The Supreme Court (SC) En Banc has dismissed and disbarred Judge Oscar D. Tomarong, Presiding Judge of Branch 28, Regional Trial Court (RTC), Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, for his involvement in the murder of fellow judge Reymar L. Lacaya.
The decision followed disciplinary proceedings initiated by the Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) after Judge Tomarong’s criminal conviction for planning the 2019 killing of Judge Lacaya, then Presiding Judge of Branch 11, RTC, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.
Background of the Case
In 2019, the SC reassigned Judges Tomarong and Lacaya to each other’s branches. Shortly after Judge Lacaya concluded court hearings at Branch 28, he was shot while walking to his car and later found dead beside the vehicle.
During the criminal trial, Juliber Cabating, a public works employee and aide to Judge Tomarong, testified that Tomarong hired killers to murder Judge Lacaya and paid them PHP 250,000 through Cabating. Additional eyewitnesses confirmed the killers’ presence before and after the shooting.
SC Ruling and Administrative Penalties
The SC dismissed Judge Tomarong from office, forfeited his retirement benefits, disbarred him from practicing law, and disqualified him from reemployment in government.
The Court emphasized that murder is a crime involving moral turpitude, which constitutes a grave offense warranting dismissal under the Rules of Court. Moral turpitude refers to acts that are grossly immoral, dishonest, and contrary to one’s duty to society.
“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. A judge committing the murder of a fellow judge must be punished swiftly and severely.”
Although Judge Tomarong’s criminal conviction is still under appeal, the SC clarified that administrative penalties do not require a final criminal conviction. Only substantial evidence is needed to prove wrongdoing in disciplinary cases.
Legal Significance
The SC highlighted that Judge Tomarong’s actions represent one of the gravest violations of judicial duty, undermining public trust in the justice system. A lawyer or judge who demonstrates utter disregard for human life cannot remain in the legal profession.
“[N]o one, not even members of the Bench, is above the law. Judges are the embodiment of law and justice… no judge who so callously breaches the law and perpetrates an injustice will go unpunished.”
The SC also reminded all courts to promptly report any convictions of judges and court personnel to the Judicial Integrity Office (formerly JIB) in accordance with the Rules of Court.
🔍 Key Takeaways
- Judge Oscar D. Tomarong was dismissed and disbarred for orchestrating the murder of Judge Reymar L. Lacaya.
- Administrative penalties can be imposed even if a criminal conviction is under appeal, using substantial evidence.
- Murder is a crime involving moral turpitude, which is among the gravest violations for judges.
- The SC reaffirmed that no one, including judges, is above the law, preserving public trust in the judiciary.
Case Reference:
Judicial Integrity Board v. Presiding Judge Oscar D. Tomarong, A.M. No. RTJ-25-085, July 29, 2025