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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'You do not respect the court?' Sandiganbayan justice chides Tarlac solon for wearing jeans in court

'You do not respect the court?' Sandiganbayan justice chides Tarlac solon for wearing jeans in court

Published Aug 11, 2026 06:24 pm

At A Glance

  • * Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg chided Tarlac Rep. Noel Rivera for wearing jeans to his scheduled arraignment.
  • * Econg questioned Rivera's respect for the court over his attire, prompting the lawmaker to apologize.
  • * Rivera's arraignment in one of nine graft cases was deferred due to pending motions and reset to Aug. 18.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg chided Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel Rivera for wearing jeans to his scheduled arraignment before the anti-graft court’s Second Division on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
“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?” 
Meanwhile, the lawmaker apologized to the anti-graft court for his attire.
Rivera appeared before the Second Division for his scheduled arraignment in one of nine graft cases involving alleged conflicts of interest in infrastructure projects.
The arraignment, however, was deferred due to pending motions filed by Rivera’s camp seeking to quash, suspend, and consolidate the proceedings.
Rivera subsequently left the Second Division courtroom without being arraigned.
His arraignment was reset to Aug. 18.

Related Tags

Sandiganbayan Geraldine Faith Econg Noel Rivera Tarlac anti-graft court court attire arraignment
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