Judge warned amid ‘improper’ parking behavior

The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a warning to a Marikina City judge for his conduct during a heated parking dispute with a government lawyer, reminding members of the bench to maintain professional restraint even in informal settings.

In a decision dated 1 July 2025, the high court found that Regional Trial Court Judge Rey P. Inciong acted improperly when he publicly scolded Atty. Ivanheck U. Gatdula of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and demanded a public apology.

The administrative case stemmed from a video shared on social media showing Inciong shouting at Gatdula inside the Marikina Hall of Justice. The confrontation began after Gatdula’s vehicle briefly blocked a pedestrian pathway and a ramp for persons with disabilities while the lawyer rushed to log his attendance.

According to court records, Gatdula apologized several times at the scene. However, Inciong followed the lawyer to the PAO office, where he reportedly lost his temper and continued to demand a public apology. Gatdula and his supervisor described the judge’s behavior as intimidating and unnecessary.