Can a judge be allowed to blame her court personnel for the delay in resolving cases?

The failure of a judge to decide a case within the prescribed period is inexcusable and constitutes gross inefficiency. The failure of her officer-in-charge to bring the matter to her attention cannot be considered a valid reason for the delay in resolving the instant petition. A judge cannot be allowed to blame her court personnel for her own incompetence or negligence. A judge ought to know the cases submitted to her for decision or resolution and is expected to keep her own record of cases so that she may act on them promptly. It is incumbent upon her to devise an efficient recording and filing system in her court so that no disorderliness can affect the flow of cases and their speedy disposition. Proper and efficient court management is as much her responsibility. She is the one directly responsible for the proper discharge of her official functions. (Ricolcol v. Judge Camarista, A.M. MTJ-98-1161, August 17, 1999)