Back

Alejandro Estrada vs. Soledad S. Escritor [DISSENTING OPINION, J. CARPIO]

ALEJANDRO ESTRADA, Complainant, versus SOLEDAD S. ESCRITOR, Respondent. [DISSENTING OPINION, J. CARPIO]

A.M. No. P-02-1651 (formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 00-1021-P) | 2006-06-22

DISSENTING OPINION 


CARPIO, J.: 

I maintain my dissent from the majority opinion as it now orders the dismissal of the administrative complaint filed by petitioner Alejandro Estrada against respondent Soledad S. Escritor. 

The majority opinion relies heavily on Sherbert v. Verner[1] in upholding Escritor's claim of exemption from administrative liability grounded on her religious belief as a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses. This religious sect allows Escritor's cohabitation with Luciano D. Quilapio, Jr., who has a subsisting marriage with another woman. 

The compelling state interest test espoused in Sherbert has been...