[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 70-2003, June 06, 2003 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 70-2003, June 06, 2003 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 70-2003, June 06, 2003 ]

TO:

All Judges of the Lower Courts

SUBJECT:

In-Chambers Sessions

In view of the increasing number of reports reaching the Office of the Court Administrator that judges have been meeting with party litigants inside their chambers, judges are hereby cautioned to avoid in-chambers' sessions without the other party and his counsel present, and to observe prudence at all times in their conduct to the end that they not only act impartially and with propriety but are also perceived to be impartial and proper.

The Code of Judicial Conduct requires judges to act with competence, integrity and independence and so to behave at all times as to promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary (Pico vs. Combongj Jr., 215 SCRA 412, Canon 2, Rule 2.01).

Strict compliance is enjoined June 6, 2003.

June 6, 2003. Untitled Document

PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.

Court Administrator