ERLINDA ABRAGAN ET.AL. VS. ATTY MAXIMO RODRIGUEZ A.C. NO. 4346.

APRIL 3, 2002 Facts: Sometime in 1986, complainants hired the services of the respondent to represent in a case before the MTCC of Cagayan de Oro City. The case was won by the complainants. Subsequently, when the lawyer allegedly surreptitiously dealt with the subject property with other persons, the petitioner severed the lawyer client relationship. On August 1991, complainants filed a case of indirect contempt against Sheriff Fernando Loncion et al. Much to their surprise, respondent represented the sheriff. Since the counsel employed by the complainants was a former student of respondent, said counsel, egged by the suggestions of respondent withdrew the case without the petitioners consent. That as a result of such withdrawal, subsequent events occurred to the prejudice of the complainants. Issue: Whether or not Atty. Rodriguez should be disbarred. Held: Yes. In the present case, respondent clearly violated Rule 15.03 of Canon 15 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, which provides that a lawyer shall not represent conflicting interests except by written consent of all concerned given after full disclosure of the facts.