him that he and the ponente are very closeB and that $hen petitioner attended the
$a!e of %tty" &illanueva*s mother, he $as told by %tty" &illanueva that Justice 0utierre9, the ponente,
$as coming.

R+2e "&.$# o* Canon "& o* t'e Code o* Pro*essiona2 Res/onsi.i2it) states t'at 8 a la$yer shall not state or imply that he
is able to influence any public official, tribunal or legislative body" .urther, 5ule 1<"2C provides that *a la$yer
must impress upon his client compliance $ith the la$s and the principles of fairness" Att). Bi22an+e-a too3 t'e
*or.idden ,o+rse.In in*or1in( Mer,ado t'at 'e 0as 8a very very good, close and long time friend o* t'e ponente, Att).
Bi22an+e-a i1/ressed +/on t'e *or1er t'at 'e ,an o.tain a *a-ora.2e dis/osition o* 'is ,ase.9o0e-er, 0'en 'is /etition
0as dis1issed t0i,e, Mer,ado8s e>/e,tation ,r+1.2ed.T'is /ro1/ted 'i1 to '+r2 +n*o+nded, 1a2i,io+s, and disres/e,t*+2
a,,+sations a(ainst C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide and t'e ponente.

?e 'a-e re/eated2) ad1onis'ed 2a0)ers *ro1 1a3in( .o2d ass+ran,es to t'eir ,2ients.A 2a0)er 0'o (+arantees t'e
s+,,ess*+2 o+t,o1e o* a 2iti(ation 0i22 e>ert 'ea-) /ress+re and e1/2o) an) 1eans to 0in t'e ,ase at a22 ,osts.+t 0'en
t'e ,ase is 2ost, 'e 0i22 .2a1e t'e ,o+rts, /2a,in( t'e1 +nder a ,2o+d o* s+s/i,ion.As 0'at 'a//ened in t'is ,ase, Att).
Bi22an+e-a8s state1ents 2ed Mer,ado, not on2) to s+s/e,t .+t a2so to .e2ie-e, t'at t'e entire Co+rt, to(et'er 0it' C'ie*
J+sti,e Da-ide and t'e ponente, ,o+2d .e /ress+red or in*2+en,ed,

Res/onsi.i2it) en4oins 2a0)ers to o.ser-e and 1aintain t'e res/e,t d+e to ,o+rts and t'e 4+di,ia2 o**i,ers.Att).
Bi22an+e-a8s ,ond+,t, no do+.t, de(raded t'e inte(rit) and di(nit) o* C'ie* J+sti,e Da-ide and t'e ponente and t'is Co+rt
as 0e22.

T'+s, 0e *ind Att). Bi22an+e-a a2so (+i2t) o* indire,t ,onte1/t o* ,o+rt.

On t'e a//ro/riate /ena2t), t'e (enera2 r+2e is t'at ,o+rts 'a-e in'erent /o0er to i1/ose a /ena2t) *or ,onte1/t
reasona.2) ,o11ens+rate 0it' t'e (ra-it) o* t'e o**ense.And t'at t'e de(ree o* /+nis'1ent *or ,onte1/t is said to 2ie
0it'in t'e so+nd dis,retion o* t'e ,o+rt.Considerin( t'e ,ir,+1stan,es o.tainin( 'erein, 0e .e2ie-e t'at Mer,ado and
Att). Bi22an+e-a s'o+2d .e *ined P&$,$$$.$$ ea,' and 0arned t'at a re/etition o* si1i2ar a,ts 0i22 0arrant a 1ore se-ere
/ena2t).

One 2ast 0ord.T'e reason *or t'e in'erent /o0er o* ,o+rts to /+nis' *or ,onte1/t is t'at res/e,t *or t'e ,o+rts
(+arantees t'e sta.i2it) o* t'e 4+di,ia2 instit+tion.?it'o+t s+,' (+arantee, t'e instit+tion 0o+2d .e restin( on a -er) s'a3)
*o+ndation.T'+s, 0e 1+st a,t to /reser-e its 'onor and inte(rit) *ro1 assa+2ts o* disres/e,t.One reason 0') res/e,t o*
t'e /+.2i, *or t'e J+di,iar) 'as di1inis'ed is .e,a+se o* +ns,r+/+2o+s 2a0)ers 0'o i1/2) t'at 4+d(es and 4+sti,es ,an .e
in*2+en,ed or .ri.ed.S+,' ,ond+,t 'as no /2a,e in t'e 2e(a2 /ro*ession.
/,D5D.45D, Jose Teo*i2o T. Mer,ado and Att). Jose P. Bi22an+e-a are de,2ared 0(#'+1 o* indire,t ,onte1/t o*
,o+rt.T'e) are .#7D6 P&$,$$$.$$ ea,' and /%57D6 t'at a re/etition o* si1i2ar a,ts 0i22 0arrant a 1ore se-ere
/ena2t).
Let a ,o/) o* t'is Reso2+tion .e atta,'ed to Att). Bi22an+e-a8s /ersona2 re,ord in t'e O**i,e o* t'e ar Con*idant and
,o/ies t'ereo* .e *+rnis'ed t'e Inte(rated ar o* t'e P'i2i//ines.
SO ORDERED"