SC sacks Davao City judge

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed a regional trial court (RTC) judge here for alleged persistent violations of the rules of court proceedings.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno ordered the dismissal of RTC Branch 14 Judge George Omelio in a 29-page decision issued last Oct. 22.

Omelio’s dismissal from the service would also mean forfeiture of all his retirement benefits, except for his accrued leave credits.

The SC also disqualified Omelio from seeking re-employment in any branch, agency or instrumentality of the government, including government-owned or controlled corporations.

Sources said there had been a number of complaints against Omelio with the SC’s Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) prior to the tribunal’s decision to dismiss him from the service.

The SC found Omelio guilty of gross ignorance of the law and violation of the Canon 3 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct in a case involving lawyer Asteria Cruzabra, acting registrar of deeds of this city, and a certain Jorlyn Paralisan.

The SC noted that Omelio failed to adhere to his inhibition on the two indirect contempt cases of Cruzabra and Paralisan, as he continued to handle the cases and also failed to cite any reason why he revoked his inhibition.

Two others, a certain Ma. Regina Peralta and Romualdo Mendoza, also filed separate complaints against Omelio before the OCA, which also formed part of the SC decision to dismiss the judge from the service.