SC suspends judge for homophobic slurs vs. litigants

The Supreme Court has suspended for 30 days without pay a Manila Metropolitan Trial Court presiding judge for uttering homophobic slurs against litigants and allowing his religious beliefs to impair his judicial functions.

In an 18-page decision, the High Court found Presiding Judge Jorge Emmanuel Lorredo guilty of work-related sexual harassment.

“He is further sternly warned that a repetition of the same or similar acts in the future shall be dealt with more severely,” the SC said.

The High Court also fined Lorredo P40,000 for simple misconduct and P10,000 for conduct unbecoming of a judge, as this is his second offense.

Civil case

In 2019, complainants Marcelino Espejon and Erickson Cabonita filed a civil case against Lorredo, saying the judge made remarks showing his prejudgment of the case and obvious bias against them and their sexual orientation.

They also complained that Lorredo’s conduct in their case was heavily influenced by his religious beliefs and impressions about homosexuality.

“The Court wholly agrees with the findings of the JlB that these remarks were inappropriate. The records will bear out how Judge Lorredo badgered complainants with his questions about their sexual orientation,” it said.

During the preliminary conference, Lorredo repeatedly asked the complaints about their sexuality and if they were not “in a relationship that was forbidden in the bible.”

In his comment, he argued that he wanted to warn the complainants of God’s supposed dislike for homosexuals.

The SC said Lorredo violated Sections I and 6 of Canon 4 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct on Propriety as well as Sections 1, 2, and 3 of Canon 5 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct on Equality.

“The statements Judge Lorredo made during the preliminary conference, and especially in the Comment he filed in this case, are clearly tantamount to homophobic slurs which have no place in our courts of law,” it said.

“Thus, it should come as a matter of course for all judges to desist from any word or conduct that would show or suggest anything other than inclusivity for members of the LGBTQIA+ community,” it later added.

Meanwhile, the Court said Lorredo’s language inside the courtroom is also violative of Sections 1 and 2 of Canon 2 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct.

The SC also said it is unconvinced that Lorredo was “really partial” in the case.

“Apart from badgering complainants during the course of the preliminary conference, there is insufficient evidence showing that Judge Lorredo unduly favored the other parties,” it said.

The High Court stressed that any form of discrimination will not be tolerated.

“Any form of discrimination by reason of gender or sexual orientation made by a judge and directed against any person with business before the court shall never be tolerated and must be strongly rebuked,” it said.—AOL, GMA News