12.

PNB V CEDO
By: Clyne RATIO
Topic: Dealing with clients with candor, fairness and loyalty The Supreme Court held that it was unprofessional of Atty. Cedo to take
Petitioners: PNB advantage of his knowledge of his old profession in his present cases
Respondents: Atty. Cedo against his former employer. It is unbecoming of a lawyer to participate in
Ponente: J. Bidin cases wherein he has adverse conflict of interest. Furthermore, it was also
thoroughly proven that he is a senior partner of law firm called: Cedo,
RECIT-READY/SUMMARY: Atty. Cedo participated in numerous judicial proceedings Ferrer, Maynigo & Assosciates. Hence, because of his numerous
for which was against the Canon 6.03 wherein it stated that “ a lawyer shall not,
unprofessional acts which is unbecoming of a lawyer, he is now hereby
after leaving government service, accept engagement or employment in connection
with any matter in which he had intervened while in said service”. The Supreme
sentenced to a suspension of 3 years from the legal profession.
Court and the IBP found substantial evidence supporting that Atty. Cedo did in fact
violated such provision since there was a conflict of interest between Atty. Cedo’s
present cases and his previous profession.

DOCTRINE: “A lawyer shall not, after leaving government service, accept

engagement or employment in connection with any matter in which he had
intervened while in said service”

FACTS
- Atty. Cedo was a former Assistant Vice President of the Asset
Management Group of PNB
- He is now the lead counsel of Milagros Ong who has a case against PNB
- This prompted PNB to file a complaint against Atty. Cedo before the IBP
on the basis that he violated Canon 6.03 of the Code of Professional
Responsibility
- It was further alleged by PNB that while Atty. Cedo was still employed at
PNB, he participated in a sale of steel sheets in favor of Mrs. Ong-Siy for
P200,000.00
- He also appeared as counsel for Mr. Elefan in an administrative case
against PNB but was disqualied by the Civil Service Commission
- Atty. Cedo also became the counsel of the Almeda Spouses in their case
against PNB
- IBP sentenced to Atty. Cedo to a suspension of 3 years

ISSUE
Whether or not Atty. Cedo violated Canon 6 of the Code of Professional
Responsibility?

HELD
Yes, judgement of IBP is affirmed