The Supreme Court dismissed a court stenographer for habitual disrespectful, disobedient, and offensive behavior.
In its 18-page decision, the SC found Lorna Martin, Court Stenographer I of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac, guilty of violating the Code of Conduct for Court Personnel for committing Gross Misconduct and Gross Insubordination.
Martin was ordered immediately dismissed from the service, with forfeiture of benefits, cancellation of her civil service eligibility, and perpetual disqualification from re-employment in any government instrumentality, including government-owned and controlled corporations.
To recall, Judge Stela Marie Gandia-Asuncion and several cout employees of MCTC-Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac, in 2017, a complaint filed against Martin for repeatedly committing misconduct and exhibiting disrespectful and arrogant behavior in the performance of her duties as a court stenographer.
Among the allegations are incidents where Martin barged into Gandia-Asuncion's office and hurled invectives at the judge for correcting Martin's draft orders.
The complainants also claimed that Martin repeatedly refused to comply with Judge Gandia-Asuncion's orders, including the submission of stenographic notes and recordings of hearings.
The SC said that Martin committed six counts of violation of the Code of Conduct for Court Personnel, which requires all court personnel to perform official duties properly and with diligence and to carry out their responsibilities as public servants in as courteous a manner as possible.
