SC penalizes five lawyers over homophobic remarks online

Supreme Court of the Philippines/File Photo

By Gabriela Baron

The Supreme Court (SC) penalized five lawyers over homophobic remarks on social media.

In a 26-page Per Curiam Decision, the SC reprimanded Atty. Morgan Rosales Nicanor, Atty. Joseph Marion Peña Navarrete, Atty. Noel V. Antay Jr., and Atty. Israel P. Calderon.

The High Court also imposed a P25,000 fine on Atty. Ernesto A. Tabujara III for violating Rule 7.03 of the Code of Professional Responsibility.

The SC found Facebook posts laced with homophobic undertones, with descriptions of the convict and the judge that are “uncalled for and have no context in the narrative, thus showing gender bias.”

The posts, the SC continued, also include statements that tend to propagate and enforce an unfair and harmful stereotype that are not representative of LGBTQIA+ individuals.

“There is no room for such stereotypes in conversations among lawyers,” SC said.

“Their fixation on the respective sexual orientations of their subjects was uncalled for and they should be more circumspect in their choice of words and be mindful of gender-fair language,” it noted.

It also issued a stern warning that a repetition of the same or similar offense “will be more severely dealt with.”

The Court also stressed that inappropriate, disrespectful, and defamatory language of lawyers, even in the private sphere, are still within the Court’s disciplinary authority. – cf

Popular

Palace slams attempt against NegOr contractor, vows to dismantle espionage networks

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet Amid consecutive developments arising from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s revelation of ‘ghost’ and anomalous flood control projects in his 4th...

Student Beep card with 50% discount available starting Sept. 1 —DOTr

By Brian Campued The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to roll out white and personalized Beep cards to make commuting more convenient and more...

Palace: China cannot stop PH from asserting its territorial rights

By Brian Campued Malacañang on Friday reiterated that the Philippines will not be deterred in its efforts to defend its territorial and maritime interests in...

D.A. brings P20 rice to fisherfolk; affordable rice for jeepney, tricycle drivers soon

By Brian Campued As part of the continuous expansion of the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” Program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to various...