Ferdinand Marcos gets SC order

CEBU CITY — The Supreme Court has formally ordered Regional Trial Court Judge Ferdinand Marcos to cease and desist from performing his job as presiding judge of RTC Branch 20.

The other day, the clerk of court of Marcos’ branch, Monalila Tecson, received a formal communication from the Supreme Court administrator about its decision finding Marcos guilty of immorality.

The Supreme Court, in a 25-page decision promulgated last July 6, said Marcos was unfit to remain in office to discharge the functions and duties of a judge.

The High Court’s decision was based on the immorality charges filed by the judge’s wife, Rotilla, who claimed that he was having an affair with a law student named Maydelane Tacaldo.

"Having tarnished the image of the judiciary, the respondent must be meted out the severest form of disciplinary sanction – dismissal from the service," the decision stated.

Rotilla accused her husband of abandoning her and not giving support to his family because of Tacaldo.

Some lawyers said Marcos lost his chance to file a motion for reconsideration because of the Supreme Court administrator’s order implementing the decision.

However, Tecson said the judge still has 15 days, starting Thursday, to submit his motion for reconsideration. — Freeman News Service