Impolite language and improper tone should be avoided. Professionalism, respect for the rights of others, good manners and right conduct are expected of all judicial officers and employees.

ESTHER P. MAGLEO vs. PRESIDING JUDGE ROWENA DE JUAN-QUINAGORAN and BRANCH CLERK OF COURT ATTY. ADONIS LAURE, BOTH OF BRANCH 166, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, PASIG CITY, A.M. No. RTJ-12-2336 (Formerly A.M. OCA-IPl No. 11-3695-RTJ), November 12, 2014

“x x x.

Claim of Performing Acts Unbecoming of a Judge and Court Personnel due to the court personnel’s discourtesy

Complainant claims that respondent CoC and some court personnel were disrespectful in conversing with her bondsman, her son, and her lawyer. During her arrest, one of the court personnel said "Nadampot ninyo na ba, nadampot nyo na ba siya." When the bondsman visited the branch, he claimed to have been snubbed by the personnel. Also, complainant’s son received an arrogant remark from the court secretary stating "Huwag mo na ako tanungin, yun ang order ni Judge makikipagtalo ka pa e sumunod ka na lang, wala ka namang magagawa." On the other hand, the respondents denied that their court personnel made those rude remarks, and claimed that even assuming that those remarks wereindeed made, these were justified remarks under the circumstances of the situation.

While the allegations of complainant were not fully substantiated, the Court disagrees with the respondents that disrespectful remarks made by court personnel should be tolerated and even considered "justified remarks." The respondents, and all court personnel for that matter, should be reminded that the image of the Judiciary is mirrored in the kind of conduct, official or otherwise, which the personnel within its employ display, from the judge to the lowliest clerk. Impolite language and improper tone should be avoided. Professionalism, respect for the rights of others, good manners and right conduct are expected of all judicial officers and employees. Thus, all employees are required to preserve the Judiciary's good name and standing as a true temple of justice. For such improper remarks, the respondents and their court personnel are admonished.

X x x.”