2C ETHICS Final Compilation

LEGAL ETHICS CASE DIGESTS
CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY INTRODUCTION 1. 2. 3. 4. Banogan v. Zerna Ledesma v. Climaco Cui v. Cui Alawi v. Alauya &ey "he laws ' "he la#! CANON 5 - A lawyer shall a" all "$(es uph l! "he $#"e*r$"y a#! !$*#$"y le*al pr 'ess$ # a#! supp r" " he a)"$/$"$es ' "he $#"e*ra"e! &ar+ 1.. 22. 21. 22. 23. 24. 0n re #alang 0n re Ar %ur '. Cuevas )amaniego v. Ferrer Arno4i v. Arno4i ) . Louis 7niversi y e c v. *ela Cru+ Advincula v. 'aca4a a ' "he
CANON 1 - A lawyer shall uph l! "he C #s"$"u"$ #% a#! pr ( "e respe)" ' r law a#! le*al pr )ess+ 5. &. (. ,. .. 12. Re: Financial Audi o! A y. Ra"uel #. $%o C%ua v. 'esina )oriano v. *i+on ) emmeri- v. 'as *e /sasi 000 v. 1LRC Cordon v. Balican a
CANON 6 - A lawyer shall ) #!u)" h$(sel' w$"h ) ur"esy% 'a$r#ess% a#! )a#! r " war! h$s pr 'ess$ #al ) llea*ues a#! shall a/ $! harass$#* "a)"$)s a*a$#s" pp s$#* ) u#sel+ 25. 2&. 2(. 2,. 2.. 32. Reyes v. C%iong *allong8#aliciano v. Cas ro Alcan ara v. 6e!ianco Camac%o v. 6agulayan 3orres v. 9avier Linsangan v. 3olen ino
CANON , - A lawyer shall (a.e h$s le*al ser/$)es a/a$la&le $# a# e''$)$e#" a#! ) #/e#$e#" (a##er ) (pa"$&le w$"h "he $#!epe#!e#)e% $#"e*r$"y a#! e''e)"$/e#ess ' "he pr 'ess$ #+ CANON 0 - A lawyer $# (a.$#* .# w# h$s le*al ser/$)es shall use #ly "rue% h #es"% 'a$r% !$*#$'$e! a#! &1e)"$/e $#' r(a"$ # r s"a"e(e#" ' 'a)"s+ 11. 12. 13. 14. 0n re 3agorda A y. 0smael $%an v. A y Ri+alino )im4illo Canoy v. 5r i+ Linsangan v. 3olen ino
CANON 7 - A lawyer shall # "% !$re)"ly r $#!$re)"ly% ass$s" $# "he u#au"h r$8e! pra)"$)e ' law+ 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 3&. 7le: v. Legal Clinic; 0nc. Caye ano v. 'onsod Cam4ali+a v. Cris o4al83enorio Amalgama ed La4orers< Associa ion v. C0R Aguirre v. Rama 9udge La"uindanum v. =uin ana ! 'a$"h " "he ) ur"+
CANON 2 - A lawyer shall par"$)$pa"e $# !e/el p(e#" ' "he le*al sys"e( &y $#$"$a"$#* r supp r"$#* e'' r"s $# law re' r( a#! $# "he $(pr /e(e#" ' "he a!($#$s"ra"$ # ' 1us"$)e+ CANON 3 - A lawyer shall .eep a&reas" ' le*al !e/el p(e#"s% par"$)$pa"e $# ) #"$#u$#* le*al e!u)a"$ # pr *ra(s% supp r" e'' r"s " a)h$e/e h$*hes" s"a#!ar!s $# law s)h ls as well as $# "he pra)"$)al "ra$#$#* ' law s"u!e#"s a#! ass$s" $# !$sse($#a"$#* $#' r(a"$ # re*ar!$#* "he law a#! 1ur$spru!e#)e+ CANON 4 - These )a# #s shall apply " lawyers $# * /er#(e#" ser/$)e $# "he !$s)har*e ' "he$r ''$)$al !u"$es+ 15. 1&. 1(. 1,. )uare+ v. 6la on Ramos v. 0m4ang Ca u v. Rellosa 6C## v. )andigan4ayan
CANON 19 - A lawyer wes )a#! r% 'a$r#ess a#! *
CANON 11 - A lawyer shall &ser/e a#! (a$#"a$# "he respe)" !ue " "he ) ur"s a#! 1u!$)$al ''$)ers a#! sh ul! $#s$s" # s$($lar ) #!u)" &y "hers+ 3(. 3,. 3.. 42. 41. Fernande+ v. *e Ramos8>illalon Rivera v. Corral 9o%nny 1g v. Alar Fudo v. Ca leya Land Bondoc v. 9udge )im4ulan
CANON 1, - A lawyer shall e:er" e/ery e'' r" a#! ) #s$!er $" h$s !u"y " ass$s" $# "he spee!y a#! e''$)$e#" a!($#$s"ra"$ # ' 1us"$)e+ 42. Ber4ano v. Barcelona
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43. 44. 45. 4&. )e4as ian v. Ba@ar ?egna v. 6aderanga 6lus Builders v. Revilla Fil8#arcia; 0nc. v. ?ernande+ &.. Angalan v. *elan e (2. )an on83an v. Ro4ino (1. )omoso v. Lara CANON 17 - A lawyer shall represe#" h$s )l$e#" w$"h 8eal w$"h$# "he & u#!s ' law+ (2. Briones v. 9imene+ (3. 6ena v. A:aricio AUTHORITY OF THE LA<YER 4(. Foods:%ere v. 'auricio 4,. )us:ension o! A y. Bagu4ayao CANON 13 - A lawyer shall &ser/e )a#! r% 'a$r#ess a#! l yal"y $# all h$s !eal$#*s a#! "ra#sa)"$ #s w$"h h$s )l$e#"s+ 4.. 52. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. ?ilado v. *avid 1a-:il v. >aldes ?ornilla v. )aluna 1or %wes ern 7niversi y v. Ar"uillo =uiam4ao v. Bam4a ?eirs o! Falame v. Baguio 6acana v. 6ascual8Lo:e+ (4. 'analang v. Angeles (5. #arcia v. CA (&. )an iago v. *e los )an os CANON ,9 - A lawyer shall )har*e #ly 'a$r a#! reas #a&le 'ees+ ((. (,. (.. ,2. ,1. ,2. )es4reno v. CA Bau is a v. #on+ales #amilla v. 'arino 6ineda v. *e 9esus RoCas v. *e Zu+uarregui Law Firm o! 3ungol and 3i4ayan v. CA ' h$s )l$e#"
CANON 10 - A lawyer shall rely up # "he (er$"s ' h$s )ause a#! re'ra$# 'r ( a#y $(pr pr$e"y wh$)h "e#!s " $#'lue#)e% r *$/es "he appeara#)e ' $#'lue#)$#* "he ) ur"+ CANON 12 - A lawyer shall # " re'use h$s ser/$)es " "he #ee!y+
CANON 14 - A lawyer shall h l! $# "rus" all ( #eys a#! pr per"$es ' h$s )l$e#" "ha" (ay ) (e $#" h$s p ssess$ #+ 5&. 5(. 5,. 5.. &2. &1. &2. &3. Licuanan v. 'elo 6osidio v. >i an Lemoine v. Balon Re: A y. 'a"uera Reddi v. )ers4io *e C%ave+8Blanco v. Lumasag Ailson C%arm v. 6a a8'oya 9erry 3. Aong v. A y. )alvador 1. 'oya 00 ' h$s )l$e#" a#! he shall &e
CANON ,1 - A lawyer shall preser/e "he ) #'$!e#)e a#! se)re"s e/e# a'"er "he a"" r#ey-)l$e#" rela"$ #sh$p $s "er($#a"e!+ ,3. ,4. ,5. ,&. ,(. ,,. Regala v. )andigan4ayan 6!leider v. 6alanca 'ercado v. >i riolo #ena o v. )ila:an ?ad@ula v. 'adianda Re4ecca 9. 6alm v. A y. Feli:e 0ledan; 9r.
Ca# # ,, - A lawyer (ay w$"h!raw h$s ser/$)es #ly ' r * # "$)e appr pr$a"e $# "he )$r)u(s"a#)es+ ,.. .2. .1. .2. .3. .4. .5. Aac- Aac- #old and Coun ry Clu4 v. CA >en ere+ v. Cosme )an ero v. >ance Francisco v. 6or ugal 'e ro4an- v. CA *oronila83ioseco v. CA )es4reno v. CA
! )ause a#! up #
CANON 15 - A lawyer wes '$!el$"y " "he )ause ($#!'ul ' "he "rus" a#! ) #'$!e#)e $# h$(+
CANON 16 - A lawyer shall ser/e h$s )l$e#" w$"h ) (pe"e#)e a#! !$l$*e#)e+ &4. &5. &&. &(. &,. ?ernande+ v. #o 6A1BLC5 v. 'on emayor ):s. Adecer v. A-u Belle+a v. 'acasa 5vergaard v. >alde+
SUSPENSION AND DISBAR=ENT
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12(.0n Re: 7nda ed Le er o! Louis Biraogo .&. #a c%alian 6romo ions v. 1aldo+a .(. )an os v. Llamas .,. Le er o! A y. Cecilio Arevalo ... >da. de Barrera v. La:u 122.Barrien os v. *aarol 121.Ber4ano v. Bel ran 122.3a4as v. 'alicden 123.)es4reno v. CA NE< CODE OF >UDICIAL CONDUCT CANON 1 - I#!epe#!e#)e 124.Li4arios v. *a4los 125.#o v. CA 12&.)a4i sana v. >illamor 12(.3an v. Rose e 12,.*ima ulac v. >illon CANON , - I#"e*r$"y 12..Fernande+ v. ?amoy 112.*awa v. *e Asa 111.0n re @udge 'arcos 112.Lac%ica v. Flordeli+a 113.)i4ayan89oa"uin v. 9avellana 114.5lga v. 9udge >irgilio #. Ca4allero CANON 0 - I(par"$al$"y 115.*imo Real y D *evelo:men v. *imaculangan 11&.6imen el v. )alanga 11(.'on emayor v. Berme@o; 9r. 11,.5- u4re v. >elasco 11..)andoval v. CA 122.3%e Law Firm o! C%ave+ v. 9us ice *icdican; e c. CANON 2 - Pr pr$e"y 121.9. $ing D )ons v. ?on anosas 122.Cen rum Agri Business Real y Cor: v. $a al4as8'oscardon 123.Ri+alina v. 9udge 6auli a B. Acos a8>illaran e 124.A y. Florencio Alay Binalay v. 9udge Blias Lelina; 9r. 125.Concerned lawyers o! Bulacan v. 6residing 9udge 6ornillos; R3C Br. 12 'alolos Ci y 12&.>enancio 0no; Anna 9ane *. Li%ayli%ay; e c. 9udge Ale@andro Canda CANON 3 - E?ual$"y CANON 4 - C (pe"e#)e a#! !$l$*e#)e 12,.Re:u4lic o! %e 6%ili::ines v. 9udge Ramon ). Caguioa; e c. 12..*ee C. C%uan D )ons; 0nc v. 9udge Ailliam )imon 6. 6eral a 132.6rosecu or 9orge *. Baculi v. 9udge 'edel Arnaldo B. Belen 131.*anilo *avid ). 'ariano v. 9udge 9ose 6. 1acional 132.A y. An onio #. Caneda v. 9udge Bric F. 'enc%ave+ 133.1ilda >erginesa8)uare+ v. 9udge Rena o 9. *ilag
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LEGAL ETHICS CASE DIGESTS CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

INTRODUCTION BANOGAN @+ AERNA Fac s: 3%e original decision in %is case was rendered 4y %e cadas ral cour way 4ac- on Fe4ruary .; 1.2&; sixty one years ago. A mo ion o amend %a decision was !iled on 'arc% &; 1.5(; thirty one years later. 3%is was !ollowed 4y an amended :e i ion !or review o! %e @udgmen on 'arc% 1,; 1.5(; and an o::osi ion %ere o on 'arc% 2&; 1.5(. 5n 5c o4er 11; 1.(1; or after fourteen years, a mo ion o dismiss %e :e i ion was !iled. 3%e :e i ion was dismissed on *ecem4er ,; 1.(1; and %e mo ion !or reconsidera ion was denied on Fe4ruary 14; 1.(2. 3%e :e i ioners %en came o us on cer iorari o "ues ion %e orders o! %e res:onden @udge. 3%e res:onden cour dismissed %e :e i ion !or review o! %e decision rendered in 1.2& on %e ground %a i %ad 4een !iled ou o! ime; indeed %ir y one years oo la e. Lac%es; i was %eld; %ad o:era ed agains %e :e i ioners. 3%e :e i ioners con end %a %e said @udgmen %ad no ye 4ecome !inal and eCecu ory 4ecause %e land in dis:u e %ad no ye 4een regis ered in !avor o! %e :riva e res:onden s. 3%e said @udgmen would 4ecome so only Ea! er one year !rom %e issuance o! %e decree o! regis ra ion.F 0! anyone was guil y o! lac%es; i was %e :riva e res:onden s w%o %ad !ailed o en!orce %e @udgmen 4y %aving %e land regis ered in %eir %e :ursuan %ere o. For %eir :ar ; %e :riva e res:onden s argue %a %e decision o! Fe4ruary .; 1.2&; 4ecame !inal and eCecu ory a! er 32 days; same no %aving 4een a::ealed 4y %e :e i ioners during %a :eriod. 3%ey sle: on %eir rig% s !or thirty one years 4e!ore i occurred o %em o "ues ion %e @udgmen o! %e cadas ral cour . 0 is s%own %a i is agains %eir con en ions and %a under %is doc rine %ey s%ould no %ave delayed in asser ing %eir claim o! !raud. 3%eir delay was no only !or %ir y one days 4u !or %ir y one years. Lac%es 4ars %eir :e i ion now. 3%eir :osi ion is clearly con rary o law and logic and o even ordinary common sense. 0ssue: AG1 :e i ioners are already 4arred 4y lac%es. ?eld: /B). 3%is Cour %as re:ea edly reminded li igan s and lawyers ali-e %a li iga ion mus end and ermina e some ime and somew%ere; and i is assen essen ial o an e!!ec ive and e!!icien adminis ra ion o! @us ice %a ; once a @udgmen %as 4ecome !inal; %e winning :ar y 4e no ; %roug% a mere su4 er!uge; de:rived o! %e !rui s o! %e verdic . Cour s mus %ere!ore guard agains any sc%eme calcula ed o 4ring a4ou %a resul . Cons i u ed as %ey are o :u an end o con roversies; cour s s%ould !rown u:on any a em: o :rolong %em. 3%ere s%ould 4e a grea er awareness on %e :ar o! li igan s %a %e ime o! %e @udiciary; muc% more so o! %is Cour ; is oo valua4le o 4e was ed or !ri ered away 4y e!!or s; !ar !rom commenda4le; o evade %e o:era ion o! a decision !inal and eCecu ory; es:ecially so; w%ere; as s%own in %is case; %e clear and mani!es a4sence o! any rig% calling !or vindica ion; is "ui e o4vious and indis:u a4le. 5ne reason w%y %ere is a degree o! :u4lic dis rus !or lawyers is %e way some o! %em misin er:re %e law o %e :oin o! dis or ion in a cunning e!!or o ac%ieve %eir :ur:oses. By doing so; %ey !rus ra e %e ends o! @us ice and a %e same ime lessen :o:ular !ai % in %e legal :ro!ession as %e sworn u:%olders o! %e law. A%ile %is is no o say %a every wrong in er:re a ion o! %e law is o 4e condemned; as indeed mos o! %em are only %ones errors; %is Cour mus eC:ress i s disa::roval o! %e adroi and in en ional misreading designed :recisely o circumven or viola e i . As o!!icers o! %e cour ; lawyers %ave a res:onsi4ili y o assis in %e :ro:er adminis ra ion o! @us ice. 3%ey do no disc%arge %is du y 4y !iling :oin less :e i ions %a only add o %e wor-load o! %e @udiciary; es:ecially %is Cour ; w%ic% is 4urdened enoug% as i is. A @udicious s udy o! %e !ac s and %e law s%ould advise %em w%en a case; suc% as %is; s%ould no 4e :ermi ed o 4e !iled o merely clu er %e already conges ed @udicial doc-e s. 3%ey do no advance %e cause o! law or %eir clien s 4y commencing li iga ions %a !or s%eer lac- o! meri do no deserve %e a en ion o! %e cour s. LEDES=A @+ CLI=ACO Fac s: A y. Ledesma was %e counsel de :ar e !or one o! %e cases :ending 4e!ore %e sala o! 9udge Climaco. ?e !iled a mo ion o wi %draw !rom %e case 4u %e @udge denied %e mo ion and ins ead a::oin ed %im counsel de o!icio !or wo more cases. A y. Ledesma !iled ano %er mo ion o wi %draw 4ecause %e was a::oin ed as elec ion regis rar; w%ic% was s ill denied. 0ssue: )%ould %is mo ion o wi %draw as counsel :ros:erH ?eld: 1o. 3%e res:onden @udge<s denial was :ro:er. 0 was o4served %a %ere is no real con!lic 4e ween %is du ies as elec ion regis rar and counsel de o!icio. 3%e a::oin men o! a lawyer as counsel de o!icio is a :rivilege w%ic% ve eran lawyers in !ac ; readily welcome as an o::or uni y o render %eir services !or !ree. 0n %e same way; all lawyers s%ould rea i %a way as an o::or uni y o :rove o %e communi y %a %e :ro:er :er!ormance o! %is :ro!ession is no con ingen u:on %e :aymen o! %is !ees. CUI @+ CUI Fac s: 3%e ?os:icio de )an 9ose de Barili; is a c%ari a4le ins i u ion es a4lis%ed 4y %e s:ouses *on 6edro Cui and *ona Benigna Cui !or %e care and su::or ; !ree o! c%arge; o! indigen invalids; and inca:aci a ed and %el:less :ersons.F 0 ac"uired cor:ora e eCis ence 4y legisla ion IAc 1o. 323.J. )ec. 2 o! %e Ac gave %e ini ial
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managemen o %e !ounders @oin ly and; in case o! %eir inca:aci y or dea %; o Esuc% :ersons as %ey may nomina e or designa e; in %e order :rescri4ed o %em. Iem4odied in )ec. 2 o! %e s:ouses deed o! dona ionJF 6lain i!! 9esus 'a. Cui and de!endan An onio 'a. Cui are 4ro %ers; 4eing %e sons o! 'ariano Cui; one o! %e ne:%ews o! %e s:ouses *on 6edro and *ona Benigna Cui. 0n 1.&2; %e %en incum4en adminis ra or o! %e ?os:icio; resigned in !avor o! An onio Cui :ursuan o a EconvenioF en ered in o 4e ween %em %a was em4odied on a no arial documen . 9esus Cui; %owever %ad no :rior no ice o! ei %er %e EconvenioF or o! %is 4ro %er<s assum: ion o! %e :osi ion. 7:on %e dea % o! *r. 3eodoro Cui; 9esus Cui wro e a le er o %is 4ro %er An onio; demanding %a %e o!!ice 4e urned over o %im. A%en %e demand was no com:lied; 9esus !iled %is case. Lower cour ruled in !avor o! 9esus. ISSUE A%o is 4es "uali!ied as adminis ra or !or %e ?os:icioH HELD An onio s%ould 4e %e ?os:icio<s adminis ra or. 9esus is %e older o! %e wo and under e"ual circums ances would 4e :re!erred :ursuan o sec.2 o! %e deed o! dona ion. ?owever; 4e!ore %e es o! age may 4e; a::lied %e deed gives :re!erence o %e one; among %e legi ima e descendan s o! %e ne:%ews named; w%o i! no a lawyer I i ulo de a4ogadoJ; s%ould 4e a doc or or a civil engineer or a :%armacis ; in %a orderK or i! !ailing all %eses; s%ould 4e %e one w%o :ays %e %ig%es aCes among %ose o %erwise "uali!ied. 9esus 'a. Cui %olds %e degree o! Bac%elor o! laws 4u is no a mem4er o! %e Bar; no %aving :assed %e eCamina ions. An onio 'a. Cui; on %e o %er %and; is a mem4er o! %e Bar and al %oug% dis4arred in 1.5(; was reins a ed 4y resolu ion; a4ou wo wee-s 4e!ore %e assumed %e :osi ion o! adminis ra or o! %e ?os:icio. 3%e erm E i ulo de a4ogadoF means no mere :ossession o! %e academic degree o! Bac%elor o! Laws 4u mem4ers%i: in %e Bar a! er due admission %ere o; "uali!ying one !or %e :rac ice o! law. A Bac%elor<s degree alone; con!erred 4y a law sc%ool u:on com:le ion o! cer ain academic re"uiremen s; does no en i le i s %older o eCercise %e legal :ro!ession. By i sel!; %e degree merely serves as evidence o! com:liance wi % %e re"uiremen s %a an a::lican o %e eCamina ions %as Esuccess!ully com:le ed all %e :rescri4ed courses; in a law sc%ool or universi y; o!!icially a::roved 4y %e )ecre ary o! Bduca ion. 3%e !ounders o! %e ?os:icio :rovided !or a lwayer; !irs o! all; 4ecause in all o! %e wor-s o! an adminis ra or; i is :resumed; a wor-ing -nowledge o! %e law and a license o :rac ice %e :ro!ession would 4e a dis inc asse . 7nder %is cri erion; %e :lain i!! 9esus is no en i led as agains de!endan ; o %e o!!ice o! adminis ra or. Re!erence is made o %e !ac %a %e de!endan An onio was dis4arred I!or immorali y and un:ro!essional conduc J. ?owever; i is also a !ac ; %a %e was reins a ed 4e!ore %e assumed %e o!!ice o! adminis ra or. ?is reins a emen is recogni ion o! %is moral re%a4ili a ion; u:on :roo! no less %an %a re"uired !or %is admission o %e Bar in %e !irs :lace. Also; w%en de!endan was res ored o %e roll o! lawyers %e res ric ions and disa4ili ies resul ing !rom %is :revious dis4armen were wi:ed ou . ALA<I @+ ALAUYA Fac s: )o:%ia Alawi was a sales re:resen a ive o! B.B. >illarosa D 6ar ners Co.; L d. o! *avao Ci y; a real es a e and %ousing com:any. As%ari '. Alauya is %e incum4en eCecu ive cler- o! cour o! %e 4 % 9udicial )%ariLa *is ric in 'arawi Ci y; 3%ey were classma es; and used o 4e !riends. 3%roug% AlawiLs agency; a con rac was eCecu ed !or %e :urc%ase on ins allmen s 4y Alauya o! one o! %e %ousing uni s o! >illarosa. 0n connec ion; a %ousing loan was also gran ed o Alauya 4y %e 1a ional ?ome 'or gage Finance Cor:ora ion I1?'FCJ. 1o long a! erwards; Alauya addressed a le er o %e 6residen o! >illarosa D Co. advising o! %e ermina ion o! %is con rac wi % %e com:any. ?e claimed %a %is consen was vi ia ed 4ecause Alawi %ad resor ed o gross misre:resen a ion; decei ; !raud; dis%ones y and a4use o! con!idence. ?e laso wro e similar le ers o %e >ice 6residen o! >illarosa and %e >ice 6residen o! 1?'FC. 5n learning o! AlauyaLs le ers; Alawi !iled an adminis ra ive com:lain agains %im. 5ne o! %er grounds was Alauya<s usur:a ion o! %e i le o! Ma orney;M w%ic% only regular mem4ers o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar may :ro:erly use. Alauya @us i!ied %is use o! %e i le; Ma orney;M 4y %e asser ion %a i is MleCically synonymousM wi % MCounsellors8a 8law.M a i le o w%ic% )%ariLa lawyers %ave a rig% !ul claim; adding %a %e :re!ers %e i le o! Ma orneyM 4ecause McounsellorM is o! en mis a-en !or Mcouncilor;M MkonsehalM or %e 'aranao erm Mconsial;M conno ing a local legisla or 4e%olden o %e mayor. Ai %al; %e does no consider %imsel! a lawyer. 0ssue: A%e %er or no Alauya; a mem4er o! %e )%ari<a 4ar; can use %e i le o! A orney ?eld: ?e can< . 3%e i le is only reserved o %ose w%o :ass %e regular 6%ili::ine 4ar. As regards AlauyaLs use o! %e i le o! MA orney;M %is Cour %as already %ad occasion o declare %a :ersons w%o :ass %e )%ariLa Bar are no !ull8!ledged mem4ers o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar; %ence may only :rac ice law 4e!ore )%ariLa cour s. A%ile one w%o %as 4een admi ed o %e )%ariLa Bar; and one w%o %as 4een admi ed o %e 6%ili::ine Bar; may 4o % 4e considered Mcounsellors;M in %e sense %a %ey give counsel or advice in a :ro!essional ca:aci y; only %e la er is an Ma orney.M 3%e i le o! Ma orneyM is reserved o %ose w%o; %aving o4 ained %e necessary degree in %e s udy o! law and success!ully a-en %e Bar BCamina ions; %ave 4een admi ed o %e 0n egra ed Bar o! %e 6%ili::ines and remain mem4ers %ereo! in good s andingK and i is %ey only w%o are au %ori+ed o :rac ice law in %is @urisdic ion. CANON 1 REB FINANCIAL AUDIT OF ATTY+ RACUEL G+ DHO
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FAC3): 3%e 5!!ice o! %e Cour Adminis ra or I5CAJ ins i u ed an adminis ra ive case agains A y $%o; a !ormer cler- o! cour o! an R3C; a! er an audi 4y %e !ormer !ound %a %e la er !ailed o remi 6&2$ Icon!isca ed cas% 4ondsJ and 65$I):ecial Allowance !or %e 9udiciary FundJ. A y $%o s a ed %a %ese amoun s were s ored in %e cour <s sa!e y vaul s; as %is usual :rac ice. 3%e audi eam advised %im %a %e s%ould de:osi suc% amoun s o %e 9udicial *evelo:men Fund accoun and A y $%o com:lied wi % %e direc ives. )u4se"uen ly; %e 0CA received a com:lain %a A y $%o; along wi % %is common8law wi!e; a s enogra:%er; was engaged wi % lending ou o cour em:loyees money in %is :ossession as cler- o! cour ; :ersonally deriving :ro!i !rom %e in eres earned. 3%e 5CA !ound A y $%o lia4le o! viola ing an 5CA Circular 4ecause %e -e: %e !unds in a sa!e y vaul !or more %an a year. 3%e 5CA %en recommended %a i s re:or 4e doc-e ed as an A.C. and $%o 4e im:osed a 612$ !ine. 0))7BG): AG1 A y. $%o is lia4le. ?BL*: /B). 5CA recommenda ions >AL0*. RA305: *is%ones y Conduc $%o !ailed o ma-e a imely urn8over o! cas% de:osi ed wi % %im. 3%e !ailure o remi %e !unds in due ime cons i u es gross dis%ones y and gross misconduc . 0 diminis%es %e !ai % o! %e :eo:le in %e 9udiciary. *is%ones y; 4eing in %e na ure o! a grave o!!ense; carries %e eC reme :enal y o! dismissal !rom %e service even i! commi ed !or %e !irs ime. ?is mal!easance prima facie con ravenes Canon 1; Rule 1.21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. And al %oug% $%o %ad res i u ed all %is cas% accoun a4ili ies; %e was never %eless lia4le !or !ailing o immedia ely de:osi %e collec ions !or %e @udiciary !unds. 7nlaw!ul conduc Lawyers s%ould always -ee: in mind %a ; al %oug% u:%olding %e Cons i u ion and o4eying %e law is an o4liga ion im:osed on every ci i+en; a lawyer<s res:onsi4ili ies under Canon 1 mean more %an @us s aying ou o! rou4le wi % %e law. 3%e leas a lawyer can do in com:liance wi % Canon 1 is o re!rain !rom engaging in unlaw!ul conduc . 3%e :resence o! evil in en on %e :ar o! %e lawyer is no essen ial in order o 4ring %is ac or omission wi %in %e erms o! Rule 1.21 w%ic% s:eci!ically :ro%i4i s lawyers !rom engaging in unlaw!ul conduc . CHUA @+ =ESINA Fac s: 'esina was; !or years; %e C%ua s:ouses< legal counsel and adviser u:on w%om %ey re:osed rus and con!idence. 3%ey were in !ac lessees o! a 4uilding IBurgos 6ro:er yJ owned 4y 'esina<s !amily; and ano %er :ro:er y I'elencio 6ro:er yJ; also owned 4y 'esina<s !amily w%ere %e C%ua s:ouses cons ruc ed %eir %ouse. 3%ese wo :ro:er ies were mor gaged 4y %e regis ered owner; 'esina<s mo %er; 'rs. 'esina; in !avor o! %e 6lan ers *evelo:men Ban- o secure a loan s%e o4 ained. As 'rs. 'esina !ailed o mee %er o4liga ion o %e 4an-; A y. 'esina convinced %e C%ua s:ouses o %el: 'rs. 'esina o se le %er o4liga ion in considera ion !or w%ic% %e 'elencio :ro:er y would 4e sold o %em a 6,52.22Gs". m. 3%e s:ouses C%ua and %eir 4usiness :ar ner; 'arcelina ?sia; se led 'rs. 'esina<s 4an- o4liga ion in %e amoun o! 6.,3;125.42. A *eed o! A4solu e )ale da ed 9anuary 1.; 1.,5 conveying %e 'elencio :ro:er y !or 6,5;422.22 was %erea! er eCecu ed 4y 'rs. 'esina; w%ose name a::ears %erein as EFelicisima '. 'elencio;F in !avor o! com:lainan s. As com:lainan s were la er a::rised o! %e amoun o! ca:i al gains aC %ey were o :ay; %ey consul ed res:onden a4ou i . Res:onden %us sugges ed o %em %a ano %er *eed o! A4solu e )ale s%ould 4e eCecu ed; an eda ed o 1.(. 4e!ore %e e!!ec ivi y o! %e law manda ing %e :aymen o! ca:i al gains aC. As sugges ed 4y res:onden ; ano %er *eed o! A4solu e )ale an eda ed Fe4ruary .; 1.(. was eCecu ed 4y 'rs. 'esina; w%ose name again a::ears %erein as EFelicisima '. 'elencio;F in !avor o! com:lainan s w%erein %e :urc%ase :rice was also indica ed o 4e 6,5;422.22. A! er li"uida ing %e advances made 4y %e C%ua s:ouses Ein %e redem: ion o! %e 'B)01A :ro:er ies;F 'rs. 'esina was !ound o %ave Ean eCis ing 4alanceF due %e s:ouses in %e amoun o! 6422;222.22; on accoun o! w%ic% %ey advised res:onden a4ou i . Res:onden ; 4y A!!idavi Eac-nowledged suc% o4liga ionF o 4e %is and under oo- o se le i wi %in wo years. Com:lainan s were su4se"uen ly issued on a i le over %e 'elencio :ro:er y. 1o long a! er %e eCecu ion o! %e *eed o! A4solu e )ale or in Fe4ruary 1.,&; one 3ecson !iled an A!!idavi da ed c%arging 'rs. 'esina; %e s:ouses C%ua; 'arcelina ?sia and %e wo wi nesses o %e said *eed o! A4solu e )ale; !or Falsi!ica ion o! 6u4lic *ocumen and viola ion o! %e 0n ernal Revenue Code. 0n %is com:lain a!!idavi ; 3ecson alleged %a %e was also a lessee o! %e 'elencio :ro:er y and was; along wi % %e C%ua s:ouses; su::osed o :urc%ase i 4u %a con rary o %eir agreemen ; %e :ro:er y was sold only o com:lainan and %er co8com:lainan ; o %is eCclusion. 3ecson wen on o rela e %a %e *eed o! A4solu e )ale did no re!lec %e rue value o! %e 'elencio :ro:er y and was an eda ed E o evade :aymen o! ca:i al gains aC.F 3ecson su4mi ed documen s s%owing %a indeed %e 9uly .; 1.(. *eed o! A4solu e )ale was an eda ed. Res:onden %ereu:on %a c%ed a :lan o dodge %e !alsi!ica ion c%arge agains 'rs. 'esina e al. ?e :ro:osed o com:lainan s %a %ey would simula e a deed o! sale o! %e 'elencio :ro:er y w%erein com:lainan s would resell i o 'rs. 'esina. ?eeding %e :ro:osal o! res:onden ; com:lainan s eCecu ed a *eed o! A4solu e )ale da ed A:ril 1; 1.,& conveying o EFelicisima '. 'elencioF %e 'elencio :ro:er y !or 6,5;422.22.A new i le was accordingly issued in %e name o! EFelicisima
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'. 'elencio;F %e owner<s co:y o! w%ic% was en rus ed o com:lainan s. 3ecson su4se"uen ly !iled an A!!idavi o! *esis ance da ed )e: em4er 5; 1.,& alleging %a %is !iling o! %e criminal com:lain Earose ou o! mere misunders anding and di!!erenceF wi % %erein com:lainan s and %eir co8res:onden s and %e %ad no su!!icien evidence agains %em. )ome years la er; 'esina a::roac%ed %e C%ua s:ouses and old %em %a %e would 4orrow %e owner<s co:y o! 'rs. 'esina<s i le wi % %e under a-ing %a %e would; in !our mon %s; le 'rs. 'esina eCecu e a deed o! sale over %e 'elencio :ro:er y in com:lainan s< !avor. 0n !ac ; res:onden gave com:lainan s a wri en under a-ing da ed 'ay 2; 1..2. 0n %e mean ime; 'rs. 'esina died Ein %e early :ar o! 1..1.F *es:i e res:onden <s re:ea ed :romises E o e!!ec F %e rans!er o! i le in com:lainan s< name; %e !ailed o do so. Com:lainan s were la er in!ormed %a %e 'elencio :ro:er y was 4eing o!!ered !or sale o %e :u4lic. 3%e s:ouses C%ua and com:lainan 'arcelina ?sia %us !iled a com:lain agains 'esina !or *eclara ion o! 1ulli y o! )ale and Reconveyance o! Real 6ro:er y. ISSUE A%e %er or no 'esina is guil y o! #ross 'isconduc H HELD 3%is Cour !inds %a indeed; res:onden is guil y o! gross misconduc . Firs ; 4y advising com:lainan s o eCecu e ano %er *eed o! A4solu e )ale an eda ed o 1.(. o evade :aymen o! ca:i al gains aCes; %e viola ed %is du y o :romo e res:ec !or law and legal :rocesses; and no o a4e ac ivi ies aimed a de!iance o! %e lawK 3%a res:onden in ended o; as %e did de!raud no a :riva e :ar y 4u %e governmen is aggrava ing. )econd; w%en res:onden convinced com:lainan s o eCecu e ano %er documen ; a simula ed *eed o! A4solu e )ale w%erein %ey made i a::ear %a com:lainan s reconveyed %e 'elencio :ro:er y o %is mo %er; %e commi ed dis%ones y. 3%ird; w%en on 'ay 2; 1..2 res:onden inveigled %is own clien s; %e C%ua s:ouses; in o urning over o %im %e owner<s co:y o! %is mo %er<s i le u:on %e misre:resen a ion %a %e would; in !our mon %s; %ave a deed o! sale eCecu ed 4y %is mo %er in !avor o! com:lainan s; %e li-ewise commi ed dis%ones y. As a rule; a lawyer is no 4arred !rom dealing wi % %is clien 4u %e 4usiness ransac ion mus 4e c%arac eri+ed wi % u mos %ones y and good !ai %. 3%e measure o! good !ai % w%ic% an a orney is re"uired o eCercise in %is dealings wi % %is clien is a muc% %ig%er s andard %a is re"uired in 4usiness dealings w%ere %e :ar ies rade a Earms leng %.F 0n !ine; res:onden viola ed %is oa % o! o!!ice and; more s:eci!ically; Canon 1; Rules. 1.21 and Rules 1.22. SORIANO @+ DIAON Fac s: ?eld: I1J /es. 'oral 3ur:i ude is Eevery %ing w%ic% is done con rary o @us ice; modes y; or good moralsOF *i+on was o4viously %e aggressor !or %aving :ursued and s%o )oriano; no only 4ecause o! %is reac%ery; 4u also %is in en o esca:e; 4e rayed 4y %is a em: o wi:e o!! %is :rin s !rom %e gun. ?is inordina e reac ion o a sim:le ra!!ic inciden clearly indica es %is non8!i ness o 4e a lawyer. I2J /es. ?is illegal :ossession o! !ire8arms; and %is un@us re!usal o sa is!y %is civil lia4ili ies all @us i!y dis4armen . 3%e cour reminds %im %a in oa % and in %e C6R; %e is 4ound o Eo4ey %e laws o! %e land.F 3%e lia4ili ies in "ues ion %ave 4een si ing !or 4 years; unsa is!ied; des:i e i 4eing %e condi ion !or %is :ro4a ion Iyou ungra e!ul :ersonNJ *i+on dis:layed an u er lac- o! good moral c%arac er; w%ic% is an essen ial "uali!ica ion !or %e :rivilege o en er in o %e :rac ice o! law. #ood moral c%arac er includes a leas common %ones y. 'anuel *i+on; %ere4y dis4arred. STE==ERID @+ =AS FAC3): ) emmeri-; a *anis% ci i+en; wan ed o 4uy 6%ili::ine :ro:er y due o i s 4eau y. ?e consul ed A y 'as a4ou %is in en ion; o w%ic% %e la er advised %im %a %e could legally 4uy suc% :ro:er ies. A y 'as even sugges ed a 4ig :iece o! :ro:er y %a %e can 4uy; assuring %a i is aliena4le. Because o! %is; ) emmeri- en rus ed all o! %e necessary re"uiremen s and made A y 'as %is a orney in !ac as %e wen A aCi driver I)orianoJ !iled an ac ion !or %e dis4armen o! A y. *i+on; on %e grounds %a *i+on was convic ed o! a crime involving moral ur:i ude; and viola ed Canon 1 o! Rule 1.21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. )oriano allegedly !ell vic im o *i+on; w%o was !ound o %ave: a. *riven %is car under %e in!luence o! li"uorK 4. Reac ed violen ly and a em: ed assaul !or over a sim:le ra!!ic inciden K c. )%o a )oriano; w%o was unarmed and no in %e :osi ion o de!end %imsel! I reac%eryJK d. *enied %is ac s des:i e :osi ive evidence agains %im Idis%ones yJK e. #uil y o! dis%ones y; claiming o 4e mauled 4y %e vic im I$awawang driver; 4inaril na nga; may la-as :a daw mag maul ng a orney na may 4aril. ?indi din anga mag rason si *i+on di4aHJK !. *es:i e neing gran ed :ro4a ion; %e did no sa is!y %is civil lia4ili ies o %e vic im IAno 4a :ro4lema ni oHNJ 0ssues: I1J 0s *i+on<s crime o! Frus ra ed ?omicide considered a crime involving moral ur:i ude I2J *oes %is guil o suc% crime warran dis4armen H
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4ac- o *enmar-. A! er some ime; A y 'as in!ormed ) emmeri- %a %e !ound %e owner o! %e 4ig :iece o! :ro:er y and s a ed %e :rice o! %e :ro:er y is 63.,'. ) emmeri- agreed; giving A y 'as %e money; and %e la er su::osedly drawing u: %e necessary :a:erwor-. A%en ) emmeri- as-ed w%en %e could %ave %e :ro:er y regis ered in %is name; A y 'as can< 4e !ound. ?e re urned o %e 6%ili::ines; em:loyed ano %er lawyer; and o %is %orror; was in!ormed %a aliens couldn< own 6%ili::ine Lands and %a %e :ro:er y was also inaliena4le. ) emmeri- %e !iled a *0)BAR'B13 case agains A y 'A) in %e Commission on Bar *isci:line ICB*J o! %e 0B6. 3%e CB* ruled %a A y 'as a4used %e rus and con!idence o! ) emmeri- and recommended %a %e 4e dis4arred. 3%e 0B6 Board o! #overnors ado: ed suc% recommenda ions. 0))7BG): AG1 A y 'as can 4e dis4arred. ?BL*: /B)N *is4arred. RA305: *iso4eyed %e Laws and %e Cons i u ional 6ro%i4i ion )ec ion (; Ar icle P00 o! %e Cons i u ion :ro%i4i s !oreigners !rom 4uying 6%ili::ine Lands. Res:onden ; in giving advice %a direc ly con radic ed a !undamen al cons i u ional :olicy; s%owed disres:ec !or %e Cons i u ion and gross ignorance o! 4asic law. Aorse; %e :re:ared s:urious documen s %a %e -new were void and illegal. *ecei !ul Conduc By advising com:lainan %a a !oreigner could legally and validly ac"uire real es a e in %e 6%ili::ines and 4y assuring com:lainan %a %e :ro:er y was aliena4le; res:onden deli4era ely deceived %is clien . ?e did no give due regard o %e rus and con!idence re:osed in %im 4y com:lainan . 0llegal Conduc By :oc-e ing and misa::ro:ria ing %e 63., million given 4y com:lainan !or %e :urc%ase o! %e :ro:er y; res:onden commi ed a !raudulen ac %a was criminal in na ure. DE YSASI III @+ NLRC Fac s: 6e i ioner was em:loyed 4y %is !a %er; %erein :riva e res:onden ; as !arm adminis ra or o! ?acienda 'anucao in ?inigaran; 1egros 5cciden al some ime in A:ril; 1.,2. As !arm adminis ra or; :e i ioner was res:onsi4le !or %e su:ervision o! daily ac ivi ies and o:era ions o! %e sugarcane !arm and a ending o suc% o %er as-s as may 4e assigned o %im 4y :riva e res:onden . For %is :ur:ose; %e lived on %e !arm; occu:ying %e u::er !loor o! %e %ouse %ere. Following %is marriage on 9une &; 1.,2; :e i ioner moved o Bacolod Ci y wi % %is wi!e and commu ed o wor- daily. ?e su!!ered various ailmen s and was %os:i ali+ed on wo se:ara e occasions in 9une and Augus ; 1.,2. 0n 1ovem4er; 1.,2; %e underwen !is ulec omy; or %e surgical removal o! %e !is ula; a dee: sinuous ulcer. ?is recu:era ion las ed over !our mon %s. 0n 9une; 1.,3; %e was con!ined !or acu e gas roen eri is and; %erea! er; !or in!ec ious %e:a i is !rom *ecem4er; 1.,3 o 9anuary; 1.,4. *uring %e en ire :eriods o! :e i ionerLs illnesses; :riva e res:onden oocare o! %is medical eC:enses and :e i ioner con inued o receive com:ensa ion. ?owever; in A:ril; 1.,4; wi %ou due no ice; :riva e res:onden ceased o :ay %e la erLs salary. 6e i ioner made oral and wri en demands !or an eC:lana ion !or %e sudden wi %%olding o! %is salary. Bo % demands; %owever; were no ac ed u:on. 0ssues: I1J w%e %er or no %e :e i ioner was illegally dismissedK I2J w%e %er or no %e is en i led o reins a emen ; :aymen o! 4ac- wages; %ir een % mon % :ay and o %er 4ene!i sK and I3J w%e %er or no %e is en i led o :aymen o! moral and eCem:lary damages and a orneyLs !ees 4ecause o! illegal dismissal. ?eld: 3%e decision o! 1LRC is se aside. 6riva e res:onden is 5R*BRB* o :ay :e i ioner 4ac- wages !or a :eriod no eCceeding %ree I3J years; wi %ou "uali!ica ion or deduc ion; and; in lieu o! reins a emen ; se:ara ion :ay e"uivalen o one I1J mon % !or every year o! service; a !rac ion o! siC I&J mon %s 4eing considered as one I1J w%ole year. Rule 1.24 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y eC:lici ly :rovides %a MIaJ lawyer s%all encourage %is clien o avoid; end or se le %e con roversy i! i will admi o! a !air se lemen .M Counsels mus 4e reminded %a %eir e %ical du y as lawyers o re:resen %eir clien s wi % +eal goes 4eyond merely :resen ing %eir clien sL res:ec ive causes in cour . 0 is @us as muc% %eir res:onsi4ili y; i! no more im:or an ly; o eCer all reasona4le e!!or s o smoo % over legal con!lic s; :re!era4ly ou o! cour and es:ecially in considera ion o! %e direc and immedia e consanguineous ies 4e ween %eir clien s. 3%e use!ul !unc ion o! a lawyer is no only o conduc li iga ion 4u o avoid i w%enever :ossi4le 4y advising se lemen or wi %%olding sui . ?e s%ould 4e a media or !or concord and a concilia or !or com:romise; ra %er %an a vir uoso o! ec%nicali y in %e conduc o! li iga ion. Bo % counsels %erein !ell s%or o! w%a was eC:ec ed o! %em; des:i e %eir avowed du ies as o!!icers o! %e cour . 3%e records do no s%ow %a %ey oo- :ains o ini ia e s e:s geared oward e!!ec ing a ra::roc%emen 4e ween %eir clien s. 5n %e con rary; %eir acer4ic and :ro rac ed eCc%anges could no 4u %ave eCacer4a ed %e si ua ion even as %ey may %ave !ound !avor in %e e"ually %os ile eyes o! %eir res:ec ive clien s. 0n %e same manner; we !ind %a %e la4or ar4i er w%o %andled %is regre a4le case %as 4een less %an !ai %!ul o %e le er and s:iri o! %e La4or Code manda ing %a a la4or ar4i er Ms%all eCer all e!!or s owards %e amica4le se lemen
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o! a la4or dis:u e wi %in %is @urisdic ion.M 0! %e ever did so; or a leas en er ained %e %oug% ; %e co:ious records o! %e :roceedings in %is con roversy are 4arren o! any re!lec ion o! %e same. CORDON @+ BALICANTA FAC3): Cordon; along wi % %er daug% er; in%eri ed some :ro:er ies !rom %er %us4and wi % %e %el: o! A y Balican a. )u4se"uen ly; A y Balican a en iced %em o !orm a cor:ora ion o develo: %e real :ro:er ies in%eri ed. )uc% cor:. was !ormed; and %e :ro:er ies were regis ered in %e cor:.<s name. A y Balican a was %e one w%o single8%andedly ran %e cor:.<s a!!airs; 4y 4eing i <s C%airman; 6residen ; #eneral 'anager; and reasurer. By 4eing suc% o!!icers; %e made a num4er o! ac s: 1J made Cordon sign a vo ing rus agreemen K 2J made Cordon sign a )6A o sellGmor gage :ro:er iesK 3J rans!erred i le o! some o! %e :ro:er ies o o %er :eo:le. And 4y using s:urious Board resolu ions; A y Balican a also made %e !ollowing ac s: 1J o4 ained a loan !rom Land Ban- using %e :ro:er ies as colla eralK 2J )old %e Cor:<s rig% o redeem %e :ro:er ies o ano %er :ersonK 3J demolis%ed %e ances ral %ome o! %e Cordon<s and sold %e lo o ano %er :erson. 0n all o! %ese; A y Balican a did no accoun !or %e :roceeds coming %e sales and dis:osi ions. 3%e Cordons made several demands !or A y Balican a o give 4ac- %e :ro:er ies and o accoun %e :roceeds o! %e loan. A%en suc% demands were un%eeded; 3%e Cordons ermina ed Balican a<s services and !iled a com:lain !or dis4armen agains %e la er in %e 0B6. 3%e Commissioner; in i s re:or ; recommended !or Balican a<s dis4armen as well. 3%e 0B6 Board o! #overnors resolved %a Balican a 4e sus:ended !or 5 years !or suc% conduc . 0))7BG): AG1 Balican a 4e dis4arred1. ?BL*: /B)N *is4arred. RA305: *ecei !ul Conduc 3%e !raudulen ac s %e carried ou agains %is clien !ollowed a well %oug% o! :lan o misa::ro:ria e %e cor:ora e :ro:er ies and !unds en rus ed o %im. ?e s ar ed %is devious sc%eme 4y ma-ing %imsel! %e 6residen ; C%airman o! %e Board; *irec or and 3reasurer o! %e cor:ora ion; al %oug% %e -new %e was :ro%i4i ed !rom assuming %e :osi ion o! 6residen and 3reasurer a %e same ime. ?e also en ered in o dis%ones ransac ions under %e cloa- o! s%am resolu ions. ?is misdemeanors reveal a decei !ul sc%eme o use %e cor:ora ion as a means o conver !or %is own :ersonal 4ene!i :ro:er ies le! o %im in rus 4y com:lainan and %er daug% er. Side Doctrine:
1
#ood moral c%arac er is more %an @us %e a4sence o! 4ad c%arac er. )uc% c%arac er eC:resses i sel! in %e will o do %e un:leasan %ing i! i is rig% and %e resolve no o do %e :leasan %ing i! i is wrong. 3%is mus 4e so 4ecause Evas in eres s are commi ed o %is careK %e is %e reci:ien o! un4ounded rus and con!idenceK %e deals wi % %is clien <s :ro:er y; re:u a ion; %is li!e; %is all.F CANONS , E 0 IN REB TAGORDA Fac s: Luis 3agorda was a mem4er o! %e :rovincial 4oard o! 0sa4ela. 6revious o %e las elec ion; %e admi s %a %e made use o! a card wri en in ):anis% con aining %e !ac %a %e was a candida e !or %ird mem4er o! %e 6rovince o! 0sa4ela D o!!ering services as no ary :u4lic Isuc% as !ree consul a ion; eCecu ion o! deed o! sale; e c.J. ?e also admi s %a %e wro e a le er addressed o a lieu enan o! a 4arrio i! %is %ome munici:ali y saying %a %e will con inue %is :rac ice o! law and !or %e lieu enan o ma-e -nown o %e :eo:le o! %is desire o serve as lawyer D no ary :u4lic Iincluding %is services o %andle land regis ra ion cases !or 63Gevery regis ra ionJ. 0ssue: AG1 ac s o! 3agorda cons i u ed adver ising ?eld: /es; 3agorda is in a way adver ising %is services and is con rary o %e Canons o! 6ro!essional B %ics. )olici a ion o! 4usiness 4y circulars or adver isemen s; or 4y :ersonal communica ions or in erviews no warran ed 4y :ersonal rela ions is un:ro!essional. ?is ac s warran dis4armen ; 4u 4ecause o! %e mi iga ing circums ance o! %is you % and ineC:erience; %e is %ere!ore sus:ended. 3%e law is a :ro!ession and no a 4usiness. 3%e lawyer may no see- or o4 ain em:loymen 4y %imsel! or %roug% o %ers !or o do so would 4e un:ro!essional. 0 is also un:ro!essional !or a lawyer o volun eer advice o 4ring lawsui . Las ly; solici a ion o! cases resul in %e lowering o! %e con!idence o! %e communi y and in egri y o! %e mem4ers o! %e 4ar Ias i resul s in needless li iga ions and in incen ing o s ri!e o %erwise :eace!ul ci i+ensJ. ATTY+ IS=AEL DHAN @+ ATTY RIAALINO SI=BILLO FACTS A :aid adver isemen in %e 6%ili::ine *aily 0n"uirer was :u4lis%ed w%ic% reads: EAnnulmen o! 'arriage ):ecialis Qcon ac num4erRF. Bs:ele a; a s a!! o! %e )u:reme Cour ; called u: %e num4er 4u i was 'rs. )im4illo w%o answered. )%e claims %a %er %us4and; A y. )im4illo was an eC:er in %andling annulmen cases and can guaran ee a cour decree wi %in 48&mos :rovided %e case will no involve se:ara ion o! :ro:er y and cus ody o! c%ildren. 0 a::ears %a similar adver isemen s were also :u4lis%ed.
By virtue of Section 12(b), Rule 139-B of the Rules of Court, this resolution is automatically elevated to the SC for final action
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An adminis ra ive com:lain was !iled w%ic% was re!erred o %e 0B6 !or inves iga ion and recommenda ion. 3%e 0B6 resolved o sus:end A y. )im4illo !or 1year. 1o e %a al %oug% %e name o! A y. )im4illo did no a::ear in %e adver isemen ; %e admi ed %e ac s im:u ed agains %im 4u argued %a %e s%ould no 4e c%arged. ?e said %a i was ime o li! %e a4solu e :ro%i4i ion agains adver isemen 4ecause %e in eres o! %e :u4lic isn< served in any way 4y %e :ro%i4i ion. ISSUE A%e %er or no )im4illo viola ed Rule2.23 D Rule3.21. HELD /esN 3%e :rac ice o! law is no a 4usiness 888 i is a :ro!ession in w%ic% %e :rimary du y is :u4lic service and money. #aining liveli%ood is a secondary considera ion w%ile du y o :u4lic service and adminis ra ion o! @us ice s%ould 4e :rimary. Lawyers s%ould su4ordina e %eir :rimary in eres . Aorse; adver ising %imsel! as an Eannulmen o! marriage s:ecialis F %e erodes and undermines %e sanc i y o! an ins i u ion s ill considered as sacrosanc 888 %e in !ac encourages :eo:le o %erwise disinclined o dissolve %eir marriage 4ond. )olici a ion o! 4usiness is no al oge %er :roscri4ed 4u !or i o 4e :ro:er i mus 4e com:a i4le wi % %e digni y o! %e legal :ro!ession. 1o e %a %e law lis w%ere %e lawyer<s name a::ears mus 4e a re:u a4le law lis only !or %a :ur:ose 888 a lawyer may no :ro:erly :u4lis% in a daily :a:er; maga+ineOe c.; nor may a lawyer :ermi %is name o 4e :u4lis%ed %e con en s o! w%ic% are li-ely o deceive or in@ure %e :u4lic or %e 4ar. CANOY @+ ORTIA Fac s: A com:lain was !iled on A:ril 2221 4y Canoy agains A y. 5r i+; accusing %im !or misconduc and mal:rac ice. 0 is alleged %a Canoy !iled a com:lain !or illegal dismissal agains Coca Cola 6%ili::ines. A y. 5r i+ a::eared as counsel !or Canoy in %is :roceeding. Canoy su4mi ed all %e documen s and records o A y. 5r i+ !or %e :re:ara ion o! %e :osi ion :a:er. 3%erea! er; %e made several un!rui !ul visi s o %e o!!ice o! A y. 5r i+ o !ollow8u: %e :rocess o! %e case. 5n A:ril 2222; Canoy was s%oc-ed o learn %a %is com:lain was ac ually dismissed way 4ac- in 1.., !or !ailure o :rosecu e; %e :ar ies no %aving su4mi ed %eir :osi ion :a:ers. Canoy alleged %a 5r i+ %ad never communica ed o %im a4ou %e s a us o! %e case. A y. 5r i+ in!orms %e Cour %a %e %as mos ly ca ered o indigen and low8 income clien s; a considera4le !inancial sacri!ice o %imsel!. A y. 5r i+ admi s %a %e :eriod wi %in w%ic% o !ile %e :osi ion :a:er %ad already la:sed. ?e a ri4u es %is !ailure o imely !ile %e :osi ion :a:er o %e !ac %a a! er %is elec ion as Councilor o! Bacolod Ci y; E%e was !ran-ly :reoccu:ied wi % 4o % %is !unc ions as a local governmen o!!icial and as a :rac icing lawyer.F 0ssue: AG1 A y. 5r i+ s%ould 4e sanc ionedH ?eld: /es. A y. 5r i+ is o 4e sanc ioned; sus:ension !or 1 mon %. A y. 5r i+ viola ed Canons 1, and 22. 7nder Canon 1,.23; a lawyer owes !ideli y o %is clien <s cause and mus always 4e mind!ul o! %e rus and con!idence re:osed o %im. ?e owes %is en ire devo ion o %e in eres o! %e clien . ?is negligence in connec ion %erewi % s%all render %im lia4le. 7nder Canon 1,.24; %e rela ions%i: o! a lawyer8clien 4eing one o! con!idence; %ere is an ever :resen need !or %e clien o 4e ade"ua ely and !ully in!ormed o! %e develo:men s o! %e case and s%ould no 4e le! in %e dar-. A lawyer canno s%i! %e 4lame o com:lainan !or !ailing o in"uire %e s a us a4ou %e case as %is is one o! %e lawyer<s du ies. 3%e ado: ion o! addi ional du ies due o %e elec ion o! A y. 5r i+ as councilor does no eConera e %im o! %is negligen 4e%avior. 3%e C6R allows a lawyer o wi %draw %is legal service i! %e lawyer is elec ed or a::oin ed o a :u4lic o!!ice since councilors are no eC:ressly :ro%i4i ed o eCercise %eir legal :ro!ession. LINSANGAN @+ TOLENTINO Fac s: A com:lain o! dis4armen was !iled 4y 6edro Linsangan o! %e Linsangan; Linsangan D Linsangan Law 5!!ice agains A y. 1icomedes 3olen ino !or solici a ion o! clien s D encroac%men o! :ro!essional services. Linsangan alleges %a 3olen ino wi % %e %el: o! :aralegal La4iano convinced %is clien s o rans!er legal re:resen a ion 4y :romising !inancial assis ance and eC:edi ious collec ion o! %eir claims. 3o induce %em; 3olen ino allegedly eC ed and called %em :ersis en ly. 3o su::or %is allega ion; Linsangan :resen ed %e sworn a!!idavi o! 9ames #regorio a es ing %a La4iano ried o :revail over %im o sever %is clien 8a y rela ions%i: wi % Linsangan. Also; %e a ac%ed Eres:onden <s calling cardF: Front 10C5'B*B) 35LB13015 LAA 5FFF0CB C51)7L3A1C/ D 'AR030'B )BR>0CB) AG F01A1C0AL A))0)3A1CB Fe 'arie L. La4iano 6aralegal 1s '090 'ansion; 2nd Flr. Rm. '821 3el: 3&28(,22 & % Ave.; cor '.?. *el 6ilar FaC: I&32J 3&28(,21 #race 6ar-; Caloocan Ci y Cel.: I2.2&J 2(21(1.
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SUAREA @+ PLATON Back Fac s: )BR>0CB) 5FFBRB*: C51)7L3A3051 A1* A))0)3A1CB 35 5>BR)BA) )BA'B1 RB6A3R0A3B* *7B 35 ACC0*B13; 0197R/; 0LL1B)); )0C$1B)); *BA3? A1* 01)7RA1CB BB1BF03 CLA0') ABR5A*. 0n %is de!ense; 3olen ino denies -nowing La4iano and au %ori+ing %e :rin ing and circula ing o! said calling card. 0ssue: AG1 A y. 3olen ino is guil y o! adver ising %is services ?eld: /es. A y. 3olen ino sus:ended !or viola ing Rules 1.23; 2.23; ,.22 and 1&.24 and Canon 3 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. Ai % regard o Canon 3; %e :rac ice o! law is a :ro!ession and no a 4usiness. 3%us; lawyers s%ould no adver ise %eir alen s as merc%an s adver ise %eir wares. 3o allow lawyers o adver ise %eir alen sGs-ill is a commerciali+a ion o! %e :rac ice o! law Idegrading %e :ro!ession in %e :u4lic<s es ima ionJ. Ai % regard o Rule 2.23; lawyers are :ro%i4i ed !rom solici ing cases !or :ur:ose o! gain; ei %er :ersonally or %roug% an agen . 0n rela ion o Rule 1.23; w%ic% :roscri4es Eam4ulance c%asingF Iinvolving solici a ion :ersonally or %roug% an agen G4ro-erJ as a measure o :ro ec communi y !rom 4arra ry and c%am:er ry. As a !inal no e regarding %e calling card :resen ed as evidence 4y Linsangan; a lawyer<s 4es adver isemen is a well8meri ed. re:u a ion !or :ro!essional ca:aci y and !ideli y o rus 4ased on %is c%arac er and conduc . For %is reason; lawyers are only allowed o announce %eir services 4y :u4lica ion in re:u a4le law lis s or use o! sim:le :ro!essional cards. 6ro!essional calling cards may only con ain %e !ollowing de ails: IaJ lawyer<s nameK I4J name o! %e law !irm wi % w%ic% %e is connec edK IcJ addressK IdJ ele:%one num4er and IeJ s:ecial 4ranc% o! law :rac iced. La4iano<s calling card con ained %e :%rase Ewi % !inancial assis ance.F 3%e :%rase was clearly used o en ice clien s Iw%o already %ad re:resen a ionJ o c%ange counsels wi % a :romise o! loans o !inance %eir legal ac ions. 'oney was dangled o lure clien s away !rom %eir original lawyers; %ere4y a-ing advan age o! %eir !inancial dis ress and emo ional vulnera4ili y. 3%is crass commercialism degraded %e in egri y o! %e 4ar and deserves no :lace in %e legal :ro!ession. CANONS 2% 3 E 4 )uare+ was c%arged wi % sedi ion w%ic% was su4se"uen ly dismissed. ?e in urn !iled a case !or ar4i rary de en ion agains Lieu enan 5rais. A! er %e case was %anded o 9udge 6la on !ollowing several c%anges in rial @udge and several re!usals 4y !iscals o :rosecu e %e case. 0ssue: )%ould mandamus issue o com:el %e !iscal o reins a e %e caseH ?eld: /es. 0 is un"ues iona4le %a in %e :ro:er cases; %e :rosecu ors mus reinves iga e in order o :ro:erly dis:ense @us ice. A %e same ime; i mus 4e -e: in mind %a a :rosecu or is %e re:resen a ive o! a sovereign yK %e is in eres ed only in %e !ac %a @us ice is served; and %is also includes %is re!using o :rosecu e i! %e innocence o! %e accused is "ui e clear. ?e is a servan o! %e law; and %is wo8!old aim is no o le %e guil y esca:e nor le %e innocen su!!er. ?e is no a li4er y o s ri-e !oul 4lows 4ecause i is %is du y o re!rain !rom doing so as muc% as i is o use legi ima e me %ods o! :rosecu ion. RA=OS @+ I=BANG FACTS 0n 1..2; %e com:lainan *iana Ramos soug% %e assis ance o! res:onden A y. 9ose R. 0m4ang in !iling civil and criminal ac ions agains %e s:ouses Ro"ue and Bleni a 9ovellanos. )%e gave res:onden 6,;522 as a orneyLs !ees 4u %e la er issued a recei: !or 65;222 only. 3%e com:lainan ried o a end %e sc%eduled %earings o! %er cases agains %e 9ovellanoses. 5ddly; res:onden never allowed %er o en er %e cour room and always old %er o wai ou side. ?e would %en come ou a! er several %ours o in!orm %er %a %e %earing %ad 4een cancelled and resc%eduled. 3%is %a::ened siC imes and !or eac% Ea::earanceF in cour ; res:onden c%arged %er 6352. A! er siC consecu ive :os :onemen s; %e com:lainan 4ecame sus:icious. )%e :ersonally in"uired a4ou %e s a us o! %er cases in %e rial cour s o! BiSan and )an 6edro; Laguna. )%e was s%oc-ed o learn %a res:onden never !iled any case agains %e 9ovellanoses and %a %e was in !ac em:loyed in %e 6u4lic A orneyLs 5!!ice I6A5J. HELD A orney 0m4ang is dis4arred and %is name s ric-en !rom %e roll o! a orneys. Lawyers are eC:ec ed o conduc %emselves wi % %ones y and in egri y. 'ore s:eci!ically; lawyers in governmen service are eC:ec ed o 4e more conscien ious o! %eir ac ua ions as %ey are su4@ec o :u4lic scru iny. 3%ey are no only mem4ers o! %e 4ar 4u also :u4lic servan s w%o owe u mos !ideli y o :u4lic service.
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#overnmen em:loyees are eC:ec ed o devo e %emselves com:le ely o :u4lic service. For %is reason; %e :riva e :rac ice o! :ro!ession is :ro%i4i ed. )ec ion (I4J I2J o! %e Code o! B %ical ) andards !or 6u4lic 5!!icials and Bm:loyees :rovides: )ec ion (. Prohibited Acts and ransactions. 88 0n addi ion o ac s and omissions o! :u4lic o!!icials and em:loyees now :rescri4ed in %e Cons i u ion and eCis ing laws; %e !ollowing cons i u e :ro%i4i ed ac s and ransac ions o! any :u4lic o!!icial and em:loyee and are %ere4y declared unlaw!ul: CCC CCC CCC I4J 5u side em:loymen and o %er ac ivi ies rela ed %ere o; :u4lic o!!icials and em:loyees during %eir incum4ency s%all no : CCC CCC CCC I1J Bngage in %e :riva e :rac ice o! :ro!ession unless au %ori+ed 4y %e Cons i u ion or law; :rovided %a suc% :rac ice will no con!lic wi % %eir o!!icial !unc ion. hus, la!yers in go"ernment ser"ice cannot handle pri"ate cases for they are expected to de"ote themsel"es full#time to the !ork of their respecti"e offices. 0n %is ins ance; res:onden received 65;222 !rom %e com:lainan and issued a recei: on 9uly 15; 1..2 w%ile %e was s ill connec ed wi % %e 6A5. Acce: ance o! money !rom a clien es a4lis%es an a orney8clien rela ions%i:. Res:onden Ls admission %a %e acce: ed money !rom %e com:lainan and %e recei: con!irmed %e :resence o! an a orney8clien rela ions%i: 4e ween %im and %e com:lainan . 'oreover; %e recei: s%owed %a %e acce: ed %e com:lainan Ls case w%ile %e was s ill a governmen lawyer. Res:onden clearly viola ed %e :ro%i4i ion on :riva e :rac ice o! :ro!ession. Aggrava ing res:onden Ls wrongdoing was %is recei: o! a orneyLs !ees. 3%e 6A5 was crea ed !or %e :ur:ose o! :roviding !ree legal assis ance o indigen li igan s. )ec ion 14I3J; C%a: er 5; 3i le 000; Boo- > o! %e Revised Adminis ra ive Code :rovides: )ec. 14. CCC 3%e 6A5 s%all 4e %e :rinci:al law o!!ice o! %e #overnmen in eC ending !ree legal assis ance o indigen :ersons in criminal; civil; la4or; adminis ra ive and o %er "uasi8@udicial cases. As a 6A5 lawyer; res:onden s%ould no %ave acce: ed a orneyLs !ees !rom %e com:lainan as %is was inconsis en wi % %e o!!iceLs mission. Res:onden viola ed %e :ro%i4i ion agains acce: ing legal !ees o %er %an %is salary. Bvery lawyer is o4liga ed o u:%old %e law. 3%is under a-ing includes %e o4servance o! %e a4ove8men ioned :ro%i4i ions 4la an ly viola ed 4y res:onden w%en %e acce: ed %e com:lainan Ls cases and received a orneyLs !ees in considera ion o! %is legal services. Conse"uen ly; res:onden Ls acce: ance o! %e cases was also a 4reac% o! Rule 1,.21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y 4ecause %e :ro%i4i ion on %e :riva e :rac ice o! :ro!ession dis"uali!ied %im !rom ac ing as %e com:lainan Ls counsel. Aside !rom disregarding %e :ro%i4i ions agains %andling :riva e cases and acce: ing a orneyLs !ees; res:onden also surre: i iously deceived %e com:lainan . 1o only did %e !ail o !ile a com:lain agains %e 9ovellanoses Iw%ic% in %e !irs :lace %e s%ould no %ave doneJ; res:onden also led %e com:lainan o 4elieve %a %e really !iled an ac ion agains %e 9ovellanoses. ?e even made i a::ear %a %e cases were 4eing ried and as-ed %e com:lainan o :ay %is Ea::earance !eesF !or %earings %a never oo- :lace. 3%ese ac s cons i u ed dis%ones y; a viola ion o! %e lawyerLs oa % no o do any !alse%ood. Res:onden Ls conduc in o!!ice !ell s%or o! %e in egri y and good moral c%arac er re"uired o! all lawyers; s:ecially one occu:ying a :u4lic o!!ice. Lawyers in :u4lic o!!ice are eC:ec ed no only o re!rain !rom any ac or omission w%ic% end o lessen %e rus and con!idence o! %e ci i+enry in governmen 4u also u:%old %e digni y o! %e legal :ro!ession a all imes and o4serve a %ig% s andard o! %ones y and !air dealing. A governmen lawyer is a -ee:er o! :u4lic !ai % and is 4urdened wi % a %ig% degree o! social res:onsi4ili y; %ig%er %an %is 4re %ren in :riva e :rac ice. 3%ere is; %owever; insu!!icien 4asis o !ind res:onden guil y o! viola ing Rule 1&.21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. Res:onden did no %old %e money !or %e 4ene!i o! %e com:lainan 4u acce: ed i as %is a orneyLs !ees. ?e nei %er %eld %e amoun in rus !or %e com:lainan Isuc% as an amoun delivered 4y %e s%eri!! in sa is!ac ion o! a @udgmen o4liga ion in !avor o! %e clien J nor was i given o %im !or a s:eci!ic :ur:ose Isuc% as amoun s given !or !iling !ees and 4ail 4ondJ. 1ever %eless; res:onden s%ould re urn %e 65;222 as %e; a governmen lawyer; was no en i led o a orneyLs !ees and no allowed o acce: %em. CATU @+ RELLOSA FACTS Ca u co8owns a lo and 4uilding and con es ed %e :ossession o! one o! %e uni s in %e said 4uilding 4y Bli+a4e % Isis er in law o! Ca uJ and 6as or; w%o ignored demands o vaca e %e :lace. 3%e :ar ies wen o %e Lu:on 3aga:amaya:a o ry o se le %e issue amica4ly. Res:oden Rellosa as 6unong Barangay :resided over %e concilia ion :roceedings. 3%e :ar ies !ailed o se le %eir case; and %e :e i ioner 4roug% %e case o cour . )ur:risingly; Rellosa a::eared in cour as counsel !or Bli+a4e % and 6as or. 3%is :rom: ed Ca u o !ile an adminis ra ive com:lain agains Rellosa !or %is ac o! im:ro:rie y. 0B6 commi ee on 4ar disci:line; a! er inves iga ion; ruled %a Rellosa viola ed Rule &.232 and RA &(133. 3%e commi ee recommended Rellosa<s sus:ension !rom :rac ice !or 1 mon %. ISSUE AG1 Rellosa viola ed Rule &.23 HELD 1o.
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! la"yer shall not, after leavin# #overnment service, acce$t en#a#ement or em$loyment in connection "ith any matter in "hich he intervened "hile in service 3 Code of Conduct and %thical Standards for &ublic 'fficers and %m$loyees
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Rule 4+90 appl$es #ly " a lawyer wh has left government service. Rellosa was an incum4en :unong 4arangay a %e ime %e commi ed %e ac com:lained o!. As suc% incum4en ; %e :ro:er law %a governs %im is RA (1&2 4; w%ic% ac ually allows %im o :rac ice %is :ro!ession. ?owever; 4eing a :u4lic o!!icial; %e is also governed 4y Revised Civil )ervice Rules; w%ic% re"uires %im !irs o o4 ain a wri en :ermission !rom %is de:ar men %ead w%o is %e )ec. o! *0L#. 3%is %e !ailed o do. )C ruled %a Rellosa viola ed %e lawyer<s oa % I o u:%old and o4ey lawJ; Rule 1.21 Ilawyer s%all no engage in unlaw!ul conduc J; and Canon ( Ilawyer s%all u:%old in egri y and digni y o! %e :ro!essionJ; !or a lawyer w%o diso4eys law disgraces %e digni y o! %e legal :ro!ession. )C :unis%ed Rellosa wi % & mon %s sus:ension and s rongly advised %im o loo- u: and a-e o %ear %e meaning o! %e word delicade+a. TTTTTTTTTT Hofilena question: under $A %&'(, are la!yers allo!ed to practice their profession) Answer: *es, $A %&'( says +if the constitution or la! allo!s it, Public officers ho!e"er are sub-ect to .i"il Ser"ice $ules !hich state that should they engage in pri"ate practice of their profession, they should first secure a !ritten permission from their department head. PCGG @+ SANDIGANBAYAN FACTS #eneral Ban- and 3rus Com:any I#B1BA1$J encoun ered !inancial di!!icul ies. La er on; Cen ral Ban- issued a resolu ion declaring #B1BA1$ insolven . Former )olici or #eneral Bs eli o 6. 'endo+a !iled a :e i ion wi % %e %en Cour o! Firs 0ns ance :raying !or %e assis ance and su:ervision o! %e cour in #B1BA1$Ls li"uida ion. A! er B*)A 1; 6res. A"uino es a4lis%ed %e 6C## !or %e :ur:ose o! recovering ill go en weal %. 3%e 6C##; on 9uly 1(; 1.,(; !iled wi % %e Sandiganbayan a com:lain !or Lreversion; reconveyance; res i u ion; accoun ing and damages agains res:onden s 3an; e al. so 6C## issued several wri s o! se"ues ra ion on :ro:er ies allegedly ac"uired 4y %e a4ove8named :ersons 4y a-ing advan age o! %eir close rela ions%i: and in!luence wi % !ormer 6residen 'arcos. 3%ese res:onden s were re:resen ed 4y 'endo+a. 6C## !iled mo ions o dis"uali!y res:onden 'endo+a as counsel !or res:onden s. 3%e mo ions alleged %a res:onden 'endo+a; as %en )olici or #eneral and counsel o Cen ral Ban-; Lac ively in ervened in %e li"uida ion o! #B1BA1$; w%ic% was su4se"uen ly ac"uired 4y res:onden s 3an; et al. and 4ecame Allied Ban-ing Cor:ora ion. 3%e mo ions o dis"uali!y invo-ed Rule &.23 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. Rule &.23 :ro%i4i s !ormer governmen lawyers !rom acce: ing
(
Lengagemen or em:loymen in connec ion wi % any ma er in w%ic% %e %ad in ervened w%ile in said service. ISSUE AG1 Rule &.23 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y a::lies o res:onden 'endo+aH HELD 15; 03 *5B) 153 A66L/. 3%e ma er or %e ac o! res:onden 'endo+a as )olici or #eneral involved in %e case a 4ar is Ladvising %e Cen ral Ban-; on %ow o :roceed wi % %e said 4an-Ls li"uida ion and even !iling %e :e i ion !or i s li"uida ion wi % %e CF0 o! . 0n !ine; %e Cour s%ould resolve w%e %er %is ac o! advising %e Cen ral Ban- on %e legal :rocedure o li"uida e #B1BA1$ is included wi %in %e conce: o! Lma er< under Rule &.23. 3%e Lma er< w%ere %e go %imsel! involved was in in!orming Cen ral Ban- on %e :rocedure :rovided 4y law o li"uida e #B1BA1$ %ru %e cour s and in !iling %e necessary :e i ion. 3%e su4@ec Lma er o! ):. 6roc. 1o. 12(,12; %ere!ore; is no %e same nor is rela ed o 4u is di!!eren !rom %e su4@ec Lma er in Civil Case 1o. 22.& w%ic% is a4ou %e se"ues ra ion o! %e s%ares o! res:onden s 3an; e al. 3%e @urisdic ion o! %e 6C## does no include %e dissolu ion and li"uida ion o! 4an-s. 0 goes wi %ou saying %a Code &.23 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y canno a::ly o res:onden 'endo+a 4ecause %is alleged in erven ion w%ile a )olici or #eneral in ):. 6roc. 1o. 12(,12 is an in erven ion on a ma er di!!eren !rom %e ma er involved in Civil Case 1o. 22.&. )econdly; %e su::osed in erven ion o! 'endo+a in %e li"uida ion case is no signi!ican and su4s an ial. Ae no e %a %e :e i ion !iled merely see-s %e assis ance o! %e cour in %e li"uida ion o! #B1BA1$. 3%e :rinci:al role o! %e cour in %is y:e o! :roceedings is o assis %e Cen ral Ban- in de ermining claims o! credi ors agains %e #B1BA1$. Also; 3%e dis"uali!ica ion o! res:onden 'endo+a %as long 4een a !ea! $ssue. For a !ac ; %e recycled mo ion !or dis"uali!ica ion in %e case a 4ar was !iled ( re "ha# ' ur years a! er %e !iling o! %e :e i ions !or certiorari; :ro%i4i ion and in@unc ion wi % %e )u:reme Cour w%ic% were su4se"uen ly remanded o %e Sandiganbayan. A %e very leas ; %e circums ances under w%ic% %e mo ion o dis"uali!y in %e case a 4ar were re!iled :u :e i ionerLs mo ive as %ig%ly sus:ec . 0 is also su4mi ed %a %e Cour s%ould a::ly Rule &.23 in all i s s ric ness !or i correc ly dis!avors lawyers w%o Lswi c% sides. 0 is claimed %a Lswi c%ing sidesL carries %e danger %a !ormer governmen em:loyee may com:romise con!iden ial o!!icial in!orma ion in %e :rocess. Bu %is concern does no cas a s%adow in %e case a 4ar. As a!ore8discussed; %e ac o! res:onden 'endo+a in in!orming %e Cen ral Ban- on %e :rocedure %ow o li"uida e #B1BA1$ is a di!!eren ma er !rom %e su4@ec ma er o! Civil Case 1o. 2225 w%ic% is a4ou %e se"ues ra ion o! %e s%ares o! res:onden s 3an; et al.; in Allied Ban-. 3%ere is no swi c%ing sides !or %ere were no sides. CANON 5
)ocal *overnment Code of 1991
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IN RE GALANG *oc rine: 3%a %e concealmen o! an a orney in %is a::lica ion o a-e %e Bar eCamina ions o! %e !ac %a %e %ad 4een wi %; or indic ed !or an alleged crime; as a ground !or revoca ion o! %is license o :rac ice law; is well se led. IN RE ARTHUR =+ CUE@AS FACTS 6e i ioner Ar %ur Cuevas 9r. recen ly :assed %e 4ar eCamina ions; 4u was :recluded !rom a-ing %e lawyer<s 1..& oa %; :ending a::roval !rom %e )u:reme Cour 3%is s ems !rom :e i ioner<s :ar ici:a ion in %e ini ia ion ri es o! %e LeC 3alionis Fra erni as o! )and Beda w%ere neo:%y e Raul Camaligan died as a resul o! %a+ing. Cuevas was c%arged wi % 0m:rudence Resul ing in ?omicide. ?e a::lied !or and was gran ed :ro4a ion; %en was disc%arged on 'ay 1..5 'ay 1..(; %e a::lied o Cour %a %e may a-e %e lawyer<s oa % and a ac%ed o %is :e i ion cer i!ica ions a es ing o %is Erig% eous; :eace!ul and law a4iding c%arac er.F ISSUE 'ay Cuevas a-e %e lawyer<s oa %; a-ing in considera ion %e cer i!ica ions a es ing o %is Erig% eous; :eace!ul and law a4iding c%arac erFH HELD /es. 3%oug% %is deli4era e :ar ici:a ion in %e ini ia ion ri es indica es a4sence o! %a moral !i ness re"uired !or admission in o %e 4ar; %e cour is willing o give %e :e i ioner a c%ance 4ased on %e various cer i!ica ions: %ey su!!icien ly s%ow %a %e %as a rig% eous; :eace!ul and civil orien ed c%arac erK and %e %as :roven %a %e %as a-en s e:s o :urge %imsel! o! %is de!iciency in moral c%arac er and a one !or %e dea % o! Raul Camaligan. SA=ANIEGO @+ ATTY+ FERRER /.omplaint for immorality, abandonment and !illful refusal to gi"e support to an illegitimate child0 Fac s: )amaniego was a clien o! A y. Ferrer and %eir lawyer8clien rela ions%i: 4ecame in ima e; w%en A y. Ferrer cour ed %er and s%e !ell in love. 3%ey lived oge %er as M%us4and and wi!eM !rom .&8.( and %eir daug% er was 4orn. 3%e a!!air ended in 2222 and since %en %e !ailed o give su::or o %eir daug% er. Be!ore %e 0B6 )amaniego es i!ied %a s%e -new %a A y. Ferrer was in a rela ions%i: 4u did no %in- %e was already married. A y. Ferrer re!used o a::ear during %e %earing since %e did no wan o see )amaniego. A y. Ferrer mani!es ed %is willingness o su::or %eir daug% er in a :osi ion :a:er. ?e also reasoned %a %e !ound i unconsciona4le o a4andon %is wi!e and 12 c%ildren o co%a4i wi % )amaniego. 0B6 Board o! #overnors im:osed u:on A y. Ferrer %e :enal y o! & mon %s sus:ension !or %is re!usal o su::or %is daug% er. A y. Ferrer !iled 'R wi % :rayer !or o reduce %e :enal y 4ecause i will !ur %er cause eC reme %ards%i: o %is !amily o! 12 c%ildren. 7:on !inding %a A y. Ferrer lac-ed %e degree o! morali y re"uired o! a mem4er o! %e 4ar; %is :rayer !or reduced :enal y was denied. ?eld: )C !inds A y. Ferrer guil y o! gross immorali y and %e is ordered sus:ended !or & mon %s. A y. Ferrer admi ed %is eC ra8mari al a!!air and )C considers suc% illici rela ion as a disgrace!ul and immoral conduc su4@ec o disci:linary ac ion. Al %oug% i is rue %a )amaniego was no en irely 4lameless !or -nowing a4ou A y. Ferrer<s wi!e; i does no ma-e %is case less serious since i is imma erial w%e %er 4o % are in pari delicto. A y. Ferrer was %eld o %ave viola ed Rule 1.21; Canon ( and Rule (.23. ST+ LOUIS UNI@ERSITY LABORATORY HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY AND STAFF @+ ATTY+ DELA CRUA Fac s: *is4armen case !iled 4y %e Facul y mem4ers and ) a!! o! %e )L78L?) agains A y. *ela Cru+; i s :rinci:al; on %e !! grounds: a. #ross 'isconduc : %ere were :ending cases !iled agains %e res:onden : criminal case !or c%ild a4useK admin case !or une %ical ac s o! misa::ro:ria ing money !or eac%ersK and %e la4or case !iled 4y )L78L?) Facul y !or illegal deduc ion o! salary. #rossly 0mmoral Conduc : res:onden con rac ed a second marriage des:i e %e eCis ence o! %is !irs marriage. ?e was married in 1.,2 and %ey se:ara ed in8!ac a year a! er. ( years a! er; %e con rac s ano %er marriage; 4u %is was annulled !or 4eing 4igamous. 'al:rac ice: res:onden no ari+ed documen s I14 in o alJ; !rom ,,8.( des:i e %e eC:ira ion o! %is no arial commission in ,(. Res:onden denied %e c%arges in %e cases :ending agains %im; 4u admi ed %is second marriage and i s su4se"uen nulli!ica ion. ?e also admi ed %aving no ari+ed documen s w%en %is no arial commission %ad already eC:ired. ?owever; %e o!!ered de!enses suc% as good !ai %; lac- o! malice and no4le in en ions in doing %e com:lained ac s. 0B6 resolved o sus:end A y. *ela Cru+ !or 1 year !or %is 4igamous marriage and 1 year also !or no ari+ing wi %ou commission I2 years o alJ
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?eld: )C !inds res:onden guil y o! immoral conduc ; and sus:ended %im !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or 2 years; and ano %er 2 years !or no ari+ing documen s. HELD Res:onden was already a mem4er o! %e Bar w%en %e con rac ed %e 4igamous marriage. ?owever; a! er %is !ailed !irs marriage; %e remained celi4a e un il %e 2nd marriage; s%owed %is good in en ions 4y marrying %e 2nd wi!e; and %e never a4sconded in %is !amily du ies. 3%e )C !inds %a :enal y o! dis4armen is oo %ars%. As o %e c%arge o! misconduc !or %aving no ari+ed documen s wi %ou %e necessary commission; )C s resses no ari+a ion is no an em: y; meaningless; rou inary ac . For doing suc% cons i u es no only mal:rac ice 4u also %e crime o! !alsi!ica ion o! :u4lic documen s. Res:onden also viola ed %e 1o arial Law !or so doing; and %is !alls s"uarely wi %in %e :ro%i4i ion o! Rule 1.21 and Canon (. 3%e o %er cases agains res:onden are :ending 4e!ore %e :ro:er !orums. A suc% s ages; %e :resum: ion o! innocence s ill :revails in !avor o! %e res:onden . ARNOBIT @+ ARNOBIT FACTS 6e i ioner Re4ecca Arno4i !iled %is com:lain agains %er %us4and; res:onden A y. 6onciano Arno4i ; :raying %a %e cour eCercise i s disci:linary :ower over %im. Re4ecca alleged %a s%e and res:onden were married on 1.42K %a %ey 4ore 12 c%ildrenK %a s%e saw res:onden %roug% law sc%ool; con inuously su::or ing %im un il %e :assed %e 4arK %a several years a! er %eir marriage; or in 1.&,; res:onden le! %e con@ugal %ome and 4egan co%a4i ing wi % Beni a Buena!e 1avarro w%o la er 4ore %im !our more c%ildren. Because o! %is; Re4ecca was im:elled o !ile a com:lain !or legal se:ara ion and su::or ; and a criminal case !or adul ery. Res:onden admi ed %a Re4ecca is %is wedded wi!e 4u %e denied %aving co%a4i ed wi % Beni a. ?e also s a ed %a Re4ecca was %e cause o! %eir se:ara ion alleging %a s%e was always raveling !or 4usiness :ur:oses wi %ou %is -nowledge and consen ; %ere4y neglec ing %er o4liga ions oward %er !amily. ?earings were conduc ed 4e!ore %e 5!!ice o! %e )ol#en and su4se"uen ly; 4e!ore %e 0B6 Commission on Bar *isci:line. Aside !rom %ersel!; Re4ecca :resen ed 2 o %er wi nesses: %er sis er; w%o iden i!ied a le er sen o %er 4y res:onden a:ologi+ing !or %e un%a::iness %e caused %e !amilyK and %e o %er was 'elecio 1avarro; %e %us4and o! Beni a; w%o es i!ied a4ou %ow res:onden oo- %is wi!e Beni a as a mis ress -nowing !ully well o! %eir marriage. *uring %e %earings; res:onden ; des:i e due no ice; re:ea edly a4sen ed %imsel! w%en i was %is urn o :resen evidence. ?e would also see:os :onemen ; :leading illness; on %e %earing da es. 0B6 Commission on Bar *isci:line Re:or : 3%e 0B6 Commission on Bar *isci:line !ound res:onden lia4le !or a4andonmen and recommended %is sus:ension !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or 3 mon %s. 0 averred %a an inde!ini e sus:ension is no recommended 4ecause res:onden su::or s %imsel! %roug% %e :rac ice o! law and %a i 3%e Cour agreed wi % %e 0B6 recommenda ion 4u ruled %a gross immoral conduc was su!!icien ly :roven warran ing dis4armen o! res:onden . CA151 ( U A la!yer shall at all times uphold the integrity and dignity of the legal profession and support the acti"ities of the 1ntegrated Bar. Rule (.23 U A la!yer shall not engage in conduct that ad"ersely reflects on this fitness to practice la!, nor should he, !hether in public or pri"ate life beha"e in a scandalous manner to the discredit of the legal profession. 6ossession o! good moral c%arac er is no only a condi ion :receden o %e :rac ice o! law; 4u a con inuing "uali!ica ion !or all mem4ers o! %e 4ar. #ood moral c%arac er is more %an @us %e a4sence o! 4ad c%arac er. 0 eC:resses i sel! in %e will o do %e un:leasan %ing i! i is rig% and %e resolve no o do %e :leasan %ing i! i is wrong. 0mmoral conduc %as 4een descri4ed as conduc w%ic% is so will!ul; !lagran ; or s%ameless as o s%ow indi!!erence o %e o:inion o! good and res:ec a4le mem4ers o! %e communi y. 3o 4e %e 4asis o! disci:linary ac ion; suc% conduc mus no only 4e immoral; 4u grossly immoral. #rossly immoral meaning i mus 4e so corru: as o vir ually cons i u e a criminal ac or so un:rinci:led as o 4e re:re%ensi4le o a %ig% degree or commi ed under suc% scandalous or revol ing circums ances as o s%oc- %e common sense o! decency. Lawyers mus no only 4e o! good moral c%arac er 4u mus also 4e seen o 4e o! good moral c%arac er and leading lives in accordance wi % %e %ig%es moral s andards o! %e communi y. 3%e !ac %a res:onden <s :%ilandering ways are !ar removed !rom %e eCercise o! %is :ro!ession would no save %e day !rom %im. A lawyer may 4e sus:ended or dis4arred !or any misconduc w%ic%; al4ei unrela ed o %e ac ual :rac ice o! %is :ro!ession; would s%ow %im o 4e un!i !or %e o!!ice and unwor %y o! %is license. Res:onden %as %e du y o s%ow %a %e is morally !i o remain a mem4er o! %e 4ar. 3%is; %e !ailed o do. ?e never a ended %e %earings o re4u %e c%arges agains %im; irresis i4ly sugges ing %a %ey are rue. 7ndou4 edly; res:onden <s ac o! leaving %is wi!e and 12 c%ildren o co%a4i and %ave c%ildren wi % ano %er woman cons i u es gross immoral conduc . ?e s%ould %ere!ore 4e dis4arred. AD@INCULA @+ =ACABATA FACTS A y. 'aca4a a was %e counsel o! Cyn %ia Advincula. 0n wo se:ara e inciden s; A y. 'aca4a a urned %e %ead o! Advincula and -issed %er on %e li:s. 3%ese -issing inciden s occurred a! er mee ings regarding a case %a Advincula was involved in. in 4o % inciden s; A y. 'aca4a a -issed Advincula inside %e car; @us would 4e cruel deny %im o! %is a %is ime w%en %e is already advanced in age.
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4e!ore dro::ing %er o!! in a :u4lic s ree . A y. 'aca4a a a:ologi+ed o Advincula via eC messages immedia ely a! er %e 2nd -issing inciden . Advincula !iled a :e i ion !or dis4armen agains A y. 'aca4a a on %e ground o! grossly immoral c%arac er. A y. 'aca4a a admi ed %a %e did -iss Advincula; 4u %a %is was due o %is !eelings oward Advincula. ISSUE 0s A y. 'aca4a a guil y o! grossly immoral c%arac er dis4armen H HELD 3%e )u:reme Cour ruled %a A y. 'aca4a a was 153 guil y o! grossly immoral c%arac er. #rossly immoral c%arac er mus 4e so corru: as o cons i u e a criminal ac ; or so un:rinci:led as o 4e re:re%ensi4le o a %ig% degree or commi ed under suc% scandalous or revol ing circums ances as o s%ow %e common sense o! decency. 3o meri a dis4armen ; %e ac mus 4e grossly immoral. A y. 'aca4a a<s ac o! -issing Advincula was no grossly immoral. 3%e -iss was no mo iva ed 4y malice. 3%is was :roven 4y A y. 'aca4a a<s immedia e a:ology and %e !ac %a i %a::ened in a well8:o:ula ed :lace. Advincula !ailed o :rove %a A y. 'aca4a a lured %er or oo- advan age o! %er. A%ile %e dis4armen com:lain was dismissed; A y. 'aca4a a was re:rimanded and given a s ern warning. 3%e cour descri4ed %is -issing o! Advincula as dis as e!ul. I3%e )u:reme Cour also said %a gree ings li-e beso are o-.J CANON 6 REYES @+ CHIONG FACTS 3wo C%inese83aiwanese 4usinessmen IPu and 6anJ en ered in o a 4usiness ven ure o se u: a !ac ory !or sea!ood :roduc s. Pu inves ed 6322;222. Bven ually; Pu discovered %a 6an %ad no es a4lis%ed %e !ac ory and as-ed !or %is money 4ac-. 6an 4ecame %os ile and ignored Pu. Pu engaged %e services o! A y. Reyes; w%o !iled a com:lain !or es a!a agains 6an Ire:resen ed 4y A y. C%iongJ. 3%e com:lain was assigned o Ass . 'anila Ci y 6rosecu or 6edro )alanga; w%o issued a su4:oena !or 6an o a::ear !or :reliminary inves iga ion. For !ailure o a::ear and su4mi a coun er8a!!idavi ; )alanga !iled a criminal com:lain !or es a!a agains 6an in %e R3C o! 'anila. 3%e R3C issued a warran o! arres agains 6an. 0n res:onse; A y. C%iong !iled a mo ion o "uas% %e warran o! arres . ?e also !iled wi % %e R3C o! Zam4oanga a civil com:lain !or %e collec ion o! a sum o! money; damages; and !or %e dissolu ion o! %e 4usiness ven ure agains Pu; A y. Reyes and )alanga. A y. Reyes %en !iled a dis4armen case agains A y. C%iong !or !iling a groundless sui ; alleging %a i was ins i u ed o eCac vengeance. A y. C%iong alleges %a A y. Reyes was im:leaded !or conniving wi % Pu in !iling %e es a!a case. )alanga was Fac s: A y. *allong8#alicinao is %e Cler- o! Cour o! R3C and A y. Cas ro was a :riva e :rac i ioner and >6 o! 0B681ueva >i+caya. Res:onden wen o com:lainan <s o!!ice o in"uire w%e %er %e records o! Civil Case 1o. (,4 %ad already 4een remanded o %e 'C3C. Res:onden was no %e counsel o! ei %er :ar y in %a case. Com:lainan re:lied %a %e record %ad no ye 4een ransmi ed since a cer i!ied rue co:y o! %e CA decision s%ould !irs 4e :resen ed. 3o %is res:onden re or ed; E/ou mean o say; 0 would %ave o go o 'anila o ge a co:yHF Com:lainan re:lied %a res:onden may s%ow ins ead %e co:y sen o %e :ar y %e re:resen s. Res:onden %en re:lied %a com:lainan s%ould<ve no i!ied %im. Com:lainan eC:lained %a i is no %er du y o no i!y %e res:onden o! suc% du y. Angered; res:onden yelled s u!! in 0locano and le! %e o!!ice; 4anging %e door so loud. ?e %en re urned o %e o!!ice and s%ou ed; +2kinnam nga babai3, IE>ulva o! your mo %er; you womanNFJ o meri %is HELD /es; civil com:lain was groundless and i was im:ro:er o im:lead A y. Reyes and 6rosecu or )alanga in said civil com:lain . IBPB civil com:lain was !iled :ur:osely o o4 ain leverage agains %e es a!a case. 3%ere was no need o im:lead A y. Reyes and 6rosecu or )alanga since %ey were no :ar ies in %e 4usiness ven ure. 3%eir inclusion in %e com:lain was im:ro:er and %ig%ly "ues iona4le and %e sui was !iled o %arass 4o % o! %em. 0n !iling %e civil sui ; A y. C%iong viola ed %is oa % o! o!!ice and Canon , o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. 0B6 recommended 2 years sus:ension SCB a!!irmed 0B6<s recommenda ion. 0n addi ion; %e Cour men ioned some al erna ive remedies A y. C%iong could %ave a-en i! %is allega ions were indeed rue. C%iong could %ave !iled a mo ion !or reinves iga ion or mo ion !or reconsidera ion o! )alanga<s decision o !ile %e in!orma ion !or es a!a. 'o ion o *ismiss %e es a!a case was also availa4le i! i was indeed !iled wi %ou 4asis. Rele/a#" Pr /$s$ #sB Canon , U A lawyer s%all conduc %imsel! wi % cour esy; !airness; and candor owards %is :ro!essional colleagues; and s%all avoid %arassing ac ics agains o::osing counsel. Lawyer<s 5a % U Eno o wi ingly or willingly :romo e or sue any groundless; !alse or unlaw!ul sui ; nor give aid nor consen o %e same.F ATTY+ DALLONG- GALICINAO @+ ATTY+ CASTRO im:leaded 4ecause o! %e su::osed irregulari ies in conduc ing %e inves iga ion. 3%e )C re!erred %e case o %e 0B6. ISSUE AG1 %e civil com:lain was groundless AG1 is was :ro:er o im:lead A y. Reyes and 6rosecu or )alanga in %e civil com:lain
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La er; com:lainan !iled a mani!es a ion %a s%e won< a::ear in %e %earing o! %e case in view o! %e res:onden <s :u4lic a:ology; and %a %e la er was !orgiven already. ?eld: Res:onden is !ined %e amoun o! 12- wi % a warning. Res:onden was no %e counsel o! record o! Civil Case 1o. (,4. ?is eC:lana ion %a %e will en er %is a::earance in %e case w%en i s records were already ransmi ed o %e 'C3C is unacce: a4le. 1o 4eing %e counsel o! record res:onden %ad no rig% o im:ose %is will on %e cler- o! cour . ?e viola ed Rule ,.22; 4ecause %is was an ac o! encroac%men . 0 ma ers no %a %e did so in good !ai %. ?is ac o! raising %is voice and u ering vulgar invec ives o %e cler- o! cour was no only ill8mannered 4u also un4ecoming considering %a %e did %ese in !ron o! %e com:lainan <s su4ordina es. For %ese; %e viola ed Rules (.23 and ,.21 and Canon ,. 3%e :enal y was em:ered 4ecause res:onden a:ologi+ed o %e com:lainan and %e la er acce: ed i . 3%is is no o say; %owever; %a res:onden s%ould 4e a4solved !rom %is ac ua ions. 6eo:le are accoun a4le !or %e conse"uences o! %e %ings %ey say and do even i! %ey re:en a! erwards. ALCANTARA @+ PEFIANCO Fac s: A y. Alcan ara Iincum4en *is ric 6u4ic A orney o! 6A5 in Ani "ueJ !iled a com:lain agains A y. 6e!ianco !or conduc un4ecoming o! %e 4ar !or using im:ro:er and o!!ensive language and %rea ening and a em: ing o assaul com:lainan . 3%is %a::ened w%en A y; )alvani was con!erring wi % %is clien in %e 6A5 o!!ice w%en %e wi!e o! %e murdered vic im; in ears; came and as-e! !or a se lemen . 'oved 4y %e :lig% o! %e woman; 6e!ianco; w%o was s anding near4y; scolded and s%ou ed a )alvani o no se le %e case and o %ave %is clien im:risoned so %a %e would reali+e %is mis a-e. As %ead o! %e o!!ice; Alcan ara re:roac%ed 6e!ianco; 4u %is ended u: wi % 6e!ianco saying %a Alcan ara was an idio !or sending %im ou o! %e 6A5. Also; 6e!ianco ried o a ac- Alcan ara and even s%ou ed a %im; E#ago -aNF 3%e 0B6 Commi ee on Bar *isci:line !ound %a 6e!ianco viola ed Canon , o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. 0ssue: AG1 6e!ianco is guil y o! viola ing Canon , ?eld: /es. Canon , admonis%es lawyers o conduc %emselves wi % cour esy; !airness and candor oward %eir !ellow lawyers. 6e!ianco<s meddling in a ma er in w%ic% %e %ad no rig% o do so caused %e inciden . And al %oug% 6e!ianco was moved 4y %e woman<s :lig% ; w%a %e %oug% was rig% eous did no give %im %e rig% o scold )alvani and insul and 4era e %ose w%o ried o calm %im down. FACTS A'A Com:u er College IA'ACCJ %ad a :ending case in %e R3C !or eC:elling some s uden s due o %aving :u4lis%ed o4@ec iona4le !ea ures or ar icles in %e sc%ool :a:er. 3%erea! er; A y. Camac%o w%o is %e counsel !or %e eC:elled s uden s !iled a com:lain agains A y. 6angulayan; counsel !or A'ACC; !or viola ion o! Canon . o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional B %ics w%ic% :rovides %a MA lawyer s%ould no in any way communica e u:on %e su4@ec o! con roversy wi % a :ar y re:resen ed 4y counsel; muc% less s%ould %e under a-e o nego ia e or com:romise %e ma er wi % %im; 4u s%ould only deal wi % %is counsel. 0 is incum4en u:on %e lawyer mos :ar icularly o avoid every %ing %a may end o mislead a :ar y no re:resen ed 4y counsel and %e s%ould no under a-e o advise %im as o law.M 3%e com:lain was 4ased on %e !ac %a A y. 6angulayan :rocured and e!!ec ed !rom %e eC:elled s uden s and %eir :aren s com:romise agreemen s in w%ic% %e s uden s waived all -inds o! claims %ey may %ave agains A'ACC and o ermina e all civil; criminal and adminis ra ive :roceedings !iled agains i . 3%e com:romise agreemen s were :rocured 4y A y. 6angulayan wi %ou %e consen and -nowledge o! A y. Camac%o given %a %e was already %e counsel !or %e s uden s a %a ime. 0 was averred %a %e ac s o! A y. 6angulayan was un4ecoming o! any mem4er o! %e legal :ro!ession warran ing ei %er dis4armen or sus:ension !rom %e :rac ice o! law. ISSUE A%e %er or no 6ro!essional B %ics HELD /B)N A y. 6angulayan is sus:ended !or 3 mon %s !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or %aving ciola ed %e Code o! 6ro!essional B %ics. 0n %is case; w%en %e com:romise agreemen s were !ormali+ed and e!!ec ed 4y A y. 6angulayan; A y. Camac%o was already %e re ained counsel !or %e s uden s in %e :ending case !iled 4y %e s uden s agains A'ACC and A y. 6angulayan %ad !ull -nowledge o! suc% !ac . ?owever; A y. 6angulayan s ill :roceeded o nego ia e wi % %e s uden s and %e :aren s wi %ou a leas communica ing %e ma er wi % %eir lawyer even 4eing aware %a %e s uden s were 4eing re:resen ed 4y counsel. )uc% !ailure o! A y. 6angulayan; w%e %er 4y design or oversig% ; is an ineCcusa4le viola ion o! %e canons o! :ro!essional e %ics and in u er disregard o! a du y owing o a colleague. A y. 6angulayan in %is case !ell s%or o! %e demands re"uired o! %im as a lawyer and as a mem4er o! %e Bar. V0n rela ion o our o:ic Ino s a ed in caseJ; suc% ac o! A y. 6angulayan is also in viola ion o! Canon ,.22 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y w%ic% s a es %a MA lawyer s%all no ; direc ly or indirec ly; encroac% u:on %e :ro!essional em:loymen o! ano %er lawyer; %owever; i is %e rig% o! any lawyer; wi %ou !ear or A y. 6angulayan viola ed Canon . o! %e Code o! A%a ever moral rig% eousness %e %ad was nega ed 4y %e way %e c%ose o eC:ress %is indigna ion. CA=ACHO @+ PAGULAYAN
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!avor; o give :ro:er advice and assis ance o %ose see-ing relie! agains un!ai %!ul or neglec !ul counsel.M TORRES @+ >A@IER HELD Fac s: A y. 3orres and 'rs. Celes ino c%arge A y. 9avier !or mal:rac ice; gross misconduc in o!!ice as an a orney anGor viola ion o! %e lawyer<s oa %. 3%is s emmed !rom %e remar-s made 4y 9avier in %e :leadings %e !iled in a :e i ion !or audi o! all !unds o! %e 7niversi y o! %e Bas Facul y Assoc. I7BFAJ as counsel: 1. 'o ion o BC:edi e con ained !alse s a emen s wi % malicious im:u a ion o! ro44ery and %e! o! 7BFA<s !unds u:on %eir :ersonsK and 2. 0n %e a y.<s !ees case; 9avier in %is Re:ly used a4usive and im:ro:er language; and made a s a emen demeaning o %e in egri y o! %e :ro!ession IEno uncommon !or rial lawyers o %ear no aries as-ing %eir !amily mem4ers o sign !or %emFJ. 9avier eC:lained %a %e was angry 4ecause 3orres %ad 4een s:reading re:or s and rumors im:lica ing %is clien s including %is wi!e o %e 4urglary. Ai % res:ec o %e a y.<s !ess case; %e alleged %a 3orres; in %is Answer; did no con!ron %e issues 4u moc-ed and made malicious accusa ions agains %is wi!e. 3%e 0B6 !ound 9avier guil y o! viola ing %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. 0ssue: AG1 9avier is guil y o! viola ion o! %e Code ?eld: /es. For reasons o! :u4lic :olicy; u erances made in %e course o! @udicial :roceedings; including all -inds o! :leadings; :e i ions and mo ion; are a4solu ely :rivileged so long as %ey are :er inen and relevan o %e su4@ec in"uiry; %owever !alse or malicious %ey may 4e Imus 4e ma erial and relevan J. 3%is :rivilege does no eC end o %ose ma ers no rela ed o %e con roversy. 3%e allega ions in %e 'o ion o BC:edi e !all under %is :rivilege; 4u no %ose in %e Re:ly. 3%e )C does no coun enance 3orres< incor:ora ion o! cri icisms agains 9avier<s wi!e as :as :residen o! 7BFA; 4u %is does no @us i!y 9avier<s re alia ing s a emen s IA%a -ind o! lawyer is 3orresH ?e lies %roug% %is ee %J. Canon , ins ruc s %a a lawyer<s argumen s in %is :leadings s%ould 4e gracious o 4o % %e cour and o::osing counsel and 4e o! suc% words as may 4e :ro:erly addressed 4y one gen leman o ano %er. LINSANGAN @+ TOLENTINO FACTS 3olen ino; wi % %e %el: o! La4iano; was :ira ing %e clien s o! La4iano 4y o!!ering; in some ins ances; a 52$ loan. ISSUE /es. )e led is %e rule %a a lawyer s%ould no s eal ano %er lawyer<s clien nor induce %e la er o re ain %im 4y a :romise o! 4e er service; good resul ; or reduced !ees !or %is service. 0n %is case; :romise o! a loan. CANON 7 =AURICIO C+ ULEP @+ THE LEGAL CLINIC% INC+ FAC3): 3%is is a :e i ion :raying !or an order o %e res:onden o cease and desis !rom issuing cer ain adver isemen s :er aining o %e eCercise o! %e law :ro!ession o %er %an %ose allowed 4y law. 3%e said adver isemen o! %e Legal Clinic invi es :o en ial clien s o in"uire a4ou secre marriage and divorce in #uam and annulmen ; and %e li-e. 0 also says %a %ey are giving !ree 4oo-s on #uam *ivorce. 7le: claims %a suc% adver isemen s are une %ical and des ruc ive o! %e con!idence o! %e communi y in %e in egri y o! lawyers. ?e; 4eing a mem4er o! %e 4ar; is as%amed and o!!ended 4y %e said adver isemen s. 5n %e o %er %and; %e res:onden ; w%ile admi ing o! %e !ac o! %e :u4lica ion o! %e adver isemen s; claims %a i is no engaged in %e :rac ice o! law 4u is merely rendering legal su::or services %roug% :aralegals. 0 also con ends %a suc% adver isemen s s%ould 4e allowed 4ased on cer ain 7) cases decided. 0))7B: AG1 %e Legal Clinic 0nc is engaged in %e :rac ice o! law. AG1 %e same can :ro:erly 4e %e su4@ec o! %e com:lained o!. adver isemen s 0s i an encroac%men on %e :ro!essional :rac ice o! La4iano; %ere4y viola ing rule ,.22 w%ic% :rovides %a ; EA lawyer s%all no ; direc ly or indirec ly; encroac% u:on %e :ro!essional em:loymen o! ano %er lawyer;OFH
?BL*GRA305: /es; i cons i u es :rac ice o! law. 1o; %e ads s%ould 4e en@oined. 6rac ice o! law means any ac ivi y; in or ou o! cour ; w%ic% re"uires %e a::lica ion o! law; legal :rocedures; -nowledge; raining and eC:erience. 3o engage in %e :rac ice o! law is o :er!orm %ose ac s w%ic% are c%arac eris ic o! %e :ro!ession. #enerally; o :rac ice law is o give advice or render any -ind o! service %a involves legal -nowledge or s-ill. 3%e :rac ice o! law is no limi ed o %e conduc o! cases in cour . 0 includes legal advice and counsel; and %e :re:ara ion o! legal ins rumen s and con rac 4y w%ic% legal rig% s are secured; al %oug% suc% ma er may or may no 4e :ending in a cour . A%en a :erson :ar ici:a es in a rial and adver ises %imsel! as a lawyer; %e is in %e :rac ice o! law. 5ne w%o con!ers wi % clien s; advises %em as o %eir legal rig% s and %en a-es %e 4usiness o an a orney and as-s %e la er o loo- a! er %e
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case in cour ; is also :rac icing law. #iving advice !or com:ensa ion regarding %e legal s a us and rig% s o! ano %er and %e conduc wi % res:ec %ere o cons i u es a :rac ice o! law. 3%e :rac ice o! law; %ere!ore; covers a wide range o! ac ivi ies in and ou o! cour . And a::lying %e cri eria; res:onden Legal Clinic 0nc. is; as adver ised; engaged in %e E:rac ice o! lawF. A%a is :al:a4ly clear is %a res:onden cor:ora ion gives ou legal in!orma ion o laymen and lawyers. Ai % i s a orneys and so called :aralegals; i will necessarily %ave o eC:lain o %e clien %e in ricacies o! %e law and advise %im or %er on %e :ro:er course o! ac ion o 4e a-en as may 4e :rovided !or 4y said law. 3%a is w%a i s adver isemen s re:resen and !or %e w%ic% services i will conse"uen ly c%arge and 4e :aid. 3%a ac ivi y !alls s"uarely wi %in %e @uris:ruden ial de!ini ion o! M:rac ice o! law.M 3%e s andards o! %e legal :ro!ession condemn %e lawyerLs adver isemen o! %is alen s. A lawyer canno ; wi %ou viola ing %e e %ics o! %is :ro!ession adver ise %is alen s or s-ill as in a manner similar o a merc%an adver ising %is goods. 3%e only eCce: ions are w%en %e a::ears in a re:u a4le law lis and use o! an ordinary; sim:le :ro!essional card. 3%e adver isemen s do no !all under %ese eCce: ions. 3o allow %e :u4lica ion o! adver isemen s o! %e -ind used 4y res:onden would only serve o aggrava e w%a is already a de eriora ing :u4lic o:inion o! %e legal :ro!ession w%ose in egri y %as consis en ly 4een under a ac-. ?ence; i s%ould 4e en@oined. CAYETANO @+ =ONSOD FACTS Res:onden C%ris ian 'onsod was nomina ed 4y %en 6residen A"uino !or %e :osi ion o! C5'BLBC C%airman in 1..1. 3%is nomina ion was o::osed 4y :e i ioner Caye ano on %e ground %a 'onsod does no :ossess %e re"uired "uali!ica ion o! %aving 4een engaged in %e :rac ice o! law !or a leas 12 years. A::aren ly; %e Cons i u ion re"uires %a %e C5'BLBC C%air:erson 4e a mem4er o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar w%o %as 4een engaged in %e :rac ice o! law !or a leas 12 years. *es:i e Caye ano<s o::osi ion; %e Commission on A::oin men s con!irmed %e nomina ion. 3%us; Caye ano !iled an ins an :e i ion !or cer iorari and :ro%i4i ion; 4asically c%allenging %e con!irma ion 4y %e CA o! 'onsod<s nomina ion. ISSUE Is = #s ! ?ual$'$e! " &e CO=ELEC Cha$rpers #F HELD YES+ 3%e :rac ice o! law is no limi ed o %e conduc o! cases in cour . 6rac ice o! law under modem condi ions consis s in no small :ar o! wor- :er!ormed ou side o! any cour and %aving no immedia e rela ion o :roceedings in cour . 0 em4races conveyancing; %e giving o! legal advice on a large varie y o! su4@ec s; and %e :re:ara ion and eCecu ion o! legal ins rumen s covering an eC ensive !ield o! 4usiness and rus rela ions and o %er a!!airs. Al %oug% %ese ransac ions may %ave no direc connec ion wi % cour :roceedings; %ey are always su4@ec o 4ecome involved in li iga ion. 3%ey re"uire in many as:ec s a %ig% degree o! legal s-ill; a wide eC:erience wi % men and a!!airs; and grea ca:aci y !or ada: a ion o di!!icul and com:leC si ua ions. 3%ese cus omary !unc ions o! an a orney or counselor a law 4ear an in ima e rela ion o %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice 4y %e cour s. 1o valid dis inc ion; so !ar as concerns %e "ues ion se !or % in %e order; can 4e drawn 4e ween %a :ar o! %e wor- o! %e lawyer w%ic% involves a::earance in cour and %a :ar w%ic% involves advice and dra! ing o! ins rumen s in %is o!!ice. 0 is o! im:or ance o %e wel!are o! %e :u4lic %a %ese mani!old cus omary !unc ions 4e :er!ormed 4y :ersons :ossessed o! ade"ua e learning and s-ill; o! sound moral c%arac er; and ac ing a all imes under %e %eavy rus o4liga ions o clien s w%ic% res s u:on all a orneys. 3%e )C; in order o arrive a i s decision; :resen ed a 4rie! %is ory o! 'onsod<s em:loymen . A! er :assing %e 4ar eCam; A y. 'onsod wor-ed in %e law o!!ice o! %is !a %er. From 1.&3 o 1.(2; %e wor-ed !or %e Aorld Ban- #rou:; w%ere %e was assigned as o:era ions o!!icer in Cos a Rica. ?is @o4 involved ge ing ac"uain ed wi % %e laws o! mem4er8coun ries nego ia ing loans and coordina ing legal; economic and :ro@ec wor- o! %e 4an-. 0n 1.(2; %e re urned o %e 6%ili::ines and wor-ed wi % %e 'eralco #rou:; served as c%ie! eCecu ive o! an inves men 4anand a 4usiness conglomera e. By 1.,&; %e rendered %is services o various com:anies as a legal and economic consul an and %e also wor-ed as a C%ie! BCecu ive 5!!icer. ?e was also %e )ecre ary8#eneral and 1a ional C%airman o! 1A'FRBL in 1.,&81.,(. ?is :osi ion in 1A'FRBL re"uired %is -nowledge in elec ion law. Also; %e sa as a mem4er o! %e *avide Commission in 1..2. 0n er:re ed in %e lig% o! %e various de!ini ions o! %e erm 6rac ice o! lawM. :ar icularly %e modern conce: o! law :rac ice; and a-ing in o considera ion %e li4eral cons ruc ion in ended 4y %e !ramers o! %e Cons i u ion; A y. 'onsodLs :as wor- eC:eriences as a lawyer8economis ; a lawyer8manager; a lawyer8en re:reneur o! indus ry; a lawyer8nego ia or o! con rac s; and a lawyer8legisla or o! 4o % %e ric% and %e :oor W verily more %an sa is!y %e cons i u ional re"uiremen W %a %e %as 4een engaged in %e :rac ice o! law !or a leas en years. PADILLA% J., dissen ing: 3%ere are several !ac ors de ermina ive o! w%e %er a :ar icular ac ivi y cons i u es M:rac ice o! law.M 1. ?a4i uali y 2. Com:ensa ion 3. A::lica ion o! law; legal :rinci:le; :rac ice or :rocedure w%ic% calls or legal -nowledge; raining and eC:erience is wi %in %e erm M:rac ice o! lawF. 4. A orney8clien rela ions%i:. CA=BALIAA @+ CRISTOBAL-TENORIO FACTS Ca4li+a; a !ormer em:loyee o! Cris al83enorio in %er law o!!ice; !iled a dis4armen com:lain on %e grounds o! decei ; grossly immoral conduc and mal:rac ice or o %er gross misconduc in o!!ice.
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De)e$"B re:resen ed %ersel! o 4e married o Felicisimo 3enorio 9r; w%o %as a :rior eCis ing marriage Gr ssly $(( ral ) #!u)"B dissemina ed li4ellous a!!idavi s agains a 'a-a i Ci y counselor. =alpra)"$)eB allowed %er %us4and; a non8lawyer; o :rac ice 4y ma-ing %im a senior :ar ner in %er law o!!ice. 3%is is evidenced 4y 1J %e law o!!ice le er%ead w%ic% included %e %us4and as a senior :ar ner; 2J an id w%erein %e signed as an Ea yF; 3J a::earance in cour as counsel. HELD #uil y o! mal:rac ice. >iola ed Ca# # 7 a#! Rule 7+91 Canon .: a lawyer s%all no assis in unau %ori+ed :rac ice o! law Rule ..21: a lawyer s%all no dela ed o any un"uali!ied :erson %e :er!ormance o! a as- %a may only 4e :er!ormed 4y mem4ers o! %e 4ar in good s anding Bven %oug% Ca4li+a la er on wi %drew %er com:lain ; 0B6 s ill :us%ed %roug% wi % %e inves iga ion 4ecause suc% is a disci:linary :roceeding. 3%ere is no :riva e in eres a!!ec ed suc% %a desis ance o! %e com:lainan will ermina e %e :roceedings. 3%e :ur:ose is o :ro ec %e 4ar !rom %ose un!i o :rac ice law. A=ALGA=ATED LABORERSG ASSOCIATION @+ CIR FACTS 3%is case involves a con roversy over A orney<s Fees !or legal services in %e C0R. 5n 1.5&; Arceo X 4( o %er mem4ers o! %eir 71051; ALA and 9avier lodged a com:lain agains Binal4agan )ugar Cen ral Com:any IB0)C5'J !or un!air la4or :rac ices; as s:eci!ied in %e 0ndus rial 6eace Ac . 5n 1ov 1.&2; %e C0R rendered @udgemen in !avor o! %e wor-ers and i 4ecame !inal on 'arc% 1.&3. 5n 9une 1.&3; %e C0R direc ed %e C%ie! BCaminer o go o B0)C5' o com:u e %e 4ac-wages o! %e com:lainan wor-ers A y. Fernande+ !iled a E1o ice o! A y.<s lienF amoun ing o 25Y o! %eir money claim I6%6(.; (55.22J. ?e eC:lained %a i was su::osed o 4e 32Y 4u Arsenio Reyes re"ues ed %im o 25Y o sa is!y A y. Car4onell<s lien o! 5Y. A y. Car4onell dis:u ed %is claim and even said %a %e ver4al agreemen en ered in o 4y %e 71051 and i s o!!icers is %a %e 32Y A y.<s Fees s%all 4e divided e"ually 4y %im; A y. Fernande+ D Felis4er o 9avier; %e 71051<s :residen . 3%ere are o %er ma ers in %is case regarding 9urisdic ion 4u %e one rela ed o Legal B %ics is on %e issue on A y.<s Fees ISSUE AG1 03 'A/ BB )3067LA3B* 3?A3 3?B 71051 6RB)0*B13 'A/ )?ARB 01 3?B A335R1B/<) FBB). HELD NO+ 3%e cour s ruc- down %e alleged oral agreemen %a %e 71051 6residen s%ould s%are in %e A y.<s Fees. 3%e 71051 6residen is no %e a orney !or %e la4orers. ?e may see- com:ensa ion only as suc% :residen . An agreemen w%ere4y a 71051 6residen is allowed o s%are in A y.<s Fees is immoral. )uc% a con rac we em:%a ically re@ec . 0 canno 4e @us i!ied. 1o e Rule ..22. AGUIRRE @+ RA=A FACTS Res:onden Bdwin L. Rana was among %ose w%o :assed %e 2222 Bar BCamina ions. 5n 21 'ay 2221; one day 4e!ore %e sc%eduled mass oa %8 a-ing o! success!ul 4ar eCaminees as mem4ers o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar; com:lainan *onna 'arie Aguirre !iled agains res:onden a 6e i ion !or *enial o! Admission o %e Bar; c%arging res:onden wi % unau %ori+ed :rac ice o! law; grave misconduc ; viola ion o! law; and grave misre:resen a ion. 3%e Cour allowed res:onden o a-e %is oa % as a mem4er o! %e Bar during %e sc%eduled oa %8 a-ing on 22 'ay 2221 4u ruled %a %e canno sign %e Roll o! A orneys :ending %e resolu ion o! %e c%arge agains %im. Com:lainan c%arged res:onden !or unau %ori+ed :rac ice o! law and grave misconduc ; alleging %a res:onden ; w%ile no ye a lawyer; a::eared as counsel !or >ice 'ayoral y candida e #eorge Bunan in %e 'ay 2221 elec ions 4e!ore %e 'unici:al Board o! Blec ion Canvassers IE'BBCFJ o! 'andaon; 'as4a e; and !iled wi % %e 'BBC a :leading as counsel en i led Formal 54@ec ion o %e 0nclusion in %e Canvassing o! >o es in )ome 6recinc s !or %e 5!!ice o! >ice8'ayor. Res:onden also signed as counsel !or Bs i:ona8?ao in %er :e i ion o 4e declared %e winning mayoral y candida e. 5n %e c%arge o! viola ion o! law; res:onden is no allowed 4y law o ac as counsel !or a clien in any cour or adminis ra ive 4ody; res:onden 4eing a munici:al governmen em:loyee I)ecre ary o! %e )angguniang Bayan o! 'andaon; 'as4a eJ. 3%e Cour re!erred %e case o %e 5!!ice o! %e Bar Con!idan IE5BCFJ !or evalua ion; re:or and recommenda ion. 5BC<s Re:or and Recommenda ion 3%e 5BC !ound %a res:onden indeed a::eared 4e!ore %e 'BBC as counsel !or Bunan in %e 'ay 2221 elec ions. 3%e minu es o! %e 'BBC :roceedings s%ow %a res:onden ac ively :ar ici:a ed in %e :roceedings. 3%e 5BC li-ewise !ound %a res:onden a::eared in %e 'BBC :roceedings even 4e!ore %e oo- %e lawyer<s oa % on 22 'ay 2221. Res:onden <s misconduc cas s a serious dou4 on %is moral !i ness o 4e a mem4er o! %e Bar. )uc% unau %ori+ed :rac ice o! law is a ground o deny %is admission o %e :rac ice o! law. HELD Res:onden is guil y o! unau %ori+ed :rac ice o! law and was %us denied admission o %e 6%ili::ine 4ar. 1. )C agreed wi % %e !inding o! %e 5BC %a res:onden engaged in %e unau %ori+ed :rac ice o! law and %us does no deserve admission o %e 6%ili::ine Bar.
,9 ; Bloc- C 2212
9us ice ?o!ilena

8 Res:onden a::eared as counsel !or Bunan and signed as EcounselF in %e :leadings 8 was also re ained as counsel o! mayoral y candida e Bmily Bs i:ona8?ao and o! :ar y RBF5R'A L'866C 4all these took place before $espondent took his oath and signed the $oll of Attorneys 2. A%a cons i u es %e E:rac ice o! lawF 8 3%e :rac ice o! law is not limi ed o %e conduc o! cases or li iga ion in cour K i em4races %e :re:ara ion o! :leadings and o %er :a:ers inciden o ac ions and s:ecial :roceedings; %e managemen o! suc% ac ions and :roceedings on 4e%al! o! clien s 4e!ore @udges and cour s 8 all advice o clien s; and all ac ion a-en !or %em in ma ers connec ed wi % %e law; incor:ora ion services; assessmen and condemna ion services con em:la ing an a::earance 4e!ore a @udicial 4ody; %e !oreclosure o! a mor gage; en!orcemen o! a credi orLs claim in 4an-ru: cy and insolvency :roceedings; and conduc ing :roceedings in a ac%men ; and in ma ers o! es a e and guardians%i: %ave 4een %eld o cons i u e law :rac ice; as do %e :re:ara ion and dra! ing o! legal ins rumen s; w%ere %e wor- done involves %e de ermina ion 4y %e rained legal mind o! %e legal e!!ec o! !ac s and condi ions. 8 any ac ivi y; in or ou o! cour ; w%ic% re"uires %e a::lica ion o! law; legal :rocedure; -nowledge; raining and eC:erience. 8 :er!orm ac s w%ic% are usually :er!ormed 4y mem4ers o! %e legal :ro!ession. 8 render any -ind o! service w%ic% re"uires %e use o! legal -nowledge or s-ill. 4 respondent !as engaged in the practice of la! !hen he appeared in the proceedings before the 5B6. and filed "arious pleadings, !ithout license to do so. 3. 3%e rig% o :rac ice law is no a na ural or cons i u ional rig% 4u is a :rivilege. 8 limi ed o :ersons o! good moral c%arac er wi % s:ecial "uali!ica ions duly ascer ained and cer i!ied. 8 A 4ar candida e does no ac"uire %e rig% o :rac ice law sim:ly 4y :assing %e 4ar eCamina ions. 8 al %oug% res:onden :assed %e 2222 Bar BCamina ions and oo- %e lawyer<s oa %; i is %e signing in %e Roll o! A orneys %a !inally ma-es one a !ull8!ledged lawyer. LACUINDANU= @+ CUINTANA Fac s: 9udge La"uindanum c%arged A y. =uin ana wi % %e o!!ense o! no ari+ing documen s 4eyond %e @urisdic ion o! %is no arial license and wi % no ari+ing documen s no -nown o %im o 4e 4ased on ac ual !ac s. 0 was also !ound %a %is wi!e some imes no ari+ed %e documen s %ersel!. 0ssue: 0s A y. =uin ana guil y o! viola ing Canon .H ?eld: /es. ?e was !ound o %ave assis ed in %e unau %ori+ed :rac ice o! law 4y negligen ly le ing %is wi!e no ari+e documen s %ersel! in %is a4sence. ?is con en ion %a %e rec i!ied %is error 4y sla::ing %is wi!e is o! no momen 4ecause %e did no in %e !irs :lace a-e %e necessary s e:s o :reven %is. ?e was also c%arged wi % viola ions o! %e no arial law. CANONS 19 E 11 FERNANDEA @+ DE RA=OS-@ILLALON FACTS 3%is is an adminis ra ive case !iled 4y :e i ioner Fernande+ agains A y. >illalon. 0 s ar ed !rom a case !iled 4y a cer ain Carlos 6alacios agains Fernande+ o nulli!y a *eed o! *ona ion. A y. >illalon re:resen ed 6alacios in %e early :ar o! %e case agains Fernande+. 0n 2224; 6alacios; owner o! a lo in 'a-a i; soug% %e %el: o! Fernande+ o %el: %im in a case agains a land8gra44ing syndica e. 6alacios won %e case wi % %e %el: o! Fernande+. 0n )e: 2225; 6alacios 4um:ed in o a 'rs. Lirio w%o eC:ressed in eres in 4uying 6alacios< 'a-a i :ro:er y. 0 urns ou %a i was 4eing sold 4y Fernande+ w%o allegedly %ad a *eed o! *ona ion w%ic% 6alacios eCecu ed in %is !avor. 3%is *eed o! *ona ion was regis ered. 6alacios; wi % %e %el: o! A y. >illalon; !iled an ac ion o nulli!y %e *eed agains Fernande+. ?owever; Fernande+ answered %a %e i le rans!er in %is name was :ro:er; ci ing a *eed o! A4solu e )ale as 4asis. ?e !ur %ered alled %a i was ac ually 6alacios w%o !orged %e *eed o! *ona ion o c%ea in aCes. 0n 222&; Fernande+ !iled a com:lain !or dis4armen agains A y. >illalon !or viola ion o! Rule 1.21; (.23; 12.1; 12.2; 12.3. ?e claims %a A y. >illalon %as su::ressed and eCcluded in %e com:lain !iled 4y %er -nowledge a4ou %e eCis ence o! %e *eed o! A4solu e )ale; w%ic% was 4y %e way; unregis ered. ?e says %a no men ion o! i was made in %e :e i ion !or %e annulmen o! %ee *eed o! *ona ion. Commissioner o! 0B6 recommended %e dismissal o! %e case. )us aining A y. >illalon<s argumen %a s%e; as counsel !or 6alacios; was under no du y o include %e !ac %a %e *eed o! )ale eCis ed 4ecause only %e clien <s o:era ive !ac s; and no o %er eviden iary !ac s; need o 4e included in %e com:lain . 3%e *eed o! )ale was a ma er o! a de!ense %a Fernande+ as de!endan can !reely :oin ou during %e rial. Fernande+ a::ealed %e case. ISSUE AG1 %ere was grave a4use o! discre ion in dismissing %e com:lain .
,1 ; Bloc- C 2212
9us ice ?o!ilena

HELD 1one. Case agains >illalon is dismissed. A lawyer; as an o!!icer o! %e cour ; %as %e du y o 4e ru %!ul in all %is dealings. ?owever; %is du y does no re"uire %a %e lawyer advance ma ers o! de!ense on 4e%al! o! %is or %er clien <s o::onen . )%e I>illalonJ is no du y 4ound o 4uild %e case !or %er clien <s o::onen ; Fernande+. 3%e cause o! ac ion c%osen 4y 6alacios was !or %e annulmen o! %e *eed o! *ona ion. Clien 6alacios in!ormed %er %a %e *eed o! )ale was void !or lac- o! considera ion. Also; i was no regis ered and was no %e 4asis o! %e rans!er o! i le o! 6alacios< :ro:er y o Fernande+. 3%ere!ore; i is no a necessary evidenceG!ac o %eir case. RI@ERA @+ CORRAL Fac s: Rivera ins i u ed a com:lain !or dis4armen c%arging A y. Corral wi % mal:rac ice and conduc un4ecoming a mem4er o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar. A decision !or an e@ec men case was received 4y A y. Corral<s secre ary on Fe4ruary 23; 1..2. 1o ice o! A::eal was !iled 4y A y. Corral on 'arc% 13; 1..2. 1eC day; %e wen o %e cler- o! cour and c%anged %e da e Fe4ruary 23 o Fe4ruary 2. wi %ou %e cour <s :rior -nowledge and :ermission. A y. Corral la er on !iled a re:ly o :lain i!!<s mani!es a ion claiming %a %e received %e decision on Fe4ruary 2,; no 2. I4ecause %ere is no Fe4 2.J. 0ssue: AG1 A y. Corral s%ould 4e dis4arred !or c%anging %e da e w%en %e received %e decision o! %e cour wi %ou %e cour <s :rior -nowledge o! decision ?eld: 1o; A y. Corral is sus:ended !or 1 year. 3%e correc ion o! da e 4y A y. Corral was made no o re!lec %e ru % 4u o mislead %e rial cour in 4elieving %a %e no ice o! a::eal was !iled wi %in %e reglemen ary :eriod. Because i! %e decision was received on Fe4 22; %e no ice o! a::eal !iled on 'arc% 13 is !iled ou o! ime. 3o eC rica e %imsel! !rom suc% :redicamen ; A y. Corral al ered %e da e %e received %e cour <s decision. By al ering %e ma erial da es o ma-e i a::ear %a %e 1o ice o! A::eal was imely !iled; A y. Corral commi ed an ac o! dis%ones y. *is%ones y cons i u es grave misconduc . >OHNNY NG @+ ALAR FACTS 3%e case s emmed !rom a la4or case !iled 4y %e em:loyees o! %e 1g Com:any agains i s em:loyers. 3%e em:loyees alleged %a %ey did no receive %eir service incen ive leave :ay !rom %eir em:loyers due o %e la er<s claim %a %e em:loyees conduc ed a s ri-e a %e Com:any<s :remises w%ic% %am:ered i s ingress and egress. 3%e case was re!erred o %e la4or ar4i er and %e la er !ound ISSUE AG1 res:onden viola ed Canons , and 11 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. HELD /B). Res:onden %as clearly viola ed Canons , and 11 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. ?is ac ions erode %e :u4lic<s :erce: ion o! %e legal :ro!ession. 3%e 'R'0 con ains insul s and dia ri4es agains %e 1LRC; a ac-ing 4o % i s moral and in ellec ual in egri y; re:le e wi % im:lied accusa ions o! :ar iali y; im:ro:rie y and lac- o! diligence. Res:onden used im:ro:er and o!!ensive language in %is :leadings %a does no admi any @us i!ica ion. 3%oug% a lawyerLs language may 4e !orce!ul and em:%a ic; i s%ould always 4e digni!ied and res:ec !ul; 4e!i ing %e digni y o! %e legal :ro!ession. 3%e use o! unnecessary language is :roscri4ed i! we are o :romo e %ig% es eem in %e cour s and rus in @udicial adminis ra ion. ?owever; %e :enal y o! re:rimand wi % s ern warning im:osed 4y %e 0B6 Board o! #overnors is no :ro:or iona e o res:onden <s viola ion o! %e Canons o! %e %a %e em:loyees %ave 4een :aid %eir service incen ive leave :ay. 3%e em:loyees a::ealed o 1LRC 4u %e la er a!!irmed %e la4or ar4i er<s decision. 0n reac ion o %is; res:onden !iled a 'o ion !or Reconsidera ion wi % 'o ion o 0n%i4i I'R'0J w%ere res:onden used scandalous; o!!ensive; and menacing languages o su::or %is com:lain . ?e said %a %e la4or ar4i er was cross8eyed in ma-ing %is !indings o! !ac and %a Commissioner *ino:ol ac ed in %e same manner wi % malice %rown in w%en %e ado: ed %e !indings o! %e la4or ar4i er. 3%a %e re iring commissioners o! 1LRC circumven %e law and @uris:rudence w%en %e money claim involved in %e case is su4s an ial. According o res:onden ; suc% ac s cons i u e grave a4use o! discre ion. Because o! %e 'R'0; com:lainan !iled a dis4armen case wi % 0B6<s Commission on Bar *isci:line agains res:onden w%erein i was alleged %a %e la er viola ed cer ain codes and rules o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. ):eci!ically; res:onden allegedly viola ed Canons , and 11 w%erein a lawyer is :ro%i4i ed !rom using scandalous; o::ressive; o!!ensive; and malicious language agains an o::osing counsel and 4e!ore %e cour s. 0n %is de!ense; res:onden argues %a %e did no viola e any o! %e canons !ound in %e Code 4ecause 1J %e 1LRC is no among %e cour s re!erred o in %e rulesK 2J %e Commissioners %erein are no @udgesK and 3J %e com:lainan s in la4or cases are en i led o some la i ude o! rig% eous anger. A ac%ed o res:onden <s coun er8com:lain is an a!!idavi made 4y %e union :residen Ba an alleging %a %e lawyers o! %e com:lainan are %e ones w%o viola ed %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y w%en %ey !iled mul i:le sui s arising !rom %e same cause o! ac ion and w%en %ey deli4era ely lessened %e num4er o! com:lainan s in %e la4or case. 3%e !indings o! %e Commission on Bar disci:line led %e 0B6 o conclude %a res:onden is guil y o! viola ing Canons , and 11; w%ile %e lawyers o! %e com:lainan did no viola e any canons o! %e Code. 0 recommended %a res:onden 4e re:rimanded wi % a s ern warning %a severe :enal ies will 4e im:osed in case a similar conduc will 4e commi ed again.
,, ; Bloc- C 2212
9us ice ?o!ilena

Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. 3%us; %e deserves a s i!!er :enal y o! !ine in %e amoun o! 65;222.22. Anen %e Coun er8Com:lain !iled agains %e lawyers o! com:lainan ; %e Cour !inds no reason o dis ur4 %e !ollowing !indings and recommenda ion o! %e 0nves iga ing Commissioner; as a::roved 4y %e 0B6 Board o! #overnors; o wi : 3%e Coun er8com:lainan Ba an !ailed o su4mi any :osi ion :a:er o su4s an ia e i s claims des:i e su!!icien o::or uni y o do so. FUDOT @+ CATTLEYA LAND FACTS *e La )erna a re"ues ed !or %e in%i4i ion o! Associa e 9us ice *an e 5. 3inga claiming %a 9us ice 3inga; w%o was %e :onen e o! %e decision; received 612 'illion !rom 'r. 9o%nny C%an in eCc%ange !or a !avora4le decision. *e la serna alleges >OHNNY CHAN cur ly old %im %a C%an already given ou 12' " >USTICE DANTE O+ TINGA in eCc%ange !or a !avora4le *ecision in %e case 4e ween Fudo and Ca l leya landI'r. C%an is a re:resen a ive o! Ca leya landJ. A y. *e La )erna said %a 9us ice 3inga a4andoned %e doc rine in %e case Lim v; 9orge o accommoda e 'r. C%an. ?e also said %a %e case was :riori i+ed !or resolu ion and %a 'r. C%an %ad :rior -nowledge o! %e ou come o! %e case 4e!ore %e decision was :romulga ed. ?owever; 'r. C%an rela ed %a %e a::roac%ed *e La )erna !or %e :ur:ose o! amica4ly se ling %eir case wi % Ca leya; and o!!ered %im o 4e %eir re ainer in Bo%ol. ?owever; %e denied %aving said o *e La )erna %a %e %ad already s:en so muc% money !or %e )u:reme Cour ISSUE AG1 A y. *e La )erna is guil y o! indirec con em: . HELD A y. *e La )erna is guil y o! indirec con em: . Con em: is de!ined as a diso4edience o %e Cour 4y se ing u: an o::osi ion o i s au %ori y; @us ice and digni y. 0 signi!ies no only a will!ul disregard or diso4edience o! %e cour Ls orders 4u suc% conduc %a ends o 4ring %e au %ori y o! %e cour and %e adminis ra ion o! law in o disre:u e or in some manner o im:ede %e due adminis ra ion o! @us ice. 0ndirec con em: is one commi ed ou o! or no in %e :resence o! %e cour %a ends o 4eli le; degrade; o4s ruc or em4arrass %e cour and @us ice. Any im:ro:er conduc ending; direc ly or indirec ly; o im:ede; o4s ruc ; or degrade %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice %as also 4een considered o cons i u e indirec con em: . A lawyer is; !irs and !oremos ; an o!!icer o! %e cour . Corollary o %is du y o o4serve and main ain %e res:ec due o %e cour s and @udicial o!!icers is o su::or %e cour s agains Mun@us cri icism and clamor.M ?is du y is o u:%old %e digni y and %e au %ori y o! %e cour s o w%ic% %e owes !ideli y; Mno o :romo e dis rus in %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice; as i is %is sworn and moral du y o %el: 4uild and no des roy unnecessarily %a %ig% es eem and regard owards %e cour s so essen ial o %e :ro:er adminis ra ion o! @us iceF As :ar o! %e mac%inery !or %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice; a lawyer is eC:ec ed o 4ring o %e !ore irregular and "ues iona4le :rac ices o! %ose si ing in cour w%ic% end o corrode %e @udicial mac%inery. 3%us; i! %e ac"uired relia4le in!orma ion %a anomalies are :er:e ra ed 4y @udicial o!!icers; i is incum4en u:on %im o re:or %e ma er o %e Cour so %a i may 4e :ro:erly ac ed u:on. An omission or even a delay in re:or ing may end o erode %e digni y o!; and %e :u4licLs rus in; %e @udicial sys em. 3%is is no o say; %owever; %a as an o!!icer o! %e cour ; %e canno cri ici+e %e cour . 0 is a long recogni+ed and res:ec ed rig% o! a lawyer; or any :erson; !or %a ma er; o 4e cri ical o! cour s and magis ra es as long as %ey are made in :ro:erly res:ec !ul erms and %roug% legi ima e c%annels. Bu" $" $s "he )ar!$#al ) #!$"$ # ' all su)h )r$"$)$s( "ha" $" shall &e & #a '$!e a#! shall # " sp$ll /er "he walls ' !e)e#)y a#! pr pr$e"y. 0n em:era e and un!air cri icism is a gross viola ion o! %e du y o! res:ec o cour s. 0 is suc% a misconduc %a su4@ec s a lawyer o disci:linary ac ion. 0n %is case; A y. *e La )ernaLs s a emen s 4ear %e 4adges o! !alse%ood w%ile %e common version o! %e wi nesses w%o dis:u ed %is s a emen s is im4ued wi % %e %allmar-s o! ru %. *e La )ernaLs declara ions were maliciously and irres:onsi4ly made. 3%ey eCceeded %e 4oundaries o! decency and :ro:rie y. 3%e li4elous a ac- on %e in egri y and credi4ili y o! 9us ice 3inga end o degrade %e digni y o! %e Cour and erode :u4lic con!idence %a s%ould 4e accorded o i . BONDOC @+ >UDGE SI=BULAN FACTS 3%ere was a case !or corru: ion in %e @udges sala. %e :riva e :rosecu ors re:resen ing %e governmen were re:ea edly a4sen or un:re:ared. 3%is led o %e case 4eing dismissed. %e lawyerG:riva e :rosecu or was un%a::y wi % %e dismissal and accused %e @udge o! !avori ism and gross ignorance o! %e law. 3%e lawyer wen o %e congressman in %eir dis ric and %roug% %im !iled a case agains %e @udge. %is su4se"uen reac%ed %e su:reme cour . HELD 3%e su:reme cour !ound %e @udge innocen and %e lawyer was !ound o 4e %e one 4e%ind %e case Iagains %e @udgeJ no %e congressman. 3%e lawyer was !ound guil y o! indirec con em: and given a s ern warning as well as !ined !or 2522:%: 4y %e cour . Lesson: i! you !ile a case agains a @udge !ile i wi %in %e @us ice sys em Iie o!!ice o! %e cour adminis ra or G 0B6J no wi % your congressman or o %er non8@udicial :eo:le. CANON 1, BERBANO @+ BARCELONA FACTS
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Felici as Ber4ano; %eir o! Ru!ino ?ila:o a::oin ed A y. *aen as %eir a y8in8 !ac !or %eir :ending casevwi % %e Commission on %e )e lemen o! Land 6ro4lems Iregarding %eir Ayala lo 4eing claimed 4y Filinves *ev. Cor:.J. A y. *aen was su4se"uen ly arres ed 4y 'un inlu:a :olice. 3%e %eirs o! ?ila:o loo-ed !or a lawyer o secure %e release o! A y. *aen. Ber4ano was recommended o A y. Barcelona I4y a cer ain 1a y )i4uyaJ. A! er %e !irs visi o! A y. Barcelona in 'un inlu:a Ci y 9ail; %ey learned %a A y. *aen %ad decided o engage %e services o! A y. Barcelona. A y. Barcelona old Ber4ano %a i! %ey could :roduce 652$; %e will cause %e release o! A y. *aen %e neC day. )ince i was already la e in %e evening; Ber4ano could only :roduce 615;(22 4y as-ing !rom rela ives w%o were wi % %er. 3%ere were several su4se"uen mee ings 4e ween Ber4ano and A y. Barcelona regarding %e Egrease moneyF o 4e used o allegedly 4ri4e an )C @us ice. Ber4ano made ano %er :aymen via a E:ay8 o8cas%F c%ec- !or 624;222K and; in ano %er occasion; wen o %e %ouse o! A y. Barcelona o give %im 612;222. Ano %er 615;222 was %anded o A y. Barcelona 4y A y. *aen<s ne:%ew w%ile Ber4ano gave %im 61222 !or gasoline eC:enses w%en A y. Barcelona in!ormed %em %a %e could no secure A y. *aen<s 4ecause %e c%ec- %ad no 4een encas%ed. By %is ime; %e o al amoun given o A y. Barcelona reac%ed 6&4;222. For !ailure o deliver on %is :romise and due o %is sudden disa::earance; Ber4ano !iled a com:lain !or dis4armen agains A y. Barcelona wi % %e 0B6. Commissioner Bau is a !ound A y. Barcelona guil y o! mal:rac ice and serious 4reac% o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y recommending %im o 4e dis4arred and ordering %im o re urn %e 6&4;222 IFor !ailure o !ile an answer and o a::ear 4e!ore %e Commissioner; %e decision was rendered ex parte.J. Board o! #overnors ado: ed %e Commissioner<s !indings 4u reduced %e :enal y o sus:ension !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or & years. ISSUE AG1 A y. Barcelona s%ould 4e dis4arred HELD A""y+ Bar)el #a sh ul! &e !$s&arre!. *is4armen :roceedings are mean o sa!eguard %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice 4y :ro ec ing %e cour and %e :u4lic !rom %e misconduc o! o!!icers o! %e cour and remove !rom %e :ro!ession o! law :ersons w%ose disregard !or %eir oa % o! o!!ice %ave :roved %em un!i o con inue disc%arging %e rus re:osed in %em as mem4ers o! %e 4ar. Ber4ano<s A!!idavi 8Com:lain and es imony was su!!icien o su::or %e !inding %a res:onden commi ed %e ac s com:lained o!. 3%e ac o! A y. Barcelona in no !iling %is answer and ignoring %e %earings; des:i e due no ice; em:%asi+ed %is con em: !or legal :roceedings. ?ence; %e Cour !inds no com:elling reason o over urn %e 0nves iga ing Commissioner<s @udgmen . A y. Barcelona is guil y !or viola ions o! Canon 1; (; 11; and 1& IRule 1&.21J. 0ns ead o! :romo ing res:ec !or law and %e legal :rocesses; res:onden callously demeaned %e legal :ro!ession 4y a-ing money !rom a clien under %e :re eC o! %aving connec ions wi % a 'em4er o! %e Cour I o secure %e release o! A y. *aenJ. Also; %is was no %e !irs ime A y. Barcelona %as 4een c%arged and !ound guil y o! conduc un4ecoming a lawyer I3%e :revious case also involved misre:resen a ion and A y. Barcelona also did no a::ear 4e!ore %e 0B6 des:i e due no ice.J. $espondent has demonstrated a penchant for misrepresenting to clients that he has the proper connections to secure the relief they seek, and thereafter, ask for money, !hich !ill allegedly be gi"en to such connections Irela ed o Canon 12J. SEBASTIAN @+ BA>AR FACTS Ba@ar was a lawyer or %e Bureau o! Agrarian Legal Assis ance o! %e *AR w%o re:resen ed Fernando 3anlioco in numerous cases w%ic% raised %e same issues. 3anlioco was an agricul ural lessee o! a land owned 4y )e4as ian<s s:ouse and sis er8in8law IlandownersJ. 3%e landowners !iled an B@ec men case agains 3anlioco on %e 4asis o! a conversion order o! %e land use !rom agricul ural o residen ial. 3%e R3C rendered @udgmen ordering 3anlioco<s e@ec men su4@ec o %e :aymen o! dis ur4ance com:ensa ion. 3%is was a!!irmed 4y %e CA and )C. Ba@ar; as counsel; !iled ano %er case !or ):eci!ic 6er!ormance o :roduce %e conversion order. R3C dismissed %is due o res @udica a and lac- o! cause o! ac ion. Ba@ar again !iled ano %er case !or 'ain enance o! 6ossession wi % %e *AR Ad@udica ion Board w%ic% raised %e same issues o! conversion and dis ur4ance com:ensa ion. 'anuel ). )e4as ian !iled a dis4armen com:lain agains A y. Bmily A. Ba@ar Ires:onden J !or Eo4s ruc ing; diso4eying; resis ing; re4elling; and im:eding !inal decisions o! Regional 3rial Cour s; %e Cour o! A::eals and o! %e ?onora4le )u:reme Cour ; and also !or su4mi ing %ose !inal decisions !or %e review and reversal o! %e *ARAB; an adminis ra ive 4ody; and !or con em: uous ac s and dila ory ac ics.F 3%e Cour issued a resolu ion re"uiring Ba@ar o commen on %e com:lain lodged agains %er. A! er a 2nd 'o ion !or BC ension; Ba@ar !inally su4mi ed %er Commen w%ic% was alleged o no con!ron %e issues raised agains %er. 3%e Cour re"uired Ba@ar o su4mi a Re@oinder 4u !ailed; and was la er ordered o s%ow cause w%y s%e s%ould no 4e su4@ec ed o disci:linary ac ion !or suc% !ailure. 3%e Cour re!erred %e case o %e 0B6 !or %earing and decision. 3%e 0B6 ruled %a Ba@ar 4e E)7)6B1*B* 01*BF0103BL/ !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or 7ne %ical 6rac ices and a i ude s%owing %er :ro:ensi y and incorrigi4le c%arac er o viola e %e 4asic ene s and re"uiremen s o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y rendering %er un!i o con inue in %e :rac ice o! law.F ?owever; Ba@ar con inued o :rac ice law des:i e %e decision claiming %a s%e did no receive a co:y o! %e order. ISSUE A%e %er Ba@ar viola ed Res:onsi4ili y HELD /B). Res:onden <s ac o! !iling cases wi % iden ical issues in o %er venues des:i e %e !inal ruling w%ic% was a!!irmed 4y %e Cour o! A::eals and %e )u:reme Cour is %e Canon 12 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional
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4eyond %e 4ounds o! %e law. Res:onden a4used %er rig% o! recourse o %e cour s. Res:onden ; ac ing as 3anlioco<s counsel; !iled cases !or ):eci!ic 6er!ormance and 'ain enance o! 6ossession des:i e %e !inali y o! %e decision in %e B@ec men case w%ic% involves %e same issues. 3%e Cour %eld %a Ean im:or an !ac or in de ermining %e eCis ence o! !orum8s%o::ing is %e veCa ion caused o %e cour s and %e :ar ies8li igan s 4y %e !iling o! similar cases o claim su4s an ially %e same relie!s.Q(2R 0ndeed; Ew%ile a lawyer owes !ideli y o %e cause o! %is clien ; i s%ould no 4e a %e eC:ense o! ru % and adminis ra ion o! @us ice.F 0 is eviden !rom %e records %a res:onden !iled o %er cases o %war %e eCecu ion o! %e !inal @udgmen in %eB@ec men case. 0n %is case; res:onden %as s%own %er grea :ro:ensi y o disregard cour orders. Res:onden <s ac s o! wan only diso4eying %er du ies as an o!!icer o! %e cour s%ow an u er disres:ec !or %e Cour and %e legal :ro!ession. ?owever; %e Cour will no dis4ar a lawyer i! i !inds %a a lesser :enal y will su!!ice o accom:lis% %e desired end. Ba@ar was SUSPENDED !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or a :eriod o! THREE YEARS e!!ec ive !rom no ice; wi % a STERN <ARNING %a a re:e i ion o! %e same or similar ac s will 4e deal wi % more severely. HEGNA @+ PADERANGA FACTS ?egna was %e lessee o! a :or ion o! land owned 4y %e Baclayon s:ouses !or 12 years 4u during %is :eriod %e 6anaguini: s:ouses 4y means o! !orce; %rea ; in imida ion; s eal % and s ra egy IF0)3)J en ered u:on %e vacan :or ion o! %e lo and cons ruc ed a s%o: !or w%ic% %e !iled a !orci4le en ry case. ?egna won and %e 6anaguini: s:ouses were sen enced o vaca e %e leased :remises and o :ay com:lainan com:ensa ory damages !or illegal occu:a ion. A%en %e '3CC o! Ce4u issued a wri o! eCecu ion and %e )%eri!! levied cer ain :ro:er ies o! %e s:ouses %ey sen a le er da ed *ec 2221 o ?egna !or a :ossi4le amica4le se lemen w%ic% %e denied. 3%en A y. 6aderanga !iled a 3%ird 6ar y Com:lain alleging %a %e 4oug% %e lo and %e ve%icle during 1ovem4er and *ecem4er o! 2221 w%ic% caused %e !ailure o levy %e :ro:er ies 4y %e )%eri!!. ?egna %en !iled a le er com:lain o %e 5!!ice o! %e 4ar con!idan !or Edeli4era ely !alsi!ying documen s; causing delay and a :ossi4le denial o! @us ice.F ?e also !iled criminal c%arges agains A y. 6aderanga D A y. 'adarang Ino ary :u4licJ !or !alsi!ica ion o! :u4lic documen s and %e 6anaguini: s:ouses !or !alse es imony and :er@ury. ?is grounds were I1J %e lo %ad no record o! rans!er wi % %e Regis er o! *eeds; I2J %e regis ra ion o! %e ve%icle didn< re!lec any c%ange o! owners%i: D I3J %e 1o arial Regis er Boo- s%owed am:ering and erasures. 3%e Ci y 6rosecu or dismissed %e criminal com:lain !or lac- o! prima facie evidence o! guil 4u re!erred %e adminis ra ive com:lain o %e 0n egra ed Bar o! %e 6%ili::ines I0B6J !or inves iga ion. A y. 6aderanga<s de!ense alleged %a !or B)3A3B 6LA1101# :ur:oses; %e in en ionally le! %ese :ro:er ies in %e name o! %e :revious owner and %a %e alleged discre:ancies in %e no ari+a ion were made o correc mis a-es so %a en ries will s:ea- %e ru %. 3%e 0nves iga ing Commissioner !ound %a %e dismissal was im:ro:er in lig% o! %e le er %andwri en 4y Res:onden <s clien s; wri en in Ce4uano; as-ing !or mercy and !orgiveness in rela ion o %e !orci4le en ry case. )uc% le er was no longer necessary i! indeed %ere was a #B1701B rans!er o! owners%i: o! :ro:er ies. 0n addi ion; %ere were several ins ances w%ere A y. 6aderanga will mee wi % ?egna o!!ering se lemen and i was only w%en %e denied %em %a %e received %e 3%ird 6ar y Com:lain . ISSUE AGn %ere was indeed a genuine rans!er o! %e lo and ve%icle o A y. 6aderangaH HELD Commissioner is convinced %a %ere was indeed an anomaly w%ic% cons i u es a viola ion o! %e Canons o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y so given 1 year sus:ension. ?is non8regis ra ion o! %e sale ransac ion so i would no a::ear in %e records o! %e B0R; %e Ci y Assessor or %e Regis er o! *eeds; on %e Land Regis ra ion 5!!ice so %a %e would # " pay ' r "he e:pe#ses ' "he sale a#! "ra#s'er "w$)e; once %e !e)$!e! " sellH r pla)e "he( $# h$s )h$l!re#Gs #a(e% a#! a/ $! pay$#* es"a"e a#! $#her$"a#)e "a:es u:on %is dea %. Ar . 14.1 A lawyer oug% o %ave -nown %a %e )a## " a)?u$re "he pr per"y ' h$s )l$e#" wh$)h $s $# l$"$*a"$ #+ viola ed Rule 1+91 w%ic% :rovides %a a lawyer s%all # " e#*a*e $# u#law'ul% !$sh #es"% $(( ral r !e)e$"'ul ) #!u)"+ viola ed %e LawyerGs Oa"h; w%ic% manda es %a %e s%ould su::or %e Cons i u ion; o4ey %e laws as well as %e legal orders o! %e duly cons i u ed au %ori ies %erein; and do # 'alseh ! r # " ) #se#" " "he ! $#* ' a#y $# ) ur". Fur %er; %e %as also !ailed o live u: o %e s andard se 4y law %a %e s%ould re'ra$# 'r ( ) u#sel$#* r a&e""$#* a)"$/$"$es a$(e! a" !e'$a#)e ' "he law r a" lesse#$#* ) #'$!e#)e $# "he le*al sys"e( . 3%e ac o! non8regis ra ion o! %e deeds o! sale o avoid :aying aC may no 4e illegal per seK 4u ; as a servan o! %e law; a lawyer s%ould ma-e %imsel! an eCem:lar !or o %ers o emula e. PLUS BUILDERS @+ RE@ILLA FACTS 0n %e case o! 6L7) B70L*BR); 01C.; and B*#AR*5 C. #ARC0A vs. A33/. A1A)3AC05 B. RB>0LLA; 9R.; ; Bn Banc; A.C. 1o. (25&; Fe4ruary 11; 222.; %e res:onden lawyer !iled a mo ion !or reconsidera ion o! %e decision o! %e 6%ili::ine )u:reme Cour ; !inding res:onden guil y o! gross misconduc !or commi ing a will!ul and in en ional !alse%ood 4e!ore %e cour ; misusing cour :rocedure and :rocesses o delay %e eCecu ion o! a @udgmen and colla4ora ing wi % non8lawyers in %e illegal :rac ice o! law. 5n 1ovem4er 15; 1...; a decision was rendered 4y %e 6rovincial Ad@udica or o! Cavi e I6ARA*J in !avor o! com:lainan ; 6lus Builders; 0nc. and agains %e enan sG!armers Leo:oldo de #u+man; e . al.; w%o were %e clien s o! res:onden A y. Anas acio B. Revilla; 9r. 3%e 6ARA* !ound %a res:onden <s clien s were mere
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enan s and no rig% !ul :ossessorsGowners o! %e su4@ec land. 3%e case was eleva ed all %e way u: o %e )u:reme Cour ; wi % %is Cour sus aining com:lainan <s rig% s over %e land. Con inuing o :ursue %is clien s< los cause; res:onden was !ound o %ave commi ed in en ional !alse%oodK and misused cour :rocesses wi % %e in en ion o delay %e eCecu ion o! %e decision %roug% %e !iling o! several mo ions; :e i ions !or em:orary res raining orders; and %e las ; an ac ion o "uie i le des:i e %e !inali y o! %e decision. Fur %ermore; %e allowed non8lawyers o engage in %e unau %ori+ed :rac ice o! law U %olding %emselves ou as %is :ar nersGassocia es in %e law !irm. Res:onden main ains %a %e did no commi %e ac s com:lained o!. 3%e courses o! ac ion %e oo- were no mean o unduly delay %e eCecu ion o! %e *ARAB *ecision da ed 1ovem4er 1.; 1...; 4u were 4ased on %is serious s udy; researc% and eC:erience as a li iga ion lawyer !or more %an 22 years and on %e !ac s given o %im 4y %is clien s in %e *ARAB case. ?e 4elieves %a %e courses o! ac ion %e oo- were valid and :ro:er legal %eory designed o :ro ec %e rig% s and in eres s o! Leo:oldo de #u+man; e . al. ?e s resses %a %e was no %e original lawyer in %is case. 3%e lawyer8clien rela ions%i: wi % %e !ormer lawyer was ermina ed 4ecause Leo:oldo de #u+man; e . al. !el %a %eir !ormer counsel did no eC:lainGargue %eir :osi ion very well; re!used o lis en o %em and; in !ac ; even cas iga ed %em. As %e new counsel; res:onden candidly relied on w%a %e enan sG!armers old %im in %e course o! %is in erview. 3%ey main ained %a %ey %ad 4een in o:en; adverse; con inuous and no orious :ossession o! %e land in %e conce: o! an owner !or more %an 52 years. 3%us; %e !iling o! %e ac ion o "uie i le was resor ed o in order o de ermine %e rig% s o! %is clien s res:ec ing %e su4@ec :ro:er y. ?e avers %a %e merely eC%aus ed all :ossi4le remedies and de!enses o w%ic% %is clien s were en i led under %e law; considering %a %is clien s were su4@ec ed o %arassmen and %rea s o! :%ysical %arm and summary evic ion 4y %e com:lainan . ?e :osi ed %a %e was only 4eing :ro ec ive o! %e in eres o! %is clien s as a good !a %er would 4e :ro ec ive o! %is own !amily; and %a %is services o Leo:oldo de #u+man; e . al were almos :ro 4ono. HELD 0 is %e rule %a w%en a lawyer acce: s a case; %e is eC:ec ed o give %is !ull a en ion; diligence; s-ill and com:e ence o %e case; regardless o! i s im:or ance and w%e %er %e acce: s i !or a !ee or !or !ree. A lawyer<s devo ion o %is clien <s cause no only re"uires 4u also en i les %im o de:loy every %onora4le means o secure !or %e clien w%a is @us ly due %im or o :resen every de!ense :rovided 4y law o ena4le %e la er<s cause o succeed. 0n %is case; res:onden may no 4e wan ing in %is regard. 5n %e con rary; i is a::aren %a %e res:onden <s ac s com:lained o! were commi ed ou o! %is over8+ealousness and misguided desire o :ro ec %e in eres s o! %is clien s w%o were :oor and uneduca ed. Ae are no unmind!ul o! %is dedica ion and convic ion in de!ending %e less !or una e. 3a-ing %e cudgels !rom %e !ormer lawyer in %is case is ra %er commenda4le; 4u res:onden s%ould no !orge %is !irs and !oremos res:onsi4ili y as an o!!icer o! %e cour . 0n su::or o! %e cause o! %eir clien s; lawyers %ave %e du y o :resen every remedy or de!ense wi %in %e au %ori y o! %e law. 3%is o4liga ion; %owever; is no o 4e :er!ormed a %e eC:ense o! ru % and @us ice. 3%is is %e cri erion %a mus 4e 4orne in mind in every eCer ion a lawyer gives o %is case. 7nder %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y; a lawyer %as %e du y o assis in %e s:eedy and e!!icien adminis ra ion o! @us ice; and is en@oined !rom unduly delaying a case 4y im:eding eCecu ion o! a @udgmen or 4y misusing cour :rocesses. FIL-GARCIA% INC+ @+ HERNANDEA FACT Filomeno #arcia; :residen o! Fil8#arcia 0nc.; a! er losing %is case in %e CA !or a sum o! money; secured %e serviced o! A y. Fernando ?ernande+; w%o received %e denied resolu ion !or #arcia as counsel; and was given 15 days o a::eal. 0ns ead o! !iling %e a::eal; ?ernande+ !iled !or a 'o ion !or BC ension %e day 4e!ore %e eC:ira ion o! %e :eriod o !ile %e a::eal;; alleging %a %e was counsel !or a mayoral y candida e and a sena orial candida e; and %e was also needed in %e canvassing o! vo es; so %e urgency o! %e na ure o! %is wor- will no allow %im %e limi ed ime o !ile %e a::eal; %us as-ed !or 32 days eC ension. 32 days la er; ?ernande+ again !iled %is 2nd 'o ion !or BC ension; %is ime; 4ecause %e !ell ill; and %is :%ysical s a e will no allow %im o !ile %e a::eal on ime; %us as-ing !or 22 days eC ension. 22 days la er; %e 3rd 'o ion !or BC ension was !iled; wi % %e grand eCcuse %a 4ecause %e !ell ill %e las ime; %is wor- load :iled u:; %us re"uiring %im more ime o conclude on %e wor- load %e missed w%en %e was ill; :lus %e a::eal; %ence %e re"ues !or 12 days eC ension; o w%ic% 12 days la er; %e did ac ually !ile %e a::eal. IFinallyNJ 5! course; a! erwards; ?ernande+ learned %a all %ree 'o ions !or BC ensions were denied 4y %e cour ; and o %is dismay; received a co:y o! %e resolu ion denying %e a::eal all oge %er. ?owever; ins ead o! in!orming %is clien ; Fil8#arcia; %e decides o !orward %e resolu ion o! denial o! %e a::eal some ( mon %s la er; w%ic% grea ly angered %is clien ; :us%ing %im o !ile !or %is dis4armen . ISSUE 0s ?ernande+ lia4le !or mal:rac ice; gross misconduc ; an amoun viola ion o! %is oa % as a lawyer; w%ic% warran %is dis4armen H HELD /es; o gross negligence; 4u no o dis4armen . 3%e !iling o! 3 mo ions !or eC ension on %e careless assum: ion %a eac% mo ion will 4e gran ed 4y %e Cour ; and wi %ou a-ing care o! in!orming %imsel! o! %e Cour Ls ac ion %ereon; cons i u es ineCcusa4le negligence. 'oreover; res:onden -nowingly re!erred o Rule &5 in %e :e i ion %e 4ela edly !iled as an a! er %oug% in %is des:era e a em: o salvage %e a::eal. Rule 12.24 en@oins a lawyer no o Munduly delay a case; im:ede %e eCecu ion o! @udgmen or misuse cour :roceedings.M A%ile :ressure o! wor- or some o %er unavoida4le reasons may cons rain a lawyer o !ile a mo ion !or eC ension o! ime o !ile :leadings; %e s%ould no :resume %a %is mo ion !or eC ension o! ime will 4e gran ed. 'o ions !or eC ension o! ime o !ile a :leading are no gran ed as a ma er o! course 4u lie in %e sound discre ion o! %e cour . 0 is %us incum4en on o
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any movan !or eC ension o eCercise due diligence o in!orm %imsel! as soon as :ossi4le o! %e Cour Ls ac ion on %is mo ion; 4y imely in"uiry !rom %e Cler- o! Cour . )%ould %e neglec o do so; %e runs %e ris- o! ime running ou on %im; !or w%ic% %e will %ave no4ody 4u %imsel! o 4lame. A lawyer w%o !inds i im:rac ica4le o con inue as counsel s%ould in!orm %e clien and as- %a %e 4e allowed o wi %draw !rom %e case o ena4le %e clien o engage %e services o! ano %er counsel w%o can s udy %e si ua ion and wor- ou a solu ion. 3o ma-e ma ers worse; i oo- res:onden ( mon %s !rom %e ime %e received a co:y o! %e Cour Ls resolu ion o in!orm com:lainan o! %e same. ?e was merely sus:ended !or & mon %s; considering %a res:onden %um4ly admi ed %is !aul in no immedia ely in!orming com:lainan o! %e s a us o! %e case. CANONS 10 E 12 FOODSPHERE @+ =AURICIO FACTS Foods:%ere; 0nc. is %e owner o! C*5 grocery :roduc s. 5ne day; a 'r. Cordero 4oug% canned goods !rom a grocery s ore; one o! %em 4eing a C*5 liver s:read canned good. A%en 'r. Cordero and %is !amily a e %e liver s:read; %ey !ound %a i as ed sour and su4se"uen ly discovered %a %e canned good was in!es ed wi % a colony o! worms. A com:lain was !iled wi % %e Bureau o! Food and *rug Adminis ra ion IBFA*J and a su4se"uen inves iga ion con!irmed %e :resence o! %e :arasi es. BFA* ordered a %earing 4e ween Foods:%ere and %e Corderos; w%ere %e la er demanded 6152-. Foods:%ere re!used; resul ing o %e Corderos %rea ening o 4ring u: %e ma er o %e media. 'eanw%ile; A y 'auricio !aCed Foods:%ere a sam:le !ron :age o! a a4loid %e was involved wi %; w%ic% con ained ar icles discredi ing %e la er; and %rea ened o :u4lis% i i! %ey didn< :ay %e amoun %e Corderos wan ed. Foods:%ere re!used as well. A y 'auricio %us :ro:osed a 78asunduan9 4e ween %e wo; w%ere Foods:%ere agreed o se le %e ma er !or a lower amoun ; 4u added %a Foods:%ere adver ise in 'auricio<s a4loids and v s%ows; in eCc%ange !or %e wi %drawal o! %e com:lain . 3%e Corderos wi %drew %eir com:lain and BFA* dismissed %e com:lain agains Foods:%ere. 'auricio %en sen Foods:%ere an ZAdver ising Con rac < as-ing %e la er adver isemen s o! various media Iw%ic% were a lo Oand eC:ensiveNJ owned 4y 'auricio. As a sign o! goodwill; Foods:%ere o!!ered o :a roni+e some adver isemen s only. 'auricio was disa::oin ed wi % %is and %rea ened o :roceed wi % %e :u4lica ions. And a !ew wee-s la er; 'auricio; in %is radio al- s%ow IBa as ng BayanJ %eld a guessing con es wi % "ues ions %a as-ed w%ic% com:any %ad worms in i s liver s:read. ?e also wro e in %is columns and aired in %is v s%ows a4ou %e same o:ic. Foods:%ere !iled criminal and civil com:lain s agains 'auricio a4ou %e discredi ing remar-s %a %e %as 4een ma-ing agains %e com:any. Foods:%ere also !iled %e :resen adminis ra ive com:lain agains 'auricio o %e 0B6; w%ere %e was FACTS Adminis ra ive case s emmed !rom %e even s o! %e :roceedings in Criminal Case 1o. 5144: 6eo:le v. Luis 6la+a. 6la+a was accused o! murdering a :oliceman. Criminal case was originally ra!!led o %e sala o! 9udge Buyser. Buyser denied %e *emurrer o %e Bvidence o! %e accused; declaring %a evidence :resen ed was su!!icien o :rove %e crime o! %omicide 4u no murder. Counsel !or 6la+a !iled a 'o ion o FiC Amoun o! Bail; 4u )enior ) a e 6rosecu or Baga4uyo Iw%o was in c%arge o! %e caseJ o4@ec ed %ere o on %e ground %a %e original c%arge o! murder was no su4@ec o 4ail IRules o! Cour J. 9udge Buyser in%i4i ed %imsel! !rom rying %e case 4ecause o! %e E%ars% insinua ionF o! Baga4uyo %a %e Elac-s %e cold neu rali y o! an im:ar ial magis ra eF 4y allegedly sugges ing %e !iling o! %e mo ion o !iC %e amoun o! 4ail. Case was rans!erred o 9udge 3an; w%o !iCed %e amoun o! 4ail a 642-. 0ns ead o! availing o! @udicial remediess; Baga4uyo caused %e :u4lica ion o! an ar icle regarding %e 5rder gran ing %e 4ail in %e 'indanao #old ) ar *aily; +Senior prosecutor lambasts Surigao -udge for allo!ing murder suspect to bail out.F 0n %e ar icle; Baga4uyo argued %a %e crime o! murder is non84aila4le; 4u admi ed %a a @udge could s ill o: o allow a murder sus:ec o 4ail ou in cases w%en %e evidence o! %e :rosecu ion is wea-. ?e claims %a %e !ormer @udge !ound %e evidence o 4e s rong. ?e s a ed %a %e was no a!raid o 4e ci ed !or con em: 4ecause i was %e only way !or %e :u4lic o -now %a %ere are @udges dis:laying @udicial arrogance. R3C direc ed Baga4uyo Iand %e wri er o! %e ar icleJ o eC:lain w%y %e s%ould no 4e ci ed !or indirec con em: o! cour !or %e :u4lica ion o! %e ar icle w%ic% degraded %e cour wi % i s :residing @udge wi % i s lies and misre:resen a ions. Baga4uyo re!used o eC:lain and %e R3C %eld %im in con em: o! cour ; sen encing %im o 32 days in @ail I%e :os ed a 4ail 4ond and was releasedJ. ordered no o ma-e any more s a emen s on %e ma er. 1o wi %s anding %e :ending cases agains %im; 'auricio con inued o :u4lis% ar icles agains Foods:%ere and discredi %em in %is v s%ows. Because o! %is; %e 0B6 ordered %a 'auricio 4e sus:ended !or 2 years. 'auricio now c%allenges %e validi y o! %e sus:ension. ISSUEIS AG1 'auricio<s sus:ension was valid. HELD /B)N 'auricio sus:ended !or 3 years. C #"$#ue! A""a).s Desp$"e Pe#!$#* Cases J @$ la"$ # O' Rule 10+9, *es:i e %e :endency o! %e case agains 'auricio; and 0B6<s orders %a %e discon inue wi % %is ac ions; %e s ill con inued wi % %is a ac-s agains Foods:%ere and i s :roduc s. 3%is is a clear and conscious viola ion %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y w%ic% is an im:ro:er conduc o! a mem4er o! %e 4ar. :; 6: he po!er of the media to form or influence public opinion cannot be underestimated. SUSPENSION OF ATTY+ BAGUBAYAO
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*es:i e %is; Baga4uyo :resen ed %imsel! o %e media !or in erviews in Radio ) a ion *P$) and again; a ac-ed %e in egri y o! 9udge 3an. 0n %e radio in erview; Baga4uyo called 9udge 3an a liar; ignoran o! %e law and %a as a ma%@ong a!icionado; %e was s udying ma%@ong ins ead o! s udying %e law. R3C re"uired Baga4uyo o eC:lain and s%ow cause w%y %e s%ould no 4e %eld in con em: and 4e sus:ended !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or viola ing %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y IRule 11.25 and Rule 13.22J. Baga4uyo denied %e c%arge %a %e soug% o 4e in erviewed. ?e said %a %e was a::roac%ed 4y someone w%o as-ed %im o commen on %e 5rder. ?e @us i!ied %is res:onse o %e in erview Ia %e ins ance o! %is !riendJ as a sim:le eCercise o! %is cons i u ional rig% o! !reedom o! s:eec% and %a i was made wi %ou malice. R3C !ound %is denials lame; %eld %im in con em: ; and sus:ended %im !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or 1 year. 0n accordance wi % %e Rules o! Cour ; %e case was ransmi ed o %e 5!!ice o! %e Bar Con!idan ; w%ic% recommended %e im:lemen a ion o! %e R3C<s order o! sus:ension. ISSUE AG1 Baga4uyo s%ould 4e %eld in con em: and sus:ended !or viola ing Rule 11.25; Canon 11 and Rule 13.22 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y U /B) HELD Canon 11 manda es a lawyer o o4serve and main ain %e res:ec due o %e cour s and o @udicial o!!icers. Baga4uyo viola ed Canon 11 w%en %e indirec ly s a ed %a 9udge 3an was dis:laying @udicial arrogance in %e :u4lis%ed ar icle and w%en %e s a ed %a 9udge 3an was ignoran o! %e law and %a as a ma%@ong a!icionado; %e was s udying ma%@ong ins ead o! %e law. Rule 11.25 s a es %a a lawyer s%all su4mi grievances agains a @udge o %e :ro:er au %ori ies. Baga4uyo viola ed Rule 11.25 w%en %e caused %e %olding o! a :ress con!erence and su4mi ed o a radio in erview o air ou %is grievances agains 9udge 3an. Rule 13.22 s a es %a a lawyer s%all no ma-e :u4lic s a emen s in %e media regarding a :ending case ending o arouse :u4lic o:inion !or or agains a :ar y. Baga4uyo viola ed Rule 13.22 w%en %e made s a emen s in %e ar icle; w%ic% were made w%ile Criminal Case 1o. 5144 was s ill :ending in cour . A lawyer may 4e dis4arred or sus:ended !or any viola ion o! %is oa %; a :a en disregard o! %is du ies; or an odious de:or men un4ecoming o! an a orney. CANON 13 HILADO @+ DA@ID FACTS 'rs. ?ilado !iled an ac ion agains Assad o annul %e sale o! several %ouse D lo 4e ween Assad and %er now deceased %us4and; during %e 9a:anese occu:a ion Assad<s counsel is A y. Francisco 'rs. ?ilado<s counsels are %e !ollowing: *elgado; *i+on; Flores and Rodrigo A y. *i+on wro e A y. Francisco o discon inue re:resen ing Assad 4ecause 'rs. ?ilado consul ed %er a4ou %e case and even urned over some documen s o A y. Francisco A y. Francisco even wro e a legal o:inionGle er addressed o 'rs. ?ilado regarding %e same case; w%ic% s a es %a A y. Francisco will no re:resen 'rs. ?ilado in %e case and %e %in-s %a %e ac ion agains Assad will no :ros:er 'rs. ?ilado<s counsel !iled a mo ion o *0)=7AL0F/ A y. Francisco A y. Francisco<s version o! %e s ory: o 'rs. ?ilado came o see A y. Francisco a4ou %e case; 4u %e re!used o 4ecome %er counsel 4ecause %e %in-s %a %e ac ion will no :ros:er o *ays la er; A y. Francisco<s assis an ; A y. Agrava; in!ormed %im %a 'rs. ?ilado le! some eC:edien e in %e !irm. A y. Francisco ins ruc ed A y. Agrava o re urn %e eC:edien e 4ecause %ey will no %andle %e case o! 'rs. ?ilado o La er; %e !irm<s s enogra:%er s%owed A y. Francisco a le er allegedly dic a ed 4y A y. Agrava w%ic% eC:lains o 'rs. ?ilado w%y %ey re!use o a-e %e case o A y. Francisco allegedly signed %e le er wi %ou reading i o La er on; Assad wen o A y. Francisco<s o!!ice. A! erwards; A y. Francisco acce: ed %e re ainer !ee Lower Cour ?eld: no o %er in!orma ion was ransmi ed o A y. Francisco o %er %an %ose in :lain i!!<s com:lain and %ere was no a orney8clien rela ions%i: 4e ween A y. Francisco and 'rs. ?ilado. ?ence; mo ion o dis"uali!y is denied.
ISSUE AG1 %ere was an a orney8clien rela ions%i: 4e ween A y. Francisco and 'rs. ?ilado HELD /es; %ere was an a orney8clien rela ions%i: 4ecause %e :ur:ose o! 'rs. ?ilado was o o4 ain A y. Francisco<s :ersonal service as a lawyer Re ainer and !re"uency o! consul a ion is no needed ; so long as %e :ur:ose is o o4 ain :ro!essional advice or assis ance and %e a orney :ermi s; %en an a orney8clien rela ions%i: is es a4lis%ed Formali y is no essen ial
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Bven is no secre communica ion was given; as long as %ere is an a orney8 clien rela ions%i: w%ic% :recludes acce: ing o::osi e :ar y<s re ainer in %e same li iga ion regardless o! w%a y:e o! in!orma ion was received 5nly %us can li igan s 4e encouraged o en rus %eir secre s o %eir a orneys w%ic% is o! :aramoun im:or ance o adminis ra ion o! @us ice Bven i! %e in!orma ion was only received 4y an assis an ; i is s ill considered as :ro!essional service; 4esides an in!orma ion im:ar ed o a mem4er o! a !irm is made availa4le o %e en ire !irm ?ence; A y. Francisco is dis"uali!ied as Assad<s counsel Ra io: Rule 15.22 U a lawyer s%all 4e 4ound 4y %e rule on :rivileged communica ion in res:ec o! ma ers disclosed o %im 4y a :ros:ec ive clien NADPIL @+ @ALDES FACTS >aldes is 9ose 1a-:il<s accoun an ; consul an and lawyer. 1a-:il go in eres ed in %e :urc%ase o! a summer residence in Baguio 4u due o lac- o! !unds; %e as-ed >aldes o 4uy i !or %im and %old i in rus . >aldes o4 ained 2 loans I&5- and (5-J; %en %e 4oug% %e land and %ad %e i le issued in %is name. A%en 9ose 1a-:il died; 0melda; %is wi!e; 4ecame %e adminis ra riC o! 9ose<s es a e. And; >aldes< law !irm !iled !or %e se lemen o! 9ose<s es a e. Baguio :ro:er y 4ecame an issue 4ecause %e :ro:er y was no included in 9ose<s inven ory o! es a e; 4u %e loans used o :urc%ase %e :ro:er y were c%arged under %is name. 3%e i le o %e :ro:er y was rans!erred !rom >aldes o Caval Real y; >aldes< !amily real y cor:. >aldes< accoun ing !irm %andled %e inven ory o! 9ose<s es a e 4u also; %andled %e claims o! 9ose<s credi ors8 Angel 1a-:il and B15R1; 01C. ISSUE wGn >aldes is guil y o! re:resen ing con!lic ing in eres s in viola ion o! %e code o! :ro!essional e %ics HELD /es. 3%e :roscri: ion a::lies no ma er %ow slig% %e adverse in eres is. Re:resen a ion o! con!lic ing in eres s may 4e allowed only u:on !ull disclosure o! %e !ac s among all concerned :ar ies; as o %e eC en o! con!lic and :ro4a4le adverse ou come. 3%e :re:ara ion o! claims o! %e credi ors agains %e es a e is o4viously im:ro:er 4ecause %e %ad o !ig% !or one side; %e claims %e was de!ending agains !or %e o %er side. 3%e de!ense %a %e %ad already resigned !rom %e law !irm was no su::or ed 4y evidence. ?is resigna ion !rom %e accoun ing !irm only s%ows %a %e FACTS Com:lainan s in %is case are mem4ers o! %e 6%ili::ine 6u4lic )c%ool 3eac%ers Associa ion I66)3AJ w%o !iled an in ra8cor:ora e case agains i s mem4ers o! %e Board o! *irec ors !or unlaw!ul s:ending and %e undervalued sale o! %e real :ro:er ies o! 66)3A cor:ora ion. A orney )aluna is %e counsel o! %e 6%ili::ine 6u4lic )c%ool 3eac%ers Associa ion I66)3AJ and a %e same ime %e counsel o! %e 66)3A Board o! *irec ors. ?ence; com:lainan s now aver %a A y. )aluna is guil y o! con!lic o! in eres . ISSUE Can a lawyer; engaged 4y a cor:ora ion; de!end mem4ers o! %e 4oard o! %e same cor:ora ion in a deriva ive sui H HELD 1o; a lawyer canno . ?ence; A y. )aluna is guil y o! re:resen ing con!lic ing in eres and is admonis%ed o o4serve a %ig%er degree o! !ideli y in %e :rac ice o! %is :ro!ession. 3%e Cour in %is case eC:lained %e na ure o! a deriva ive sui . A%ere cor:ora ion direc ors %ave commi ed a 4reac%; ul ra vires ac s; or negligenceO a s oc-%older may sue on 4e%al! o! %imsel! and o %er s oc-%olders and !or %e 4ene!i o! %e cor:ora ion. 0n %is sui %ere!ore; %e cor:ora ion is %e real :ar y in in eres ; w%ile %e s oc-%older w%o !iles a sui !or %e cor:ora ion<s 4e%al! is only %e nominal :ar y. 3%e es o! inconsis ency o! in eres is w%e %er %e acce: ance o! a new rela ion will :reven an a orney !rom %e !ull disc%arge o! %is du y o! undivided !ideli y and loyal y o %is clien or invi e sus:icion o! un!ai %!ulness or dou4le dealing in %e :er!ormance %ereo!. A si ua ion w%erein a lawyer re:resen s 4o % %e cor:ora ion and i s assailed direc ors unavoida4ly gives rise o a con!lic o! in eres . NORTH<ESTERN UNI@ERSITY @+ ARCUILLO was a4sen !or "ui e some ime 4u re urned o wor- during %e enure o! %e li iga ion o! claims. 3%us; %e canno claim ignorance o! %e case. 3%e es o! im:ro:rie y o! re:resen a ion o! con!lic ing in eres s is no %e cer ain y o! suc% eCis ence 4u mere :ro4a4ili y !or i o eCis . Bven %oug% %e could %ave commi ed suc% misconduc no as a lawyer 4u as an accoun an ; %e cour is no dives ed o! @urisdic ion o :unis% a lawyer !or misconduc commi ed ou side %e legal !ield; as %e good moral c%arac er re"uiremen is no only a re"uisi e !or en rance o %e 4ar 4u a con inuing re"uiremen !or %e :rac ice o! law. A lawyer s%ould always ac o :romo e :u4lic con!idence o %e legal :ro!ession. HORNILLA @+ SALUNAT
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FACTS 1or %wes ern 7niversi y !iled an adminis ra ive case agains A y. Ar"uillo !or re:resen ing con!lic ing in eres s in a 1LRC case. 3%e com:lain alleges %a A y. Ar"uillo a::eared as counsel !or 4o % %e :e i ioner and %e res:onden ICas roJ in %e la4or case. A y. Ar"uillo; as a de!ense; con ended %a %e :e i ioners and res:onden %e re:resen ed in %e la4or case 4elonged o %e same side as %e la er :ar y was a4solved !rom lia4ili y. ?ence; %ere was no con!lic o! in eres s. ISSUE AG1 A y. Ar"uillo re:resen ed con!lic ing in eres s. HELD /B). A%en a lawyer re:resen s wo or more o::osing :ar ies; %ere is a con!lic o! in eres s; %e eCis ence o! w%ic% is de ermined 4y %ree se:ara e es s: I1J w%en; in re:resen a ion o! one clien ; a lawyer is re"uired o !ig% !or an issue or claim; 4u is also du y84ound o o::ose i !or ano %er clien K I2J w%en %e acce: ance o! %e new re ainer will re"uire an a orney o :er!orm an ac %a may in@uriously a!!ec %e !irs clien or; w%en called u:on in a new rela ion; o use agains %e !irs one any -nowledge ac"uired %roug% %eir :ro!essional connec ionK or I3J w%en %e acce: ance o! a new rela ion would :reven %e !ull disc%arge o! an a orney<s du y o give undivided !ideli y and loyal y o %e clien or would invi e sus:icion o! un!ai %!ulness or dou4le dealing in %e :er!ormance o! %a du y. ?aving agreed o re:resen one o! %e o::osing :ar ies !irs ; %e lawyer s%ould %ave -nown %a %ere was an o4vious con!lic o! in eres s; regardless o! %is alleged 4elie! %a %ey were all on %e same side. 0 canno 4e denied %a %e dismissed em:loyees were %e com:lainan s in %e same cases in w%ic% Cas ro was one o! %e res:onden s. CUIA=BAO @+ BA=BA Fac s: =uiam4ao c%arges A y. Bam4a wi % viola ion o! C6R !or re:resen ing con!lic ing in eres s w%en %e la er !iled a case agains %er w%ile %e was a %a ime re:resen ing %er in ano %er case; and !or commi ing o %er ac s o! disloyal y and dou4le8dealing. A y. Bam4a is %e counsel o! Allied 0nves iga ion Bureau IA0BJ and i s :residen and managing direc or I=uiam4aoJ. A y. Bam4a is %e counsel o! =uaim4ao in an e@ec men case. La er on; =uiam4ao resigned !rom A0B. A%ile %e e@ec men case was s ill ongoing; A y. Bam4a; as %e counsel o! A0B; !iled a re:levin case agains =uiam4ao. 0ssue: A%e %er or no A y. Bam4a is guil y o! misconduc !or re:resen ing con!lic ing in eres s in con raven ion o! %e 4asic ene s o! %e legal :ro!ession. ?eld: /es; A y. Bam4a is guil y. )us:ended !or 1 year. ISSUE A %e ime A y. Bam4a !iled %e re:levin case on 4e%al! o! A0B; %e was s ill %e counsel o! record o! =uiam4ao in %e :ending e@ec men case. 7nder Rule 15.23; Ea lawyer s%all no re:resen con!lic ing in eres s eCce: 4y wri en consen o! all concerned given a! er !ull disclosure o! %e !ac s.F 3%is is !ounded on %e :rinci:les o! :u4lic :olicy 4ecause i is %e only way %a li igan s can 4e encouraged o en rus %eir secre s o %eir lawyers; w%ic% is o! :aramoun im:or ance in %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice. 3 3es s o! Con!lic o! 0n eres s: 1. A%e %er a lawyer is du y84ound o !ig% !or an issue or claim in 4e%al! o! one clien and; a %e same ime; o o::ose %a claim !or %e o %er clien 2. A%e %er %e acce: ance o! a new rela ion would :reven %e !ull disc%arge o! %e lawyer<s du y o! undivided !ideli y and loyal y o %e clien or invi e sus:icion o! un!ai %!ulness or dou4le8dealing in %e :er!ormance o! %a du y 3. A%e %er %e lawyer would 4e called u:on in %e new rela ion o use agains a !ormer clien any con!iden ial in!orma ion ac"uired %roug% %eir connec ion or :revious em:loymen HEIRS OF FALA=E @+ BAGUIO FACTS 6lain i!!s; %eirs o! %e la e Lydio Falame; allege %a %eir !a %er engaged %e services o! res:onden A y. Baguio o re:resen %im in an ac ion !or !orci4le en ry Iin w%ic% Lydio and %is 4ro %er Raleig% were one o! %e de!endan sJ. As counsel; A y. Baguio used and su4mi ed evidence o!: 1.J A s:ecial :ower o! a orney eCecu ed 4y Lydio in !avor o! %is 4ro %er; Raleig% Falame; a::oin ing %im as %is a orney8in8!ac K and 2.J a!!idavi o! Raleig% Falame; eCecu ed 4e!ore %e res:onden ; in w%ic% Raleig% s a ed %a Lydio owned %e :ro:er y su4@ec o! %e case. 6lain i!!s !ur %er allege %a even a! er a !avora4le ruling !or %e de!endan s in %e said case; Lydio s ill re ained %e services o! A y. Baguio as %is legal adviser and counsel o! %is 4usinesses un il %is dea % in 1..&. ?owever; in 5c o4er o! 2222 A y. Baguio; in re:resen a ion o! s:ouses Raleig% and 1oemi Falame; !iled a com:lian agains %e :lain i!!s involving %e same :ro:er y %a was %e su4@ec ma er in %e !irs case. )aid com:lain soug% %e declara ion o! nulli y o! %e deed o! sale; i s regis ra ion in %e regis ry o! deeds; 3C3 issued as a conse"uence o! %e regis ra ion o! %e sale and %e real es a e mor gage. 6lain i!!s in urn; !iled an adminis ra ive case agains A y. Baguio alleging %a 4y ac ing as counsel !or %e s:ouses Falame in %e second case; w%erein %ey were im:leaded a de!endan s; res:onden viola ed %is oa % o! o!!ice and du y as an a orney. 3%ey con end %a %e s:ouses Falame<s in eres s are adverse o %ose o! %is !ormer clien ; Lydio. 3%e 0B6 Board o! #overnors :assed a Resolu ion ado: ing and a::roving 0nves iga ing Commissioner Ains on A4uyuan<s re:or and recommenda ion !or %e dismissal o! %is case.
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AG1 A y. Baguio viola ed Rule 15.23 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili yH HELD /es; %e viola ed %e rule. Rule 15.23 o! %e Canon o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y :rovides: A lawyer s%all no re:resen con!lic ing in eres s eCce: 4y wri en consen o! all concerned given a! er a !ull disclosure o! %e !ac s. A lawyer may no ; wi %ou 4eing guil y o! :ro!essional misconduc ; ac as counsel !or a :erson w%ose in eres con!lic s wi % %a o! %is :resen or !ormer clien . 3%e es is w%e %er; on 4e%al! o! one clien ; i is %e lawyer<s du y o con es %a w%ic% %is du y ano %er clien re"uires %im o o::ose or w%en %e :ossi4ili y o! suc% si ua ion will develo:. 3%e rule covers no only cases in w%ic% con!iden ial communica ions %ave 4een con!ided; 4u also %ose in w%ic% no con!idence %as 4een 4es owed or will 4e used. 3%e rule :ro%i4i s a lawyer !rom re:resen ing a clien i! %a re:resen a ion will 4e direc ly adverse o any o! %is :resen or !ormer clien s. 3%e rule is grounded in %e !iduciary o4liga ion o! loyal y. 3%e ermina ion o! a orney8clien rela ion :rovides no @us i!ica ion !or a lawyer o re:resen an in eres adverse o or in con!lic wi % %a o! %e !ormer clien . 3%e clien <s con!idence once re:osed s%ould no 4e dives ed 4y mere eC:ira ion o! :ro!essional em:loymen . 3%e :ro ec ion given o a clien is :er:e ual and does no cease wi % %e ermina ion o! %e li iga ion; nor is i a!!ec ed 4y %e :ar y<s ceasing o em:loy %e a orney and re aining ano %er; or 4y any o %er c%ange o! rela ion 4e ween %em. 0 even survives %e dea % o! %e clien . 0n %e case a 4ar; res:onden admi ed %aving @oin ly re:resen ed Lydio and Raleig% as de!endan s in %e !irs civil case. Bviden ly; %e a orney8clien rela ion 4e ween Lydio and res:onden was es a4lis%ed des:i e %e !ac %a i is imma erial w%e %er suc% em:loymen was :aid; :romised or c%arged !or. As de!ense counsel in %e !irs civil case res:onden advoca ed %e s ance %a Lydio solely owned %e :ro:er y su4@ec o! %e case. 0n %e second civil case involving %e same :ro:er y; res:onden ; as counsel !or Raleig% and %is s:ouse; %as :ursued %e inconsis en :osi ion %a Raleig% owned %e same :ro:er y in common wi % Lydio; wi % com:lainan s; w%o in%eri ed %e :ro:er y; commi ing ac s w%ic% de4ase res:onden <s rig% s as co8owner. 3%e !ac %a %e a orney8clien rela ion %ad ceased 4y reason o! Lydio<s dea % or %roug% %e com:le ion o! %e s:eci!ic as- !or w%ic% res:onden was em:loyed is no reason !or res:onden o advoca e a :osi ion o::osed o %e o! Lydio. And w%ile :lain i!!s %ave never 4een res:onden <s clien s; %ey derive %eir rig% s o %e :ro:er y !rom Lydio<s owners%i: o! i w%ic% res:onden main ained in %e !irs civil case. PACANA @+ PASCUAL-LOPEA FACTS 6acana was %e 5:era ions *irec or !or 'ul i el Communica ions Cor:ora ion I'CCJ. 'ul i el was 4esieged 4y demand le ers !rom i s mem4ers and inves ors 4ecause o! %e !ailure o! i s inves men sc%emes. 6acana earned %e ire o! 'ul i el inves ors a! er 4ecoming %e assignee o! ma@ori y o! %e s%ares o! s oc- o! 6receden and a! er 4eing a::oin ed as rus ee o! a !und amoun ing o 3%ir y 'illion 6esos I632;222;222.22J de:osi ed a Real Ban-. 'ul i el la er c%anged i s name o 6receden . 6acana soug% %e advice o! Lo:e+ w%o also %a::ened o 4e a mem4er o! %e Cou:les !or C%ris ; a religious organi+a ion w%ere 6acana and %is wi!e were also ac ive mem4ers. From %en on; %ey cons an ly communica ed; wi % %e !ormer disclosing all %is involvemen and in eres s in 6receden and 6receden <s rela ion wi % 'ul i el. Lo:e+ gave legal advice o 6acana and even %el:ed %im :re:are s andard "ui claims !or credi ors. 0n sum; 6acana avers %a a lawyer8clien rela ions%i: was es a4lis%ed 4e ween %im and Lo:e+ al %oug% no !ormal documen was eCecu ed 4y %em a %a ime. 3%ere was an a em: o %ave a !ormal re ainer agreemen signed 4u i didn< :us% %roug%. A! er a !ew wee-s; 6acana was sur:rised o receive a demand le er !rom Lo:e+ as-ing !or %e re urn and immedia e se lemen o! %e !unds inves ed 4y Lo:e+<s clien s in 'ul i el. Lo:e+ eC:lained %a s%e %ad o send i so %a %er clien s U de!rauded inves ors o! 'ul i el U would -now %a s%e was doing some %ing !or %em and assured 6acana %a %ere was no %ing o worry a4ou . Bo % :ar ies con inued o communica e and eCc%ange in!orma ion regarding %e :ersis en demands made 4y 'ul i el inves ors agains 6acana. 6acana gave Lo:e+ several amoun s; !irs .22;222K %en 1;222;222 o 4e used in %is case. Bven w%en 6acana wen o %e s a es; %ey con inued communica ing and %e con inued sending %er money !or %e case. Aary %a Lo:e+ may no 4e a4le o %andle %is legal :ro4lems; 6acana was advised 4y %is !amily o %ire ano %er lawyer. A%en Lo:e+ -new a4ou %is; s%e wro e o com:lainan via e8mail; as !ollows: *ear Bu c%ie; ?iN 5- -a langH ?o:e you are !ine. )orry i! 0 s%oc-ed you 4u 0 %ad o do i as y ur 'r$e#! a#! lawyer+ -----------0 %ave 4een in!ormed 4y B!ie %a your !amily is loo-ing a %iring Coco 6imen el. 0 -now %im very well as %is sis er #wen is my 4es !riend. 0 ha/e # pr &le( $' y u h$re h$( &u" I w$ll &e ha#!s ''+ I w r. !$''ere#"ly .as$+ -------- E're# Sa#" s w$ll s$*# as y ur lawyer al"h u*h I w$ll ! all "he w r.+ ----------Please ! # " w rry+ G$/e (e 0 ( #"hs " (a.e $" all !$sappear+ Bu" $' y u h$re C ) % I w$ll *$/e h$( "he 'ree ha#! " w r. w$"h y ur )ase+ -------- I w$ll s"a#! &y y u always+ Th$s $s (y e:per"$se+ TRUST (eK 8888 Candy A%en %e go 4ac- o %e coun ry; Lo:e+ old 6acana s%e %ad earned 612;522;222.22 as a orney<s !ees and was willing o give 62;222;222.22 o %im in a::recia ion !or %is %el:. 3%is never %a::ened %oug%. Lo:e+ also ignored 6acana<s re:ea ed re"ues s !or accoun ing. )%e con inued o evade %im. Finally; 6acana !iled a case wi % %e 0B6 !or Lo:e+<s dis4armen . 3%e 0B6 dis4arred %er.
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ISSUE A%e %er or no Lo:e+ %ad viola ed Rule 15.23 on re:resen ing con!lic ing in eres s. HELD /esN A orney 'aricel 6ascual8Lo:e+ was *0)BARRB* !or re:resen ing con!lic ing in eres s and !or engaging in unlaw!ul; dis%ones and decei !ul conduc in viola ion o! %er Lawyer<s 5a % and %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. Ra io: Rule 15.23 U A lawyer s%all no re:resen con!lic ing in eres s eCce: 4y wri en consen o! all concerned given a! er !ull disclosure o! %e !ac s. Lo:e+ mus %ave -nown %a %er ac o! cons an ly and ac ively communica ing wi % 6acana; w%o; a %a ime; was 4eleaguered wi % demands !rom inves ors o! 'ul i el; even ually led o %e es a4lis%men o! a lawyer8clien rela ions%i:. Lo:e+ canno s%ield %ersel! !rom %e inevi a4le conse"uences o! %er ac ions 4y sim:ly saying %a %e assis ance s%e rendered o com:lainan was only in %e !orm o! M!riendly accommoda ions;M :recisely 4ecause a %e ime s%e was giving assis ance o com:lainan ; s%e was already :rivy o %e cause o! %e o::osing :ar ies w%o %ad 4een re!erred o %er 4y %e )BC. #iven %e si ua ion; %e mos decen and e %ical %ing w%ic% Lo:e+ s%ould %ave done was ei %er o advise 6acana o engage %e services o! ano %er lawyer since s%e was already re:resen ing %e o::osing :ar ies; or o desis !rom ac ing as re:resen a ive o! 'ul i el inves ors and s and as counsel !or com:lainan . )%e canno 4e :ermi ed o do 4o % 4ecause %a would amoun o dou4le8dealing and viola e our e %ical rules on con!lic o! in eres . 0ndu4i a4ly; Lo:e+ oo- advan age o! 6acana<s %a:less si ua ion; ini ially; 4y giving %im legal advice and; la er on; 4y solici ing money and :ro:er ies !rom %im. 3%erea! er; Lo:e+ im:ressed u:on 6acana %a s%e %ad ac ed wi % u mos sinceri y in %el:ing %im dives all %e :ro:er ies en rus ed o %im in order o a4solve %im !rom any lia4ili y. Bu simul aneously; s%e was also doing %e same %ing o im:ress u:on %er clien s; %e :ar y claiman s agains 'ul i el; %a s%e was doing every %ing o reclaim %e money %ey inves ed wi % 'ul i el. CANON 14 LICUANAN @+ =ELO Fac s: Licuanan !iled a com:lain agains A y. 'elo !or 4reac% o! :ro!essional e %ics. A y. 'elo was Licuanan<s counsel in an e@ec men case !iled agains %er enan . A y. 'elo !ailed o remi o %er %e ren als collec ed nor did %e said lawyer re:or o %er %e recei: o! said amoun s. 0 was only a! er a year !rom ac ual recei: %a A y. 'elo urned over %is collec ions o Licuanan 4ecause a demand made 4y %e la er. 0ssue: A%e %er or no A y. 'elo s%ould 4e :enali+ed !or !ailure o remi ren als collec ed ?eld: /esN A y. 'elo is dis4arred. Ra io: 3%e ac ua ions o! A y. 'elo in re aining !or %is :ersonal 4ene!i over a 1 year :eriod; %e moun o! 65;222 received 4y %im on 4e%al! o! %is clien ; Licuanan is de:rived o! i s use; and wi %%olding in!orma ion on %e same des:i e in"uiries made 4y %er; 0 a 4reac% o! %e Lawyer<s 5a % o w%ic% %e swore o4servance; and an eviden ransgression o! %e C6R. *ue o A y. 'elo<s :ro!essional misconduc ; %e %as 4reac%ed %e rus re:osed in %im 4y %is clien . A y. 'elo<s un:ro!essional ac ua ions considered; %e )C !ind %im guil y o! decei ; mal:rac ice and gross misconduc in o!!ice. ?e %as dis:layed lac- o! %ones y and good moral c%arac er. POSIDIO @+ @ITAN FACTS 6osidio engaged %e services o! >i an in a 3es a e 6roceeding o! %e deceased 1icolasa Arroyo o w%ic% s%e :aid 6%: 22;222.22 as legal !ees. ?owever; >i an wi %drew %is a::earance in %e said case %us; 6osidio %ad o engage %e services o! ano %er lawyer. )iC years a! er; >i an con ac ed 6osidio and old %er %a %e %as wi % some aC declara ions and o %er documen s :ur:or edly !orming :ar o! %e es a e o! 1icolasa Arroyo; 4u was no included in %e inven ory o! :ro:er ies !or dis ri4u ion. ?e convinced com:lainan o !ile ano %er case o recover %er s%are in %e alleged undeclared :ro:er ies and demanded 6122;222.22 as legal !ees. A! er several mon %s; %owever; res:onden !ailed o ins i u e any ac ion. Com:lainan decided o !orego %e !iling o! %e case and as-ed !or %e re urn o! %e 6122;222.22; 4u res:onden re!used des:i e re:ea ed demands. 3%e lower cour ruled in !avor o! 6osidio and ordered >i an o re urn %e 6%: 122;222.22 and :ay an addi ional 6%: 22;222.22 as in eres and damages. 0n com:liance; >i an issued a 6ruden ial Ban- c%ec- %a was dis%onored la er on. *es:i e 4eing sen a no ice o! dis%onor and %e re:ea ed demands o :ay; >i an re!used o %onor %is o4liga ion. 3%e case was re!erred o %e 0n egra ed Bar o! %e 6%ili::ines !or inves iga ion; re:or and recommenda ion. 3%e 0nves iga ing Commissioner su4mi ed %is Re:or !inding >i an guil y o! viola ing %e lawyer<s oa % and %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y in de!rauding %is clien and issuing a c%ec- wi %ou su!!icien !unds o cover %e same. 3%e 0B6 :enali+ed >i an wi % a re:rimand wi % s ern warning %a a similar misconduc will warran a more severe :enal y. ISSUE A%e %er or no >i an s%ould 4e :enali+edH HELD 3%e )u:reme Cour agrees wi % %e !indings o! %e 0B6. ?owever; %ey !ind %a %e :enal y o! re:rimand is no commensura e o %e gravi y o! wrong commi ed 4y >i an. 0n %e ins an case; res:onden received %e amoun o! 6122;222.22 as legal !ees !or !iling addi ional claims agains %e es a e o! 1icolasa ). de #u+man Arroyo.
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?owever; %e !ailed o ins i u e an ac ion; %us i was im:era ive %a %e immedia ely re urn %e amoun o com:lainan u:on demand. ?aving received :aymen !or services w%ic% were no rendered; res:onden was un@us i!ied in -ee:ing com:lainan <s money. ?is o4liga ion was o immedia ely re urn %e said amoun . ?is re!usal o do so des:i e com:lainan <s re:ea ed demands cons i u es a viola ion o! %is oa % w%ere %e :ledges no o delay any man !or money and swears o conduc %imsel! wi % good !ideli y o %is clien s. A lawyer is o4liged o %old in rus money or :ro:er y o! %is clien %a may come o %is :ossession. ?e is a rus ee o said !unds and :ro:er y. ?e is o -ee: %e !unds o! %is clien se:ara e and a:ar !rom %is own and %ose o! o %ers -e: 4y %im. 'oney en rus ed o a lawyer !or a s:eci!ic :ur:ose suc% as !or %e regis ra ion o! a deed wi % %e Regis er o! *eeds and !or eC:enses and !ees !or %e rans!er o! i le over real :ro:er y under %e name o! %is clien i! no u ili+ed; mus 4e re urned immedia ely o %is clien u:on demand. 3%e lawyer<s !ailure o re urn %e money o! %is clien u:on demand gave rise o a :resum: ion %a %e %as misa::ro:ria ed said money in viola ion o! %e rus re:osed on %im. 3%e conversion 4y a lawyer o! !unds en rus ed o %im 4y %is clien is a gross viola ion o! :ro!essional e %ics and a 4e rayal o! :u4lic con!idence in %e legal :ro!ession. LE=OINE @+ BALON FACTS Lemoine; %e :e i ioner; is a Frenc% na ional w%o !iled an insurance claim wi % 'e ro:oli an 0nsurance. ?is !riend; 9esus #arcia; arranged !or %e engagemen o! A y. Balon<s services as %is counsel Balon advised Lemoine %a %e was c%arging 25Y o! %e ac ual amoun o 4eing recovered :aya4le u:on success!ul recovery. Lemoine never gave %is consen as o %e !ee. )ince %e was leaving %e coun ry; Lemoine signed an unda ed ):ecial 6ower o! A orney au %ori+ing Balon o 4ring any ac ion agains 'e ro:oli an 0nsurance !or %e sa is!ac ion o! Lemoine<s claim as well as o nego ia e; sign; com:romise; encas% and receive :aymen s 'e ro:oli an 0nsurance o!!ered o se le Lemoine<s claim and Balon con!irmed %is acce: ance o! %e o!!er *ecem4er 1..,; 'e ro:oli an 0nsurance issued a C%ina Ban- c%ec- :aya4le o Lemoine in %e amoun o! 6525;222 w%ic% was received 4y Balon A%en Lemoine as-ed Balon as o %e s a us o! %e case; Balon answered %a 'e ro:oli an 0nsurance was o!!ering 6352;222 !or se lemen w%ic% Lemoine sugges ed %a Balon acce: o avoid li iga ion *ecem4er 1...; Lemoine visi ed %e o!!ice o! 'e ro:oli an 0nsurance o ason %e s a us o! %e case and i answered %a %e case was long se led via a c%ec- given o Balon. Balon ac-nowledge %a %e is in :ossession o! %e c%ec- and %a %e is -ee:ing %e c%ec- as a orney<s lien :ending Lemoine<s :aymen o! %is a orney<s !ee e"uivalen o 52Y o! %e en ire amoun collec ed. ?e also %rea ened Lemoine %a %e will no %esi a e o ma-e :ro:er re:resen a ion wi % %e Bureau o! 0mmigra ion and *e:or a ion; *5LB and B0R i! Lemoine will ma-e any rou4le o Balon and %a %e %as good ne wor- wi % %e men ioned agencies. Balon la er claimed %a %e gave 6233;222 o #arcia on %e re:resen a ion o! Lemoine; %owever; %e gave no evidence o suc% urnover AG1 A y. Balon viola ed %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y HELD /B). According o %e )C; A y. Balon viola ed Canons 1; 15; 1&; 1(; 1, and 21. ):eci!ically; Canon 1& w%ic% :rovides %a Ea lawyer s%all %old in rus all moneys and :ro:er ies o! %is clien %a may come in o %is :ossession.F Balon viola ed %is and commi ed misconduc ; w%en %e !ailed o render an accoun u:on recei: o! %e money and !ur %er; w%en %e !ailed o deliver suc% amoun o Lemoine. 0 is also %e du y o! %e lawyer o surrender suc% money collec ed w%en demanded u:on %im. Balon viola ed %is du y w%en %e re!uses o re urn %e amoun o Lemoine con ending %a %e %as a lien on %e !und. 3%e lawyer<s con inuing eCercise o! %is re aining lien; as :rovided !or in Rule 1&.23; :resu::oses %a %e clien agrees wi % %e amoun o! a orney<s !ees o 4e c%arged. 0n case o! disagreemen ; %owever; %e lawyer mus no ar4i rarily a::ly %e !unds in %is :ossession o %e :aymen o! %is !ees; 4u ra %er %e can !ile %e necessary ac ion wi % %e :ro:er cour o !iC %e !ees. And in %e :resen case; Lemoine never gave %is consen on %e :ro:osal o! Balon. 0 mus 4e no ed as well %a 4e!ore receiving %e c%ec-; Balon :ro:oses a 25Y a orney<s !ees; a! er receiving %e c%ec-; %e was already as-ing !or 52Y. )C !ound Balon guil y o! mal:rac ice; decei ; and gross misconduc ; and ordered dis4arred. IN REB SUSPENSION FRO= THE PRACTICE OF LA< IN THE TERRITORY OF GUA= OF ATTY LEON G+ =ACUERA Fac s: A y 'a"uera was counsel !or a cer ain Cas ro w%o was inde4 ed o Bdward Benaven e w%o o4 ained @udgmen in a civil case. Cas ro<s :ro:ery was sold a :u4lic auc ion o sa is!y %e o4liga ion; 4u Cas ro re ained %e rig% o redem: ion over said :ro:er y. 0n considera ion !or 'a"uera<s legal !ees; Cas ro and A y 'a"uera en ered in o an oral agreemen %a %e would assign %is rig% o! redem: ion o 'a"uera. 'a"uera :urc%ased %e :ro:er y !rom Benaven e !or [525.22 %en sold i !or [322;222. ?e was sus:ended in %e :rac ice o! law in #uam !or wo years !or
ISSUE
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54 aining an unreasona4ly %ig% !ee !or %is services *id no com:ly wi % #uam<s E'odel RulesF 4y entering into a business transaction !ith a client or kno!ingly ac<uire a pecuniary interest ad"erse to a client unless the transaction and the terms go"erning the la!yer=s ac<uisition of such interest are fair and reasonable to the client, and are fully disclosed to, and understood by the client and reduced in !riting, 0ssue: 0s res:onden guil y o! viola ing Canon 1&H ?eld: /es. )aid canon re"uires %a a lawyer s%ould :ro:erly accoun !or all amoun s in %is cus ody w%ic% :er ain o %e clien and re urn %e same u:on demand. 3%is %e res:onden :lainly !ailed o do even a! er re:ea ed demands made 4y Reddi. DE CHA@EA-BLANCO% REPRESENTED BY HER ATTORNEY-IN-FACT% ATTY+ EUGENIA >+ =ULOA @+ ATTY+ >AI=E B+ LU=ASAG% >R+ FAC3): 3%is is an adminis ra ive com:lain !or dis4armen !iled 4y com:lainan de C%ave+8Blanco agains res:onden A y. Lumasag; 9r.; !or decei ; dis%ones y and gross misconduc . Com:lainan and %er %us4and was a residen o! 7)A. 3%ey 4o % owned :arcels o! land in =ue+on Ci y; regis ered in com:lainan <s name. Com:lainan au %ori+ed res:onden A y. Lumasag Q4eing %e 1s cousin o! %er %us4andR o sell %e lands. Com:lainan was in!ormed 4y res:onden %a %e %ad sold only one lo and remi ed %e :roceeds o com:lainan . Res:onden !ur %er old com:lainan %a %e o %er lo s remained unsold due o %e :resence o! s"ua ers. A! er !ew years; com:lainan discovered %a more %an one lo was sold. Com:lainan %en sen a demand le er o res:onden direc ing %im o remi and urn over o %er %e en ire :roceeds o! %e sale o! %e :ro:er ies. Com:lainan also averred %a %e ):ecial 6ower o! A orney; w%ic% res:onden %ad used o sell %e lo s is a !orgery and a !alsi!ied documen ; as %e signa ure %erein were no %e real signa ures o! com:lainan and %er s:ouse. 0))7B: A%e %er or no res:onden A y. Lumasag; 9r. is guil y o! decei ; dis%ones y and gross misconduc . ?BL*: /es. 9aime Lumasag; 9r. is )7)6B1*B* !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or a :eriod o! siC I&J mon %s. A lawyer may 4e disci:lined !or any conduc ; in %is :ro!essional or :riva e ca:aci y; %a renders %im un!i o con inue o 4e an o!!icer o! %e cour . Canon 1 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y commands all lawyers o u:%old a all imes %e digni y and in egri y o! %e legal :ro!ession. ):eci!ically; Rule 1.21 %ereo! :rovides: Rule 1.21WA lawyer s%all no engage in unlaw!ul; dis%ones and immoral or decei !ul conduc . Res:onden commi ed dis%ones y and a4used %e con!idence re:osed in %im 4y %e com:lainan and %er s:ouse. Records s%ow %a wo lo s %ad 4een sold 4y res:onden as evidenced 4y %e *eed o! A4solu e )ale. Res:onden ; %owever; a-ing
0ssue: 'ay a mem4er o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar w%o was dis4arred or sus:ended !rom %e :rac ice o! law in a !oreign @urisdic ion w%ere %e %as also 4e admi ed as an a orney 4e me ed %e same sanc ion as a mem4er o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar !or %e same in!rac ion commi ed in %e !oreign @urisdic ionH Ruling: 0 is no au oma ic sus:ension or dis4armen ; 4u is :rima !acie evidence only. 3%e :ower o! %e Cour o dis4arGsus:end a lawyer !or ac s an omission commi ed in a !oreign @urisdic ion is !ound in )ec 2(; Rule 13, o! %e Revised Rules o! Cour : EQOR3%e dis4armen or sus:ension o! a mem4er o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar 4y a com:e en cour or o %er disci:lina ory agency in a !oreign @urisdic ion w%ere %e %as also 4een admi ed as an a orney is a ground for his disbarment or suspension if the basis of such action includes any of the acts hereinabo"e enumerated. 3%e @udgmen ; resolu ion or order o! %e !oreign cour or disci:linary agency s%all 4e prima facie e"idence o! %e ground !or dis4armen or sus:ension.F Also; %e viola ed Ar icle 14.2 in rela ion o 14.1 o! %e civil code w%ic% :ro%i4i s a lawyer !rom ac"uiring 4y assignmen %e clien <s :ro:er y w%ic% is %e su4@ec o! li iga ion. 0 eC ends o legal redem: ion. 'os :ar icularly; Canon 1( w%ic% s a es %a a lawyer owes !ideli y o %e cause o! %is clien and 4e mind!ul o! %e rus and con!idence 0n %imK and rule 1.21; w%ic% :ro%i4i s a lawyer !rom engaging in unlaw!ul; dis%ones ; immoral or decei !ul conduc . ?5AB>BR; %ere is a need o ascer ain 'a"uera %as %e rig% o eC:lain w%y %e s%ould and s%ould no 4e sus:endedGdis4arred on %ose grounds. )us:ensionGdis4armen is 153 au oma ic 1B>BR3?BLB)); %e Cour rules %a 'a"uera s%ould 4e sus:ended !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or %e non8:aymen o! %is 0B6 dues !rom 1.((. REDDI @+ SERBIO% >R+ Fac s: Reddi; an 0ndian na ional; is a :%ilan %ro:is . )%e decided o :u u: a %os:i al in %e 6%ili::ines and ac"uired; wi % %e %el: o! A y. )er4io; some :ro:er ies o %el: s:eed u: genera ion o! !unds. 0 was la er !ound ou %a some o! %e :ro:er ies did no in !ac 4elong o %e Zowners< s%e :aid.
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advan age o! %e a4sence o! com:lainan and %er s:ouse !rom %e 6%ili::ines and %eir com:le e rus in %im; decei !ully in!ormed %em in a le er %a %e %ad sold only one. 3%ey cons i u e gross misconduc !or w%ic% %e may 4e sus:ended; !ollowing )ec ion 2(; Rule 13, o! %e Rules o! Cour ; w%ic% :rovides: )ec. 2(. *is4armen or sus:ension o! a orneys 4y )u:reme Cour ; grounds %ere!or.W A mem4er o! %e 4ar may 4e dis4arred or sus:ended !rom %is o!!ice as a orney 4y %e )u:reme Cour !or any decei ; mal:rac ice; or o %er gross misconduc in suc% o!!ice; grossly immoral conduc ; or 4y reason o! %is convic ion o! a crime involving moral ur:i ude; or !or any viola ion o! %e oa % w%ic% %e is re"uired o a-e 4e!ore %e admission o :rac ice; or !or a will!ul diso4edience a::earing as a orney !or a :ar y o a case wi %ou au %ori y o so do. <ILSON CHA= @+ ATTY+ E@A PAITA-=OYA FAC3): 3%is is a com:lain !or dis4armen !iled 4y com:lainan Ailson C%am agains res:onden A y. Bva 6ai a8'oya. Com:lainan C%am alleges %a A y. 6ai a8'oya commi ed decei in occu:ying a leased a:ar men uni and; %erea! er; vaca ing %e same wi %ou :aying %e ren als due. Res:onden s ayed a %e leased :remises u: wi %ou :aying %er ren als. )%e also !ailed o se le %er elec ric 4ills. La er on; a re:or reac%ed com:lainan Ls o!!ice %a res:onden %ad secre ly vaca ed %e a:ar men uni ; 4ringing along wi % %er %e door -eys. 0))7B: A%e %er or no A y. 6ai a8'5ya is guil y o! gross misconduc . ?BL*: /es. A y. Bva 6ai a8'oya is !ound guil y o! gross misconduc and is %ere4y )7)6B1*B* !or one mon %. A review o! %e records would reveal %a res:onden is; indeed; guil y o! will!ul !ailure o :ay @us de4 . Com:lainan is a4le o !ully su4s an ia e %a res:onden %as eCis ing o4liga ions %a s%e !ailed o se le. ?ence; w%en res:onden 4ac- rac-ed on %er du y o :ay %er de4 s; suc% ac already cons i u ed a ground !or adminis ra ive sanc ion. Res:onden Ls a4andonmen o! %e leased :remises o avoid %er o4liga ions !or %e ren and elec rici y 4ills cons i u es decei !ul conduc viola ive o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y; :ar icularly Canon 0 and Rule 1.21 %ereo!; w%ic% eC:lici ly s a e: MCA151 18 A lawyer s%all u:%old %e cons i u ion; o4ey %e laws o! %e land and :romo e res:ec !or law and legal :rocesses. MRule 1.218 A lawyer s%all no engage in unlaw!ul; dis%ones ; immoral or decei !ul conduc .M >ERRY T+ <ONG @+ ATTY+ SAL@ADOR N+ =OYA II FACTS 9erry Aong as owner o! a 4usiness selling agricul ural and ve erinary :roduc s re ained %e services o! A y. 'oya !or %e :ur:ose o! collec ing due and demanda4le de4 s in !avor o! %e com:any. )ome imes also; A y. 'oya %andled :ersonal cases o! Aong and %is wi!e. La er; A y. 'oya as-ed !inancial %el: !rom Aong !or %e cons ruc ion o! %is %ouse and %e :urc%ase o! a car. Aong :urc%ased a car on ins allmen 4asis !or A y. 'oya. Aong issued :os da ed c%ec-s o cover %e :aymen o! %e car w%ile A y. 'oya issued c%ec-s in !avor o! Aong o reim4urse %im !or :urc%asing %e car. 3%e c%ec-s issued 4y Aong were encas%ed 4y 3rans!arm Icar sellerJ %owever; %e c%ec-s issued 4y A y. 'oya in !avor o! Aong were dis%onored !or %e reason Eaccoun closedF. *es:i e re:ea ed demands; A y. 'oya re!used o re:lace %e dis%onored c%ec-s. A y. 'oya also in roduced Aong o =uirino 3omlin !rom w%om %e cons ruc ion ma erials !or %is %ouse was o4 ained. ?e 4oug% %is on credi 4u A y. 'oya !iled o :ay %is inde4 edness causing em4arrassmen o Aong. A y. 'oya also %andled a case o! %e Aong s:ouses agains Ber ing *iwa. 9udgmen was rendered in !avor o! %e s:ouses and as sa is!ac ion o! %e @udgmen ; *iwa :aid 615; &,2.52. A y. 'oya as %e counsel o! %e s:ouses received %e :aymen 4u did no in!orm %em. 3%e Aongs only !ound ou a4ou %e :aymen o! money w%en %ey go %old o! %e 'ani!es a ion wi % 6rayer o 3ermina e 6roceedings. 3%e 0B68CB* ordered A y. 'oya o !ile %is answer o %e com:lain !or dis4armen !iled 4y Aong. A y. 'oya !iled 3mo ions !or eC ensions Ia! er %e 1 s mo ion was gran ed and %e ime %ad ela:sed; %e !iled ano %er one and so on and so !or %J. )u4se"uen ly; %e !iled a 'o ion o *ismiss. 3%e 0B68CB* denied %e mo ion o dismiss and re"uired %im o !ile an answer. A y. 'oya !iled a mo ion !or reconsidera ion w%ic% was denied. ?e %en !iled !or an eC ension o !ile %is answer w%ic% was gran ed 4u wi % a warning %a no !ur %er eC ension re"ues s will 4e en er ained. A%en %e ime o ela:se was near %e !iled a >ery 7rgen 'o ion !or BC ension o File Answer 4u %e 0B68CB* did no acce: %is %ence %e was declared in de!aul a! er !ailing o !ile %is answer. 3%e 0B68CB* ordered 4o % :ar ies o !ile %eir :osi ion :a:ers 4ecause a com:lain !or dis4armen ; sus:ension or disci:line o! a orneys :rescri4es in 2years !rom %e da e o! %e :ro!essional misconduc w%ic% in %is case occurred in 2222 and %a i was already 2225. A y. 'oya did no !ile any :leadings a all. 3%e 0B6 recommended %a A y. 'oya 4e sus:ended !or 1year. 3%e 0B6 Board o! #overnors modi!ied %is and sus:ended A y. 'oya !or 2years. ISSUE A%e %er or no %e sus:ension o! 2years is @us i!ia4leH HELD 1J /esN A y. 'oya was c%arged !or %aving !ailed o :ay %is de4 s and !or issuing wor %less c%ec-s. ?e did no deny %ese allega ions. Rule1.21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y :rovides %a a lawyers s%all no engage in unlaw!ul; dis%ones ; immoral or decei !ul conduc . 0 %as 4een %eld %a %e issuance o! wor %less c%ec-s as a viola ion o! %is rule and cons i u es a gross misconduc .
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2J 3%e ac o! a lawyer in issuing a c%ec- wi %ou su!!icien !unds o cover %e same cons i u es suc% will!ul dis%ones y and immoral conduc as o undermine %e :u4lic con!idence in %e legal :ro!ession. ?e canno @us i!y %is ac o! issuing wor %less c%ec-s 4y %is dire !inancial condi ions. ?e s%ould no %ave con rac ed de4 s w%ic% are 4eyond %is !inancial ca:aci y o :ay. 0! %e su!!ered !inancial reverses %e s%ould %ave eC:lained %is wi % :ar iculari y and no %oug% generali+ed and unsu4s an ia ed allega ions. A y. 'oya is accused o! delay in %e delivery o! %e sum o! money due o %is clien . ?is !ailure o eC:lain suc% delay canno 4e eCcused 4y %is 4are allega ion %a %e same %ad already 4een ransmi ed o %e com:lainan . ?is conduc in %e course o! %e 0B6 :roceedings in %is case is also a ma er o! serious concern. ?e su4mi ed a mo ion o dismiss a! er re"ues ing several eC ensions o! ime o !ile %is answer. ?is !ailure o a end %e %earings and 4ela ed :lea o dismiss %e case; des:i e orders o %e con rary; s%ow a callous disregard o! %e law!ul orders w%ic% caused undue delay in %e 0B6 :roceeding. 3%is conduc runs coun er o %e :rece: s o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y and viola es %e lawyerLs oa % w%ic% im:oses u:on every mem4er o! %e 4ar %e du y o delay no man !or money or malice. 0 is s ressed %a mem4ers%i: in %e legal :ro!ession is a :rivilege 4urdened wi % condi ions. Ad%erence o %e rigid s andards o! men al !i ness; main enance o! %e %ig%es degree o! morali y and !ai %!ul com:liance wi % %e Rules o! %e Legal 6ro!ession are %e condi ions re"uired !or remaining a mem4er o! good s anding o! %e 4ar and !or en@oying %e :rivilege o :rac ice law. As o %e :enal y; !ailure o :ay de4 s and issuance o! wor %less c%ec-s cons i u es gross misconduc !or w%ic% a lawyer may 4e sanc ioned wi % 1year sus:ension. ?owever; in %is case; A y. 'oya is sus:ended !or 2years 4ecause aside !rom issuing wor %less c%ec-s and !ailure o :ay %is de4 s; %e also seriously 4reac%ed %is clien Ls rus and con!idence o %is :ersonal advan age and %ad s%own a wan on disregard o! %e 0B6Ls 5rders in %e course o! i s :roceedings. CANONS 15 E 16 HERNANDEA @+ GO FACTS )ome ime in 1.&1; ?ernande+<s %us4and a4andoned %er and %er son )%or ly %erea! er; credi ors o! ?ernande+ Zs %us4and demanded :aymen o! %is loans ?ernande+; !ear!ul o! mor gage !oreclosures and aware o! a im:ending claim sui ; engaged %e legal services o! A y. #o A y. #o advised ?ernande+ o give %im land i les covering %ree lo s in Zam4oanga Ci y 4elonging o %er; so %a %e may sell %em o ena4le %er o :ay %e credi ors Also; A y. #o :ersuaded ?ernande+ o eCecu e deeds o! sale in %is !avor wi %ou any mone ary or valua4le considera ion ?ernande+ owns %ree more lo s in Zam4oanga Ci y w%ic% were mor gaged o credi ors. A%en %e mor gages !ell due; A y. #o redeemed %e lo s and :ersuaded ?ernande+ o eCecu e deeds o! sale in %is !avor covering %e said lo s A y. #o 4ecame %e regis ered owner o! all %e lo s 4elonging o ?ernande+ 0n 1.(4; ?ernande+ came o -now %a A y. #o did no sell %er lo s as agreed u:on; 4u ins ead %e :aid %er credi ors wi % %is own !unds and %ad %er land i les regis ered in %is name; de:riving %er o! real :ro:er y wor % millions ?ernande+ !iled a com:lain wi % %e 0B6 0B6: A y. #o viola ed Canon 1( and s%ould 4e sus:ended !or 3 years AG1 A y. #5 )?57L* BB RB6R0'A1*B* HELD /B); !or viola ing Canons 1& and 1( A y. #o viola ed Canon 1& ?is ac s ac"uiring !or %imsel! ?ernande+<s lo s en rus ed o %im are ac s cons i u ing gross misconduc ; a grievous wrong; a !or4idden ac ; a derelic ion o! du y; will!ul in c%arac er and im:lies a wrong!ul in en and no a mere error in @udgmen )uc% conduc on %e :ar o! A y. #o no only degrades %imsel! 4u also %e %onor o! %e legal :ro!ession A y. #o viola ed Canon 1( w%ic% :rovides %a Ea lawyer owes !ideli y o %e cause o! %is clien and %e s%all 4e mind!ul o! %e rus and con!idence re:osed in %im.F Records s%ow %a ?ernande+ re:osed %ig% degree o! rus and con!idence in A y. #o and w%en s%e engaged %is services; s%e en rus ed o %im %er land i les and allowed %im o sell %e same A y. #o; %owever; a4used %is rus and con!idence w%en %e did no sell %er :ro:er ies o o %ers 4u o %imsel! wi %ou giving any mone ary considera ion o ?ernande+; %us de:riving ?ernande+ %e real wor % o! %er :ro:er ies A y. #o is du y 4ound o render a de ailed re:or o ?ernande+ on %ow muc% %e sold %e lo s and %e amoun s :aid o %er credi ors 4u !ailed o do so 0n :revious cases; %e Cour dis4arred and eC:elled lawyers !rom %e :rac ice o! law in similar circums ances; %us; %e :enal y recommended 4y %e 0B6 is oo lig% A y. #o was ordered dis4arred. PANELCO @+ ATTY+ >UAN AYAR =ONTE=AYOR FAC3): 3%is is an adminis ra ive com:lain !iled 4y 6angasinan Blec ric Coo:era ive 0 I6A1BLC5 0J c%arging A y. 9uan Ayar 'on emayor wi % negligence. )ome o! %e omissions o! A y 'on emayor were:
3J 4J
ISSUE
5J
&J
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A y. 'on emayor !ailed o serve and !ile %e re"uired A::ellan Ls Brie! des:i e %e la:se o! %e wo eC ensions o! ime gran ed; %ence %e Cour o! A::eals considered %e a::eal A4andoned 3%e records also s%ow %a res:onden A y. 9uan Ayar 'on emayor did no even 4o %er o answer %e com:lain nor :resen %is de!ense ?ence; 6A1BLC5 0 :rays %a %e cour im:ose sanc ions on A y. 'on emayor<s gross negligence as counsel !or com:lainan w%ic% resul ed QinR %e damage o! 6A1BLC5 0. 0))7B: A%e %er or no res:onden commi ed gross negligence or misconduc in mis%andling com:lainan <s cases on a::eal; w%ic% even ually led o %eir dismissal; o %e :re@udice o! %e com:lainan . ?BL*: /es. A?BRBF5RB; A y. 9uan Ayar 'on emayor is *0)BARRB* !rom %e :rac ice o! law. As counsel !or com:lainan ; res:onden %ad %e du y o :resen every remedy or de!ense au %ori+ed 4y law o :ro ec %is clien . A%en %e under oo- %is clien <s cause; %e made a covenan %a %e will eCer all e!!or s !or i s :rosecu ion un il i s !inal conclusion.?e s%ould under a-e %e as- wi % dedica ion and care. CA151 12 8 A LAA/BR )?ALL BPBR3 B>BR/ BFF5R3 A1* C51)0*BR 03 ?0) *73/ 35 A))0)3 01 3?B )6BB*/ A1* BFF0C0B13 A*'010)3RA3051 5F 97)30CB. Rule 12.23 8 A lawyer s%all no ; a! er o4 aining eC ensions o! ime o !ile :leadings; memoranda or 4rie!s; le %e :eriod la:se wi %ou su4mi ing %e same or o!!ering an eC:lana ion !or %is !ailure o do so. CA151 1( W A LAA/BR 5AB) F0*BL03/ 35 3?B CA7)B 5F ?0) CL0B13 A1* ?B )?ALL BB '01*F7L 5F 3?B 3R7)3 A1* C51F0*B1CB RB65)B* 01 ?0'. CA151 1, U A LAA/BR )?ALL )BR>B ?0) CL0B13 A03? C5'6B3B1CB A1* *0L0#B1CB. Rule 1,.23 8 A lawyer s%all no neglec a legal ma er en rus ed o %im and %is negligence in connec ion %erewi % s%all render %im lia4le. CA151 1. 8 A LAA/BR )?ALL RB6RB)B13 ?0) CL0B13 A03? ZBAL A03?01 3?B B571*) 5F 3?B LAA. ADECER @+ ADUT FAC3): 5riginally; %ere was a Criminal Case in w%ic% com:lainan s were c%arged wi % commi ing a crime I5 %er decei sJ :unis%a4le under %e Revised 6enal Code I5 %er *ecei sJ. Res:onden ; A y. A-u was %eir legal counsel in %e criminal case. Com:lainan accuses A y. A-u !or 4eing negligen . Firs ; des:i e A y. A-u <s recei: o! a co:y o! %e *ecision and %e conse"uen running o! %e !i! een I15J8day :eriod o !ile a :e i ion !or :ro4a ion; res:onden wen ou o! own wi %ou con ac ing com:lainan s o give %em :ro:er legal advice. Fur %ermore; A y. A-u <s admission %a com:lainan s were Q1R under 0))7B: A%e %er or no A y. A-u is guil y o! negligence. ?BL*: /es. A?BRBF5RB; %e :e i ion is #RA13B*. A y. Bmmanuel A. A-u is %ere4y )7)6B1*B* !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or siC I&J mon %s. Bvery case a lawyer acce: s deserves %is !ull a en ion; s-ill and com:e ence; regardless o! %is im:ression %a one case or %earing is more im:or an %an %e o %er. Ae commisera e wi % res:onden !or %e loss o! %is wi!e; %owever; !ailure o! an a orney o !ile a imely mo ion !or reconsidera ion or an a::eal renders %im lia4le !or negligence. By agreeing o 4e %is clien <s counsel; %e re:resen s %a %e will eCercise ordinary diligence or %a reasona4le degree o! care and s-ill %aving re!erence o %e c%arac er o! %e 4usiness %e under a-es o do; o :ro ec %e clien <s in eres s and a-e all s e:s or do all ac s necessary BELLEAA @+ =ACASA FACTS 5n 1ovem4er 12; 2224; com:lainan wen o see res:onden on re!erral o! %eir mu ual !riend; 9oe C%ua. Com:lainan wan ed o avail o! res:onden <s legal services in connec ion wi % %e case o! %er son; Francis 9o%n Belle+a; w%o was arres ed 4y :olicemen o! Bacolod Ci y earlier %a day !or alleged viola ion o! Re:u4lic Ac IRAJ .1&5. Res:onden agreed o %andle %e case !or 632;222. 3%e !ollowing day; com:lainan made a :ar ial :aymen o! 615;222 o res:onden %ru %eir mu ual !riend C%ua. 5n 1ovem4er 1(; 2224; s%e gave %im an addi ional 612;222. )%e :aid %e 65;222 4alance on 1ovem4er 1,; 2224. Bo % :aymen s were also made %ru C%ua. 5n all %ree occasions; res:onden did no issue any recei: . 5n 1ovem4er 21; 2224; res:onden received 61,;222 !rom com:lainan !or %e :ur:ose o! :os ing a 4ond o secure %e :rovisional li4er y o! %er Icom:lainan <sJ son. Again; res:onden did no issue any recei: . A%en com:lainan wen o %e cour %e neC day; s%e !ound ou %a res:onden did no remi %e amoun o %e cour . Com:lainan demanded %e re urn o! %e 61,;222 !rom res:onden on several occasions 4u res:onden ignored %er. 'oreover; res:onden !ailed o ac on %e case o! com:lainan <s son and com:lainan was !orced o avail o! %e services o! %e 6u4lic A orney<s 5!!ice !or %er son<s de!ense. %e im:ression %a %ey !irs %ad o :ay o!! %eir civil lia4ili ies :rior o !iling a :e i ion !or :ro4a ion and Q2R unaware %a %ey %ad only !i! een I15J days !rom %eir counsel<s recei: o! a co:y o! %e decision o !ile %eir :e i ion; :roves %a A y. A-u !ailed o give com:lainan s imely legal advise. A y. A-u eC:lained %a %e was ou o! %is o!!ice mos o! %e ime 4ecause; %e and %is wi!e were always ou o! own loo-ing !or !ai % %ealers o cure %e malignan 4rain umor o! %is wi!e; w%o even ually succum4ed o %e cancer. Allegedly; a! er a ending %e Mim:or an M %earings; %e immedia ely wen ou o! own see-ing !ai % %ealers.
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3%erea! er; com:lainan !iled a veri!ied com:lain !or dis4armen agains res:onden in %e 1egros 5cciden al c%a: er o! %e 0n egra ed Bar o! %e 6%ili::ines I0B6J. 0n an order da ed 9uly 13; 2225; %e CB* re"uired res:onden o su4mi %is answer wi %in 15 days !rom recei: %ereo!. Res:onden ; in an urgen mo ion !or eC ension o! ime o !ile an answer da ed Augus 12; 2225; sim:ly 4rus%ed aside %e com:lain !or 4eing M4aseless; groundless and maliciousM wi %ou ; %owever; o!!ering any eC:lana ion. ?e also :rayed %a %e 4e given un il )e: em4er 4; 2225 o su4mi %is answer. Res:onden su4se"uen ly !iled urgen mo ions !or second and %ird eC ensions o! ime :raying o 4e given un il 1ovem4er 4; 2225 o su4mi %is answer. ?e never did. HELD Resp #!e#" Gr ssly Ne*le)"e! The Cause ' H$s Cl$e#"% A""y+ =a)asa $s !$s&arre! Res:onden under oo- o de!end %e criminal case agains com:lainan <s son. )uc% under a-ing im:osed u:on %im %e !ollowing du ies: CA151 1( U A LAA/BR 5AB) F0*BL03/ 35 3?B CA7)B 5F ?0) CL0B13 A1* ?B )?ALL BB '01*F7L 5F 3?B 3R7)3 A1* C51F0*B1CB RB65)B* 01 ?0'. CA151 1, U A LAA/BR )?ALL )BR>B ?0) CL0B13 A03? C5'6B3B1CB A1* *0L0#B1CB. CCC CCC CCC Rule 1,.23 U A lawyer s%all no neglec a legal ma er en rus ed o %im; and %is negligence in connec ion %erewi % s%all render %im lia4le. CCC CCC CCC CA151 1. U A LAA/BR )?ALL RB6RB)B13 ?0) CL0B13 A03? ZBAL A03?01 3?B B571*) 5F 3?B LAA. A lawyer w%o acce: s %e cause o! a clien commi s o devo e %imsel! I:ar icularly %is ime; -nowledge; s-ills and e!!or J o suc% cause. ?e mus 4e ever mind!ul o! %e rus and con!idence re:osed in %im; cons an ly s riving o 4e wor %y %ereo!. Accordingly; %e owes !ull devo ion o %e in eres o! %is clien ; warm +eal in %e main enance and de!ense o! %is clien <s rig% s and %e eCer ion o! %is u mos learning; s-ill and a4ili y o ensure %a no %ing s%all 4e a-en or wi %%eld !rom %is clien ; save 4y %e rules o! law legally a::lied. A lawyer w%o acce: s :ro!essional em:loymen !rom a clien under a-es o serve %is clien wi % com:e ence and diligence. ?e mus conscien iously :er!orm %is du y arising !rom suc% rela ions%i:. ?e mus 4ear in mind %a 4y acce: ing a re ainer; %e im:liedly ma-es %e !ollowing re:resen a ions: %a %e :ossesses %e re"uisi e degree o! learning; s-ill and a4ili y o %er lawyers similarly si ua ed :ossessK %a %e will eCer %is 4es @udgmen in %e :rosecu ion or de!ense o! %e li iga ion en rus ed o %imK %a %e will eCercise reasona4le care and diligence in %e use o! %is s-ill and in %e a::lica ion o! %is -nowledge o %is clien <s causeK and %a %e will a-e all s e:s necessary o ade"ua ely sa!eguard %is clien <s in eres . A lawyer<s negligence in %e disc%arge o! %is o4liga ions arising !rom %e rela ions%i: o! counsel and clien may cause delay in %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice and :re@udice %e rig% s o! a li igan ; :ar icularly %is clien . 3%us; !rom %e :ers:ec ive o! %e e %ics o! %e legal :ro!ession; a lawyer<s le %argy in carrying ou %is du ies o %is clien is 4o % un:ro!essional and une %ical. 0! %is clien <s case is already :ending in cour ; a lawyer mus ac ively re:resen %is clien 4y :rom: ly !iling %e necessary :leading or mo ion and assiduously a ending %e sc%eduled %earings. 3%is is s:ecially signi!ican !or a lawyer w%o re:resen s an accused in a criminal case. 3%e accused is guaran eed %e rig% o counsel under %e Cons i u ion. ?owever; %is rig% can only 4e meaning!ul i! %e accused is accorded am:le legal assis ance 4y %is lawyer: 3%e rig% o counsel :roceeds !rom %e !undamen al :rinci:le o! due :rocess w%ic% 4asically means %a a :erson mus 4e %eard 4e!ore 4eing condemned. 3%e due :rocess re"uiremen is a :ar o! a :ersonLs 4asic rig% sK i is no a mere !ormali y %a may 4e dis:ensed wi % or :er!ormed :er!unc orily. 3%e rig% o counsel mus 4e more %an @us %e :resence o! a lawyer in %e cour room or %e mere :ro:ounding o! s andard "ues ions and o4@ec ions. 3%e rig% o counsel means %a %e accused is am:ly accorded legal assis ance eC ended 4y a counsel w%o commi s %imsel! o %e cause !or %e de!ense and ac s accordingly. 3%e rig% assumes an ac ive involvemen 4y %e lawyer in %e :roceedings; :ar icularly a %e rial o! %e case; %is 4earing cons an ly in mind o! %e 4asic rig% s o! %e accused; %is 4eing well8versed on %e case; and %is -nowing %e !undamen al :rocedures; essen ial laws and eCis ing @uris:rudence. 3%e rig% o! an accused o counsel is 4eyond "ues ion a !undamen al rig% . Ai %ou counsel; %e rig% o a !air rial i sel! would 4e o! li le conse"uence; !or i is %roug% counsel %a %e accused secures %is o %er rig% s. 0n o %er words; %e rig% o counsel is %e rig% o e!!ec ive assis ance o! counsel. 3%e rig% o! an accused o counsel !inds su4s ance in %e :er!ormance 4y %e lawyer o! %is sworn du y o! !ideli y o %is clien . 3ersely :u ; i means an e!!ec ive; e!!icien and ruly decisive legal assis ance; no a sim:ly :er!unc ory re:resen a ion. 0n %is case; a! er acce: ing %e criminal case agains com:lainan <s son and receiving %is a orney<s !ees; res:onden did no %ing %a could 4e considered as e!!ec ive and e!!icien legal assis ance. For all in en s and :ur:oses; res:onden a4andoned %e cause o! %is clien . 0ndeed; on accoun o! res:onden <s con inued inac ion; com:lainan was com:elled o see- %e services o! %e 6u4lic A orney<s 5!!ice. Res:onden <s lac-adaisical a i ude owards %e case o! com:lainan <s son was re:re%ensi4le. 1o only did i :re@udice com:lainan <s son; i also de:rived %im o! %is cons i u ional rig% o counsel. Fur %ermore; in !ailing o use %e amoun en rus ed o %im !or :os ing a 4ond o secure %e :rovisional li4er y o! %is clien ; res:onden unduly im:eded %e la er<s cons i u ional rig% o 4ail. O@ERGAARD @+ @ALDEA FACTS 5vergaard is a *u c% na ional w%o engaged %e services o! A y. >alde+. 3%ey en ered in o a re ainer agreemen ; :roviding %a !or .22$; >alde+ would re:resen 5vergaard as counsel in 2 cases !iled 4y %im IBs a!a and a mandamus
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caseJ and 2 cases !iled agains %im I5 %er Lig% %rea s and viola ion o! %e An i8 >iola ion agains women and %eir c%ildren ac J. 5vergaard sen [1&; ,54 o A y. >alde+ via elegra:%ic 4an- rans!er. 4 mon %s a! er; 5vergaard demanded !or a re:or on %e s a us o! %is cases. 0n s:i e o! many :%one calls and emails; >alde+ couldn< 4e reac%ed. ?ence; 5vergaard in"uired on %is own; and discovered %a >alde+ didn< !ile %is en ry o! a::earance in any o! %e cases; %a a coun er8a!!idavi was re"uired !rom %im; and %a %e criminal cases agains %im %ave already 4een arraigned and warran s were issued !or %is arres . ?e was cons rained o !ind a new lawyer. 5vergaard %en wro e again and ried o loca e >alde+ o demand %e re urn o! documen s en rus ed o %e la er; as well as %e [1&$ :aymen . 1o word was %eard !rom >alde+. 5vergaard !iled a case wi % %e 0B6 !or >alde+<s dismissal !or gross mal:rac ice; immoral c%arac er; dis%ones y and decei !ul conduc . 3%e 0B6 re"uired >alde+ o !ile an answer; 4u %e did no com:ly. ?e also !ailed o a end %e %earing and was declared in de!aul . La er; a clari!ica ory %earing was se ; 4u >alde+ never s%owed. 0B6 !ound %im guil y o! viola ing canons 1; 15; 1&; 1(; and 1, and %is :enal y was a 38year sus:ension and %e was ordered o re urn 5vergaard<s money. HELD )C agrees wi % %e !indings o! 0B6; 4u declared %a >alde+ 4e dis4arred !or !alling 4elow %e s andards re"uired o! lawyers. Canon 1, :rovides %a a lawyer mus serve %is clien wi % com:e ence and diligence. Rule 1,.23 re"uires a lawyer o no neglec a legal ma er en rus ed o %im and %is negligence will ma-e %im lia4le. >alde+ s%ould indeed 4e lia4le 4ecause %e was no @us incom:e en ; %e was uselessK no @us negligen ; %e was indolen K and ra %er %an %el:ing %is clien ; %e :re@udiced %im. ?e a4andoned %is clien and le! %im wi %ou any recourse. 0 was a clear evasion o! du y. Also; %is !ailure o ac on %e dis4armen case agains %im; wi %ou any eC:lana ion; is a clear evidence o! negligence on %is :ar . Rule 1,.24 re"uires %a a lawyer -ee: %is clien in!ormed o! %e s a us o! %is case and o res:ond wi %in reasona4le ime o %e clien <s re"ues !or in!orma ion. *es:i e 5vergaard<s e!!or s; >alde+ avoided %is clien and never 4o %ered o re:ly. Clearly; %e rule was viola ed. ANGALAN @+ DELANTE FACTS 3%is is a com:lain !iled 4y %e %eirs o! an illi era e cou:le 4elonging o %e )amal 3ri4e agains A y. *elan e !or gross viola ion o! :ro!essional res:onsi4ili y :ar icularly Canons 1& and 1(. 3%e cou:le owned a :ro:er y in )amal; *avao del 1or e. 5n 15 A:ril 1.(1; Angalan and com:lainan s 4orrowed 615;222 !rom ):ouses Bus a"uio. 3o secure %e loan; Angalan and com:lainan s mor gaged %eir :ro:er y and surrendered %e i le o %e ):ouses Bus a"uio. A%en com:lainan s ried o :ay %e loan and recover %e i le !rom %e ):ouses Bus a"uio; %e ):ouses Bus a"uio re!used. Com:lainan s learned %a %e ISSUE A%e %er or no res:onden commi ed grave viola ion o! Q %eR Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y w%en %e 4oug% %e :ro:er y o! %is clien QsR wi %ou %eir -nowledge; consen and agains %eir willH HELD /B). documen w%ic% %e ):ouses Bus a"uio :re:ared; and w%ic% com:lainan s signed; was a deed o! a4solu e sale and no a real es a e mor gage. 3%ey also learned %a 1avarro R. Bus a"uio I1avarroJ %ad rans!erred %e i le over %e :ro:er y o %is name. Com:lainan s engaged %e services o! res:onden !or %e :ur:ose o! recovering %eir :ro:er y. Res:onden lawyer !iled a com:lain !or %e reconveyance o! %e :ro:er y. Com:lainan s and %e ):ouses Bus a"uio en ered in o an amica4le se lemen . 0n %e amica4le se lemen ; %e com:lainan s o!!ered %e s:ouses %e sum o! 632$ as re:urc%ase :rice w%ic% %e s:ouses acce: ed. ?owever; com:lainan s did no %ave %e 632;222 re:urc%ase :rice !or %e :ro:er y. Res:onden *elan e advanced %e 632;222 and; in re urn; com:lainan s allowed res:onden o :ossess %e :ro:er y and ga %er i s :roduce un il %e is :aid. A%en com:lainan s ried o re:ay %e 632;222 re:urc%ase :rice and recover %e :ro:er y !rom res:onden ; res:onden re!used. Com:lainan s learned %a res:onden rans!erred %e i le o! %e :ro:er y o %is name. Com:lainan s !iled a com:lain :raying %a I1J %e deed o! a4solu e sale :re:ared 4y %e ):ouses Bus a"uio and signed 4y %e com:lainan s 4e declared void; I2J i le issued in %e name o! A y. *elan e 4e declared void; and I3J res:onden 4e made o :ay damages. As de!ense; res:onden alleges %a : 1. 3%e com:lainan s only 4orrowed money !rom %im wi %ou any in en ion o :ay %im 4ac- or a leas o!!er an eC:lana ion as o %ow %ey would 4e a4le o re:ay %im 2. 3%a %e cou:le did no really engage %is services as counsel !or an annulmen sui agains 1avarro Bus a"uio 3. 3%e sale 4e ween Bus a"uio and %e com:lainan s was a valid sale and no a mor gage 4. 3%e ac ual 4uyer o! %e :ro:er y was A y. *elan e<s !ormer clien w%o is now residing in 1ew /or-. Bu a! er 11 years; %e 4uyer did no re urn o %e 6%ili::ines anymore so %e au %ori+ed A y. *elan e o %ave %e :ro:er y in %is name u:on re!und o! %e :urc%ase :rice. Com:lainan s !iled a com:lain da ed wi % %e Cour c%arging res:onden wi % gross viola ion o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. 0n a Re:or da ed 15 5c o4er 222(; Commissioner ?a4a4ag o! %e 0B6 !ound %a res:onden viola ed %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. 0B6 Board o! governors a::roved 4u increased %e :enal y !rom a &8mon % sus:ension o 18year.
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3%e Cour is no im:ressed wi % A y. *elan e<s de!enses. Angalan and com:lainan s wen o res:onden <s o!!ice no o see- advice a4ou 4orrowing money 4u o engage %is services !or %e :ur:ose o! recovering %eir :ro:er y. Firs ; a! er Angalan and com:lainan s wen o res:onden <s o!!ice; res:onden !iled a com:lain wi % %e CF0 :raying %a %e ):ouses Bus a"uio reconvey %e :ro:er y o Angalan and com:lainan s. )econd; in %e com:lain ; res:onden s a ed %a ; M4y reason o! unwarran ed re!usal on %e :ar o! %e de!endan s o reconvey %e :ro:er y o :lain i!!s; %e la er %ave 4een cons rained o engage; and in !ac %ave engaged; %e services o! counsel.M 3%ird; res:onden issued a recei: o com:lainan s s a ing %a %e MRBCB0>B* !rom 'r. 'ACAR05 CA67L and FRA1C0)CA RAFABL CA67L %e sum o! 51B 3?57)A1* 3A5 ?71*RB* 6B)5) I61;222.22J re:resen ing !ull :aymen o! :ro!essional services in regard o %e recovery o! 5riginal Cer i!ica e o! 3i le 1o. 68114.. in %e name o! Angalan I)amalJ.M Four %; in res:onden <s le er da ed 12 9anuary 1.(. and addressed o %e 4arrio ca: ain o! 7m4ay; )amal; *avao del 1or e; %e s a ed %a %e was %e lawyer o! com:lainan s. 1 2 As o %is claim regarding %is !ormer clien :urc%asing %e :ro:er y Amica4le se lemen %ere was an agreed re:urc%ase :rice o w%ic% 4o % :ar ies agreed o Le er o %e 4arrio ca: ain %e lawyer s a ed %a com:lainan s re:urc%ased %e :ro:er y !rom %e ):ouses Bus a"uio. / his !ill inform you that the >eirs of Angalan Samal ha"e already redeemed their property through me from 5r. :a"arro 6usta<uio since September, '?&@.0 0nsu!!icien :roo! Res:onden did no give any de ail or :roo! o su4s an ia e %is s ory W %e name o! %e alleged clien ; an a!!idavi o! %e alleged clien ; %e old :ass:or o! %e alleged clien s%owing immigra ion s am:s; or any !orm o! corres:ondence 4e ween %im and %e alleged clien . 3%e Cour agrees wi % %e o4serva ion o! Commissioner ?a4a4ag %a res:onden <s Mvain a em: o salvage %is malicious ac s QisR oo !limsy o gain 4elie! and acce: ance.M A :erson w%o a-es %e ,.1228%ec are :ro:er y o! %is illi era e clien s and w%o is inca:a4le o! elling %e ru % is un!i o 4e a lawyer. 3%e Cour !inds A y. Leonido C. *elan e #70L3/ o! viola ing Canons 1& and 1( o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. Accordingly; %e Cour *0)BAR) %im !rom %e :rac ice o! law and 5R*BR) %a %is name 4e s ric-en !rom %e Roll o! A orneys. SANTOS-TAN @+ ATTY+ RO=EO R+ ROBISO FAC3) Com:lainan )an os83an c%arged res:onden wi % mal:rac ice !or grossly neglec ing %is du ies and res:onsi4ili ies as counsel !or com:lainan and !or issuing a 4ouncing c%ec-. Com:lainan !ound ou %a %er case %ad no :rogressed and %a %e only :leading %a res:onden %ad !iled was %is no ice o! a::earance. 0))7B): I1J A%e %er res:onden was negligen in %andling com:lainan <s case I15JK and I2J A%e %er res:onden s%ould 4e disci:lined !or issuing a 4ouncing c%ecI/B)J. RA305: 5n %e issue o! negligence on %e :ar o! res:onden in %andling com:lainan <s case; %e Cour agrees %a 4ased on %e !ac s :resen ed %ere was no %ing %a %e could %ave done o eC:edi e %e resolu ion o! %e mo ion !or reconsidera ion %en :ending 4e!ore %e R3C. 3%e R3C %ad already ordered %a %e mo ion !or reconsidera ion 4e su4mi ed !or resolu ion. Res:onden could no 4e !aul ed i! %e ac ing :residing @udge did no wan o ac on %e mo ion un il %e regular :residing @udge re urn. Regarding %e o %er issues; as a lawyer; res:onden is deemed o -now %e law; es:ecially Bouncing C%ec- Law. By issuing a c%ec- in viola ion o! %e :rovisions o! %is law; res:onden is guil y o! serious misconduc . 3%e ac o! a lawyer in issuing a c%ec- w%ic% is drawn agains insu!!icien !unds cons i u es decei !ul conduc or conduc un4ecoming an o!!icer o! %e cour . 3%e Cour %as %eld %a %e issuance o! c%ec-s w%ic% were la er dis%onored !or %aving 4een drawn agains a closed accoun indica es a lawyer<s un!i ness !or %e rus and con!idence re:osed on %im. 0 s%ows a lac- o! :ersonal %ones y and good moral c%arac er as o render %im unwor %y o! :u4lic con!idence. As suc%; we %ave %eld %a deli4era e !ailure o :ay @us de4 s and %e issuance o! wor %less c%ec-s cons i u e gross misconduc ; !or w%ic% a lawyer may 4e sanc ioned wi % sus:ension !rom %e :rac ice o! law. Res:onden viola ed %e A orney<s 5a % %a %e will; among o %ers; o4ey %e laws. 3%e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y s:eci!ically :rovides: CA151 1 U A LAA/BR )?ALL 76?5L* 3?B C51)30373051; 5BB/ 3?B LAA) 5F 3?B LA1* A1* 6R5'53B RB)6BC3 F5R 3?B LAA A1* LB#AL 6R5CB))B).
Canon 1( s a es %a lawyers s%all 4e mind!ul o! %e rus and con!idence re:osed in %em. Res:onden s%ould %ave 4een mind!ul o! %e rus and con!idence com:lainan s re:osed in %im. Com:lainan s allege %a %ey are illi era e and %a %e ):ouses Bus a"uio oo- advan age o! %em. Com:lainan s engaged %e services o! res:onden in %e %o:e %a %e would %el: %em recover %eir :ro:er y. 0ns ead o! :ro ec ing %e in eres s o! com:lainan s; res:onden oo- advan age o! com:lainan s and rans!erred %e i le o! %e :ro:er y o %is name. Considering %e de:ravi y o! res:onden <s o!!ense; %e Cour !inds %e recommended :enal y oo lig% . >iola ion o! Canons 1& and 1( cons i u es gross misconduc . )ec ion 2(; Rule 13, o! %e Rules o! Cour s a es %a a mem4er o! %e 4ar may 4e dis4arred or sus:ended !rom %is o!!ice as a orney 4y %e Cour !or gross misconduc .
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01 >0BA A?BRB5F; res:onden A y. Romeo R. Ro4iso is 5R*BRB* )7)6B1*B* !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or a :eriod o! 51B I1J mon %. SO=OSOT @+ LARA FACTS A y #erardo Lara re:resen ed 5!elia )omoso in a collec ions case agains #olden Collec ions 'ar-e ing Cor:. #olden Collec ions !iled Ein erroga ories and re"ues !or AdmissionF A y Lara o4@ec ed; s a ing %a suc% in erroga ories and admission s%ould 4e sen direc ly o 'rs. )omoso A %is :oin ; we s%ould a-e no e %a A y Lara is already sensi ive a4ou %e 62(;222 in un:aid a y<s !ees 1ov. 2221; A y Lara was a::oin ed as a consul an in %e Board o! 0nves men ; a governmen :osi ion Lara ried o loca e )omoso a4ou %e !ees in %er o!!ice in #reen%illsK o!!ice was loc-ed and according o %e securi y guard; %ey %ad moved o!!ice wi %ou leaving a !orwarding address. Lara also a em: ed o call 'r and 'rs )omoso ; 4u %ey couldn< 4e reac%ed Lara !iled %is Ai %drawal o! A::earance in cour ; !ithout %e re"uired con!ormi y o! %is clien ; )omoso ; 4ecause s%e could 4e loca ed. 3%is was denied. *ec. 2221; u:on learning %a )omoso <s new o!!ice was in 6asig; %e called %er w%ere %e advised %a s%e s%ould !ind ano %er Lawyer. )%e in!ormed %er %a s%e already did. )e: em4er; 2225. Lara receives a le er !rom )omoso giving %im Eone las c%ance o give %er a reason no o ins iga e a dis4armen sui F agains %im. ISSUE <IN A y Lara; !rom %e !ac s s a ed; is deemed incom:e en in %is services o 'rs. 5!elia )omoso . HELD /es. A y Lara<s services were insu!!icien . ?is neglec Ior re!usalJ o re:ly o %e 0n erroga ories and Re"ues !or Admissions %imsel! even ually caused %e cour o rule agains 'rs. )omoso . Records do no s%ow %ow eCac ly %e ried o address %e 0n erroga ories issue or w%e %er %e a::ealed %e case or no . ?e did no men ion %ow %e ried o loca e 'rs. )omoso o in!orm %er a4ou %e 0n erroga ories and Re"ues !or Admission. ?e only oo- %e ini ia ive w%en %e learned %a %e %ad 4een a::oin ed in o a governmen :osi ion. Lara was very muc% sensi ive a4ou %is un:aid 4illings; and %is s%ouldn< 4e a reason !or %im no o in!orm %is clien a4ou %e case<s develo:men ?e %ad wo valid reasons !or wi %drawing as %er A y. 5ne; %is a::oin men in a governmen o!!iceK and wo; )omoso <s re!usal o :ay %is !ees. ?e could %ave secured %er Econ!ormi yF o %e wi %drawal o! a::earance w%en %ey al-ed on *ecem4er 2221; 4u 4ecause %e !ailed o do so; %e remain as counsel o! record. CANON 17 ATTY+ GEORGE C+ BRIONES @+ ATTY+ >ACINTO D+ >I=ENEA FAC3): 3%e com:lainan in %is dis4armen case is A y. Briones. 3%e res:onden is A y. 9imene+. Com:lainan Briones is %e ):ecial Adminis ra or o! %e ?enson Bs a e; w%ile res:onden 9imene+ is %e counsel !or ?eirs o! ?enson. 3%e roo o! %erein adminis ra ive com:lain !or *is4armen is an R3C 5rder I2222J. 3%e R3C 5rder direc ed com:lainan Briones o deliver %e residue o! %e es a e o %e ?eirs in :ro:or ion o %eir s%ares. Com:lainan Briones did no re:ly o %e demand; so res:onden 9imene+ o: ed o !ile a criminal com:lain in 4e%al! o! %is clien s !or re!usal o o4ey %e law!ul order o! %e cour . Com:lainan Briones now claims %a res:onden 9imene+ is guil y o! viola ion o! Rule 1..21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional res:onsi4ili y 4y !iling %e un!ounded criminal com:lain agains com:lainan o o4 ain an im:ro:er advan age: Rule 1..21 8 A lawyer s%all em:loy only !air and %ones means o a ain %e law!ul o4@ec ives o! %is clien and s%all no :resen ; :ar ici:a e in :resen ing or %rea en o :resen un!ounded criminal c%arges o o4 ain an im:ro:er advan age in any case o! :roceeding. 0))7B: A%e %er or no res:onden A y. 9imene+ s%ould 4e adminis ra ively lia4le. ?BL*: /es. A y. 9acin o *. 9imene+ is !ound guil y o! and RB6R0'A1*B* Qsince no evidence o! malice or 4ad !ai %R !or viola ion o! Rule 1..21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y Fair :lay demands %a res:onden s%ould %ave !iled %e :ro:er mo ion wi % %e R3C o a ain %is goal o! %aving %e residue o! %e es a e delivered o %is clien s and no su4@ec com:lainan o a :rema ure criminal :rosecu ion. Canon 1. o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y en@oins a lawyer o re:resen %is clien wi % +eal. ?owever; %e same Canon :rovides %a a lawyer<s :er!ormance o! %is du ies owards %is clien mus 4e wi %in %e 4ounds o! %e law. Rule 1..21 o! %e same Canon re"uires; among o %ers; %a a lawyer s%all em:loy only !air and %ones means o a ain %e law!ul o4@ec ives o! %is clien . 3o :ermi lawyers o resor o unscru:ulous :rac ices !or %e :ro ec ion o! %e su::osed rig% s o! %eir clien s is o de!ea one o! %e :ur:oses o! %e s a e U %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice. A%ile lawyers owe %eir en ire devo ion o %e in eres o! %eir clien s and +eal in %e de!ense o! %eir clien <s rig% ; %ey s%ould no !orge %a %ey are; !irs and !oremos ; o!!icers o! %e cour ; 4ound o eCer every e!!or o assis in %e s:eedy and e!!icien adminis ra ion o! @us ice. PENA @+ APARICIO
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FACTS A y. A:aricio was %e legal counsel !or #race ?u!ana in an alleged dismissal case 4e!ore %e 1LRC agains 6ena; 6residen o! '5F Com:any. A y. A:aricio :rayed %a %is clien 4e given se:ara ion :ay. 6eSa re@ec ed %e claim. 3%erea! er; 6eSa sen no ices o ?u!ana o re urn o wor-. A y. A:aricio re:lied wi % a le er rei era ing %e claim o! %is clien . 3%e le er also con ained %rea s agains %e com:any s a ing %a i! %e claim is no :aid on Aug. 12; 2225; %ey will !ile mul i:le c%arges suc% as; criminal c%arges !or aC evasion; !alsi!ica ion o! documen s; and !or %e cancella ion o! %e com:any<s 4usiness license. 6eSa !iled an adminis ra ive com:lain agains A y. A:aricio wi % %e Commission on Bar *isci:line o! %e 0B6 !or viola ing Rule 1..21 o! Canon 1. o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. A y. A:aricio in urn !iled coun erclaims !or %e de!ama ory c%arges agains %im. 3%e 0B6 dismissed %e com:lain 4ecause 6eSa %ad allegedly !ailed o !ile %is :osi ion :a:er and %e cer i!ica ion agains !orum s%o::ing. 3%e 0B6 ransmi ed %e records o! %e case o %e )C. A y. A:aricio !iled an 'R wi % %e )C rei era ing %is claim !or damages agains 6eSa in %e amoun o! 6422' !or !iling !alse; malicious; de!ama ory; !raudulen sui agains %im. 6eSa li-ewise !iled %is 6e i ion !or Review alleging %a %e su4mi ed %is :osi ion :a:er and %a %e dismissal denied %im o! due :rocess. ISSUE AG1 A y. A:aricio is guil y o! viola ing Rule 1..21H HELD /u:N Firs o! all; %e )C !ound %a 6eSa ac ually su4mi ed %is :osi ion :a:er. 0n addi ion; dis4armen :roceedings are sui generis; %ence; %e re"uiremen o! a cer i!ica ion o! !orum s%o::ing is no o 4e s ric ly com:lied wi % in suc% a case. A any ra e; 6eSa ac ually su4mi ed a cer i!ica ion agains !orum s%o::ing a! er A y. A:aricio !iled %e mo ion o dismiss; curing %e su::osed de!ec in %e original com:lain . 1ow o %e meri sO Canon 1.; Ea lawyer s%all re:resen %is clien wi % +eal wi %in %e 4ounds o! %e law;F %is s%ows %a a lawyer<s du y o %is clien is su4ordina e o %is du y in %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice. Rule 1..21; Ea lawyer s%all em:loy only !air and %ones means o a ain %e law!ul o4@ec ives o! %is clien and s%all no :resen ; :ar ici:a e in :resen ing or %rea en o :resen un!ounded criminal c%arges o o4 ain an im:ro:er advan age in any case or :roceeding.F 7nder suc% Rule; a lawyer s%ould no !ile or %rea en o !ile 4aseless criminal cases agains %e adversaries o! %is clien o secure a leverage o com:el %e adversaries o yield o %e claims o! %e lawyer<s clien . 3%is is eCac ly w%a A y. A:aricio did in %is case. Fur %ermore; %is %rea s were no only une %ical; 4u %ey amoun ed o 4lac-mail U eC or ion o! money 4y %rea s o! accusa ion or eC:osure in %e :u4lic :rin s. Blac-mail and eC or ion would no only en ail dis4armen 4u also :ossi4le criminal :rosecu ion. Aorse ye ; A y. A:aricio ac ually admi ed and even !ound i %is o4liga ion o ell %e ru % o! %e o!!enses %e im:u ed agains 6eSa. ?e also s a ed %a %e wri ing o! demand le ers is s andard :rac ice. )C ruled %a A y. A:aricio<s asser ions are misleading 4ecause %e !ac o! %e ma er is; %e used suc% %rea s o gain leverage agains 6eSa and !orce %e la er o accede o %is clien <s claims. 3%e le er even im:lied a :romise o E-ee: silen F a4ou %e said viola ions i! %e claim is me . A%ile i is rue %a wri ing demand le ers is s andard :rac ice in %e :ro!ession o! law; suc% le ers mus no con ain %rea s suc% as %ose !ound in %is case. 1ever %eless; )C %eld %a dis4armen is oo severe a :enal y considering %a A y. A:aricio wro e %e le er ou o! %is over+ealousness o :ro ec %is clien <s in eres s. 3%ere!ore; %e )C re:rimanded %im wi % a s ern warning.
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LEGAL ETHICS CASE DIGESTS POST =IDTER= CASES

AUTHORITY OF THE LA<YERB CONDUCT OF LITIGATION =ANALANG @+ ANGELES FAC3): 'analang and Cirillo alleged %a %ey were %e com:lainan s in a case !or over ime and se:ara ion :ay !iled agains %eir em:loyer; %e 6%ili::ine Racing Clu4 Res auran ; 4e!ore %e 1a ional La4or Rela ions. Res:onden was %eir counsel. 9udgmen was rendered in %eir !avor; in %e amoun o! 6&;522. A! er %e decision 4ecame !inal; a wri o! eCecu ion issued. ?owever; wi %ou au %ori y !rom %is clien s; res:onden com:romised %e award and was a4le o collec 65;522 only. Com:lainan s said %ey made several demands u:on res:onden o urn over o %em %e amoun collec ed minus %e agreed u:on a orneyLs !ees o! %ir y :ercen I32YJ; 4u A y. Angeles re!used and o!!ered o give %em only %e sum o! 62;&52. Res:onden counsel s a ed %a %e o!!ered o give com:lainan s %eir money; 4u %ey insis ed %a %e Mdeduc !rom %is a orneyLs !ees %e amoun o! 62;222; re:resen ing %e amoun discoun ed 4y %e counsel o! %e 6%ili::ine Racing Clu4 Res auran ; oge %er wi % s%eri!! legal !ees and o %er adminis ra ive eC:enses.M Res:onden claimed %a o acce: com:lainan sL :ro:osi ion mean %a %e Mwould no 4e com:ensa ed !or :rosecu ing and %andling; %e case.F 0))7B: A%e %er res:onden A y. Francisco F. Angeles s%ould 4e sus:ended !rom %e :rac ice o! law 4ecause o! grave misconduc rela ed o %is clien sL !unds. ?BL* A%ere a mem4er o! %e 4ar s ands c%arged wi % mal:rac ice; %e :roceedings are no mean solely o rule on %is cul:a4ili y 4u also o de ermine i! %e lawyer concerned is :ossessed o! %a good moral c%arac er; w%ic% is a condi ion :receden o %e :rivilege o! :rac icing law and con inuing in %e :rac ice %ereo!. 'oney claims due o wor-ers canno ; as a rule; 4e %e o4@ec o! se lemen or com:romise e!!ec ed 4y counsel wi %ou %e consen o! %e wor-ers concerned . A clien %as every rig% o eC:ec !rom %is counsel %a no %ing will 4e a-en or wi %%eld !rom %im; save 4y %e rules o! law validly a::lied. By com:romising %e @udgmen wi %ou %e consen o! %is clien s; res:onden no only wen agains %e s ream o! @udicial dic a; %e also eC%i4i ed an uncaring lac- o! devo ion o %e in eres o! %is clien s as well as wan o! +eal in %e main enance and de!ense o! %eir rig% s. 0n so doing; %e viola ed Canon 1( o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. A lawyer s%all %old in rus all moneys and :ro:er ies o! %is clien %a may come in o %is :ossession. 0n %e ins an case; %e records clearly and a4undan ly :oin o res:onden Ls recei: o! and !ailure o deliver u:on demand; %e amoun o! 64;552 in ended !or %is clien s. 3%is is a clear 4reac% o! Rule 1&.23; Canon 1& o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. 'oreover; %is eCcuse in %is answer; %a %e s%ould 4e allowed o deduc s%eri!!Ls !ees and o %er adminis ra ive eC:enses 4e!ore delivering %e money due %is clien s; is unsa is!ac ory. Res:onden clearly !ailed o com:ly wi % %e Rules o! Cour in %e en!orcemen o! an a orneyLs liens. 3%e records o! %is case are 4arren o! any s a emen o! res:onden Ls claims !or lien or :aymen o! %is alleged dis4ursemen s. 1or did res:onden :resen any s%owing %a %e caused wri en no ices o! %is lien on %e money @udgmen o 4e served u:on %is clien s and o %e losing :ar y ?is ac o! %olding on o %is clien sL money wi %ou %eir ac"uiescence is conduc indica ive o! lac- o! in egri y and :ro:rie y. ?e was clinging o some %ing w%ic% was no %is; and o w%ic% %e %ad no rig% . ?e a::ears o4livious o! %e admoni ion %a a mem4er o! %e legal !ra erni y s%ould re!rain !rom any ac or omission w%ic% mig% lessen %e rus and con!idence re:osed 4y %e :u4lic in %e !ideli y; %ones y; and in egri y o! %e legal :ro!ession. 3%is is %e !irs case on record agains %im; a !ac w%ic% could 4e a-en in o accoun 4y way o! mi iga ion. Considering !ur %er %e amoun involved; %e :enal y o! siC I&J mon %s sus:ension a::ears o us in order. GARCIA @+ CA FAC3): #uevara s:ouse see-s recovery o! a ladyLs diamond ring w%ic% %ey 4oug% !rom Re4ullida. #uevara claims %a w%ile al-ing o Consuelo ). de #arcia; owner o! La Bula-eSa res auran ; s%e recogni+ed %er ring in %e !inger o! 'rs. #arcia and as-ed w%ere s%e 4oug% i ; w%ic% #arcia answered !rom %er comadre. #uevarra old #arcia %a a ring was s olen !rom %er %ouse in Fe4ruary; 1.52. #arcia %anded %e ring o #uevara and i !i ed %er !inger. 3wo or %ree days la er; a %e re"ues o! #uevarra; %er %us4and L . Col. 9uan #uevara; L . Cemen ina o! 6asay 6*; #arcia and %er a orney :roceeded o %e s ore o! 'r. Re4ullida o w%om %ey s%owed %e ring in "ues ion. 'r. Re4ullida eCamined %e ring and a! er consul ing %e s oc- card %ereon; concluded %a i was %e very ring %a :lain i!! 4oug% !rom %im in 1.4(. 3%e ring was re urned o #arcia w%o des:i e a wri en re"ues !ailed o deliver %e ring o #uevara. #arcia re!used o deliver %e ring w%ic% %ad 4een eCamined 4y 'r. Re4ullida; claiming it !as lost. #arcias<s de!ense was %a %ey denied %aving made any admission 4e!ore #uevara or 'r. Re4ullida or %e s%eri!!. ?er evidence ends o s%ow %a %e ring was :urc%ased 4y %er !rom 'rs. 'iranda w%o go i !rom 'iss Angeli a ?ina%on w%o in urn go i !rom %e owner; Aling 6e ring; w%o was 4oarding in %er %ouseK %a %e ring s%e 4oug% could 4e similar o; 4u no %e same ring :lain i!! :urc%ased !rom 'r. Re4ullida w%ic% was s olenK %a according o a :awn8s%o: owner %e 4ig diamond was never disman led. A%en disman led; de!endan Ls diamond was !ound o weig% 2.5( c s; unli-e %e one claimed 4y #uevara s:ouse. A::aren ly #arcia<s own counsel admi ed %roug% an answer %a %e ring in "ues ion was %e same ring; w%ic% is 4eing claimed 4y %e #uevara s:ouse.
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0))7B: A%e %er or no a lawyer needs an )6A o admi %e ru % o! cer ain !ac s ?BL*: 15. #arcia is con radic ed 4y %er own eC ra8@udicial admissions; al %oug% made 4y %er counsel. For an a orney w%o ac s as counsel o! record and is :ermi ed o ac suc%; %as %e au %ori y o manage %e cause; and %is includes %e au %ori y o ma-e admission !or %e :ur:ose o! %e li iga ion... #arcia<s :ro!!ered eC:lana ion %a %er counsel misunders ood %er is !u ile 4ecause %e lia4ili y o error as o %e iden i y o! %e vendor and %e eCc%ange o! %e ring wi % ano %er ring o! %e same value; was ra %er remo e. 3%e ring<s iden i!ica ion was con!irmed 4y 'r. Ra!ael Re4ullida; w%ose es imony is en i led o grea weig% ; wi % %is 32 years eC:erience 4e%ind %im in %e @ewelry 4usiness 0ndeed; #arcia made no commen w%en in %er :resence Re4ullida a! er eCamining %e ring and s oc- card old #uevara %a %a was %er ring; nor did s%e answer :lain i!!Ls le er o! demand;asser ing owners%i:. 1one o! %e :eo:le w%om s%e men ioned; was a4le o corro4ora e %e s ory o! %ow s%e 4oug% %e ring. SANTIAGO @+ DELOS SANTOS CANON ,9 Fac s: 6lain i!!; now a::ellan ; a::lied !or regis ra ion o! a :arcel o! land. 0n a mo ion o se %e case !or %earing; %e a ac%ed documen s indica ive o! %e land 4eing :u4lic in c%arac er; %us lending su::or o %e o::osi ion o! %e *irec or o! Fores ry; %e *irec or o! Lands; and a cer ain 6aci a >. de los )an os. 3%e %en 9udge Cecilia 'uSo+ 6alma; now an Associa e 9us ice o! %is Cour ; dismissed %e sui . 0 s reversal is soug% in %is a::eal. 0ssue: Aas %e counsel negligen in %e :re:ara ion o! %e :leadingsH /es. ?eld: A ac%ed o suc% :leading were %e documen s; w%ic%; in %e language o! %e %en 9udge 6alma; Ms%ow %a %e land o4@ec o! %is regis ra ion :roceeding is :ar o! %e :u4lic domain ... .M Former counsel oug% o %ave reali+ed %e !a al e!!ec on %is clien Ls case o! suc% an admission. 0! i were %is in en ion o demolis% en irely %e :re ension o! :lain i!! o %e claim %a %e %ad 4een in o:en; :u4lic; unin erru: ed; :eace!ul and adverse :ossession in %e conce: o! owner !rom 9uly 2&; 1,.4 u: o %e :resen ; %e could no %ave succeeded any 4e er. A%a was so ca egorically %erein se !or % as o suc% :arcel o! land 4eing a :ar o! a :u4lic !ores ; al %oug% %erea! er released 4y %e )ecre ary o! Agricul ure and 1a ural Resources !or agricul ural :ur:oses; is conclusive and 4inding. ?ow did %e :resen counsel !or :lain i!!; %e law !irm o! Luna and 'analo; see- o eC rica e %im !rom a :redicamen o! %is own ma-ingH 0 would rely on cer ain :rocedural doc rinesK more s:eci!ically; i would insis on %e mo ion o dismiss o! SESBRENO @+ CA Fac s: A y. )es4reno is %e counsel o! 52 em:loyees w%o sued %e :rovince o! Ce4u !or reins a emen and 4ac- wages. 3%ey signed 2 documen s w%ere4y %e em:loyees agreed o :ay A y. )es4reno 32Y as a orney<s !ees and 22Y eC:enses o 4e a-en !rom %eir 4ac- salaries. 3%e rial cour rendered a decision in !avor %e em:loyees and !iCed A y. )es4reno<s a orney<s !ees a 42Y o! 4ac- salaries; erminal leave; gra ui y :ay and re iremen 4ene!i s and 22Y as eC:enses; or a o al o! &2Y o! all monies :aid o %e em:loyees. 3%e cour la er on modi!ied %e a orney<s !ees o 52Y. A y. )es4reno a::ealed o %e CA; w%ic% decided %a %e a orney<s !ees s%ould 4e reduced o 22Y o! %e 4ac- salaries awarded o %e em:loyees. A y. )es4reno a::eals o %e )C on %e ground %a a orney<s !ees amoun ing o 52Y o! all monies awarded o %is clien s as con ingen !ees s%ould 4e u:%eld !or 4eing consis en wi % :revailing case law and %e con rac o! :ro!essional services 4e ween %e :ar ies. 0ssue: A%e %er or no %e Cour o! A::eals %ad %e au %ori y o reduce %e amoun o! a orney<s !ees awarded o A y. )es4reno; no wi %s anding %e con rac !or :ro!essional services signed 4y %e clien ?eld: o::osi or 6aci a >. de los )an os as no 4eing en i led o recogni ion as %ere was a general order o! de!aul eCce: as o %e Bureau o! Lands and %e Bureau o! Fores ry; no li! ed as o %er; and %a s%e %ad no in eres o o::ose %e a::lica ion o! %e regis ra ion o! %er land; al %oug% admi edly %ere was a claim on %er :ar under a :as ure lease agreemen in %er !avor. ?ence %e :lea !or %e order o! dismissal 4eing se aside and :lain i!! 4eing allowed o :resen evidence. A%a :ur:ose; i may :er inen ly 4e as-ed; would 4e served %ere4y i!; a! er %e ime8consuming e!!or ; i would clearly a::ear %a :lain i!! could no in ru % s%ow %a %ere was suc% an o:en; unin erru: ed; :eace!ul and adverse :ossession in %e conce: o! ownerH 1or is i o 4e !orgo en %a in %e mo ion o dismiss o! o::osi or de los )an os; i was s a ed: M3%a %e son o! a::lican Luis )an iago; namely 9uani o ). )an iago; was one ime %e Lessee o! %e a!oresaid im4er area soug% o 4e regis ered 4y %im under 6as ure Lease Agreemen 1o. 1,2 on A:ril 1,; 1.55; w%ic% Lease Agreemen was cancelled 4y %e #overnmen on Augus 1,; 1.5, !or !ailure o! Lessee )an iago o ma-e %e im:rovemen s and com:ly o %erwise wi % %e erms and condi ions o! %e Lease Con rac K ... .M 3%ere was no denial o! suc% allega ion. An admission made in %e :leadings canno 4e con rover ed 4y %e :ar y ma-ing suc% admission and are conclusive as o %im; and %a all :roo!s su4mi ed 4y %im con rary %ere o or inconsis en %erewi %; s%ould 4e ignored; w%e %er o4@ec ion is in er:osed 4y %e :ar y or no .
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/esN 3%e CA %as %e au %ori y o reduce %e amoun o! a orney<s !ees. A lawyer may c%arge and receive as a orney<s !ees is always su4@ec o @udicial con rol. 0n %e case a 4ar; %e :ar ies en ered in o a con ingen !ee con rac ; w%erein A y. )es4reno will ge 52Y !rom %e em:loyees money claims i! %ey will win %e case. ?owever; %e cour !inds %e 52Y !ee as unconsciona4le. ) i:ula ed a orney<s !ees are unconsciona4le w%enever %e amoun is 4y !ar so dis:ro:or iona e com:ared o %e value o! %e services rendered as o amoun o !raud :er:e ra ed u:on %e clien . Con ingen !ee con rac s are under %e su:ervision and close scru iny o! %e cour in order %a clien s may 4e :ro ec ed !rom un@us c%arges. 3%e cour %eld %a a !ee o! 22Y o! 4ac- salaries would 4e a !air se lemen . BAUTISTA @+ GONAALES Fac s: A y. #on+ales is %e lawyer o! %e For unados in a civil case w%erein A y. #on+ales agreed o :ay all eC:enses; including cour !ees; !or a con ingen !ee o! 52Y o! %e value o! %e :ro:er y in li iga ion. 0ssue: A%e %er or no %e con ingen !ee agreemen 4e ween A y. #on+ales and %e Forunados is valid ?eld: 1o. 3%ere was no im:ro:rie y in en ering in o a con ingen !ee con rac wi % %e For unados. ?owever; %e agreemen 4e ween A y. #on+ales and %e For unados is con rary o %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y w%ic% :rovides %a a lawyer may no :ro:erly agree wi % a clien o :ay or 4ear %e eC:enses o! li iga ion. Al %oug% a lawyer may in good !ai %; advance %e eC:enses o! li iga ion; %e same s%ould 4e su4@ec o reim4ursemen . 3%e agreemen 4e ween A y. #on+ales and For unados does no :rovide !or reim4ursemen o A y. #on+ales o! li iga ion eC:enses :aid 4y %im. An agreemen w%ere4y an a orney agrees o :ay eC:enses o! :roceedings o en!orce %e clien <s rig% s is c%am:er ous. )uc% agreemen s are agains :u4lic :olicy. 3%e eCecu ion o! %ese con rac s viola es %e !iduciary rela ions%i: 4e ween %e lawyer and %is clien ; !or w%ic% %e !ormer mus incur adminis ra ive sanc ions. GA=ILLA @+ =ARINO Fac s: A y. Bduardo 'arino 9r. was %e :residen o! %e 7)3 Facul y 7nion. 3%ere<s a long %is ory o! collec ive 4argaining agreemen 4e ween 7)3 and 7)3 Facul y 7nion. *uring %e series o! agreemen s 4e ween 7)3 and %e 7)3 Facul y 7nion; A y. 'arino was removed !rom %is :osi ion 4u con inued o serve as a lawyer !or %e 7)3 Facul y 7nion. 0n %e end; %e 7)3 Facul y won and was awarded 42 million :esos !or 4ac- wages; salaries; addi ional com:ensa ions; e c. Com:lainan s are mem4ers o! %e 7)3 Facul y 7nion "ues ioning %e lac- o! rans:arency in %e dis4ursemen o! %e mone ary 4ene!i s I42'J !or %e !acul y mem4ers; and :rays !or %e eC:ulsion o! A y. 'arino !or !ailure o accoun !or %e 4alance o! 42' ceded o %em 4y 7)3 and %e a orney<s !ees amoun ing o 4.2' w%ic% %e deduc ed !rom %e 4ene!i s allo ed o !acul y mem4ers. 0ssue: A%e %er or no %e 4.2' a orney<s !ees is :ro:or iona e o %e legal services rendered 4y A y. 'arino ?eld: 1o. 3%e record does no s%ow any @us i!ica ion !or suc% %uge amoun o! com:ensa ion nor any clear di!!eren ia ion 4e ween %is legal services and %is as-s union :residen com:rising in all :ro4i y %e same du ies !or w%ic% %e %as collec ed a %e! y com:ensa ion as a orney !or %e union. Fur %ermore; %ere was lac- o! no ice and rans:arency in A y. 'arino<s dual role a lawyer and :residen o! 7)3 Facul y 7nion w%en %e o4 ained 4.2' as a orney<s !ees. A sim:le accoun ing o! %e money %a %e and o %ers concerned received !rom 7)3; as well as an eC:lana ion on %e de ails o! %e agreemen s; would %ave enlig% ened %e !acul y mem4ers a4ou %e :ro4a4ili y o! con!lic o! in eres s on res:onden <s :ar and guided %em o loo- !or al erna ive ac ions o :ro ec %eir own in eres s. 3%e o4@ec ive o! a disci:linary case is no so muc% o :unis% %e individual a orney as o :ro ec %e dis:ensa ion o! @us ice 4y s%el ering %e @udiciary and %e :u4lic !rom %e misconduc or ine!!iciency o! o!!icers o! %e cour . Res ora ive @us ice no re ri4u ion is our goal in %is y:e o! :roceedings. 0n view o! %is; ins ead o! a-ing a more s ern measure agains res:onden ; a re:rimand and a warning would 4e su!!icien disci:linary ac ion. ?ence; A y. 'ariSo is admonis%ed o re!rain !rom all a::earances and ac s o! im:ro:rie y including circums ances indica ing con!lic o! in eres s; and o 4e%ave a all imes wi % circums:ec ion and dedica ion 4e!i ing a mem4er o! %e Bar; es:ecially o4serving candor; !airness and loyal y in all ransac ions wi % %is clien . @INSON PINEDA @+ ATTY+ DE >ESUS% ATTY+ A=BROSIO AND ATTY+ =ARIANO Fac s: Aurora 6ineda !iled !or declara ion o! nulli y o! marriage agains >inson 6ineda. Aurora :ro:osed a se lemen regarding visi a ion rig% s and %e se:ara ion o! :ro:er ies w%ic% was acce: ed 4y >inson. )e lemen was a::roved 4y %e rial cour and %eir marriage was declared null and void. 3%roug%ou %e :roceedings %e res:onden counsels were com:ensa ed 4u %ey s ill 4illed :e i ioner addi ional legal !ees in amoun ing o 61&.5'. >inson re!used o :ay %e addi ional !ees 4u ins ead :aid 61.2'. Res:onden s !iled a com:lain wi % %e same rial cour . 3rial cour ordered >inson o :ay a o al o! 6.'. CA reduced %e amoun o a o al o! 62'. 0ssues: AG1 %e R3C %ad @urisdic ion over %e claim !or addi ional legal !eesH AG1 res:onden s were en i led o addi ional legal !eesH ?eld:
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A lawyer may en!orce %is rig% o %is !ees 4y !iling %e :e i ion as an inciden o! %e main ac ion. R3C %as @urisdic ion. 3%e res:onden s were see-ing o collec 652' w%ic% was 12Y o! %e value o! %e :ro:er ies awarded o >inson. A%a res:onden s were demanding was addi ional :aymen !or service rendered in %e same case. 3%e :ro!essional engagemen 4e ween :e i ioner and res:onden s was governed 4y <uantum meruit. Rule 22.4 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y advises lawyers o avoid con roversies wi % clien s concerning %eir com:ensa ion and o resor o @udicial ac ion only o :reven im:osi ion; in@us ice or !raud. )ui s o collec !ees s%ould 4e avoided and s%ould 4e !iled only w%en circums ances !orce lawyers o resor o i . 0n %is case; %ere was no @us i!ica ion !or %e addi ional legal !ees soug% 4y res:onden s. 0 was an ac o! unconsciona4le greedN ROMAS @+ DE AUAUARREGUI% >R Fac s: 3%e Zu+uarreguis engaged %e legal services o! A ys. Romeo #. RoCas and )an iago 1. 6as or; o re:resen %em in %e case. 3%is was sealed 4y a Le er8 Agreemen ; w%erein i was con ained %a %e a orneys would endeavor o secure @us com:ensa ion wi % %e 1?A and o %er governmen agencies a a :rice o! 11:esos or more :er s"uare me er; and %a any lower amoun s%all no en i le %em o any a y<s !ees. 3%ey also s i:ula ed %a in %e even %ey ge i !or 11:esos :er s"uare me er; %eir con ingen !ee s%all 4e 32Y o! %e @us com:ensa ion. 3%ey also s i:ula ed %a %eir lawyer<s !ees s%all 4e in :ro:or ion o %e cas%G4onds ra io o! %e @us com:ensa ion. QOR A Com:romise Agreemen was eCecu ed 4e ween %e Zu+uarreguis and %e 1?A. 3%e Com:romise Agreemen ; s i:ula ed among o %er %ings; %a %e @us com:ensa ion o! %e Zu+uarregui :ro:er ies would 4e a 61..52 :er s"uare me er :aya4le in 1?A Bonds. 0n a *ecision da ed 22 *ecem4er 1.,5; %e R3C; a::roved %e Com:romise Agreemen su4mi ed 4y %e :ar ies. 3%e o al amoun in 1?A 4onds released o A y. Romeo #. RoCas in 4e%al! o! %e Zu+uarreguis amoun ed o 654;522;222.22. 5u o! %is amoun ; %e records s%ow %a %e amoun urned over o %e Zu+uarreguis 4y A y. RoCas amoun ed o 632;522;222.22 Ire:resen ing %e ac ual @us com:ensa ion; al %oug% %is amoun is 4iggerJ in 1?A 4onds. Com:u ed a 61..52 :er s"uare me er; %e 1;(.2;5(2.3& s"uare me ers :ro:er y o! %e Zu+uarreguis was eC:ro:ria ed a a o al :rice o! 634;.1&;122.22. 3%e o al amoun released 4y %e 1?A was 654;522;222.22. 3%e di!!erence o! 61.;5,3;,(,.22 is; undou4 edly; %e yield on %e 4onds. 5n 25 Augus 1.,(; a le er was sen 4y %e Zu+uarreguis< new counsel; 9ose F. #on+ale+; o A ys. RoCas and 6as or; demanding %a %e la er deliver o %e Zu+uarreguis %e yield corres:onding o 4onds :aid 4y %e 1?A wi %in a :eriod o! 12 days !rom recei: ; under :ain o! adminis ra ive; civil andGor criminal ac ion. 0ssue: 3%e %onora4le cour o! a::eals gravely erred on a "ues ion o! law in %olding %a %e le er8agreemen re: con ingen !ees canno 4e allowed o s and as %e law 4e ween %e :ar ies ?eld: A con rac is a mee ing o! %e minds 4e ween wo :ersons w%ere4y one 4inds %imsel!; wi % res:ec o %e o %er; o give some %ing or o render some service. Con rac s s%all 4e o4liga ory; in w%a ever !orm %ey may %ave 4een en ered in o; :rovided all %e essen ial re"uisi es !or %eir validi y are :resen . 3%e Zu+uarreguis; in en ering in o %e Le er8Agreemen ; !ully gave %eir consen %ere o. 0n !ac ; i was %em I %e Zu+uarreguisJ w%o sen %e said le er o A ys. RoCas and 6as or; !or %e :ur:ose o! con!irming all %e ma ers w%ic% %ey %ad agreed u:on :reviously. 3%ere is a4solu ely no evidence o s%ow %a any4ody was !orced in o en ering in o %e Le er8 Agreemen . >erily; i s eCis ence; due eCecu ion and con en s were admi ed 4y %e Zu+uarreguis %emselves. 0n %e :resence o! a con rac !or :ro!essional services duly eCecu ed 4y %e :ar ies %ere o; %e same 4ecomes %e law 4e ween %e said :ar ies is no a4solu e 4u admi s an eCce: ion U %a %e s i:ula ions %erein are no con rary o law; good morals; good cus oms; :u4lic :olicy or :u4lic order. 7nder %e con rac in "ues ion; A ys. RoCas and 6as or are o receive con ingen !ees !or %eir :ro!essional services. 0 is a dee:ly8roo ed rule %a con ingen !ees are no :er se :ro%i4i ed 4y law. 3%ey are sanc ioned 4y Canon 13 o! %e Canons o! 6ro!essional B %ics. A con rac !or con ingen !ee; w%ere sanc ioned 4y law; s%ould 4e reasona4le under all %e circums ances o! %e case including %e ris- and uncer ain y o! %e com:ensa ion; 4u s%ould always 4e su4@ec o %e su:ervision o! a cour ; as o i s reasona4leness. 0ndu4i a4ly en wined wi % %e lawyer<s du y o c%arge only reasona4le !ees is %e :ower o! %is Cour o reduce %e amoun o! a orney<s !ees i! %e same is eCcessive and unconsciona4le. A orney<s !ees are unconsciona4le i! %ey a!!ron one<s sense o! @us ice; decency or reasona4leness. 0 4ecomes aCioma ic %ere!ore; %a :ower o de ermine %e reasona4leness or %e; unconsciona4le c%arac er o! a orneyLs !ees s i:ula ed 4y %e :ar ies is a ma er !alling wi %in %e regula ory :reroga ive o! %e cour s. 0n %e ins an case; A ys. RoCas and 6as or received an amoun w%ic% was e"ual o !or y8!our :ercen I44YJ o! %e @us com:ensa ion :aid Iincluding %e yield on %e 4ondsJ 4y %e 1?A o %e Zu+uarreguis; or an amoun e"uivalen o 623;.,2;222.22 o! %e 654;522;222.22. Considering %a %ere was no !ull 4lown %earing in %e eC:ro:ria ion case; ending as i did in a Com:romise Agreemen ; %e 44Y is; undenia4ly; unconsciona4le and eCcessive under %e circums ances. 0 s reduc ion is; %ere!ore; in order. 0 is im:era ive %a %e con ingen !ees received 4y A ys. RoCas and 6as or mus 4e e"ui a4ly reduced. 0n %e o:inion o! %is Cour ; %e yield %a corres:onds o %e :ercen age s%are o! %e Zu+uarreguis in %e 61..52 :er s"uare me er @us com:ensa ion :aid 4y %e 1?A mus 4e re urned 4y A ys. RoCas and 6as or. 3%e yield on %e 1?A 4onds amoun ed o 61.;5,3;,(,.22. 3%is amoun mus %ere!ore 4e divided 4e ween %e Zu+uarreguis; on %e one %and; and A ys. RoCas
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and 6as or; on %e o %er. 3%e division mus 4e :ro ra a. A ys. RoCas and 6as or; in %e o:inion o! %is Cour ; were no s%or c%anged !or %eir e!!or s !or %ey would s ill 4e earning or ac ually earned a orney<s !ees in %e amoun o! 6&;.,(;2(,.(5 5n %e issue o! moral and eCem:lary damages; we canno award %e same !or %ere was no direc s%owing o! 4ad !ai % on %e :ar o! A ys. RoCas and 6as or; !or as we said earlier; con ingency !ees are no :er se :ro%i4i ed 4y law. 0 is only necessary %a i 4e reduced w%en eCcessive and unconsciona4le; w%ic% we %ave already done. LA< FIR= OF TUNGOL E TIBAYAN @+ CA AND SPOUSES INGCO Fac s: 0ngcos %ired %e :e i ioner law !irm o en!orce delivery o! a land i le. Com:lain was !iled 4y %e law !irm in 4e%al! o! %e 0ngcos 4e!ore %e ?L7RB agains >illa Cris a alleging %a %e 0ngcos %ad :aid 65.1' !or a lo 4u >illa Cris a !ailed o deliver %e i le %ere o. 3%e 0ngcos and >illa Cris a en ered in o a com:romise w%ere4y %e la er was 4ound o re!und 64.,' :rovided %a in case o! 4reac% o! suc% o4liga ion; an addi ional 6222- would 4e :aid 4y way o! li"uida ed damages. >illa Cris a !ailed o :ay. Ari o! eCecu ion issued. )%eri!! levied and auc ioned 12 lo s 4elonging o >illa Cris a. 3%e 0ngcos 4oug% 3 lo s; %e :aymen o! w%ic% includes 65.1' con rac :rice !or %e ini ial lo %ey :rimarily 4oug% ; 61.35' a orney<s !ees and o %er eC:enses. 3%e 0ngcos %en ermina ed %e services o! %e law !irm. 3%e law !irm !iled wi % %e ?L7RB o recover 25Y o! %e eCcess o! %e eCis ing :revailing selling :rice or %e !air mar-e value o! %e 3 lo s. 0 also !iled !or damages in %e R3C. 3%e law !irm argued %a %e s:ouses s ill owed 64.5'K %a in %eir con rac %e law !irm was en i led o 25Y o! %e eCcess o! %e o al 4id :rice. ?L7RB ar4i er ruled !or %e law !irm. ?L7R?B Board reversed. 3%e 5!!ice o! %e 6residen reversed; a!!irming %e ?L7RB ar4i er<s decision. CA reversed %e 56. ?eld: )C ruled %a %e lawyers are no en i led o addi ional !ees. 3%e s:ouses ac"uired %e 3 lo s as %e %ig%es 4idder a %e auc ion sale. 0 can 4e said %a %e lo s %ad 4een ac"uired no %roug% %e recovery e!!or s o! %e law !irm. 'oreover; during %e nego ia ions wi % >illa Cris a; i was Rena o 0ngco w%o was ac ually nego ia ing; no %e lawyers. A%en %e auc ion sale was made; %e a orney8clien rela ions%i: no longer eCis ed; %ence %e lawyers are no en i led o %e addi ional !ees. CANON ,1 REGALA @+ SANDIGANBAYAN FAC3): 3%e Re:u4lic o! %e 6%ili::ines ins i u ed a Com:lain 4e!ore %e )andigan4ayan I)BJ; %roug% %e 6residen ial Commission on #ood #ov< I6C##J agains Bduardo '. Co@uangco; 9r.; as one o! %e :rinci:al de!endan s; !or %e recovery o! alleged ill8go en weal %; w%ic% includes s%ares o! s oc-s in %e named cor:s. in 6C## Case 1o. 33 ICC 1o. 2233J en i led MR6 vs. Bduardo Co@uangco; e al.M Among %e de!endan s named in %e case are %erein :e i ioners and %erein :riva e res:onden Raul ). Roco; w%o all were %en :ar ners o! %e law !irm Angara; A4ello; Conce:cion; Regala and Cru+ IACCRAJ Law 5!!ices. ACCRA Law Firm :er!ormed legal services !or i s clien s and in %e :er!ormance o! %ese services; %e mem4ers o! %e law !irm delivered o i s clien documen s w%ic% su4s an ia e %e clien Ls e"ui y %oldings. 0n %e course o! %eir dealings wi % %eir clien s; %e mem4ers o! %e law !irm ac"uire in!orma ion rela ive o %e asse s o! clien s as well as %eir :ersonal and 4usiness circums ances. As mem4ers o! %e ACCRA Law Firm; :e i ioners and :riva e res:onden Raul Roco admi %a %ey assis ed in %e organi+a ion and ac"uisi ion o! %e com:anies included in CC 1o. 2233; and in -ee:ing wi % %e o!!ice :rac ice; ACCRA lawyers ac ed as nominees8s oc-%olders o! %e said cor:ora ions involved in se"ues ra ion :roceedings. 6C## !iled a M'o ion o Admi 3rd Amended Com:lain M D M3rd Amended Com:lain M wGc eCcluded Roco !rom %e com:lain in 6C## Case 1o. 33 as :ar yde!endan ; Roco %aving :romised %e<ll reveal %e iden i y o! %e :rinci:alGs !or w%om %e ac ed as nomineeGs oc-%older in %e com:anies involved in 6C## Case \ 33. 6e i ioners were included in 3rd Amended Com:lain !or %aving :lo ed; devised; sc%emed; cons:ired D con!edera ed wGeac% o %er in se ing u:; %roug% %e use o! coconu levy !unds; %e !inancial D cor:ora e !ramewor- D s ruc ures %a led o es a4lis%men o! 7C6B; 710C5'; C5C5L0FB; C5C5'AR$; C0C; D more %an 22 o %er coconu levy !unded cor:s; including %e ac"uisi ion o! )an 'iguel Cor:. s%ares D i s ins i u ionali+a ion %roug% :residen ial direc ives o! %e coconu mono:oly. 3%roug% insidious means D mac%ina ions; ACCRA 0nves men s Cor:.; 4ecame %e %older o! roug%ly 3.3Y o! %e o al ou s anding ca:i al s oc- o! 7C6B. 0n %eir answer o %e BC:anded Amended Com:lain ; :e i ioners alleged %a %eir :ar ici:a ion in %e ac s wG wGc %eir co8de!endan s are c%arged; was in !ur %erance o! legi ima e lawyering 6e i ioner 6ara@a ?ayudini; w%o %ad se:ara ed !rom ACCRA law !irm; !iled a se:ara e answer denying %e allega ions in %e com:lain im:lica ing %im in %e alleged ill8go en weal %. 6e i ioners %en !iled %eir MCommen DGor 5::osi ionM wG Coun er8'o ion %a 6C## eCclude %em as :ar ies8de!endan s li-e Roco. 6C## se %e !!. :receden !or %e eCclusion o! :e i ioners: IaJ %e disclosure o! %e iden i y o! i s clien sK I4J su4mission o! documen s su4s an ia ing %e lawyer8clien rela ions%i:K and IcJ %e su4mission o! %e deeds o! assignmen s :e i ioners eCecu ed in !avor o! i s clien s covering %eir res:ec ive s%are%oldings. Conse"uen ly; 6C## :resen ed su::osed :roo! o su4s an ia e com:liance 4y Roco o! %e same condi ions :receden . ?owever; during said :roceedings; Roco didn< re!u e :e i ionersL con en ion %a %e did ac ually no reveal %e iden i y o! %e clien involved in 6C## Case 1o. 33; nor %ad %e under a-en o reveal %e iden i y o! %e clien !or w%om %e ac ed as nominee8s oc-%older.
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0n a Resolu ion; )B denied %e eCclusion o! :e i ioners; !or %eir re!usal o com:ly wG %e condi ions re"uired 4y 6C##. 0 %eld; EACCRA lawyers canno eCcuse %emselves !rom %e conse"uences o! %eir ac s un il %ey %ave 4egun o es a4lis% %e 4asis !or recogni+ing %e :rivilegeK %e eCis ence and iden i y o! %e clien .F ACCRA lawyers !iled 'FR wGc was denied. ?ence; ACCRA lawyers !iled %e :e i ion !or cer iorari. 6e i ioner ?ayudini; li-ewise; !iled %is own 'FR wGc was also denied %us; %e !iled a se:ara e :e i ion !or cer iorari; assailing )B<s resolu ion on essen ially same grounds averred 4y :e i ioners; namely: )B gravely a4used i s discre ion in su4@ec ing :e i ioners o %e s ric a::lica ion o! %e law o! agency. )B gravely a4used i s discre ion in no considering :e i ioners D Roco similarly si ua ed D; %us; deserving e"ual rea men )B gravely a4used i s discre ion in no %olding %a ; under %e !ac s o! %is case; %e a orney8clien :rivilege :ro%i4i s :e i ioners !rom revealing %e iden i y o! %eir clien IsJ and %e o %er in!orma ion re"ues ed 4y %e 6C##. )B gravely a4used i s discre ion in no re"uiring %a dro::ing o! :ar yde!endan s 4e 4ased on reasona4le D @us grounds; wG due considera ion o cons i u ional r s o! :e i ioners 6C##; %roug% i s counsel; re!u es :e i ionersL con en ion; alleging %a %e revela ion o! %e iden i y o! %e clien is no wGin %e am4i o! %e lawyer8clien con!iden iali y :rivilege; nor are %e documen s i re"uired Ideeds o! assignmen J :ro ec ed; 4ecause %ey are evidence o! nominee s a us. R7L01# I:ulled ou only %e :er inen sec ions J: A51 A335R1B/8CL0B13 6R0>0LB#B 6R5?0B03) 6B303051BR) FR5' RB>BAL01# 3?B 0*B1303/ 5F 3?B0R CL0B13I)J D 3?B 53?BR 01F5R'A3051 RB=7B)3B* B/ 3?B 6C## /B). 1a ure o! lawyer8clien rela ions%i: is :remised on %e Roman Law conce: s o! loca io conduc io o:erarum Icon rac o! lease o! servicesJ w%ere one :erson le s %is services and ano %er %ires %em wi %ou re!erence o %e o4@ec o! w%ic% %e services are o 4e :er!ormed; w%erein lawyersL services may 4e com:ensa ed 4y %onorarium or !or %ire; and manda o Icon rac o! agencyJ w%erein a !riend on w%om reliance could 4e :laced ma-es a con rac in %is name; 4u gives u: all %a %e gained 4y %e con rac o %e :erson w%o re"ues ed %im. Bu %e lawyer8 clien rela ions%i: is more %an %a o! %e :rinci:al8agen and lessor8lessee An a orney is more %an a mere agen or servan ; 4ecause %e :ossesses s:ecial :owers o! rus and con!idence re:osed on %im 4y %is clien . An a orney occu:ies a M"uasi8@udicial o!!iceM since %e is in !ac an o!!icer o! %e Cour D eCercises %is @udgmen in %e c%oice o! courses o! ac ion o 4e a-en !avora4le o %is clien . 3%us; in %e crea ion o! lawyer8clien rela ions%i:; %ere are rules; e %ical conduc and du ies %a 4rea %e li!e in o i ; among %ose; %e !iduciary du y o %is clien w%ic% is o! a very delica e; eCac ing and con!iden ial c%arac er; re"uiring a very %ig% degree o! !ideli y and good !ai %; %a is re"uired 4y reason o! necessi y and :u4lic in eres 4ased on %e %y:o %esis %a a4s inence !rom see-ing legal advice in a good cause is an evil w%ic% is !a al o %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice. A orney8clien :rivilege; is worded in Rules o! Cour ; Rule 132: )ec. 24. *is"uali!ica ion 4y reason o! :rivileged communica ion. 3%e !ollowing :ersons canno es i!y as o ma ers learned in con!idence in %e !ollowing cases: CCC An a orney canno ; wi %ou %e consen o! %is clien ; 4e eCamined as o any communica ion made 4y %e clien o %im; or %is advice given %ereon in %e course o!; or wi % a view o; :ro!essional em:loymen ; can an a orneyLs secre ary; s enogra:%er; or cler- 4e eCamined; wi %ou %e consen o! %e clien and %is em:loyer; concerning any !ac %e -nowledge o! w%ic% %as 4een ac"uired in suc% ca:aci y. Fur %er; Rule 13, o! %e Rules o! Cour s a es: )ec. 22. 0 is %e du y o! an a orney: IeJ o main ain inviola e %e con!idence; and a every :eril o %imsel!; o :reserve %e secre s o! %is clien ; and o acce: no com:ensa ion in connec ion wi % %is clien Ls 4usiness eCce: !rom %im or wi % %is -nowledge and a::roval. 3%is du y is eC:lici ly manda ed in Canon 1(; C6R IEA lawyer owes !ideli y o %e cause o! %is clien and %e s%all 4e mind!ul o! %e rus and con!idence re:osed in %im.FJ Canon 15; C6B also demands a lawyerLs !ideli y o clien . An e!!ec ive lawyer8clien rela ions%i: is largely de:enden u:on %e degree o! con!idence w%ic% eCis s 4e ween lawyer and clien w%ic% in urn re"uires a si ua ion w%ic% encourages a dynamic and !rui !ul eCc%ange and !low o! in!orma ion. 3%us; %e Cour %eld %a %is du y may 4e asser ed in re!using o disclose %e name o! :e i ionersL clien IsJ in %e case a 4ar. 3%e general rule is %a a lawyer may no invo-e %e :rivilege and re!use o divulge %e name or iden i y o! %is clien . Reasons advanced !or %e general rule: Cour %as a rig% o -now %a %e clien w%ose :rivileged in!orma ion is soug% o 4e :ro ec ed is !les% and 4lood. 6rivilege 4egins o eCis only a! er %e a orney8clien rela ions%i: %as 4een es a4lis%ed. 6rivilege generally :er ains o su4@ec ma er o! rela ions%i: *ue :rocess considera ions re"uire %a %e o::osing :ar y s%ould; as a general rule; -now %is adversary. BCce: ions o %e gen. rule: Clien iden i y is :rivileged w%ere a s rong :ro4a4ili y eCis s %a revealing %e clien Ls name would im:lica e %a clien in %e very ac ivi y !or w%ic% %e soug% %e lawyerLs advice. 6x#Parte 6nAor and 2.S. ". >odge and B!eig : 3%e su4@ec ma er o! %e rela ions%i: was so closely rela ed o %e issue o! %e clien Ls iden i y %a %e :rivilege ac ually a ac%ed o 4o %. A%ere disclosure would o:en %e clien o civil lia4ili y; %is iden i y is :rivileged. :eugass ". erminal .ab .orp.: couldn< reveal name o! %is clien as %is would eC:ose %e la er o civil li iga ion. 5atter of Sha!mut 5ining .ompany: EAe !eel sure %a under suc% condi ions no case %as ever gone o %e leng % o! com:elling an a orney; a %e
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ins ance o! a %os ile li igan ; o disclose no only %is re ainer; 4u %e na ure o! %e ransac ions o wGc i rela ed; w%en suc% in!orma ion could 4e made %e 4asis o! a sui agains %is clien .F A%ere %e governmen Ls lawyers %ave no case agains an a orneyLs clien unless; 4y revealing %e clien Ls name; %e said name would !urnis% %e only lin- %a would !orm %e c%ain o! es imony necessary o convic an individual o! a crime; %e clien Ls name is :rivileged. Baird "s. 8orner: a lawyer could no 4e !orced o reveal %e names o! clien s w%o em:loyed %im o :ay sums o! money o gov< volun arily in se lemen o! unde ermined income aCes; unsued on; D wG no gov< audi or inves iga ion in o %a clien Ls income aC lia4ili y :ending A:ar !rom %ese :rinci:al eCce: ions; %ere eCis o %er si ua ions w%ic% could "uali!y as eCce: ions o %e general rule: i! %e con en o! any clien communica ion o a lawyer is relevan o %e su4@ec ma er o! %e legal :ro4lem on w%ic% %e clien see-s legal assis ance w%ere %e na ure o! %e a orney8clien rela ions%i: %as 4een :reviously disclosed D i is %e iden i y wGc is in ended o 4e con!iden ial; %e iden i y o! %e clien %as 4een %eld o 4e :rivileged; since suc% revela ion would o %erwise resul in disclosure o! %e en ire ransac ion. )ummari+ing %ese eCce: ions; in!orma ion rela ing o %e iden i y o! a clien may !all wi %in %e am4i o! %e :rivilege w%en %e clien Ls name i sel! %as an inde:enden signi!icance; suc% %a disclosure would %en reveal clien con!idences. 0ns an case !alls under a leas 2 eCce: ions o %e general rule. Firs ; disclosure o! %e alleged clien Ls name would lead o es a4lis% said clien Ls connec ion wi % %e very !ac in issue o! %e case; w%ic% is :rivileged in!orma ion; 4ecause %e :rivilege; as s a ed earlier; :ro ec s %e su4@ec ma er or %e su4s ance Iwi %ou w%ic% %ere would 4e no a orney8clien rela ions%i:J. 3%e lin- 4e ween %e alleged criminal o!!ense and %e legal advice or legal service soug% was duly es a4lis%ed in %e case a 4ar; 4y no less %an %e 6C## i sel! as can 4e seen in %e 3 s:eci!ic condi ions laid down 4y %e 6C## w%ic% cons i u es :e i ionersL ic-e o non8:rosecu ion s%ould %ey accede %ere o. From %ese condi ions; :ar icularly %e %ird; we can readily deduce %a %e clien s indeed consul ed %e :e i ioners; in %eir ca:aci y as lawyers; regarding %e !inancial and cor:ora e s ruc ure; !ramewor- and se 8u: o! %e cor:ora ions in "ues ion. 0n urn; :e i ioners gave %eir :ro!essional advice in %e !orm o!; among o %ers; %e a!oremen ioned deeds o! assignmen covering %eir clien Ls s%are%oldings. 6e i ioners %ave a legi ima e !ear %a iden i!ying %eir clien s would im:lica e %em in %e very ac ivi y !or w%ic% legal advice %ad 4een soug% ; i.e.; %e alleged accumula ion o! ill8go en weal % in %e a!oremen ioned cor:ora ions. )econdly; under %e %ird main eCce: ion; revela ion o! %e clien Ls name would o4viously :rovide %e necessary lin- !or %e :rosecu ion o 4uild i s case; w%ere none o %erwise eCis s. A%ile %e :rivilege may no 4e invo-ed !or illegal :ur:oses suc% as in a case w%ere a clien a-es on %e services o! an a orney; !or illici :ur:oses; i may 4e invo-ed in a case w%ere a clien %in-s %e mig% %ave :reviously commi ed some %ing illegal and consul s %is a orney. A%e %er or no %e ac !or w%ic% %e clien soug% advice urns ou o 4e illegal; %is name canno 4e used or disclosed i! %e disclosure leads o evidence; no ye in %e %ands o! %e :rosecu ion; w%ic% mig% lead o :ossi4le ac ion agains %im. 3%e Baird eCce: ion; a::lica4le o %e ins an case; is consonan wi % %e :rinci:al :olicy 4e%ind %e :rivilege; i.e.; %a !or %e :ur:ose o! :romo ing !reedom o! consul a ion o! legal advisors 4y clien s; a::re%ension o! com:elled disclosure !rom a orneys mus 4e elimina ed. A%a is soug% o 4e avoided %en is %e eC:loi a ion o! %e general rule in w%a may amoun o a !is%ing eC:edi ion 4y %e :rosecu ion. 0n !ine; %e cruC o! :e i ionerLs o4@ec ions ul ima ely %inges on %eir eC:ec a ion %a i! %e :rosecu ion %as a case agains %eir clien s; %e la erLs case s%ould 4e 4uil u:on evidence :ains a-ingly ga %ered 4y %em !rom %eir own sources and no !rom com:elled es imony re"uiring %em o reveal %e name o! %eir clien s; in!orma ion w%ic% unavoida4ly reveals muc% a4ou %e na ure o! %e ransac ion w%ic% may or may no 4e illegal. 3%e u mos +eal given 4y Cour s o %e :ro ec ion o! %e lawyer8clien con!iden iali y :rivilege and lawyerLs loyal y o %is clien is eviden in %e dura ion o! %e :ro ec ion; w%ic% eCis s no only during %e rela ions%i:; 4u eC ends even a! er %e ermina ion o! %e rela ions%i:. Ae %ave no c%oice 4u o u:%old :e i ionersL rig% no o reveal %e iden i y o! %eir clien s under :ain o! %e 4reac% o! !iduciary du y owing o %eir clien s; as %e !ac s o! %e ins an case clearly !all wGin recogni+ed eCce: ions o %e rule %a %e clien Ls name is no :rivileged in!orma ion. 5 %erwise; i would eC:ose %e lawyers %emselves o :ossi4le li iga ion 4y %eir clien s in view o! %e s ric !iduciary res:onsi4ili y im:osed on %em in eCercise o! %eir du ies. IN THE =ATTER OF THE CO=PLAINT FOR DISBAR=ENT OF ATTORNEY PALANCAB <ILLIA= PFLEIDER @S+ ATTORNEY PALANCA Fac s: 6alanca was %e legal counsel o! 6!leider. 6!leider leased an agricul ural land o 6alanca -nown as ?acienda Asia. 6!leider !iled a civil sui agains 6alanca !or rescission o! %e lease con rac !or de!aul ing in ren al :aymen s. ?e also !iled %is adminis ra ive com:lain o! gross misconduc agains 6alanca. 6!leider alleged %a in a criminal case !or estafa !iled agains %im in w%ic% 6alanca was %is counsel; %e la er soug% o nego ia e %e dismissal o! %e com:lain . 6!leider alleged %a 6alanca in!ormed %im %roug% le ers %a %e %ad success!ully nego ia ed %e dismissal o! %e com:lain and %a %e %ad de:osi ed 65- wi % %e cour . 0ssue: AG1 6alanca was guil y o! gross misconduc H AG1 %e !iling o! %e civil sui !or %e rescission o! %e lease con rac ermina ed %e a orney8clien rela ions%i:H ?eld:
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6alanca was no guil y o! gross misconduc . 3%e le ers relied u:on 4y 6!leider did no s%ow %a 6alanca s a ed %a %e %ad success!ully nego ia ed %e dismissal o! %e criminal com:lain agains 6!leider. 3%e civil sui !or rescission ermina ed %e a orney8clien rela ions%i:. A%ile %e o4@ec o! %e sui was %e rescission o! %e lease con rac ; %e con!lic o! in eres 4ecame incom:a i4le wi % %e mu ual con!idence and rus essen ial o every a orney8clien rela ions%i:. =ERCADO @+ ATTY+ @ITRIOLO Fac s: A y. >i riolo was %e counsel o! 'ercado in a case !or annulmen o! marriage !iled 4y %e la er<s %us4and. >i riolo !iled a criminal ac ion !or !alsi!ica ion o! :u4lic documen s agains 'ercado alleging %a %e la er made !alse en ries in %e cer i!ica es o! live 4ir % o! %er c%ildren w%ic% were :resen ed in %e annulmen case. 'ercado !iled %is com:lain alleging %a due o %e criminal case !iled agains %er 4y >i riolo; in!orma ion rela ing o %er civil case !or annulmen was divulged. ?ence; >i riolo 4reac%ed %e :rivilege and con!idence re:osed wi %in a lawyer8clien rela ions%i:. 'ercado :rayed %e >i riolo 4e dis4arred. 0ssue: AG1 >i riolo viola ed %e rule on :rivileged communica ion 4e ween a orney and clien w%en %e !iled a criminal case agains %is !ormer clien H ?eld: )C :rovided %e !ac ors w%ic% are essen ial o es a4lis% %e eCis ence o! %e communica ion :rivilege 4e ween an a orney and %is clien . 3%ere eCis s an a orney8clien rela ions%i:; or a :ros:ec ive a orney8clien rela ions%i:; and i is 4y reason o! %is rela ions%i: %a %e clien made %e communica ion. 3%e clien made %e communica ion in con!idence. 3%e legal advice mus 4e soug% !rom %e a orney in %is :ro!essional ca:aci y. )C ruled %a in a::lying all %ere rules; %e evidence on record !ails o su4s an ia e 'ercado<s allega ions. 'ercado did no even s:eci!y %e alleged communica ion. all %er claims were couc%ed in general erms and lac-ed s:eci!ici y. GENATO @+ ATTY SILAPAN Fac s: A y. )ila:an was leasing o!!ice s:ace in #ena o<s 4uilding. A y. )ila:an %andled some o! #ena o<s cases. A! er a w%ile; A y. )ila:an 4orrowed money !rom #ena o o 4uy a car. A y. )ila:an 4oug% %e car; and issued a :os da ed c%ec- o #ena o. 3%e c%ec- was dis%onored. #ena o !iled a case agains A y. )ila:an under B6 22. 0n %is de!ense; %e alleged %a #ena o was in %e 4usiness o! E4uying an selling de!iciency aCed Fac s: ?ad@ula claimed %a s%e as-ed legal advice !rom %er !riend; A y. 'adianda. )%e disclosed con!iden ial in!orma ion during %a :eriod. ?owever; a! er %e con!iden ial in!orma ion was given 4y ?ad@ula; A y. 'adianda re!erred %er o ano %er lawyer. ?ad@ula !iled a com:lain agains A y. 'adianda 4ecause o! %is; claiming %e lawyer @us wan ed o %ear %er secre s. 0n answering %e com:lain ; A y. 'adianda !iled a coun er com:lain agains ?ad@ula !or !alsi!ica ion o! :u4lic documen s and immorali y U using %e disclosures as 4asis !or %e c%arges. 0ssue: A%a is o 4ecome o! A y. 'adiandaH ?eld: Re:rimanded. 3%e momen com:lainan a::roac%ed %e %en rece: ive res:onden o seelegal advice; a veri a4le lawyer8clien rela ions%i: evolved 4e ween %e wo. A y. 'adianda s%ould %ave -e: %e in!orma ion secre and con!iden ial; under %e a orney8clien :rivilege rule. ?owever; %e seriousness o! %e res:onden <s o!!ense no wi %s anding; %e Cour !eels %a %ere is room !or com:assion; a4sen com:elling evidence %a s%e IA y. 'adiandaJ ac ed wi % ill8will. 0 a::ears %a s%e was ac ua ed 4y %e urge o re alia e wi %ou :er%a:s reali+ing %a in %e :rocess o! giving 4en o a nega ive sen imen ; s%e was viola ing %e rule o! con!iden iali y. im:or ed cars; s%ar- loans and o %er s%ady dealsF and %a %e was also involved in 4ri4ery cases. #ena o claimed %a A y. )ila:an was guil y o! 4rea-ing %eir con!iden ial lawyer8clien rela ions%i:. 0ssue: Aas A y. )ila:an guil y o! %e 4reac%H ?eld: 1o. A%ile Canon 1( :rovides %a a lawyer s%all 4e mind!ul o! %e rus and con!idence re:osed on %im; es:ecially wi % :rivileged communica ion U %e :ro ec ion is only limi ed o communica ions w%ic% are legi ima ely and :ro:erly wi %in %e sco:e o! a law!ul em:loymen o! a lawyer. 0 does no eC end o %ose made in con em:la ion o! a crime or :er:e ra ion o! a !raud. 3%us; %ere; %e a orney8clien :rivilege does no a ac%; %ere 4eing no :ro!essional em:loymen in %e s ric es sense. ?owever; %e disclosures were no indis:ensa4le o :ro ec A y. )ila:an<s rig% s as %ey were no :er inen o %e case. 0 was im:ro:er !or %im o disclose %ose in!orma ion as %ey were no %e su4@ec ma er o! li iga ion a %and. ?is :ro!essional com:e ence and legal advice were no 4eing a ac-ed in %e said case. A lawyer mus conduc %imsel! wi % in egri y. ?e is %ere!ore sus:ended !or & mon %s. HAD>ULA @+ ATTY =ADIANDA
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PAL= @+ ATTY+ ILEDAN Fac s: 6alm is %e :residen o! Com ec%; w%ic% %ired A y. 0ledan as i s re ained counsel. )%e !iled a case o! dis4armen agains A y. 0ledan !or 4reac% o! %e a orney8clien :rivilege and con!lic o! in eres s. 3%e 4asis o! %e claim o! 4reac% occurred during a mee ing. A y. 0ledan claimed %a %e s oc-%olders< mee ing canno a-e :lace via elecon!erencing 4ecause %ey %ave ye o amend %e 4y8laws o! %e cor:ora ion o allow suc% mode o! communica ions. 6alm claims %is was a 4reac% o! %e a orney8clien :rivilege o! con!iden iali y. 3%e 4asis o! %e con!lic o! in eres s s emmed !rom A y. 0ledan 4eing %e counsel o! )oledad w%o was !iled wi % an es a!a case 4y Com ec%. 0ssue: Aas A y. 0ledan guil y o! 4reac%H ?ow a4ou con!lic o! in eres sH ?eld: 1o. Al %oug% %e in!orma ion a4ou %e necessi y o amend %e cor:ora e 4y8 laws may %ave 4een given o res:onden ; i could no 4e considered a con!iden ial in!orma ion. 3%e amendmen ; re:eal or ado: ion o! new 4y8laws may 4e e!!ec ed 4y E %e 4oard o! direc ors or rus ees; 4y a ma@ori y vo e %ereo!; and %e owners o! a leas a ma@ori y o! %e ou s anding ca:i al s oc-; or a leas a ma@ori y o! mem4ers o! a non8s oc- cor:ora ion.F0 means %e s oc-%olders are aware o! %e :ro:osed amendmen s o %e 4y8laws. Fur %er; w%enever any amendmen or ado: ion o! new 4y8laws is made; co:ies o! %e amendmen s or %e new 4y8laws are !iled wi % %e )ecuri ies and BCc%ange Commission I)BCJ and a ac%ed o %e original ar icles o! incor:ora ion and 4y8laws.3%e documen s are :u4lic records and could no 4e considered con!iden ial. 0 is se led %a %e mere rela ion o! a orney and clien does no raise a :resum: ion o! con!iden iali y. 3%e clien mus in end %e communica ion o 4e con!iden ial. )ince %e :ro:osed amendmen s mus 4e a::roved 4y a leas a ma@ori y o! %e s oc-%olders; and co:ies o! %e amended 4y8laws mus 4e !iled wi % %e )BC; %e in!orma ion could no %ave 4een in ended o 4e con!iden ial. 3%us; %e disclosure made 4y res:onden during %e s oc-%olders< mee ing could no 4e considered a viola ion o! %is clien <s secre s and con!idence wi %in %e con em:la ion o! Canon 21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y. 3%e Cour also !inds no con!lic o! in eres w%en res:onden re:resen ed )oledad in a case !iled 4y Com ec%. 3%e case w%ere res:onden re:resen s )oledad is an Bs a!a case !iled 4y Com ec% agains i s !ormer o!!icer. There was # "h$#* $# "he re) r!s "ha" w ul! sh w "ha" resp #!e#" use! a*a$#s" C ("e)h a#y ) #'$!e#"$al $#' r(a"$ # a)?u$re! wh$le he was s"$ll C ("e)hGs re"a$#e! ) u#sel. Fur %er; res:onden made %e re:resen a ion a! er %e ermina ion o! %is re ainer agreemen wi % Com ec%. A lawyer<s immu a4le du y o a !ormer clien does no cover ransac ions %a occurred 4eyond %e lawyer<s em:loymen wi % %e clien . CANON ,, <ACD <ACD GOLF @+ CA% PETRONILO ARCANGEL AND ANTONINO BERNARDO Fac s: Aac-8wac- was in a la4or case agains Arcangel. *uring %e :endency o! %e case; Aac-8wac- wan ed o c%ange %eir counsel !rom Balco!!; 6o4lador and Cru+ o %e Law 5!!ice o! 9uan C%udian. *uring %e %earing; nei %er Aac-8wac- nor %eir original counsels s%owed u:; so Arcangel was allowed o :resen %is evidence wi %ou Aac-8wac-. 3%e cour awarded @udgmen o Arcangel. 3%e law !irm o! C%uidian %en !iled a :e i ion o se aside %e @udgmen on %e ground o! misunders anding. 3%is :e i ion was denied 4y %e lower cour . Aac-8wac- assails %e denial o! %e :e i ion. 0 %as o 4e a-en no e o! %a %e cour did no -now o! %e c%ange o! counsel 4ecause C%udian only en ered %is a::earance a! er %e @udgmen was rendered agains Aac-8wac-. 0ssue: Aas %e rial cour correc in denying %e :e i ion o se aside %e @udgmen H ?eld: /es. As suc% counsel o! record; Balco!!; 6o4lador and Cru+ mus %ave -nown %a ; i s im:ending relie! as counsel! !or %e de!endan no wi %s anding; i is s ill under o4liga ion o :ro ec %e clien <s in eres un il i s !inal release !rom %e :ro!essional rela ions%i: wi % suc% clien . 3%e cour could recogni+e no o %er re:resen a ion on 4e%al! o! %e clien eCce: suc% counsel o! record un il a !ormal su4s i u ion o! a orney is e!!ec ed. Any agreemen or arrangemen suc% counsel o! record and i s clien may reac% regarding %e :resen a ion o! %e clien <s case in cour is :urely %eir :riva e concern. 6roceedings in cour canno 4e made o de:end on %em. @ENTEREA @+ ATTY COS=E Fac s: >en ere+ and !riends %ired A y. Cosme as counsel !or a land i le dis:u e. 3%e cour rule agains >en ere+ and !riends. 3%ey wan ed o !ile a mo ion !or reconsidera ion 4u A y. Cosme !ailed or re!used o do so. Because o! %is; >en ere+ was cons rained o con rac ano %er lawyer o :re:are %e 'R. A y. Cosme claims %a %e son o! one o! %e com:lainan s in!ormed %im %a %e was wi %drawing %e case !rom %im 4ecause %e I %e sonJ already engaged ano %er lawyer o a-e over %e case. A y. Cosme eC:lained %a %e even urned over %e records o! %e case o %e son and %us; ceased o 4e counsel any longer. 3%e in en o! %e law is o im:ose u:on %e lawyer %e du y o :ro ec %e clien <s in eres s only on ma ers %a %e :reviously %andled !or %e !ormer clien and no !or ma ers %a arose a! er %e lawyer8clien rela ions%i: %as ermina ed
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0ssue: 0s A y. Cosme guil y o! cul:a4le negligence in %andling %e caseH ?eld: /es. 5nce a lawyer agrees o a-e u: %e cause o! a clien ; %e owes !ideli y o suc% cause and mus 4e mind!ul o! %e rus and con!idence re:osed on %im. An a ornery w%o under a-es an ac ion im:liedly s i:ula es o carry i o i s ermina ion U %a is; un il %e case 4ecomes !inal and eCecu ory. Any derelic ion o! du y a!!ec s %e clien . 3%e Cour canno acce: A y. Cosme<s de!ense %a %e %ad already wi %drawn !rom %e case. A lawyer may re ire a any ime wi % %e wri en consen o! %is clien !ileed in cour and wi % a co:y %ereo! served u:on %e adverse :ar y. )%ould %e clien re!use o give %is consen ; %e lawyer mus !ile an a::lica ion wi % %e cour . 3%e a::lica ion mus 4e 4ased on a good case. A%a cons i u es good causeH )ee Rule 22.21; Canon 22. 3%ere was no :ro:er revoca ion in %is case. ?e is sus:ended !or 3 mon %s. SANTECO @+ ATTY+ A@ANCE Fac s: )an eco go A y. Avance o %andle a case !or %er in a civil sui . )%e :aid %er 612;222 as acce: ance money. Losing in %e !irs ins ance; A y. Avance made re:resen a ions %a s%e was going o !ile a :e i ion !or cer iorari wi % %e CA. )%e didn< . )%e also didn< a::ear during sc%eduled %earings; causing %e case o ge dismissed !or !ailure o :rosecu e. 0ssue: 0s A y. Avance grossly remiss in %e :er!ormance o! %er du iesH ?eld: /es. Aggrava ing %er gross negligence in %e :er!ormance o! %er du ies; s%e a4ru: ly s o::ed a::earing as com:lainan <s counsel even as :roceedings were s ill :ending U wi % nei %er a wi %drawal nor an eC:lana ion !or doing so. 3%is viola ed Canon 22. )us:ended !or 5 years. FRANCISCO @S+ PORTUGAL 0ssue: Fac s: A y was counsel !or com:lainan s in a criminal case. A y was re ained A! er @udgmen was rendered convic ing a::ellan s. A y !iled an 'R and ano %er 'o ion and 6e i ion !or review o! %e @udgmen o! convic ion. Bu a! er %e !iling; A y disa::eared and was now%ere o 4e !ound. 0s A y. en i led o a c%arging lienH 0s a se:ara e sui necessary !or en!orcemen o! %e lienH ?eld: /esN /esN CA reversed wi %ou :re@udice o :ro:er o %e 4ringing o! :ro:er :roceedings. A c%arging lien; o 4e en!orcea4le as securi y !or %e :aymen o! a orneyLs !ees; re"uires as a condi ion sine "ua non a @udgmen !or money and Fac s: A y. %andled several cases !rom 1.(4 o 1.,3 concerning %e declara ion o! nulli y o! cer ain deeds o! sale. 6ending resolu ion in %e R3C; A y !iled a mo ion o en er %is c%arging lien e"ual o 25Y o! %e mar-e value o! %e li iga ed :ro:er ies as a y !ees. 3%e cour gran ed and %e a y<s lien was anno a ed on %e 3C3s. 3%e cases were la er dismissed wi % :re@udice a %e ins ance o! %e :lain i!!s %erein. 3%us %e Ban- now %ad %e 3C3<s in i s name and %e a y<s lien was carried over. A y. !iled a mo ion o !iC %is A y Fees 4ased on "uan um merui . R3C gran ed %e mo ion and !iCed %e !ees a .3&$. CA a!!irmed. La er; %e com:lainan s !ound ou %a %eir :e i ions were denied !or 4eing !iled ou o! ime and !or !ailure o :ay %e doc-e !ees. 3%e decision 4ecame !inal and warran s o! arres were issued. A y argues %a %e %ad decided o wi %draw as counsel. ?e wro e a le er o one o! %e com:lainan s giving %em ins ruc inos o sign and !ile wi % %e Cour %e 1o ice o Ai %draw. Bu %e com:lainan didn< !ile i wi % %e cour 4ecause %ey were aware %a i would 4e di!!icul o !ind ano %er counsel. 0ssue: 0s A y guil y o! negligence in %andling %e caseH ?eld: /esN 3 mon % sus:ension. A y s%ould %ave !iled %e no ice o! wi %drawal %imsel! i! %e ruly wan ed o wi %draw. A %e very leas ; %e s%ould %ave in!ormed %e cour . For !ailure o do so; A y was negligen . A y was also negligen in !iling %e :e i ion ou o! ime. even ually %e would %ave -nown %a %e :e i ion was denied 4u s ill %e !ailed o in!orme %e convic s and re urn %eir calls. 5ne o! %e !undamen al rules o! e %ics is %e :rinci:le %a an a orney w%o under a-es o conduc an ac ion im:liedly s i:ula es o carry i o i s conclusion. ?e is no a li4er y o a4andon i wi %ou reasona4le cause. A lawyer<s rig% o wi %draw !rom a case 4e!ore i s !inal ad@udica ion arises only !rom %e clien <s wri en consen or !rom a good cause. A! er agreeing o a-e u: %e cause o! a clien ; a lawyer owes !ideli y o 4o % cause and clien ; even i! %e clien never :aid any !ee !or %e a orney8clien rela ions%i:. Lawyering is no a 4usinessK i is a :ro!ession in w%ic% du y o! :u4lic service; no money; is %e :rimary considera ion. =ETROPOLITAN BAND @+ CA
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eCecu ion in :ursuance o! suc% @udgmen secured in %e main ac ion 4y %e a orney in !avor o! %is clien . A lawyer may en!orce %is rig% o !ees 4y !iling %e necessary :e i ion as an inciden in %e main ac ion in w%ic% %is services were rendered w%en some %ing is due %is clien in %e ac ion !rom w%ic% %e !ee is o 4e :aid. ?ere; %ere was no money @udgmen . 3%us %ere is no c%arging lien. And cour %as no au %ori y o !iC a c%arging lien. A :e i ion !or recovery o! a orneyLs !ees; ei %er as a se:ara e civil sui or as an inciden in %e main ac ion; %as o 4e :rosecu ed and %e allega ions %erein es a4lis%ed as any o %er money claim. DORONILLA @+ CA Fac s: ?eirs o! *oronilla %ad a dis:u e wi % %eir counsel over %is A y Lien. 3%e R3C declared %a Counsel was en i led o 12Y o! %e s%ares o! %e %eirs. Counsel !iled a mo ion o anno a e a orneyLs lien on %e i le o! :arcels o! land o! %e es a e w%ic% %e %eirs %ad in%eri ed. 3%e R3C gran ed %e mo ion. 0ssue: 0s %e order o! anno a ion :ro:erH ?eld: 1oN An a orneyLs lien does no eC end o land w%ic% is %e su4@ec ma er o! %e li iga ion. SESBRENO @+ CA Fac s: A y was %ired as counsel 4y some wor-ers. 3%ey agreed %a A y would a-e 32Y o! w%a ever %ey may recover. 3%e rial cour ordered reins a emen and :aymen o! 4ac-wages. 3%e em:loyer a::ealed %e decision. 6ending a::eal; %e wor-ers en ered in o a com:romise agreemen %a %ey waived %eir rig% o 4e reins a ed wi % %e agreemen o! :aymen o! !ull 4ac-wages a once. 3%e cour ado: ed %e com:romise and ordered %e wi %%olding o! %e :aymen o! 55Y !or %e lien o! %e A y. Bu ins ead o! wi %%olding; %e em:loyer direc ly :aid %e wor-ers in !ull. 3%us A y !iled a com:lain !or collec ion agains %e em:loyer and em:loyees. A y. moved o dismiss %e case agains %e em:loyees. La er %e rial cour ordered :aymen o! &&.$ 4y %e em:loyee. 3%e CA reversed. 0ssue: 0s %e em:loyer lia4le !or %e A y<s !eesH ?eld: 1oN CA a!!irmed. A y rig% ly commenced %e ac ion agains 4o % %is clien s and %e @udgmen de4 ors. ?owever; a %e ins ance o! %e :e i ioner %imsel!; %e com:lain agains %is clien s was wi %drawn on %e ground %a %e %ad se led %is ?eld: /es dis4arredN 1o; com:lain s%ouldn< 4e dismissed. Adminis ra ive cases agains lawyers 4elong o a class o! %eir own. 3%ey are dis inc !rom and %ey may :roceed inde:enden ly o! civil and criminal cases. 3%e 4urden o! :roo! is clearly :re:onderan evidence. A !inding o! guil in a criminal case or lia4ili y in a civil case will no necessarily resul in a !inding o! lia4ili y in %e adminis ra ive case and vice versa. 1ei %er will a !avora4le dis:osi ion in %e civil ac ion a4solve %e adminis ra ive lia4ili y o! %e lawyer. 3%e 4asic :remise is %a criminal and civil cases are al oge %er di!!eren !rom adminis ra ive ma ers; suc% %a %e dis:osi ion in %e !irs wo will no inevi a4ly govern %e %ird and vice versa. *isci:linary :roceedings agains lawyers are sui generis Res:onden Ls ac s are more des:ica4le. 1o only did %e misa::ro:ria e %e money en rus ed o %imK %e also !a-ed a reason o ca@ole %is clien o :ar wi % %is money. Aorse; %e %ad %e gall o !alsi!y an o!!icial recei: o! %is Cour o cover u: %is misdeeds. Clearly; %e does no deserve o con inue 4eing a mem4er o! %e 4ar. SANTOS @+ LLA=AS Fac s: A y. convinced %is clien s o a::eal a case !rom %e 65BA o %e )C. A y as-ed !rom com:lainan s [2.5$ w%ic% %e said were o 4e used !or :aymen o! doc-e !ees and %a %e cour could a-e cogni+ance o! %e case. La er; com:lainan cor:ora ion came o -now %a %e !ees o 4e :aid o %e )C consis ed only o! nominal !ees !or suc% -ind o! a::eal. A y in order o cover u: :resen ed com:lainan a !a-e CeroC co:y o! an alleged )u:reme Cour recei: re:resen ing :aymen o! [2.5$. A criminal case was !iled !or es a!a. A y was ac"ui ed 4u was %eld civilly lia4le !or [2.5$. 0ssue: )%ould A y 4e dis4arredH )%ould %e case 4e dismissed 4ecause o! %is ac"ui alH di!!erences wi % %em. ?e main ained %e case agains em:loyers 4ecause; according o %im; %e com:u a ion o! %e em:loyees money claims s%ould %ave 4een 4ased on %e na ional and no %e :rovincial wage ra e. 3%us; :e i ioner insis s %a %e res:onden s s%ould 4e made lia4le !or %e di!!erence. A y<s ac in wi %drawing %e case agains %e em:loyees and agreeing o se le %eir dis:u e may 4e considered a waiver o! %is rig% o %e lien. Bven i! %ere was suc% a 4reac% o! %e con rac ; %e %ad waived %is rig% o claim agains %e res:onden s 4y acce: ing :aymen andGor a4solving !rom lia4ili y %ose w%o were :rimarily lia4le o %im. SUSPENSION AND DISBAR=ENT GATCHALIAN PRO=OTIONS @+ NALDOAA
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Fac s: 3%is is a com:lain !or misre:resen a ion and non8:aymen o! 4ar mem4ers%i: dues !iled agains res:onden A y. Francisco R. Llamas. 0n a le er8com:lain o %is Cour da ed Fe4ruary ,; 1..(; com:lainan )oliman '. )an os; 9r.; %imsel! a mem4er o! %e 4ar; alleged %a : 5n my oa % as an a orney; 0 wis% o 4ring o your a en ion and a::ro:ria e sanc ion %e ma er o! A y. Francisco R. Llamas w%o; !or a num4er o! years now; %as no indica ed %e :ro:er 63R and 0B6 5.R. 1os. and da a Ida e D :lace o! issuanceJ in %is :leadings 3%is ma er is 4eing 4roug% in %e con eC o! Rule 13,; )ec ion 1 w%ic% "uali!ies %a only a duly admi ed mem4er o! %e 4ar Mw%o is in good and regular s anding; is en i led o :rac ice lawM. 3%ere is also Rule 13.8A; )ec ion 12 w%ic% :rovides %a Mde!aul in %e :aymen o! annual dues !or siC mon %s s%all warran sus:ension o! mem4ers%i: in %e 0n egra ed Bar; and de!aul in suc% :aymen !or one year s%all 4e a ground !or %e removal o! %e name o! %e delin"uen mem4er !rom %e Roll o! A orneys.M 0ssues: AG1 counsel is guil y o! misre:resen a ionH YES AG1 %e is eCem: !rom :aying %is duesH YES ?eld: Rule 13.8A :rovides: )ec. .. 5embership dues. 8 Bvery mem4er o! %e 0n egra ed Bar s%all :ay suc% annual dues as %e Board o! #overnors s%all de ermine wi % %e a::roval o! %e )u:reme Cour . A !iCed sum e"uivalen o en :ercen I12YJ o! %e collec ions !rom eac% C%a: er s%all 4e se aside as a Ael!are Fund !or disa4led mem4ers o! %e C%a: er and %e com:ulsory %eirs o! deceased mem4ers %ereo!. )ec. 12. 6ffect of non#payment of dues. 8 )u4@ec o %e :rovisions o! )ec ion 12 o! %is Rule; de!aul in %e :aymen o! annual dues !or siC mon %s s%all warran sus:ension o! mem4ers%i: in %e 0n egra ed Bar; and de!aul in suc% :aymen !or one year s%all 4e a ground !or %e removal o! %e name o! %e delin"uen mem4er !rom %e Roll o! A orneys. 0n accordance wi % %ese :rovisions; res:onden can engage in %e :rac ice o! law only 4y :aying %is dues; and i does no ma er %a %is :rac ice is Mlimi ed.M A%ile i is rue %a R.A. 1o. (432; ]4 gran s senior ci i+ens MeCem: ion !rom %e :aymen o! individual income aCes: :rovided; %a %eir annual aCa4le income does no eCceed %e :over y level as de ermined 4y %e 1a ional Bconomic and *evelo:men Au %ori y I1B*AJ !or %a year;M %e eCem: ion does no include :aymen o! mem4ers%i: or associa ion dues. Second. By indica ing M0B68Ri+al 25.2&2M in %is :leadings and %ere4y misre:resen ing o %e :u4lic and %e cour s %a %e %ad :aid %is 0B6 dues o %e Ri+al C%a: er; res:onden is guil y o! viola ing %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y w%ic% :rovides: Rule 1.21 8 A lawyer s%all no engage in unlaw!ul; dis%ones ; immoral or decei !ul conduc . CA151 ( 8 A LAA/BR )?ALL A3 ALL 30'B) 76?5L* 3?B 013B#R03/ A1* *0#103/ 5F 3?B LB#AL 6R5FB))051; A1* )7665R3 3?B AC30>030B) 5F 3?B 013B#RA3B* BAR. Bsmso CA151 12 8 A LAA/BR 5AB) CA1*5R; FA0R1B)) A1* #55* FA03? 35 3?B C57R3. Rule 12.21 8 A lawyer s%all no do any !alse%ood; nor consen o %e doing o! any cour K nor s%all %e mislead or allow %e cour o 4e misled 4y any ar i!ice. Res:onden <s !ailure o :ay %is 0B6 dues and %is misre:resen a ion in %e :leadings %e !iled in cour indeed meri %e mos severe :enal y. ?owever; in view o! res:onden <s advanced age; %is eC:ress willingness o :ay %is dues and :lea !or a more em:era e a::lica ion o! %e law; we 4elieve %e :enal y o! one year sus:ension !rom %e :rac ice o! law or un il %e %as :aid %is 0B6 dues; w%ic%ever is la er; is a::ro:ria e. LETTER OF ATTY+ CECILIO ARE@ALO >R RECUESTING EME=PTION FRO= PAY=ENT OF IBP DUTIES FAC3): A y Arevalo wro e a le er in )e: 2224; as-ing o 4e eCem: ed !rom :aymen o! 0B6 du ies amoun ing o 612;235 Iun:aid du ies !rom 1.((82225J. A y Arevalo was admi ed o %e Bar in 1.&1. ?e was wi % %e 6%ili::ine Civil )ervice !rom 1.&2 o 1.,&. A! er %a ; %e migra ed and wor-ed in %e 7)A un il 2223. ?is main con en ion was %a %e canno 4e assessed 0B6 dues !or %e a4ove amoun 4ecause %e was wor-ing wi % %e Civil )ervice %en; and %e Civil )ervice Law :ro%i4i s %e :rac ice o! one<s :ro!ession w%ile in governmen service. ?e also con ends %a %e canno 4e assessed !or %e years %e was wor-ing in %e 7)A. 0B6 commen ed on %e le er saying %a %e 0B6 mem4ers%i: is 153 4ased on %e ac ual :rac ice o! law. 5nce a lawyer :asses %e Bar; %e con inues o 4e a mem4er o! %e 0B6; and one o! %is o4liga ions as mem4er is %e :aymen o! annual dues. 3%e validi y o! suc% dues %as 4een u:%eld 4y %e )C in saying %a i is necessary o de!ray %e cos o! %e 0n egra ed Bar 6rogram and no one is eCem: ed !rom :aying %e dues. A%a was allowed was %e volun ary ermina ion and reins a emen la er on o! mem4ers%i:. 0! mem4ers%i: is ermina ed; dues wouldn< 4e assessed. Basically; %e main con en ion o! A y. Arevalo is %a %e 0B6<s :olicy o! 1on8 BCem: ion in :aymen o! annual mem4ers%i: dues is invalid 4ecause i would 4e o::ressive !or one w%o %as 4een in an inac ive s a us and is wi %ou income derived !rom %is law :rac ice. Also; i is a de:riva ion o! :ro:er y rig% wi %ou due :rocess. 0))7B: AG1 A y. Arevalo is en i led o eCem: ion !rom :aymen o! %is dues during %e ime %e was inac ive in %e :rac ice o! law; w%en %e was in %e Civil )ervice and a4roadH ?BL*GRA305: 15. 0n egra ion o! %e Bar is essen ially a :rocess 4y w%ic% every mem4er o! %e Bar is a!!orded an o::or uni y o do %is s%ares in carrying ou %e o4@ec ives o! %e
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Bar as well as o4liged o 4ear %is :or ion o! i s res:onsi4ili ies. 5rgani+ed 4y or under %e direc ion o! %e ) a e; an 0n egra ed Bar is an o!!icial na ional 4ody o! w%ic% all lawyers are re"uired o 4e mem4ers. 3%ey are; %ere!ore; su4@ec o all %e rules :rescri4ed !or %e governance o! %e Bar; including %e re"uiremen o! :aymen o! a reasona4le annual !ee !or %e e!!ec ive disc%arge o! %e :ur:oses o! %e Bar. Bar in egra ion does no com:el %e lawyer o associa e wi % anyone. 3%e only com:ulsion o w%ic% %e is su4@ec ed is %e :aymen o! %is annual dues. 3%e :u4lic in eres :romo ed 4y %e in egra ion o! %e Bar !ar ou weig%s %e slig% inconvenience o a mem4er resul ing !rom %is re"uired :aymen o! %e annual dues. 3%us; :aymen o! dues is a necessary conse"uence o! mem4ers%i: in %e 0B6; o! w%ic% no one is eCem: . 3%is means %a %e com:ulsory na ure o! :aymen o! dues su4sis s !or as long as one<s mem4ers%i: in %e 0B6 remains regardless o! %e lac- o! :rac ice o!; or %e y:e o! :rac ice; %e mem4er is engaged in. 3%ere is no %ing in %e law or rules w%ic% allows eCem: ion !rom :aymen o! mem4ers%i: dues. A mos ; as correc ly o4served 4y %e 0B6; %e could %ave in!ormed %e )ecre ary o! %e 0n egra ed Bar o! %is in en ion o s ay a4road 4e!ore %e le! . 0n suc% case; %is mem4ers%i: in %e 0B6 could %ave 4een ermina ed and %is o4liga ion o :ay dues could %ave 4een discon inued. @DA+ DE BARRERA @+ LAPUT Cross 5isconduct as ground for discipline of la!yer /Da!yer suspended for intimidating his client to sign papers by placing his re"ol"er on his lap !hen she refused to do so0 Fac s: Res:onden A y. La:u re:resen ed :e i ioner >da. de Barrera I'rs. BarreraJ in %e es a e :roceedings o! %er la e %us4and. La:u :resen ed o %er several :a:ers or :leadings !or %er signa ure. ?owever; 'rs. Barrera re!used o sign %e :leadings 4u re"ues ed La:u o leave %em so %a s%e may as- some4ody o ransla e %e same !or %er Is%e was !rom Ce4uJ. La:u go angry and drew %is revolver !rom i s %ols er and :laced i on %is la: o in imida e %e (28year8old woman in o signing %e :a:ers. 'rs. Barrera was com:elled o sign %em; 4u is now 4e!ore %e cour see-ing %e dis4armen o! La:u . 0ssue: AG1 La:u s%ould 4e dis4arred !or gross misconduc ?eld: /es. 3%e ac s are in%eren ly im:ro:er and censura4le; more so considering %a %ey were :er!ormed 4y a man dealing wi % a (28year8old woman. 3%e o!!ense is com:ounded 4y %e circums ance %a ; 4eing a mem4er o! %e BAR; %e o!!ender s%ould %ave se an eCam:le o! a man o! :eace and c%am:ion o! %e Rule o! Law. Aorse s ill is %e !ac %a %e o!!ended :ar y is %e very :erson w%om %e o!!ender %ad :ledged o de!end and :ro ec U %is clien . ?e was sus:ended !rom %e :rac ice o! law !or 1 year. @ICTORIA BARRIENTOS @+ TRANSFIGURACION DAAROL ?BL*GRA305: /B). 3%e !ac o! %is :revious marriage was disclosed 4y res:onden only a! er %e com:lainan 4ecame :regnan . Bven %en; res:onden misre:resen ed %imsel! as 4eing eligi4le o re8marry !or %aving 4een es ranged !rom %is wi!e !or 1& years and dangled a marriage :ro:osal on %e assurance %a %e would wor- !or %e annulmen o! %is !irs marriage. 0 was a dece: ion a! er all as i urned ou %a res:onden never 4o %ered o annul said marriage. Res:onden resor ed o decei in %e sa is!ac ion o! %is seCual desires a %e eC:ense o! %e gulli4le com:lainan . ?e is :erver ed. ?e says %a : M0 see no %ing 0))7B: AG1 *aarol s%ould 4e dis4arred !or grossly immoral conduc . FAC3): 3%is is a dis4armen case !iled 4y Barrien os agains A y *aarol; on grounds o! decei and grossly immoral conduc . Barrien os !irs -new *aarlo in 1.&.. )%e was a college s uden ; single. A y. *aarol wen o %er %ouse 4ecause %e was a !riend o! %er sis er; %ence %ey also 4ecame !riends. )%e -new *aarol o 4e a single and as a #eneral 'anager o! ZA1BC5 Ielec ic coo:era iveJ. 5n 9une 1.(3; *aarol wen o Barrien os< %ouse and as-ed %er o 4e one o! %e us%ere es in %e 'ason<s conven ion so %e la er said %e s%ould as- !or %e :ermission o! %er :aren s. 3%ey consen ed and so s%e served as an us%ere e; *aarol :ic-ing %er u: and a-ing %er %ome everyday. 0n 9uly 1.(3; *aarol came o :e i ioner<s %ouse and invi ed %er !or a @oy ride; wi % %e :ermission o! %er mo %er Iw%o was *aarol<s !ormer classma eJ. 3%ey wen o %e 4eac% and *aarol :ro:osed %is love !or Barrien os and old %er %a i! s%e would acce: %im; %e would marry %er wi %in & mon %s !rom %er acce: ance. A! er a !ew days o! cour ing; s%e acce: ed %e o!!er o! love. >isi a ions con inued and %ey agreed o ge married in *ec 1.(3. 0n Aug 1.(3; %e oo- Barrien os o a :ar y and w%en %ey le! ; %e oo- %er !or a @oy ride o an air:or in )icaya4 w%ere %ere were no %ouses around. 3%ere; %e :ressured %er in o %aving seCual in ercourse rei era ing %a %e loved %er; and %a %e would marry %er and %a *ecem4er was very near anyway %ey would marry soon. )%e gave in a! er muc% %esi a ion 4ecause s%e loved %im. )%e cried a! er %e deed. 3%is even %a::ened !re"uen ly %erea! er during Augus o 5c o4er 1.(3; w%ere s%e consen ed 4ecause s%e loved %im. Bven ually; s%e 4ecame :regnan and in!ormed *aarol. ?e %owever sugges ed %a s%e %ave %e 4a4y a4or ed. )%e re!used. ?e old %er %a s%e didn< %ave o worry 4ecause %ey were ge ing married soon anyway. 0n la e 5c o4er 1.(3; *aarol came o see Barrien os and %er mo %er and old %em %a %e could no marry %er 4ecause %e was already married. ?e reassured %em %oug% %a %e %as 4een se:ara ed !rom %is wi!e !or 1& years and %a %e would wor- !or %e annulmen o! %is marriage and su4se"uen ly marry %er. )o Barrien os wai ed and delivered %e 4a4y 4u even ually wasn< a4le o con ac *aarol anymore I%e wen '0AJ.
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wrong wi % %is rela ions%i: des:i e my 4eing married.M Aorse; %e even sugges ed a4or ion. Finally; res:onden even %ad %e emeri y o allege %a %e is a 'oslem conver and as suc%; could en er in o mul i:le marriages and %as in"uired in o %e :ossi4ili y o! marrying com:lainan . As records indica e; %owever; %is claim o! %aving em4raced %e 0slam religion is no su::or ed 4y any evidence save %a o! %is sel!8 serving es imony. By %is ac s o! decei and immoral endencies o a::ease %is seCual desires; res:onden *aarol %as am:ly demons ra ed %is moral delin"uency. ?ence; %is removal !or conduc un4ecoming a mem4er o! %e Bar on %e grounds o! decei and grossly immoral conduc is in order. FELICITAS BERBANO @+ ATTY+ <ENCESLAO BARCELONA FAC3): 3%is is a dis4armen case !iled 4y Ber4ano agains A y. Barcelona !or 'al:rac ice and #ross 'isconduc 7n4ecoming o! a Lawyer; *erelic ion o! *u y and 7n@us Bnric%men . Ber4ano was one o! %e %eirs o! a cer ain ?ila:o; w%o owned a lo in Ala4ang. )aid lo was 4eing claimed 4y F0linves *evelo:men Cor: so Ber4ano and %er co8%eirs a::oin ed a cer ain 'r. *aen as a orney8in8!ac . ?owever; 'r. *ane was arres ed in 9an 1... and was de ained so %e needed %e assis ance o! a law !or %is release. )omeone recommended A y. Barcelona o %em. )o la er %a mon %; A y. Barcelona wen o see 'r. *aen in @ail. 3%e la er engaged %e services o! A y. Barcelona !or %is release. A y. Barcelona old %em %a %ey IBer4ano and Co.J %ad o :roduce 652;222 a %a ime so %a %e could secure *aen<s release %e !ollowing day. Ber4ano didn< %ave enoug% money and ime o immedia ely come u: wi % suc% 4ig amoun 4u %ey were a4le o come u: wi % 615;(22. )%e %anded A y. Barcelona %e money. ?e said %a %e would go o %e )C o al- o someone regarding %e release o! *aen; and %a %ey s%ould @us mee omorrow. 3%e day a! er; %ey me again. Ber4ano %anded over ano %er c%ec- wor % 624;222. 3%e day a! er; %ey gave ano %er 612;222 o A y. Barcelona I %roug% %is wi!e and daug% erJ. 3%ere were o %er :aymen s o! money; %e o al amoun ing o 6&4;222. A! er muc% ime was ed; and :romises rei era ed o! %e release o! *aen; A y. Barcelona wasn< seen again and %e didn< re urn %eir calls. *aen was s ill in @ail. A y. Barcelona !ailed o !ile an answer. Commissioner on Bar *isci:line !ound Barcelona guil y o! mal:rac ice and serious 4reac% o! C6R. ?e recommended dis4armen and re urn o! %e 6&4;222. 0B6 Board o! #overno s ado: ed suc% !indings 4u recommended only sus:ension. 0))7B: AG1 A y. Barcelona s%ould 4e dis4arred. ?BL*GRA305: /es. 3%e o4@ec o! a dis4armen :roceeding is no so muc% o :unis% %e individual a orney %imsel!; as o sa!eguard %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice 4y :ro ec ing %e cour and %e :u4lic !rom %e misconduc o! o!!icers o! %e cour ; and o remove !rom %e :ro!ession o! law :ersons w%ose disregard !or %eir oa % o! o!!ice %ave :roved %em un!i o con inue disc%arging %e rus re:osed in %em as mem4ers o! %e 4ar. 0n dis4armen :roceedings; %e 4urden o! :roo! res s u:on %e com:lainan ; and !or %e cour o eCercise i s disci:linary :owers; %e case agains %e res:onden mus 4e es a4lis%ed 4y clear; convincing and sa is!ac ory :roo!. Considering %e serious conse"uence o! %e dis4armen or sus:ension o! a mem4er o! %e Bar; %is Cour %as consis en ly %eld %a clear :re:onderan evidence is necessary o @us i!y %e im:osi ion o! %e adminis ra ive :enal y. Com:lainan <s evidence consis s solely o! %er A!!idavi 8Com:lain and es imony 4e!ore %e Commission a es ing o %e ru % o! %e allega ions laid down in %er a!!idavi . 3%e ac o! res:onden in no !iling %is answer and ignoring %e %earings se 4y %e 0nves iga ing Commission; des:i e due no ice; em:%asi+ed %is con em: !or legal :roceedings. Res:onden collec ed money !rom %e com:lainan and %e ne:%ew o! %e de ained :erson in %e o al amoun o! 6&4;222.22 !or %e immedia e release o! %e de ainee %roug% %is alleged connec ion wi % a 9us ice o! %e )u:reme Cour . ?e deserves o 4e dis4arred !rom %e :rac ice o! law. Res:onden %as demons ra ed a :enc%an !or misre:resen ing o clien s %a %e %as %e :ro:er connec ions o secure %e relie! %ey see-; and %erea! er; as- !or money; w%ic% will allegedly 4e given o suc% connec ions. 0n %is case; res:onden misre:resen ed o com:lainan %a %e could ge %e release o! 'r. 6or!irio *aen %roug% %is connec ion wi % a )u:reme Cour 9us ice. 0n so doing; res:onden :laced %e Cour in dis%onor and :u4lic con em: . ?e is dis4arred. HILDA D+ TABAS @+ ATTY+ BONIFACIO B+ =ANGIBIN FAC3): 3%is is a dis4armen case !iled 4y 3a4as agains A y. 'angi4in !or allegedly %aving commi ed !orgery. 3a4as claims %a in 'arc% 2221; a cer ain #alvan mor gaged o %er a :iece o! real :ro:er y o secure a 64,;222 loan. 3%e deed o! %e RB' was regis ered and anno a ed. 5n 5c o4er 2221 %owever; a cer ain Cas ille@os; !alsely re:resen ing %ersel! as 3a4as; a::eared 4e!ore A y. 'angi4in and as-ed %im o :re:are a disc%arge o! %e said mor gage and %en no ari+e i a! erwards. A y. 'angi4in :re:ared %e said disc%arge 4u %e didn< as- Cas ille@os !or any o %er documen o %er %a a Communi y 3aC Cer i!ica e. ?e la er on no ari+ed %e said deed. )u4se"uen ly; %e mor gagor #alvan was a4le o mor gage %e same :ro:er y again wi % Rural Ban- o! 1auilian. A%en 3a4as learned o! %e cancella ion; s%e :rom: ly in!ormed A y. 'angi4in %a %er signa ure in %e deed was !orged. ?owever; %e did no %el: %er. A y. 'angi4in admi s o! %e disc%arge deed 4u denies lia4ili y !or %e !alsi!ica ion under a claim o! good !ai %. ?e says %e did no -now o! Cas ille@os< !raudulen in en and so; %e canno 4e !aul ed. ?e claims i is 4eyond %e realm o! %is !u y o inves iga e %e iden i y o! :ersons a::earing 4e!ore %im. And %a as a ma er o! rou ine; %e only re"uires %e C3Cs o! :ersons a::earing 4e!ore %im.
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0B6 recommended o give res:onden merely a warning; o 4e more care!ul in %e :re:ara ion o! legal documen s so %a suc% si ua ions may me avoided in %e !u ure. Bar Con!idan %owever recommended sus:ension. ?e was !ound guil y o! gross negligence. 0))7B: AG1 A y. 'angi4in is lia4le !or viola ing %e 1o arial Law and s%ould 4e sus:ended !rom %e :rac ice o! law. ?BL*GRA305: /es; sus:ended !or 2 years. A no arial documen is; 4y law; en i led o !ull !ai % and credi u:on i s !ace. Cour s; adminis ra ive agencies; and %e :u4lic a large mus 4e a4le o rely u:on %e ac-nowledgmen eCecu ed 4y a no ary :u4lic and a::ended o a :riva e ins rumen . For %is reason; no aries :u4lic mus o4serve wi % u mos care %e 4asic re"uiremen s in %e :er!ormance o! %eir du ies. 5 %erwise; %e con!idence o! %e :u4lic in %e in egri y o! :u4lic ins rumen s would 4e undermined. A no ary :u4lic s%ould no no ari+e a documen unless %e :erson w%o signed %e same is %e very same :erson w%o eCecu ed and :ersonally a::eared 4e!ore %im o a es o %e con en s and ru % o! ma ers s a ed in %e documen . 3%e :ur:ose o! %is re"uiremen is o ena4le %e no ary :u4lic o veri!y %e genuineness o! %e signa ure o! %e ac-nowledging :ar y and o ascer ain %a %e documen is %e :ar yLs !ree ac and deed. 3%e circums ances in %is case indu4i a4ly s%ow %a res:onden did no a-e even ordinary :recau ions re"uired in %e :remises. Res:onden <s conduc s%owed serious lac- o! due care in %e :er!ormance o! %is du ies as a no ary :u4lic. Because o! %is carelessness; res:onden !ailed o no ice %e glaring di!!erence in %e signa ure o! mor gagee in %e deed o! real es a e mor gage !rom %er :ur:or ed signa ure in %e "ues ioned disc%arge o! real es a e mor gage. ?ence; %e 4reac%ed Canon 0 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y; w%ic% re"uires lawyers o :romo e res:ec !or %e law and legal :rocesses as well as o u:%old %e Cons i u ion and o4ey %e laws o! %e land. SESBRENO @+ COURT OF APPEALS FAC3): 5n 9anuary 2&; 1.(2; 'rs. Rosario )en and o %er camineros %ired %e :e i ioner o :rosecu e %eir cases. 3%ey %ad under a-en an an agreemen w%erein i was s a ed %a )es4reno will ge 32Y o! w%a ever 4ac- salaries; damages; e c. %ey may recover. A y. )es4reno regis ered %is c%ar%ingGre aining lien on %e Agreemen . 3%e camineros %e was re:resen ing o4 ained a !avora4le @udgmen . R3C ordered %a %ey 4e reins a e wi % 4ac- salaries; wi % :rivileges and ad@us men s. 3%e res:onden o %a case *6A? a::ealed o %e )C w%ere )es4reno s ill re:resen ed %e camineros. La er on; %e #overnor o! Ce4u :ro:osed a com:romise se lemen o! %e cases. 3%e :ar ies signed a Com:romise Agreemen w%erein i is s a ed %a camineros will 4e :aid !ull 4ac- wages. Also s a es %a %e camineros are su4@ec o lawyer<s c%arging and re aining liens as regis ered in %e lower cour . )es:reno was no %e counsel anymore a! er !inali y o! @udgmen ado: ing %e com:romise agreemen . 3%e camineros moved !or eCecu ion %owever; only 45Y o! %e amoun due %em was released 4ecause %e cour re ained %e 55Y; %olding i was :aymen o! %e lawyer<s !ees :ending de ermina ion o! suc% amoun . ?owever; ins ead o! com:lying wi % %e cour order direc ing :ar ial :aymen ; %e :rovince o! Ce4u direc ly :aid %e camineros %e !ull amoun o! %eir ad@udica ed claims. )es4reno now sues !or *amages and A orney<s Fees agains res:onden s and %is !ormer clien s. R3C ruled in !avor o! )es4reno. 3%e cour !ur %er u:%eld %e :e i ioner<s s a us as a "uasi8:ar y considering %a %e %ad a regis ered c%arging lien. CA reversed. 0))7B: AG1 A y. )es4reno is en i led o *amages !or 4reac% o! con rac . ?BL*GRA305: 15. 3%e com:romise agreemen %ad 4een validly en ered in o 4y %e res:onden s and %e camineros and %e same 4ecame %e 4asis o! %e @udgmen rendered 4y %is Cour . 6e i ioner<s claim !or a orney<s !ees was evidenced 4y an agreement for attorney9s fees volun arily eCecu ed 4y %e camineros w%ere %e la er agreed o :ay %e !ormer E %ir y I32YJ :ercen o! !hate"er 4ac- salaries; damages; e c. %a %ey mig% recover in %e mandamus and o %er cases %a %ey were !iling or %ave !iled.F Clearly; no !iCed amoun was s:eci!ically :rovided !or in %eir con rac nor was a s:eci!ied ra e agreed u:on on %ow %e money claims were o 4e com:u ed. 3%e use o! %e word +!hate"er, s%ows %a %e 4asis !or %e com:u a ion would 4e %e amoun %a %e cour would award in !avor o! %e camineros. Considering %a %e :ar ies agreed o a com:romise; %e :aymen would %ave o 4e 4ased on %e amoun agreed u:on 4y %em in %e com:romise agreemen a::roved 4y %e cour . 3o insure :aymen o! %is :ro!essional !ees and reim4ursemen o! %is law!ul dis4ursemen s in -ee:ing wi % %is digni y as an o!!icer o! %e cour ; %e law crea es in !avor o! a lawyer a lien; no only u:on %e !unds; documen s and :a:ers o! %is clien w%ic% %ave law!ully come in o %is :ossession un il w%a is due %im %as 4een :aid; 4u also a lien u:on all @udgmen s !or %e :aymen o! money and eCecu ions issued :ursuan o suc% @udgmen s rendered in %e case w%erein %is services %ave 4een re ained 4y %e clien . A c%arging lien is an e"ui a4le rig% o %ave %e !ees and cos s due o %e lawyer !or services in a sui secured o %im ou o! %e @udgmen or recovery in %a :ar icular sui . 0 is 4ased on %e na ural e"ui y %a %e :lain i!! s%ould no 4e allowed o a::ro:ria e %e w%ole o! a @udgmen in %is !avor wi %ou :aying %ereou !or %e services o! %is a orney in o4 aining suc% @udgmen . Lawyering is no a moneyma-ing ven ure and lawyers are no merc%an s. Law advocacy is no ca:i al %a yields :ro!i s. 3%e re urns i 4ir %s are sim:le rewards !or a @o4 done or service rendered. 0 is a calling %a ; unli-e mercan ile :ursui s w%ic% en@oy a grea er deal o! !reedom !rom governmen al in er!erence; is im:ressed wi % a :u4lic in eres ; !or w%ic% i is su4@ec o s a e regula ion. Considering %a :e i ioner<s claim o! %ig%er a orney<s !ees is 4aseless and considering !ur %er %a %e %ad se led %is case as agains %is !ormer clien s; )C did no sus ain %is rig% o damages !or 4reac% o! con rac . 3%e a endan circums ances; in !ac ; s%ow %a %e camineros ac-nowledged %eir lia4ili y o %e :e i ioner and %ey willingly !ul!illed %eir o4liga ion. 0 would 4e con rary o %uman na ure !or %e
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:e i ioner o %ave acceded o %e wi %drawal o! %e case agains receiving %e agreed a orney<s !ees. %em; wi %ou cer i!ica ion %a no :reliminary inves iga ion was conduc ed 4ecause accused did no sign a waiver o! %e :rovisions o! Ar .125 o! %e R6C. Counsel o! accused %owever la er !iled a mo ion !or release and :ro:er :reliminary inves iga ion. A! er %e case was ra!!led o %e R3C; 9udge 6elayo ini ially allowed %e release o! accused on a cas% 4ond and issued an order gran ing %e leave o conduc :reliminary inves iga ion. La er on %owever; 6elayo mo u :ro:rio issued an order recalling %e gran ing o! 4ail and :roceeded o rial. Accused and %is counsel con inuously o::osed %is. ?eld: I1o e: A%a is rela ed o e %ics is ac ually !ound in %e concurring o:inion o! 9us ice #u ierre+J E0 am a a loss !or reasons w%y an eC:erienced 9udge s%ould insis on :roceeding o rial in a sensa ional murder case wi %ou a :reliminary inves iga ion des:i e vigorous and con inued o4@ec ion and reserva ion o! rig% s o! %e accused and no wi %s anding %e recommenda ion o! %e :rosecu or %a said rig% s 4e res:ec edO 0 agree wi % 9us ice 0sagani Cru+ %a %e rial cour %as a::aren ly 4een moved 4y a desire o ca er o :u4lic o:inion o %e de rimen o! %e im:ar ial adminis ra ion o! @us ice. 'ass media %as i s du y o !earlessly 4u !ai %!ully in!orm %e :u4lic a4ou even s and :ersons. ?owever; w%en a case %as received wide and sensa ional :u4lici y; %e rial cour s%ould 4e dou4ly care!ul no only o 4e !air and im:ar ial 4u also o give %e a::earance o! com:le e o4@ec ivi y in i s %andling o! %e case.F SABITSANA @+ @ILLA=OR Fac s: 0 was discovered %a %ere were ,( cases undecided 4y res:onden @udge 4eyond %e .28day reglemen ary :eriod. 3%e dismal s a e o! %e Cour %ouse o! %e res:onden @udge w%ic% was descri4ed as 4ere! o! any digni y as a cour o! law %as 4een no ed. 9udge >illamor %owever s%i! s %e 4lame on %is cler- o! cour ; A y. 9oco4o w%o %e claims was ine!!icien in %e managemen o! %e cour records. Also; in %e case o! %e! 4y Li:ango; >illamor designa ed 9udge 6i ao as ac ing @udge o! %e 'C3C. >illamor warned 6i ao o ac"ui Li:ango 4ecause %e case was 4eing 4ac-ed u: 4y someone :ower!ul. ?e did %is 4y sending a le er o 6i ao %roug% Li:ango<s wi!e. ?owever; 6i ao s ill convic ed Li:ango 4ecause %e evidence o! guil was s rong. A%en 6i ao was away !or some con!erence; %e !ound ou %a >illamor revo-ed %is designa ion and a::oin ed ano %er as @udge o! %e 'C3C. And !inally; w%en %e case was eleva ed o %e R3C w%ere >illamor was assigned %e ac"ui ed Li:ango. ?eld: >illamor viola ed Canon3 and Canon2 A @udge si s no only o 9udge li iga ed cases wi % %e leas :ossi4le delay 4u %a %is res:onsi4ili ies include 4eing an e!!ec ive manager o! %e Cour and i s :ersonnel. Canon 3; Rule 3.2,; o! %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc ; :rovides: EA @udge s%ould diligen ly disc%arge adminis ra ive res:onsi4ili ies; main ain :ro!essional com:e ence in cour managemen ; and !acili a e %e :er!ormance o! %e
NE< CODE OF >UDICIAL CONDUCT

CANON 1 LIBARIOS @+ DABALOS /Cross ignorance of the la!E close association0 Fac s: 9udge *a4alos wi %ou conduc ing any %earing direc ed %e issuance o! a warran o! arres agains accused and a %e same ime !iCed %e 4ail !or accused Calo and Allocod. ?eld: 9udge *a4alos is !ined wi % a warning. 0 %as 4een an es a4lis%ed legal :rinci:le or rule %a in cases w%ere a :erson is accused o! a ca:i al o!!ense; %e rial cour mus conduc a %earing in a summary :roceeding o :rove %a %e evidence o! guil agains %e accused is s rong; 4e!ore resolving %e issue o! 4ail !or %e em:orary release o! %e accused. 0rres:ec ive o! res:onden @udgeLs o:inion %a %e evidence o! guil agains %erein accused is no s rong; %e law and se led @uris:rudence demanded %a a %earing 4e conduc ed 4e!ore 4ail was !iCed. Res:onden @udgeLs disregard o! an es a4lis%ed rule o! law 4y de:riving %e :rosecu ion o! %e o::or uni y o :rove %a %e evidence o! guil agains %e accused was s rong; amoun ed o gross ignorance o! %e law; w%ic% is su4@ec o disci:linary ac ion. Considering %a res:onden @udge %ad a close associa ion wi % res:onden Calo; 9r. as a !ormer em:loyee o! %e said accused; :rudence and regard !or %is :osi ion as @udge demanded %a %e s%ould %ave re!rained !rom !iCing %e 4ail o! said accused and !rom concluding %a %e evidence agains %im was merely Mcircums an ialM; in order o avoid any dou4 as o %is @udicial im:ar iali y. Res:onden @udge s%ould %ave wai ed !or %e ra!!le o! %e case and allowed %e @udge o w%om %e case was ac ually ra!!led o resolve %e issue o! !iCing %e 4ail o! said accused; i! %e was 4aila4le. A @udge s%ould no only render a @us ; correc and im:ar ial decision 4u s%ould do so in a manner as o 4e !ree !rom any sus:icion as o %is !airness; im:ar iali y and in egri y. GO @+ COURT OF APPEALS Fac s: Accused :resen ed %imsel! 4e!ore %e :olice o veri!y re:or s %a %e was 4eing %un ed 4y %e :olice. ?e was %erea! er de ained. 3%e :rosecu or %en in!ormed accused o! %is rig% o :reliminary inves iga ion 4u %a %e mus !irs sign a waiver o! %e :rovision o! Ar .125 o! %e R6C. Accused re!used o eCecu e suc% waiver. 3%e :rosecu or !iled an in!orma ion !or murder wi % no recommended 4ail and a
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adminis ra ive !unc ions o! o %er @udges and cour :ersonnel.F Also; under Rule 3.2. is %a : EA @udge s%ould organi+e and su:ervise %e cour :ersonnel o ensure %e :rom: and e!!icien dis:a c% o! 4usiness; and re"uire a all imes %e o4servance o! %ig% s andards o! :u4lic service and !ideli y.F Cardinal is %e rule %a a 9udge s%ould avoid im:ro:rie y and %e a::earance o! im:ro:rie y in all ac ivi ies. 3%e Canons mince no words in manda ing %a a 9udge s%all re!rain !rom in!luencing in any manner %e ou come o! li iga ion or dis:u e :ending 4e!ore ano %er Cour ICanon 2; Rule 2.24J. 0n er!erence 4y mem4ers o! %e 4enc% in8:ending sui s wi % %e end in view o! in!luencing %e course or %e resul o! li iga ion does no only su4ver %e inde:endence o! %e @udiciary 4u also undermines %e :eo:leLs !ai % in i s in egri y and im:ar iali y TAN @+ ROSETE Fac s: Be!ore %e cases were decided; res:onden @udge allegedly sen a mem4er o! %is s a!! o al- o com:lainan . 3%e s a!! mem4er old com:lainan 3an %a 9udge Rose e was as-ing !or 6152;222.22 in eCc%ange !or %e non8dismissal o! %e cases. )%e was s%own co:ies o! res:onden @udge<s decision in %e criminal cases; 4o % s ill unsigned; dismissing %e com:lain s agains %e accused. )%e was old %a res:onden @udge would reverse %e dis:osi ion o! %e cases as soon as s%e remi s %e amoun demanded. Com:lainan ; %owever; did no accede o res:onden <s demand 4ecause s%e 4elieved %a s%e %ad a very s rong case; well su::or ed 4y evidence. 3%e criminal cases were even ually dismissed 4y res:onden @udge. ?eld: Ae %ave re:ea edly admonis%ed our @udges o ad%ere o %e %ig%es ene s o! @udicial conduc . 3%ey mus 4e %e em4odimen o! com:e ence; in egri y and inde:endence. 3%e eCac ing s andards o! conduc demanded !rom @udges are designed o :romo e :u4lic con!idence in %e in egri y and im:ar iali y o! %e @udiciary 4ecause %e :eo:le<s con!idence in %e @udicial sys em is !ounded no only on %e magni ude o! legal -nowledge and %e diligence o! %e mem4ers o! %e 4enc%; 4u also on %e %ig%es s andard o! in egri y and moral u:rig% ness %ey are eC:ec ed o :ossess. A%en %e @udge %imsel! 4ecomes %e ransgressor o! any law w%ic% %e is sworn o a::ly; %e :laces %is o!!ice in disre:u e; encourages disres:ec !or %e law and im:airs :u4lic con!idence in %e in egri y and im:ar iali y o! %e @udiciary i sel!. 0 is %ere!ore :aramoun %a a @udge<s :ersonal 4e%avior 4o % in %e :er!ormance o! %is du ies and %is daily li!e; 4e !ree !rom any a::earance o! im:ro:rie y as o 4e 4eyond re:roac%. Res:onden <s ac o! sending a mem4er o! %is s a!! o al- wi % com:lainan and s%ow co:ies o! %is dra! decisions; and %is ac o! mee ing wi % li igan s ou side %e o!!ice :remises 4eyond o!!ice %ours viola e %e s andard o! @udicial conduc re"uired o 4e o4served 4y mem4ers o! %e Benc%. 3%ey cons i u e gross misconduc w%ic% is :unis%a4le under Rule 142 o! %e Revised Rules o! Cour DI=ATULAC @+ @ILLON :ote: 19ll skip the facts because its exhaustingly long and complicated /recall: 8en-ie9s FGpage case. >aha. :ote, there are actually a lot of respondents but only Hillon is related to us0. Basically, there !as denial of due process. 9udge >illon 888 Ac ing wi % deli4era e dis:a c%; se %e da e o! arraignmen wi %ou even :erusing %e records Io %erwise %e would<ve -nown among o %ers; %a %ere was a mo ion o de!er :roceedings 4ecause o! an a::eal :ending in %e *5#; %ere was an order giving :e i ioners 12days o !ile a :e i ion wi % %e CA; %e !iling o! suc% :e i ion; order o! %e CA direc ing res:onden accused o commen on %e :e i ion o s%ow cause w%y %e a::lica ion !or a wri e o! :reliminary in@unc ion s%ould no 4e gran edOe c.;J. All %e !oregoing demanded !rom any im:ar ial mind a cau ious a i ude as %ese were unmis a-a4le indicia o! %e :ro4a4ili y o! a miscarriage o! @us ice s%ould arraignmen 4e :reci:i a ely %eld. A%ile i may 4e rue %a %e was no 4ound o awai %e *59Ls resolu ion o! %e a::eal %is @udicial ins inc s%ould %ave led %im o :eruse %e documen s o ini ially de ermine i! indeed murder was %e o!!ense commi edK or; %e could %ave direc ed %e :riva e :rosecu or o secure a resolu ion on %e a::eal wi %in a s:eci!ied ime. #iven %e o ali y o! circums ances; @udge >illon s%ould no %ave merely ac"uiesced o %e !indings o! %e :u4lic :rosecu or. 0'65R3A13: 3%e @udge Ms%ould always 4e im4ued wi % a %ig% sense o! du y and res:onsi4ili y in %e disc%arge o! %is o4liga ion o :rom: ly and :ro:erly adminis er @us ice.M ?e mus view %imsel! as a :ries ; !or %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice is a-in o a religious crusade. 3%us; eCer ing %e same devo ion as a :ries Min %e :er!ormance o! %e mos sacred ceremonies o! religious li urgy;M %e @udge mus render service wi % im:ar iali y commensura e wi % %e :u4lic rus and con!idence re:osed in %im. Al %oug% %e de ermina ion o! a criminal case 4e!ore a @udge lies wi %in %is eCclusive @urisdic ion and com:e ence; %is discre ion is no un!e ered; 4u ra %er mus 4e eCercised wi %in reasona4le con!ines. 3%e @udgeLs ac ion mus no im:air %e su4s an ial rig% s o! %e accused; nor %e rig% o! %e ) a e and o!!ended :ar y o due :rocess o! law. CANON , FERNANDEA @+ HA=OY Fac s: *es:i e %e la:se o! more %an 12years; res:onden @udge !ailed o render @udgmen in %e case were com:lainan was counsel o :lain i!!. A! er ?amoy was rans!erred; com:lainan learned %e 4roug% %e records o! %e case o %is new s a ion. ?amoy<s eCcuse was %a %is u ili y aid miCed %e records u: and 4ecause %e doc-e s were conges ed wi % so many !amily8cases %is cour 4eing %e only !amily cour in %e area. ?e also !ailed o com:ly wi % %e direc ives o! %e 5CA. Also; %e was a4le o collec %is salary w%en %e claimed in %is cer i!ica ion %a %e %ad no :ending cases. ?eld:
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Res:onden 9udge canno 4e a4solved !rom lia4ili y !or %e ine!!iciency o! %is cour :ersonnel. 9udges are c%arged wi % %e adminis ra ive res:onsi4ili y o! organi+ing and su:ervising %is cour :ersonnel o secure %e :rom: and e!!icien dis:a c% o! 4usiness; re"uiring a all imes %e o4servance o! %ig% s andards o! :u4lic service and !ideli y. 'ore im:or an ly; @udges %ave a du y o decide %eir cases wi %in %e reglemen ary :eriod. 5n meri orious grounds; %ey may as- !or addi ional ime. 0 mus 4e s ressed; %owever; %a %eir a::lica ion !or eC ension mus 4e !iled 4e!ore %e eC:ira ion o! %e :rescri4ed :eriod. 7:on %is rans!er o ano %er :os ; res:onden 9udge s%ould %ave as-ed %e :ermission o! %e Cour Adminis ra or o 4ring %e records o! %e cases o %is new assignmen or s%ould %ave a::rised %e :ar ies o! %is ac ion wi % res:ec %ere o. Fur %ermore; res:onden 9udge s%ould 4e %eld lia4le !or %is !ailure o o4ey direc ives !rom %is Cour and %e Cour Adminis ra or. 1eedless o say; @udges s%ould res:ec %e orders and decisions o! %ig%er ri4unals; muc% more so %is Cour !rom w%ic% all o %er cour s s%ould a-e %eir 4earings 0n %e 9udiciary; moral in egri y is more %an a cardinal vir ue; i is a necessi y. Res:onden 9udge mus 4ear in mind %a %e eCac ing s andards o! conduc demanded o! @udges are designed o :romo e :u4lic con!idence in %e in egri y and im:ar iali y o! %e @udiciary. A @udge w%o !ails o decide cases wi %in %e :rescri4ed :eriod 4u collec s %is salary u:on a !alse cer i!ica e is guil y o! dis%ones y amoun ing o gross misconduc and deserves %e condemna ion o! all rig% %in-ing men. 0n view o! %e :rimordial role o! @udges in %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice; only %ose wi % irre:roac%a4le in egri y and :ro4i y mus 4e en rus ed wi % @udicial :owers. DA<A @+ DE ASA Fac s: 6residing @udge Armando de Asa was c%arged wi % seCual %arassmen andGor ac s o! lasciviousness 4y Floride *awa; Femenina La+aro8Barre o and 1orali+ 9orgensen. *awa and Barre o were em:loyed as s enogra:%ic re:or ers w%ile 9orgensen was a casual em:loyee in %e 5!!ice o! %e 'ayor o! Caloocan Ci y and de ailed o %e 5!!ice o! %e Cler- o! Cour . 3%ey c%arged de Asa !or allegedly !orcing %imsel! on %em and -issing %em on %e li:s. 0ssue: A%e %er de Asa viola ed Canon 2 o! %e Code o! 9udicial B %ics Ruling. /es. Canon 2 :rovides %a a @udge s%ould avoid im:ro:rie y and %e a::earance o! im:ro:rie y in all ac ivi ies. ?e s%ould 4e%ave a all imes as o :romo e :u4lic con!idence in %e in egri y and im:ar iali y o! %e @udiciary. 0 is %ere!ore :aramoun %a a @udgeLs :ersonal 4e%avior; 4o % in %e :er!ormance o! %is du ies and in %is daily li!e; 4e !ree !rom %e a::earance o! im:ro:rie y as o 4e 4eyond re:roac%. 0ssue: A%e %er res:onden s viola ed %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc Ruling: /es. 3%e Code o! 9udicial Conduc manda es %a a magis ra e Es%ould avoid im:ro:rie y and %e a::earance o! im:ro:rie y in all ac ivi iesF and Es%ould 4e %e em4odimen o! com:e ence; in egri y and inde:endence.F )ince a::earance and reali y !use in %e :er!ormance o! @udicial !unc ions; %e @udge 88 li-e Caesar<s wi!e 88 mus no only 4e :ure; 4u also 4e 4eyond sus:icion. %e ac ions o! res:onden @udge were no !ree !rom all a::earances o! im:ro:rie y. ?is conduc lac-ed %e me iculous care eC:ec ed o! one ever mind!ul o! %e image o! %e @udiciary %a one :or rays. 0 is %e -ind o! 4e%avior !or w%ic% %e mus 4e adminis ra ively deal wi %; as i erodes :u4lic con!idence in %e @udicial sys em. As o res:onden cler-; we !ind %a s%e was e"ually remiss in %e :er!ormance o! %er du ies. By %er own admission; s%e re"uired com:lainan o :os %e cas% 4ond; even %oug% s%e %ad no 4een ins ruc ed o do so 4y res:onden 0n %e :resen case; %e Cour !ound o ally unacce: a4le %e emeri y o! %e res:onden @udge in su4@ec ing %erein com:lainan s; %is su4ordina es all; o %is unwelcome seCual advances and ac s o! lasciviousness. 1o only do %e ac ions o! res:onden @udge !all s%or o! %e eCac ing s andards !or mem4ers o! %e @udiciaryK %ey s and no c%ance o! sa is!ying %e s andards o! decency even o! socie y a large. ?is severely a4usive and ou rageous ac s; w%ic% are an a!!ron o women; unmis a-a4ly cons i u e seCual %arassmen 4ecause %ey necessarily M. . . resul in an in imida ing; %os ile; or o!!ensive environmen !or %e em:loyees. Le i 4e remem4ered %a res:onden %as moral ascendancy and au %ori y over com:lainan s; w%o are mere em:loyees o! %e cour o! w%ic% %e is an o!!icer. 3%e Cour concludes wi % moral cer ain y %a %e ac ed 4eyond %e 4ounds o! decency; morali y and :ro:rie y and viola ed %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc . 3%e 4enc% is no a :lace !or :ersons li-e %im. ?is gross misconduc warran s %is removal !rom o!!ice. IN RE >UDGE =ARCOS Fac s: 3wo com:lain s were !iled 4y Romeo 3. Zacarias and a concerned ci i+en o! #erona; 3arlac. 3%ese Com:lain s iden ically c%arged 9udge 'ar onino R. 'arcos IFormerly o! %e 'unici:al 3rial Cour in Ci ies; Branc% 2; 3arlac Ci yJ and Cler- o! Cour )%irley '. >isaya Io! %e 5 % 'unici:al Circui 3rial Cour o! #erona; 3arlacJ wi % immoral conduc and illegal solici a ion !rom li igan s. Zacarias alleged %a ; on wo occasions; 9udge 'arcos and >isaya ried o eC or money !rom %im in eCc%ange !or a !avora4le decision in a criminal case agains Zacarias and !or %is :rovisional release. ?e !ur %er alleged %a u:on some in"uiries; %e was in!ormed %a %e res:onden 9udge does no a::rove 4ail4onds wi %ou 4ri4e money and %a %e res:onden s are engaged in an illici love a!!air w%ic% is common -nowledge o munici:al and cour :ersonnel and as well as o %e :eo:le o! #erona.
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@udge. )%e %ere4y arroga ed @udicial :ower un o %ersel!. 3%e de ermina ion o! w%e %er o re"uire a cas% 4ond; li-e %e a::roval o! 4ail or %e release o! %e accused; is :urely a @udicial !unc ion. 0 was cer ainly no among %e manda ed du ies o! res:onden cler-. 0 %as 4een s ressed %a %e conduc and 4e%avior o! everyone c%arged wi % %e dis:ensa ion o! @us ice is circumscri4ed 4y %e rus and con!idence re:osed in a :u4lic o!!ice. 3%e image o! a cour o! @us ice is necessarily mirrored in %e conduc ; o!!icial or o %erwise; o! %e men and women w%o wor- %erein; !rom %e @udge o %e lowlies cler-. LACHICA @+ FLORDELIAA Fac s: *r. Am:aro A. Lac%ica; %e 'unici:al ?eal % 5!!icer o! 9ose A4ad )an os; *avao del )ur; c%arged %e res:onden ; 9udge Rolando A. Flordeli+a o! %e 'unici:al Circui 3rial Cour o! 9ose A4ad )an os8)arangani; *avao del )ur; wi % a4use o! @udicial :osi ion and in imida ion; !or allegedly com:elling %er o sign a dea % cer i!ica e even %oug% s%e was no %e a ending :%ysician. According o Lac%ica; during a :ar y; 9udge Flordeli+a; w%o was drun- a %a ime; %rea ened o !ile an adminis ra ive case agains %er i! s%e will re!use o sign %e dea % cer i!ica e. 0ssue: A%e %er res:onden 8@udge is guil y as c%arged o! a4use o! @udicial :osi ion and in imida ion amoun ing o viola ion o! %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc Ruling: /es. A @udge<s o!!icial conduc s%ould 4e !ree !rom %e a::earance o! im:ro:rie y; and %is :ersonal 4e%avior; no only u:on %e 4enc% and in %e :er!ormance o! @udicial du ies; 4u also in %is everyday li!e; s%ould 4e 4eyond re:roac%.F From all %e !oregoing; as well as %e evidence on record; %is Cour is convinced %a %e c%arge o! misconduc agains %e res:onden @udge %as 4een es a4lis%ed 4y su4s an ial evidence; w%ic% is %e "uan um o! :roo! re"uired in adminis ra ive cases. ?is undue in eres in %aving com:lainan sign %e *ea % Cer i!ica e is %ig%ly "ues iona4le; o say %e leas . Fur %er; %is ine4ria ed demeanor and inco%eren 4e%avior during %e !es ivi ies; as a es ed o 4y a wi ness is re:re%ensi4le in a @udge and s%ould 4e su4@ec ed o disci:linary ac ion. Res:onden was F01B* in %e amoun o! 3B1 3?57)A1* I612;222.22J 6B)5); wi % a s ern warning %a a re:e i ion o! %e same or similar ac s in %e !u ure will 4e deal wi % more severely. SIBAYAN->OACUIN @+ >A@ELLANA Fac s: Blie+er A. )i4ayan89oa"uin c%arged 9udge Ro4er o ). 9avellana; ac ing :residing @udge o! %e R3C o! )an Carlos Ci y; Branc% 5(; wi % grave misconduc in %e :er!ormance o! o!!icial du ies; gra! and gross ignorance o! %e law. 3%e Ruling: /es. 3%e 0nves iga ing 9us ice %as seen im:ro:rie y on %e :ar o! res:onden @udge in %is close associa ion wi % a counsel !or a li igan . 3%e Cour s%ares %e view and dis"uisi ion o! %e ?onora4le 9us ice. 9udges; indeed; s%ould 4e eC ra :ruden in associa ing wi % li igan s and counsel a::earing 4e!ore %em so as o avoid even a mere :erce: ion o! :ossi4le 4ias or :ar iali y. 0 is no eC:ec ed; o! course; %a @udges s%ould live in re iremen or seclusion !rom any social in ercourse. 0ndeed; i may 4e desira4le; !or ins ance; %a %ey con inue; ime and wor- commi men s :ermi ing; o rela e o mem4ers o! %e 4ar in wor %w%ile endeavors and in suc% !ields o! in eres ; in general; as are in -ee:ing wi % %e no4le aims and o4@ec ives o! %e legal :ro!ession. 0n :ending or :ros:ec ive li iga ions 4e!ore %em; %owever; @udges s%ould 4e scru:ulously care!ul o avoid any %ing %a may end o awa-en %e sus:icion %a %eir :ersonal; social or sundry rela ions could in!luence %eir o4@ec ivi y; !or no only mus @udges :ossess :ro!iciency in law 4u %a also %ey mus ac and 4e%ave in suc% manner %a would assure; wi % grea com!or ; li igan s and %eir counsel o! %e @udgesL com:e ence; in egri y and inde:endence. 3%e res:onden was A*'510)?B* o cons an ly 4e circums:ec in %is conduc and dealings wi % lawyers w%o %ave :ending cases 4e!ore %im. SA=SON @+ CABALLERO Fac s: 3%is is an adminis ra ive com:lain !or dis%ones y and !alsi!ica ion o! a :u4lic documen agains res:onden 9udge >irgilio #. Ca4allero. Com:lainan 5lga '. )amson alleged %a res:onden 9udge >irgilio #. Ca4allero s%ould no %ave 4een a::oin ed o %e @udiciary !or lac- o! %e cons i u ional "uali!ica ions o! :roven com:e ence; in egri y; :ro4i y and inde:endence; and !or viola ing %e Rules o! %e 9udicial and Bar Council I9BCJ w%ic% dis"uali!ies !rom nomina ion any a::lican !or @udges%i: wi % a :ending adminis ra ive case. According o %e com:lainan ; res:onden ; during %is 9BC in erviews; deli4era ely concealed %e !ac %a %e %ad :ending adminis ra ive c%arges agains %im. )%e disclosed %a ; on 4e%al! o! Communi y Rural Ban- o! #uim4a I1ueva Bci@aJ; 0nc.; s%e %ad !iled criminal and adminis ra ive c%arges !or grave a4use o! com:lain was an o!!s%oo o! a case !or estafa !iled 4y )i4ayan89oa"uin !or and in 4e%al! o! Andersons #rou:; 0nc.; agains Romeo 3an 4e!ore %e )an Carlos Ci y R3C. Com:lainan averred %a %ere was an undue delay in %e rendi ion o! @udgmen in %e criminal case; %e decision; %a %ad ac"ui ed %e accused Romeo 3an; %aving 4een rendered only on %e en % mon % a! er %e case was su4mi ed !or decision. Res:onden @udge was also ci ed !or im:ro:rie y 4y com:lainan 4ecause %e was o! en seen wi % A orney >ic Agravan e; counsel !or %e accused; w%ose ve%icle res:onden @udge would even use a imes. 0ssue: A%e %er 9udge 9avellana viola ed Canon 2 o! %e Code o! 9udicial B %ics
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au %ori y; conduc :re@udicial o %e 4es in eres o! %e service and viola ion o! Ar icle 22, o! %e Revised 6enal Code agains res:onden in %e 5!!ice o! %e 5m4udsman on 9uly 23; 2223. A %a ime a :u4lic :rosecu or; res:onden allegedly commi ed cer ain im:ro:rie ies and eCceeded %is :owers 4y overruling %e )ecre ary o! 9us ice in a reinves iga ion %e conduc ed. 0ssue: A%e %er res:onden viola ed %e Code o! 9udicial B %ics Ruling: /es. )ince mem4ers%i: in %e 4ar is an in egral "uali!ica ion !or mem4ers%i: in %e 4enc%; %e moral !i ness o! a @udge also re!lec s %is moral !i ness as a lawyer. A @udge w%o diso4eys %e 4asic rules o! @udicial conduc also viola es %is oa % as a lawyer. 0n %is :ar icular case; res:onden <s dis%ones ac was agains %e lawyer<s oa % o Edo no !alse%ood; nor consen o %e doing o! any in cour .F 0 canno 4e denied %a res:onden <s dis%ones y did no only a!!ec %e image o! %e @udiciary; i also :u %is moral c%arac er in serious dou4 and rendered %im un!i o con inue in %e :rac ice o! law. 6ossession o! good moral c%arac er is no only a :rere"uisi e o admission o %e 4ar 4u also a con inuing re"uiremen o %e :rac ice o! law. 0! %e :rac ice o! law is o remain an %onora4le :ro!ession and a ain i s 4asic ideals; %ose coun ed wi %in i s ran-s s%ould no only mas er i s ene s and :rinci:les 4u s%ould also accord con inuing !ideli y o %em. 3%e re"uiremen o! good moral c%arac er is o! muc% grea er im:or ; as !ar as %e general :u4lic is concerned; %an %e :ossession o! legal learning. 3%e !irs s e: owards %e success!ul im:lemen a ion o! %e Cour <s relen less drive o :urge %e @udiciary o! morally un!i mem4ers; o!!icials and :ersonnel necessi a es %e im:osi ion o! a rigid se o! rules o! conduc on @udges. 3%e Cour is eC raordinarily s ric wi % @udges 4ecause; 4eing %e visi4le re:resen a ion o! %e law; %ey s%ould se a good eCam:le o %e 4enc%; 4ar and s uden s o! %e law. 3%e s andard o! in egri y im:osed on %em is U and s%ould 4e U %ig%er %an %a o! %e average :erson !or i is %eir in egri y %a gives %em %e rig% o @udge. Res:onden was DISBARRED !or viola ion o! Canons 1 and 11 and Rules 1.21 and 12.21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4ili y and %is name STRICDEN !rom %e Roll o! A orneys. CANON 0 DI=O REALTY @+ DI=ACULANGAN Fac s: Leonardo 6. *imaculangan; res:onden ; !iled wi % %e Regional 3rial Cour a com:lain !or s:eci!ic :er!ormance agains *imo Real y D *evelo:men ; 0nc. I*imo Real yJ and s:ouses #regorio and Lu+ 'o@ares *i+on; :e i ioners. 3%e com:lain alleges %a some ime in 1.&( o 1.&,; :e i ioners engaged %e services o! res:onden as geode ic surveyor o su4divide Iin o su4division lo sJ 2 :arcels o! land si ua ed in Barrio 1amuco; Rosario; Ba angas. As :aymen !or res:onden <s services; :e i ioner agreed o give %im 1 su4division lo a >illa Lu+ )u4division and :ay %im 6.;222.22 in cas%. A! er %e com:le ion o! res:onden <s wor-; :e i ioners :aid %im 6.;222.22 in ins allmen s and delivered o %im :ossession o! %e lo . ?owever; des:i e res:onden <s demands; :e i ioners !ailed o deliver %e i le o! %e lo ; :rom: ing %im o !ile wi % %e R3C a com:lain !or s:eci!ic :er!ormance and damages. 3%e rial cour issued an order dismissing %e com:lain !or im:ro:er venue. Res:onden %en !iled a mo ion !or reconsidera ion wi % mo ion !or in%i4i ion alleging :ar iali y on %e :ar o! %e :residing @udge ?on. 6edro 3. )an iago. CA denied %e mo ion !or in%i4i ion. 0ssue: A%e %er %e CA erred in denying %e mo ion !or in%i4i ion Ruling: 1o. )u!!ice i o s a e %a w%e %er @udges s%ould in%i4i %emselves !rom a case res s on %eir own Msound discre ion.M 5 %erwise s a ed; in%i4i ion :ar a-es o! volun ariness on %e :ar o! %e @udges %emselves. 3%is Cour %as o 4e s%own ac s or conduc o! %e @udge clearly indica ive o! ar4i rariness or :re@udice 4e!ore %e la er can 4e 4randed %e s igma o! 4eing 4iased or :ar ial. 0n a ca ena o! cases; we %eld %a M4ias and :re@udice; o 4e considered valid reasons !or %e volun ary in%i4i ion o! @udges; mus 4e :roved wi % clear and convincing evidence. Bare allega ions o! :ar iali y and :re@udgmen will no su!!ice. 3%ese canno 4e :resumed; es:ecially i! weig%ed agains %e sacred o4liga ion o! @udges w%ose oa %s o! o!!ice re"uire %em o adminis er @us ice wi %ou res:ec o :erson and o do e"ual rig% o %e :oor and %e ric%.M ?ere; :e i ioners merely alleged %e ar4i rary issuance o! a em:orary res raining order wi %ou %owever s%owing 4ias or :re@udice on %e :ar o! %e rial @udge. 0n !ac ; %e Cour o! A::eals %eld %a Msuc% error o! %e res:onden @udge does no necessarily warran %is in%i4i ion in %e case.M PI=ENTEL @+ SALANGA Fac s: C%allenged %ere in an original :e i ion !or certiorari andGor :ro%i4i ion is %e rig% o! res:onden @udge o! %e Cour o! Firs 0ns ance o! 0locos )ur IBranc% 0>J o si in @udgmen in cases w%ere :e i ioner; a :rac icing a orney; a::ears as counsel. 6e i ionerLs misgivings s em !rom %e !ac %a %e is com:lainan in an adminis ra ive case %e %imsel! lodged in %is Cour on 'ay 12; 1.&(; agains res:onden @udge u:on avermen s o! Mserious misconduc ; ine!!iciency in o!!ice; :ar iali y; ignorance o! %e law and incom:e ence.M 6e i ioner moved in %e cour 4elow o %ave res:onden @udge dis"uali!y %imsel! !rom si ing in Civil Case 218C; Criminal Cases 4,., and C85; and Blec ion Case 24(2 a!oresaid. ?e %ere :rayed %a %e records o! %ose cases 4e rans!erred o ano %er sala. Res:onden @udge re@ec ed %e !oregoing mo ion. ?e s ood %is ground wi % %e s a emen %a %e adminis ra ive com:lain agains %im is no cause !or dis"uali!ica ion under %e Rules o! Cour
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0ssue: 0s a @udge dis"uali!ied !rom ac ing in li iga ions in w%ic% counsel o! record !or one o! %e :ar ies is %is adversary in an adminis ra ive case said counsel lodged agains %imH NO+ ?eld: Rule 12& Qo! %e old RulesR enumera es %e grounds !or dis"uali!ica ion o! a @udge u:on 4eing c%allenged and under w%ic% %e s%ould dis"uali!y %imsel!. he rule, ho!e"er, has ne"er been interpreted to prohibit a -udge from "oluntarily inhibiting himself, in the absence of any challenge by either party; due o %is close 4lood rela ions%i: wi % counsel !or one o! said :ar ies. Considering %e s:iri o! %e Rule; i would seem %a cases of "oluntary inhibition, based on good, sound andIor ethical grounds, is a matter of discretion on the part of the -udge and %e o!!icial w%o is em:owered o ac u:on %e re"ues !or suc% in%i4i ion. 3%e eCercise o! sound discretion W men ioned in %e rule W %as re!erence eCclusively o a si ua ion w%ere a @udge dis<ualifies %imsel!; no w%en %e goes !orward wi % %e case.( For; %e :ermissive au %ori y given a @udge in %e second :aragra:% o! )ec ion 1; Rule 13(; is only in %e ma er o! dis"uali!ica ion; no o %erwise. Be er s a ed ye ; w%en a @udge does no in%i4i %imsel!; and %e is no legally dis"uali!ied 4y %e !irs :aragra:% o! )ec ion 1; Rule 13(; %e rule remains as i %as 4een W %e %as o con inue wi % %e case. A @udge canno 4e dis"uali!ied 4y a li igan or %is lawyer !or grounds o %er %an %ose s:eci!ied in %e !irs :aragra:% o! )ec ion 1; Rule 13(. 3%is is no o say %a all avenues o! relie! are closed o a :ar y :ro:erly aggrieved. 0! a li igan is denied a !air and im:ar ial rial; induced 4y %e @udgeLs 4ias or :re@udice; we will no %esi a e o order a new rial; i! necessary; in %e in eres o! @us ice. B!!or s o a ain !air; @us and im:ar ial rial and decision; %ave a na ural and alluring a::eal. Bu ; we are no licensed o indulge in un@us i!ied assum: ions; or ma-e a s:ecula ive a::roac% o %is ideal. 0 ill 4e%ooves %is Cour o ar and !ea %er a @udge as 4iased or :re@udiced; sim:ly 4ecause counsel !or a :ar y li igan %a::ens o com:lain agains %im. 3o dis"uali!y or no o dis"uali!y %imsel! %en; as !ar as res:onden @udge is concerned; is a matter of conscience. 0n %e end we are :ersuaded o say %a since res:onden @udge is no legally under o4liga ion o dis"uali!y %imsel!; we may no ; on certiorari or :ro%i4i ion; :reven %im !rom si ing; rying and rendering @udgmen in %e cases %erein men ioned =ONTE=AYOR @+ BER=E>O / he $2D1:C portion is kind of lengthy because 1 think the refutation of the .ourt for e"ery misconduct alleged is important. 0 Fac s: *r. 'on emayor asser s %a %e res:onden 9udge !ailed o decide %e case wi %in %e :eriod :rovided under )ec ion 11; Rule (2 o! %e 1..( Rules o! Civil 6rocedure IRules o! Cour J. *r. 'on emayor !iled wi % %e 5!!ice o! %e Cour Adminis ra or I5CAJ %e ins an Adminis ra ive Com:lain c%arging 9udge Berme@o wi % gross incom:e ence and ine!!iciency; gross negligence; gross ignorance o! %e law; gross misconduc ; andGor conduc :re@udicial o %e 4es in eres o! %e service. 'oreover; 9udge Berme@o did no resolve %e %ree 'o ions !or BCecu ion and wo 'o ions o Re"uire *e!endan <s Counsel o 0n!orm %e Cour %e *a e ?e Received a Co:y o! %e 9udgmen . *r. 'on emayor also avers %a 9udge Berme@o :reven ed %e ransmi al o! %e records o! %e case o %e a::ella e cour wi %in 15 days !rom %e :er!ec ion o! %e a::eal in viola ion o! )ec ion &; Rule 42 o! %e Rules o! Cour . According o %im; i was only a! er %e res:onden 9udge received %e de!endan <s su:ersedeas 4ond %a %e !ormer issued %e 5rder da ed 'ay 5; 2223 direc ing %e Branc% Cler- o! Cour o ransmi %e records o! %e case o %e a::ella e cour . 3%e res:onden 9udge main ains %a %e is no lia4le !or delay in %e rendi ion o! @udgmen . 0n essence; %e argues %a since %e 5rder deeming %e case su4mi ed !or resolu ion was issued on )e: em4er 23; 2222; %e rendi ion o! @udgmen on 5c o4er 12; 2222 was made wi %in %e manda ory 328day :eriod. 0ssue: 0s %e res:onden @udge guil y o! delaying rendi ion o! @udgmen and viola ing %e Code o! 9udicial B %icsH /B). ?eld: 3%e rec-oning :oin !rom w%ic% %e manda ory :eriod !or rendi ion o! @udgmen s%ould 4e com:u ed is %e recei: o! %e las a!!idavi s and :osi ion :a:ers o! %e :ar ies; or %e eC:ira ion o! %e :eriod !or !iling %e same; as :rovided 4y %e Rules; # " !rom %e issuance o! %e order 4y %e @udge deeming %e case su4mi ed !or resolu ion. 3%e rec-oning :oin is !iCed 4y law; no 4y %e @udge. A @udge canno 4y %imsel! c%oose o :rolong %e :eriod !or deciding cases 4eyond %a au %ori+ed 4y %e law. 3%e records do no reveal w%en %e :ar ies received 9udge Berme@o<s 5rder re"uiring %em o su4mi %eir res:ec ive a!!idavi s and :osi ion :a:ers. Assuming; %owever; %a %e cour received %e de!endan <s 6osi ion 6a:er on Augus 14; 2222; as res:onden 9udge claims; @udgmen s%ould %ave 4een rendered on )e: em4er 13; 2222. 0ns ead; %e decision was da ed 5c o4er 12; 2222; or nearly a mon % a! er %e la:se o! %e manda ory :eriod !or rendi ion o! @udgmen and almos wo mon %s !rom %e recei: o! %e de!endan <s 6osi ion 6a:er. 6lainly; 9udge Berme@o is guil y o! delay and; %us; adminis ra ively lia4le. Rule 1.22 o! %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc re"uires @udges o adminis er @us ice wi %ou delay. Rule 3.25 o! %e same Code admonis%es all @udges o dis:ose o! %e cour <s 4usiness :rom: ly and decide cases wi %in %e re"uired :eriods. 3%e !ailure o decide a case wi %in %e re"uired :eriod is no eCcusa4le; cons i u es gross ine!!iciency and is a ground !or %e im:osi ion o! adminis ra ive sanc ions agains %e de!aul ing @udge. 3%e res:onden 9udge; %owever; can only o!!er !ee4le eCcuses !or %is inac ion on %e :lain i!!s< 'o ions !or BCecu ion. ?e claims %a %e !irs 'o ion !or BCecu ion :rayed %a %earing 4e se on a da e %a was no a mo ion day. 9udge
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Berme@o !orge s %a w%ile %e Rules o! Cour re"uires all mo ions o 4e sc%eduled !or %earing on Friday a! ernoons; or i! Friday is a non8wor-ing day; in %e a! ernoon o! %e neC wor-ing day; %e same Rules :rovides an eCce: ion !or mo ions re"uiring immedia e ac ion. 6er%a:s; as a @udgmen in !avor o! %e :lain i!!s in an unlaw!ul de ainer case is immedia ely eCecu ory; %e :lain i!!s 4elieved %a %eir mo ion came under %e eCce: ion. ?owever; i! %e res:onden 9udge did no s%are %is view; %e could %ave sim:ly se %e mo ion !or %earing on %e neC mo ion day. 0ns ead; %e un ena4ly ignored %e mo ion. 9udge Berme@o also ra ionali+es %is !ailure o ac on %e mo ion on %e ground %a %ere was no :roo! ye %a %e de!endan <s counsel %ad received no ice o! %e 9udgmen . 3%e :lain i!!s !iled %eir !irs 'o ion !or BCecu ion almos wo mon %s la er on *ecem4er 12; 2222. 3%e !ac %a %e regis ry recei: s o! %e service o! @udgmen %ad no ye re urned a %is :oin would %ave 4een cause !or a::re%ension !or any res:onsi4le @udge. /e 9udge Berme@o %as no conveyed any sem4lance o! anCie y. ?e did no in"uire !rom; nor in!orm; %e Cler- o! Cour a4ou %e a4sence o! %e recei: s wo mon %s a! er co:ies o! %e 9udgmen were sen o %e :ar ies. 0ns ead; %e !ound %e lac- o! regis ry recei: s a convenien reason !or arrying on %e mo ion. 3%ese circums ances may lead a so:%is ica ed mind o conclude one o! wo %ings. 5ne; %e regis ry recei: s are indeed missing !rom %e records 4u 9udge Berme@o is denying i o cover u: suc% loss. 3%is conclusion is 4u ressed 4y %e odd !ac %a ; des:i e %e seriousness o! *r. 'on emayor<s allega ions; %e res:onden 9udge %as no o!!ered in %ese adminis ra ive :roceedings any evidence o! %e eCis ence o! %e regis ry recei: s. An o4vious disregard o! -ee:ing records is evidence o! incom:e ence and lac- o! :ro!essionalism. A @udge is c%arged wi % eCercising eC ra care in ensuring %a %e records o! %e cases and o!!icial documen s in %is cus ody are in ac . 3%ere is no @us i!ica ion !or missing records save !or ui ous even s. 3wo; 9udge Berme@o is su::ressing :roo! o! %e regis ry re urn recei: s; in w%ic% case; %e is no only guil y o! dragging %is !ee in %e resolu ion o! %e mo ions 4u ; worse; 4ias in !avor o! %e de!endan . 5 %er circums ances su::or %e %eory o! 4ias. 9udge Berme@o :rovides a !limsy @us i!ica ion !or %is inac ion on *r. 'on emayor<s )econd 'o ion !or BCecu ion. According o %e res:onden 9udge; %e cour was under a-ing i s semes ral inven ory w%en %e mo ion was !iled. Bven i! %e Cour were o admi %e ade"uacy o! %is o4vious :re eC ; 9udge Berme@o; a %e very leas ; s%ould %ave se %e mo ion !or %earing on %e neC mo ion day a! er %e inven ory. Bu again; %e disregarded %e second mo ion. 1eC ; under )ec ion 1.; Rule (2; su:ra; in case %e de!endan does no !ile any su:ersedeas 4ond or did no ma-e any mon %ly de:osi ; %e :lain i!! would 4e en i led as a ma er o! rig% o %e immedia e eCecu ion o! %e in!erior cour <s @udgmen . 0n suc% a case %e eCecu ion is manda ory. ?owever; 4y coun enancing; :ermi ing; and even crea ing %e many delays in o4vious disregard o! %e le er and %e s:iri o! %e Rules o! Cour and %e Rule on )ummary 6rocedure; 9udge Berme@o %as :u in "ues ion %is :ar iali y. 0 4ears reminding %im %a a @udge mus a all imes no only 4e im:ar ial 4u main ain %e a::earance o! im:ar iali y. 3%us; under Canon 2 o! %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc ; a @udge s%ould avoid im:ro:rie y and a::earance o! im:ro:rie y in all ac ivi ies. ):eci!ically; under Rule 2.21 o! %e Code; a @udge s%ould so 4e%ave a all imes as o :romo e :u4lic con!idence in %e in egri y and im:ar iali y o! %e @udiciary. 3%e a::earance o! 4ias or :re@udice can 4e as damaging o :u4lic con!idence and %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice as ac ual 4ias or :re@udice. ACC5R*01#L/; %e Cour !inds res:onden 9udge 9uan 5. Berme@o; 9r. o! delay in %e rendi ion o! @udgmen in viola ion o! Rules 1.22 and 3.25 o! %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc !or w%ic% %e is !ined %e amoun o! 65;222.22. Res:onden 9udge is also declared guil y o! im:ro:rie y in viola ion o! Canon 2 o! said Code and is !ined %e amoun o! 612;222.22. ODTUBRE @+ @ELASCO FAC3): 5- u4re is %e adminis ra or o! 6aler Building; owned 4y 6eggy *<Arcy. *<Arcy is %e aun 8in8law o! 9udge >elasco. )%or ly a! er >elasco<s a::oin men o %e '3C o! 'aasin; %e as-ed *<Arcy i! %e could reside a %e 6aler Building. ?e was ini ially allowed 4y *<Arcy %owever w%en %e soug% an eC ension o s ay %erea %e was denied 4y *<Arcy. 1ever %eless; 9udge >elasco was a4le o s ay in %e 4uilding al4ei in ano %er room. 9udge >elasco %en sen le ers o %e enan s o! %e 4uilding declaring %a %e was %e law!ul owner o! %e 4uilding and all ren als s%ould 4e de:osi ed 4y %em a %is o!!ice in %e '3C. ?e also sen a s rongly worded le er using %e '3C<s le er%ead o *<Arcy asser ing :ossession over %e 4uilding. 9udge >elasco caused %e removal o! %e 4uilding<s service @ee: !rom i s garage. *<Arcy %en ins ruc ed 5- u4re o re:lace %e ve%icle in %e 4uilding and o a-e measures o ensure %a %e removal would no 4e re:ea ed. 5- u4re success!ully re:laced %e ve%icle and removed one o! i s w%eels and :u i inside %e com:u er room o! %e 4uilding. 3%erea! er; 9udge >elasco caused %e des ruc ion and re:lacemen o! %e :adloc- o 5- u4re<s room and %e access ga e o %e %ird !loor o! %e 4uilding. 5- u4re %en !iled a com:lain agains %e @udge in %e 6unong Baranggay. Concilia ion :roceedings !ailed. A! er %e %earing; 5- u4re was as-ed 4y a :olice o!!icer o come wi % %im o %e s a ion a %e c%ie!<s re"ues . 7:on arrival; %e was con!ron ed wi % an arres warran signed under au %ori y 4y 9udge >elasco in connec ion wi % %e alleged ro44ery o! %e @ee:ney<s w%eel and %e was :u 4e%ind 4ars :ursuan %ere o. A! er o4 aining %is release %e was again !iled sui !or malicious misc%ie! and !alsi!ica ion o! documen s again 4y 9udge >elasco. All %e com:lain s were su::or ed 4y %e sole a!!idavi o! 9udge >elasco w%ic% %e :rosecu ed using %is 5!!ice. 0))7B: A%e %er or no 9udge >elasco is guil y o! grave misconduc ; grave a4use o! au %ori y and gross ignorance o! %e law. R7L01#:
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Res:onden 9udge is Lia4le !or #rave 'isconduc and #rave A4use o! Au %ori y. 1o e Canon 2; Rule 2.23 o! Code o! 9udicial Conduc and Rule 3.12 o! %e same code. For ina::ro:ria ely using %is 5!!ice<s le er%ead and !or ac ing on %is own criminal com:lain s agains com:lainan and *<Arcy; res:onden 9udge viola ed %ese rules. 3%us; %e is lia4le !or grave misconduc Qand grave a4use o! au %ori y. 5n Res:onden 9udge<s !ailure o Recuse ?imsel! !rom ?is Criminal Com:lain s. 1o e %e :rinci:le %a no @udge s%ould :reside in a case in w%ic% %e is no w%olly !ree; disin eres ed; im:ar ial and inde:enden . A 9udge s%ould no %andle a case in w%ic% %e mig% 4e :erceived o 4e susce: i4le o 4ias and :ar iali y. 3%e rule is in ended o :reserve %e :eo:le<s !ai % and con!idence in %e cour s o! @us ice. 3rue; a @udge s%ould :ossess :ro!iciency in law so %a %e can com:e en ly cons rue and en!orce %e law. ?owever; i is more im:or an %a %e s%ould ac and 4e%ave in suc% a manner %a %e :ar ies 4e!ore %im %ave con!idence in %is im:ar iali y. 0ndeed; even conduc %a gives rise o %e mere a::earance o! :ar iali y is :roscri4ed. ?ere; al %oug% %e is %e com:lainan in %e %ree criminal com:lain s; res:onden 9udge did no dis"uali!y %imsel! !rom %e cases. Aorse; %e even issued a warran o! arres in Criminal Case 1o. 54,5; resul ing in %e arres and de en ion o! com:lainan . By doing so; res:onden 9udge viola ed Rule 3.12 and; 4y im:lica ion )ec ion 1 o! Rule 13(; w%ic% covers %e :reliminary s ages o! criminal :rosecu ion. 3o 4e sure; %e si ua ion in %is case does no !all under any o! %e ins ances enumera ed in Rule 3.12. 1ever %eless; as %e :rovision i sel! s a es; suc% enumera ion is no eCclusive. 'ore im:or an ly; :aragra:% IdJ :ro%i4i s a @udge !rom si ing in a case w%ere %e is rela ed o a :ar y or o counsel wi %in %e siC % and !our % degree o! consanguini y or a!!ini y; res:ec ively. 3%us; %ere is more reason o :ro%i4i a @udge !rom doing so in cases w%ere %e is a :ar y. 0ndeed; %e idea %a a @udge can :reside over %is own case is ana %ema o %e no ion o! im:ar iali y %a suc% was no longer included in %e enumera ion in Rule 3.12 nor covered 4y )ec ion 1 o! Rule 13(. Res:onden 9udge<s su4se"uen in%i4i ion !rom %e %ree cases does no de rac !rom %is cul:a4ili y !or %e s%ould no %ave a-en cogni+ance o! %e cases in %e !irs :lace. 3%e evil %a %e rule on dis"uali!ica ion see-s o :reven is %e denial o! a :ar y o! %is rig% o due :rocess. 3%is 4ecame !ai accom:li w%en res:onden 9udge re!used o a4ide 4y suc% rule. A?BRBF5RB; we !ind res:onden Ramon 6. >elasco; 6residing 9udge o! %e 'unici:al 3rial Cour ; 'aasin Ci y; )ou %ern Ley e; #70L3/ o! #rave 'isconduc ; #ross 0gnorance o! %e Law; and #rave A4use o! Au %ori y !or viola ion o! Rule 2.23 and Rule 3.12 o! %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc . ?e is *0)'0))B* !rom %e service wi % !or!ei ure o! re iremen 4ene!i s and wi % :re@udice o reins a emen in any 4ranc% o! %e governmen or any o! i s agencies or ins rumen ali ies; including governmen owned or con rolled cor:ora ions. ?owever; %e s%all receive any accrued leaves due %im as o! %is da e. SANDO@AL @+ CA Fac s: 0 a::ears %a an im:os or succeeded in selling :ro:er y law!ully i led in ano %er<s name 4y misre:resen ing %imsel! as %e la er. 3%e lower cour ruled in !avor o! %e original owner and nulli!ied %e deed o! sale in !avor o! %e 4uyer w%o claims o 4e a :urc%aser in good !ai %. CA a!!irmed. QOR ?ence; %is :e i ion !or review w%ere 9uan C. )andoval :rays !or %e reversal o! %e Cour o! A::eals decision. 3wo issues are :resen ed !or resolu ion. Firs ; :e i ioner con ends %a %e was denied due :rocess w%en %e ponente o! %e decision in %e Cour o! A::eals; 9us ice Luis >ic or; did no in%i4i %imsel! !rom %e case inasmuc% as %e was; !or a ime; %e :residing @udge in %e cour a <uo rying %e case. )econd; :e i ioner main ains %a %e is an innocen :urc%aser !or value w%o s%ould no 4e %eld accoun a4le !or %e !raud commi ed agains :riva e res:onden 3an; 9r. 0ssue: A%e %er or no %e 9us ice w%o :enned %e assailed decision in %e Cour o! A::eals s%ould %ave in%i4i ed %imsel! !rom a-ing :ar in %e case. ?eld: 0n every ins ance %e @udge s%all indica e %e legal reason !or in%i4i ion.F A @udge<s conduc s%ould 4e a4ove re:roac% and in %e disc%arge o! %is @udicial du ies %e s%ould 4e conscien ious; s udious; %oroug%; cour eous; :a ien ; :unc ual; @us ; im:ar ial; !earless o! :u4lic clamour; and regardless o! :riva e in!luence s%ould adminis er @us ice according o law and s%ould deal wi % %e :a ronage o! %e :osi ion as a :u4lic rus K and %e s%ould no allow ou side ma ers or %is :riva e in eres s o in er!ere wi % %e :rom: and :ro:er :er!ormance o! %is o!!ice.F From %e !oregoing legal :rinci:les; we !ind no 4asis !or 9us ice >ic or o in%i4i %imsel! !rom deciding %e case. 3o 4e sure; as rial cour @udge; %e :resided :ar ly over %e case 4elow; %eard :ar o! :lain i!!<s evidence and ruled on mo ions. 3%e decision i sel!; %owever; was :enned 4y ano %er @udge; %e ?onora4le Lucas Bersamin; w%o oo- over as :residing @udge w%en %en 9udge Luis >ic or was :romo ed. 7:on eleva ion o %e Cour o! A::eals; %e case was assigned o 9us ice >ic or as ponente. 3%e :rinci:le %a a::roCima es %e si ua ion o4 aining %erein is %e dis"uali!ica ion o! a @udge !rom deciding a case w%ere %is Eruling in a lower cour is %e su4@ec o! reviewF or Ein w%ic% %e %as :resided in any in!erior cour w%en %is ruling or decision is %e su4@ec o! review.F #ran ed %a 9us ice >ic or :resided :ar ly over %e case in %e cour a <uo; %is was no %e :en %a !inally rendered %e decision %erein. ?ence; %e canno 4e said o %ave 4een :laced in a :osi ion w%ere %e %ad o review %is own decision as @udge in %e rial cour . Accordingly; %e was no legally 4ound o in%i4i %imsel! !rom %e case. 1ever %eless; 9us ice >ic or s%ould %ave 4een more :ruden and circums:ec and declined o a-e on %e case; owing o %is earlier involvemen in %e case. 3%e Cour %as %eld %a a @udge s%ould no %andle a case in w%ic% %e mig% 4e :erceived; rig% ly or wrongly; o 4e susce: i4le o 4ias and :ar iali y; w%ic% aCiom is in ended o :reserve and :romo e :u4lic con!idence in %e in egri y and res:ec !or %e @udiciary. A%ile %e is no legally re"uired o decline !rom a-ing :ar in %e case; i
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is our considered view %a %is ac ive :ar ici:a ion in %e case 4elow cons i u es a E@us or valid reason;F under )ec ion 1 o! Rule 13( !or %im o volun arily in%i4i %imsel! !rom %e case. THE LA< FIR= OF CHA@EA @+ >USTICE DICDICAN Fac s: 3%is is an adminis ra ive com:lain agains 9us ice *icdican !iled 4y 'a. As:aren; a :ar y o a case involving ) . 'ary 'a++arello )c%ool. 0n %a case; %e sc%ool im:osed disci:linary sanc ions on 's. As:aren 4u %e same was li! ed 4y ?on. Blum4a; @udge o! %e 3rial Cour . 3%e res:onden @us ice o! %e CA issued a 3R5. )o com:lainan %ere soug% %e in%i4i ion o! res:onden !rom %e case on %e ground %a %e la er %ad :reviously re:resen ed various religious organi+a ions during %is :rac ice in law and %e :e i ioner in %is case is run 4y a religious organi+a ion. Res:onden denied %a suc% circums ance a!!ec ed %is im:ar iali y in %e case 4u %e never %eless in%i4i ed %imsel!. *es:i e suc% in%i4i ion; i was s ill alleged %a 9us ice s ill a::eared as one o! %e signa ories o! a resolu ion da ed 1ov. 21; 222& o! %e CA admi ing %e memorandum o! %e :e i ioner sc%ool and w%ic% deemed %e :e i ion as su4mi ed !or resolu ion. Com:lainan alleged %a res:onden @us ice<s ac ions s%owed %is mani!es 4ias and :re@udice agains %is clien in %e case. Res:onden 9us ice %owever; was a4le o s%ow %a no documen was !orwarded o %im w%en %e in%i4i ed !rom %e case. 0 was also s%own %a ano %er 9us ice oo- over %e same. 0 was also s%own %a %is inclusion as a signa ory was a mere mis a-e 4y %e s enogra:%er as s%own 4y %e le er o! a:ology. ?eld: Com:lain was devoid o! meri . 0n adminis ra ive :roceedings; 4urden o! :roo! is u:on com:lainan . 0! com:lainan !ails o do so; res:onden is under no o4liga ion o :rove %is de!ense. 0n %e :resen case; %e com:lainan !ailed o su4s an ia e %is im:u a ions o! im:ro:rie y and :ar iali y agains res:onden @us ice. ?e !ailed o :resen any o %er evidence o :rove %is c%arges. A :ar y<s remedy i! :re@udiced 4y %e orders o! a magis ra e lies wi % %e :ro:er reviewing cour ; no wi % %e o!!ice o! %e cour adminis ra or 4y means o! an adminis ra ive com:lain . A%en some o %er @udicial means is availa4le; an adminis ra ive com:lain is no %e a::ro:ria e remedy !or every ac o! a @udge deemed a4erran or irregular. CANON 2 >+ DING E SONS CO=PANY @+ >UDGE HONTANOSAS Fac s: Com:lainan alleges %a i is %e :lain i!! in a case :ending 4e!ore %e R3C :resided over 4y res:onden . Res:onden issued an 5rder gran ing %e a::lica ion !or wri o! :reliminary a ac%men . An urgen mo ion o disc%arge and li! wri o! :reliminary a ac%men was !iled 4y de!endan s 4e!ore %e res:onden and on %e same day; res:onden issued an 5rder li! ing %e wri o! :reliminary a ac%men . )aid 5rder was issued sans :ro:er no ice and %earing as re"uired 4y %e Rules o! Civil 6rocedure. Res:onden a::roved de!endan s< coun er84ond des:i e -nowledge %a %e 4onding com:any<s )u:reme Cour Clearance was no valid and %e maCimum ne re en ion o! %e 4onding com:any %ad a de!iciency. A a mee ing in %is %ouse; res:onden as-ed Ra!ael $ing o ma c% de!endan s< o!!er o :ay 6252;222.22 so %a %e 5rder o! 9uly 5; 2222 will 4e reconsidered !ormally i! a mo ion !or reconsidera ion is !iled 4y com:lainan . Res:onden <s !avori e %ang8ou is %e -arao-e music lounge o! 'e ro:olis ?o el owned 4y %erein com:lainan ; and %e uses said !acili ies M gratis et amore.M ?eld: Ae agree wi % %e 0nves iga ing 9us ice<s !inding %a res:onden is guil y o! gross ignorance o! %e law !or no %olding a !ull84lown %earing on %e mo ion o li! a ac%men and !or viola ing %e %ree8day no ice rule. Res:onden ac ed wi % indecen %as e in immedia ely %olding a %earing on %e mo ion o li! a ac%men !iled only a !ew minu es 4e!ore said %earing; in considering %e same su4mi ed !or resolu ion; and in issuing %e order li! ing %e wri o! :reliminary a ac%men and a::roving %e coun er84ond; all on %e same day wi %ou giving com:lainan %e o::or uni y o 4e %eard on %e ma er. 0 is %as 4een o! re:ea ed %a @udges canno 4e %eld o accoun or answer criminally; civilly or adminis ra ively !or an erroneous @udgmen o! decision rendered 4y %im in good !ai %; or in %e a4sence o! !raud; dis%ones y or corru: ion. ?owever; i %as also 4een %eld %a w%en %e law viola ed is elemen ary; a @udge is su4@ec o disci:linary ac ion. 3%e :rinci:les o! due no ice and %earing are so 4asic %a res:onden <s ina4ili y o accord a li igan %eir rig% %ere o canno 4e eCcused. 0n %is case; we 4elieve %a res:onden <s ac ua ions ree- o! malice and 4ad !ai %. 3%us; we !ind res:onden guil y o! gross ignorance o! %e law !or viola ing %e %ree8day no ice rule and !ailing o give %erein com:lainan due no ice and %e o::or uni y o 4e %eard on %e ma er As o %e ma er o! %e a::roval o! %e coun er84ond; res:onden u erly !ailed o eCercise due care in eCamining %e su::or ing :a:ers. 3%e res:onden s%ould -now %e 4asic re"uiremen s 4e!ore a::roving a sure y 4ond or a @udicial 4ond suc% as coun er84ond. 0 is indeed grossly im:ro:er !or res:onden o mee wi % a li igan a %is %ome and o !re"uen %e karaoke 4ar owned 4y suc% li igan ; en@oying %e use %ereo! !or !ree. Res:onden %ere4y received 4ene!i s !rom a li igan a::earing in %is cour . Res:onden <s de!ense %a %is wi!e o!!ered o :ay 4u %e managemen o! %e -arao-e 4ar did no allow %er o do so; is !ee4le. 3%e es imonies o! %e wai ers a said 4ar are "ui e clear %a res:onden <s wi!e would sign %e order sli:s; 4u no :aymen was ever given 4y res:onden or %is wi!e. Res:onden s%ould %ave insis ed on :aying; es:ecially considering %a com:lainan %as a o al o! %ree cases :ending 4e!ore %is cour . By en er aining a li igan in %is %ome and receiving 4ene!i s given 4y
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said li igan ; res:onden misera4ly !ailed o live u: o %e s andards o! @udicial conduc . 0nsis ence on :ersonal in egri y and %ones y as indis:ensa4le "uali!ica ions !or @udicial o!!ice re!lec an awareness in %e legal :ro!ession o! %e immensi y o! %e damage %a can 4e done o %e legal order 4y @udicial corru: ion. CENTRU= AGRI-BUSINESS REALTY CORP @+ >UDGE BETHEL DATALBAS=OSCARDON Fac s: Fac s: 6e i ioner Cen rum !iled a com:lain wi % %e '3CC !or e@ec men o! several s ores leasing i s 4uilding I9>L) BuildingJ. Cen rum 4oug% %is :ro:er y !rom 9>L) Co. 0nc.; 4u %e enan s re!used o :ay ren o Cen rum I3%ese enan s on %e o %er %and sued 9>L) o en!orce %eir rig% o! !irs o: ionJ. '3CC ruled !or Cen rum; ordered %e enan s o :ay ren covering 53 mon %s X in eres s. 3%e enan s a::ealed %is decision o R3C w%ere res:onden is %e :residing @udge. 0n %a a::eal; Cen rum moved !or %e eCecu ion o! %e '3CC decision; 4u res:onden re!used. 3%e enan s moved !or 32 days wi %in w%ic% o !ile %eir su::lemen al memorandum; w%ic% %e @udge gran ed; 4u limi ed %e :eriod o 12 days. Cen rum urged !or %e early resolu ion o! %e case; 4u %e @udge said %a Cen rum<s mo ion was already moo and academic; 4u s%e wan ed o give %e enan s a c%ance o !ile %eir memorandum Imeaning a ruling was already madeJ. 3%e @udge on 9uly 13 released %e decision in !avour o! Cen rum; 4u wi % di!!eren ren al ra es I%ig%er; in !avour o! Cen rumJ. 3%is decision was da ed 9une 15. 0n %e :resen adminis ra ive case agains res:onden @udge; Cen rum c%arged %er wi % 1. Corru: ac s and :rac ices; gross dis%ones y; serious misconduc K 2. $nowingly rendering an un@us in erlocu ory orderK 3. #ross ignorance o! %e law. Cen rum s a es %a no only were %e amoun s in %e decision su4s an ially increased; i also disclosed %a i %ad received a du:lica e co:y o! %e decision even 4e!ore i was :romulga ed; signed 4y %e res:onden . 9udge claimed s%e was innocen and %ad no idea %ow Cen rum go a co:y. Cen rum also alleges %a %e @udge un@us ly denied i s mo ion !or eCecu ion. ?eld: Res:onden @udge is guil y o! serious misconduc and is dismissed !rom o!!ice. Al %oug% %ere is no :roo! o! %ow Cen rum o4 ained a co:y o! %e decision even 4e!ore i s :romulga ion; %e !ac is %a a co:y was o4 ained 4y i and %is is %ig%ly irregular. )ince %e @udge is ul ima ely res:onsi4le !or %e sa!e-ee:ing o! %er :a:ers; %e 4urden o! accoun ing is on %er. I@udge claims %a %er s enogra:%er was a !aul J 3%is was no merely a sim:le case o! 4reac% o! con!iden iali y; 4u evidence sugges s a sc%eme o eC or money !rom Cen rum. 3%ere was a nego ia ion 4e ween %e 9udge and Cen rum; as admi ed 4y %e la er<s counsel. A%y Cen rum !iled %is case agains %e @udge a::ears o 4e %a %e decision; al %oug% i was com:le ed as o! 9une 15; was no :romulga ed un il a! er ?eld: Bo % @udges are !ined I11;222 !or :e i ioner; 1&;222 !or res:onden J and given a s ern warning !or %aving viola ed )ec 1; Canon 4 o! %e 1ew Code o! 9udicial Conduc Cour s are loo-ed u:on 4y %e :eo:le wi % %ig% res:ec . 'is4e%avior 4y @udges and em:loyees necessarily diminis%es %eir digni y. Any !ig% ing or misunders anding is a disgrace!ul occurrence re!lec ing adversely on %e image o! %e 9udiciary. By !ig% ing; res:onden @udges !ailed o o4serve %e :ro:er decorum eC:ec ed o! mem4ers o! %e 9udiciary. 'ore de es a4le is %e !ac %a %eir s"ua44le arose ou o! a mere allowance coming !rom %e local governmen . 9udge Ri+alina Ca:co87mali I:e i ionerJ c%arged 9udge 6auli a Acos a8 >illaran e Ires:onden J wi % viola ion o! Canon 4. 3%e :e i ioner and o %er @udges made a cour esy call o %e 'ayor o! 'andaluyong and %ey al-ed a4ou local allowance o! @udges. 3%e 'ayor no iced %e dis:ari y in %e amoun s received Ires:onden was receiving more; com:ared o :e i ioner and o %er @udgesJ. )o %e 'ayor ordered %a %e allowance received 4y res:onden 4e rever ed o %e :revious ra es. *uring %e !irs ever mon %ly mee ingo! R3C @udges; w%a %a::ened in %e cour esy call was re:or ed. Angered; res:onden yelled accusa ions o! :aninira a %e BCecu ive @udge Is%e was %ere during %e cour esy call and was :residing over %e mee ingJ. 6e i ioner; also :resen a %e mee ing; !el %a s%e %ad o rescue %e eCecu ive @udge and eC:lained w%a %a::ened. 3%is ime; res:onden yelled a :e i ioner; called %er sinungaling and old :e i ioner o s o: al-ing 4ecause Ena-a-a%iwa 4oses mo.F 6e i ioner yelled 4ac-; Ema anda -a na; mala:i -a na sa -ama ayan gumagawa -a :a ng ganyan; madadamay :a -ami;F o w%ic% %e res:onden answered %a s%e was ready o die any momen 4ecause s%e did no wrong. Basically; %ey %ad a screaming ma c% un il %ey were :aci!ied. 9udge >illaran e %en wro e a 'emorandum addressed o BCecu ive 9udge o! %e 'andaluyong R3C; co:ies o! w%ic% were !urnis%ed o %e 9us ices o! %e )C; 9BC; o %er @udges o! 'andaluyong; i s Congressman; and :rosecu or. 3%e memo sugges ed %a %e %olding o! mon %ly mee ing o! @udges 4e sus:ended; considering w%a rans:ired. 6e i ioner !iled a com:lain !or li4el 4ased on %e memorandum. 0n causing %e circula ion o! %e memorandum; res:onden claimed %a i was %er o4liga ion o 4ring o %e a en ion o! concerned o!!icials %e :ersonal demeanor o! :e i ioner %a would :u %e @udiciary in :u4lic scru iny and disres:ec . nearly a mon %; leading Cen rum o !ear %a res:onden @udge would wels% on %er under a-ing o increase %e awards in i s !avour. 5n rendering an un@us in erlocu ory order and gross ignorance o! %e law; %e cour !inds %e @udge<s errors in %is case o 4e grossly ineCcusa4le. 3%e @udge viola ed cer ain :rovisions in %e rules o! cour a::lica4le o e@ec men :roceedings. RIAALINA CAPCO-U=ALI @+ PAULITA ACOSTA-@ILLARANTE
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3%e 4e%aviour o! 4o % :ar ies was very un4ecoming. 9udge Ca:co8 7mali !ailed o live u: o %e s andard o! :ro:rie y re"uired o! @udges. A%ile s%e mig% %ave 4een :rovo-ed 4y 9udge Acos a8>illaran e<s re!erral o %er as a liar; s%e s%ould %ave main ained %er com:osure ins ead o! s%ou ing 4ac- a a !ellow @udge. )%e s%ould %ave eCercised sel!8res rain ins ead o! reac ing in suc% a very ina::ro:ria e manner. 9udge Acos a8>illaran e s%ould also 4e re"uired o answer !or %er !ailure o o4serve %e 4asic norm o! :ro:rie y demanded !rom a @udge. )%e :rovo-ed :e i ioner 4y calling %er sinungaling. )%e s%ould %ave 4een more cau ious in c%oosing %er words. )%e also re:ea ed %e uncalled !or conduc w%en s%e wro e %e memorandum and caused i s circula ion. 0! indeed %e memorandum was :roduced s ric ly o allow %e :ar ies o cool o!! and avoid a re:e i ion o! %e inciden ; %ere was no need o men ion %e alleged mis4e%avior o! 9udge Ca:co87mali during %e mee ing. 3%e memorandum was %us wri en as a medium !or re alia ion agains 9udge Ca:co8 7mali. BINALAY @+ LELINA% >R+ Fac s: Com:lainan A y. Binalay !iled %is adminis ra ive case agains 9udge Lelina; 9r. !or viola ing Rule 13, o! %e Rules o! Cour and Canon 4 o! %e 1ew Code o! 9udicial Conduc I4o % are wi % regard o :ro%i4i ion on @udges in %e :riva e :rac ice o! lawJ. Res:onden @udge is :reven ively sus:ended !or 4eing c%arged wi % ra:e; a4duc ion wi % ra:e and slig% illegal de en ion. A%ile s ill under sus:ension; %e @udge !iled a mani!es a ion !or %e cour o gran %im %e :ermission o :rac ice law during %e remainder o! %is :reven ive sus:ension; or i! suc% canno 4e gran ed; o consider %im resigned !rom %e @udiciary. 0 urned ou ; %owever; %a even 4e!ore %e !iled %is mani!es a ion; %e %ad already engaged in %e :riva e :rac ice o! law re:resen ing 2 :ersons in a criminal case; and one in a civil case; all o! w%ic% are s ill :ending. All :leadings in %ose cases were signed 4y %im; as a :ar ner o! %e Bar olome Lelina Calimag *ensing D Associa es Law 5!!ices. 0n %e mean ime; %e o!!ice o! cour adminis ra or direc ed res:onden o desis !rom engaging in %e :rac ice o! law :ending %e cour <s resolu ion o! %is mani!es a ion. 0n %is commen ; %e @udge argues %a %e :ro%i4i ion o engage in :rac ice o! law a::lies only o @udges w%o are in %e ac ive service and s%ould no cover %ose under sus:ension. ?e also said %e was !orced o :rac ice law due o %is im:overis%ed li!e and 4ecause o! %e con inuing su!!erings o! %is wi!e and c%ildren. ?eld: 9udge is sus:ended and s ernly warned. By 4eing merely sus:ended; @udge remains o 4ound 4y %e :ro%i4i ion o :rac ice law. 2bi lex non distinguit nec nos ditinguire debemos. Law does no ma-e a dis inc ion 4e ween a sus:ended @udge and an ac ive @udge. 3%e !ac %a %e ried o ?eld: /es. 9udge 6ornillos was dismissed !rom %e service !or gross misconduc Iaggrava ed 4y undue delay in rendering decisions and viola ion o! )C rulesJ. 7nder %e 7ni!orm Rules on Adminis ra ive Cases in %e Civil service; 4orrowing money 4y su:erior o!!icers !rom su4ordina es is a viola ion :unis%a4le 4y re:rimand; sus:ension; and dismissal !rom service. A %e very leas ; s%e s%ould 4e admonis%ed !or dealing wi % %er su4ordina es in an im:ro:er manner. 'ore severely :ro%i4i ed is 4orrowing money or :ro:er y !rom lawyers and li igan s in case :ending 4e!ore %e cour Ia serious c%arge under )ec. ,; Rule 142 o! R5CJ. 7nder Canon 5 o! %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc I %e old oneJ; a @udge s%all re!rain !rom !inancial and 4usiness dealings %a end o re!lec adversely on %e cour <s im:ar iali y; in er!ere wi % %e :ro:er :er!ormance o! @udicial ac ivi ies; or increase involvemen wi % lawyers or :ersons li-ely o come 4e!ore %e cour . LIHAYLIHAY @+ >UDGE ALE>ANDRO CANDA Fac s: 6e i ioner !iled a com:lain agains 9udge Canda !or %e !!. ac s: 3%rea ening %er %roug% eC message %a s%e would 4e in rou4le I4ecause %e %oug% s%e was su::or ing an a::lican !or s%eri!! w%ic% %e o::osedJ Filing admin. com:lain s and criminal cases o %arass %er *escri4ing %er as a #R5; undigni!ied; a w%ore; disgus ing; re:ulsive; :a-ialamera; o!!ensive; e c. Iin a le er %e wro e o %e BCecu ive 9udge a! er %e !ound ou s%e ad %im 4lo ed wi % %e :olice 4ecause o! %e eC %rea J 6u4lis%ing suc% remar-s in a news:a:er 0ssue: AG1 9udge Canda is guil y o! gross misconduc secure an au %ori+a ion o engage in %e :rac ice o! law only s%ows %a %e is aware o! %e :ro%i4i ion. 'oreover; %e s%ould no :ermi %e law !irm o s ill carry %is name. By allowing %e !irm o do so; %e %eld %imsel! in :u4lic as a lawyer; in viola ion o! %e rules and norms o! @udicial e %ics. CONCERNED LA<YERS OF BULACAN @+ PRESIDING >UDGE PORNILLOS I9udge dismissed !or 4orrowing money !rom lawyers wi % :ending cases 4e!ore %erJ Fac s: Com:lainan s c%arged 9udge 6ornillos !or; among o %ers; %e viola ion o! %e Canons o! 9udicial Conduc !or 4orrowing money !rom %er s a!! and lawyers in amoun s ranging !rom 6522865-. 3%e 5!!ice o! %e Cour Adminis ra or I5CAJ made an inves iga ion and !ound %a suc% a ac%es no adminis ra ive lia4ili y Isince %ey were already :aid or waived 4y %e credi ors and were o4 ained 1. years agoJ. 0ssue: AG1 9udge 6ornillos s%ould 4e %eld adminis ra ively lia4le.
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?eld: /es. )ec. 2; Canon 4: As a su4@ec o! cons an :u4lic scru iny; @udges mus acce: :ersonal res ric ions %a mig% 4e viewed as 4urdensome 4y %e ordinary ci i+enOin :ar icular; @udges s%all conduc %emselves in a way %a is consis en wi % %e digni y o! %e @udicial o!!ice. )ec. &; Canon 4: 9udges are en i led o !reedom o! eC:ression; 4u in eCercising suc% rig% ; %ey s%all always conduc %emselves in a manner as o :reserve %e digni y o! %e @udicial o!!ice. 3%e ac s commi ed 4y 9udge Canda are un4ecoming o! a @udge; and %ese su4@ec ed %e @udiciary o em4arrassmen . ?e was !ined and was given a s ern warning. IN REB UNDATED LETTER OF LOUIS BIRAOGO Fac s: 3%e )u:reme Cour ; en 4anc; con inued i s deli4era ions on %e dra! o! 9us ice Ru4en Reyes in 3 consolida ed cases ILim-aic%ong caseJ. )ince %ere was no !ur %er o4@ec ion; %e Bn Banc a::roved i . Being :rin ed on #il4er :a:er; 9us ice Reyes immedia ely circula ed %e :onencia during %e same session. ?owever; %ey decided o wi %%old %e :romulga ion o! %e #il4er co:y 4ecause . @us ices wan ed o concur only in %e resul Ii! %e ma@ori y concurred only in resul ; %e :onencia would %ave no doc rinal valueJ. 3%ey decided o %old oral argumen s. Biraogo; a :e i ioner in one o! %e 3 cases; %eld a :ress con!erence and circula ed o %e media an unda ed le er signed 4y %im oge %er wi % a :%o oco:y o! %e un:romulga ed :onencia. ?e insinua ed %a %e Cour unlaw!ully and wi % im:ro:er mo ives wi %%eld %e :romulga ion o! %e :onencia. )ince %e unau %ori+ed release o! %e co:y in!ringed on %e con!iden ial deli4era ions o! %e )C and cons i u ed con em: o! cour ; %e )C direc ed an inves iga ion. 3%e 0nves iga ing Commi ee !ound %a %e lea- came !rom 9us ice Reyes %imsel!. ?ence; %e mus 4e lia4le !or grave misconduc . 0ssue: AG1 9us ice Reyes is lia4le !or gross misconduc ?eld: /B). ?e is sus:ended !rom %e :rac ice o! law inde!ini ely. 3%e 1ew Code o! 9udicial Conduc :rovides %a con!iden ial in!orma ionV ac"uired 4y @us ices and @udges in %eir o!!icial ca:aci y s%all no 4e used or disclosed !or any o %er :ur:oses no rela ed o %eir @udicial du ies. V0n!orma ion no ye made :u4lic concerning %e wor- o! any @us ice or @udge rela ing o :ending cases. CANONS 3 E 4 REPUBLIC @+ CAGUIOA .onsolidation of ( cases against respondent ?BL*: /B)N Ado: !indings o! %e CA. Caguioa *ismissed !rom service X !or!ei ure o! re iremen 4ene!i s eCce: leave credi s. RA305: #ross 0gnorance o! %e Law 9udge Caguioa issued %e Ari s o! 6reliminary 0n@unc ion %a did no sa is!y %e legal re"uisi es !or i s issuance; and w%ic% was en!orced ou side o! %is erri orial @urisdic ion. 0n %e !ormer; %e a::lican s o! %e Ari s%owed no clear and
+
FAC3) Case 1: 9udge Caguioa issued a wri o! :reliminary in@unc ion agains %e Re:u4lic !or %e im:lemen a ion o! a law5 w%ic% re"uired %e :aymen o! du ies and aCes o im:or ers in %e )u4ic Bay Free:or Zone; w%o !ormerly %ad an eCem: ion o suc% aCes 4u was su4se"uen ly re"uired 4y vir ue o! suc% law. ?e also gran ed various eC8:ar e mo ions !or in erven ions o! di!!eren 4u similarly si ua ed cor:ora ions; and a::roved an in@unc ion 4ond o! 61' !or all %e :e i ioners. 3%ese orders were immedia ely im:lemen ed des:i e %e 'Rs !iled 4y %e 5)#. 3%e Re:u4lic !iled adminis ra ive cases agains Caguioa !or mani!es :ar iali y; gross ignorance o! %e law and conduc :re@udicial o %e 4es in eres o! %e service. 3%is was ac ed u:on 4y %e 5CA and su4se"uen ly 4y %e CA; s a ing %a Caguioa gravely a4used %is discre ion !or ordering %e issuance o! %e wri o! 6reliminary 0n@unc ion. Case 2: IAlmos similar circums ances; di!!eren :eo:le involvedJ 9udge Caguioa issued a wri o! :reliminary in@unc ion and a 3R5; o en@oin a :erson !rom ac ing as an o!!icer in a #ov< agency. 3%e agency !iled adminis ra ive cases agains Caguioa !or mani!es :ar iali y; gross ignorance o! %e law and conduc :re@udicial o %e 4es in eres o! %e service. Case 3: Caguioa ordered a Ari o! BCecu ion; a! er %is order o! dismissal o! a case 4ased on :rescri: ion. 6riva e 6e i ioner !iled a case !or #rave 'isconduc agains Caguioa. 3%e CA saw %is as invalid; 4ecause %e Ari s%ould con!orm o %e dis:osi ive :or ion o! %e decision. 3%e 5rder o! dismissal did no ad@udica e any rig% s o! %e :ar ies and resolved no o %er ma er eCce: %e dismissal o! %e case. he findings of the 1n"estigati"e Justice of the .A: Case 1: #uil y o! gross ignorance o! %e law X conduc :re@udicial o %e 4es in eres o! %e service. Bvidence on %e 'ani!es 6ar iali y was insu!!icien . Case 2: )ame as Case 1. Case 3: #uil y o! sim:le misconduc . 6enal y: 18year sus:ension X ) ern Aarning. 0))7BG): AG1 Caguioa is guil y o! #ross 0gnorance o! %e Law; Conduc 6re@udicial o %e Bes 0n eres o! %e )ervice and )im:le 'isconduc .
R! 933(
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unmis a-a4le rig% %a was ma erial and su4s an ial as would warran %e issuance o! suc% Ari ; and %e o! i s urgency and necessi y. 0n s%or ; %e issued %e Ari s wi %ou 4asis. 3%e re"uisi es !or %e issuance o! %e Ari are 4asic and elemen ary; and s%ould %ave 4een -nown 4y Caguoia. Basic rules s%ould 4e a %e :alm o! %eir %ands. A%ere %e law is 4asic; lac- o! conversance wi % i ; and !or ransgressing %e elemen ary @urisdic ional limi s o! %is cour ; a @udge s%ould 4e adminis ra ively lia4le !or gross ignorance o! %e law. 1o #rave 'isconduc Bven %oug% Caguioa issued %e Ari s wi %ou 4asis; in %is circums ance; i only amoun s o sim:le misconduc . For grave misconduc o eCis ; %e @udicial ac com:lained o! s%ould 4e corru: ; or wi % eviden 4ad !ai %. )uc% conduc was no eviden in %e case. DEE C+ CHUAN E SONS INC+ @+ PERALTA FAC3): FAC3): )e: 13; 2222: Final order o! an unlaw!ul de ainer case in !avor o! *ee C. C%uan D )ons 0nc. An a::eal was !iled wi % 6eral a; an R3C 9udge. 'arc% 1,; 2223: *CC)0 !iled a Mmo ion o dismiss a::eal and !or issuance o! wri o! eCecu ionM !or !ailure o! %e a::ellan s o :os %e re"uired 4ond and o :ay %e ren als due in accordance wi % %e decision o! %e 'e3C. 'arc% 21; 2223: Ac ing on %e 'o ion; 6eral a re"uired a::ellan s o !ile %eir commen . Augus 11; 2223; 5c o4er 22; 2223 and *ecem4er 3; 2223: *CC)0 !iled a mo ion o resolve. ?owever; des:i e %e la:se o! more %an one year; res:onden !ailed and re!used o resolve %e :ending mo ions. Com:lain %us !iled. A%en as-ed 4y %e 5CA a4ou %e case; 6eral a said %a i Kha /d0 been resol"ed by /his0 .ourt and the same /!as0 already for mailingK and a ac%ed a co:y o! %is order da ed 'ay 5; 2224. 0n %is order; %e dismissed %e a::eal !or !ailure o! %e a::ellan s o !ile %eir memorandum and direc ed %e issuance o! a wri o! eCecu ion in !avor o! *CC)0. 3%e 5CA; in i s re:or ; !ound 6eral a indeed !ailed o resolve several mo ions !or more %an a year and s%owed indi!!erence in %is commen and recommended %a %e 4e %eld lia4le !or ine!!iciency in %e :er!ormance o! %is o!!icial du ies and !ined in %e amoun o! 611; 222. 0))7BG): AG1 6eral a is lia4le !or ine!!iciency and undue delay in rendering a decision or order. ?BL*: /B)N F01B* X ) ernly Aarned. RA305: *elivery o! *ecisions wi % Reasona4le 6rom: ness Baculi; a 6rovincial 6rosecu or; !iled an 0n!orma ion agains a :erson8 accused !or !rus ra ed %omicide. Belen; a R3C 9udge; direc ed Baculi o su4mi evidence %a %e no ice o! :reliminary inves iga ion was duly served and received 4y suc% :erson. A! er a series o! :leadings !iled 4y Baculi; Belen direc ed %e !ormer w%y %e s%ould no 4e ci ed !or em: o! cour !or ma-ing un!ounded s a emen s in %is :leadings. 1o suc% reason was given; %us Belen !ound Baculi guil y o! direc con em: !or ma-ing scurrilous IvulgarJ and con umacious Ire4elliousJ s a emen s in one o! %e la erLs 'o ions; and su4se"uen ly !or indirec con em: . Baculi moved %a suc% order 4e se aside; 4u was denied 4y Belen; s a ing %a suc% *ecisions are !inal and eCecu ory. 3%ere!ore; Baculi !iled a com:lain agains Belen; denying %e claims agains %im; and added %a Belen was induced 4y revenge 4ecause i was Baculi w%o indic ed %im in a :revious li4el case agains %im; and %a Belen %ad a L:ower com:leCL. 0))7B: AG1 Belen is guil y o! gross ignorance o! %e law !or ci ing Baculi in indirec con em: . ?BL*: /B)N )us:ended !or & mon %s X ) ern warning. RA305: #ross 0gnorance o! %e Law 0ndirec con em: is any im:ro:er conduc ending; direc ly or indirec ly; o im:ede; o4s ruc ; or degrade %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice. 3%e scurrilous and con umacious s a emen s cons i u e direc con em: 4ecause i is e"uivalen o mis4e%avior commi ed in %e :resence o! or so near a cour or @udge as o in erru: %e adminis ra ion o! @us ice. Bu suc% is no %e reason !or indirec con em: . And even i! suc% s a emen s were considered as indirec con em: ; Belen did no !ollow 3%e Cons i u ion manda es %a all cases or ma ers !iled 4e!ore all lower cour s s%all 4e decided or resolved wi %in .2 days !rom %e ime %e case is su4mi ed !or decision. 6eral a ignored %is manda e. Failure o com:ly wi %in %e manda ed :eriod cons i u es a serious viola ion o! %e cons i u ional rig% o! %e :ar ies o a s:eedy dis:osi ion o! %eir cases. For more %an a year; 6eral a !ailed o resolve several mo ions ^ %e mo ion o dismiss a::eal and !or issuance o! wri o! eCecu ion as well as %e %ree mo ions o resolve; and didn< o!!er any reason or @us i!ica ion on w%y i oo- %im more %an a year o resolve %e mo ions. ?e %us viola ed %e 1ew Code o! 9udicial Conduc w%ic% re"uires @udges o dis:ose o! %e cour <s 4usiness :rom: ly and decide cases wi %in %e re"uired :eriods. A @udge<s !ailure o resolve mo ions and inciden s wi %in %e :rescri4ed :eriod o! %ree mon %s as gross ine!!iciency !or i undermines %e :eo:le<s !ai % and con!idence in %e @udiciary; lowers i s s andards and 4rings i o disre:u e. BACULI @+ BELEN
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%e :ro:er :rocedure under %e Rules o! Cour . 3%is s reng %ens %e 5CALs !indings %a Belen is grossly ignoran o! 4asic :rocedure. 7n!amiliari y wi % %e Rules o! Cour is a sign o! incom:e ence. Basic :rocedural rules mus 4e a %e :alm o! %is %ands. A%en %e law is so elemen ary; suc% as %e :rovisions o! %e Rules o! Cour ; no o -now; or o ac as i! one does no -now %e same; and !ailure o !ollow 4asic legal commands em4odied in %e law and %e rules cons i u es gross ignorance o! %e law; !rom w%ic% no one is eCcused; and surely no a @udge li-e Belen. =ARIANO @+ >UDGE NACIONAL Fac s: 3%is is an adminis ra ive com:lain !or gross ine!!iciency; gross ignorance o! %e law; derelic ion o! du y and viola ion o! @udicial conduc s emming !rom an ac ion !or e@ec men . 0n %e e@ec men :roceeding; 9udge 1acional issued a :re8 rial order da ed )e:. 3; 2224 re"uiring %e :ar ies o !ile %eir res:ec ive :osi ion :a:ers on )e:. 32; 2224 IwGc %e :ar ies com:lied wi %J. 1acional su4se"uen ly issued an order da ed *ec. 2,; 2224 re"uiring :ar ies o su4mi %eir res:ec ive Ememoranda in %e !orm o! a cour decisionF w%ic% %e :ar ies com:lied wi %. 3%e case was even ually decided 4y 1acional on Fe4. 14; 2225. Com:lain alleges %a %e issuance o! %e *ec. 2,; 2224 order viola ed %e :ro%i4i ion on memoranda 4y %e Revised Rules on )ummary 6rocedure and %a 1acional viola ed %e Rules w%en %e decided %e case only on Fe4. 14; 2225 I13& days !rom %e da e re"uired 4y lawJ. 9udge 1acional admi s %a %e eCceeded %e maCimum :eriod allowed under %e Revised Rules and o!!ered %e !ollowing eCcuses: I1J "uali y o! decision %ad :riori y over com:liance wG reglemen ary :dK I2J %eavy caseloadK and I3J documen s were voluminous. 0ssue: AG1 1acional viola ed 4asic :rocedure and code o! @udicial conduc H ?eld: /es; %e is !ined 642$ !or gross ignorance o! %e law and :rocedure; 622$ !or viola ion o! Canons 3 D & ICode o! 9udicial Conduc J and 612$ !or viola ions o! C6R 3%e urgency o! res oring social order is %e :aramoun considera ion in se ling unlaw!ul de ainer and !orci4le en ry cases. 3%e necessi y o! :rom: ly resolving unlaw!ul de ainer and !orci4le en ry cases is made more im:era ive 4y eC:ress :rovisions o! %e :eriods o! rendi ion o! @udgmen I32 days a! er recei: o! %e a!!idavi s and :osi ion :eriod; or eC:ira ion o! %e :eriod !or %e !iling %e same U R5CGRules o! )ummary 6rocedureJ. Corollarily; )ec 5 o! Canon & o! Code o! 9udicial Conduc manda es @udges o :er!orm all @udicial du ies e!!icien ly; !airly and wi % reasona4le :rom: ness. 3%e @us i!ica ions advanced 4y 1acional canno 4e acce: ed 4ecause doing so will undermine %e wisdom 4e%ind :rocedural rules D diminis% res:ec !or %e law. 3%e @udge I4y %imsel!J canno c%oose o :rolong %e :eriod !or Fac s: Com:lainan A y. Caneda is counsel !or de!endan >irginia #u+man; in Civil Case $oberto Borromeo ". >eirs of Juan Borromeo; !or @udicial :ar i ion :ending wi % 9udge 'ec%anve+<s sala. *uring %e *ec. 14; 2225 %earing o! said :ar i ion case; %e mo ion o segrega e %e in%eri ance s%ares o! one o! %e :lain i!!s; Ro4er o Borromeo was due o 4e a-en u:. *uring %e %earing; %e de!endan s agreed o a :ar i ion su4@ec o :lain i!!<s wi %drawal o! a mo ion !or reconsidera ion i !iled 4e!ore %e )C o clear one o! %e areas Isu4@ec o :ar i ionJ o! s"ua ers. Because %e :lain i!! could no wi %draw %e 'R 4e!ore %e )C; A y. Caneda sugges ed media ion. 9udge 'enc%ave+ 4lur ed ou Enever mind media ion; walay %inundan na.F A%en 9udge 'enc%ave+ c%ec-ed on %e :rogress o! %e case; A y. Caneda remar-ed i was 4eing delayed 4ecause no :ro:er summons %ad 4een served on %e de!endan s w%o were residing ou side %e coun ry. 'enc%ave+ reac ed angrily and 4anged %is gavel D s%ou ed E0 said no :u4lica ion :eriod.F A! erwards; 'enc%ave+ slammed %e a4le wi % %is %and and wen inside %is c%am4ers. A! erwards; 9udge 'enc%ave+ came 4ac- wi % a %ols ered %andgun and smas%ed i on %e a4le; as %e angrily s%ou ed a A y. Caneda E7nsay gus o nimoH /awaN #a%ig uloNF A y. Caneda !iled a com:lain agains 9udge 'enc%ave+ alleging %a %e 9udge<s ac o! c%allenging %im inside %e cour room in %e :resence o! many :eo:le was im:ro:er 0ssue: AG1 9udge 'enc%ave+ s%ould 4e %eld lia4le ?eld: /es; 9udge 'enc%ave+ overs e::ed %e norms o! :ro:rie y demanded o! a mem4er o! %e 4enc% 4y losing %is cool and u ering in em:era e language during %e %earing. 0n %e cour room; a lawyer ma-es su4missions 4e!ore a @udge w%ose role is o %ear and consider %e su4missions; and su4se"uen ly rule on %e ma er. 0 is no a si ua ion w%ere wo e"uals; suc% as %e o::osing counsels; argue agains eac% o %er. 'enc%ave+ s%ould %ave coolly ruled and allowed counsel o res:ond o %is ruling ins ead o! :roceeding in a manner %a invi ed !ur %er argumen s. A y. Caneda also deciding cases 4eyond %a au %ori+ed 4y law. 0! a @udge needs more ime o decide a case; %e s%ould !ormally re"ues %e )C !or an eC ension o! %e deadline. Failure o a::ly elemen ary rules o! :rocedure cons i u es gross ignorance o! %e law and :rocedure. Lac- o! malice or good !ai % will no eConera e 1acional 4ecause %e rules viola ed were 4asic :rocedural law. All %e %ad o do was a::ly %em; 4u %e c%ose no o. 0 is se led %a one w%o acce: s %e :osi ion o! @udge owes %e :u4lic and %e cour %e a4ili y o 4e :ro!icien in %e law and %e du y o main ain %e :ro!essional com:e ence a all imes. Com:e ence and diligence are :rere"uisi es o %e due :er!ormance o! @udicial o!!ice. I1o e: leng % o! service does no mi iga e adminis ra ive :enal yJ CANEDA @+ =ENCHA@EA
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erred w%en %e con inued o argue des:i e 9udge 'enc%ave+<s ruling. ?owever; 'enc%ave+ s%ould %ave direc ed %e com:lainan o wind u: %is argumen s under :ain o! direc con em: i! %e :ersis ed in %is argumen s. *irec con em: is no en!orced 4y %e @udge<s ac o! 4ringing ou o! %is wea:on and as-ing counsel %e direc "ues ion Ew%a do you wan HF 3%is con!ron a ional manner %as no :lace in our :resen @us ice sys em. 3%ere are agen s o! %e law; o!!icers o! %e cour D %e :olice w%o can 4e called u:on o im:lemen con em: orders D res ore order as needed. 9udge 'enc%ave+<s overreac ing 4y 4ringing ou a gun !or everyone :resen in %e cour o see; even !or :ur:oses o! main aining order and decorum in cour ; is ineCcusa4le in %e a4sence o! over ac s o! :%ysical aggression 4y a :ar y 4e!ore %e cour . A%ile %e 1ew Code o! 9udicial Conduc re"uires a magis ra e o main ain order and decorum in %e cour ; %e Code i sel! se s i s limi s Ias :rovided !or 4y )ec. & o! Canon &J w%erein %e @udge h$(sel' mus o4serve decorum 4y ac ing wi % digni y and cour esy o all %ose :resen in %e cour room. 9udges are demanded o 4e always em:era e; :a ien ; and cour eous 4o % in conduc and in language. SUAREA @+ DILAG Fac s: )uare+ !iled adminis ra ive com:lain s o! IaJ gra! and corru: ion agains 9udge *ilag and Cour ) enogra:%er 6ascua and I4J grave misconduc and ignorance o! %e law agains 9udge *ilag allegedly !or collec ing 632$ !rom li igan s in considera ion o! !avora4le @udgmen s in cases !or annulmen or declara ion o! nulli y o! marriage. )uare+ !ur %er :oin ed ou %e eCis ence o! con!lic ing decisions rendered 4y 9udge *ilar I6anc%o Case; 3om4oc Case; del Rosario Case w%ic% were all :reviously dismissed 4u su4se"uen ly reo:ened %e case and gran ed %e :e i ionJ. A! er re!erral o an inves iga ion o!!icer; %e 0nves iga ing 9us ice !ound 9udge *ilag lia4le !or I1J gross misconduc !or singing con!lic ing decisionsK I2J gross ignorance o! %e law and :rocedure in %andling 'oreno and 6ere+ casesK and I3J gross negligence and ine!!iciency !or !ailing o adminis er su:ervision over %is s a!! w%en a !a-e regis ry re urn recei: was e!!ec ed in Caya4ya4 Case and en ries o! @udgmen were e!!ec ed in 'oreno Case D *inoso v. Cor:u+. 6ascua was !ound guil y o! gra! and corru: ion. 0ssue: AG1 9udge *ilag s%ould 4e %eld lia4leH ?eld: /es; 9udge *ilag is dismissed !rom service; wi % !or!ei ure o! all re iremen 4ene!i s; eCcluding accrued leave 4ene!i s and dis"uali!ica ion !rom reins a emen or a::oin men o any :u4lic o!!ice. A @udge is %e em4odimen o! com:e ence; in egri y; and inde:endence o u:%old and main ain :u4lic con!idence in %e legal sys em. 3%us; w%ile %e is eC:ec ed o -ee: a4reas o! develo:men s in law and @uris:rudence; %e is :resumed o %ave more %an a cursory -nowledge o! %e rules o! :rocedure IBg. a-ing cogni+ance o! a second :e i ion !or declara ion o! nulli y on %e ground o! :syc%ological inca:aci y w%en *ilag %ad already dismissed wi % :re@udice %e !irs :e i ion involving %e same :ar ies; issues; and causes o! ac ion wi % %a o! %e !irs :e i ionJ. 1o every error is indica ive o! ignorance; !or i! commi ed in good !ai %; no adminis ra ive sanc ion is im:osed. #ood !ai %; %owever; in%eres only wi %in %e :arame ers o! olera4le @udgmen . 0 does no a::ly w%ere %e issues are so sim:le and %e a::lica4le legal :rocedures eviden and 4asic as o 4e 4eyond :ossi4le margins o! error. 0n %e case a 4enc%; *ilag !ailed o !ollow 4asic legal :rocedures w%ic% are no eCcusa4le 4u renders %im adminis ra ively lia4le !or gross ignorance o! %e law and :rocedure I*uring "ues ioning; *ilag said %a re8!iling is allowed in a dismissal wi % or wi %ou :re@udice. Also; %e deiced a case even 4e!ore %e su4mission o! %e Ci y 6rosecu or rela ive o %e inves iga ion o de ermine collusion 4e ween %e :ar ies as re"uired under )ec. . o! %e Rule on *eclara ion o! A4solu e 1ulli y o! >oid 'arriages and Annulmen o! >oida4le 'arriagesJ *ilag was c%arged wi % gross ignorance o! %e law. ?owever; o warran a !inding o! gross ignorance o! %e law; %e error mus 4e so gross and :a en as o :roduce an in!erence o! 4ad !ai %. 3%e ac s com:lained o! mus no only 4e con rary o eCis ing law and @uris:rudence; 4u were also mo iva ed 4y 4ad !ai %; !raud; dis%ones y; and corru: ion. For o %old a @udge adminis ra ively accoun a4le !or ever erroneous order or decision %e renders would 4e in olera4le. 0n %e case a 4ar; %ere was no allega ion w%a soever %a *ilag was mo iva ed 4y 4ad !ai %; malice or corru: ion w%en %e issued %e :rema ure warran o! arres . Be %a as i may; %e Cour %olds %im adminis ra ively lia4le !or %is u#'a($l$ar$"y wi % %e rules on %e conduc o! :relim inves iga ions. 9udges s%ould 4e conversan wi % 4asic legal norms and :rece: s as well as wi % %e s a u es and :rocedural rules. 3%ey are eC:ec ed o !ollow develo:men s in %e law and o a::ly %em. ?aving acce: ed %e eCal ed :osi ion o! a @udge; w%ere4y %e @udges %is !ellowmen; %e @udge owes i o %e :u4lic w%o de:end on %im; and o %e digni y o! %e cour %e si s in; o 4e :ro!icien in %e law. 3%us; %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc re"uires a @udge o 4e !ai %!ul o %e law and 4e %e em4odimen o! :ro!essional com:e ence.
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LEGAL ETHICS CASE DIGESTS

CANON 19 - A lawyer wes )a#! r% 'a$r#ess a#! *

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