SC reprimands same-sex marriage petitioner over improper attire

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has admonished the lawyer who filed a petition seeking the legalization of same-sex marriage in the country for wearing improper attire in court.

In a five-page resolution promulgated on July 3, the high court cited lawyer Jesus Nicardo Falcis III in contempt for attending the hearing of the case on June 19 wearing a jacket, cropped jeans and loafers without socks.

“Wherefore, this court finds Atty. Jesus Nicardo Falcis III guilty of direct contempt of court. He is hereby admonished to properly conduct himself in court and to be more circumspect of the duties attendant to his being a lawyer,” read the ruling.

The SC warned Falcis that “any further contemptuous acts would be dealt with severely.” 

The contempt citation will be included in the personal record of Falcis and entered in his file in the Office of the Bar Confidant.

In issuing the order, the SC cited Canon 11 of the Code of Professional Responsibility for lawyers, which requires them to “observe and maintain the respect due to the courts and judicial officers and (to) insist on similar conduct by others.”

“This duty encompasses appearances before the courts in proper attire,” the high court stressed.

The SC pointed out that preliminary conferences and oral arguments are official judicial functions where all parties present are required “to observe solemnities of these proceedings.”