THE Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday announced its decision ordering the dismissal and disbarment of a Zamboanga judge for the murder of a fellow magistrate.
In an en banc ruling, the SC dismissed Judge Oscar Tomarong from office, ordered the forfeiture of his retirement benefits, and disbarred him from practicing law.
“The crime involved is a patent breach of the very essence of what it means to be a judge who carries the obligation and privilege of serving the people. At a time when the rise in the attacks against judges has even necessitated the adoption of measures to protect judges, a judge committing the murder of a fellow judge must be punished swiftly and severely,” the decision stated.
The High Tribunal also disqualified Tomarong from reemployment in the government.
The case stemmed from his criminal conviction for planning the 2019 killing of Judge Reymar L. Lacaya, then Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 11, in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.
Disciplinary proceedings were initiated by the Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) leading to the issuance of the SC ruling.
The SC emphasized that murder is a crime involving moral turpitude, a serious offense that warrants dismissal under the Rules of Court.
While the case is still on appeal, the Court explained that a final conviction is not required to impose administrative penalties.
