Previous Story
‘Muchacho’ remark dismays RP consul
|
Posted on Nov 07 2008
Philippine Consul General Wilfredo Maximo expressed disappointment yesterday over Superior Court associate judge Kenneth Govendo’s reported statement in court where he called a Filipino defendant “muchacho.”
“Coming from someone I respect and have a high regard for, I’m disappointed by Judge Govendo’s remarks,” Maximo told Saipan Tribune.
In light of the U.S. nation having just gone through an historic and admirable electoral process, he said Govendo’s outburst “comes like the proverbial fly in the ointment.”
A decision issued Wednesday by Superior Court associate judge Ramona V. Manglona, quoted Govendo as calling defendant Roger S. Castillo “muchacho” and stating he wishes he could “get rid of locals” involved in domestic violence but that he can’t because they’re Americans.
Govendo, as a Family Court judge, had also stated he would recommend Castillo’s prosecution and that he would make it his “personal journey” to make sure that Castillo leaves the CNMI.
Maximo said that irrespective of the issues of Castillo’s case, he wished Govendo had been more circumspect and measured in his remarks “which cast aspersions on Filipinos.”
“I’m consoled by the fact the Judiciary does not share his extreme views,” Maximo said.
In her order, Manglona said Govendo’s statements were in violation of the “principles of decorum and temperance that the Judicial Canons seek to promote.”
“The judge’s tirade does appear to defy the mandates of Judicial Canon 3B(9), which states in part, that ‘A judge shall not, while a proceeding is pending or impending in any court, make any public comment that might reasonably be expected to affect its outcome or impair its fairness…[or] that might substantially interfere with a fair trial or hearing,’” Manglona said.
Filipinos generally find the word muchacho degrading as it means slaves or houseboys.
When Govendo issued the statements, Castillo had no lawyer and his criminal case was still pending.
