High Court resolves legal disputes faced by third wife

In a span of 18 years from 1980 to 1998, a man married three women.

- By REY G. PANALIGAN

The third wife, Shirley - a public-school teacher -- was sued by the second wife, Risa; then by the first wife, Lila; and finally, by the first wife's daughter, Telle.

The first and third cases were filed before the Civil Service Commission (CSC) while the second case was filed before the regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd).

The real names of the parties in the case, docketed as SC GR No. 275125, were redacted by the Manila Bulletin to protect their and their children's privacy.

In her complaint before the CSC, Risa charged Shirley with disgraceful and immoral conduct.

In a decision handed down in June 2002, the CSC found Shirley administratively liable and imposed on her a one-year suspension as a publicschool teacher.

Later, Lila filed a complaint against Shirley before the DedEd's regional office for immorality and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

In January 2013, the DepEd's regional office found Shirley administratively liable and imposed the penalty of dismissal from the service subject to the confirmation of the DepEd Secretary.

In a resolution issued in November 2013, the DepEd Secretary found Shirley liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.