Case Digest: JUDGE JAIME L. DOJILLO, JR. v. CONCEPCION Z. CHING

JUDGE JAIME L. DOJILLO, JR. v. CONCEPCION Z. CHING

594 SCRA 530 (2009)

A Judge should be more circumspect in his choice of words and use of gender-fair language as there was no reason to emphatically describe person as a “lesbian” because the complained acts could be committed by anyone regardless of gender orientation.

Petitioner Judge Jaime L. Dojillo, Jr., charged, Concepcion Z. Ching, a MTC Clerk of Court, with gross misconduct, gross incompetence and inefficiency, violation of Supreme Court Circular which prohibits smoking inside the office, violation of the Code of Ethics, conduct unbecoming of a public official, conduct prejudicial to the interest of public service, and gross dishonesty for falsifying the entries in her Daily Time Record. Judge Dojillo alleged that Ching is a lesbian who is a well-known gossiper and troublemaker in the town of Manaoag. For her part, Ching filed a counter complaint/charge against Judge Dojillo alleging that he is having an illicit affair with an officemate which was subsequently dismissed by the Office of the Court Administrator for Ching’s failure to present any substantial evidence to support her allegations.

ISSUE:

Whether or not Judge Dojillo should be reprimanded for employing gender-insensitive language

HELD:

Judge Dojillo, he should be admonished to be more circumspect in his choice of words and use of gender-fair language. There was no reason for him to emphatically describe Concepcion as a “lesbian” because the complained acts could be committed by anyone regardless of gender orientation. His statements like “I am a true man not a gay to challenge a girl and a lesbian like her,” “the handiwork and satanic belief of dirty gossiper,” and “the product of the dirty and earthly imagination of a lesbian and gossiper” were uncalled for.

 Being called to dispense justice, Judge Dojillo must demonstrate finesse in his choice of words as normally expected of men of his stature. His language, both written and spoken, must be guarded and measured lest the best of intentions be misconstrued.