Judge shows partiality for accused by disregarding rules on motion, bail

Respondent judge is not only guilty of procedural lapses or ignorance of law. The principles of law involved in this case are basic and clear. Her adamant refusal to grant the prosecution time to study its case, her haste in holding the hearing without observing the proper rule, and her attempt to downgrade the charge against the accused to justify the grant of bail bespeak of more serious lapses. Considered in its totality, her actuations manifest partiality in favor of the accused in the criminal case. In line with the rulings of this Court in similar cases, the penalty on respondent judge should be P20,000.00 with warning. Wherefore, the Court finds respondent guilty of misconduct and orders her to pay a fine of P20,000.00 with a warning that a repetition of the same or similar acts will be dealt with more severely. [A.M. No. MTJ-92-731. November 29, 1996]