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By Jomar Canlas Reporter
THE judge who was dismissed from
service for believing in dwarfs which he called gabay (spirit
guides) has earned the ire anew of the Supreme Court and is in
danger of being cited for indirect contempt for his numerous
pleadings which threaten the justices with “ungodly reprisals.”
In a 9-page per curiam resolution
of the High Court, sitting en banc, the Court said it would no
longer entertain the series of motions for reconsideration prayed by
Judge Florentino Floro of Branch 73 of the Malabon Regional Trial
Court to reinstate into the service.
The Court said the ruling
separating him from the judiciary due to his “medically disabling
condition of the mind” has already attained finality.
Floro filed a series of motions
reaching for reconsideration despite the clear provisions of the
Rules of Court that “no second motion for reconsideration” is
allowed.
In its decision on March 31,
2006, the Court said, “There is no indication that Judge Floro is
anything but an honorable man. And, in fact, in our disposition of
the 13 charges against him, we have not found him guilty of gross
misconduct or acts of corruption. However, the findings of psychosis
by the mental health professionals assigned to his case indicate
gross deficiency in competence and independence.”
Despite being sacked, the Court
awarded Floro his salaries, allowances and other economic benefits
for the past three years. But he was ordered to pay a fine of
P40,000 for seven cases against him.
In the medical examinations conducted
by Supreme Court doctors, Floro admitted that he believed in
“psychic visions.” He said he has dwarf friends named Luis,
Armand and Angel. He claimed he could write while in a trance and
could be in two places at the same time.
Floro also likened himself to the
“angel of death” who can hurt people especially corrupt court
officials in Malabon. He also conducted healing sessions in his
chamber during his break time.
The Court advised Floro to look
for other jobs in areas where he would be successful, but not in the
judiciary.
He was suspended indefinitely by
the high court in 1999 after it upheld the recommendation of
then-Court Administrator Alfredo Benipayo who conducted an audit of
his sala.
His violations were distributing
cards containing his qualifications, declaring that he is
pro-accused, ordering the mental and physical exam of an accused who
he described as slow-witted (mahina ang pickup), openly criticizing
the Rules of Court and the judiciary, among others.
Floro was promoted to the RTC of
Malabon by then President Joseph Estrada.
He claimed that he was the one
who predicted the stroke of Judicial and Bar Council member Teresita
Cruz-Sison, the death of Supreme Court Justice Sabino de Leon and
the ouster of Hernando Perez as secretary of justice, his teacher in
Ateneo.
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