Practice question
A judge argues that Maceda makes every act of a judge immune from criminal liability because the Supreme Court has administrative supervision. The opposing party relies on Maceda’s own distinction between administrative accountability and criminal responsibility, while accepting the referral requirement for its certificate-of-service setting. Which reading is better?
- Maceda grants judges universal criminal immunity.
- Administrative supervision means no judicial employee can commit an offense.
- Maceda did not grant blanket criminal immunity; it recognized possible criminal responsibility while preserving the Supreme Court’s supervisory role in the stated administrative-duty issue.
- Only the judge may decide whether criminal laws apply.
- The decision abolishes the Revised Penal Code within courthouses.
Legal references
- Maceda v. Vasquez, G.R. No. 102781, April 22, 1993, main decision: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1993/apr1993/gr_102781_1993.html
Answer this question in flashcards to review your response and continue practicing.