A federal judge yesterday heard arguments for and against dismissal of a racial discrimination lawsuit filed last year against The Honolulu Advertiser.

The suit was filed by Pati Poblete, a Filipina who joined The Advertiser in September 2006 after working at the San Francisco Chronicle. Poblete, the former deputy editorial page editor of The Advertiser, alleged she was transferred into a lesser role and faced discrimination because of her race.

Senior Federal Judge Samuel King heard arguments from Advertiser attorney Tamara Gerrard and Poblete's lawyer, Venetia Carpenter-Asui, and said he will issue a ruling later.