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Question
RTC Judge Livia Monteverde, Branch 9, City of Iloilo, renders a final civil judgment in favor of the plaintiff. The Court Administrator (CA) issues Administrative Circular No. 2026-XX directing all trial courts to forward for “prompt administrative review” any civil judgment that allegedly departs from the Court’s standardized templates and to have a newly created Judicial Efficiency Panel reconsider and, if necessary, modify the factual findings and conclusions of law within a five-day period. Judge Monteverde refuses to alter the ruling. (a) Is the CA circular a proper exercise of administrative supervision or a violation of the doctrine of non-interference or judicial stability? Explain the governing principle and its constitutional basis. (b) Distinguish the doctrine from related concepts such as administrative supervision and judicial independence. (c) Apply the doctrine to the facts: has proper judicial independence been breached? If so, what remedies and sanctions are (or could be) available to protect the independence of the judiciary?