Desistance or recantation in administrative cases

Mere desistance or recantation by the complainant does not necessarily result in the dismissal of an administrative complaint against any member of the bench; the withdrawal of complaints cannot divest the Court of its jurisdiction nor strip it of its power to determine the veracity of the charges made and to discipline, such as the results of its investigation may warrant, an erring respondent. (Atty. Lood vs. Delicana, A.M. No. P-18-3796, Jan. 22, 2018)