This is a petition by Mr. Romeo P. Laurente for reconsideration of Administrative Order No. 70 dated June 26, 1967, removing him from office as Municipal Judge of Matag-ob, Leyte.

After a review of the case, I agree with the Secretary of Justice that there is no sufficient justification for exonerating respondent. However, considering that the investigating District Judge recommended that he be merely reprimanded and warned on the ground that his partiality in Criminal Case No. 95 of his court for estafa was committed through negligence rather than with deliberate intent; and considering further the period that has elapsed since his separation from the service, it is believed that petitioner has been sufficiently penalized.

Wherefore, and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Justice, Administrative Order No. 70 dated June 26, 1967, is hereby modified in the sense that Mr. Romeo P. Laurente is considered suspended, without pay, during the period that he has been out of the service.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and sixty-nine.


By the President:

(Sgd.) RAFAEL M. SALAS
Executive Secretary