Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg reprimanded Tarlac 3rd District Representative Noel Rivera on Tuesday, August 11, after the lawmaker arrived at his anti-graft court arraignment dressed in denim jeans.
Addressing his choice of courtroom attire before the Second Division, Econg sharply questioned the lawmaker’s conduct.
“For a congressman to appear like that in court,” Econg told Rivera.
“You do not respect the court?” she asked.
“Do you want to appear many times so you will know how to dress properly?”
Rivera apologized to the bench for his improper clothing.
The scheduled proceeding concerned one of nine graft charges filed against Rivera involving alleged conflicts of interest in local infrastructure projects. However, the arraignment was ultimately deferred because of pending defense motions seeking to quash, suspend, and consolidate the cases.
Rivera departed the courtroom without entering a plea, and the Sandiganbayan rescheduled his arraignment for August 18.