OCA vs.

Liangco
A.C. No. 5355, 12/13/2011

Facts: Complainant Hermogenes T. Gozun (hereinafter referred to as "Gozun") was in open and
adverse possession of subject land for a period of more than thirty years. His family’s house was
erected on the land. The house was made of old vintage lumber, cement, hollow blocks, G. I. sheet
roofing and other strong materials. Gozun inherited the house and lot from his parents.

The municipality of San Luis, Pampanga claimed to own the same lot. On January 12, 1996, the
Sangguniang Bayan of San Luis, Pampanga issued Resolution No. 26-96 later amended by Res. NO.
34-96 which essentially dispossessed Gozun and his family of their lot, making said lot the new site
of the Rural Health Center. On May 24, 1996, Vice-Mayor Romulo Batu filed a petition for
Declaratory Relief in the sala of Judge Daniel Liangco which the latter rendered in favor of the
Municipality of San Luis. Said ruling, together with the municipal resolutions mentioned became the
basis of an executive order issued by the Municipal Mayor of San Luis for the eviction and
destruction of the house of Gozun. Gozun was never served a copy of the summons or the petitions
for declaratory relief.

On December 18, 1996, Gozun filed an administrative case against Judge Liangco for "gross
misconduct, gross inefficiency and incompetence". After due investigation, OCA recommended
dismissal of respondent from the bench for biased and maleficent acts. On August 30, 2000 Liangco
was dismissed as a Judge. On 11/10/2000 a disbarment case was filed against Atty. Liangco was
later dismissed for gross misconduct and inexcusable ignorance of the law.

Issue: WON Atty. Liangco should be disbarred.

Ruling: YES.
For Gross misconduct in violation of Canon 1, Secs. 4 and 5 of the Code of Judicial Conduct
and Inexcusable Ignorance of the Law in violation of Canons 1 and 10, Rule 10.03 of the CPR.