The Supreme Court on Friday allowed Govendo to call to the witness stand Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja, Associate Judge Ramona V. Manglona, Myrna Santos and himself.
“Judge Govendo made a sufficient offer of proof that all of his proposed witnesses will present relevant mitigating testimony that this court should consider in determining the appropriate sanction to impose,” said Justice Pro Tem Edward Manibusan in his one-page order concerning the pre-hearing conference.
The Supreme Court will receive into evidence, as stipulated by Govendo and Special Ethics Prosecutor Bruce A. Bradley, three tapes of court proceedings that the court will review “at its convenience.”
Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan has recused himself from further participation in the disciplinary proceedings against Govendo.
The Supreme Court has set a hearing for Oct. 15 to determine the sanctions to be imposed on Govendo who was found to have violated judicial canons and rules for saying “adios muchacho” to a wife beater.
