The Supreme Court of the Philippines disbarred a trial court judge in Cotabato for issuing decisions on numerous annulments of marriage cases without conducting any judicial proceedings in the cases.
In per curiam decision, the High Court found Judge Cadar O. Indar, Al Haj, Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 14, Cotbato City and Acting Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, branch 15, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, guilty of gross misconduct and dishonesty.
The case originated from reports by the Local Civil Registrars of Manila and Quezon City to the Office of the Court Administration that they have an alarming number of decisions, resolutions, and orders on annulment of marriages cases issued by Judge Indar.
the audit team found that the list of cases submitted by the Local Civil Registrars did not even appear in the records of cases received, pending, and disposed by RTC Branch 15 in Shariff Aguak and the annulment of marriage decisions did not also exist in the records of RTC Branch 14 in Cotabato City.
During investigations, Judge Indar and clerk of court lawyer Umaima Silongan failed to appear before the investigating team. The authorities also failed to locate their whereabouts.
The Supreme Court ruled:
"Such malfeasance not only makes a mockery o marriage and its lie-changing consequences but likewise grossly violates the basic norms of truth, justice, and due process. Not only, that Judge Indar's gross misconduct greatly undermines the people's faith in the judiciary and betrays public trust and confidence in the courts. Judge Indar's utter lack of moral fitness has no place in the Judiciary. Judge Indar deserves nothing less than dismissal from the service!"
