NEWSFLASH

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MARK ANTHONY FINED FOR DIRTY FINGER IN COURT

Makati City, Aug. 7, 1998 - Young actor Mark Anthony Fernandez was fined P2,500 by the Makati Regional Trial Court for flashing a dirty finger inside the court during a hearing last month.

In a 3-page decision, Judge Cesar Sta. Maria found Mark Anthony guilty of indirect contempt of court, and noted that what the actor did "will certainly degrade the administration of justice on account of the blemish on the dignity of the court and the concomitant disrespect to it."

Fernandez, explaining what he did, said he was merely irritated and felt harassed by the presence of members of media covering the July 4 court hearing of a case of grave threats filed against Mark Anthony by an American he allegedly threatened with a bread knife.

The indirect contempt carries a sentence of one month imprisonment and a maximum fine of P5,000 or both. However, the judge noted that Fernandez was a first-time offender so the fine was lowered to P2,500.

Mark Anthony's original case brought by Christian Fayette will proceed, with a hearing set on August 11. There were earlier reports that an out-of-court settlement was being negotiated by Mark Anthony's mother, Alma Moreno, wife of Paranaque Mayor Joey Marquez.