EN BANC

CF Sharp Crew Management Inc. v Nicolas C. Torres

A.C. No. 10438, Sept 23, 2014
Complainant Corporation hired Atty. Nicolas Torres, a medical doctor
and a lawyer by profession, as its Legal and Claims Manager to serve
as its legal counsel and to oversee the administration and
management of legal cases and medical- related claims instituted by
seafarers against complainants various principals.
In several cases, complainant issued several checks in different
amounts as settlement of claims of seafarers upon the request of
Torres. However, it was later discovered that Torres never gave the
checks to the seafarers and instead had them deposited at
International Exchange Bank, Banawe, Quezon City Branch, under
Account No. 003-10-06902-1.
Complainant filed the present complaint directly to the IBP. The IBP
issued an order requiring Atty. Torres to answer, but he failed to do so.
He also failed to appear in a mandatory conference.
The essential issue in this case is whether or not respondent
should be held administratively liable for violating the CPR.
The IBP Investigating Commissioner found respondent administratively
liable for violating the CPR. The IBP Board of Governors unanimously
adopted the report of the Investigating Commissioner.
After a judicious perusal of the records, the Supreme Court concurs
with the findings of the IBP in its report and recommendation.
It is fundamental that the relationship between a lawyer and his client
is highly fiduciary and ascribes to a lawyer a great degree of fidelity
and good faith. The highly fiduciary nature of this relationship imposes
upon the lawyer the duty to account for the money or property
collected or received for or from his client. This is the standard laid
down by Rules 16.01 and 16.03, Canon 16 of the CPR.
According to the SC, the IBP Investigating Commissioner correctly
found that complainant had duly proven its charges against
respondent. In particular, complainant had exposed respondents
modus operandi of repeatedly requesting the issuance of checks
purportedly for the purpose of settling seafarers claims against the
complainants various principals, only to have such checks deposited
to an unauthorized bank account, particularly International Exchange
Bank, Banawe, Quezon City Branch, under Account No. 003-10-06902-

1. It is well-settled that when a lawyer receives money from the client

for a particular purpose, the lawyer is bound to render an accounting to
the client showing that the money was spent for a particular purpose.
And if he does not use the money for the intended purpose, the lawyer
must immediately return the money to his client. This, respondent
failed to do.
Clearly, respondents acts of misappropriation constitute dishonesty,
abuse of trust and confidence reposed in him by the complainant, and
betrayal of his clients interests which he is duty-bound to protect.
They are contrary to the mandate of Rule 1.01, Canon 1 of the CPR.
What is the proper penalty for Atty. Torres acts?
The Investigating Commissioner recommended suspension from the
practice of law for one (1) year. The IBP Board of Governors
recommended suspension from practice of law for two (2) years.
The Supreme Court held that the proper penalty is disbarment.
Jurisprudence provides that in similar cases where lawyers
misappropriated their clients money, the Court imposed upon them
the ultimate penalty of disbarment from the practice of law. In Arellano
University, Inc. v. Mijares III, the Court disbarred the lawyer for
misappropriating his clients money intended for securing a certificate
of title on the latters behalf. Similarly, in Freeman v. Reyes, the same
penalty was imposed upon the lawyer who misappropriated the
insurance proceeds of her clients deceased husband.
Respondent's conduct of misappropriating complainant's money has
made him unfit to remain in the legal profession. He has definitely
fallen below the moral bar when he engaged in deceitful, dishonest,
unlawful, and grossly immoral acts.
WHEREFORE, respondent Nicolas C. Torres is found guilty of violating
Rule 1.01, Canon 1 and Rules 16.01 and 16.03, Canon 16 of the Code
of Professional Responsibility. Accordingly, he is hereby DISBARRED
from the practice of law and his name ordered STRICKEN OFF from
the roll of attorneys.