Judicial Ethics

LEGAL ETHICS CASE DIGESTS
CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

INTRODUCTION
1. Banogan v. Zerna
2. Ledesma v. Climaco
3. Cui v. Cui
4. Alawi v. Alauya
CANON 1 - A lawyer shall uphl! "he C#s"$"u"$#% &ey "he laws ' "he la#!
a#! pr("e respe)" 'r law a#! le*al pr)ess+
5. Re: Financial Audi o! Ay. Ra"uel #. $%o
&. C%ua v. 'esina
(. )oriano v. *i+on
,. )emmeri- v. 'as
.. *e /sasi 000 v. 1LRC
12. Cordon v. Balicana
CANON , - A lawyer shall (a.e h$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. 0n re 3agorda
12. Ay. 0smael $%an v. Ay Ri+alino )im4illo
13. Canoy v. 5ri+
14. Linsangan v. 3olenino
CANON 2 - A lawyer shall par"$)$pa"e $# !e/elp(e#" ' "he le*al sys"e( &y
$#$"$a"$#* r suppr"$#* e''r"s $# law re'r( a#! $# "he $(pr/e(e#" ' "he
a!($#$s"ra"$# ' 1us"$)e+
CANON 3 - A lawyer shall .eep a&reas" ' le*al !e/elp(e#"s% par"$)$pa"e $#
)#"$#u$#* le*al e!u)a"$# pr*ra(s% suppr" e''r"s " a)h$e/e h$*hes"
s"a#!ar!s $# law s)hls 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. )uare+ v. 6laon
1&. Ramos v. 0m4ang
1(. Cau v. Rellosa
1,. 6C## v. )andigan4ayan
CANON 5 - A lawyer shall a" all "$(es uphl! "he $#"e*r$"y a#! !$*#$"y ' "he
le*al pr'ess$# a#! suppr" " he a)"$/$"$es ' "he $#"e*ra"e! &ar+
1.. 0n re #alang
22. 0n re Ar%ur '. Cuevas
21. )amaniego v. Ferrer
22. Arno4i v. Arno4i
23. ). Louis 7niversiy ec v. *ela Cru+
24. Advincula v. 'aca4aa
CANON 6 - A lawyer shall )#!u)" h$(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"
pps$#* )u#sel+
25. Reyes v. C%iong
2&. *allong8#aliciano v. Casro
2(. Alcanara v. 6e!ianco
2,. Camac%o v. 6agulayan
2.. 3orres v. 9avier
32. Linsangan v. 3olenino
CANON 7 - A lawyer shall #"% !$re)"ly r $#!$re)"ly% ass$s" $# "he u#au"hr$8e!
pra)"$)e ' law+
31. 7le: v. Legal Clinic; 0nc.
32. Cayeano v. 'onsod
33. Cam4ali+a v. Criso4al83enorio
34. Amalgamaed La4orers< Associaion v. C0R
35. Aguirre v. Rama
3&. 9udge La"uindanum v. =uinana
CANON 19 - A lawyer wes )a#!r% 'a$r#ess a#! *! 'a$"h " "he )ur"+
CANON 11 - A lawyer shall &ser/e a#! (a$#"a$# "he respe)" !ue " "he )ur"s
a#! 1u!$)$al ''$)ers a#! shul! $#s$s" # s$($lar )#!u)" &y "hers+
3(. Fernande+ v. *e Ramos8>illalon
3,. Rivera v. Corral
3.. 9o%nny 1g v. Alar
42. Fudo v. Caleya Land
41. 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"$)e+
42. Ber4ano v. Barcelona
1 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
43. )e4asian v. Ba@ar
44. ?egna v. 6aderanga
45. 6lus Builders v. Revilla
4&. Fil8#arcia; 0nc. v. ?ernande+
CANON 10 - A lawyer shall rely up# "he (er$"s ' h$s )ause a#! re'ra$# 'r(
a#y $(prpr$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+
4(. Foods:%ere v. 'auricio
4,. )us:ension o! Ay. Bagu4ayao
CANON 13 - A lawyer shall &ser/e )a#!r% 'a$r#ess a#! lyal"y $# all h$s
!eal$#*s a#! "ra#sa)"$#s w$"h h$s )l$e#"s+
4.. ?ilado v. *avid
52. 1a-:il v. >aldes
51. ?ornilla v. )aluna
52. 1or%wesern 7niversiy v. Ar"uillo
53. =uiam4ao v. Bam4a
54. ?eirs o! Falame v. Baguio
55. 6acana v. 6ascual8Lo:e+
CANON 14 - A lawyer shall hl! $# "rus" all (#eys a#! prper"$es ' h$s )l$e#"
"ha" (ay )(e $#" h$s pssess$#+
5&. Licuanan v. 'elo
5(. 6osidio v. >ian
5,. Lemoine v. Balon
5.. Re: Ay. 'a"uera
&2. Reddi v. )ers4io
&1. *e C%ave+8Blanco v. Lumasag
&2. Ailson C%arm v. 6aa8'oya
&3. 9erry 3. Aong v. Ay. )alvador 1. 'oya 00
CANON 15 - A lawyer wes '$!el$"y " "he )ause ' h$s )l$e#" a#! he shall &e
($#!'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$*e#)e+
&4. ?ernande+ v. #o
&5. 6A1BLC5 v. 'onemayor
&&. ):s. Adecer v. A-u
&(. Belle+a v. 'acasa
&,. 5vergaard v. >alde+
&.. Angalan v. *elane
(2. )anon83an v. Ro4ino
(1. )omoso v. Lara
CANON 17 - A lawyer shall represe#" h$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. 'analang v. Angeles
(5. #arcia v. CA
(&. )aniago v. *e los )anos
CANON ,9 - A lawyer shall )har*e #ly 'a$r a#! reas#a&le 'ees+
((. )es4reno v. CA
(,. Bauisa v. #on+ales
(.. #amilla v. 'arino
,2. 6ineda v. *e 9esus
,1. RoCas v. *e Zu+uarregui
,2. Law Firm o! 3ungol and 3i4ayan v. CA
CANON ,1 - A lawyer shall preser/e "he )#'$!e#)e a#! se)re"s ' h$s )l$e#"
e/e# a'"er "he a""r#ey-)l$e#" rela"$#sh$p $s "er($#a"e!+
,3. Regala v. )andigan4ayan
,4. 6!leider v. 6alanca
,5. 'ercado v. >iriolo
,&. #enao v. )ila:an
,(. ?ad@ula v. 'adianda
,,. Re4ecca 9. 6alm v. Ay. Feli:e 0ledan; 9r.
Ca## ,, - A lawyer (ay w$"h!raw h$s ser/$)es #ly 'r *! )ause a#! up#
#"$)e apprpr$a"e $# "he )$r)u(s"a#)es+
,.. Aac- Aac- #old and Counry Clu4 v. CA
.2. >enere+ v. Cosme
.1. )anero v. >ance
.2. Francisco v. 6orugal
.3. 'ero4an- v. CA
.4. *oronila83ioseco v. CA
.5. )es4reno v. CA
SUSPENSION AND DISBAR=ENT
, ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
.&. #ac%alian 6romoions v. 1aldo+a
.(. )anos v. Llamas
.,. Leer o! Ay. Cecilio Arevalo
... >da. de Barrera v. La:u
122.Barrienos v. *aarol
121.Ber4ano v. Belran
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&.)a4isana v. >illamor
12(.3an v. Rosee
12,.*imaulac 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$"y
115. *imo Realy D *evelo:men v. *imaculangan
11&. 6imenel v. )alanga
11(. 'onemayor v. Berme@o; 9r.
11,. 5-u4re v. >elasco
11.. )andoval v. CA
122.3%e Law Firm o! C%ave+ v. 9usice *icdican; ec.
CANON 2 - Prpr$e"y
121.9. $ing D )ons v. ?onanosas
122.Cenrum Agri Business Realy Cor: v. $aal4as8'oscardon
123.Ri+alina v. 9udge 6aulia B. Acosa8>illarane
124.Ay. Florencio Alay Binalay v. 9udge Blias Lelina; 9r.
125.Concerned lawyers o! Bulacan v. 6residing 9udge 6ornillos; R3C Br. 12
'alolos Ciy
12&.>enancio 0no; Anna 9ane *. Li%ayli%ay; ec. 9udge Ale@andro Canda
12(.0n Re: 7ndaed Leer o! Louis Biraogo
CANON 3 - E?ual$"y
CANON 4 - C(pe"e#)e a#! !$l$*e#)e
12,.Re:u4lic o! %e 6%ili::ines v. 9udge Ramon ). Caguioa; ec.
12..*ee C. C%uan D )ons; 0nc v. 9udge Ailliam )imon 6. 6erala
132.6rosecuor 9orge *. Baculi v. 9udge 'edel Arnaldo B. Belen
131.*anilo *avid ). 'ariano v. 9udge 9ose 6. 1acional
132.Ay. Anonio #. Caneda v. 9udge Bric F. 'enc%ave+
133.1ilda >erginesa8)uare+ v. 9udge Renao 9. *ilag
0 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
INTRODUCTION
BANOGAN @+ AERNA
Facs:
3%e original decision in %is case was rendered 4y %e cadasral cour way
4ac- on Fe4ruary .; 1.2&; sixty one years ago. A moion o amend %a decision was
!iled on 'arc% &; 1.5(; thirty one years later. 3%is was !ollowed 4y an amended
:eiion !or review o! %e @udgmen on 'arc% 1,; 1.5(; and an o::osiion %ereo on
'arc% 2&; 1.5(. 5n 5co4er 11; 1.(1; or after fourteen years, a moion o dismiss %e
:eiion was !iled. 3%e :eiion was dismissed on *ecem4er ,; 1.(1; and %e moion
!or reconsideraion was denied on Fe4ruary 14; 1.(2. 3%e :eiioners %en came o
us on ceriorari o "uesion %e orders o! %e res:onden @udge. 3%e res:onden cour
dismissed %e :eiion !or review o! %e decision rendered in 1.2& on %e ground %a i
%ad 4een !iled ou o! ime; indeed %iry one years oo lae. Lac%es; i was %eld; %ad
o:eraed agains %e :eiioners.
3%e :eiioners conend %a %e said @udgmen %ad no ye 4ecome !inal and
eCecuory 4ecause %e land in dis:ue %ad no ye 4een regisered in !avor o! %e
:rivae res:ondens. 3%e said @udgmen would 4ecome so only Ea!er one year !rom
%e issuance o! %e decree o! regisraion.F 0! anyone was guily o! lac%es; i was %e
:rivae res:ondens w%o %ad !ailed o en!orce %e @udgmen 4y %aving %e land
regisered in %eir %e :ursuan %ereo.
For %eir :ar; %e :rivae res:ondens argue %a %e decision o! Fe4ruary .;
1.2&; 4ecame !inal and eCecuory a!er 32 days; same no %aving 4een a::ealed 4y
%e :eiioners during %a :eriod. 3%ey sle: on %eir rig%s !or thirty one years 4e!ore
i occurred o %em o "uesion %e @udgmen o! %e cadasral cour.
0 is s%own %a i is agains %eir conenions and %a under %is docrine
%ey s%ould no %ave delayed in assering %eir claim o! !raud. 3%eir delay was no
only !or %iry one days 4u !or %iry one years. Lac%es 4ars %eir :eiion now. 3%eir
:osiion is clearly conrary o law and logic and o even ordinary common sense.
0ssue:
AG1 :eiioners are already 4arred 4y lac%es.
?eld:
/B). 3%is Cour %as re:eaedly reminded liigans and lawyers ali-e %a
liigaion mus end and erminae someime and somew%ere; and i is assen essenial
o an e!!ecive and e!!icien adminisraion o! @usice %a; once a @udgmen %as
4ecome !inal; %e winning :ary 4e no; %roug% a mere su4er!uge; de:rived o! %e
!ruis o! %e verdic. Cours mus %ere!ore guard agains any sc%eme calculaed o
4ring a4ou %a resul. Consiued as %ey are o :u an end o conroversies; cours
s%ould !rown u:on any aem: o :rolong %em. 3%ere s%ould 4e a greaer
awareness on %e :ar o! liigans %a %e ime o! %e @udiciary; muc% more so o! %is
Cour; is oo valua4le o 4e wased or !riered away 4y e!!ors; !ar !rom
commenda4le; o evade %e o:eraion o! a decision !inal and eCecuory; es:ecially so;
w%ere; as s%own in %is case; %e clear and mani!es a4sence o! any rig% calling !or
vindicaion; is "uie o4vious and indis:ua4le.
5ne reason w%y %ere is a degree o! :u4lic disrus !or lawyers is %e way
some o! %em misiner:re %e law o %e :oin o! disorion in a cunning e!!or o
ac%ieve %eir :ur:oses. By doing so; %ey !rusrae %e ends o! @usice 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 iner:reaion o! %e law is o 4e
condemned; as indeed mos o! %em are only %ones errors; %is Cour mus eC:ress
is disa::roval o! %e adroi and inenional misreading designed :recisely o
circumven or violae i. As o!!icers o! %e cour; lawyers %ave a res:onsi4iliy o assis
in %e :ro:er adminisraion o! @usice. 3%ey do no disc%arge %is duy 4y !iling
:oinless :eiions %a only add o %e wor-load o! %e @udiciary; es:ecially %is Cour;
w%ic% is 4urdened enoug% as i is. A @udicious sudy o! %e !acs and %e law s%ould
advise %em w%en a case; suc% as %is; s%ould no 4e :ermied o 4e !iled o merely
cluer %e already congesed @udicial doc-es. 3%ey do no advance %e cause o! law
or %eir cliens 4y commencing liigaions %a !or s%eer lac- o! meri do no deserve
%e aenion o! %e cours.
LEDES=A @+ CLI=ACO
Facs:
Ay. Ledesma was %e counsel de :are !or one o! %e cases :ending 4e!ore
%e sala o! 9udge Climaco. ?e !iled a moion o wi%draw !rom %e case 4u %e @udge
denied %e moion and insead a::oined %im counsel de o!icio !or wo more cases.
Ay. Ledesma !iled ano%er moion o wi%draw 4ecause %e was a::oined as elecion
regisrar; w%ic% was sill denied.
0ssue:
)%ould %is moion 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 4eween %is duies as elecion regisrar and counsel de o!icio. 3%e
a::oinmen o! a lawyer as counsel de o!icio is a :rivilege w%ic% veeran lawyers in
!ac; readily welcome as an o::oruniy o render %eir services !or !ree. 0n %e same
way; all lawyers s%ould rea i %a way as an o::oruniy o :rove o %e communiy
%a %e :ro:er :er!ormance o! %is :ro!ession is no coningen u:on %e :aymen o!
%is !ees.
CUI @+ CUI
Facs:
3%e ?os:icio de )an 9ose de Barili; is a c%aria4le insiuion esa4lis%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:aciaed and %el:less :ersons.F 0 ac"uired
cor:orae eCisence 4y legislaion IAc 1o. 323.J. )ec. 2 o! %e Ac gave %e iniial
2 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
managemen o %e !ounders @oinly and; in case o! %eir inca:aciy or dea%; o Esuc%
:ersons as %ey may nominae or designae; in %e order :rescri4ed o %em.
Iem4odied in )ec. 2 o! %e s:ouses deed o! donaionJF
6laini!! 9esus 'a. Cui and de!endan Anonio '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 adminisraor o! %e ?os:icio; resigned in
!avor o! Anonio Cui :ursuan o a EconvenioF enered ino 4eween %em %a was
em4odied on a noarial documen. 9esus Cui; %owever %ad no :rior noice o! ei%er
%e EconvenioF or o! %is 4ro%er<s assum:ion o! %e :osiion.
7:on %e dea% o! *r. 3eodoro Cui; 9esus Cui wroe a leer o %is 4ro%er
Anonio; 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 adminisraor !or %e ?os:icioH
HELD
Anonio s%ould 4e %e ?os:icio<s adminisraor.
9esus is %e older o! %e wo and under e"ual circumsances would 4e
:re!erred :ursuan o sec.2 o! %e deed o! donaion. ?owever; 4e!ore %e es o! age
may 4e; a::lied %e deed gives :re!erence o %e one; among %e legiimae
descendans o! %e ne:%ews named; w%o i! no a lawyer Iiulo de a4ogadoJ; s%ould
4e a docor 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 eCaminaions. Anonio 'a. Cui; on %e o%er %and; is a
mem4er o! %e Bar and al%oug% dis4arred in 1.5(; was reinsaed 4y resoluion;
a4ou wo wee-s 4e!ore %e assumed %e :osiion o! adminisraor o! %e ?os:icio.
3%e erm Eiulo 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 %ereo;
"uali!ying one !or %e :racice o! law. A Bac%elor<s degree alone; con!erred 4y a law
sc%ool u:on com:leion o! cerain academic re"uiremens; does no enile is %older
o eCercise %e legal :ro!ession. By isel!; %e degree merely serves as evidence o!
com:liance wi% %e re"uiremens %a an a::lican o %e eCaminaions %as
Esuccess!ully com:leed all %e :rescri4ed courses; in a law sc%ool or universiy;
o!!icially a::roved 4y %e )ecreary o! Bducaion.
3%e !ounders o! %e ?os:icio :rovided !or a lwayer; !irs o! all; 4ecause in all
o! %e wor-s o! an adminisraor; i is :resumed; a wor-ing -nowledge o! %e law and a
license o :racice %e :ro!ession would 4e a disinc asse.
7nder %is crierion; %e :laini!! 9esus is no eniled as agains de!endan; o
%e o!!ice o! adminisraor. Re!erence is made o %e !ac %a %e de!endan Anonio
was dis4arred I!or immoraliy and un:ro!essional conducJ. ?owever; i is also a !ac;
%a %e was reinsaed 4e!ore %e assumed %e o!!ice o! adminisraor. ?is
reinsaemen is recogniion o! %is moral re%a4iliaion; 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
resored o %e roll o! lawyers %e resricions and disa4iliies resuling !rom %is
:revious dis4armen were wi:ed ou.
ALA<I @+ ALAUYA
Facs:
)o:%ia Alawi was a sales re:resenaive o! B.B. >illarosa D 6arners Co.;
Ld. o! *avao Ciy; a real esae and %ousing com:any. As%ari '. Alauya is %e
incum4en eCecuive cler- o! cour o! %e 4% 9udicial )%ariLa *isric in 'arawi Ciy;
3%ey were classmaes; and used o 4e !riends.
3%roug% AlawiLs agency; a conrac was eCecued !or %e :urc%ase on
insallmens 4y Alauya o! one o! %e %ousing unis o! >illarosa. 0n connecion; a
%ousing loan was also graned o Alauya 4y %e 1aional ?ome 'orgage Finance
Cor:oraion I1?'FCJ.
1o long a!erwards; Alauya addressed a leer o %e 6residen o! >illarosa D
Co. advising o! %e erminaion o! %is conrac wi% %e com:any. ?e claimed %a %is
consen was viiaed 4ecause Alawi %ad resored o gross misre:resenaion; decei;
!raud; dis%onesy and a4use o! con!idence. ?e laso wroe similar leers o %e >ice
6residen o! >illarosa and %e >ice 6residen o! 1?'FC.
5n learning o! AlauyaLs leers; Alawi !iled an adminisraive com:lain
agains %im. 5ne o! %er grounds was Alauya<s usur:aion o! %e ile o! Maorney;M
w%ic% only regular mem4ers o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar may :ro:erly use.
Alauya @usi!ied %is use o! %e ile; Maorney;M 4y %e asserion %a i is
MleCically synonymousM wi% MCounsellors8a8law.M a ile o w%ic% )%ariLa lawyers %ave
a rig%!ul claim; adding %a %e :re!ers %e ile o! MaorneyM 4ecause McounsellorM is
o!en misa-en !or Mcouncilor;M MkonsehalM or %e 'aranao erm Mconsial;M connoing a
local legislaor 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 ile o!
Aorney
?eld:
?e can<. 3%e ile is only reserved o %ose w%o :ass %e regular 6%ili::ine
4ar.
As regards AlauyaLs use o! %e ile o! MAorney;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 :racice law 4e!ore )%ariLa cours.
A%ile one w%o %as 4een admied o %e )%ariLa Bar; and one w%o %as 4een admied
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:aciy; only %e laer is an Maorney.M 3%e
ile o! MaorneyM is reserved o %ose w%o; %aving o4ained %e necessary degree in
%e sudy o! law and success!ully a-en %e Bar BCaminaions; %ave 4een admied o
%e 0negraed Bar o! %e 6%ili::ines and remain mem4ers %ereo! in good sandingK
and i is %ey only w%o are au%ori+ed o :racice law in %is @urisdicion.
CANON 1
REB FINANCIAL AUDIT OF ATTY+ RACUEL G+ DHO
3 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
FAC3):
3%e 5!!ice o! %e Cour Adminisraor I5CAJ insiued an adminisraive case
agains Ay $%o; a !ormer cler- o! cour o! an R3C; a!er an audi 4y %e !ormer !ound
%a %e laer !ailed o remi 6&2$ Icon!iscaed cas% 4ondsJ and 65$I):ecial
Allowance !or %e 9udiciary FundJ. Ay $%o saed %a %ese amouns were sored in
%e cour<s sa!ey vauls; as %is usual :racice. 3%e audi eam advised %im %a %e
s%ould de:osi suc% amouns o %e 9udicial *evelo:men Fund accoun and Ay $%o
com:lied wi% %e direcives.
)u4se"uenly; %e 0CA received a com:lain %a Ay $%o; along wi% %is
common8law wi!e; a senogra:%er; was engaged wi% lending ou o cour em:loyees
money in %is :ossession as cler- o! cour; :ersonally deriving :ro!i !rom %e ineres
earned. 3%e 5CA !ound Ay $%o lia4le o! violaing an 5CA Circular 4ecause %e -e:
%e !unds in a sa!ey vaul !or more %an a year. 3%e 5CA %en recommended %a is
re:or 4e doc-eed as an A.C. and $%o 4e im:osed a 612$ !ine.
0))7BG):
AG1 Ay. $%o is lia4le.
?BL*:
/B). 5CA recommendaions >AL0*.
RA305:
*is%onesy Conduc
$%o !ailed o ma-e a imely urn8over o! cas% de:osied wi% %im. 3%e !ailure
o remi %e !unds in due ime consiues gross dis%onesy and gross misconduc. 0
diminis%es %e !ai% o! %e :eo:le in %e 9udiciary. *is%onesy; 4eing in %e naure o! a
grave o!!ense; carries %e eCreme :enaly o! dismissal !rom %e service even i!
commied !or %e !irs ime. ?is mal!easance prima facie conravenes Canon 1; Rule
1.21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy.
And al%oug% $%o %ad resiued all %is cas% accouna4iliies; %e was
never%eless lia4le !or !ailing o immediaely de:osi %e collecions !or %e @udiciary
!unds.
7nlaw!ul conduc
Lawyers s%ould always -ee: in mind %a; al%oug% u:%olding %e
Consiuion and o4eying %e law is an o4ligaion im:osed on every cii+en; a lawyer<s
res:onsi4iliies under Canon 1 mean more %an @us saying 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 inen on %e :ar o! %e lawyer is no
essenial in order o 4ring %is ac or omission wi%in %e erms o! Rule 1.21 w%ic%
s:eci!ically :ro%i4is lawyers !rom engaging in unlaw!ul conduc.
CHUA @+ =ESINA
Facs:
'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:eryJ owned 4y 'esina<s !amily; and ano%er :ro:ery I'elencio
6ro:eryJ; also owned 4y 'esina<s !amily w%ere %e C%ua s:ouses consruced %eir
%ouse. 3%ese wo :ro:eries were morgaged 4y %e regisered owner; 'esina<s
mo%er; 'rs. 'esina; in !avor o! %e 6laners *evelo:men Ban- o secure a loan s%e
o4ained. As 'rs. 'esina !ailed o mee %er o4ligaion o %e 4an-; Ay. 'esina
convinced %e C%ua s:ouses o %el: 'rs. 'esina o sele %er o4ligaion in
consideraion !or w%ic% %e 'elencio :ro:ery would 4e sold o %em a 6,52.22Gs".
m.
3%e s:ouses C%ua and %eir 4usiness :arner; 'arcelina ?sia; seled 'rs.
'esina<s 4an- o4ligaion in %e amoun o! 6.,3;125.42. A *eed o! A4solue )ale
daed 9anuary 1.; 1.,5 conveying %e 'elencio :ro:ery !or 6,5;422.22 was
%erea!er eCecued 4y 'rs. 'esina; w%ose name a::ears %erein as EFelicisima '.
'elencio;F in !avor o! com:lainans. As com:lainans were laer a::rised o! %e
amoun o! ca:ial gains aC %ey were o :ay; %ey consuled res:onden a4ou i.
Res:onden %us suggesed o %em %a ano%er *eed o! A4solue )ale s%ould 4e
eCecued; anedaed o 1.(. 4e!ore %e e!!eciviy o! %e law mandaing %e :aymen
o! ca:ial gains aC. As suggesed 4y res:onden; ano%er *eed o! A4solue )ale
anedaed Fe4ruary .; 1.(. was eCecued 4y 'rs. 'esina; w%ose name again
a::ears %erein as EFelicisima '. 'elencio;F in !avor o! com:lainans w%erein %e
:urc%ase :rice was also indicaed o 4e 6,5;422.22.
A!er li"uidaing %e advances made 4y %e C%ua s:ouses Ein %e redem:ion
o! %e 'B)01A :ro:eries;F 'rs. 'esina was !ound o %ave Ean eCising 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% o4ligaionF o 4e
%is and underoo- o sele i wi%in wo years.
Com:lainans were su4se"uenly issued on a ile over %e 'elencio
:ro:ery.
1o long a!er %e eCecuion o! %e *eed o! A4solue )ale or in Fe4ruary
1.,&; one 3ecson !iled an A!!idavi daed c%arging 'rs. 'esina; %e s:ouses C%ua;
'arcelina ?sia and %e wo winesses o %e said *eed o! A4solue )ale; !or
Falsi!icaion o! 6u4lic *ocumen and violaion o! %e 0nernal Revenue Code. 0n %is
com:lain a!!idavi; 3ecson alleged %a %e was also a lessee o! %e 'elencio :ro:ery
and was; along wi% %e C%ua s:ouses; su::osed o :urc%ase i 4u %a conrary o
%eir agreemen; %e :ro:ery was sold only o com:lainan and %er co8com:lainan;
o %is eCclusion. 3ecson wen on o relae %a %e *eed o! A4solue )ale did no
re!lec %e rue value o! %e 'elencio :ro:ery and was anedaed Eo evade :aymen
o! ca:ial gains aC.F 3ecson su4mied documens s%owing %a indeed %e 9uly .;
1.(. *eed o! A4solue )ale was anedaed.
Res:onden %ereu:on %ac%ed a :lan o dodge %e !alsi!icaion c%arge
agains 'rs. 'esina e al. ?e :ro:osed o com:lainans %a %ey would simulae a
deed o! sale o! %e 'elencio :ro:ery w%erein com:lainans would resell i o 'rs.
'esina.
?eeding %e :ro:osal o! res:onden; com:lainans eCecued a *eed o!
A4solue )ale daed A:ril 1; 1.,& conveying o EFelicisima '. 'elencioF %e 'elencio
:ro:ery !or 6,5;422.22.A new ile was accordingly issued in %e name o! EFelicisima
4 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
'. 'elencio;F %e owner<s co:y o! w%ic% was enrused o com:lainans. 3ecson
su4se"uenly !iled an A!!idavi o! *esisance daed )e:em4er 5; 1.,& alleging %a
%is !iling o! %e criminal com:lain Earose ou o! mere misundersanding and
di!!erenceF wi% %erein com:lainans and %eir co8res:ondens and %e %ad no
su!!icien evidence agains %em.
)ome years laer; '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 ile wi% %e undera-ing %a %e
would; in !our mon%s; le 'rs. 'esina eCecue a deed o! sale over %e 'elencio
:ro:ery in com:lainans< !avor. 0n !ac; res:onden gave com:lainans a wrien
undera-ing daed 'ay 2; 1..2.
0n %e meanime; 'rs. 'esina died Ein %e early :ar o! 1..1.F *es:ie
res:onden<s re:eaed :romises Eo e!!ecF %e rans!er o! ile in com:lainans< name;
%e !ailed o do so. Com:lainans were laer in!ormed %a %e 'elencio :ro:ery 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 *eclaraion o! 1ulliy o! )ale and
Reconveyance o! Real 6ro:ery.
ISSUE
A%e%er or no 'esina is guily o! #ross 'isconducH
HELD
3%is Cour !inds %a indeed; res:onden is guily o! gross misconduc.
Firs; 4y advising com:lainans o eCecue ano%er *eed o! A4solue )ale
anedaed o 1.(. o evade :aymen o! ca:ial gains aCes; %e violaed %is duy o
:romoe res:ec !or law and legal :rocesses; and no o a4e aciviies aimed a
de!iance o! %e lawK 3%a res:onden inended o; as %e did de!raud no a :rivae :ary
4u %e governmen is aggravaing.
)econd; w%en res:onden convinced com:lainans o eCecue ano%er
documen; a simulaed *eed o! A4solue )ale w%erein %ey made i a::ear %a
com:lainans reconveyed %e 'elencio :ro:ery o %is mo%er; %e commied
dis%onesy.
3%ird; w%en on 'ay 2; 1..2 res:onden inveigled %is own cliens; %e C%ua
s:ouses; ino urning over o %im %e owner<s co:y o! %is mo%er<s ile u:on %e
misre:resenaion %a %e would; in !our mon%s; %ave a deed o! sale eCecued 4y %is
mo%er in !avor o! com:lainans; %e li-ewise commied dis%onesy.
As a rule; a lawyer is no 4arred !rom dealing wi% %is clien 4u %e 4usiness
ransacion mus 4e c%araceri+ed wi% umos %onesy and good !ai%. 3%e measure
o! good !ai% w%ic% an aorney is re"uired o eCercise in %is dealings wi% %is clien is
a muc% %ig%er sandard %a is re"uired in 4usiness dealings w%ere %e :aries rade
a Earms leng%.F
0n !ine; res:onden violaed %is oa% o! o!!ice and; more s:eci!ically; Canon 1;
Rules. 1.21 and Rules 1.22.
SORIANO @+ DIAON
Facs:
A aCi driver I)orianoJ !iled an acion !or %e dis4armen o! Ay. *i+on; on %e
grounds %a *i+on was conviced o! a crime involving moral ur:iude; and violaed
Canon 1 o! Rule 1.21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy.
)oriano allegedly !ell vicim o *i+on; w%o was !ound o %ave:
a. *riven %is car under %e in!luence o! li"uorK
4. Reaced violenly and aem:ed assaul !or over a sim:le ra!!ic incidenK
c. )%o a )oriano; w%o was unarmed and no in %e :osiion o de!end %imsel!
Ireac%eryJK
d. *enied %is acs des:ie :osiive evidence agains %im Idis%onesyJK
e. #uily o! dis%onesy; claiming o 4e mauled 4y %e vicim I$awawang driver;
4inaril na nga; may la-as :a daw mag maul ng aorney na may 4aril. ?indi
din anga mag rason si *i+on di4aHJK
!. *es:ie neing graned :ro4aion; %e did no sais!y %is civil lia4iliies o %e
vicim IAno 4a :ro4lema nioHNJ
0ssues:
I1J 0s *i+on<s crime o! Frusraed ?omicide considered a crime involving
moral ur:iude
I2J *oes %is guil o suc% crime warran dis4armenH
?eld:
I1J /es.
'oral 3ur:iude is Eevery%ing w%ic% is done conrary o @usice; modesy; 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 inen o esca:e; 4erayed 4y %is aem: o
wi:e o!! %is :rins !rom %e gun. ?is inordinae reacion o a sim:le ra!!ic inciden
clearly indicaes %is non8!iness o 4e a lawyer.
I2J /es.
?is illegal :ossession o! !ire8arms; and %is un@us re!usal o sais!y %is civil
lia4iliies all @usi!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 lia4iliies in "uesion %ave 4een siing !or
4 years; unsais!ied; des:ie i 4eing %e condiion !or %is :ro4aion Iyou ungrae!ul
:ersonNJ
*i+on dis:layed an uer lac- o! good moral c%aracer; w%ic% is an essenial
"uali!icaion !or %e :rivilege o ener ino %e :racice o! law. #ood moral c%aracer
includes a leas common %onesy.
'anuel *i+on; %ere4y dis4arred.
STE==ERID @+ =AS
FAC3):
)emmeri-; a *anis% cii+en; waned o 4uy 6%ili::ine :ro:ery due o is
4eauy. ?e consuled Ay 'as a4ou %is inenion; o w%ic% %e laer advised %im %a
%e could legally 4uy suc% :ro:eries. Ay 'as even suggesed a 4ig :iece o! :ro:ery
%a %e can 4uy; assuring %a i is aliena4le. Because o! %is; )emmeri- enrused all
o! %e necessary re"uiremens and made Ay 'as %is aorney in !ac as %e wen
5 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
4ac- o *enmar-. A!er some ime; Ay 'as in!ormed )emmeri- %a %e !ound %e
owner o! %e 4ig :iece o! :ro:ery and saed %e :rice o! %e :ro:ery is 63.,'.
)emmeri- agreed; giving Ay 'as %e money; and %e laer su::osedly drawing u:
%e necessary :a:erwor-.
A%en )emmeri- as-ed w%en %e could %ave %e :ro:ery regisered in %is
name; Ay 'as can< 4e !ound. ?e reurned 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:ery was also inaliena4le. )emmeri- %e !iled a *0)BAR'B13 case
agains Ay 'A) in %e Commission on Bar *isci:line ICB*J o! %e 0B6. 3%e CB*
ruled %a Ay 'as a4used %e rus and con!idence o! )emmeri- and recommended
%a %e 4e dis4arred. 3%e 0B6 Board o! #overnors ado:ed suc% recommendaions.
0))7BG):
AG1 Ay 'as can 4e dis4arred.
?BL*:
/B)N *is4arred.
RA305:
*iso4eyed %e Laws and %e Consiuional 6ro%i4iion
)ecion (; Aricle P00 o! %e Consiuion :ro%i4is !oreigners !rom 4uying
6%ili::ine Lands. Res:onden; in giving advice %a direcly conradiced a
!undamenal consiuional :olicy; s%owed disres:ec !or %e Consiuion and gross
ignorance o! 4asic law. Aorse; %e :re:ared s:urious documens %a %e -new were
void and illegal.
*ecei!ul Conduc
By advising com:lainan %a a !oreigner could legally and validly ac"uire
real esae in %e 6%ili::ines and 4y assuring com:lainan %a %e :ro:ery was
aliena4le; res:onden deli4eraely 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-eing and misa::ro:riaing %e 63., million given 4y com:lainan !or
%e :urc%ase o! %e :ro:ery; res:onden commied a !raudulen ac %a was criminal
in naure.
DE YSASI III @+ NLRC
Facs:
6eiioner was em:loyed 4y %is !a%er; %erein :rivae res:onden; as !arm
adminisraor o! ?acienda 'anucao in ?inigaran; 1egros 5ccidenal someime in
A:ril; 1.,2. As !arm adminisraor; :eiioner was res:onsi4le !or %e su:ervision o!
daily aciviies and o:eraions o! %e sugarcane !arm and aending o suc% o%er
as-s as may 4e assigned o %im 4y :rivae 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; :eiioner moved o Bacolod Ciy
wi% %is wi!e and commued o wor- daily. ?e su!!ered various ailmens and was
%os:iali+ed on wo se:arae occasions in 9une and Augus; 1.,2. 0n 1ovem4er;
1.,2; %e underwen !isulecomy; or %e surgical removal o! %e !isula; a dee:
sinuous ulcer. ?is recu:eraion lased over !our mon%s. 0n 9une; 1.,3; %e was
con!ined !or acue gasroeneriis and; %erea!er; !or in!ecious %e:aiis !rom
*ecem4er; 1.,3 o 9anuary; 1.,4.
*uring %e enire :eriods o! :eiionerLs illnesses; :rivae res:onden oo-
care o! %is medical eC:enses and :eiioner coninued o receive com:ensaion.
?owever; in A:ril; 1.,4; wi%ou due noice; :rivae res:onden ceased o :ay %e
laerLs salary. 6eiioner made oral and wrien demands !or an eC:lanaion !or %e
sudden wi%%olding o! %is salary. Bo% demands; %owever; were no aced u:on.
0ssues:
I1J w%e%er or no %e :eiioner was illegally dismissedK I2J w%e%er or no
%e is eniled o reinsaemen; :aymen o! 4ac- wages; %ireen% mon% :ay and
o%er 4ene!isK and I3J w%e%er or no %e is eniled o :aymen o! moral and
eCem:lary damages and aorneyLs !ees 4ecause o! illegal dismissal.
?eld:
3%e decision o! 1LRC is se aside. 6rivae res:onden is 5R*BRB* o :ay
:eiioner 4ac- wages !or a :eriod no eCceeding %ree I3J years; wi%ou "uali!icaion
or deducion; and; in lieu o! reinsaemen; se:araion :ay e"uivalen o one I1J mon%
!or every year o! service; a !racion o! siC I&J mon%s 4eing considered as one I1J
w%ole year.
Rule 1.24 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy eC:licily :rovides %a
MIaJ lawyer s%all encourage %is clien o avoid; end or sele %e conroversy i! i will
admi o! a !air selemen.M
Counsels mus 4e reminded %a %eir e%ical duy as lawyers o re:resen
%eir cliens wi% +eal

goes 4eyond merely :resening %eir cliensL res:ecive causes
in cour. 0 is @us as muc% %eir res:onsi4iliy; i! no more im:oranly; o eCer all
reasona4le e!!ors o smoo% over legal con!lics; :re!era4ly ou o! cour and
es:ecially in consideraion o! %e direc and immediae consanguineous ies 4eween
%eir cliens. 3%e use!ul !uncion o! a lawyer is no only o conduc liigaion 4u o
avoid i w%enever :ossi4le 4y advising selemen or wi%%olding sui. ?e s%ould 4e a
mediaor !or concord and a conciliaor !or com:romise; ra%er %an a viruoso o!
ec%nicaliy in %e conduc o! liigaion.
Bo% counsels %erein !ell s%or o! w%a was eC:eced o! %em; des:ie %eir
avowed duies as o!!icers o! %e cour. 3%e records do no s%ow %a %ey oo- :ains
o iniiae se:s geared oward e!!ecing a ra::roc%emen 4eween %eir cliens. 5n
%e conrary; %eir acer4ic and :roraced eCc%anges could no 4u %ave eCacer4aed
%e siuaion even as %ey may %ave !ound !avor in %e e"ually %osile eyes o! %eir
res:ecive cliens.
0n %e same manner; we !ind %a %e la4or ar4ier w%o %andled %is
regrea4le case %as 4een less %an !ai%!ul o %e leer and s:iri o! %e La4or Code
mandaing %a a la4or ar4ier Ms%all eCer all e!!ors owards %e amica4le selemen
6 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
o! a la4or dis:ue wi%in %is @urisdicion.M

0! %e ever did so; or a leas enerained %e
%oug%; %e co:ious records o! %e :roceedings in %is conroversy are 4arren o! any
re!lecion o! %e same.
CORDON @+ BALICANTA
FAC3):
Cordon; along wi% %er daug%er; in%eried some :ro:eries !rom %er
%us4and wi% %e %el: o! Ay Balicana. )u4se"uenly; Ay Balicana eniced %em o
!orm a cor:oraion o develo: %e real :ro:eries in%eried. )uc% cor:. was !ormed;
and %e :ro:eries were regisered in %e cor:.<s name. Ay Balicana 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! acs:
1J made Cordon sign a voing rus agreemenK 2J made Cordon sign a )6A o
sellGmorgage :ro:eriesK 3J rans!erred ile o! some o! %e :ro:eries o o%er :eo:le.
And 4y using s:urious Board resoluions; Ay Balicana also made %e !ollowing acs:
1J o4ained a loan !rom Land Ban- using %e :ro:eries as collaeralK 2J )old %e
Cor:<s rig% o redeem %e :ro:eries o ano%er :ersonK 3J demolis%ed %e ancesral
%ome o! %e Cordon<s and sold %e lo o ano%er :erson. 0n all o! %ese; Ay Balicana
did no accoun !or %e :roceeds coming %e sales and dis:osiions.
3%e Cordons made several demands !or Ay Balicana o give 4ac- %e
:ro:eries and o accoun %e :roceeds o! %e loan. A%en suc% demands were
un%eeded; 3%e Cordons erminaed Balicana<s services and !iled a com:lain !or
dis4armen agains %e laer in %e 0B6. 3%e Commissioner; in is re:or;
recommended !or Balicana<s dis4armen as well. 3%e 0B6 Board o! #overnors
resolved %a Balicana 4e sus:ended !or 5 years !or suc% conduc.
0))7BG):
AG1 Balicana 4e dis4arred
1
.
?BL*: /B)N *is4arred.
RA305:
*ecei!ul Conduc
3%e !raudulen acs %e carried ou agains %is clien !ollowed a well %oug%
o! :lan o misa::ro:riae %e cor:orae :ro:eries and !unds enrused o %im. ?e
sared %is devious sc%eme 4y ma-ing %imsel! %e 6residen; C%airman o! %e Board;
*irecor and 3reasurer o! %e cor:oraion; al%oug% %e -new %e was :ro%i4ied !rom
assuming %e :osiion o! 6residen and 3reasurer a %e same ime. ?e also enered
ino dis%ones ransacions under %e cloa- o! s%am resoluions. ?is misdemeanors
reveal a decei!ul sc%eme o use %e cor:oraion as a means o conver !or %is own
:ersonal 4ene!i :ro:eries le! o %im in rus 4y com:lainan and %er daug%er.
Side Doctrine:
1
By virtue of Section 12(b), Rule 139-B of the Rules of Court, this
resolution is automatically elevated to the SC for nal action!
#ood moral c%aracer is more %an @us %e a4sence o! 4ad c%aracer. )uc%
c%aracer eC:resses isel! 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
ineress are commied o %is careK %e is %e reci:ien o! un4ounded rus and
con!idenceK %e deals wi% %is clien<s :ro:ery; re:uaion; %is li!e; %is all.F
CANONS , E 0
IN REB TAGORDA
Facs:
Luis 3agorda was a mem4er o! %e :rovincial 4oard o! 0sa4ela. 6revious o
%e las elecion; %e admis %a %e made use o! a card wrien in ):anis% conaining
%e !ac %a %e was a candidae !or %ird mem4er o! %e 6rovince o! 0sa4ela D o!!ering
services as noary :u4lic Isuc% as !ree consulaion; eCecuion o! deed o! sale; ec.J.
?e also admis %a %e wroe a leer addressed o a lieuenan o! a 4arrio i! %is %ome
munici:aliy saying %a %e will coninue %is :racice o! law and !or %e lieuenan o
ma-e -nown o %e :eo:le o! %is desire o serve as lawyer D noary :u4lic Iincluding
%is services o %andle land regisraion cases !or 63Gevery regisraionJ.
0ssue:
AG1 acs o! 3agorda consiued adverising
?eld:
/es; 3agorda is in a way adverising %is services and is conrary o %e
Canons o! 6ro!essional B%ics. )oliciaion o! 4usiness 4y circulars or adverisemens;
or 4y :ersonal communicaions or inerviews no warraned 4y :ersonal relaions is
un:ro!essional. ?is acs warran dis4armen; 4u 4ecause o! %e miigaing
circumsance 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
o4ain 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 voluneer advice o 4ring lawsui. Lasly;
soliciaion o! cases resul in %e lowering o! %e con!idence o! %e communiy and
inegriy o! %e mem4ers o! %e 4ar Ias i resuls in needless liigaions and in incening
o sri!e o%erwise :eace!ul cii+ensJ.
ATTY+ IS=AEL DHAN @+ ATTY RIAALINO SI=BILLO
FACTS
A :aid adverisemen in %e 6%ili::ine *aily 0n"uirer was :u4lis%ed w%ic%
reads: EAnnulmen o! 'arriage ):ecialis Qconac num4erRF. Bs:elea; a sa!! o! %e
)u:reme Cour; called u: %e num4er 4u i was 'rs. )im4illo w%o answered. )%e
claims %a %er %us4and; Ay. )im4illo was an eC:er in %andling annulmen cases
and can guaranee a cour decree wi%in 48&mos :rovided %e case will no involve
se:araion o! :ro:ery and cusody o! c%ildren. 0 a::ears %a similar adverisemens
were also :u4lis%ed.
7 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
An adminisraive com:lain was !iled w%ic% was re!erred o %e 0B6 !or
invesigaion and recommendaion. 3%e 0B6 resolved o sus:end Ay. )im4illo !or
1year. 1oe %a al%oug% %e name o! Ay. )im4illo did no a::ear in %e
adverisemen; %e admied %e acs im:ued agains %im 4u argued %a %e s%ould
no 4e c%arged. ?e said %a i was ime o li! %e a4solue :ro%i4iion agains
adverisemen 4ecause %e ineres o! %e :u4lic isn< served in any way 4y %e
:ro%i4iion.
ISSUE
A%e%er or no )im4illo violaed Rule2.23 D Rule3.21.
HELD
/esN
3%e :racice o! law is no a 4usiness 888 i is a :ro!ession in w%ic% %e
:rimary duy is :u4lic service and money. #aining liveli%ood is a secondary
consideraion w%ile duy o :u4lic service and adminisraion o! @usice s%ould 4e
:rimary. Lawyers s%ould su4ordinae %eir :rimary ineres.
Aorse; adverising %imsel! as an Eannulmen o! marriage s:ecialisF %e
erodes and undermines %e sanciy o! an insiuion sill considered as sacrosanc 888
%e in !ac encourages :eo:le o%erwise disinclined o dissolve %eir marriage 4ond.
)oliciaion o! 4usiness is no aloge%er :roscri4ed 4u !or i o 4e :ro:er i
mus 4e com:ai4le wi% %e digniy o! %e legal :ro!ession. 1oe %a %e law lis
w%ere %e lawyer<s name a::ears mus 4e a re:ua4le law lis only !or %a :ur:ose
888 a lawyer may no :ro:erly :u4lis% in a daily :a:er; maga+ineOec.; nor may a
lawyer :ermi %is name o 4e :u4lis%ed %e conens o! w%ic% are li-ely o deceive or
in@ure %e :u4lic or %e 4ar.
CANOY @+ ORTIA
Facs:
A com:lain was !iled on A:ril 2221 4y Canoy agains Ay. 5ri+; accusing
%im !or misconduc and mal:racice. 0 is alleged %a Canoy !iled a com:lain !or
illegal dismissal agains Coca Cola 6%ili::ines. Ay. 5ri+ a::eared as counsel !or
Canoy in %is :roceeding. Canoy su4mied all %e documens and records o Ay.
5ri+ !or %e :re:araion o! %e :osiion :a:er. 3%erea!er; %e made several un!rui!ul
visis o %e o!!ice o! Ay. 5ri+ o !ollow8u: %e :rocess o! %e case. 5n A:ril 2222;
Canoy was s%oc-ed o learn %a %is com:lain was acually dismissed way 4ac- in
1.., !or !ailure o :rosecue; %e :aries no %aving su4mied %eir :osiion :a:ers.
Canoy alleged %a 5ri+ %ad never communicaed o %im a4ou %e saus o! %e
case.
Ay. 5ri+ in!orms %e Cour %a %e %as mosly caered o indigen and low8
income cliens; a considera4le !inancial sacri!ice o %imsel!. Ay. 5ri+ admis %a %e
:eriod wi%in w%ic% o !ile %e :osiion :a:er %ad already la:sed. ?e ari4ues %is
!ailure o imely !ile %e :osiion :a:er o %e !ac %a a!er %is elecion as Councilor o!
Bacolod Ciy; E%e was !ran-ly :reoccu:ied wi% 4o% %is !uncions as a local
governmen o!!icial and as a :racicing lawyer.F
0ssue:
AG1 Ay. 5ri+ s%ould 4e sancionedH
?eld:
/es. Ay. 5ri+ is o 4e sancioned; sus:ension !or 1 mon%.
Ay. 5ri+ violaed Canons 1, and 22. 7nder Canon 1,.23; a lawyer owes
!ideliy o %is clien<s cause and mus always 4e mind!ul o! %e rus and con!idence
re:osed o %im. ?e owes %is enire devoion o %e ineres o! %e clien. ?is
negligence in connecion %erewi% s%all render %im lia4le. 7nder Canon 1,.24; %e
relaions%i: o! a lawyer8clien 4eing one o! con!idence; %ere is an ever :resen need
!or %e clien o 4e ade"uaely and !ully in!ormed o! %e develo:mens 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 saus a4ou %e case as %is is one o! %e lawyer<s duies.
3%e ado:ion o! addiional duies due o %e elecion o! Ay. 5ri+ as
councilor does no eConerae %im o! %is negligen 4e%avior. 3%e C6R allows a lawyer
o wi%draw %is legal service i! %e lawyer is eleced or a::oined o a :u4lic o!!ice
since councilors are no eC:ressly :ro%i4ied o eCercise %eir legal :ro!ession.
LINSANGAN @+ TOLENTINO
Facs:
A com:lain o! dis4armen was !iled 4y 6edro Linsangan o! %e Linsangan;
Linsangan D Linsangan Law 5!!ice agains Ay. 1icomedes 3olenino !or soliciaion
o! cliens D encroac%men o! :ro!essional services. Linsangan alleges %a 3olenino
wi% %e %el: o! :aralegal La4iano convinced %is cliens o rans!er legal
re:resenaion 4y :romising !inancial assisance and eC:ediious collecion o! %eir
claims. 3o induce %em; 3olenino allegedly eCed and called %em :ersisenly. 3o
su::or %is allegaion; Linsangan :resened %e sworn a!!idavi o! 9ames #regorio
aesing %a La4iano ried o :revail over %im o sever %is clien8ay relaions%i: wi%
Linsangan. Also; %e aac%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 Ciy
Cel.: I2.2&J 2(21(1.
19 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
Back
)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; 3olenino denies -nowing La4iano and au%ori+ing %e :rining and
circulaing o! said calling card.
0ssue:
AG1 Ay. 3olenino is guily o! adverising %is services
?eld:
/es. Ay. 3olenino sus:ended !or violaing Rules 1.23; 2.23; ,.22 and 1&.24
and Canon 3 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy.
Ai% regard o Canon 3; %e :racice o! law is a :ro!ession and no a
4usiness. 3%us; lawyers s%ould no adverise %eir alens as merc%ans adverise
%eir wares. 3o allow lawyers o adverise %eir alensGs-ill is a commerciali+aion o!
%e :racice o! law Idegrading %e :ro!ession in %e :u4lic<s esimaionJ.
Ai% regard o Rule 2.23; lawyers are :ro%i4ied !rom soliciing cases !or
:ur:ose o! gain; ei%er :ersonally or %roug% an agen. 0n relaion o Rule 1.23; w%ic%
:roscri4es Eam4ulance c%asingF Iinvolving soliciaion :ersonally or %roug% an
agenG4ro-erJ as a measure o :roec communiy !rom 4arrary and c%am:erry.
As a !inal noe regarding %e calling card :resened as evidence 4y
Linsangan; a lawyer<s 4es adverisemen is a well8meried. re:uaion !or
:ro!essional ca:aciy and !ideliy o rus 4ased on %is c%aracer and conduc. For %is
reason; lawyers are only allowed o announce %eir services 4y :u4licaion in
re:ua4le law liss or use o! sim:le :ro!essional cards.
6ro!essional calling cards may only conain %e !ollowing deails:
IaJ lawyer<s nameK
I4J name o! %e law !irm wi% w%ic% %e is connecedK
IcJ addressK
IdJ ele:%one num4er and
IeJ s:ecial 4ranc% o! law :raciced.
La4iano<s calling card conained %e :%rase Ewi% !inancial assisance.F 3%e
:%rase was clearly used o enice cliens Iw%o already %ad re:resenaionJ o c%ange
counsels wi% a :romise o! loans o !inance %eir legal acions. 'oney was dangled o
lure cliens away !rom %eir original lawyers; %ere4y a-ing advanage o! %eir
!inancial disress and emoional vulnera4iliy. 3%is crass commercialism degraded %e
inegriy o! %e 4ar and deserves no :lace in %e legal :ro!ession.
CANONS 2% 3 E 4
SUAREA @+ PLATON
Facs:
)uare+ was c%arged wi% sediion w%ic% was su4se"uenly dismissed. ?e in
urn !iled a case !or ar4irary deenion agains Lieuenan 5rais. A!er %e case was
%anded o 9udge 6laon !ollowing several c%anges in rial @udge and several re!usals
4y !iscals o :rosecue %e case.
0ssue:
)%ould mandamus issue o com:el %e !iscal o reinsae %e caseH
?eld:
/es. 0 is un"uesiona4le %a in %e :ro:er cases; %e :rosecuors mus
reinvesigae in order o :ro:erly dis:ense @usice. A %e same ime; i mus 4e -e: in
mind %a a :rosecuor is %e re:resenaive o! a sovereignyK %e is ineresed only in
%e !ac %a @usice is served; and %is also includes %is re!using o :rosecue i! %e
innocence o! %e accused is "uie clear. ?e is a servan o! %e law; and %is wo8!old
aim is no o le %e guily esca:e nor le %e innocen su!!er. ?e is no a li4ery o
sri-e !oul 4lows 4ecause i is %is duy o re!rain !rom doing so as muc% as i is o use
legiimae me%ods o! :rosecuion.
RA=OS @+ I=BANG
FACTS
0n 1..2; %e com:lainan *iana Ramos soug% %e assisance o! res:onden
Ay. 9ose R. 0m4ang in !iling civil and criminal acions agains %e s:ouses Ro"ue
and Blenia 9ovellanos. )%e gave res:onden 6,;522 as aorneyLs !ees 4u %e laer
issued a recei: !or 65;222 only.
3%e com:lainan ried o aend %e sc%eduled %earings o! %er cases agains
%e 9ovellanoses. 5ddly; res:onden never allowed %er o ener %e courroom and
always old %er o wai ouside. ?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 consecuive :os:onemens; %e com:lainan 4ecame sus:icious.
)%e :ersonally in"uired a4ou %e saus o! %er cases in %e rial cours 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 AorneyLs
5!!ice I6A5J.

HELD
Aorney 0m4ang is dis4arred and %is name sric-en !rom %e roll o!
aorneys.
Lawyers are eC:eced o conduc %emselves wi% %onesy and
inegriy. 'ore s:eci!ically; lawyers in governmen service are eC:eced o 4e more
conscienious o! %eir acuaions as %ey are su4@ec o :u4lic scruiny. 3%ey are no
only mem4ers o! %e 4ar 4u also :u4lic servans w%o owe umos !ideliy o :u4lic
service.
11 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
#overnmen em:loyees are eC:eced o devoe %emselves com:leely o :u4lic
service. For %is reason; %e :rivae :racice o! :ro!ession is :ro%i4ied. )ecion (I4J
I2J o! %e Code o! B%ical )andards !or 6u4lic 5!!icials and Bm:loyees :rovides:
)ecion (. Prohibited Acts and ransactions. 88 0n addiion o acs and
omissions o! :u4lic o!!icials and em:loyees now :rescri4ed in %e Consiuion and
eCising laws; %e !ollowing consiue :ro%i4ied acs and ransacions o! any :u4lic
o!!icial and em:loyee and are %ere4y declared unlaw!ul:
CCC CCC CCC
I4J 5uside em:loymen and o%er aciviies relaed %ereo; :u4lic o!!icials and
em:loyees during %eir incum4ency s%all no:
CCC CCC CCC
I1J Bngage in %e :rivae :racice o! :ro!ession unless au%ori+ed 4y %e
Consiuion or law; :rovided %a suc% :racice will no con!lic wi% %eir o!!icial
!uncion.
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 insance; res:onden received 65;222 !rom %e com:lainan and
issued a recei: on 9uly 15; 1..2 w%ile %e was sill conneced wi% %e 6A5.
Acce:ance o! money !rom a clien esa4lis%es an aorney8clien
relaions%i:. Res:ondenLs admission %a %e acce:ed money !rom %e com:lainan
and %e recei: con!irmed %e :resence o! an aorney8clien relaions%i: 4eween %im
and %e com:lainan. 'oreover; %e recei: s%owed %a %e acce:ed %e
com:lainanLs case w%ile %e was sill a governmen lawyer. Res:onden clearly
violaed %e :ro%i4iion on :rivae :racice o! :ro!ession.
Aggravaing res:ondenLs wrongdoing was %is recei: o! aorneyLs !ees. 3%e
6A5 was creaed !or %e :ur:ose o! :roviding !ree legal assisance o indigen
liigans. )ecion 14I3J; C%a:er 5; 3ile 000; Boo- > o! %e Revised Adminisraive
Code :rovides:
)ec. 14. CCC
3%e 6A5 s%all 4e %e :rinci:al law o!!ice o! %e #overnmen in eCending
!ree legal assisance o indigen :ersons in criminal; civil; la4or; adminisraive and
o%er "uasi8@udicial cases.
As a 6A5 lawyer; res:onden s%ould no %ave acce:ed aorneyLs !ees !rom
%e com:lainan as %is was inconsisen wi% %e o!!iceLs mission. Res:onden
violaed %e :ro%i4iion agains acce:ing legal !ees o%er %an %is salary.
Bvery lawyer is o4ligaed o u:%old %e law. 3%is undera-ing includes %e
o4servance o! %e a4ove8menioned :ro%i4iions 4laanly violaed 4y res:onden
w%en %e acce:ed %e com:lainanLs cases and received aorneyLs !ees in
consideraion o! %is legal services. Conse"uenly; res:ondenLs acce:ance o! %e
cases was also a 4reac% o! Rule 1,.21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy
4ecause %e :ro%i4iion on %e :rivae :racice o! :ro!ession dis"uali!ied %im !rom
acing as %e com:lainanLs counsel.
Aside !rom disregarding %e :ro%i4iions agains %andling :rivae cases and
acce:ing aorneyLs !ees; res:onden also surre:iiously 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 acion 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 acs consiued dis%onesy; a violaion o! %e
lawyerLs oa% no o do any !alse%ood.
Res:ondenLs conduc in o!!ice !ell s%or o! %e inegriy and good moral
c%aracer re"uired o! all lawyers; s:ecially one occu:ying a :u4lic o!!ice. Lawyers in
:u4lic o!!ice are eC:eced no only o re!rain !rom any ac or omission w%ic% end o
lessen %e rus and con!idence o! %e cii+enry in governmen 4u also u:%old %e
digniy o! %e legal :ro!ession a all imes and o4serve a %ig% sandard o! %onesy and
!air dealing. A governmen lawyer is a -ee:er o! :u4lic !ai% and is 4urdened wi% a
%ig% degree o! social res:onsi4iliy; %ig%er %an %is 4re%ren in :rivae :racice.
3%ere is; %owever; insu!!icien 4asis o !ind res:onden guily o! violaing
Rule 1&.21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy. Res:onden did no %old %e
money !or %e 4ene!i o! %e com:lainan 4u acce:ed i as %is aorneyLs !ees. ?e
nei%er %eld %e amoun in rus !or %e com:lainan Isuc% as an amoun delivered 4y
%e s%eri!! in sais!acion o! a @udgmen o4ligaion in !avor o! %e clienJ nor was i
given o %im !or a s:eci!ic :ur:ose Isuc% as amouns given !or !iling !ees and 4ail
4ondJ. 1ever%eless; res:onden s%ould reurn %e 65;222 as %e; a governmen
lawyer; was no eniled o aorneyLs !ees and no allowed o acce: %em.

CATU @+ RELLOSA
FACTS
Cau co8owns a lo and 4uilding and conesed %e :ossession o! one o! %e
unis in %e said 4uilding 4y Bli+a4e% Isiser in law o! CauJ and 6asor; w%o ignored
demands o vacae %e :lace. 3%e :aries wen o %e Lu:on 3aga:amaya:a o ry o
sele %e issue amica4ly. Res:oden Rellosa as 6unong Barangay :resided over %e
conciliaion :roceedings. 3%e :aries !ailed o sele %eir case; and %e :eiioner
4roug% %e case o cour.
)ur:risingly; Rellosa a::eared in cour as counsel !or Bli+a4e% and 6asor.
3%is :rom:ed Cau o !ile an adminisraive com:lain agains Rellosa !or %is ac o!
im:ro:riey.
0B6 commiee on 4ar disci:line; a!er invesigaion; ruled %a Rellosa
violaed Rule &.23
2
and RA &(13
3
. 3%e commiee recommended Rellosa<s
sus:ension !rom :racice !or 1 mon%.
ISSUE
AG1 Rellosa violaed Rule &.23
HELD
1o.
2
" la#yer shall not, after leavin$ $overnment service, acce%t
en$a$ement or em%loyment in connection #ith any matter in #hich
he intervened #hile in service
3
Code of Conduct and &thical Standards for 'ublic ()cers and
&m%loyees
1, ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
Rule 4+90 appl$es #ly " a lawyer wh has left government service.
Rellosa was an incum4en :unong 4arangay a %e ime %e commied %e ac
com:lained o!.
As suc% incum4en; %e :ro:er law %a governs %im is RA (1&2
4
; w%ic%
acually allows %im o :racice %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 o4ain a
wrien :ermission !rom %is de:armen %ead w%o is %e )ec. o! *0L#. 3%is %e !ailed
o do.
)C ruled %a Rellosa violaed %e lawyer<s oa% Io u:%old and o4ey lawJ;
Rule 1.21 Ilawyer s%all no engage in unlaw!ul conducJ; and Canon ( Ilawyer s%all
u:%old inegriy and digniy o! %e :ro!essionJ; !or a lawyer w%o diso4eys law
disgraces %e digniy o! %e legal :ro!ession.
)C :unis%ed Rellosa wi% & mon%s sus:ension and srongly 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 encounered !inancial
di!!iculies. Laer on; Cenral Ban- issued a resoluion declaring #B1BA1$ insolven.
Former )olicior #eneral Bselio 6. 'endo+a !iled a :eiion wi% %e %en
Cour o! Firs 0nsance :raying !or %e assisance and su:ervision o! %e cour in
#B1BA1$Ls li"uidaion.
A!er B*)A 1; 6res. A"uino esa4lis%ed %e 6C## !or %e :ur:ose o!
recovering ill goen weal%. 3%e 6C##; on 9uly 1(; 1.,(; !iled wi% %e
Sandiganbayan a com:lain !or Lreversion; reconveyance; resiuion; accouning and
damages agains res:ondens 3an; e al. so 6C## issued several wris o!
se"uesraion on :ro:eries allegedly ac"uired 4y %e a4ove8named :ersons 4y a-ing
advanage o! %eir close relaions%i: and in!luence wi% !ormer 6residen 'arcos.
3%ese res:ondens were re:resened 4y 'endo+a.
6C## !iled moions o dis"uali!y res:onden 'endo+a as counsel !or
res:ondens. 3%e moions alleged %a res:onden 'endo+a; as %en )olicior
#eneral

and counsel o Cenral Ban-; Lacively inervened in %e li"uidaion o!
#B1BA1$; w%ic% was su4se"uenly ac"uired 4y res:ondens 3an; et al. and 4ecame
Allied Ban-ing Cor:oraion.
3%e moions o dis"uali!y invo-ed Rule &.23 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional
Res:onsi4iliy. Rule &.23 :ro%i4is !ormer governmen lawyers !rom acce:ing
*
+ocal ,overnment Code of 1991
Lengagemen or em:loymen in connecion wi% any maer in w%ic% %e %ad
inervened w%ile in said service.
ISSUE
AG1 Rule &.23 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy a::lies o
res:onden 'endo+aH
HELD
15; 03 *5B) 153 A66L/. 3%e maer or %e ac o! res:onden 'endo+a as
)olicior #eneral involved in %e case a 4ar is Ladvising %e Cenral Ban-; on %ow o
:roceed wi% %e said 4an-Ls li"uidaion and even !iling %e :eiion !or is li"uidaion
wi% %e CF0 o! . 0n !ine; %e Cour s%ould resolve w%e%er %is ac o! advising %e
Cenral Ban- on %e legal :rocedure o li"uidae #B1BA1$ is included wi%in %e
conce: o! Lmaer< under Rule &.23.
3%e Lmaer< w%ere %e go %imsel! involved was in in!orming Cenral Ban- on
%e :rocedure :rovided 4y law o li"uidae #B1BA1$ %ru %e cours and in !iling %e
necessary :eiion. 3%e su4@ec Lmaer o! ):. 6roc. 1o. 12(,12; %ere!ore; is no %e
same nor is relaed o 4u is di!!eren !rom %e su4@ec Lmaer in Civil Case 1o. 22.&
w%ic% is a4ou %e se"uesraion o! %e s%ares o! res:ondens 3an; e al.
3%e @urisdicion o! %e 6C## does no include %e dissoluion and li"uidaion
o! 4an-s. 0 goes wi%ou saying %a Code &.23 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional
Res:onsi4iliy canno a::ly o res:onden 'endo+a 4ecause %is alleged inervenion
w%ile a )olicior #eneral in ):. 6roc. 1o. 12(,12 is an inervenion on a maer
di!!eren !rom %e maer involved in Civil Case 1o. 22.&.
)econdly; %e su::osed inervenion o! 'endo+a in %e li"uidaion case is
no signi!ican and su4sanial. Ae noe %a %e :eiion !iled merely see-s %e
assisance o! %e cour in %e li"uidaion o! #B1BA1$. 3%e :rinci:al role o! %e cour
in %is y:e o! :roceedings is o assis %e Cenral Ban- in deermining claims o!
crediors agains %e #B1BA1$.
Also; 3%e dis"uali!icaion o! res:onden 'endo+a %as long 4een a !ea!
$ssue. For a !ac; %e recycled moion !or dis"uali!icaion in %e case a 4ar was !iled
(re "ha# 'ur years a!er %e !iling o! %e :eiions !or certiorari; :ro%i4iion and
in@uncion wi% %e )u:reme Cour w%ic% were su4se"uenly remanded o %e
Sandiganbayan. A %e very leas; %e circumsances under w%ic% %e moion o
dis"uali!y in %e case a 4ar were re!iled :u :eiionerLs moive as %ig%ly sus:ec.
0 is also su4mied %a %e Cour s%ould a::ly Rule &.23 in all is sricness
!or i correcly dis!avors lawyers w%o Lswic% sides. 0 is claimed %a Lswic%ing sidesL
carries %e danger %a !ormer governmen em:loyee may com:romise con!idenial
o!!icial in!ormaion in %e :rocess. Bu %is concern does no cas a s%adow in %e
case a 4ar. As a!ore8discussed; %e ac o! res:onden 'endo+a in in!orming %e
Cenral Ban- on %e :rocedure %ow o li"uidae #B1BA1$ is a di!!eren maer !rom
%e su4@ec maer o! Civil Case 1o. 2225 w%ic% is a4ou %e se"uesraion o! %e
s%ares o! res:ondens 3an; et al.; in Allied Ban-. 3%ere is no swic%ing sides !or %ere
were no sides.
CANON 5
10 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
IN RE GALANG
*ocrine:
3%a %e concealmen o! an aorney in %is a::licaion o a-e %e Bar
eCaminaions o! %e !ac %a %e %ad 4een wi%; or indiced !or an alleged crime; as a
ground !or revocaion o! %is license o :racice law; is well seled.
IN RE ARTHUR =+ CUE@AS
FACTS
6eiioner Ar%ur Cuevas 9r. recenly :assed %e 4ar eCaminaions; 4u was
:recluded !rom a-ing %e lawyer<s 1..& oa%; :ending a::roval !rom %e
)u:reme Cour
3%is sems !rom :eiioner<s :arici:aion in %e iniiaion ries o! %e LeC
3alionis Fraernias o! )and Beda w%ere neo:%ye Raul Camaligan died as a
resul o! %a+ing.
Cuevas was c%arged wi% 0m:rudence Resuling in ?omicide.
?e a::lied !or and was graned :ro4aion; %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
aac%ed o %is :eiion ceri!icaions aesing o %is Erig%eous; :eace!ul and
law a4iding c%aracer.F
ISSUE
'ay Cuevas a-e %e lawyer<s oa%; a-ing in consideraion %e ceri!icaions
aesing o %is Erig%eous; :eace!ul and law a4iding c%aracerFH
HELD
/es.
3%oug% %is deli4erae :arici:aion in %e iniiaion ries indicaes a4sence o!
%a moral !iness re"uired !or admission ino %e 4ar; %e cour is willing o give %e
:eiioner a c%ance 4ased on %e various ceri!icaions: %ey su!!icienly s%ow %a %e
%as a rig%eous; :eace!ul and civil oriened c%aracerK and %e %as :roven %a %e %as
a-en se:s o :urge %imsel! o! %is de!iciency in moral c%aracer and aone !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
Facs:
)amaniego was a clien o! Ay. Ferrer and %eir lawyer8clien relaions%i:
4ecame inimae; w%en Ay. Ferrer coured %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 esi!ied %a s%e -new %a Ay. Ferrer was in a
relaions%i: 4u did no %in- %e was already married. Ay. Ferrer re!used o a::ear
during %e %earing since %e did no wan o see )amaniego.
Ay. Ferrer mani!esed %is willingness o su::or %eir daug%er in a :osiion
: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 Ay. Ferrer %e :enaly o! & mon%s
sus:ension !or %is re!usal o su::or %is daug%er.
Ay. Ferrer !iled 'R wi% :rayer !or o reduce %e :enaly 4ecause i will
!ur%er cause eCreme %ards%i: o %is !amily o! 12 c%ildren. 7:on !inding %a Ay.
Ferrer lac-ed %e degree o! moraliy re"uired o! a mem4er o! %e 4ar; %is :rayer !or
reduced :enaly was denied.
?eld:
)C !inds Ay. Ferrer guily o! gross immoraliy and %e is ordered sus:ended
!or & mon%s.
Ay. Ferrer admied %is eCra8marial a!!air and )C considers suc% illici
relaion as a disgrace!ul and immoral conduc su4@ec o disci:linary acion. Al%oug%
i is rue %a )amaniego was no enirely 4lameless !or -nowing a4ou Ay. Ferrer<s
wi!e; i does no ma-e %is case less serious since i is immaerial w%e%er 4o% are
in pari delicto.
Ay. Ferrer was %eld o %ave violaed Rule 1.21; Canon ( and Rule (.23.
ST+ LOUIS UNI@ERSITY LABORATORY HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY AND STAFF @+
ATTY+ DELA CRUA
Facs:
*is4armen case !iled 4y %e Faculy mem4ers and )a!! o! %e )L78L?)
agains Ay. *ela Cru+; is :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 acs o!
misa::ro:riaing money !or eac%ersK and %e la4or case !iled 4y )L78L?)
Faculy !or illegal deducion o! salary.
#rossly 0mmoral Conduc: res:onden conraced a second marriage des:ie
%e eCisence o! %is !irs marriage. ?e was married in 1.,2 and %ey se:araed in8!ac
a year a!er. ( years a!er; %e conracs ano%er marriage; 4u %is was annulled !or
4eing 4igamous.
'al:racice: res:onden noari+ed documens I14 in oalJ; !rom ,,8.(
des:ie %e eC:iraion o! %is noarial commission in ,(.
Res:onden denied %e c%arges in %e cases :ending agains %im; 4u
admied %is second marriage and is su4se"uen nulli!icaion. ?e also admied
%aving noari+ed documens w%en %is noarial commission %ad already eC:ired.
?owever; %e o!!ered de!enses suc% as good !ai%; lac- o! malice and no4le inenions
in doing %e com:lained acs.
0B6 resolved o sus:end Ay. *ela Cru+ !or 1 year !or %is 4igamous
marriage and 1 year also !or noari+ing wi%ou commission I2 years oalJ
12 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
?eld:
)C !inds res:onden guily o! immoral conduc; and sus:ended %im !rom %e
:racice o! law !or 2 years; and ano%er 2 years !or noari+ing documens.
Res:onden was already a mem4er o! %e Bar w%en %e conraced %e
4igamous marriage. ?owever; a!er %is !ailed !irs marriage; %e remained celi4ae unil
%e 2
nd
marriage; s%owed %is good inenions 4y marrying %e 2
nd
wi!e; and %e never
a4sconded in %is !amily duies. 3%e )C !inds %a :enaly o! dis4armen is oo %ars%.
As o %e c%arge o! misconduc !or %aving noari+ed documens wi%ou %e
necessary commission; )C sresses noari+aion is no an em:y; meaningless;
rouinary ac. For doing suc% consiues no only mal:racice 4u also %e crime o!
!alsi!icaion o! :u4lic documens. Res:onden also violaed %e 1oarial Law !or so
doing; and %is !alls s"uarely wi%in %e :ro%i4iion o! Rule 1.21 and Canon (.
3%e o%er cases agains res:onden are :ending 4e!ore %e :ro:er !orums.
A suc% sages; %e :resum:ion o! innocence sill :revails in !avor o! %e res:onden.
ARNOBIT @+ ARNOBIT
FACTS
6eiioner Re4ecca Arno4i !iled %is com:lain agains %er %us4and;
res:onden Ay. 6onciano Arno4i; :raying %a %e cour eCercise is 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; coninuously
su::oring %im unil %e :assed %e 4arK %a several years a!er %eir marriage; or in
1.&,; res:onden le! %e con@ugal %ome and 4egan co%a4iing wi% Benia Buena!e
1avarro w%o laer 4ore %im !our more c%ildren. Because o! %is; Re4ecca was
im:elled o !ile a com:lain !or legal se:araion and su::or; and a criminal case !or
adulery.
Res:onden admied %a Re4ecca is %is wedded wi!e 4u %e denied %aving
co%a4ied wi% Benia. ?e also saed %a Re4ecca was %e cause o! %eir se:araion
alleging %a s%e was always raveling !or 4usiness :ur:oses wi%ou %is -nowledge
and consen; %ere4y neglecing %er o4ligaions oward %er !amily. ?earings were
conduced 4e!ore %e 5!!ice o! %e )ol#en and su4se"uenly; 4e!ore %e 0B6
Commission on Bar *isci:line.
Aside !rom %ersel!; Re4ecca :resened 2 o%er winesses: %er siser; w%o
ideni!ied a leer 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! Benia; w%o
esi!ied a4ou %ow res:onden oo- %is wi!e Benia as a misress -nowing !ully well o!
%eir marriage. *uring %e %earings; res:onden; des:ie due noice; re:eaedly
a4sened %imsel! w%en i was %is urn o :resen evidence. ?e would also see-
:os:onemen; :leading illness; on %e %earing daes.
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 :racice o! law !or
3 mon%s. 0 averred %a an inde!inie sus:ension is no recommended
4ecause res:onden su::ors %imsel! %roug% %e :racice o! law and %a i
would 4e cruel deny %im o! %is a %is ime w%en %e is already advanced in
age.
HELD
3%e Cour agreed wi% %e 0B6 recommendaion 4u ruled %a gross immoral
conduc was su!!icienly :roven warraning 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%aracer is no only a condiion :receden o %e
:racice o! law; 4u a coninuing "uali!icaion !or all mem4ers o! %e 4ar.
#ood moral c%aracer is more %an @us %e a4sence o! 4ad c%aracer. 0
eC:resses isel! 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:eca4le
mem4ers o! %e communiy. 3o 4e %e 4asis o! disci:linary acion; suc% conduc mus
no only 4e immoral; 4u grossly immoral.
#rossly immoral meaning i mus 4e so corru: as o virually consiue a
criminal ac or so un:rinci:led as o 4e re:re%ensi4le o a %ig% degree or commied
under suc% scandalous or revoling circumsances as o s%oc- %e common sense o!
decency.
Lawyers mus no only 4e o! good moral c%aracer 4u mus also 4e seen o
4e o! good moral c%aracer and leading lives in accordance wi% %e %ig%es moral
sandards o! %e communiy.
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 unrelaed o %e acual
:racice 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 duy o s%ow %a %e is morally !i o remain a mem4er
o! %e 4ar. 3%is; %e !ailed o do. ?e never aended %e %earings o re4u %e c%arges
agains %im; irresisi4ly suggesing %a %ey are rue.
7ndou4edly; res:onden<s ac o! leaving %is wi!e and 12 c%ildren o co%a4i
and %ave c%ildren wi% ano%er woman consiues gross immoral conduc. ?e s%ould
%ere!ore 4e dis4arred.
AD@INCULA @+ =ACABATA
FACTS
Ay. 'aca4aa was %e counsel o! Cyn%ia Advincula. 0n wo se:arae
incidens; Ay. 'aca4aa urned%e %ead o! Advincula and -issed %er on %e li:s.
3%ese -issing incidens occurred a!er meeings regarding a case %a Advincula was
involved in. in 4o% incidens; Ay. 'aca4aa -issed Advincula inside %e car; @us
13 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
4e!ore dro::ing %er o!! in a :u4lic sree. Ay. 'aca4aa a:ologi+ed o Advincula via
eC messages immediaely a!er %e 2
nd
-issing inciden.
Advincula !iled a :eiion !or dis4armen agains Ay. 'aca4aa on %e
ground o! grossly immoral c%aracer. Ay. 'aca4aa admied %a %e did -iss
Advincula; 4u %a %is was due o %is !eelings oward Advincula.
ISSUE
0s Ay. 'aca4aa guily o! grossly immoral c%aracer o meri %is
dis4armenH
HELD
3%e )u:reme Cour ruled %a Ay. 'aca4aa was 153 guily o! grossly
immoral c%aracer.
#rossly immoral c%aracer mus 4e so corru: as o consiue a criminal ac;
or so un:rinci:led as o 4e re:re%ensi4le o a %ig% degree or commied under suc%
scandalous or revoling circumsances as o s%ow %e common sense o! decency. 3o
meri a dis4armen; %e ac mus 4e grossly immoral.
Ay. 'aca4aa<s ac o! -issing Advincula was no grossly immoral. 3%e -iss
was no moivaed 4y malice. 3%is was :roven 4y Ay. 'aca4aa<s immediae a:ology
and %e !ac %a i %a::ened in a well8:o:ulaed :lace. Advincula !ailed o :rove %a
Ay. 'aca4aa lured %er or oo- advanage o! %er.
A%ile %e dis4armen com:lain was dismissed; Ay. 'aca4aa was
re:rimanded and given a sern warning. 3%e cour descri4ed %is -issing o! Advincula
as disase!ul.
I3%e )u:reme Cour also said %a greeings li-e beso are o-.J
CANON 6
REYES @+ CHIONG
FACTS
3wo C%inese83aiwanese 4usinessmen IPu and 6anJ enered ino a 4usiness
venure o se u: a !acory !or sea!ood :roducs. Pu invesed 6322;222. Bvenually;
Pu discovered %a 6an %ad no esa4lis%ed %e !acory and as-ed !or %is money
4ac-. 6an 4ecame %osile and ignored Pu. Pu engaged %e services o! Ay. Reyes;
w%o !iled a com:lain !or esa!a agains 6an Ire:resened 4y Ay. C%iongJ. 3%e
com:lain was assigned o Ass. 'anila Ciy 6rosecuor 6edro )alanga; w%o issued a
su4:oena !or 6an o a::ear !or :reliminary invesigaion. For !ailure o a::ear and
su4mi a couner8a!!idavi; )alanga !iled a criminal com:lain !or esa!a agains 6an in
%e R3C o! 'anila. 3%e R3C issued a warran o! arres agains 6an. 0n res:onse; Ay.
C%iong !iled a moion o "uas% %e warran o! arres. ?e also !iled wi% %e R3C o!
Zam4oanga a civil com:lain !or %e collecion o! a sum o! money; damages; and !or
%e dissoluion o! %e 4usiness venure agains Pu; Ay. Reyes and )alanga. Ay.
Reyes %en !iled a dis4armen case agains Ay. C%iong !or !iling a groundless sui;
alleging %a i was insiued o eCac vengeance. Ay. C%iong alleges %a Ay. Reyes
was im:leaded !or conniving wi% Pu in !iling %e esa!a case. )alanga was im:leaded
4ecause o! %e su::osed irregulariies in conducing %e invesigaion. 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 Ay. Reyes and 6rosecuor )alanga in %e
civil com:lain
HELD
/es; civil com:lain was groundless and i was im:ro:er o im:lead Ay.
Reyes and 6rosecuor )alanga in said civil com:lain.
IBPB civil com:lain was !iled :ur:osely o o4ain leverage agains %e esa!a
case. 3%ere was no need o im:lead Ay. Reyes and 6rosecuor )alanga since %ey
were no :aries in %e 4usiness venure. 3%eir inclusion in %e com:lain was
im:ro:er and %ig%ly "uesiona4le and %e sui was !iled o %arass 4o% o! %em. 0n
!iling %e civil sui; Ay. C%iong violaed %is oa% o! o!!ice and Canon , o! %e Code o!
6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy. 0B6 recommended 2 years sus:ension
SCB a!!irmed 0B6<s recommendaion. 0n addiion; %e Cour menioned some
alernaive remedies Ay. C%iong could %ave a-en i! %is allegaions were indeed rue.
C%iong could %ave !iled a moion !or reinvesigaion or moion !or reconsideraion o!
)alanga<s decision o !ile %e in!ormaion !or esa!a. 'oion o *ismiss %e esa!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% couresy; !airness; and candor owards
%is :ro!essional colleagues; and s%all avoid %arassing acics agains o::osing
counsel.
Lawyer<s 5a% U Eno o wiingly or willingly :romoe or sue any groundless; !alse or
unlaw!ul sui; nor give aid nor consen o %e same.F
ATTY+ DALLONG- GALICINAO @+ ATTY+ CASTRO
Facs:
Ay. *allong8#alicinao is %e Cler- o! Cour o! R3C and Ay. Casro was a
:rivae :raciioner 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 :ary in %a
case.
Com:lainan re:lied %a %e record %ad no ye 4een ransmied since a
ceri!ied rue co:y o! %e CA decision s%ould !irs 4e :resened. 3o %is res:onden
reored; 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 insead %e co:y sen o %e :ary %e re:resens.
Res:onden %en re:lied %a com:lainan s%ould<ve noi!ied %im. Com:lainan
eC:lained %a i is no %er duy o noi!y %e res:onden o! suc% duy. Angered;
res:onden yelled su!! in 0locano and le! %e o!!ice; 4anging %e door so loud. ?e
%en reurned o %e o!!ice and s%oued; +2kinnam nga babai3, IE>ulva o! your mo%er;
you womanNFJ
14 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
Laer; com:lainan !iled a mani!esaion %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 laer 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:lanaion %a %e will ener %is a::earance in %e case w%en is records were
already ransmied 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 violaed Rule ,.22;
4ecause %is was an ac o! encroac%men. 0 maers no %a %e did so in good !ai%.
?is ac o! raising %is voice and uering vulgar invecives o %e cler- o! cour
was no only ill8mannered 4u also un4ecoming considering %a %e did %ese in !ron
o! %e com:lainan<s su4ordinaes. For %ese; %e violaed Rules (.23 and ,.21 and
Canon ,.
3%e :enaly was em:ered 4ecause res:onden a:ologi+ed o %e
com:lainan and %e laer acce:ed i. 3%is is no o say; %owever; %a
res:onden s%ould 4e a4solved !rom %is acuaions. 6eo:le are accouna4le !or %e
conse"uences o! %e %ings %ey say and do even i! %ey re:en a!erwards.
ALCANTARA @+ PEFIANCO
Facs:
Ay. Alcanara Iincum4en *isric 6u4ic Aorney o! 6A5 in Ani"ueJ !iled a
com:lain agains Ay. 6e!ianco !or conduc un4ecoming o! %e 4ar !or using im:ro:er
and o!!ensive language and %reaening and aem:ing o assaul com:lainan. 3%is
%a::ened w%en Ay; )alvani was con!erring wi% %is clien in %e 6A5 o!!ice w%en %e
wi!e o! %e murdered vicim; in ears; came and as-e! !or a selemen. 'oved 4y %e
:lig% o! %e woman; 6e!ianco; w%o was sanding near4y; scolded and s%oued a
)alvani o no sele %e case and o %ave %is clien im:risoned so %a %e would
reali+e %is misa-e. As %ead o! %e o!!ice; Alcanara re:roac%ed 6e!ianco; 4u %is
ended u: wi% 6e!ianco saying %a Alcanara was an idio !or sending %im ou o! %e
6A5. Also; 6e!ianco ried o aac- Alcanara and even s%oued a %im; E#ago -aNF
3%e 0B6 Commiee on Bar *isci:line !ound %a 6e!ianco violaed Canon ,
o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy.
0ssue:
AG1 6e!ianco is guily o! violaing Canon ,
?eld:
/es. Canon , admonis%es lawyers o conduc %emselves wi% couresy;
!airness and candor oward %eir !ellow lawyers. 6e!ianco<s meddling in a maer 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 4erae %ose w%o ried o calm %im down.
A%aever moral rig%eousness %e %ad was negaed 4y %e way %e c%ose o eC:ress
%is indignaion.
CA=ACHO @+ PAGULAYAN
FACTS
A'A Com:uer College IA'ACCJ %ad a :ending case in %e R3C !or
eC:elling some sudens due o %aving :u4lis%ed o4@eciona4le !eaures or aricles in
%e sc%ool :a:er. 3%erea!er; Ay. Camac%o w%o is %e counsel !or %e eC:elled
sudens !iled a com:lain agains Ay. 6angulayan; counsel !or A'ACC; !or violaion
o! Canon . o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional B%ics w%ic% :rovides %a MA lawyer s%ould
no in any way communicae u:on %e su4@ec o! conroversy wi% a :ary re:resened
4y counsel; muc% less s%ould %e undera-e o negoiae or com:romise %e maer
wi% %im; 4u s%ould only deal wi% %is counsel. 0 is incum4en u:on %e lawyer mos
:aricularly o avoid every%ing %a may end o mislead a :ary no re:resened 4y
counsel and %e s%ould no undera-e o advise %im as o law.M 3%e com:lain was
4ased on %e !ac %a Ay. 6angulayan :rocured and e!!eced !rom %e eC:elled
sudens and %eir :arens com:romise agreemens in w%ic% %e sudens waived all
-inds o! claims %ey may %ave agains A'ACC and o erminae all civil; criminal and
adminisraive :roceedings !iled agains i. 3%e com:romise agreemens were
:rocured 4y Ay. 6angulayan wi%ou %e consen and -nowledge o! Ay. Camac%o
given %a %e was already %e counsel !or %e sudens a %a ime. 0 was averred %a
%e acs o! Ay. 6angulayan was un4ecoming o! any mem4er o! %e legal :ro!ession
warraning ei%er dis4armen or sus:ension !rom %e :racice o! law.
ISSUE
A%e%er or no Ay. 6angulayan violaed Canon . o! %e Code o!
6ro!essional B%ics
HELD
/B)N Ay. 6angulayan is sus:ended !or 3 mon%s !rom %e :racice o! law
!or %aving ciolaed %e Code o! 6ro!essional B%ics.
0n %is case; w%en %e com:romise agreemens were !ormali+ed and
e!!eced 4y Ay. 6angulayan; Ay. Camac%o was already %e reained counsel !or %e
sudens in %e :ending case !iled 4y %e sudens agains A'ACC and Ay.
6angulayan %ad !ull -nowledge o! suc% !ac. ?owever; Ay. 6angulayan sill
:roceeded o negoiae wi% %e sudens and %e :arens wi%ou a leas
communicaing %e maer wi% %eir lawyer even 4eing aware %a %e sudens were
4eing re:resened 4y counsel.
)uc% !ailure o! Ay. 6angulayan; w%e%er 4y design or oversig%; is an
ineCcusa4le violaion o! %e canons o! :ro!essional e%ics and in uer disregard o! a
duy owing o a colleague. Ay. 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 relaion o our o:ic Ino saed in caseJ; suc% ac o! Ay. 6angulayan is
also in violaion o! Canon ,.22 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy w%ic% saes
%a MA lawyer s%all no; direcly or indirecly; encroac% u:on %e :ro!essional
em:loymen o! ano%er lawyer; %owever; i is %e rig% o! any lawyer; wi%ou !ear or
!avor; o give :ro:er advice and assisance o %ose see-ing relie! agains un!ai%!ul or
neglec!ul counsel.M
15 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
TORRES @+ >A@IER
Facs:
Ay. 3orres and 'rs. Celesino c%arge Ay. 9avier !or mal:racice; gross
misconduc in o!!ice as an aorney anGor violaion o! %e lawyer<s oa%. 3%is semmed
!rom %e remar-s made 4y 9avier in %e :leadings %e !iled in a :eiion !or audi o! all
!unds o! %e 7niversiy o! %e Bas Faculy Assoc. I7BFAJ as counsel: 1. 'oion o
BC:edie conained !alse saemens wi% malicious im:uaion o! ro44ery and %e! o!
7BFA<s !unds u:on %eir :ersonsK and 2. 0n %e ay.<s !ees case; 9avier in %is Re:ly
used a4usive and im:ro:er language; and made a saemen demeaning o %e
inegriy o! %e :ro!ession IEno uncommon !or rial lawyers o %ear noaries as-ing
%eir !amily mem4ers o sign !or %emFJ.
9avier eC:lained %a %e was angry 4ecause 3orres %ad 4een s:reading
re:ors and rumors im:licaing %is cliens including %is wi!e o %e 4urglary. Ai%
res:ec o %e ay.<s !ess case; %e alleged %a 3orres; in %is Answer; did no con!ron
%e issues 4u moc-ed and made malicious accusaions agains %is wi!e.
3%e 0B6 !ound 9avier guily o! violaing %e Code o! 6ro!essional
Res:onsi4iliy.
0ssue:
AG1 9avier is guily o! violaion o! %e Code
?eld:
/es. For reasons o! :u4lic :olicy; uerances made in %e course o! @udicial
:roceedings; including all -inds o! :leadings; :eiions and moion; are a4soluely
:rivileged so long as %ey are :erinen and relevan o %e su4@ec in"uiry; %owever
!alse or malicious %ey may 4e Imus 4e maerial and relevanJ. 3%is :rivilege does
no eCend o %ose maers no relaed o %e conroversy.
3%e allegaions in %e 'oion o BC:edie !all under %is :rivilege; 4u no
%ose in %e Re:ly. 3%e )C does no counenance 3orres< incor:oraion o! criicisms
agains 9avier<s wi!e as :as :residen o! 7BFA; 4u %is does no @usi!y 9avier<s
realiaing saemens IA%a -ind o! lawyer is 3orresH ?e lies %roug% %is ee%J.
Canon , insrucs %a a lawyer<s argumens 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 genleman o ano%er.
LINSANGAN @+ TOLENTINO
FACTS
3olenino; wi% %e %el: o! La4iano; was :iraing %e cliens o! La4iano 4y
o!!ering; in some insances; a 52$ loan.
ISSUE
0s i an encroac%men on %e :ro!essional :racice o! La4iano; %ere4y
violaing rule ,.22 w%ic% :rovides %a; EA lawyer s%all no; direcly or indirecly;
encroac% u:on %e :ro!essional em:loymen o! ano%er lawyer;OFH
HELD
/es.
)eled is %e rule %a a lawyer s%ould no seal ano%er lawyer<s clien nor
induce %e laer o reain %im 4y a :romise o! 4eer 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 :eiion :raying !or an order o %e res:onden o cease and desis
!rom issuing cerain adverisemens :eraining o %e eCercise o! %e law :ro!ession
o%er %an %ose allowed 4y law.
3%e said adverisemen o! %e Legal Clinic invies :oenial cliens 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% adverisemens are une%ical and desrucive o! %e
con!idence o! %e communiy in %e inegriy o! lawyers. ?e; 4eing a mem4er o! %e
4ar; is as%amed and o!!ended 4y %e said adverisemens. 5n %e o%er %and; %e
res:onden; w%ile admiing o! %e !ac o! %e :u4licaion o! %e adverisemens; claims
%a i is no engaged in %e :racice o! law 4u is merely rendering legal su::or
services %roug% :aralegals. 0 also conends %a suc% adverisemens s%ould 4e
allowed 4ased on cerain 7) cases decided.
0))7B:
AG1 %e Legal Clinic 0nc is engaged in %e :racice o! law.
AG1 %e same can :ro:erly 4e %e su4@ec o! %e adverisemens
com:lained o!.
?BL*GRA305:
/es; i consiues :racice o! law. 1o; %e ads s%ould 4e en@oined.
6racice o! law means any aciviy; in or ou o! cour; w%ic% re"uires %e
a::licaion o! law; legal :rocedures; -nowledge; raining and eC:erience. 3o engage
in %e :racice o! law is o :er!orm %ose acs w%ic% are c%aracerisic o! %e
:ro!ession. #enerally; o :racice law is o give advice or render any -ind o! service
%a involves legal -nowledge or s-ill.
3%e :racice o! law is no limied o %e conduc o! cases in cour. 0 includes
legal advice and counsel; and %e :re:araion o! legal insrumens and conrac 4y
w%ic% legal rig%s are secured; al%oug% suc% maer may or may no 4e :ending in a
cour. A%en a :erson :arici:aes in a rial and adverises %imsel! as a lawyer; %e is in
%e :racice o! law. 5ne w%o con!ers wi% cliens; advises %em as o %eir legal rig%s
and %en a-es %e 4usiness o an aorney and as-s %e laer o loo- a!er %e case in
cour; is also :racicing law. #iving advice !or com:ensaion regarding %e legal saus
and rig%s o! ano%er and %e conduc wi% res:ec %ereo consiues a :racice o!
law. 3%e :racice o! law; %ere!ore; covers a wide range o! aciviies in and ou o!
16 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
cour. And a::lying %e crieria; res:onden Legal Clinic 0nc. is; as adverised;
engaged in %e E:racice o! lawF.
A%a is :al:a4ly clear is %a res:onden cor:oraion gives ou legal
in!ormaion o laymen and lawyers. Ai% is aorneys and so called :aralegals; i will
necessarily %ave o eC:lain o %e clien %e inricacies o! %e law and advise %im or
%er on %e :ro:er course o! acion o 4e a-en as may 4e :rovided !or 4y said law.
3%a is w%a is adverisemens re:resen and !or %e w%ic% services i will
conse"uenly c%arge and 4e :aid. 3%a aciviy !alls s"uarely wi%in %e @uris:rudenial
de!iniion o! M:racice o! law.M
3%e sandards o! %e legal :ro!ession condemn %e lawyerLs adverisemen
o! %is alens. A lawyer canno; wi%ou violaing %e e%ics o! %is :ro!ession adverise
%is alens or s-ill as in a manner similar o a merc%an adverising %is goods. 3%e
only eCce:ions are w%en %e a::ears in a re:ua4le law lis and use o! an ordinary;
sim:le :ro!essional card.
3%e adverisemens do no !all under %ese eCce:ions. 3o allow %e
:u4licaion o! adverisemens o! %e -ind used 4y res:onden would only serve o
aggravae w%a is already a deerioraing :u4lic o:inion o! %e legal :ro!ession w%ose
inegriy %as consisenly 4een under aac-. ?ence; i s%ould 4e en@oined.
CAYETANO @+ =ONSOD
FACTS
Res:onden C%risian 'onsod was nominaed 4y %en 6residen A"uino !or
%e :osiion o! C5'BLBC C%airman in 1..1. 3%is nominaion was o::osed 4y
:eiioner Cayeano on %e ground %a 'onsod does no :ossess %e re"uired
"uali!icaion o! %aving 4een engaged in %e :racice o! law !or a leas 12 years.
A::arenly; %e Consiuion 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 :racice o! law !or a leas 12 years.
*es:ie Cayeano<s o::osiion; %e Commission on A::oinmens con!irmed %e
nominaion. 3%us; Cayeano !iled an insan :eiion !or ceriorari and :ro%i4iion;
4asically c%allenging %e con!irmaion 4y %e CA o! 'onsod<s nominaion.
ISSUE
Is =#s! ?ual$'$e! " &e CO=ELEC Cha$rpers#F
HELD
YES+
3%e :racice o! law is no limied o %e conduc o! cases in cour. 6racice o!
law under modem condiions consiss in no small :ar o! wor- :er!ormed ouside o!
any cour and %aving no immediae relaion o :roceedings in cour. 0 em4races
conveyancing; %e giving o! legal advice on a large variey o! su4@ecs; and %e
:re:araion and eCecuion o! legal insrumens covering an eCensive !ield o! 4usiness
and rus relaions and o%er a!!airs. Al%oug% %ese ransacions may %ave no direc
connecion wi% cour :roceedings; %ey are always su4@ec o 4ecome involved in
liigaion. 3%ey re"uire in many as:ecs a %ig% degree o! legal s-ill; a wide eC:erience
wi% men and a!!airs; and grea ca:aciy !or ada:aion o di!!icul and com:leC
siuaions. 3%ese cusomary !uncions o! an aorney or counselor a law 4ear an
inimae relaion o %e adminisraion o! @usice 4y %e cours. 1o valid disincion; so
!ar as concerns %e "uesion se !or% in %e order; can 4e drawn 4eween %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! insrumens in %is o!!ice. 0 is o! im:orance o %e
wel!are o! %e :u4lic %a %ese mani!old cusomary !uncions 4e :er!ormed 4y
:ersons :ossessed o! ade"uae learning and s-ill; o! sound moral c%aracer; and
acing a all imes under %e %eavy rus o4ligaions o cliens w%ic% ress u:on all
aorneys.
3%e )C; in order o arrive a is decision; :resened a 4rie! %isory o!
'onsod<s em:loymen. A!er :assing %e 4ar eCam; Ay. '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:eraions o!!icer in Cosa Rica. ?is @o4 involved geing
ac"uained wi% %e laws o! mem4er8counries negoiaing loans and coordinaing
legal; economic and :ro@ec wor- o! %e 4an-. 0n 1.(2; %e reurned o %e 6%ili::ines
and wor-ed wi% %e 'eralco #rou:; served as c%ie! eCecuive o! an invesmen 4an-
and a 4usiness conglomerae. By 1.,&; %e rendered %is services o various
com:anies as a legal and economic consulan and %e also wor-ed as a C%ie!
BCecuive 5!!icer. ?e was also %e )ecreary8#eneral and 1aional C%airman o!
1A'FRBL in 1.,&81.,(. ?is :osiion in 1A'FRBL re"uired %is -nowledge in
elecion law. Also; %e sa as a mem4er o! %e *avide Commission in 1..2.
0ner:reed in %e lig% o! %e various de!iniions o! %e erm 6racice o! lawM.
:aricularly %e modern conce: o! law :racice; and a-ing ino consideraion %e
li4eral consrucion inended 4y %e !ramers o! %e Consiuion; Ay. 'onsodLs :as
wor- eC:eriences as a lawyer8economis; a lawyer8manager; a lawyer8enre:reneur o!
indusry; a lawyer8negoiaor o! conracs; and a lawyer8legislaor o! 4o% %e ric% and
%e :oor W verily more %an sais!y %e consiuional re"uiremen W %a %e %as 4een
engaged in %e :racice o! law !or a leas en years.
PADILLA% J., dissening:
3%ere are several !acors deerminaive o! w%e%er a :aricular aciviy consiues
M:racice o! law.M
1. ?a4iualiy
2. Com:ensaion
3. A::licaion o! law; legal :rinci:le; :racice or :rocedure w%ic% calls or legal
-nowledge; raining and eC:erience is wi%in %e erm M:racice o! lawF.
4. Aorney8clien relaions%i:.
CA=BALIAA @+ CRISTOBAL-TENORIO
FACTS
Ca4li+a; a !ormer em:loyee o! Crisal83enorio in %er law o!!ice; !iled a
dis4armen com:lain on %e grounds o! decei; grossly immoral conduc and
mal:racice or o%er gross misconduc in o!!ice.
De)e$"B re:resened %ersel! o 4e married o Felicisimo 3enorio 9r; w%o %as a
:rior eCising marriage
Grssly $((ral )#!u)"B disseminaed li4ellous a!!idavis agains a
'a-ai Ciy counselor.
17 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
=alpra)"$)eB allowed %er %us4and; a non8lawyer; o :racice 4y ma-ing %im
a senior :arner in %er law o!!ice. 3%is is evidenced 4y 1J %e law o!!ice leer%ead
w%ic% included %e %us4and as a senior :arner; 2J an id w%erein %e signed as an
EayF; 3J a::earance in cour as counsel.
HELD
#uily o! mal:racice. >iolaed Ca## 7 a#! Rule 7+91
Canon .: a lawyer s%all no assis in unau%ori+ed :racice o! law
Rule ..21: a lawyer s%all no delaed 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
sanding
Bven %oug% Ca4li+a laer on wi%drew %er com:lain; 0B6 sill :us%ed
%roug% wi% %e invesigaion 4ecause suc% is a disci:linary :roceeding. 3%ere is no
:rivae ineres a!!eced suc% %a desisance o! %e com:lainan will erminae %e
:roceedings. 3%e :ur:ose is o :roec %e 4ar !rom %ose un!i o :racice law.
A=ALGA=ATED LABORERSG ASSOCIATION @+ CIR
FACTS
3%is case involves a conroversy over Aorney<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 Cenral Com:any IB0)C5'J !or un!air la4or
:racices; as s:eci!ied in %e 0ndusrial 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 direced %e C%ie! BCaminer o go o B0)C5' o
com:ue %e 4ac-wages o! %e com:lainan wor-ers
Ay. Fernande+ !iled a E1oice o! Ay.<s lienF amouning 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"uesed %im o 25Y o sais!y Ay. Car4onell<s lien o! 5Y.
Ay. Car4onell dis:ued %is claim and even said %a %e ver4al agreemen
enered ino 4y %e 71051 and is o!!icers is %a %e 32Y Ay.<s Fees s%all 4e divided
e"ually 4y %im; Ay. Fernande+ D Felis4ero 9avier; %e 71051<s :residen.
3%ere are o%er maers in %is case regarding 9urisdicion 4u %e one
relaed o Legal B%ics is on %e issue on Ay.<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 sruc- down %e alleged oral agreemen %a %e 71051
6residen s%ould s%are in %e Ay.<s Fees. 3%e 71051 6residen is no %e aorney
!or %e la4orers. ?e may see- com:ensaion only as suc% :residen. An agreemen
w%ere4y a 71051 6residen is allowed o s%are in Ay.<s Fees is immoral. )uc% a
conrac we em:%aically re@ec. 0 canno 4e @usi!ied. 1oe Rule ..22.
AGUIRRE @+ RA=A
FACTS
Res:onden Bdwin L. Rana was among %ose w%o :assed %e 2222 Bar
BCaminaions. 5n 21 'ay 2221; one day 4e!ore %e sc%eduled mass oa%8a-ing o!
success!ul 4ar eCaminees as mem4ers o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar; com:lainan *onna
'arie Aguirre !iled agains res:onden a 6eiion !or *enial o! Admission o %e Bar;
c%arging res:onden wi% unau%ori+ed :racice o! law; grave misconduc; violaion o!
law; and grave misre:resenaion.
3%e Cour allowed res:onden o a-e %is oa% as a mem4er o! %e Bar
during %e sc%eduled oa%8a-ing on 22 'ay 2221 4u ruled %a %e canno sign %e
Roll o! Aorneys :ending %e resoluion o! %e c%arge agains %im.
Com:lainan c%arged res:onden !or unau%ori+ed :racice o! law and grave
misconduc; alleging %a res:onden; w%ile no ye a lawyer; a::eared as counsel !or
>ice 'ayoraly candidae #eorge Bunan in %e 'ay 2221 elecions 4e!ore %e
'unici:al Board o! Blecion Canvassers IE'BBCFJ o! 'andaon; 'as4ae; and !iled
wi% %e 'BBC a :leading as counsel eniled Formal 54@ecion o %e 0nclusion in %e
Canvassing o! >oes in )ome 6recincs !or %e 5!!ice o! >ice8'ayor. Res:onden also
signed as counsel !or Bsi:ona8?ao in %er :eiion o 4e declared %e winning
mayoraly candidae.
5n %e c%arge o! violaion o! law; res:onden is no allowed 4y law o ac as
counsel !or a clien in any cour or adminisraive 4ody; res:onden 4eing a munici:al
governmen em:loyee I)ecreary o! %e )angguniang Bayan o! 'andaon; 'as4aeJ.
3%e Cour re!erred %e case o %e 5!!ice o! %e Bar Con!idan IE5BCFJ !or
evaluaion; re:or and recommendaion.
5BC<s Re:or and Recommendaion
3%e 5BC !ound %a res:onden indeed a::eared 4e!ore %e 'BBC as counsel !or
Bunan in %e 'ay 2221 elecions. 3%e minues o! %e 'BBC :roceedings s%ow %a
res:onden acively :arici:aed 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 cass a serious dou4 on %is moral
!iness o 4e a mem4er o! %e Bar. )uc% unau%ori+ed :racice o! law is a ground o
deny %is admission o %e :racice o! law.
HELD
Res:onden is guily o! unau%ori+ed :racice 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 :racice o! law and %us does no deserve admission o %e 6%ili::ine
Bar.
8 Res:onden a::eared as counsel !or Bunan and signed as EcounselF in %e
:leadings
8 was also reained as counsel o! mayoraly candidae Bmily Bsi:ona8?ao
and o! :ary RBF5R'A L'866C
,9 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
4all these took place before $espondent took his oath and signed the $oll of
Attorneys
2. A%a consiues %e E:racice o! lawF
8 3%e :racice o! law is not limied o %e conduc o! cases or liigaion in
courK i em4races %e :re:araion o! :leadings and o%er :a:ers inciden o
acions and s:ecial :roceedings; %e managemen o! suc% acions and
:roceedings on 4e%al! o! cliens 4e!ore @udges and cours
8 all advice o cliens; and all acion a-en !or %em in maers conneced wi%
%e law; incor:oraion services; assessmen and condemnaion services
conem:laing an a::earance 4e!ore a @udicial 4ody; %e !oreclosure o! a
morgage; en!orcemen o! a crediorLs claim in 4an-ru:cy and insolvency
:roceedings; and conducing :roceedings in aac%men; and in maers o!
esae and guardians%i: %ave 4een %eld o consiue law :racice; as do %e
:re:araion and dra!ing o! legal insrumens; w%ere %e wor- done involves
%e deerminaion 4y %e rained legal mind o! %e legal e!!ec o! !acs and
condiions.
8 any aciviy; in or ou o! cour; w%ic% re"uires %e a::licaion o! law; legal
:rocedure; -nowledge; raining and eC:erience.
8 :er!orm acs 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 :racice law is no a naural or consiuional rig% 4u is a
:rivilege.
8 limied o :ersons o! good moral c%aracer wi% s:ecial "uali!icaions duly
ascerained and ceri!ied.
8 A 4ar candidae does no ac"uire %e rig% o :racice law sim:ly 4y :assing
%e 4ar eCaminaions.
8 al%oug% res:onden :assed %e 2222 Bar BCaminaions and oo- %e
lawyer<s oa%; i is %e signing in %e Roll o! Aorneys %a !inally ma-es one
a !ull8!ledged lawyer.
LACUINDANU= @+ CUINTANA
Facs:
9udge La"uindanum c%arged Ay. =uinana wi% %e o!!ense o! noari+ing
documens 4eyond %e @urisdicion o! %is noarial license and wi% noari+ing
documens no -nown o %im o 4e 4ased on acual !acs. 0 was also !ound %a %is
wi!e someimes noari+ed %e documens %ersel!.
0ssue:
0s Ay. =uinana guily o! violaing Canon .H
?eld:
/es. ?e was !ound o %ave assised in %e unau%ori+ed :racice o! law 4y
negligenly leing %is wi!e noari+e documens %ersel! in %is a4sence. ?is conenion
%a %e reci!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 se:s o :reven %is. ?e was also c%arged wi%
violaions o! %e noarial law.
CANONS 19 E 11
FERNANDEA @+ DE RA=OS-@ILLALON
FACTS
3%is is an adminisraive case !iled 4y :eiioner Fernande+ agains Ay.
>illalon. 0 sared !rom a case !iled 4y a cerain Carlos 6alacios agains Fernande+ o
nulli!y a *eed o! *onaion. Ay. >illalon re:resened 6alacios in %e early :ar o! %e
case agains Fernande+.
0n 2224; 6alacios; owner o! a lo in 'a-ai; soug% %e %el: o! Fernande+ o
%el: %im in a case agains a land8gra44ing syndicae. 6alacios won %e case wi% %e
%el: o! Fernande+.
0n )e: 2225; 6alacios 4um:ed ino a 'rs. Lirio w%o eC:ressed ineres in
4uying 6alacios< 'a-ai :ro:ery. 0 urns ou %a i was 4eing sold 4y Fernande+ w%o
allegedly %ad a *eed o! *onaion w%ic% 6alacios eCecued in %is !avor. 3%is *eed o!
*onaion was regisered.
6alacios; wi% %e %el: o! Ay. >illalon; !iled an acion o nulli!y %e *eed
agains Fernande+. ?owever; Fernande+ answered %a %e ile rans!er in %is name
was :ro:er; ciing a *eed o! A4solue )ale as 4asis. ?e !ur%ered alled %a i was
acually 6alacios w%o !orged %e *eed o! *onaion o c%ea in aCes.
0n 222&; Fernande+ !iled a com:lain !or dis4armen agains Ay. >illalon !or
violaion o! Rule 1.21; (.23; 12.1; 12.2; 12.3. ?e claims %a Ay. >illalon %as
su::ressed and eCcluded in %e com:lain !iled 4y %er -nowledge a4ou %e eCisence
o! %e *eed o! A4solue )ale; w%ic% was 4y %e way; unregisered. ?e says %a no
menion o! i was made in %e :eiion !or %e annulmen o! %ee *eed o! *onaion.
Commissioner o! 0B6 recommended %e dismissal o! %e case. )usaining
Ay. >illalon<s argumen %a s%e; as counsel !or 6alacios; was under no duy o
include %e !ac %a %e *eed o! )ale eCised 4ecause only %e clien<s o:eraive
!acs; and no o%er evideniary !acs; need o 4e included in %e com:lain. 3%e *eed
o! )ale was a maer 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! discreion in dismissing %e com:lain.
HELD
1one. Case agains >illalon is dismissed.
,1 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
A lawyer; as an o!!icer o! %e cour; %as %e duy o 4e ru%!ul in all %is
dealings. ?owever; %is duy does no re"uire %a %e lawyer advance maers o!
de!ense on 4e%al! o! %is or %er clien<s o::onen. )%e I>illalonJ is no duy 4ound o
4uild %e case !or %er clien<s o::onen; Fernande+.
3%e cause o! acion c%osen 4y 6alacios was !or %e annulmen o! %e *eed
o! *onaion. Clien 6alacios in!ormed %er %a %e *eed o! )ale was void !or lac- o!
consideraion. Also; i was no regisered and was no %e 4asis o! %e rans!er o! ile
o! 6alacios< :ro:ery o Fernande+. 3%ere!ore; i is no a necessary evidenceG!ac o
%eir case.
RI@ERA @+ CORRAL
Facs:
Rivera insiued a com:lain !or dis4armen c%arging Ay. Corral wi%
mal:racice and conduc un4ecoming a mem4er o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar. A decision !or
an e@ecmen case was received 4y Ay. Corral<s secreary on Fe4ruary 23; 1..2.
1oice o! A::eal was !iled 4y Ay. Corral on 'arc% 13; 1..2. 1eC day; %e wen o %e
cler- o! cour and c%anged %e dae Fe4ruary 23 o Fe4ruary 2. wi%ou %e cour<s
:rior -nowledge and :ermission. Ay. Corral laer on !iled a re:ly o :laini!!<s
mani!esaion claiming %a %e received %e decision on Fe4ruary 2,; no 2. I4ecause
%ere is no Fe4 2.J.
0ssue:
AG1 Ay. Corral s%ould 4e dis4arred !or c%anging %e dae w%en %e received
%e decision o! %e cour wi%ou %e cour<s :rior -nowledge o! decision
?eld:
1o; Ay. Corral is sus:ended !or 1 year. 3%e correcion o! dae 4y Ay.
Corral was made no o re!lec %e ru% 4u o mislead %e rial cour in 4elieving %a
%e noice o! a::eal was !iled wi%in %e reglemenary :eriod. Because i! %e decision
was received on Fe4 22; %e noice o! a::eal !iled on 'arc% 13 is !iled ou o! ime. 3o
eCricae %imsel! !rom suc% :redicamen; Ay. Corral alered %e dae %e received %e
cour<s decision. By alering %e maerial daes o ma-e i a::ear %a %e 1oice o!
A::eal was imely !iled; Ay. Corral commied an ac o! dis%onesy. *is%onesy
consiues grave misconduc.
>OHNNY NG @+ ALAR
FACTS
3%e case semmed !rom a la4or case !iled 4y %e em:loyees o! %e 1g
Com:any agains is em:loyers. 3%e em:loyees alleged %a %ey did no receive %eir
service incenive leave :ay !rom %eir em:loyers due o %e laer<s claim %a %e
em:loyees conduced a sri-e a %e Com:any<s :remises w%ic% %am:ered is
ingress and egress. 3%e case was re!erred o %e la4or ar4ier and %e laer !ound
%a %e em:loyees %ave 4een :aid %eir service incenive leave :ay. 3%e em:loyees
a::ealed o 1LRC 4u %e laer a!!irmed %e la4or ar4ier<s decision.
0n reacion o %is; res:onden !iled a 'oion !or Reconsideraion wi% 'oion 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 ar4ier was cross8eyed in ma-ing %is
!indings o! !ac and %a Commissioner *ino:ol aced in %e same manner wi% malice
%rown in w%en %e ado:ed %e !indings o! %e la4or ar4ier. 3%a %e reiring
commissioners o! 1LRC circumven %e law and @uris:rudence w%en %e money claim
involved in %e case is su4sanial. According o res:onden; suc% acs consiue
grave a4use o! discreion.
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
laer violaed cerain codes and rules o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy.
):eci!ically; res:onden allegedly violaed Canons , and 11 w%erein a lawyer is
:ro%i4ied !rom using scandalous; o::ressive; o!!ensive; and malicious language
agains an o::osing counsel and 4e!ore %e cours.
0n %is de!ense; res:onden argues %a %e did no violae any o! %e canons
!ound in %e Code 4ecause 1J %e 1LRC is no among %e cours re!erred o in %e
rulesK 2J %e Commissioners %erein are no @udgesK and 3J %e com:lainans in la4or
cases are eniled o some laiude o! rig%eous anger. Aac%ed o res:onden<s
couner8com:lain is an a!!idavi made 4y %e union :residen Baan alleging %a %e
lawyers o! %e com:lainan are %e ones w%o violaed %e Code o! 6ro!essional
Res:onsi4iliy w%en %ey !iled muli:le suis arising !rom %e same cause o! acion
and w%en %ey deli4eraely lessened %e num4er o! com:lainans in %e la4or case.
3%e !indings o! %e Commission on Bar disci:line led %e 0B6 o conclude
%a res:onden is guily o! violaing Canons , and 11; w%ile %e lawyers o! %e
com:lainan did no violae any canons o! %e Code. 0 recommended %a res:onden
4e re:rimanded wi% a sern warning %a severe :enalies will 4e im:osed in case a
similar conduc will 4e commied again.
ISSUE
AG1 res:onden violaed Canons , and 11 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional
Res:onsi4iliy.
HELD
/B). Res:onden %as clearly violaed Canons , and 11 o! %e Code o!
6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy. ?is acions erode %e :u4lic<s :erce:ion o! %e legal
:ro!ession. 3%e 'R'0 conains insuls and diari4es agains %e 1LRC; aac-ing 4o%
is moral and inellecual inegriy; re:lee wi% im:lied accusaions o! :arialiy;
im:ro:riey and lac- o! diligence. Res:onden used im:ro:er and o!!ensive language
in %is :leadings %a does no admi any @usi!icaion.
3%oug% a lawyerLs language may 4e !orce!ul and em:%aic; i s%ould always
4e digni!ied and res:ec!ul; 4e!iing %e digniy o! %e legal :ro!ession. 3%e use o!
unnecessary language is :roscri4ed i! we are o :romoe %ig% eseem in %e cours
and rus in @udicial adminisraion.
?owever; %e :enaly o! re:rimand wi% sern warning im:osed 4y %e 0B6
Board o! #overnors is no :ro:orionae o res:onden<s violaion o! %e Canons o! %e
Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy. 3%us; %e deserves a si!!er :enaly o! !ine in %e
amoun o! 65;222.22.
,, ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
Anen %e Couner8Com:lain !iled agains %e lawyers o! com:lainan; %e
Cour !inds no reason o disur4 %e !ollowing !indings and recommendaion o! %e
0nvesigaing Commissioner; as a::roved 4y %e 0B6 Board o! #overnors; o wi:
3%e Couner8com:lainan Baan !ailed o su4mi any :osiion :a:er o
su4saniae is claims des:ie su!!icien o::oruniy o do so.
FUDOT @+ CATTLEYA LAND
FACTS
*e La )erna a re"uesed !or %e in%i4iion o! Associae 9usice *ane 5.
3inga claiming %a 9usice 3inga; w%o was %e :onene 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 curly old %im %a C%an already given ou 12' " >USTICE
DANTE O+ TINGA in eCc%ange !or a !avora4le *ecision in %e case 4eween Fudo
and Calleya landI'r. C%an is a re:resenaive o! Caleya landJ. Ay. *e La )erna
said %a 9usice 3inga a4andoned %e docrine in %e case Lim v; 9orge o
accommodae 'r. C%an. ?e also said %a %e case was :riorii+ed !or resoluion and
%a 'r. C%an %ad :rior -nowledge o! %e oucome o! %e case 4e!ore %e decision
was :romulgaed.
?owever; 'r. C%an relaed %a %e a::roac%ed *e La )erna !or %e :ur:ose
o! amica4ly seling %eir case wi% Caleya; and o!!ered %im o 4e %eir reainer 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 Ay. *e La )erna is guily o! indirec conem:.
HELD
Ay. *e La )erna is guily o! indirec conem:.
Conem: is de!ined as a diso4edience o %e Cour 4y seing u: an
o::osiion o is au%oriy; @usice and digniy. 0 signi!ies no only a will!ul disregard or
diso4edience o! %e courLs orders 4u suc% conduc %a ends o 4ring %e au%oriy
o! %e cour and %e adminisraion o! law ino disre:ue or in some manner o im:ede
%e due adminisraion o! @usice. 0ndirec conem: is one commied ou o! or no in
%e :resence o! %e cour %a ends o 4elile; degrade; o4sruc or em4arrass %e
cour and @usice. Any im:ro:er conduc ending; direcly or indirecly; o im:ede;
o4sruc; or degrade %e adminisraion o! @usice %as also 4een considered o
consiue indirec conem:.
A lawyer is; !irs and !oremos; an o!!icer o! %e cour. Corollary o %is duy o
o4serve and mainain %e res:ec due o %e cours and @udicial o!!icers is o su::or
%e cours agains Mun@us criicism and clamor.M ?is duy is o u:%old %e digniy and
%e au%oriy o! %e cours o w%ic% %e owes !ideliy; Mno o :romoe disrus in %e
adminisraion o! @usice; as i is %is sworn and moral duy o %el: 4uild and no
desroy unnecessarily %a %ig% eseem and regard owards %e cours so essenial o
%e :ro:er adminisraion o! @usiceF
As :ar o! %e mac%inery !or %e adminisraion o! @usice; a lawyer is
eC:eced o 4ring o %e !ore irregular and "uesiona4le :racices o! %ose siing in
cour w%ic% end o corrode %e @udicial mac%inery. 3%us; i! %e ac"uired relia4le
in!ormaion %a anomalies are :er:eraed 4y @udicial o!!icers; i is incum4en u:on
%im o re:or %e maer o %e Cour so %a i may 4e :ro:erly aced u:on. An
omission or even a delay in re:oring may end o erode %e digniy o!; and %e
:u4licLs rus in; %e @udicial sysem.
3%is is no o say; %owever; %a as an o!!icer o! %e cour; %e canno criici+e
%e cour. 0 is a long recogni+ed and res:eced rig% o! a lawyer; or any :erson; !or
%a maer; o 4e criical o! cours and magisraes as long as %ey are made in
:ro:erly res:ec!ul erms and %roug% legiimae c%annels. Bu" $" $s "he )ar!$#al
)#!$"$# ' all su)h )r$"$)$s( "ha" $" shall &e &#a '$!e a#! shall #" sp$ll /er
"he walls ' !e)e#)y a#! prpr$e"y. 0nem:erae and un!air criicism is a gross
violaion o! %e duy o! res:ec o cours. 0 is suc% a misconduc %a su4@ecs a lawyer
o disci:linary acion.
0n %is case; Ay. *e La )ernaLs saemens 4ear %e 4adges o! !alse%ood
w%ile %e common version o! %e winesses w%o dis:ued %is saemens is im4ued
wi% %e %allmar-s o! ru%. *e La )ernaLs declaraions were maliciously and
irres:onsi4ly made. 3%ey eCceeded %e 4oundaries o! decency and :ro:riey. 3%e
li4elous aac- on %e inegriy and credi4iliy o! 9usice 3inga end o degrade %e
digniy 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 :rivae :rosecuors
re:resening %e governmen were re:eaedly a4sen or un:re:ared.
3%is led o %e case 4eing dismissed. %e lawyerG:rivae :rosecuor was
un%a::y wi% %e dismissal and accused %e @udge o! !avoriism and gross ignorance
o! %e law.
3%e lawyer wen o %e congressman in %eir disric 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 guily o! indirec conem: and given a sern warning
as well as !ined !or 2522:%: 4y %e cour.
Lesson: i! you !ile a case agains a @udge !ile i wi%in %e @usice sysem Iie
o!!ice o! %e cour adminisraor G 0B6J no wi% your congressman or o%er non8@udicial
:eo:le.
CANON 1,
BERBANO @+ BARCELONA
FACTS
Felicias Ber4ano; %eir o! Ru!ino ?ila:o a::oined Ay. *aen as %eir ay8in8
!ac !or %eir :ending casevwi% %e Commission on %e )elemen o! Land 6ro4lems
,0 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
Iregarding %eir Ayala lo 4eing claimed 4y Filinves *ev. Cor:.J. Ay. *aen was
su4se"uenly arresed 4y 'uninlu:a :olice. 3%e %eirs o! ?ila:o loo-ed !or a lawyer o
secure %e release o! Ay. *aen. Ber4ano was recommended o Ay. Barcelona I4y a
cerain 1ay )i4uyaJ. A!er %e !irs visi o! Ay. Barcelona in 'uninlu:a Ciy 9ail; %ey
learned %a Ay. *aen %ad decided o engage %e services o! Ay. Barcelona. Ay.
Barcelona old Ber4ano %a i! %ey could :roduce 652$; %e will cause %e release o!
Ay. *aen %e neC day. )ince i was already lae in %e evening; Ber4ano could only
:roduce 615;(22 4y as-ing !rom relaives w%o were wi% %er.
3%ere were several su4se"uen meeings 4eween Ber4ano and Ay.
Barcelona regarding %e Egrease moneyF o 4e used o allegedly 4ri4e an )C @usice.
Ber4ano made ano%er :aymen via a E:ay8o8cas%F c%ec- !or 624;222K and; in
ano%er occasion; wen o %e %ouse o! Ay. Barcelona o give %im 612;222. Ano%er
615;222 was %anded o Ay. Barcelona 4y Ay. *aen<s ne:%ew w%ile Ber4ano gave
%im 61222 !or gasoline eC:enses w%en Ay. Barcelona in!ormed %em %a %e could
no secure Ay. *aen<s 4ecause %e c%ec- %ad no 4een encas%ed. By %is ime; %e
oal amoun given o Ay. Barcelona reac%ed 6&4;222.
For !ailure o deliver on %is :romise and due o %is sudden disa::earance;
Ber4ano !iled a com:lain !or dis4armen agains Ay. Barcelona wi% %e 0B6.
Commissioner Bauisa !ound Ay. Barcelona guily o! mal:racice and serious 4reac%
o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy recommending %im o 4e dis4arred and
ordering %im o reurn %e 6&4;222 IFor !ailure o !ile an answer and o a::ear 4e!ore
%e Commissioner; %e decision was rendered ex parte.J. Board o! #overnors ado:ed
%e Commissioner<s !indings 4u reduced %e :enaly o sus:ension !rom %e :racice
o! law !or & years.
ISSUE
AG1 Ay. Barcelona s%ould 4e dis4arred
HELD
A""y+ Bar)el#a shul! &e !$s&arre!.
*is4armen :roceedings are mean o sa!eguard %e adminisraion o! @usice
4y :roecing %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 coninue disc%arging %e rus re:osed in %em as mem4ers
o! %e 4ar.
Ber4ano<s A!!idavi8Com:lain and esimony was su!!icien o su::or %e
!inding %a res:onden commied %e acs com:lained o!. 3%e ac o! Ay. Barcelona
in no !iling %is answer and ignoring %e %earings; des:ie due noice; em:%asi+ed %is
conem: !or legal :roceedings. ?ence; %e Cour !inds no com:elling reason o
overurn %e 0nvesigaing Commissioner<s @udgmen.
Ay. Barcelona is guily !or violaions o! Canon 1; (; 11; and 1& IRule 1&.21J.
0nsead o! :romoing 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 :reeC o!
%aving connecions wi% a 'em4er o! %e Cour Io secure %e release o! Ay. *aenJ.
Also; %is was no %e !irs ime Ay. Barcelona %as 4een c%arged and !ound guily o!
conduc un4ecoming a lawyer I3%e :revious case also involved misre:resenaion
and Ay. Barcelona also did no a::ear 4e!ore %e 0B6 des:ie due noice.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 Irelaed o Canon 12J.
SEBASTIAN @+ BA>AR
FACTS
Ba@ar was a lawyer or %e Bureau o! Agrarian Legal Assisance o! %e *AR
w%o re:resened Fernando 3anlioco in numerous cases w%ic% raised %e same
issues. 3anlioco was an agriculural lessee o! a land owned 4y )e4asian<s s:ouse
and siser8in8law IlandownersJ. 3%e landowners !iled an B@ecmen case
agains 3anlioco on %e 4asis o! a conversion order o! %e land use !rom agriculural o
residenial. 3%e R3C rendered @udgmen ordering 3anlioco<s e@ecmen su4@ec o %e
:aymen o! disur4ance com:ensaion. 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 @udicaa and lac- o! cause o! acion. Ba@ar again !iled
ano%er case !or 'ainenance o! 6ossession wi% %e *AR Ad@udicaion Board w%ic%
raised %e same issues o! conversion and disur4ance com:ensaion.
'anuel ). )e4asian !iled a dis4armen com:lain agains Ay. Bmily
A. Ba@ar Ires:ondenJ !or Eo4srucing; diso4eying; resising; re4elling; and im:eding
!inal decisions o! Regional 3rial Cours; %e Cour o! A::eals and o! %e ?onora4le
)u:reme Cour; and also !or su4miing %ose !inal decisions !or %e review and
reversal o! %e *ARAB; an adminisraive 4ody; and !or conem:uous acs and
dilaory acics.F
3%e Cour issued a resoluion re"uiring Ba@ar o commen on %e com:lain
lodged agains %er. A!er a 2
nd
'oion !or BCension; Ba@ar !inally su4mied %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 laer ordered o s%ow cause
w%y s%e s%ould no 4e su4@eced o disci:linary acion !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 :racice o! law !or 7ne%ical 6racices and
aiude s%owing %er :ro:ensiy and incorrigi4le c%aracer o violae %e 4asic enes
and re"uiremens o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy rendering %er un!i o
coninue in %e :racice o! law.F ?owever; Ba@ar coninued o :racice law des:ie %e
decision claiming %a s%e did no receive a co:y o! %e order.
ISSUE
A%e%er Ba@ar violaed %e Canon 12 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional
Res:onsi4iliy
HELD
/B).
Res:onden<s ac o! !iling cases wi% idenical issues in o%er venues des:ie
%e !inal ruling w%ic% was a!!irmed 4y %e Cour o! A::eals and %e )u:reme Cour is
4eyond %e 4ounds o! %e law. Res:onden a4used %er rig% o! recourse o %e
cours. Res:onden; acing as 3anlioco<s counsel; !iled cases !or ):eci!ic
6er!ormance and 'ainenance o! 6ossession des:ie %e !inaliy o! %e decision in
,2 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
%e B@ecmen case w%ic% involves %e same issues. 3%e Cour %eld %a Ean
im:oran !acor in deermining %e eCisence o! !orum8s%o::ing is %e veCaion
caused o %e cours and %e :aries8liigans 4y %e !iling o! similar cases o claim
su4sanially %e same relie!s.
Q(2R
0ndeed; Ew%ile a lawyer owes !ideliy o %e cause o!
%is clien; i s%ould no 4e a %e eC:ense o! ru% and adminisraion o! @usice.F 0 is
eviden !rom %e records %a res:onden !iled o%er cases o %war %e eCecuion o!
%e !inal @udgmen in %eB@ecmen case. 0n %is case; res:onden %as s%own %er grea
:ro:ensiy o disregard cour orders. Res:onden<s acs o! wanonly diso4eying %er
duies as an o!!icer o! %e cour s%ow an uer disres:ec !or %e Cour and %e legal
:ro!ession. ?owever; %e Cour will no dis4ar a lawyer i! i !inds %a a lesser :enaly
will su!!ice o accom:lis% %e desired end.
Ba@ar was SUSPENDED !rom %e :racice o! law !or a :eriod o! THREE
YEARS e!!ecive !rom noice; wi% a STERN <ARNING %a a re:eiion o! %e same
or similar acs will 4e deal wi% more severely.
HEGNA @+ PADERANGA
FACTS
?egna was %e lessee o! a :orion o! land owned 4y %e Baclayon s:ouses
!or 12 years 4u during %is :eriod %e 6anaguini: s:ouses 4y means o! !orce; %rea;
inimidaion; seal% and sraegy IF0)3)J enered u:on %e vacan :orion o! %e lo
and consruced a s%o: !or w%ic% %e !iled a !orci4le enry case.
?egna won and %e 6anaguini: s:ouses were senenced o vacae %e
leased :remises and o :ay com:lainan com:ensaory damages !or illegal
occu:aion. A%en %e '3CC o! Ce4u issued a wri o! eCecuion and %e )%eri!! levied
cerain :ro:eries o! %e s:ouses %ey sen a leer daed *ec 2221 o ?egna !or a
:ossi4le amica4le selemen w%ic% %e denied. 3%en Ay. 6aderanga !iled a 3%ird
6ary 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:eries 4y %e )%eri!!.
?egna %en !iled a leer com:lain o %e 5!!ice o! %e 4ar con!idan !or
Edeli4eraely !alsi!ying documens; causing delay and a :ossi4le denial o! @usice.F ?e
also !iled criminal c%arges agains Ay. 6aderanga D Ay. 'adarang Inoary :u4licJ
!or !alsi!icaion o! :u4lic documens and %e 6anaguini: s:ouses !or !alse esimony
and :er@ury. ?is grounds were I1J %e lo %ad no record o! rans!er wi% %e Regiser o!
*eeds; I2J %e regisraion o! %e ve%icle didn< re!lec any c%ange o! owners%i: D I3J
%e 1oarial Regiser Boo- s%owed am:ering and erasures.
3%e Ciy 6rosecuor dismissed %e criminal com:lain !or lac- o! prima
facie evidence o! guil 4u re!erred %e adminisraive com:lain o %e 0negraed Bar
o! %e 6%ili::ines I0B6J !or invesigaion. Ay. 6aderanga<s de!ense alleged %a !or
B)3A3B 6LA1101# :ur:oses; %e inenionally le! %ese :ro:eries in %e name o!
%e :revious owner and %a %e alleged discre:ancies in %e noari+aion were made
o correc misa-es so %a enries will s:ea- %e ru%.
3%e 0nvesigaing Commissioner !ound %a %e dismissal was im:ro:er in
lig% o! %e leer %andwrien 4y Res:onden<s cliens; wrien in Ce4uano; as-ing !or
mercy and !orgiveness in relaion o %e !orci4le enry case. )uc% leer was no longer
necessary i! indeed %ere was a #B1701B rans!er o! owners%i: o! :ro:eries. 0n
addiion; %ere were several insances w%ere Ay. 6aderanga will mee wi% ?egna
o!!ering selemen and i was only w%en %e denied %em %a %e received %e 3%ird
6ary Com:lain.
ISSUE
AGn %ere was indeed a genuine rans!er o! %e lo and ve%icle o Ay.
6aderangaH
HELD
Commissioner is convinced %a %ere was indeed an anomaly w%ic%
consiues a violaion o! %e Canons o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy so given 1 year
sus:ension. ?is non8regisraion o! %e sale ransacion so i would no a::ear in %e
records o! %e B0R; %e Ciy Assessor or %e Regiser o! *eeds; on %e Land
Regisraion 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$re "he
prper"y ' h$s )l$e#" wh$)h $s $# l$"$*a"$#+
violaed 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)"+
violaed %e LawyerGs Oa"h; w%ic% mandaes %a %e s%ould su::or %e
Consiuion; o4ey %e laws as well as %e legal orders o! %e duly consiued
au%oriies %erein; and do # 'alseh! r #" )#se#" " "he !$#* '
a#y $# )ur". Fur%er; %e %as also !ailed o live u: o %e sandard se 4y law
%a %e s%ould re'ra$# '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! non8regisraion 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 emulae.
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 moion !or reconsideraion o! %e decision o! %e
6%ili::ine )u:reme Cour; !inding res:onden guily o! gross misconduc !or
commiing a will!ul and inenional !alse%ood 4e!ore %e cour; misusing cour
:rocedure and :rocesses o delay %e eCecuion o! a @udgmen and colla4oraing wi%
non8lawyers in %e illegal :racice o! law.
5n 1ovem4er 15; 1...; a decision was rendered 4y %e 6rovincial
Ad@udicaor o! Cavie I6ARA*J in !avor o! com:lainan; 6lus Builders; 0nc. and agains
%e enansG!armers Leo:oldo de #u+man; e. al.; w%o were %e cliens o! res:onden
Ay. Anasacio B. Revilla; 9r. 3%e 6ARA* !ound %a res:onden<s cliens were mere
enans and no rig%!ul :ossessorsGowners o! %e su4@ec land. 3%e case was
elevaed all %e way u: o %e )u:reme Cour; wi% %is Cour susaining
com:lainan<s rig%s over %e land. Coninuing o :ursue %is cliens< los cause;
,3 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
res:onden was !ound o %ave commied inenional !alse%oodK and misused cour
:rocesses wi% %e inenion o delay %e eCecuion o! %e decision %roug% %e !iling o!
several moions; :eiions !or em:orary resraining orders; and %e las; an acion o
"uie ile des:ie %e !inaliy o! %e decision. Fur%ermore; %e allowed non8lawyers o
engage in %e unau%ori+ed :racice o! law U %olding %emselves ou as %is
:arnersGassociaes in %e law !irm.
Res:onden mainains %a %e did no commi %e acs com:lained o!. 3%e
courses o! acion %e oo- were no mean o unduly delay %e eCecuion o! %e
*ARAB *ecision daed 1ovem4er 1.; 1...; 4u were 4ased on %is serious sudy;
researc% and eC:erience as a liigaion lawyer !or more %an 22 years and on %e
!acs given o %im 4y %is cliens in %e *ARAB case. ?e 4elieves %a %e courses o!
acion %e oo- were valid and :ro:er legal %eory designed o :roec %e rig%s and
ineress o! Leo:oldo de #u+man; e. al. ?e sresses %a %e was no %e original
lawyer in %is case. 3%e lawyer8clien relaions%i: wi% %e !ormer lawyer was
erminaed 4ecause Leo:oldo de #u+man; e. al. !el %a %eir !ormer counsel did no
eC:lainGargue %eir :osiion very well; re!used o lisen o %em and; in !ac; even
casigaed %em. As %e new counsel; res:onden candidly relied on w%a %e
enansG!armers old %im in %e course o! %is inerview. 3%ey mainained %a %ey %ad
4een in o:en; adverse; coninuous and noorious :ossession o! %e land in %e
conce: o! an owner !or more %an 52 years. 3%us; %e !iling o! %e acion o "uie ile
was resored o in order o deermine %e rig%s o! %is cliens res:ecing %e su4@ec
:ro:ery. ?e avers %a %e merely eC%aused all :ossi4le remedies and de!enses o
w%ic% %is cliens were eniled under %e law; considering %a %is cliens were
su4@eced o %arassmen and %reas o! :%ysical %arm and summary evicion 4y %e
com:lainan. ?e :osied %a %e was only 4eing :roecive o! %e ineres o! %is cliens
as a good !a%er would 4e :roecive 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:eced o give %is
!ull aenion; diligence; s-ill and com:eence o %e case; regardless o! is im:orance
and w%e%er %e acce:s i !or a !ee or !or !ree. A lawyer<s devoion o %is clien<s cause
no only re"uires 4u also eniles %im o de:loy every %onora4le means o secure !or
%e clien w%a is @usly due %im or o :resen every de!ense :rovided 4y law o ena4le
%e laer<s cause o succeed. 0n %is case; res:onden may no 4e waning in %is
regard. 5n %e conrary; i is a::aren %a %e res:onden<s acs com:lained o! were
commied ou o! %is over8+ealousness and misguided desire o :roec %e ineress
o! %is cliens w%o were :oor and uneducaed. Ae are no unmind!ul o! %is dedicaion
and convicion in de!ending %e less !orunae. 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:onsi4iliy as an o!!icer o! %e cour. 0n su::or o! %e cause o! %eir
cliens; lawyers %ave %e duy o :resen every remedy or de!ense wi%in %e au%oriy
o! %e law. 3%is o4ligaion; %owever; is no o 4e :er!ormed a %e eC:ense o! ru% and
@usice. 3%is is %e crierion %a mus 4e 4orne in mind in every eCerion a lawyer
gives o %is case. 7nder %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy; a lawyer %as %e
duy o assis in %e s:eedy and e!!icien adminisraion o! @usice; and is en@oined
!rom unduly delaying a case 4y im:eding eCecuion 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! Ay. Fernando ?ernande+; w%o received
%e denied resoluion !or #arcia as counsel; and was given 15 days o a::eal.
0nsead o! !iling %e a::eal; ?ernande+ !iled !or a 'oion !or BCension %e
day 4e!ore %e eC:iraion o! %e :eriod o !ile %e a::eal;; alleging %a %e was counsel
!or a mayoraly candidae and a senaorial candidae; and %e was also needed in %e
canvassing o! voes; so %e urgency o! %e naure o! %is wor- will no allow %im %e
limied ime o !ile %e a::eal; %us as-ed !or 32 days eCension.
32 days laer; ?ernande+ again !iled %is 2
nd
'oion !or BCension; %is ime;
4ecause %e !ell ill; and %is :%ysical sae will no allow %im o !ile %e a::eal on ime;
%us as-ing !or 22 days eCension.
22 days laer; %e 3
rd
'oion !or BCension 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 eCension; o w%ic% 12 days laer; %e did acually !ile %e
a::eal. IFinallyNJ
5! course; a!erwards; ?ernande+ learned %a all %ree 'oions !or
BCensions were denied 4y %e cour; and o %is dismay; received a co:y o! %e
resoluion denying %e a::eal all oge%er. ?owever; insead o! in!orming %is clien;
Fil8#arcia; %e decides o !orward %e resoluion o! denial o! %e a::eal some ( mon%s
laer; w%ic% grealy angered %is clien; :us%ing %im o !ile !or %is dis4armen.
ISSUE
0s ?ernande+ lia4le !or mal:racice; gross misconduc; anamoun o
violaion o! %is oa% as a lawyer; w%ic% warran %is dis4armenH
HELD
/es; o gross negligence; 4u no o dis4armen.
3%e !iling o! 3 moions !or eCension on %e careless assum:ion %a eac%
moion will 4e graned 4y %e Cour; and wi%ou a-ing care o! in!orming %imsel! o!
%e CourLs acion %ereon; consiues ineCcusa4le negligence. 'oreover; res:onden
-nowingly re!erred o Rule &5 in %e :eiion %e 4elaedly !iled as an a!er%oug% in %is
des:erae aem: o salvage %e a::eal.
Rule 12.24 en@oins a lawyer no o Munduly delay a case; im:ede %e
eCecuion o! @udgmen or misuse cour :roceedings.M A%ile :ressure o! wor- or some
o%er unavoida4le reasons may consrain a lawyer o !ile a moion !or eCension o!
ime o !ile :leadings; %e s%ould no :resume %a %is moion !or eCension o! ime will
4e graned. 'oions !or eCension o! ime o !ile a :leading are no graned as a
maer o! course 4u lie in %e sound discreion o! %e cour. 0 is %us incum4en on
any movan !or eCension o eCercise due diligence o in!orm %imsel! as soon as
:ossi4le o! %e CourLs acion on %is moion; 4y imely in"uiry !rom %e Cler- o! Cour.
,4 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
)%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:racica4le o coninue 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 sudy %e siuaion and wor- ou a
soluion.
3o ma-e maers worse; i oo- res:onden ( mon%s !rom %e ime %e
received a co:y o! %e CourLs resoluion o in!orm com:lainan o! %e same.
?e was merely sus:ended !or & mon%s; considering %a res:onden
%um4ly admied %is !aul in no immediaely in!orming com:lainan o! %e saus o! %e
case.
CANONS 10 E 12
FOODSPHERE @+ =AURICIO
FACTS
Foods:%ere; 0nc. is %e owner o! C*5 grocery :roducs. 5ne day; a 'r.
Cordero 4oug% canned goods !rom a grocery sore; one o! %em 4eing a C*5 liver
s:read canned good. A%en 'r. Cordero and %is !amily ae %e liver s:read; %ey
!ound %a i ased sour and su4se"uenly discovered %a %e canned good was
in!esed wi% a colony o! worms. A com:lain was !iled wi% %e Bureau o! Food and
*rug Adminisraion IBFA*J and a su4se"uen invesigaion con!irmed %e :resence
o! %e :arasies. BFA* ordered a %earing 4eween Foods:%ere and %e Corderos;
w%ere %e laer demanded 6152-. Foods:%ere re!used; resuling o %e Corderos
%reaening o 4ring u: %e maer o %e media.
'eanw%ile; Ay 'auricio !aCed Foods:%ere a sam:le !ron :age o! a a4loid
%e was involved wi%; w%ic% conained aricles discrediing %e laer; and %reaened
o :u4lis% i i! %ey didn< :ay %e amoun %e Corderos waned. Foods:%ere re!used
as well. Ay 'auricio %us :ro:osed a 78asunduan9 4eween %e wo; w%ere
Foods:%ere agreed o sele %e maer !or a lower amoun; 4u added %a
Foods:%ere adverise 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 ZAdverising Conrac< as-ing %e laer
adverisemens o! various media Iw%ic% were a loOand eC:ensiveNJ owned 4y
'auricio. As a sign o! goodwill; Foods:%ere o!!ered o :aroni+e some adverisemens
only. 'auricio was disa::oined wi% %is and %reaened o :roceed wi% %e
:u4licaions. And a !ew wee-s laer; 'auricio; in %is radio al- s%ow IBaas ng BayanJ
%eld a guessing cones wi% "uesions %a as-ed w%ic% com:any %ad worms in is
liver s:read. ?e also wroe in %is columns and aired in %is v s%ows a4ou %e same
o:ic.
Foods:%ere !iled criminal and civil com:lains agains 'auricio a4ou %e
discrediing remar-s %a %e %as 4een ma-ing agains %e com:any. Foods:%ere also
!iled %e :resen adminisraive com:lain agains 'auricio o %e 0B6; w%ere %e was
ordered no o ma-e any more saemens on %e maer. 1owi%sanding %e :ending
cases agains %im; 'auricio coninued o :u4lis% aricles 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 validiy 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:ie %e :endency o! %e case agains 'auricio; and 0B6<s orders %a %e
disconinue wi% %is acions; %e sill coninued wi% %is aac-s agains Foods:%ere
and is :roducs. 3%is is a clear and conscious violaion %e Code o! 6ro!essional
Res:onsi4iliy 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
FACTS
Adminisraive case semmed !rom %e evens 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
:resened was su!!icien o :rove %e crime o! %omicide 4u no murder.
Counsel !or 6la+a !iled a 'oion o FiC Amoun o! Bail; 4u )enior )ae
6rosecuor Baga4uyo Iw%o was in c%arge o! %e caseJ o4@eced %ereo on %e ground
%a %e original c%arge o! murder was no su4@ec o 4ail IRules o! CourJ.
9udge Buyser in%i4ied %imsel! !rom rying %e case 4ecause o! %e E%ars%
insinuaionF o! Baga4uyo %a %e Elac-s %e cold neuraliy o! an im:arial magisraeF
4y allegedly suggesing %e !iling o! %e moion o !iC %e amoun o! 4ail.
Case was rans!erred o 9udge 3an; w%o !iCed %e amoun o! 4ail a 642-.
0nsead o! availing o! @udicial remediess; Baga4uyo caused %e :u4licaion o!
an aricle regarding %e 5rder graning %e 4ail in %e 'indanao #old )ar *aily;
+Senior prosecutor lambasts Surigao -udge for allo!ing murder suspect to bail out.F
0n %e aricle; Baga4uyo argued %a %e crime o! murder is non84aila4le; 4u
admied %a a @udge could sill o: o allow a murder sus:ec o 4ail ou in cases
w%en %e evidence o! %e :rosecuion is wea-. ?e claims %a %e !ormer @udge !ound
%e evidence o 4e srong. ?e saed %a %e was no a!raid o 4e cied !or conem:
4ecause i was %e only way !or %e :u4lic o -now %a %ere are @udges dis:laying
@udicial arrogance.
R3C direced Baga4uyo Iand %e wrier o! %e aricleJ o eC:lain w%y %e
s%ould no 4e cied !or indirec conem: o! cour !or %e :u4licaion o! %e aricle
w%ic% degraded %e cour wi% is :residing @udge wi% is lies and misre:resenaions.
Baga4uyo re!used o eC:lain and %e R3C %eld %im in conem: o! cour;
senencing %im o 32 days in @ail I%e :osed a 4ail 4ond and was releasedJ.
*es:ie %is; Baga4uyo :resened %imsel! o %e media !or inerviews in
Radio )aion *P$) and again; aac-ed %e inegriy o! 9udge 3an.
,5 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
0n %e radio inerview; Baga4uyo called 9udge 3an a liar; ignoran o! %e law
and %a as a ma%@ong a!icionado; %e was sudying ma%@ong insead o! sudying %e
law.
R3C re"uired Baga4uyo o eC:lain and s%ow cause w%y %e s%ould no 4e
%eld in conem: and 4e sus:ended !rom %e :racice o! law !or violaing %e Code o!
6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy IRule 11.25 and Rule 13.22J.
Baga4uyo denied %e c%arge %a %e soug% o 4e inerviewed. ?e said %a
%e was a::roac%ed 4y someone w%o as-ed %im o commen on %e 5rder. ?e
@usi!ied %is res:onse o %e inerview Ia %e insance o! %is !riendJ as a sim:le
eCercise o! %is consiuional rig% o! !reedom o! s:eec% and %a i was made wi%ou
malice.
R3C !ound %is denials lame; %eld %im in conem:; and sus:ended %im !rom
%e :racice o! law !or 1 year. 0n accordance wi% %e Rules o! Cour; %e case was
ransmied o %e 5!!ice o! %e Bar Con!idan; w%ic% recommended %e
im:lemenaion o! %e R3C<s order o! sus:ension.
ISSUE
AG1 Baga4uyo s%ould 4e %eld in conem: and sus:ended !or violaing Rule
11.25; Canon 11 and Rule 13.22 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy U /B)
HELD
Canon 11 mandaes a lawyer o o4serve and mainain %e res:ec due o %e
cours and o @udicial o!!icers.
Baga4uyo violaed Canon 11 w%en %e indirecly saed %a 9udge 3an was
dis:laying @udicial arrogance in %e :u4lis%ed aricle and w%en %e saed %a 9udge
3an was ignoran o! %e law and %a as a ma%@ong a!icionado; %e was sudying
ma%@ong insead o! %e law.
Rule 11.25 saes %a a lawyer s%all su4mi grievances agains a @udge o
%e :ro:er au%oriies.
Baga4uyo violaed Rule 11.25 w%en %e caused %e %olding o! a :ress
con!erence and su4mied o a radio inerview o air ou %is grievances agains 9udge
3an.
Rule 13.22 saes %a a lawyer s%all no ma-e :u4lic saemens in %e
media regarding a :ending case ending o arouse :u4lic o:inion !or or agains a
:ary.
Baga4uyo violaed Rule 13.22 w%en %e made saemens in %e aricle;
w%ic% were made w%ile Criminal Case 1o. 5144 was sill :ending in cour.
A lawyer may 4e dis4arred or sus:ended !or any violaion o! %is oa%; a
:aen disregard o! %is duies; or an odious de:ormen un4ecoming o! an aorney.
CANON 13
HILADO @+ DA@ID
FACTS
- 'rs. ?ilado !iled an acion agains Assad o annul %e sale o! several %ouse
D lo 4eween Assad and %er now deceased %us4and; during %e 9a:anese
occu:aion
- Assad<s counsel is Ay. Francisco
- 'rs. ?ilado<s counsels are %e !ollowing: *elgado; *i+on; Flores and
Rodrigo
- Ay. *i+on wroe Ay. Francisco o disconinue re:resening Assad 4ecause
'rs. ?ilado consuled %er a4ou %e case and even urned over some
documens o Ay. Francisco
- Ay. Francisco even wroe a legal o:inionGleer addressed o 'rs. ?ilado
regarding %e same case; w%ic% saes %a Ay. Francisco will no re:resen
'rs. ?ilado in %e case and %e %in-s %a %e acion agains Assad will no
:ros:er
- 'rs. ?ilado<s counsel !iled a moion o *0)=7AL0F/ Ay. Francisco
- Ay. Francisco<s version o! %e sory:
o 'rs. ?ilado came o see Ay. Francisco a4ou %e case; 4u %e
re!used o 4ecome %er counsel 4ecause %e %in-s %a %e acion
will no :ros:er
o *ays laer; Ay. Francisco<s assisan; Ay. Agrava; in!ormed %im
%a 'rs. ?ilado le! some eC:ediene in %e !irm. Ay. Francisco
insruced Ay. Agrava o reurn %e eC:ediene 4ecause %ey will
no %andle %e case o! 'rs. ?ilado
o Laer; %e !irm<s senogra:%er s%owed Ay. Francisco a leer
allegedly dicaed 4y Ay. Agrava w%ic% eC:lains o 'rs. ?ilado w%y
%ey re!use o a-e %e case
o Ay. Francisco allegedly signed %e leer wi%ou reading i
o Laer on; Assad wen o Ay. Francisco<s o!!ice. A!erwards; Ay.
Francisco acce:ed %e reainer !ee
- Lower Cour ?eld: no o%er in!ormaion was ransmied o Ay. Francisco
o%er %an %ose in :laini!!<s com:lain and %ere was no aorney8clien
relaions%i: 4eween Ay. Francisco and 'rs. ?ilado. ?ence; moion o
dis"uali!y is denied.
ISSUE
AG1 %ere was an aorney8clien relaions%i: 4eween Ay. Francisco and
'rs. ?ilado
HELD
/es; %ere was an aorney8clien relaions%i: 4ecause %e :ur:ose o! 'rs. ?ilado
was o o4ain Ay. Francisco<s :ersonal service as a lawyer
- Reainer and !re"uency o! consulaion is no needed ; so long as %e
:ur:ose is o o4ain :ro!essional advice or assisance and %e aorney
:ermis; %en an aorney8clien relaions%i: is esa4lis%ed
- Formaliy is no essenial
,6 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
- Bven is no secre communicaion was given; as long as %ere is an aorney8
clien relaions%i: w%ic% :recludes acce:ing o::osie :ary<s reainer in %e
same liigaion regardless o! w%a y:e o! in!ormaion was received
- 5nly %us can liigans 4e encouraged o enrus %eir secres o %eir
aorneys w%ic% is o! :aramoun im:orance o adminisraion o! @usice
- Bven i! %e in!ormaion was only received 4y an assisan; i is sill
considered as :ro!essional service; 4esides an in!ormaion im:ared o a
mem4er o! a !irm is made availa4le o %e enire !irm
- ?ence; Ay. Francisco is dis"uali!ied as Assad<s counsel
Raio: Rule 15.22 U a lawyer s%all 4e 4ound 4y %e rule on :rivileged communicaion
in res:ec o! maers disclosed o %im 4y a :ros:ecive clien
NADPIL @+ @ALDES
FACTS
>aldes is 9ose 1a-:il<s accounan; consulan and lawyer.
1a-:il go ineresed 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 o4ained 2 loans I&5- and (5-J; %en %e 4oug% %e land and %ad %e
ile issued in %is name.
A%en 9ose 1a-:il died; 0melda; %is wi!e; 4ecame %e adminisrariC o! 9ose<s
esae. And; >aldes< law !irm !iled !or %e selemen o! 9ose<s esae.
Baguio :ro:ery 4ecame an issue 4ecause %e :ro:ery was no included in
9ose<s invenory o! esae; 4u %e loans used o :urc%ase %e :ro:ery were
c%arged under %is name.
3%e ile o %e :ro:ery was rans!erred !rom >aldes o Caval Realy; >aldes<
!amily realy cor:.
>aldes< accouning !irm %andled %e invenory o! 9ose<s esae 4u also;
%andled %e claims o! 9ose<s crediors8 Angel 1a-:il and B15R1; 01C.
ISSUE
wGn >aldes is guily o! re:resening con!licing ineress in violaion o! %e
code o! :ro!essional e%ics
HELD
/es.
3%e :roscri:ion a::lies no maer %ow slig% %e adverse ineres is.
Re:resenaion o! con!licing ineress may 4e allowed only u:on !ull
disclosure o! %e !acs among all concerned :aries; as o %e eCen o! con!lic and
:ro4a4le adverse oucome.
3%e :re:araion o! claims o! %e crediors agains %e esae 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::ored 4y evidence. ?is resignaion !rom %e accouning !irm only s%ows %a %e
was a4sen !or "uie some ime 4u reurned o wor- during %e enure o! %e liigaion
o! claims. 3%us; %e canno claim ignorance o! %e case.
3%e es o! im:ro:riey o! re:resenaion o! con!licing ineress is no %e
cerainy o! suc% eCisence 4u mere :ro4a4iliy !or i o eCis.
Bven %oug% %e could %ave commied suc% misconduc no as a lawyer 4u
as an accounan; %e cour is no divesed o! @urisdicion o :unis% a lawyer !or
misconduc commied ouside %e legal !ield; as %e good moral c%aracer
re"uiremen is no only a re"uisie !or enrance o %e 4ar 4u a coninuing
re"uiremen !or %e :racice o! law.
A lawyer s%ould always ac o :romoe :u4lic con!idence o %e legal
:ro!ession.
HORNILLA @+ SALUNAT
FACTS
Com:lainans in %is case are mem4ers o! %e 6%ili::ine 6u4lic )c%ool
3eac%ers Associaion I66)3AJ w%o !iled an inra8cor:orae case agains is mem4ers
o! %e Board o! *irecors !or unlaw!ul s:ending and %e undervalued sale o! %e real
:ro:eries o! 66)3A cor:oraion.
Aorney )aluna is %e counsel o! %e 6%ili::ine 6u4lic )c%ool 3eac%ers
Associaion I66)3AJ and a %e same ime %e counsel o! %e 66)3A Board o!
*irecors.
?ence; com:lainans now aver %a Ay. )aluna is guily o! con!lic o!
ineres.
ISSUE
Can a lawyer; engaged 4y a cor:oraion; de!end mem4ers o! %e 4oard o!
%e same cor:oraion in a derivaive suiH
HELD
1o; a lawyer canno. ?ence; Ay. )aluna is guily o! re:resening con!licing
ineres and is admonis%ed o o4serve a %ig%er degree o! !ideliy in %e :racice o! %is
:ro!ession.
3%e Cour in %is case eC:lained %e naure o! a derivaive sui. A%ere
cor:oraion direcors %ave commied a 4reac%; ulra vires acs; or negligenceO a
soc-%older may sue on 4e%al! o! %imsel! and o%er soc-%olders and !or %e 4ene!i o!
%e cor:oraion. 0n %is sui %ere!ore; %e cor:oraion is %e real :ary in ineres; w%ile
%e soc-%older w%o !iles a sui !or %e cor:oraion<s 4e%al! is only %e nominal :ary.
3%e es o! inconsisency o! ineres is w%e%er %e acce:ance o! a new
relaion will :reven an aorney !rom %e !ull disc%arge o! %is duy o! undivided !ideliy
and loyaly o %is clien or invie sus:icion o! un!ai%!ulness or dou4le dealing in %e
:er!ormance %ereo!.
A siuaion w%erein a lawyer re:resens 4o% %e cor:oraion and is assailed
direcors unavoida4ly gives rise o a con!lic o! ineres.
NORTH<ESTERN UNI@ERSITY @+ ARCUILLO
,7 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
FACTS
1or%wesern 7niversiy !iled an adminisraive case agains Ay. Ar"uillo !or
re:resening con!licing ineress in a 1LRC case. 3%e com:lain alleges %a Ay.
Ar"uillo a::eared as counsel !or 4o% %e :eiioner and %e res:onden ICasroJ in
%e la4or case. Ay. Ar"uillo; as a de!ense; conended %a %e :eiioners and
res:onden %e re:resened in %e la4or case 4elonged o %e same side as %e laer
:ary was a4solved !rom lia4iliy. ?ence; %ere was no con!lic o! ineress.
ISSUE
AG1 Ay. Ar"uillo re:resened con!licing ineress.
HELD
/B). A%en a lawyer re:resens wo or more o::osing :aries; %ere is a
con!lic o! ineress; %e eCisence o! w%ic% is deermined 4y %ree se:arae ess: I1J
w%en; in re:resenaion o! one clien; a lawyer is re"uired o !ig% !or an issue or
claim; 4u is also duy84ound o o::ose i !or ano%er clienK I2J w%en %e acce:ance
o! %e new reainer will re"uire an aorney o :er!orm an ac %a may in@uriously
a!!ec %e !irs clien or; w%en called u:on in a new relaion; o use agains %e !irs one
any -nowledge ac"uired %roug% %eir :ro!essional connecionK or I3J w%en %e
acce:ance o! a new relaion would :reven %e !ull disc%arge o! an aorney<s duy o
give undivided !ideliy and loyaly o %e clien or would invie sus:icion o!
un!ai%!ulness or dou4le dealing in %e :er!ormance o! %a duy.
?aving agreed o re:resen one o! %e o::osing :aries !irs; %e lawyer
s%ould %ave -nown %a %ere was an o4vious con!lic o! ineress; 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:lainans in %e same cases in w%ic% Casro was
one o! %e res:ondens.
CUIA=BAO @+ BA=BA
Facs:
=uiam4ao c%arges Ay. Bam4a wi% violaion o! C6R !or re:resening
con!licing ineress w%en %e laer !iled a case agains %er w%ile %e was a %a ime
re:resening %er in ano%er case; and !or commiing o%er acs o! disloyaly and
dou4le8dealing. Ay. Bam4a is %e counsel o! Allied 0nvesigaion Bureau IA0BJ and is
:residen and managing direcor I=uiam4aoJ. Ay. Bam4a is %e counsel o!
=uaim4ao in an e@ecmen case. Laer on; =uiam4ao resigned !rom A0B. A%ile %e
e@ecmen case was sill ongoing; Ay. Bam4a; as %e counsel o! A0B; !iled a re:levin
case agains =uiam4ao.
0ssue:
A%e%er or no Ay. Bam4a is guily o! misconduc !or re:resening
con!licing ineress in conravenion o! %e 4asic enes o! %e legal :ro!ession.
?eld:
/es; Ay. Bam4a is guily. )us:ended !or 1 year.
A %e ime Ay. Bam4a !iled %e re:levin case on 4e%al! o! A0B; %e was sill
%e counsel o! record o! =uiam4ao in %e :ending e@ecmen case. 7nder Rule 15.23;
Ea lawyer s%all no re:resen con!licing ineress eCce: 4y wrien consen o! all
concerned given a!er !ull disclosure o! %e !acs.F 3%is is !ounded on %e :rinci:les o!
:u4lic :olicy 4ecause i is %e only way %a liigans can 4e encouraged o enrus
%eir secres o %eir lawyers; w%ic% is o! :aramoun im:orance in %e adminisraion
o! @usice.
3 3ess o! Con!lic o! 0neress:
1. A%e%er a lawyer is duy84ound 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 relaion would :reven %e !ull disc%arge o!
%e lawyer<s duy o! undivided !ideliy and loyaly o %e clien or invie
sus:icion o! un!ai%!ulness or dou4le8dealing in %e :er!ormance o! %a duy
3. A%e%er %e lawyer would 4e called u:on in %e new relaion o use agains
a !ormer clien any con!idenial in!ormaion ac"uired %roug% %eir connecion
or :revious em:loymen
HEIRS OF FALA=E @+ BAGUIO
FACTS
6laini!!s; %eirs o! %e lae Lydio Falame; allege %a %eir !a%er engaged %e
services o! res:onden Ay. Baguio o re:resen %im in an acion !or !orci4le enry Iin
w%ic% Lydio and %is 4ro%er Raleig% were one o! %e de!endansJ. As counsel; Ay.
Baguio used and su4mied evidence o!: 1.J A s:ecial :ower o! aorney eCecued 4y
Lydio in !avor o! %is 4ro%er; Raleig% Falame; a::oining %im as %is aorney8in8!acK
and 2.J a!!idavi o! Raleig% Falame; eCecued 4e!ore %e res:onden; in w%ic% Raleig%
saed %a Lydio owned %e :ro:ery su4@ec o! %e case.
6laini!!s !ur%er allege %a even a!er a !avora4le ruling !or %e de!endans in
%e said case; Lydio sill reained %e services o! Ay. Baguio as %is legal adviser and
counsel o! %is 4usinesses unil %is dea% in 1..&.
?owever; in 5co4er o! 2222 Ay. Baguio; in re:resenaion o! s:ouses Raleig% and
1oemi Falame; !iled a com:lian agains %e :laini!!s involving %e same :ro:ery %a
was %e su4@ec maer in %e !irs case. )aid com:lain soug% %e declaraion o!
nulliy o! %e deed o! sale; is regisraion in %e regisry o! deeds; 3C3 issued as a
conse"uence o! %e regisraion o! %e sale and %e real esae morgage.
6laini!!s in urn; !iled an adminisraive case agains Ay. Baguio alleging
%a 4y acing as counsel !or %e s:ouses Falame in %e second case; w%erein %ey
were im:leaded a de!endans; res:onden violaed %is oa% o! o!!ice and duy as an
aorney. 3%ey conend %a %e s:ouses Falame<s ineress are adverse o %ose o!
%is !ormer clien; Lydio.
3%e 0B6 Board o! #overnors :assed a Resoluion ado:ing and a::roving
0nvesigaing Commissioner Ainson A4uyuan<s re:or and recommendaion !or %e
dismissal o! %is case.
ISSUE
09 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
AG1 Ay. Baguio violaed Rule 15.23 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional
Res:onsi4iliyH
HELD
/es; %e violaed %e rule. Rule 15.23 o! %e Canon o! 6ro!essional
Res:onsi4iliy :rovides: A lawyer s%all no re:resen con!licing ineress eCce: 4y
wrien consen o! all concerned given a!er a !ull disclosure o! %e !acs. A lawyer may
no; wi%ou 4eing guily o! :ro!essional misconduc; ac as counsel !or a :erson
w%ose ineres con!lics 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 duy o cones
%a w%ic% %is duy ano%er clien re"uires %im o o::ose or w%en %e :ossi4iliy o!
suc% siuaion will develo:. 3%e rule covers no only cases in w%ic% con!idenial
communicaions %ave 4een con!ided; 4u also %ose in w%ic% no con!idence %as 4een
4esowed or will 4e used.
3%e rule :ro%i4is a lawyer !rom re:resening a clien i! %a re:resenaion
will 4e direcly adverse o any o! %is :resen or !ormer cliens. 3%e rule is grounded in
%e !iduciary o4ligaion o! loyaly.
3%e erminaion o! aorney8clien relaion :rovides no @usi!icaion !or a
lawyer o re:resen an ineres 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 divesed 4y mere eC:iraion o!
:ro!essional em:loymen. 3%e :roecion given o a clien is :er:eual and does no
cease wi% %e erminaion o! %e liigaion; nor is i a!!eced 4y %e :ary<s ceasing o
em:loy %e aorney and reaining ano%er; or 4y any o%er c%ange o! relaion 4eween
%em. 0 even survives %e dea% o! %e clien.
0n %e case a 4ar; res:onden admied %aving @oinly re:resened Lydio and
Raleig% as de!endans in %e !irs civil case. Bvidenly; %e aorney8clien relaion
4eween Lydio and res:onden was esa4lis%ed des:ie %e !ac %a i is immaerial
w%e%er suc% em:loymen was :aid; :romised or c%arged !or.
As de!ense counsel in %e !irs civil case res:onden advocaed %e sance
%a Lydio solely owned %e :ro:ery su4@ec o! %e case. 0n %e second civil case
involving %e same :ro:ery; res:onden; as counsel !or Raleig% and %is s:ouse; %as
:ursued %e inconsisen :osiion %a Raleig% owned %e same :ro:ery in common
wi% Lydio; wi% com:lainans; w%o in%eried %e :ro:ery; commiing acs w%ic%
de4ase res:onden<s rig%s as co8owner. 3%e !ac %a %e aorney8clien relaion %ad
ceased 4y reason o! Lydio<s dea% or %roug% %e com:leion o! %e s:eci!ic as- !or
w%ic% res:onden was em:loyed is no reason !or res:onden o advocae a :osiion
o::osed o %e o! Lydio. And w%ile :laini!!s %ave never 4een res:onden<s cliens;
%ey derive %eir rig%s o %e :ro:ery !rom Lydio<s owners%i: o! i w%ic% res:onden
mainained in %e !irs civil case.
PACANA @+ PASCUAL-LOPEA
FACTS
6acana was %e 5:eraions *irecor !or 'uliel Communicaions
Cor:oraion I'CCJ. 'uliel was 4esieged 4y demand leers !rom is mem4ers and
invesors 4ecause o! %e !ailure o! is invesmen sc%emes. 6acana earned %e ire o!
'uliel invesors a!er 4ecoming %e assignee o! ma@oriy o! %e s%ares o! soc- o!
6receden and a!er 4eing a::oined as rusee o! a !und amouning o 3%iry 'illion
6esos I632;222;222.22J de:osied a Real Ban-. 'uliel laer c%anged is 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+aion w%ere 6acana and %is wi!e were also
acive mem4ers. From %en on; %ey consanly communicaed; wi% %e !ormer
disclosing all %is involvemen and ineress in 6receden and 6receden<s relaion wi%
'uliel. Lo:e+ gave legal advice o 6acana and even %el:ed %im :re:are sandard
"uiclaims !or crediors. 0n sum; 6acana avers %a a lawyer8clien relaions%i: was
esa4lis%ed 4eween %im and Lo:e+ al%oug% no !ormal documen was eCecued 4y
%em a %a ime. 3%ere was an aem: o %ave a !ormal reainer agreemen signed
4u i didn< :us% %roug%.
A!er a !ew wee-s; 6acana was sur:rised o receive a demand leer !rom
Lo:e+ as-ing !or %e reurn and immediae selemen o! %e !unds invesed 4y
Lo:e+<s cliens in 'uliel. Lo:e+ eC:lained %a s%e %ad o send i so %a %er cliens U
de!rauded invesors o! 'uliel U would -now %a s%e was doing some%ing !or %em
and assured 6acana %a %ere was no%ing o worry a4ou.
Bo% :aries coninued o communicae and eCc%ange in!ormaion regarding
%e :ersisen demands made 4y 'uliel invesors agains 6acana. 6acana gave
Lo:e+ several amouns; !irs .22;222K %en 1;222;222 o 4e used in %is case. Bven
w%en 6acana wen o %e saes; %ey coninued communicaing and %e coninued
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 wroe
o com:lainan via e8mail; as !ollows:
*ear Buc%ie;
?iN 5- -a langH ?o:e you are !ine. )orry i! 0 s%oc-ed you 4u 0 %ad o do i as yur
'r$e#! a#! lawyer+
------------
0 %ave 4een in!ormed 4y B!ie %a your !amily is loo-ing a %iring Coco 6imenel. 0
-now %im very well as %is siser #wen is my 4es !riend. 0 ha/e # pr&le( $' yu
h$re h$( &u" I w$ll &e ha#!s ''+ I wr. !$''ere#"ly .as$+ -------- E're# Sa#"s w$ll
s$*# as yur lawyer al"hu*h I w$ll ! all "he wr.+
-----------
Please ! #" wrry+ G$/e (e 0 (#"hs " (a.e $" all !$sappear+ Bu" $' yu h$re
C)% I w$ll *$/e h$( "he 'ree ha#! " wr. w$"h yur )ase+ -------- I w$ll s"a#! &y
yu always+ Th$s $s (y e:per"$se+ TRUST (eK 8888
Candy
A%en %e go 4ac- o %e counry; Lo:e+ old 6acana s%e %ad earned
612;522;222.22 as aorney<s !ees and was willing o give 62;222;222.22 o %im in
a::reciaion !or %is %el:. 3%is never %a::ened %oug%. Lo:e+ also ignored 6acana<s
re:eaed re"uess !or accouning. )%e coninued o evade %im.
Finally; 6acana !iled a case wi% %e 0B6 !or Lo:e+<s dis4armen. 3%e 0B6 dis4arred
%er.
01 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
ISSUE
A%e%er or no Lo:e+ %ad violaed Rule 15.23 on re:resening con!licing
ineress.
HELD
/esN Aorney 'aricel 6ascual8Lo:e+ was *0)BARRB* !or re:resening
con!licing ineress and !or engaging in unlaw!ul; dis%ones and decei!ul conduc in
violaion o! %er Lawyer<s 5a% and %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy.
Raio: Rule 15.23 U A lawyer s%all no re:resen con!licing ineress eCce:
4y wrien consen o! all concerned given a!er !ull disclosure o! %e !acs.
Lo:e+ mus %ave -nown %a %er ac o! consanly and acively
communicaing wi% 6acana; w%o; a %a ime; was 4eleaguered wi% demands !rom
invesors o! 'uliel; evenually led o %e esa4lis%men o! a lawyer8clien relaions%i:.
Lo:e+ canno s%ield %ersel! !rom %e inevia4le conse"uences o! %er acions 4y
sim:ly saying %a %e assisance s%e rendered o com:lainan was only in %e !orm o!
M!riendly accommodaions;M :recisely 4ecause a %e ime s%e was giving assisance
o com:lainan; s%e was already :rivy o %e cause o! %e o::osing :aries w%o %ad
4een re!erred o %er 4y %e )BC.
#iven %e siuaion; %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:resening %e o::osing :aries; or o desis !rom acing as
re:resenaive o! 'uliel invesors and sand as counsel !or com:lainan. )%e canno
4e :ermied o do 4o% 4ecause %a would amoun o dou4le8dealing and violae our
e%ical rules on con!lic o! ineres.
0ndu4ia4ly; Lo:e+ oo- advanage o! 6acana<s %a:less siuaion; iniially; 4y
giving %im legal advice and; laer on; 4y soliciing money and :ro:eries !rom %im.
3%erea!er; Lo:e+ im:ressed u:on 6acana %a s%e %ad aced wi% umos sinceriy in
%el:ing %im dives all %e :ro:eries enrused o %im in order o a4solve %im !rom any
lia4iliy. Bu simulaneously; s%e was also doing %e same %ing o im:ress u:on %er
cliens; %e :ary claimans agains 'uliel; %a s%e was doing every%ing o reclaim
%e money %ey invesed wi% 'uliel.
CANON 14
LICUANAN @+ =ELO
Facs:
Licuanan !iled a com:lain agains Ay. 'elo !or 4reac% o! :ro!essional
e%ics. Ay. 'elo was Licuanan<s counsel in an e@ecmen case !iled agains %er
enan. Ay. 'elo !ailed o remi o %er %e renals colleced nor did %e said lawyer
re:or o %er %e recei: o! said amouns. 0 was only a!er a year !rom acual recei:
%a Ay. 'elo urned over %is collecions o Licuanan 4ecause a demand made 4y
%e laer.
0ssue:
A%e%er or no Ay. 'elo s%ould 4e :enali+ed !or !ailure o remi renals
colleced
?eld:
/esN Ay. 'elo is dis4arred.
Raio:
3%e acuaions o! Ay. 'elo in reaining !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! is use; and wi%%olding in!ormaion on %e same des:ie 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 Ay. 'elo<s :ro!essional misconduc; %e
%as 4reac%ed %e rus re:osed in %im 4y %is clien. Ay. 'elo<s un:ro!essional
acuaions considered; %e )C !ind %im guily o! decei; mal:racice and gross
misconduc in o!!ice. ?e %as dis:layed lac- o! %onesy and good moral c%aracer.
POSIDIO @+ @ITAN
FACTS
6osidio engaged %e services o! >ian in a 3esae 6roceeding o! %e
deceased 1icolasa Arroyo o w%ic% s%e :aid 6%: 22;222.22 as legal !ees. ?owever;
>ian wi%drew %is a::earance in %e said case %us; 6osidio %ad o engage %e
services o! ano%er lawyer. )iC years a!er; >ian conaced 6osidio and old %er %a
%e %as wi% some aC declaraions and o%er documens :ur:oredly !orming :ar o!
%e esae o! 1icolasa Arroyo; 4u was no included in %e invenory o! :ro:eries !or
disri4uion. ?e convinced com:lainan o !ile ano%er case o recover %er s%are in %e
alleged undeclared :ro:eries and demanded 6122;222.22 as legal !ees. A!er
several mon%s; %owever; res:onden !ailed o insiue any acion. Com:lainan
decided o !orego %e !iling o! %e case and as-ed !or %e reurn o! %e 6122;222.22;
4u res:onden re!used des:ie re:eaed demands.
3%e lower cour ruled in !avor o! 6osidio and ordered >ian o reurn %e 6%:
122;222.22 and :ay an addiional 6%: 22;222.22 as ineres and damages. 0n
com:liance; >ian issued a 6rudenial Ban- c%ec- %a was dis%onored laer on.
*es:ie 4eing sen a noice o! dis%onor and %e re:eaed demands o :ay; >ian
re!used o %onor %is o4ligaion.
3%e case was re!erred o %e 0negraed Bar o! %e 6%ili::ines !or
invesigaion; re:or and recommendaion. 3%e 0nvesigaing Commissioner su4mied
%is Re:or

!inding >ian guily o! violaing %e lawyer<s oa% and %e Code o!
6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy in de!rauding %is clien and issuing a c%ec- wi%ou
su!!icien !unds o cover %e same. 3%e 0B6 :enali+ed >ian wi% a re:rimand wi%
sern warning %a a similar misconduc will warran a more severe :enaly.
ISSUE
A%e%er or no >ian s%ould 4e :enali+edH
HELD
3%e )u:reme Cour agrees wi% %e !indings o! %e 0B6. ?owever; %ey !ind
%a %e :enaly o! re:rimand is no commensurae o %e graviy o! wrong commied
4y >ian.
0n %e insan case; res:onden received %e amoun o! 6122;222.22 as legal
!ees !or !iling addiional claims agains %e esae o! 1icolasa ). de #u+man Arroyo.
0, ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
?owever; %e !ailed o insiue an acion; %us i was im:eraive %a %e immediaely
reurn %e amoun o com:lainan u:on demand. ?aving received :aymen !or
services w%ic% were no rendered; res:onden was un@usi!ied in -ee:ing
com:lainan<s money. ?is o4ligaion was o immediaely reurn %e said amoun. ?is
re!usal o do so des:ie com:lainan<s re:eaed demands consiues a violaion o! %is
oa% w%ere %e :ledges no o delay any man !or money and swears o conduc
%imsel! wi% good !ideliy o %is cliens.
A lawyer is o4liged o %old in rus money or :ro:ery o! %is clien %a may
come o %is :ossession. ?e is a rusee o said !unds and :ro:ery. ?e is o -ee: %e
!unds o! %is clien se:arae and a:ar !rom %is own and %ose o! o%ers -e: 4y %im.
'oney enrused o a lawyer !or a s:eci!ic :ur:ose suc% as !or %e regisraion o! a
deed wi% %e Regiser o! *eeds and !or eC:enses and !ees !or %e rans!er o! ile
over real :ro:ery under %e name o! %is clien i! no uili+ed; mus 4e reurned
immediaely o %is clien u:on demand. 3%e lawyer<s !ailure o reurn %e money o! %is
clien u:on demand gave rise o a :resum:ion %a %e %as misa::ro:riaed said
money in violaion o! %e rus re:osed on %im. 3%e conversion 4y a lawyer o! !unds
enrused o %im 4y %is clien is a gross violaion o! :ro!essional e%ics and a 4erayal
o! :u4lic con!idence in %e legal :ro!ession.
LE=OINE @+ BALON
FACTS
Lemoine; %e :eiioner; is a Frenc% naional w%o !iled an insurance claim
wi% 'ero:olian 0nsurance.
?is !riend; 9esus #arcia; arranged !or %e engagemen o! Ay. Balon<s
services as %is counsel
Balon advised Lemoine %a %e was c%arging 25Y o! %e acual amoun o
4eing recovered :aya4le u:on success!ul recovery. Lemoine never gave %is
consen as o %e !ee.
)ince %e was leaving %e counry; Lemoine signed an undaed ):ecial
6ower o! Aorney au%ori+ing Balon o 4ring any acion agains 'ero:olian
0nsurance !or %e sais!acion o! Lemoine<s claim as well as o negoiae;
sign; com:romise; encas% and receive :aymens
'ero:olian 0nsurance o!!ered o sele Lemoine<s claim and Balon
con!irmed %is acce:ance o! %e o!!er
*ecem4er 1..,; 'ero:olian 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 saus o! %e case; Balon answered
%a 'ero:olian 0nsurance was o!!ering 6352;222 !or selemen w%ic%
Lemoine suggesed %a Balon acce: o avoid liigaion
*ecem4er 1...; Lemoine visied %e o!!ice o! 'ero:olian 0nsurance o as-
on %e saus o! %e case and i answered %a %e case was long seled 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 aorney<s lien :ending Lemoine<s :aymen o! %is
aorney<s !ee e"uivalen o 52Y o! %e enire amoun colleced. ?e also
%reaened Lemoine %a %e will no %esiae o ma-e :ro:er re:resenaion
wi% %e Bureau o! 0mmigraion and *e:oraion; *5LB and B0R i! Lemoine
will ma-e any rou4le o Balon and %a %e %as good newor- wi% %e
menioned agencies.
Balon laer claimed %a %e gave 6233;222 o #arcia on %e re:resenaion
o! Lemoine; %owever; %e gave no evidence o suc% urnover
ISSUE
AG1 Ay. Balon violaed %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy
HELD
/B).
According o %e )C; Ay. Balon violaed 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:eries o! %is clien %a may come ino %is :ossession.F
Balon violaed %is and commied 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 duy o! %e lawyer o surrender suc% money colleced w%en
demanded u:on %im. Balon violaed %is duy w%en %e re!uses o reurn %e amoun o
Lemoine conending %a %e %as a lien on %e !und.
3%e lawyer<s coninuing eCercise o! %is reaining lien; as :rovided !or in Rule
1&.23; :resu::oses %a %e clien agrees wi% %e amoun o! aorney<s !ees o 4e
c%arged. 0n case o! disagreemen; %owever; %e lawyer mus no ar4irarily a::ly %e
!unds in %is :ossession o %e :aymen o! %is !ees; 4u ra%er %e can !ile %e
necessary acion 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 noed as well %a 4e!ore receiving %e c%ec-; Balon :ro:oses a
25Y aorney<s !ees; a!er receiving %e c%ec-; %e was already as-ing !or 52Y.
)C !ound Balon guily o! mal:racice; 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
Facs:
Ay 'a"uera was counsel !or a cerain Casro w%o was inde4ed o Bdward
Benavene w%o o4ained @udgmen in a civil case. Casro<s :ro:ery was sold a :u4lic
aucion o sais!y %e o4ligaion; 4u Casro reained %e rig% o redem:ion over said
:ro:ery.
0n consideraion !or 'a"uera<s legal !ees; Casro and Ay 'a"uera enered
ino an oral agreemen %a %e would assign %is rig% o! redem:ion o 'a"uera.
'a"uera :urc%ased %e :ro:ery !rom Benavene !or [525.22 %en sold i !or
[322;222.
?e was sus:ended in %e :racice o! law in #uam !or wo years !or
00 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
54aining 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:
'ay a mem4er o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar w%o was dis4arred or sus:ended !rom
%e :racice o! law in a !oreign @urisdicion w%ere %e %as also 4e admied as an
aorney 4e meed %e same sancion as a mem4er o! %e 6%ili::ine Bar !or %e same
in!racion commied in %e !oreign @urisdicionH
Ruling:
0 is no auomaic sus:ension or dis4armen; 4u is :rima !acie evidence
only.
3%e :ower o! %e Cour o dis4arGsus:end a lawyer !or acs an omission
commied in a !oreign @urisdicion 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:een cour or o%er disci:linaory agency in a !oreign @urisdicion w%ere %e %as
also 4een admied as an aorney 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; resoluion 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 violaed Aricle 14.2 in relaion o 14.1 o! %e civil code w%ic%
:ro%i4is a lawyer !rom ac"uiring 4y assignmen %e clien<s :ro:ery w%ic% is %e
su4@ec o! liigaion. 0 eCends o legal redem:ion.
'os :aricularly; Canon 1( w%ic% saes %a a lawyer owes !ideliy 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%i4is a lawyer !rom engaging in unlaw!ul; dis%ones; immoral or decei!ul
conduc.
?5AB>BR; %ere is a need o ascerain '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 auomaic
1B>BR3?BLB)); %e Cour rules %a 'a"uera s%ould 4e sus:ended !rom
%e :racice o! law !or %e non8:aymen o! %is 0B6 dues !rom 1.((.
REDDI @+ SERBIO% >R+
Facs:
Reddi; an 0ndian naional; is a :%ilan%ro:is. )%e decided o :u u: a
%os:ial in %e 6%ili::ines and ac"uired; wi% %e %el: o! Ay. )er4io; some :ro:eries
o %el: s:eed u: generaion o! !unds. 0 was laer !ound ou %a some o! %e
:ro:eries did no in !ac 4elong o %e Zowners< s%e :aid.
0ssue:
0s res:onden guily o! violaing Canon 1&H
?eld:
/es. )aid canon re"uires %a a lawyer s%ould :ro:erly accoun !or all
amouns in %is cusody w%ic% :erain o %e clien and reurn %e same u:on demand.
3%is %e res:onden :lainly !ailed o do even a!er re:eaed 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 adminisraive com:lain !or dis4armen !iled 4y com:lainan de
C%ave+8Blanco agains res:onden Ay. Lumasag; 9r.; !or decei; dis%onesy and
gross misconduc.
Com:lainan and %er %us4and was a residen o! 7)A. 3%ey 4o% owned
:arcels o! land in =ue+on Ciy; regisered in com:lainan<s name. Com:lainan
au%ori+ed res:onden Ay. Lumasag Q4eing %e 1
s
cousin o! %er %us4andR o sell %e
lands.
Com:lainan was in!ormed 4y res:onden %a %e %ad sold only one lo and
remied %e :roceeds o com:lainan. Res:onden !ur%er old com:lainan %a %e
o%er los remained unsold due o %e :resence o! s"uaers.
A!er !ew years; com:lainan discovered %a more %an one lo was sold.
Com:lainan %en sen a demand leer o res:onden direcing %im o remi and urn
over o %er %e enire :roceeds o! %e sale o! %e :ro:eries. Com:lainan also averred
%a %e ):ecial 6ower o! Aorney; w%ic% res:onden %ad used o sell %e los is a
!orgery and a !alsi!ied documen; as %e signaure %erein were no %e real signaures
o! com:lainan and %er s:ouse.
0))7B:
A%e%er or no res:onden Ay. Lumasag; 9r. is guily o! decei; dis%onesy
and gross misconduc.
?BL*:
/es. 9aime Lumasag; 9r. is )7)6B1*B* !rom %e :racice 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 :rivae ca:aciy; %a renders %im un!i o coninue o 4e an o!!icer o!
%e cour. Canon 1 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy commands all lawyers
o u:%old a all imes %e digniy and inegriy 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 commied dis%onesy and a4used %e con!idence re:osed in
%im 4y %e com:lainan and %er s:ouse. Records s%ow %a wo los %ad 4een sold 4y
res:onden as evidenced 4y %e *eed o! A4solue )ale. Res:onden; %owever; a-ing
02 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
advanage o! %e a4sence o! com:lainan and %er s:ouse !rom %e 6%ili::ines and
%eir com:lee rus in %im; decei!ully in!ormed %em in a leer %a %e %ad sold only
one. 3%ey consiue gross misconduc !or w%ic% %e may 4e sus:ended; !ollowing
)ecion 2(; Rule 13, o! %e Rules o! Cour; w%ic% :rovides:
)ec. 2(. *is4armen or sus:ension o! aorneys 4y )u:reme Cour; grounds
%ere!or.W A mem4er o! %e 4ar may 4e dis4arred or sus:ended !rom %is o!!ice as
aorney 4y %e )u:reme Cour !or any decei; mal:racice; or o%er gross misconduc
in suc% o!!ice; grossly immoral conduc; or 4y reason o! %is convicion o! a crime
involving moral ur:iude; or !or any violaion o! %e oa% w%ic% %e is re"uired o a-e
4e!ore %e admission o :racice; or !or a will!ul diso4edience a::earing as aorney
!or a :ary o a case wi%ou au%oriy 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 Ay. Bva 6aia8'oya. Com:lainan C%am alleges %a Ay. 6aia8'oya
commied decei in occu:ying a leased a:armen uni and; %erea!er; vacaing %e
same wi%ou :aying %e renals due. Res:onden sayed a %e leased :remises u:
wi%ou :aying %er renals. )%e also !ailed o sele %er elecric 4ills. Laer on; a re:or
reac%ed com:lainanLs o!!ice %a res:onden %ad secrely vacaed %e a:armen uni;
4ringing along wi% %er %e door -eys.
0))7B:
A%e%er or no Ay. 6aia8'5ya is guily o! gross misconduc.
?BL*:
/es. Ay. Bva 6aia8'oya is !ound guily o! gross misconduc and is %ere4y
)7)6B1*B* !or one mon%. A review o! %e records would reveal %a res:onden is;
indeed; guily o! will!ul !ailure o :ay @us de4. Com:lainan is a4le o !ully su4saniae
%a res:onden %as eCising o4ligaions %a s%e !ailed o sele. ?ence; w%en
res:onden 4ac-rac-ed on %er duy o :ay %er de4s; suc% ac already consiued a
ground !or adminisraive sancion.
Res:ondenLs a4andonmen o! %e leased :remises o avoid %er o4ligaions
!or %e ren and elecriciy 4ills consiues decei!ul conduc violaive o! %e Code o!
6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy; :aricularly Canon 0 and Rule 1.21 %ereo!; w%ic%
eC:licily sae:
MCA151 18 A lawyer s%all u:%old %e consiuion; o4ey %e laws o! %e land
and :romoe
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 agriculural and veerinary
:roducs reained %e services o! Ay. 'oya !or %e :ur:ose o! collecing due and
demanda4le de4s in !avor o! %e com:any. )omeimes also; Ay. 'oya %andled
:ersonal cases o! Aong and %is wi!e.
Laer; Ay. 'oya as-ed !inancial %el: !rom Aong !or %e consrucion o! %is
%ouse and %e :urc%ase o! a car. Aong :urc%ased a car on insallmen 4asis !or Ay.
'oya. Aong issued :osdaed c%ec-s o cover %e :aymen o! %e car w%ile Ay.
'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 Ay. 'oya in !avor o! Aong were dis%onored !or %e reason
Eaccoun closedF. *es:ie re:eaed demands; Ay. 'oya re!used o re:lace %e
dis%onored c%ec-s.
Ay. 'oya also inroduced Aong o =uirino 3omlin !rom w%om %e
consrucion maerials !or %is %ouse was o4ained. ?e 4oug% %is on credi 4u Ay.
'oya !iled o :ay %is inde4edness causing em4arrassmen o Aong. Ay. 'oya also
%andled a case o! %e Aong s:ouses agains Bering *iwa. 9udgmen was rendered
in !avor o! %e s:ouses and as sais!acion o! %e @udgmen; *iwa :aid 615; &,2.52.
Ay. '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!esaion wi% 6rayer o 3erminae 6roceedings.
3%e 0B68CB* ordered Ay. 'oya o !ile %is answer o %e com:lain !or
dis4armen !iled 4y Aong. Ay. 'oya !iled 3moions !or eCensions Ia!er %e 1
s
moion was graned and %e ime %ad ela:sed; %e !iled ano%er one and so on and so
!or%J. )u4se"uenly; %e !iled a 'oion o *ismiss.
3%e 0B68CB* denied %e moion o dismiss and re"uired %im o !ile an
answer. Ay. 'oya !iled a moion !or reconsideraion w%ic% was denied. ?e %en !iled
!or an eCension o !ile %is answer w%ic% was graned 4u wi% a warning %a no
!ur%er eCension re"uess will 4e enerained. A%en %e ime o ela:se was near %e
!iled a >ery 7rgen 'oion !or BCension 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% :aries o !ile %eir :osiion :a:ers 4ecause a
com:lain !or dis4armen; sus:ension or disci:line o! aorneys :rescri4es in 2years
!rom %e dae o! %e :ro!essional misconduc w%ic% in %is case occurred in 2222 and
%a i was already 2225. Ay. 'oya did no !ile any :leadings a all.
3%e 0B6 recommended %a Ay. 'oya 4e sus:ended !or 1year. 3%e 0B6
Board o! #overnors modi!ied %is and sus:ended Ay. 'oya !or 2years.
ISSUE
A%e%er or no %e sus:ension o! 2years is @usi!ia4leH
HELD
/esN
1J Ay. 'oya was c%arged !or %aving !ailed o :ay %is de4s and !or issuing
wor%less c%ec-s. ?e did no deny %ese allegaions. Rule1.21 o! %e Code o!
6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy :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 violaion o! %is rule and consiues a gross misconduc.
03 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
2J 3%e ac o! a lawyer in issuing a c%ec- wi%ou su!!icien !unds o cover %e same
consiues suc% will!ul dis%onesy and immoral conduc as o undermine %e
:u4lic con!idence in %e legal :ro!ession. ?e canno @usi!y %is ac o! issuing
wor%less c%ec-s 4y %is dire !inancial condiions. ?e s%ould no %ave conraced
de4s w%ic% are 4eyond %is !inancial ca:aciy o :ay. 0! %e su!!ered !inancial
reverses %e s%ould %ave eC:lained %is wi% :ariculariy and no %oug%
generali+ed and unsu4saniaed allegaions.
3J Ay. '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 allegaion
%a %e same %ad already 4een ransmied o %e com:lainan.
4J ?is conduc in %e course o! %e 0B6 :roceedings in %is case is also a maer o!
serious concern. ?e su4mied a moion o dismiss a!er re"uesing several
eCensions o! ime o !ile %is answer. ?is !ailure o aend %e %earings and
4elaed :lea o dismiss %e case; des:ie orders o %e conrary; s%ow a callous
disregard o! %e law!ul orders w%ic% caused undue delay in %e 0B6 :roceeding.
3%is conduc runs couner o %e :rece:s o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional
Res:onsi4iliy

and violaes %e lawyerLs oa% w%ic% im:oses u:on every mem4er
o! %e 4ar %e duy o delay no man !or money or malice.
5J 0 is sressed %a mem4ers%i: in %e legal :ro!ession is a :rivilege 4urdened wi%
condiions. Ad%erence o %e rigid sandards o! menal !iness; mainenance o!
%e %ig%es degree o! moraliy and !ai%!ul com:liance wi% %e Rules o! %e Legal
6ro!ession are %e condiions re"uired !or remaining a mem4er o! good sanding
o! %e 4ar and !or en@oying %e :rivilege o :racice law.
&J As o %e :enaly; !ailure o :ay de4s and issuance o! wor%less c%ec-s
consiues gross misconduc !or w%ic% a lawyer may 4e sancioned wi% 1year
sus:ension. ?owever; in %is case; Ay. 'oya is sus:ended !or 2years 4ecause
aside !rom issuing wor%less c%ec-s and !ailure o :ay %is de4s; %e also
seriously 4reac%ed %is clienLs rus and con!idence o %is :ersonal advanage
and %ad s%own a wanon disregard o! %e 0B6Ls 5rders in %e course o! is
:roceedings.
CANONS 15 E 16
HERNANDEA @+ GO
FACTS
)omeime in 1.&1; ?ernande+<s %us4and a4andoned %er and %er son
)%orly %erea!er; crediors o! ?ernande+ Zs %us4and demanded :aymen o!
%is loans
?ernande+; !ear!ul o! morgage !oreclosures and aware o! a im:ending claim
sui; engaged %e legal services o! Ay. #o
Ay. #o advised ?ernande+ o give %im land iles covering %ree los in
Zam4oanga Ciy 4elonging o %er; so %a %e may sell %em o ena4le %er o
:ay %e crediors
Also; Ay. #o :ersuaded ?ernande+ o eCecue deeds o! sale in %is !avor
wi%ou any moneary or valua4le consideraion
?ernande+ owns %ree more los in Zam4oanga Ciy w%ic% were morgaged
o crediors. A%en %e morgages !ell due; Ay. #o redeemed %e los and
:ersuaded ?ernande+ o eCecue deeds o! sale in %is !avor covering %e said
los
Ay. #o 4ecame %e regisered owner o! all %e los 4elonging o ?ernande+
0n 1.(4; ?ernande+ came o -now %a Ay. #o did no sell %er los as
agreed u:on; 4u insead %e :aid %er crediors wi% %is own !unds and %ad
%er land iles regisered in %is name; de:riving %er o! real :ro:ery wor%
millions
?ernande+ !iled a com:lain wi% %e 0B6
0B6: Ay. #o violaed Canon 1( and s%ould 4e sus:ended !or 3 years
ISSUE
AG1 Ay. #5 )?57L* BB RB6R0'A1*B*
HELD
/B); !or violaing Canons 1& and 1(
Ay. #o violaed Canon 1&
?is acs ac"uiring !or %imsel! ?ernande+<s los enrused o %im are acs
consiuing gross misconduc; a grievous wrong; a !or4idden ac; a derelicion o! duy;
will!ul in c%aracer and im:lies a wrong!ul inen and no a mere error in @udgmen
)uc% conduc on %e :ar o! Ay. #o no only degrades %imsel! 4u also %e
%onor o! %e legal :ro!ession
Ay. #o violaed Canon 1( w%ic% :rovides %a Ea lawyer owes !ideliy 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 Ay. #o and w%en s%e engaged %is services; s%e enrused o %im %er land iles
and allowed %im o sell %e same
Ay. #o; %owever; a4used %is rus and con!idence w%en %e did no sell %er
:ro:eries o o%ers 4u o %imsel! wi%ou giving any moneary consideraion o
?ernande+; %us de:riving ?ernande+ %e real wor% o! %er :ro:eries
Ay. #o is duy 4ound o render a deailed re:or o ?ernande+ on %ow
muc% %e sold %e los and %e amouns :aid o %er crediors 4u !ailed o do so
0n :revious cases; %e Cour dis4arred and eC:elled lawyers !rom %e
:racice o! law in similar circumsances; %us; %e :enaly recommended 4y %e 0B6 is
oo lig%
Ay. #o was ordered dis4arred.
PANELCO @+ ATTY+ >UAN AYAR =ONTE=AYOR
FAC3):
3%is is an adminisraive com:lain !iled 4y 6angasinan Blecric Coo:eraive
0 I6A1BLC5 0J c%arging Ay. 9uan Ayar 'onemayor wi% negligence.
)ome o! %e omissions o! Ay 'onemayor were:
04 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
Ay. 'onemayor !ailed o serve and !ile %e re"uired A::ellanLs Brie!
des:ie %e la:se o! %e wo eCensions o! ime graned; %ence %e Cour o! A::eals
considered %e a::eal A4andoned
3%e records also s%ow %a res:onden Ay. 9uan Ayar 'onemayor did no
even 4o%er o answer %e com:lain nor :resen %is de!ense
?ence; 6A1BLC5 0 :rays %a %e cour im:ose sancions on Ay.
'onemayor<s gross negligence as counsel !or com:lainan w%ic% resuled QinR %e
damage o! 6A1BLC5 0.
0))7B:
A%e%er or no res:onden commied gross negligence or misconduc in
mis%andling com:lainan<s cases on a::eal; w%ic% evenually led o %eir dismissal; o
%e :re@udice o! %e com:lainan.
?BL*:
/es. A?BRBF5RB; Ay. 9uan Ayar 'onemayor is *0)BARRB* !rom %e
:racice o! law. As counsel !or com:lainan; res:onden %ad %e duy o :resen every
remedy or de!ense au%ori+ed 4y law o :roec %is clien. A%en %e underoo- %is
clien<s cause; %e made a covenan %a %e will eCer all e!!ors !or is :rosecuion unil
is !inal conclusion.?e s%ould undera-e %e as- wi% dedicaion 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 o4aining eCensions o! ime o !ile
:leadings; memoranda or 4rie!s; le %e :eriod la:se wi%ou su4miing %e same or
o!!ering an eC:lanaion !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 maer enrused o %im and
%is negligence in connecion %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:lainans were c%arged
wi% commiing a crime I5%er deceisJ :unis%a4le under %e Revised 6enal Code
I5%er *eceisJ. Res:onden; Ay. A-u was %eir legal counsel in %e criminal case.
Com:lainan accuses Ay. A-u !or 4eing negligen.
Firs; des:ie Ay. 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 :eiion !or :ro4aion;
res:onden wen ou o! own wi%ou conacing com:lainans o give %em :ro:er
legal advice. Fur%ermore; Ay. A-u<s admission %a com:lainans were Q1R under %e
im:ression %a %ey !irs %ad o :ay o!! %eir civil lia4iliies :rior o !iling a :eiion !or
:ro4aion 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 :eiion; :roves %a Ay. A-u !ailed o
give com:lainans imely legal advise.
Ay. 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 evenually succum4ed o %e cancer. Allegedly; a!er
aending %e Mim:oranM %earings; %e immediaely wen ou o! own see-ing !ai%
%ealers.
0))7B:
A%e%er or no Ay. A-u is guily o! negligence.
?BL*:
/es. A?BRBF5RB; %e :eiion is #RA13B*. Ay. Bmmanuel A. A-u is
%ere4y )7)6B1*B* !rom %e :racice o! law !or siC I&J mon%s. Bvery case a lawyer
acce:s deserves %is !ull aenion; s-ill and com:eence; regardless o! %is im:ression
%a one case or %earing is more im:oran %an %e o%er. Ae commiserae wi%
res:onden !or %e loss o! %is wi!e; %owever; !ailure o! an aorney o !ile a imely
moion !or reconsideraion or an a::eal renders %im lia4le !or negligence.
By agreeing o 4e %is clien<s counsel; %e re:resens %a %e will eCercise
ordinary diligence or %a reasona4le degree o! care and s-ill %aving re!erence o %e
c%aracer o! %e 4usiness %e undera-es o do; o :roec %e clien<s ineress and
a-e all se:s or do all acs necessary
BELLEAA @+ =ACASA
FACTS
5n 1ovem4er 12; 2224; com:lainan wen o see res:onden on re!erral o!
%eir muual !riend; 9oe C%ua. Com:lainan waned o avail o! res:onden<s legal
services in connecion wi% %e case o! %er son; Francis 9o%n Belle+a; w%o was
arresed 4y :olicemen o! Bacolod Ciy earlier %a day !or alleged violaion 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 :arial :aymen o! 615;222 o
res:onden %ru %eir muual !riend C%ua. 5n 1ovem4er 1(; 2224; s%e gave %im an
addiional 612;222. )%e :aid %e 65;222 4alance on 1ovem4er 1,; 2224. Bo%
:aymens 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! :osing a 4ond o secure %e :rovisional li4ery 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 reurn 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 Aorney<s 5!!ice !or %er son<s de!ense.
05 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
3%erea!er; com:lainan !iled a veri!ied com:lain !or dis4armen agains
res:onden in %e 1egros 5ccidenal c%a:er o! %e 0negraed Bar o! %e 6%ili::ines
I0B6J.
0n an order daed 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 moion !or
eCension o! ime o !ile an answer daed Augus 12; 2225; sim:ly 4rus%ed aside %e
com:lain !or 4eing M4aseless; groundless and maliciousM wi%ou; %owever; o!!ering
any eC:lanaion. ?e also :rayed %a %e 4e given unil )e:em4er 4; 2225 o su4mi
%is answer.
Res:onden su4se"uenly !iled urgen moions !or second and %ird
eCensions o! ime :raying o 4e given unil 1ovem4er 4; 2225 o su4mi %is answer.
?e never did.
HELD
Resp#!e#" Grssly Ne*le)"e! The Cause ' H$s Cl$e#"% A""y+ =a)asa $s
!$s&arre!
Res:onden underoo- o de!end %e criminal case agains com:lainan<s
son. )uc% undera-ing im:osed u:on %im %e !ollowing duies:
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.
C C C C C C C C C
Rule 1,.23 U A lawyer s%all no neglec a legal maer enrused o %im; and
%is negligence in connecion %erewi% s%all render %im lia4le.
C C C C C C C C C
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 commis o devoe %imsel!
I:aricularly %is ime; -nowledge; s-ills and e!!orJ o suc% cause. ?e mus 4e ever
mind!ul o! %e rus and con!idence re:osed in %im; consanly sriving o 4e wor%y
%ereo!. Accordingly; %e owes !ull devoion o %e ineres o! %is clien; warm +eal in
%e mainenance and de!ense o! %is clien<s rig%s and %e eCerion o! %is umos
learning; s-ill and a4iliy 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 undera-es o
serve %is clien wi% com:eence and diligence. ?e mus conscieniously :er!orm %is
duy arising !rom suc% relaions%i:. ?e mus 4ear in mind %a 4y acce:ing a reainer;
%e im:liedly ma-es %e !ollowing re:resenaions: %a %e :ossesses %e re"uisie
degree o! learning; s-ill and a4iliy o%er lawyers similarly siuaed :ossessK %a %e
will eCer %is 4es @udgmen in %e :rosecuion or de!ense o! %e liigaion enrused o
%imK %a %e will eCercise reasona4le care and diligence in %e use o! %is s-ill and in
%e a::licaion o! %is -nowledge o %is clien<s causeK and %a %e will a-e all se:s
necessary o ade"uaely sa!eguard %is clien<s ineres.
A lawyer<s negligence in %e disc%arge o! %is o4ligaions arising !rom %e
relaions%i: o! counsel and clien may cause delay in %e adminisraion o! @usice and
:re@udice %e rig%s o! a liigan; :aricularly %is clien. 3%us; !rom %e :ers:ecive o!
%e e%ics o! %e legal :ro!ession; a lawyer<s le%argy in carrying ou %is duies o %is
clien is 4o% un:ro!essional and une%ical.
0! %is clien<s case is already :ending in cour; a lawyer mus acively
re:resen %is clien 4y :rom:ly !iling %e necessary :leading or moion and
assiduously aending %e sc%eduled %earings. 3%is is s:ecially signi!ican !or a lawyer
w%o re:resens an accused in a criminal case.
3%e accused is guaraneed %e rig% o counsel under %e Consiuion. ?owever; %is
rig% can only 4e meaning!ul i! %e accused is accorded am:le legal assisance 4y %is
lawyer:
3%e rig% o counsel :roceeds !rom %e !undamenal :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 !ormaliy
%a may 4e dis:ensed wi% or :er!ormed :er!uncorily.
3%e rig% o counsel mus 4e more %an @us %e :resence o! a lawyer in %e
courroom or %e mere :ro:ounding o! sandard "uesions and o4@ecions. 3%e rig% o
counsel means %a %e accused is am:ly accorded legal assisance eCended 4y a
counsel w%o commis %imsel! o %e cause !or %e de!ense and acs accordingly. 3%e
rig% assumes an acive involvemen 4y %e lawyer in %e :roceedings; :aricularly a
%e rial o! %e case; %is 4earing consanly in mind o! %e 4asic rig%s o! %e accused;
%is 4eing well8versed on %e case; and %is -nowing %e !undamenal :rocedures;
essenial laws and eCising @uris:rudence.
3%e rig% o! an accused o counsel is 4eyond "uesion a !undamenal rig%.
Ai%ou counsel; %e rig% o a !air rial isel! would 4e o! lile 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!!ecive assisance o! counsel.
3%e rig% o! an accused o counsel !inds su4sance in %e :er!ormance 4y
%e lawyer o! %is sworn duy o! !ideliy o %is clien. 3ersely :u; i means an e!!ecive;
e!!icien and ruly decisive legal assisance; no a sim:ly :er!uncory re:resenaion.
0n %is case; a!er acce:ing %e criminal case agains com:lainan<s son and receiving
%is aorney<s !ees; res:onden did no%ing %a could 4e considered as e!!ecive and
e!!icien legal assisance. For all inens and :ur:oses; res:onden a4andoned %e
cause o! %is clien. 0ndeed; on accoun o! res:onden<s coninued inacion;
com:lainan was com:elled o see- %e services o! %e 6u4lic Aorney<s 5!!ice.
Res:onden<s lac-adaisical aiude 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
consiuional rig% o counsel. Fur%ermore; in !ailing o use %e amoun enrused o
%im !or :osing a 4ond o secure %e :rovisional li4ery o! %is clien; res:onden
unduly im:eded %e laer<s consiuional rig% o 4ail.
O@ERGAARD @+ @ALDEA
FACTS
5vergaard is a *uc% naional w%o engaged %e services o! Ay. >alde+.
3%ey enered ino a reainer agreemen; :roviding %a !or .22$; >alde+ would
re:resen 5vergaard as counsel in 2 cases !iled 4y %im IBsa!a and a mandamus
06 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
caseJ and 2 cases !iled agains %im I5%er Lig% %reas and violaion o! %e Ani8
>iolaion agains women and %eir c%ildren acJ.
5vergaard sen [1&; ,54 o Ay. >alde+ via elegra:%ic 4an- rans!er. 4
mon%s a!er; 5vergaard demanded !or a re:or on %e saus o! %is cases. 0n s:ie o!
many :%one calls and emails; >alde+ couldn< 4e reac%ed. ?ence; 5vergaard
in"uired on %is own; and discovered %a >alde+ didn< !ile %is enry o! a::earance in
any o! %e cases; %a a couner8a!!idavi was re"uired !rom %im; and %a %e criminal
cases agains %im %ave already 4een arraigned and warrans were issued !or %is
arres. ?e was consrained o !ind a new lawyer.
5vergaard %en wroe again and ried o locae >alde+ o demand %e reurn
o! documens enrused o %e laer; as well as %e [1&$ :aymen. 1o word was
%eard !rom >alde+. 5vergaard !iled a case wi% %e 0B6 !or >alde+<s dismissal !or
gross mal:racice; immoral c%aracer; dis%onesy and decei!ul conduc.
3%e 0B6 re"uired >alde+ o !ile an answer; 4u %e did no com:ly. ?e also
!ailed o aend %e %earing and was declared in de!aul. Laer; a clari!icaory %earing
was se; 4u >alde+ never s%owed. 0B6 !ound %im guily o! violaing canons 1; 15; 1&;
1(; and 1, and %is :enaly was a 38year sus:ension and %e was ordered o reurn
5vergaard<s money.
HELD
)C agrees wi% %e !indings o! 0B6; 4u declared %a >alde+ 4e dis4arred !or
!alling 4elow %e sandards re"uired o! lawyers.
Canon 1, :rovides %a a lawyer mus serve %is clien wi% com:eence and
diligence. Rule 1,.23 re"uires a lawyer o no neglec a legal maer enrused o %im
and %is negligence will ma-e %im lia4le. >alde+ s%ould indeed 4e lia4le 4ecause %e
was no @us incom:een; %e was uselessK no @us negligen; %e was indolenK 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! duy. Also; %is !ailure o ac on %e
dis4armen case agains %im; wi%ou any eC:lanaion; is a clear evidence o!
negligence on %is :ar.
Rule 1,.24 re"uires %a a lawyer -ee: %is clien in!ormed o! %e saus o! %is
case and o res:ond wi%in reasona4le ime o %e clien<s re"ues !or in!ormaion.
*es:ie 5vergaard<s e!!ors; >alde+ avoided %is clien and never 4o%ered o re:ly.
Clearly; %e rule was violaed.
ANGALAN @+ DELANTE
FACTS
3%is is a com:lain !iled 4y %e %eirs o! an illierae cou:le 4elonging o %e
)amal 3ri4e agains Ay. *elane !or gross violaion o! :ro!essional res:onsi4iliy
:aricularly Canons 1& and 1(.
3%e cou:le owned a :ro:ery in )amal; *avao del 1ore. 5n 15 A:ril 1.(1;
Angalan and com:lainans 4orrowed 615;222 !rom ):ouses Busa"uio. 3o secure %e
loan; Angalan and com:lainans morgaged %eir :ro:ery and surrendered %e ile o
%e ):ouses Busa"uio.
A%en com:lainans ried o :ay %e loan and recover %e ile !rom %e
):ouses Busa"uio; %e ):ouses Busa"uio re!used. Com:lainans learned %a %e
documen w%ic% %e ):ouses Busa"uio :re:ared; and w%ic% com:lainans signed;
was a deed o! a4solue sale and no a real esae morgage. 3%ey also learned %a
1avarro R. Busa"uio I1avarroJ %ad rans!erred %e ile over %e :ro:ery o %is
name.
Com:lainans engaged %e services o! res:onden !or %e :ur:ose o!
recovering %eir :ro:ery.
Res:onden lawyer !iled a com:lain !or %e reconveyance o! %e :ro:ery.
Com:lainans and %e ):ouses Busa"uio enered ino an amica4le selemen. 0n %e
amica4le selemen; %e com:lainans o!!ered %e s:ouses %e sum o! 632$ as
re:urc%ase :rice w%ic% %e s:ouses acce:ed.
?owever; com:lainans did no %ave %e 632;222 re:urc%ase :rice !or %e
:ro:ery. Res:onden *elane advanced %e 632;222 and; in reurn; com:lainans
allowed res:onden o :ossess %e :ro:ery and ga%er is :roduce unil %e is :aid.
A%en com:lainans ried o re:ay %e 632;222 re:urc%ase :rice and recover
%e :ro:ery !rom res:onden; res:onden re!used. Com:lainans learned %a
res:onden rans!erred %e ile o! %e :ro:ery o %is name.
Com:lainans !iled a com:lain

:raying %a I1J %e deed o! a4solue sale
:re:ared 4y %e ):ouses Busa"uio and signed 4y %e com:lainans 4e declared
void; I2J ile issued in %e name o! Ay. *elane 4e declared void; and I3J res:onden
4e made o :ay damages.
As de!ense; res:onden alleges %a:
1. 3%e com:lainans only 4orrowed money !rom %im wi%ou any inenion
o :ay %im 4ac- or a leas o!!er an eC:lanaion 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 Busa"uio
3. 3%e sale 4eween Busa"uio and %e com:lainans was a valid sale and
no a morgage
4. 3%e acual 4uyer o! %e :ro:ery was Ay. *elane<s !ormer clien w%o is
now residing in 1ew /or-. Bu a!er 11 years; %e 4uyer did no reurn o
%e 6%ili::ines anymore so %e au%ori+ed Ay. *elane o %ave %e
:ro:ery in %is name u:on re!und o! %e :urc%ase :rice.
Com:lainans !iled a com:lain

daed wi% %e Cour c%arging res:onden
wi% gross violaion o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy.
0n a Re:or daed 15 5co4er 222(; Commissioner ?a4a4ag o! %e 0B6
!ound %a res:onden violaed %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy. 0B6 Board o!
governors a::roved 4u increased %e :enaly !rom a &8mon% sus:ension o 18year.
ISSUE
A%e%er or no res:onden commied grave violaion o! Q%eR Code o!
6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy w%en %e 4oug% %e :ro:ery o! %is clienQsR wi%ou %eir
-nowledge; consen and agains %eir willH
HELD
/B).
07 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
3%e Cour is no im:ressed wi% Ay. *elane<s de!enses. Angalan and
com:lainans 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:ery.
Firs; a!er Angalan and com:lainans wen o res:onden<s o!!ice;
res:onden !iled a com:lain wi% %e CF0 :raying %a %e ):ouses
Busa"uio reconvey %e :ro:ery o Angalan and com:lainans.
)econd; in %e com:lain; res:onden saed %a; M4y reason o! unwarraned
re!usal on %e :ar o! %e de!endans o reconvey %e :ro:ery o :laini!!s;
%e laer %ave 4een consrained o engage; and in !ac %ave engaged; %e
services o! counsel.M
3%ird; res:onden issued a recei: o com:lainans saing %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:resening !ull :aymen o! :ro!essional services in regard o %e recovery
o! 5riginal Ceri!icae o! 3ile 1o. 68114.. in %e name o! Angalan I)amalJ.M
Four%; in res:onden<s leer daed 12 9anuary 1.(. and addressed o %e
4arrio ca:ain o! 7m4ay; )amal; *avao del 1ore; %e saed %a %e was %e
lawyer o! com:lainans.
As o %is claim regarding %is !ormer clien :urc%asing %e :ro:ery
'. Amica4le selemen %ere was an agreed re:urc%ase :rice o w%ic% 4o%
:aries agreed o
>. Leer o %e 4arrio ca:ain %e lawyer saed %a com:lainans
re:urc%ased %e :ro:ery !rom %e ):ouses Busa"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, '@&A.0
(. 0nsu!!icien :roo! Res:onden did no give any deail or :roo! o
su4saniae %is sory W %e name o! %e alleged clien; an a!!idavi o! %e
alleged clien; %e old :ass:or o! %e alleged clien s%owing immigraion
sam:s; or any !orm o! corres:ondence 4eween %im and %e alleged clien.
3%e Cour agrees wi% %e o4servaion o! Commissioner ?a4a4ag %a
res:onden<s Mvain aem: o salvage %is malicious acs QisR oo !limsy o
gain 4elie! and acce:ance.M
Canon 1( saes %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:lainans re:osed in %im. Com:lainans allege %a %ey are illierae and %a %e
):ouses Busa"uio oo- advanage o! %em. Com:lainans engaged %e services o!
res:onden in %e %o:e %a %e would %el: %em recover %eir :ro:ery. 0nsead o!
:roecing %e ineress o! com:lainans; res:onden oo- advanage o! com:lainans
and rans!erred %e ile o! %e :ro:ery o %is name.
Considering %e de:raviy o! res:onden<s o!!ense; %e Cour !inds %e
recommended :enaly oo lig%. >iolaion o! Canons 1& and 1( consiues gross
misconduc.

)ecion 2(; Rule 13, o! %e Rules o! Cour saes %a a mem4er o! %e
4ar may 4e dis4arred or sus:ended !rom %is o!!ice as aorney 4y %e Cour !or gross
misconduc.
A :erson w%o a-es %e ,.1228%ecare :ro:ery o! %is illierae cliens and
w%o is inca:a4le o! elling %e ru% is un!i o 4e a lawyer.
3%e Cour !inds Ay. Leonido C. *elane #70L3/ o! violaing Canons 1& and
1( o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy. Accordingly; %e Cour *0)BAR) %im
!rom %e :racice o! law and 5R*BR) %a %is name 4e sric-en !rom %e Roll o!
Aorneys.
SANTOS-TAN @+ ATTY+ RO=EO R+ ROBISO
FAC3)
Com:lainan )anos83an c%arged res:onden wi% mal:racice !or grossly
neglecing %is duies and res:onsi4iliies 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 noice 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%ec-
I/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 !acs :resened %ere was
no%ing %a %e could %ave done o eC:edie %e resoluion o! %e moion !or
reconsideraion %en :ending 4e!ore %e R3C. 3%e R3C %ad already ordered %a %e
moion !or reconsideraion 4e su4mied !or resoluion. Res:onden could no 4e
!auled i! %e acing :residing @udge did no wan o ac on %e moion unil %e regular
:residing @udge reurn.
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 violaion o! %e :rovisions
o! %is law; res:onden is guily o! serious misconduc. 3%e ac o! a lawyer in issuing a
c%ec- w%ic% is drawn agains insu!!icien !unds consiues 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 laer dis%onored !or %aving 4een drawn agains a closed accoun
indicaes a lawyer<s un!iness !or %e rus and con!idence re:osed on %im. 0 s%ows a
lac- o! :ersonal %onesy and good moral c%aracer as o render %im unwor%y o!
:u4lic con!idence. As suc%; we %ave %eld %a deli4erae !ailure o :ay @us de4s and
%e issuance o! wor%less c%ec-s consiue gross misconduc; !or w%ic% a lawyer may
4e sancioned wi% sus:ension !rom %e :racice o! law. Res:onden violaed %e
Aorney<s 5a% %a %e will; among o%ers; o4ey %e laws. 3%e Code o! 6ro!essional
Res:onsi4iliy 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).
29 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
01 >0BA A?BRB5F; res:onden Ay. Romeo R. Ro4iso is 5R*BRB*
)7)6B1*B* !rom %e :racice o! law !or a :eriod o! 51B I1J mon%.
SO=OSOT @+ LARA
FACTS
Ay #erardo Lara re:resened 5!elia )omoso in a collecions case agains
#olden Collecions 'ar-eing Cor:.
#olden Collecions !iled Einerrogaories and re"ues !or AdmissionF
Ay Lara o4@eced; saing %a suc% inerrogaories and admission s%ould 4e
sen direcly o 'rs. )omoso
A %is :oin; we s%ould a-e noe %a Ay Lara is already sensiive a4ou
%e 62(;222 in un:aid ay<s !ees
1ov. 2221; Ay Lara was a::oined as a consulan in %e Board o!
0nvesmen; a governmen :osiion
Lara ried o locae )omoso a4ou %e !ees in %er o!!ice in #reen%illsK o!!ice
was loc-ed and according o %e securiy guard; %ey %ad moved o!!ice
wi%ou leaving a !orwarding address. Lara also aem: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!ormiy o! %is clien; )omoso; 4ecause s%e could 4e locaed. 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 leer !rom )omoso giving %im Eone las
c%ance o give %er a reason no o insigae a dis4armen suiF agains %im.
ISSUE
<IN Ay Lara; !rom %e !acs saed; is deemed incom:een in %is services
o 'rs. 5!elia )omoso.
HELD
/es.
Ay Lara<s services were insu!!icien. ?is neglec Ior re!usalJ o re:ly o %e
0nerrogaories and Re"ues !or Admissions %imsel! evenually caused %e cour o
rule agains 'rs. )omoso. Records do no s%ow %ow eCacly %e ried o address %e
0nerrogaories issue or w%e%er %e a::ealed %e case or no.
?e did no menion %ow %e ried o locae 'rs. )omoso o in!orm %er a4ou
%e 0nerrogaories and Re"ues !or Admission. ?e only oo- %e iniiaive w%en %e
learned %a %e %ad 4een a::oined ino a governmen :osiion.
Lara was very muc% sensiive 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 Ay. 5ne; %is a::oinmen
in a governmen o!!iceK and wo; )omoso<s re!usal o :ay %is !ees. ?e could %ave
secured %er Econ!ormiyF 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 Ay. Briones. 3%e res:onden is
Ay. 9imene+. Com:lainan Briones is %e ):ecial Adminisraor o! %e ?enson
Bsae; w%ile res:onden 9imene+ is %e counsel !or ?eirs o! ?enson.
3%e roo o! %erein adminisraive com:lain !or *is4armen is an R3C 5rder
I2222J. 3%e R3C 5rder direced com:lainan Briones o deliver %e residue o! %e
esae o %e ?eirs in :ro:orion 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
cliens !or re!usal o o4ey %e law!ul order o! %e cour.
Com:lainan Briones now claims %a res:onden 9imene+ is guily o!
violaion o! Rule 1..21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional res:onsi4iliy 4y !iling %e
un!ounded criminal com:lain agains com:lainan o o4ain an im:ro:er advanage:
Rule 1..21 8 A lawyer s%all em:loy only !air and %ones means o aain %e
law!ul o4@ecives o! %is clien and s%all no :resen; :arici:ae in :resening or
%reaen o :resen un!ounded criminal c%arges o o4ain an im:ro:er advanage in
any case o! :roceeding.
0))7B:
A%e%er or no res:onden Ay. 9imene+ s%ould 4e adminisraively lia4le.
?BL*:
/es. Ay. 9acino *. 9imene+ is !ound guily o! and RB6R0'A1*B* Qsince
no evidence o! malice or 4ad !ai%R !or violaion o! Rule 1..21 o! %e Code o!
6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy Fair :lay demands %a res:onden s%ould %ave !iled %e
:ro:er moion wi% %e R3C o aain %is goal o! %aving %e residue o! %e esae
delivered o %is cliens and no su4@ec com:lainan o a :remaure criminal
:rosecuion.
Canon 1. o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy en@oins a lawyer o
re:resen %is clien wi% +eal. ?owever; %e same Canon :rovides %a a lawyer<s
:er!ormance o! %is duies 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 aain %e law!ul o4@ecives o! %is clien. 3o :ermi
lawyers o resor o unscru:ulous :racices !or %e :roecion o! %e su::osed rig%s o!
%eir cliens is o de!ea one o! %e :ur:oses o! %e sae U %e adminisraion o!
@usice. A%ile lawyers owe %eir enire devoion o %e ineres o! %eir cliens 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 adminisraion o! @usice.
PENA @+ APARICIO
21 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
FACTS
Ay. 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. Ay. A:aricio
:rayed %a %is clien 4e given se:araion :ay. 6eSa re@eced %e claim. 3%erea!er;
6eSa sen noices o ?u!ana o reurn o wor-. Ay. A:aricio re:lied wi% a leer
reieraing %e claim o! %is clien. 3%e leer also conained %reas agains %e
com:any saing %a i! %e claim is no :aid on Aug. 12; 2225; %ey will !ile muli:le
c%arges suc% as; criminal c%arges !or aC evasion; !alsi!icaion o! documens; and !or
%e cancellaion o! %e com:any<s 4usiness license.
6eSa !iled an adminisraive com:lain agains Ay. A:aricio wi% %e
Commission on Bar *isci:line o! %e 0B6 !or violaing Rule 1..21 o! Canon 1. o! %e
Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy. Ay. A:aricio in urn !iled counerclaims !or %e
de!amaory c%arges agains %im. 3%e 0B6 dismissed %e com:lain 4ecause 6eSa %ad
allegedly !ailed o !ile %is :osiion :a:er and %e ceri!icaion agains !orum s%o::ing.
3%e 0B6 ransmied %e records o! %e case o %e )C.
Ay. A:aricio !iled an 'R wi% %e )C reieraing %is claim !or damages
agains 6eSa in %e amoun o! 6422' !or !iling !alse; malicious; de!amaory;
!raudulen sui agains %im. 6eSa li-ewise !iled %is 6eiion !or Review alleging %a %e
su4mied %is :osiion :a:er and %a %e dismissal denied %im o! due :rocess.
ISSUE
AG1 Ay. A:aricio is guily o! violaing Rule 1..21H
HELD
/u:N
Firs o! all; %e )C !ound %a 6eSa acually su4mied %is :osiion :a:er. 0n
addiion; dis4armen :roceedings are sui generis; %ence; %e re"uiremen o! a
ceri!icaion o! !orum s%o::ing is no o 4e sricly com:lied wi% in suc% a case. A any
rae; 6eSa acually su4mied a ceri!icaion agains !orum s%o::ing a!er Ay.
A:aricio !iled %e moion o dismiss; curing %e su::osed de!ec in %e original
com:lain.
1ow o %e merisO
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 duy o %is clien is su4ordinae o %is duy in %e
adminisraion o! @usice.
Rule 1..21; Ea lawyer s%all em:loy only !air and %ones means o aain %e
law!ul o4@ecives o! %is clien and s%all no :resen; :arici:ae in :resening or
%reaen o :resen un!ounded criminal c%arges o o4ain an im:ro:er advanage in
any case or :roceeding.F 7nder suc% Rule; a lawyer s%ould no !ile or %reaen 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 eCacly
w%a Ay. A:aricio did in %is case.
Fur%ermore; %is %reas were no only une%ical; 4u %ey amouned o
4lac-mail U eCorion o! money 4y %reas o! accusaion or eC:osure in %e :u4lic
:rins. Blac-mail and eCorion would no only enail dis4armen 4u also :ossi4le
criminal :rosecuion. Aorse ye; Ay. A:aricio acually admied and even !ound i %is
o4ligaion o ell %e ru% o! %e o!!enses %e im:ued agains 6eSa. ?e also saed %a
%e wriing o! demand leers is sandard :racice.
)C ruled %a Ay. A:aricio<s asserions are misleading 4ecause %e !ac o!
%e maer is; %e used suc% %reas o gain leverage agains 6eSa and !orce %e laer
o accede o %is clien<s claims. 3%e leer even im:lied a :romise o E-ee: silenF
a4ou %e said violaions i! %e claim is me.
A%ile i is rue %a wriing demand leers is sandard :racice in %e
:ro!ession o! law; suc% leers mus no conain %reas suc% as %ose !ound in %is
case.
1ever%eless; )C %eld %a dis4armen is oo severe a :enaly considering
%a Ay. A:aricio wroe %e leer ou o! %is over+ealousness o :roec %is clien<s
ineress. 3%ere!ore; %e )C re:rimanded %im wi% a sern warning.
2, ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
POST =IDTER= CASES
AUTHORITY OF THE LA<YERB CONDUCT OF LITIGATION
=ANALANG @+ ANGELES
FAC3):
'analang and Cirillo alleged %a %ey were %e com:lainans in a case !or
overime and se:araion :ay !iled agains %eir em:loyer; %e 6%ili::ine Racing Clu4
Resauran; 4e!ore %e 1aional La4or Relaions. 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! eCecuion issued. ?owever; wi%ou au%oriy !rom %is cliens;
res:onden com:romised %e award and was a4le o collec 65;522 only.
Com:lainans said %ey made several demands u:on res:onden o urn
over o %em %e amoun colleced minus %e agreed u:on aorneyLs !ees o! %iry
:ercen I32YJ; 4u Ay. Angeles re!used and o!!ered o give %em only %e sum o!
62;&52.
Res:onden counsel saed %a %e o!!ered o give com:lainans %eir money;
4u %ey insised %a %e Mdeduc !rom %is aorneyLs !ees %e amoun o! 62;222;
re:resening %e amoun discouned 4y %e counsel o! %e 6%ili::ine Racing Clu4
Resauran; oge%er wi% s%eri!! legal !ees and o%er adminisraive eC:enses.M
Res:onden claimed %a o acce: com:lainansL :ro:osiion mean %a %e Mwould
no 4e com:ensaed !or :rosecuing and %andling; %e case.F
0))7B:
A%e%er res:onden Ay. Francisco F. Angeles s%ould 4e sus:ended !rom
%e :racice o! law 4ecause o! grave misconduc relaed o %is cliensL !unds.
?BL*
A%ere a mem4er o! %e 4ar sands c%arged wi% mal:racice; %e
:roceedings are no mean solely o rule on %is cul:a4iliy 4u also o deermine i! %e
lawyer concerned is :ossessed o! %a good moral c%aracer; w%ic% is a condiion
:receden o %e :rivilege o! :racicing law and coninuing in %e :racice %ereo!.
'oney claims due o wor-ers canno; as a rule; 4e %e o4@ec o! selemen
or com:romise e!!eced 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 cliens; res:onden no only wen agains %e sream o!
@udicial dica; %e also eC%i4ied an uncaring lac- o! devoion o %e ineres o! %is
cliens as well as wan o! +eal in %e mainenance and de!ense o! %eir rig%s. 0n so
doing; %e violaed Canon 1( o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy.
A lawyer s%all %old in rus all moneys and :ro:eries o! %is clien %a may
come ino %is :ossession.

0n %e insan case; %e records clearly and a4undanly
:oin o res:ondenLs recei: o! and !ailure o deliver u:on demand; %e amoun o!
64;552 inended !or %is cliens. 3%is is a clear 4reac% o! Rule 1&.23;

Canon 1& o! %e
Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy.
'oreover; %is eCcuse in %is answer; %a %e s%ould 4e allowed o deduc
s%eri!!Ls !ees and o%er adminisraive eC:enses 4e!ore delivering %e money due %is
cliens; is unsais!acory. Res:onden clearly !ailed o com:ly wi% %e Rules o! Cour
in %e en!orcemen o! an aorneyLs liens.

3%e records o! %is case are 4arren o! any
saemen o! res:ondenLs claims !or lien or :aymen o! %is alleged dis4ursemens.
1or did res:onden :resen any s%owing %a %e caused wrien noices o! %is lien on
%e money @udgmen o 4e served u:on %is cliens and o %e losing :ary
?is ac o! %olding on o %is cliensL money wi%ou %eir ac"uiescence is
conduc indicaive o! lac- o! inegriy and :ro:riey. ?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
admoniion %a a mem4er o! %e legal !raerniy 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
!ideliy; %onesy; and inegriy o! %e legal :ro!ession.
3%is is %e !irs case on record agains %im; a !ac w%ic% could 4e a-en ino
accoun 4y way o! miigaion. Considering !ur%er %e amoun involved; %e :enaly 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
resauran; 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 solen !rom %er %ouse in Fe4ruary;
1.52. #arcia %anded %e ring o #uevara and i !ied %er !inger. 3wo or %ree days
laer; a %e re"ues o! #uevarra; %er %us4and L. Col. 9uan #uevara; L. Cemenina
o! 6asay 6*; #arcia and %er aorney :roceeded o %e sore o! 'r. Re4ullida o
w%om %ey s%owed %e ring in "uesion.
'r. Re4ullida eCamined %e ring and a!er consuling %e soc- card %ereon;
concluded %a i was %e very ring %a :laini!! 4oug% !rom %im in 1.4(. 3%e ring was
reurned o #arcia w%o des:ie a wrien 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 Angelia ?ina%on w%o in
urn go i !rom %e owner; Aling 6ering; w%o was 4oarding in %er %ouseK %a %e ring
s%e 4oug% could 4e similar o; 4u no %e same ring :laini!! :urc%ased !rom 'r.
Re4ullida w%ic% was solenK %a according o a :awn8s%o: owner %e 4ig diamond
was never dismanled. A%en dismanled; de!endanLs diamond was !ound o weig%
2.5( cs; unli-e %e one claimed 4y #uevara s:ouse.
A::arenly #arcia<s own counsel admied %roug% an answer %a %e ring in
"uesion was %e same ring; w%ic% is 4eing claimed 4y %e #uevara s:ouse.
20 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
0))7B:
A%e%er or no a lawyer needs an )6A o admi %e ru% o! cerain !acs
?BL*:
15. #arcia is conradiced 4y %er own eCra8@udicial admissions; al%oug%
made 4y %er counsel. For an aorney w%o acs as counsel o! record and is :ermied
o ac suc%; %as %e au%oriy o manage %e cause; and %is includes %e au%oriy o
ma-e admission !or %e :ur:ose o! %e liigaion... #arcia<s :ro!!ered eC:lanaion %a
%er counsel misundersood %er is !uile 4ecause %e lia4iliy o error as o %e ideniy
o! %e vendor and %e eCc%ange o! %e ring wi% ano%er ring o! %e same value; was
ra%er remoe.
3%e ring<s ideni!icaion was con!irmed 4y 'r. Ra!ael Re4ullida; w%ose
esimony is eniled 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 soc- card old #uevara %a %a was %er ring; nor did s%e answer
:laini!!Ls leer o! demand;assering owners%i:.
1one o! %e :eo:le w%om s%e menioned; was a4le o corro4orae %e sory
o! %ow s%e 4oug% %e ring.
SANTIAGO @+ DELOS SANTOS
Facs:
6laini!!; now a::ellan; a::lied !or regisraion o! a :arcel o! land. 0n a
moion o se %e case !or %earing; %e aac%ed documens indicaive o! %e land 4eing
:u4lic in c%aracer; %us lending su::or o %e o::osiion o! %e *irecor o! Foresry;
%e *irecor o! Lands; and a cerain 6acia >. de los )anos. 3%e %en 9udge Cecilia
'uSo+ 6alma; now an Associae 9usice o! %is Cour; dismissed %e sui. 0s reversal
is soug% in %is a::eal.
0ssue:
Aas %e counsel negligen in %e :re:araion o! %e :leadingsH /es.
?eld:
Aac%ed o suc% :leading were %e documens; w%ic%; in %e language o!
%e %en 9udge 6alma; Ms%ow %a %e land o4@ec o! %is regisraion :roceeding is
:ar o! %e :u4lic domain ... .M Former counsel oug% o %ave reali+ed %e !aal e!!ec
on %is clienLs case o! suc% an admission. 0! i were %is inenion o demolis% enirely
%e :reension o! :laini!! o %e claim %a %e %ad 4een in o:en; :u4lic; uninerru: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 4eer. A%a was so caegorically
%erein se !or% as o suc% :arcel o! land 4eing a :ar o! a :u4lic !ores; al%oug%
%erea!er released 4y %e )ecreary o! Agriculure and 1aural Resources !or
agriculural :ur:oses; is conclusive and 4inding.
?ow did %e :resen counsel !or :laini!!; %e law !irm o! Luna and 'analo;
see- o eCricae %im !rom a :redicamen o! %is own ma-ingH 0 would rely on cerain
:rocedural docrinesK more s:eci!ically; i would insis on %e moion o dismiss o!
o::osior 6acia >. de los )anos as no 4eing eniled o recogniion as %ere was a
general order o! de!aul eCce: as o %e Bureau o! Lands and %e Bureau o! Foresry;
no li!ed as o %er; and %a s%e %ad no ineres o o::ose %e a::licaion o! %e
regisraion o! %er land; al%oug% admiedly %ere was a claim on %er :ar under a
:asure lease agreemen in %er !avor. ?ence %e :lea !or %e order o! dismissal 4eing
se aside and :laini!! 4eing allowed o :resen evidence. A%a :ur:ose; i may
:erinenly 4e as-ed; would 4e served %ere4y i!; a!er %e ime8consuming e!!or; i
would clearly a::ear %a :laini!! could no in ru% s%ow %a %ere was suc% an o:en;
uninerru:ed; :eace!ul and adverse :ossession in %e conce: o! ownerH 1or is i o
4e !orgoen %a in %e moion o dismiss o! o::osior de los )anos; i was saed:
M3%a %e son o! a::lican Luis )aniago; namely 9uanio ). )aniago; was one ime
%e Lessee o! %e a!oresaid im4er area soug% o 4e regisered 4y %im under 6asure
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 )aniago o ma-e %e
im:rovemens and com:ly o%erwise wi% %e erms and condiions o! %e Lease
ConracK ... .M 3%ere was no denial o! suc% allegaion.
An admission made in %e :leadings canno 4e conrovered 4y %e :ary
ma-ing suc% admission and are conclusive as o %im; and %a all :roo!s su4mied 4y
%im conrary %ereo or inconsisen %erewi%; s%ould 4e ignored; w%e%er o4@ecion is
iner:osed 4y %e :ary or no.
CANON ,9
SESBRENO @+ CA
Facs:
Ay. )es4reno is %e counsel o! 52 em:loyees w%o sued %e :rovince o!
Ce4u !or reinsaemen and 4ac- wages. 3%ey signed 2 documens w%ere4y %e
em:loyees agreed o :ay Ay. )es4reno 32Y as aorney<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 Ay. )es4reno<s aorney<s !ees a 42Y o! 4ac- salaries;
erminal leave; grauiy :ay and reiremen 4ene!is and 22Y as eC:enses; or a oal
o! &2Y o! all monies :aid o %e em:loyees. 3%e cour laer on modi!ied %e aorney<s
!ees o 52Y. Ay. )es4reno a::ealed o %e CA; w%ic% decided %a %e aorney<s
!ees s%ould 4e reduced o 22Y o! %e 4ac- salaries awarded o %e em:loyees. Ay.
)es4reno a::eals o %e )C on %e ground %a aorney<s !ees amouning o 52Y o!
all monies awarded o %is cliens as coningen !ees s%ould 4e u:%eld !or 4eing
consisen wi% :revailing case law and %e conrac o! :ro!essional services 4eween
%e :aries.
0ssue:
A%e%er or no %e Cour o! A::eals %ad %e au%oriy o reduce %e amoun
o! aorney<s !ees awarded o Ay. )es4reno; nowi%sanding %e conrac !or
:ro!essional services signed 4y %e clien
?eld:
22 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
/esN 3%e CA %as %e au%oriy o reduce %e amoun o! aorney<s !ees. A
lawyer may c%arge and receive as aorney<s !ees is always su4@ec o @udicial conrol.
0n %e case a 4ar; %e :aries enered ino a coningen !ee conrac; w%erein Ay.
)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:ulaed aorney<s !ees
are unconsciona4le w%enever %e amoun is 4y !ar so dis:ro:orionae com:ared o
%e value o! %e services rendered as o amoun o !raud :er:eraed u:on %e clien.
Coningen !ee conracs are under %e su:ervision and close scruiny o! %e cour in
order %a cliens may 4e :roeced !rom un@us c%arges. 3%e cour %eld %a a !ee o!
22Y o! 4ac- salaries would 4e a !air selemen.
BAUTISTA @+ GONAALES
Facs:
Ay. #on+ales is %e lawyer o! %e Forunados in a civil case w%erein Ay.
#on+ales agreed o :ay all eC:enses; including cour !ees; !or a coningen !ee o!
52Y o! %e value o! %e :ro:ery in liigaion.
0ssue:
A%e%er or no %e coningen !ee agreemen 4eween Ay. #on+ales and
%e Forunados is valid
?eld:
1o. 3%ere was no im:ro:riey in enering ino a coningen !ee conrac wi% %e
Forunados. ?owever; %e agreemen 4eween Ay. #on+ales and %e Forunados is
conrary o %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy w%ic% :rovides %a a lawyer may
no :ro:erly agree wi% a clien o :ay or 4ear %e eC:enses o! liigaion. Al%oug% a
lawyer may in good !ai%; advance %e eC:enses o! liigaion; %e same s%ould 4e
su4@ec o reim4ursemen. 3%e agreemen 4eween Ay. #on+ales and Forunados
does no :rovide !or reim4ursemen o Ay. #on+ales o! liigaion eC:enses :aid 4y
%im. An agreemen w%ere4y an aorney agrees o :ay eC:enses o! :roceedings o
en!orce %e clien<s rig%s is c%am:erous. )uc% agreemens are agains :u4lic :olicy.
3%e eCecuion o! %ese conracs violaes %e !iduciary relaions%i: 4eween %e
lawyer and %is clien; !or w%ic% %e !ormer mus incur adminisraive sancions.
GA=ILLA @+ =ARINO
Facs:
Ay. Bduardo 'arino 9r. was %e :residen o! %e 7)3 Faculy 7nion.
3%ere<s a long %isory o! collecive 4argaining agreemen 4eween 7)3 and 7)3
Faculy 7nion. *uring %e series o! agreemens 4eween 7)3 and %e 7)3 Faculy
7nion; Ay. 'arino was removed !rom %is :osiion 4u coninued o serve as a lawyer
!or %e 7)3 Faculy 7nion. 0n %e end; %e 7)3 Faculy won and was awarded 42
million :esos !or 4ac- wages; salaries; addiional com:ensaions; ec. Com:lainans
are mem4ers o! %e 7)3 Faculy 7nion "uesioning %e lac- o! rans:arency in %e
dis4ursemen o! %e moneary 4ene!is I42'J !or %e !aculy mem4ers; and :rays !or
%e eC:ulsion o! Ay. 'arino !or !ailure o accoun !or %e 4alance o! 42' ceded o
%em 4y 7)3 and %e aorney<s !ees amouning o 4.2' w%ic% %e deduced !rom %e
4ene!is alloed o !aculy mem4ers.
0ssue:
A%e%er or no %e 4.2' aorney<s !ees is :ro:orionae o %e legal services
rendered 4y Ay. 'arino
?eld:
1o. 3%e record does no s%ow any @usi!icaion !or suc% %uge amoun o!
com:ensaion nor any clear di!!ereniaion 4eween %is legal services and %is as-s
union :residen com:rising in all :ro4iy %e same duies !or w%ic% %e %as colleced a
%e!y com:ensaion as aorney !or %e union. Fur%ermore; %ere was lac- o! noice
and rans:arency in Ay. 'arino<s dual role a lawyer and :residen o! 7)3 Faculy
7nion w%en %e o4ained 4.2' as aorney<s !ees. A sim:le accouning o! %e money
%a %e and o%ers concerned received !rom 7)3; as well as an eC:lanaion on %e
deails o! %e agreemens; would %ave enlig%ened %e !aculy mem4ers a4ou %e
:ro4a4iliy o! con!lic o! ineress on res:onden<s :ar and guided %em o loo- !or
alernaive acions o :roec %eir own ineress. 3%e o4@ecive o! a disci:linary case is
no so muc% o :unis% %e individual aorney as o :roec %e dis:ensaion o! @usice
4y s%elering %e @udiciary and %e :u4lic !rom %e misconduc or ine!!iciency o!
o!!icers o! %e cour. Resoraive @usice no reri4uion is our goal in %is y:e o!
:roceedings. 0n view o! %is; insead o! a-ing a more sern measure agains
res:onden; a re:rimand and a warning would 4e su!!icien disci:linary acion. ?ence;
Ay. 'ariSo is admonis%ed o re!rain !rom all a::earances and acs o! im:ro:riey
including circumsances indicaing con!lic o! ineress; and o 4e%ave a all imes wi%
circums:ecion and dedicaion 4e!iing a mem4er o! %e Bar; es:ecially o4serving
candor; !airness and loyaly in all ransacions wi% %is clien.
@INSON PINEDA @+ ATTY+ DE >ESUS% ATTY+ A=BROSIO AND ATTY+ =ARIANO
Facs:
Aurora 6ineda !iled !or declaraion o! nulliy o! marriage agains >inson
6ineda. Aurora :ro:osed a selemen regarding visiaion rig%s and %e se:araion o!
:ro:eries w%ic% was acce:ed 4y >inson. )elemen 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:ensaed
4u %ey sill 4illed :eiioner addiional legal !ees in amouning o 61&.5'. >inson
re!used o :ay %e addiional !ees 4u insead :aid 61.2'.
Res:ondens !iled a com:lain wi% %e same rial cour.
3rial cour ordered >inson o :ay a oal o! 6.'. CA reduced %e amoun o a
oal o! 62'.
0ssues:
AG1 %e R3C %ad @urisdicion over %e claim !or addiional legal !eesH
AG1 res:ondens were eniled o addiional legal !eesH
?eld:
23 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
A lawyer may en!orce %is rig% o %is !ees 4y !iling %e :eiion as an inciden
o! %e main acion. R3C %as @urisdicion.
3%e res:ondens were see-ing o collec 652' w%ic% was 12Y o! %e value
o! %e :ro:eries awarded o >inson. A%a res:ondens were demanding was
addiional :aymen !or service rendered in %e same case.
3%e :ro!essional engagemen 4eween :eiioner and res:ondens was
governed 4y <uantum meruit.
Rule 22.4 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy advises lawyers o
avoid conroversies wi% cliens concerning %eir com:ensaion and o resor o
@udicial acion only o :reven im:osiion; in@usice or !raud. )uis o collec !ees s%ould
4e avoided and s%ould 4e !iled only w%en circumsances !orce lawyers o resor o i.
0n %is case; %ere was no @usi!icaion !or %e addiional legal !ees soug% 4y
res:ondens. 0 was an ac o! unconsciona4le greedN
ROMAS @+ DE AUAUARREGUI% >R
Facs:
3%e Zu+uarreguis engaged %e legal services o! Ays. Romeo #. RoCas and
)aniago 1. 6asor; o re:resen %em in %e case. 3%is was sealed 4y a Leer8
Agreemen; w%erein i was conained %a %e aorneys would endeavor o secure @us
com:ensaion wi% %e 1?A and o%er governmen agencies a a :rice o! 11:esos or
more :er s"uare meer; and %a any lower amoun s%all no enile %em o any ay<s
!ees. 3%ey also si:ulaed %a in %e even %ey ge i !or 11:esos :er s"uare meer;
%eir coningen !ee s%all 4e 32Y o! %e @us com:ensaion. 3%ey also si:ulaed %a
%eir lawyer<s !ees s%all 4e in :ro:orion o %e cas%G4onds raio o! %e @us
com:ensaion.
QOR
A Com:romise Agreemen was eCecued 4eween %e Zu+uarreguis and %e
1?A. 3%e Com:romise Agreemen; si:ulaed among o%er %ings; %a %e @us
com:ensaion o! %e Zu+uarregui :ro:eries would 4e a 61..52 :er s"uare meer
:aya4le in 1?A Bonds. 0n a *ecision daed 22 *ecem4er 1.,5; %e R3C; a::roved
%e Com:romise Agreemen su4mied 4y %e :aries.
3%e oal amoun in 1?A 4onds released o Ay. Romeo #. RoCas in 4e%al!
o! %e Zu+uarreguis amouned o 654;522;222.22. 5u o! %is amoun; %e records
s%ow %a %e amoun urned over o %e Zu+uarreguis 4y Ay. RoCas amouned o
632;522;222.22 Ire:resening %e acual @us com:ensaion; al%oug% %is amoun is
4iggerJ in 1?A 4onds.
Com:ued a 61..52 :er s"uare meer; %e 1;(.2;5(2.3& s"uare meers
:ro:ery o! %e Zu+uarreguis was eC:ro:riaed a a oal :rice o! 634;.1&;122.22. 3%e
oal amoun released 4y %e 1?A was 654;522;222.22. 3%e di!!erence o!
61.;5,3;,(,.22 is; undou4edly; %e yield on %e 4onds.
5n 25 Augus 1.,(; a leer

was sen 4y %e Zu+uarreguis< new counsel;
9ose F. #on+ale+; o Ays. RoCas and 6asor; demanding %a %e laer 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! adminisraive; civil andGor criminal acion.
0ssue:
3%e %onora4le cour o! a::eals gravely erred on a "uesion o! law in %olding
%a %e leer8agreemen re: coningen !ees canno 4e allowed o sand as %e law
4eween %e :aries
?eld:
A conrac is a meeing o! %e minds 4eween wo :ersons w%ere4y one
4inds %imsel!; wi% res:ec o %e o%er; o give some%ing or o render some service.
Conracs s%all 4e o4ligaory; in w%aever !orm %ey may %ave 4een enered ino;
:rovided all %e essenial re"uisies !or %eir validiy are :resen.

3%e Zu+uarreguis; in
enering ino %e Leer8Agreemen; !ully gave %eir consen %ereo. 0n !ac; i was
%em I%e Zu+uarreguisJ w%o sen %e said leer o Ays. RoCas and 6asor; !or %e
:ur:ose o! con!irming all %e maers w%ic% %ey %ad agreed u:on :reviously. 3%ere is
a4soluely no evidence o s%ow %a any4ody was !orced ino enering ino %e Leer8
Agreemen. >erily; is eCisence; due eCecuion and conens were admied 4y %e
Zu+uarreguis %emselves.
0n %e :resence o! a conrac !or :ro!essional services duly eCecued 4y %e
:aries %ereo; %e same 4ecomes %e law 4eween %e said :aries is no a4solue
4u admis an eCce:ion U %a %e si:ulaions %erein are no conrary o law; good
morals; good cusoms; :u4lic :olicy or :u4lic order.
7nder %e conrac in "uesion; Ays. RoCas and 6asor are o receive
coningen !ees

!or %eir :ro!essional services. 0 is a dee:ly8rooed rule %a
coningen !ees are no :er se :ro%i4ied 4y law. 3%ey are sancioned 4y Canon 13 o!
%e Canons o! 6ro!essional B%ics.
A conrac !or coningen !ee; w%ere sancioned 4y law; s%ould 4e
reasona4le under all %e circumsances o! %e case including %e ris- and uncerainy
o! %e com:ensaion; 4u s%ould always 4e su4@ec o %e su:ervision o! a cour; as o
is reasona4leness.
0ndu4ia4ly enwined wi% %e lawyer<s duy o c%arge only reasona4le !ees is
%e :ower o! %is Cour o reduce %e amoun o! aorney<s !ees i! %e same is
eCcessive and unconsciona4le.
Aorney<s !ees are unconsciona4le i! %ey a!!ron one<s sense o! @usice;
decency or reasona4leness. 0 4ecomes aCiomaic %ere!ore; %a :ower o deermine
%e reasona4leness or %e; unconsciona4le c%aracer o! aorneyLs !ees si:ulaed 4y
%e :aries is a maer !alling wi%in %e regulaory :rerogaive o! %e cours.
0n %e insan case; Ays. RoCas and 6asor received an amoun w%ic% was
e"ual o !ory8!our :ercen I44YJ o! %e @us com:ensaion :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:riaion case; ending as i did in a Com:romise Agreemen; %e
44Y is; undenia4ly; unconsciona4le and eCcessive under %e circumsances. 0s
reducion is; %ere!ore; in order.
0 is im:eraive %a %e coningen !ees received 4y Ays. RoCas and 6asor
mus 4e e"uia4ly reduced. 0n %e o:inion o! %is Cour; %e yield %a corres:onds o
%e :ercenage s%are o! %e Zu+uarreguis in %e 61..52 :er s"uare meer @us
com:ensaion :aid 4y %e 1?A mus 4e reurned 4y Ays. RoCas and 6asor.
3%e yield on %e 1?A 4onds amouned o 61.;5,3;,(,.22. 3%is amoun mus
%ere!ore 4e divided 4eween %e Zu+uarreguis; on %e one %and; and Ays. RoCas
24 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
and 6asor; on %e o%er. 3%e division mus 4e :ro raa. Ays. RoCas and 6asor; in
%e o:inion o! %is Cour; were no s%orc%anged !or %eir e!!ors !or %ey would sill 4e
earning or acually earned aorney<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! Ays. RoCas and 6asor; !or
as we said earlier; coningency !ees are no :er se :ro%i4ied 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
Facs:
0ngcos %ired %e :eiioner law !irm o en!orce delivery o! a land ile.
Com:lain was !iled 4y %e law !irm in 4e%al! o! %e 0ngcos 4e!ore %e ?L7RB agains
>illa Crisa alleging %a %e 0ngcos %ad :aid 65.1' !or a lo 4u >illa Crisa !ailed o
deliver %e ile %ereo. 3%e 0ngcos and >illa Crisa enered ino a com:romise
w%ere4y %e laer was 4ound o re!und 64.,' :rovided %a in case o! 4reac% o! suc%
o4ligaion; an addiional 6222- would 4e :aid 4y way o! li"uidaed damages.
>illa Crisa !ailed o :ay. Ari o! eCecuion issued. )%eri!! levied and aucioned 12 los
4elonging o >illa Crisa. 3%e 0ngcos 4oug% 3 los; %e :aymen o! w%ic% includes
65.1' conrac :rice !or %e iniial lo %ey :rimarily 4oug%; 61.35' aorney<s !ees
and o%er eC:enses. 3%e 0ngcos %en erminaed %e services o! %e law !irm.
3%e law !irm !iled wi% %e ?L7RB o recover 25Y o! %e eCcess o! %e
eCising :revailing selling :rice or %e !air mar-e value o! %e 3 los. 0 also !iled !or
damages in %e R3C.
3%e law !irm argued %a %e s:ouses sill owed 64.5'K %a in %eir conrac
%e law !irm was eniled o 25Y o! %e eCcess o! %e oal 4id :rice.
?L7RB ar4ier ruled !or %e law !irm. ?L7R?B Board reversed. 3%e 5!!ice o! %e
6residen reversed; a!!irming %e ?L7RB ar4ier<s decision. CA reversed %e 56.
?eld:
)C ruled %a %e lawyers are no eniled o addiional !ees. 3%e s:ouses
ac"uired %e 3 los as %e %ig%es 4idder a %e aucion sale. 0 can 4e said %a %e
los %ad 4een ac"uired no %roug% %e recovery e!!ors o! %e law !irm.
'oreover; during %e negoiaions wi% >illa Crisa; i was Renao 0ngco w%o
was acually negoiaing; no %e lawyers.
A%en %e aucion sale was made; %e aorney8clien relaions%i: no longer
eCised; %ence %e lawyers are no eniled o %e addiional !ees.
CANON ,1
REGALA @+ SANDIGANBAYAN
FAC3):
3%e Re:u4lic o! %e 6%ili::ines insiued a Com:lain 4e!ore %e
)andigan4ayan I)BJ; %roug% %e 6residenial Commission on #ood #ov< I6C##J
agains Bduardo '. Co@uangco; 9r.; as one o! %e :rinci:al de!endans; !or %e
recovery o! alleged ill8goen weal%; w%ic% includes s%ares o! soc-s in %e named
cor:s. in 6C## Case 1o. 33 ICC 1o. 2233J eniled MR6 vs. Bduardo Co@uangco; e
al.M
Among %e de!endans named in %e case are %erein :eiioners and %erein
:rivae res:onden Raul ). Roco; w%o all were %en :arners o! %e law !irm Angara;
A4ello; Conce:cion; Regala and Cru+ IACCRAJ Law 5!!ices. ACCRA Law Firm
:er!ormed legal services !or is cliens and in %e :er!ormance o! %ese services; %e
mem4ers o! %e law !irm delivered o is clien documens w%ic% su4saniae %e
clienLs e"uiy %oldings.
0n %e course o! %eir dealings wi% %eir cliens; %e mem4ers o! %e law !irm
ac"uire in!ormaion relaive o %e asses o! cliens as well as %eir :ersonal and
4usiness circumsances. As mem4ers o! %e ACCRA Law Firm; :eiioners and :rivae
res:onden Raul Roco admi %a %ey assised in %e organi+aion and ac"uisiion o!
%e com:anies included in CC 1o. 2233; and in -ee:ing wi% %e o!!ice :racice;
ACCRA lawyers aced as nominees8soc-%olders o! %e said cor:oraions involved in
se"uesraion :roceedings.
6C## !iled a M'oion o Admi 3rd Amended Com:lainM D M3rd Amended
Com:lainM wGc eCcluded Roco !rom %e com:lain in 6C## Case 1o. 33 as
:aryde!endan; Roco %aving :romised %e<ll reveal %e ideniy o! %e :rinci:alGs !or
w%om %e aced as nomineeGsoc-%older in %e com:anies involved in 6C## Case \
33.
6eiioners were included in 3rd Amended Com:lain !or %aving :loed;
devised; sc%emed; cons:ired D con!ederaed wGeac% o%er in seing u:; %roug% %e
use o! coconu levy !unds; %e !inancial D cor:orae !ramewor- D srucures %a led o
esa4lis%men o! 7C6B; 710C5'; C5C5L0FB; C5C5'AR$; C0C; D more %an 22
o%er coconu levy !unded cor:s; including %e ac"uisiion o! )an 'iguel Cor:. s%ares
D is insiuionali+aion %roug% :residenial direcives o! %e coconu mono:oly.
3%roug% insidious means D mac%inaions; ACCRA 0nvesmens Cor:.; 4ecame %e
%older o! roug%ly 3.3Y o! %e oal ousanding ca:ial soc- o! 7C6B.
0n %eir answer o %e BC:anded Amended Com:lain; :eiioners alleged
%a %eir :arici:aion in %e acs wG wGc %eir co8de!endans are c%arged; was in
!ur%erance o! legiimae lawyering
6eiioner 6ara@a ?ayudini; w%o %ad se:araed !rom ACCRA law !irm; !iled a
se:arae answer denying %e allegaions in %e com:lain im:licaing %im in %e
alleged ill8goen weal%.
6eiioners %en !iled %eir MCommen DGor 5::osiionM wG Couner8'oion
%a 6C## eCclude %em as :aries8de!endans li-e Roco. 6C## se %e !!.
:receden !or %e eCclusion o! :eiioners:
IaJ %e disclosure o! %e ideniy o! is cliensK
I4J su4mission o! documens su4saniaing %e lawyer8clien relaions%i:K and
IcJ %e su4mission o! %e deeds o! assignmens :eiioners eCecued in !avor o! is
cliens covering %eir res:ecive s%are%oldings.
Conse"uenly; 6C## :resened su::osed :roo! o su4saniae com:liance
4y Roco o! %e same condiions :receden. ?owever; during said :roceedings; Roco
didn< re!ue :eiionersL conenion %a %e did acually no reveal %e ideniy o! %e
clien involved in 6C## Case 1o. 33; nor %ad %e undera-en o reveal %e ideniy o!
%e clien !or w%om %e aced as nominee8soc-%older.
25 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
0n a Resoluion; )B denied %e eCclusion o! :eiioners; !or %eir re!usal o
com:ly wG %e condiions re"uired 4y 6C##. 0 %eld; EACCRA lawyers canno eCcuse
%emselves !rom %e conse"uences o! %eir acs unil %ey %ave 4egun o esa4lis% %e
4asis !or recogni+ing %e :rivilegeK %e eCisence and ideniy o! %e clien.F
ACCRA lawyers !iled 'FR wGc was denied. ?ence; ACCRA lawyers !iled %e
:eiion !or ceriorari. 6eiioner ?ayudini; li-ewise; !iled %is own 'FR wGc was also
denied %us; %e !iled a se:arae :eiion !or ceriorari; assailing )B<s resoluion on
essenially same grounds averred 4y :eiioners; namely:
)B gravely a4used is discreion in su4@ecing :eiioners o %e sric
a::licaion o! %e law o! agency.
)B gravely a4used is discreion in no considering :eiioners D Roco
similarly siuaed D; %us; deserving e"ual reamen
)B gravely a4used is discreion in no %olding %a; under %e !acs o! %is
case; %e aorney8clien :rivilege :ro%i4is :eiioners !rom revealing %e ideniy o!
%eir clienIsJ and %e o%er in!ormaion re"uesed 4y %e 6C##.
)B gravely a4used is discreion in no re"uiring %a dro::ing o!
:aryde!endans 4e 4ased on reasona4le D @us grounds; wG due consideraion o
consiuional rs o! :eiioners
6C##; %roug% is counsel; re!ues :eiionersL conenion; alleging %a %e
revelaion o! %e ideniy o! %e clien is no wGin %e am4i o! %e lawyer8clien
con!idenialiy :rivilege; nor are %e documens i re"uired Ideeds o! assignmenJ
:roeced; 4ecause %ey are evidence o! nominee saus.
R7L01# I:ulled ou only %e :erinen secions 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). 1aure o! lawyer8clien relaions%i: is :remised on %e Roman Law
conce:s o! locaio conducio o:erarum Iconrac o! lease o! servicesJ w%ere one
:erson les %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:ensaed 4y %onorarium or !or %ire; and mandao Iconrac o! agencyJ w%erein a
!riend on w%om reliance could 4e :laced ma-es a conrac in %is name; 4u gives u:
all %a %e gained 4y %e conrac o %e :erson w%o re"uesed %im. Bu %e lawyer8
clien relaions%i: is more %an %a o! %e :rinci:al8agen and lessor8lessee
An aorney 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 aorney
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! acion o 4e a-en !avora4le o %is clien.
3%us; in %e creaion o! lawyer8clien relaions%i:; %ere are rules; e%ical
conduc and duies %a 4rea%e li!e ino i; among %ose; %e !iduciary duy o %is clien
w%ic% is o! a very delicae; eCacing and con!idenial c%aracer; re"uiring a very %ig%
degree o! !ideliy and good !ai%; %a is re"uired 4y reason o! necessiy and :u4lic
ineres 4ased on %e %y:o%esis %a a4sinence !rom see-ing legal advice in a good
cause is an evil w%ic% is !aal o %e adminisraion o! @usice.
Aorney8clien :rivilege; is worded in Rules o! Cour; Rule 132:
)ec. 24. *is"uali!icaion 4y reason o! :rivileged communicaion. 3%e
!ollowing :ersons canno esi!y as o maers learned in con!idence in %e !ollowing
cases: CCC An aorney canno; wi%ou %e consen o! %is clien; 4e eCamined as o
any communicaion 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 aorneyLs secreary;
senogra:%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:aciy.
Fur%er; Rule 13, o! %e Rules o! Cour saes: )ec. 22. 0 is %e duy o! an
aorney: IeJ o mainain inviolae %e con!idence; and a every :eril o %imsel!; o
:reserve %e secres o! %is clien; and o acce: no com:ensaion in connecion wi%
%is clienLs 4usiness eCce: !rom %im or wi% %is -nowledge and a::roval.
3%is duy is eC:licily mandaed in Canon 1(; C6R IEA lawyer owes !ideliy 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 !ideliy o clien.
An e!!ecive lawyer8clien relaions%i: is largely de:enden u:on %e degree
o! con!idence w%ic% eCiss 4eween lawyer and clien w%ic% in urn re"uires a
siuaion w%ic% encourages a dynamic and !rui!ul eCc%ange and !low o! in!ormaion.
3%us; %e Cour %eld %a %is duy may 4e assered in re!using o disclose %e name
o! :eiionersL clienIsJ 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 ideniy o! %is clien.
Reasons advanced !or %e general rule:
Cour %as a rig% o -now %a %e clien w%ose :rivileged in!ormaion is
soug% o 4e :roeced is !les% and 4lood.
6rivilege 4egins o eCis only a!er %e aorney8clien relaions%i: %as 4een
esa4lis%ed.
6rivilege generally :erains o su4@ec maer o! relaions%i:
*ue :rocess consideraions re"uire %a %e o::osing :ary s%ould; as a
general rule; -now %is adversary.
BCce:ions o %e gen. rule:
Clien ideniy is :rivileged w%ere a srong :ro4a4iliy eCiss %a revealing
%e clienLs name would im:licae %a clien in %e very aciviy !or w%ic% %e soug%
%e lawyerLs advice.
6x#Parte 6nBor and 2.S. ". ?odge and C!eig: 3%e su4@ec maer o! %e
relaions%i: was so closely relaed o %e issue o! %e clienLs ideniy %a %e :rivilege
acually aac%ed o 4o%.
A%ere disclosure would o:en %e clien o civil lia4iliy; %is ideniy is
:rivileged.
:eugass ". erminal .ab .orp.: couldn< reveal name o! %is clien as %is
would eC:ose %e laer o civil liigaion.
5atter of Sha!mut 5ining .ompany: EAe !eel sure %a under suc%
condiions no case %as ever gone o %e leng% o! com:elling an aorney; a %e
26 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
insance o! a %osile liigan; o disclose no only %is reainer; 4u %e naure o! %e
ransacions o wGc i relaed; w%en suc% in!ormaion could 4e made %e 4asis o! a sui
agains %is clien.F
A%ere %e governmenLs lawyers %ave no case agains an aorneyLs clien
unless; 4y revealing %e clienLs name; %e said name would !urnis% %e only lin- %a
would !orm %e c%ain o! esimony necessary o convic an individual o! a crime; %e
clienLs name is :rivileged.
Baird "s. 8orner: a lawyer could no 4e !orced o reveal %e names o! cliens
w%o em:loyed %im o :ay sums o! money o gov< volunarily in selemen o!
undeermined income aCes; unsued on; D wG no gov< audi or invesigaion ino %a
clienLs income aC lia4iliy :ending
A:ar !rom %ese :rinci:al eCce:ions; %ere eCis o%er siuaions w%ic%
could "uali!y as eCce:ions o %e general rule:
i! %e conen o! any clien communicaion o a lawyer is relevan o %e
su4@ec maer o! %e legal :ro4lem on w%ic% %e clien see-s legal
assisance
w%ere %e naure o! %e aorney8clien relaions%i: %as 4een :reviously
disclosed D i is %e ideniy wGc is inended o 4e con!idenial; %e ideniy o!
%e clien %as 4een %eld o 4e :rivileged; since suc% revelaion would
o%erwise resul in disclosure o! %e enire ransacion.
)ummari+ing %ese eCce:ions; in!ormaion relaing o %e ideniy o! a clien may
!all wi%in %e am4i o! %e :rivilege w%en %e clienLs name isel! %as an inde:enden
signi!icance; suc% %a disclosure would %en reveal clien con!idences.
0nsan case !alls under a leas 2 eCce:ions o %e general rule. Firs;
disclosure o! %e alleged clienLs name would lead o esa4lis% said clienLs connecion
wi% %e very !ac in issue o! %e case; w%ic% is :rivileged in!ormaion; 4ecause %e
:rivilege; as saed earlier; :roecs %e su4@ec maer or %e su4sance Iwi%ou w%ic%
%ere would 4e no aorney8clien relaions%i:J.
3%e lin- 4eween %e alleged criminal o!!ense and %e legal advice or legal
service soug% was duly esa4lis%ed in %e case a 4ar; 4y no less %an %e 6C##
isel! as can 4e seen in %e 3 s:eci!ic condiions laid down 4y %e 6C## w%ic%
consiues :eiionersL ic-e o non8:rosecuion s%ould %ey accede %ereo.
From %ese condiions; :aricularly %e %ird; we can readily deduce %a %e
cliens indeed consuled %e :eiioners; in %eir ca:aciy as lawyers; regarding %e
!inancial and cor:orae srucure; !ramewor- and se8u: o! %e cor:oraions in
"uesion. 0n urn; :eiioners gave %eir :ro!essional advice in %e !orm o!; among
o%ers; %e a!oremenioned deeds o! assignmen covering %eir clienLs s%are%oldings.
6eiioners %ave a legiimae !ear %a ideni!ying %eir cliens would im:licae
%em in %e very aciviy !or w%ic% legal advice %ad 4een soug%; i.e.; %e alleged
accumulaion o! ill8goen weal% in %e a!oremenioned cor:oraions.
)econdly; under %e %ird main eCce:ion; revelaion o! %e clienLs name
would o4viously :rovide %e necessary lin- !or %e :rosecuion o 4uild is case; w%ere
none o%erwise eCiss.
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 aorney; !or illici :ur:oses; i may 4e
invo-ed in a case w%ere a clien %in-s %e mig% %ave :reviously commied
some%ing illegal and consuls %is aorney. 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 :rosecuion; w%ic% mig%
lead o :ossi4le acion agains %im.
3%e Baird eCce:ion; a::lica4le o %e insan case; is consonan wi% %e
:rinci:al :olicy 4e%ind %e :rivilege; i.e.; %a !or %e :ur:ose o! :romoing !reedom o!
consulaion o! legal advisors 4y cliens; a::re%ension o! com:elled disclosure !rom
aorneys mus 4e eliminaed. A%a is soug% o 4e avoided %en is %e eC:loiaion o!
%e general rule in w%a may amoun o a !is%ing eC:ediion 4y %e :rosecuion.
0n !ine; %e cruC o! :eiionerLs o4@ecions ulimaely %inges on %eir
eC:ecaion %a i! %e :rosecuion %as a case agains %eir cliens; %e laerLs case
s%ould 4e 4uil u:on evidence :ainsa-ingly ga%ered 4y %em !rom %eir own sources
and no !rom com:elled esimony re"uiring %em o reveal %e name o! %eir cliens;
in!ormaion w%ic% unavoida4ly reveals muc% a4ou %e naure o! %e ransacion w%ic%
may or may no 4e illegal.
3%e umos +eal given 4y Cours o %e :roecion o! %e lawyer8clien
con!idenialiy :rivilege and lawyerLs loyaly o %is clien is eviden in %e duraion o!
%e :roecion; w%ic% eCiss no only during %e relaions%i:; 4u eCends even a!er
%e erminaion o! %e relaions%i:.
Ae %ave no c%oice 4u o u:%old :eiionersL rig% no o reveal %e ideniy o!
%eir cliens under :ain o! %e 4reac% o! !iduciary duy owing o %eir cliens; as %e
!acs o! %e insan case clearly !all wGin recogni+ed eCce:ions o %e rule %a %e
clienLs name is no :rivileged in!ormaion. 5%erwise; i would eC:ose %e lawyers
%emselves o :ossi4le liigaion 4y %eir cliens in view o! %e sric !iduciary
res:onsi4iliy im:osed on %em in eCercise o! %eir duies.
IN THE =ATTER OF THE CO=PLAINT FOR DISBAR=ENT OF
ATTORNEY PALANCAB
<ILLIA= PFLEIDER @S+ ATTORNEY PALANCA
Facs:
6alanca was %e legal counsel o! 6!leider. 6!leider leased an agriculural
land o 6alanca -nown as ?acienda Asia. 6!leider !iled a civil sui agains 6alanca !or
rescission o! %e lease conrac !or de!auling in renal :aymens. ?e also !iled %is
adminisraive 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
laer soug% o negoiae %e dismissal o! %e com:lain. 6!leider alleged %a 6alanca
in!ormed %im %roug% leers %a %e %ad success!ully negoiaed %e dismissal o! %e
com:lain and %a %e %ad de:osied 65- wi% %e cour.
0ssue:
AG1 6alanca was guily o! gross misconducH
AG1 %e !iling o! %e civil sui !or %e rescission o! %e lease conrac
erminaed %e aorney8clien relaions%i:H
?eld:
27 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
6alanca was no guily o! gross misconduc. 3%e leers relied u:on 4y
6!leider did no s%ow %a 6alanca saed %a %e %ad success!ully negoiaed %e
dismissal o! %e criminal com:lain agains 6!leider.
3%e civil sui !or rescission erminaed %e aorney8clien relaions%i:. A%ile
%e o4@ec o! %e sui was %e rescission o! %e lease conrac; %e con!lic o! ineres
4ecame incom:ai4le wi% %e muual con!idence and rus essenial o every
aorney8clien relaions%i:.
=ERCADO @+ ATTY+ @ITRIOLO
Facs:
Ay. >iriolo was %e counsel o! 'ercado in a case !or annulmen o! marriage
!iled 4y %e laer<s %us4and. >iriolo !iled a criminal acion !or !alsi!icaion o! :u4lic
documens agains 'ercado alleging %a %e laer made !alse enries in %e
ceri!icaes o! live 4ir% o! %er c%ildren w%ic% were :resened in %e annulmen case.
'ercado !iled %is com:lain alleging %a due o %e criminal case !iled agains %er 4y
>iriolo; in!ormaion relaing o %er civil case !or annulmen was divulged. ?ence;
>iriolo 4reac%ed %e :rivilege and con!idence re:osed wi%in a lawyer8clien
relaions%i:. 'ercado :rayed %e >iriolo 4e dis4arred.
0ssue:
AG1 >iriolo violaed %e rule on :rivileged communicaion 4eween aorney
and clien w%en %e !iled a criminal case agains %is !ormer clienH
?eld:
)C :rovided %e !acors w%ic% are essenial o esa4lis% %e eCisence o! %e
communicaion :rivilege 4eween an aorney and %is clien.
3%ere eCiss an aorney8clien relaions%i:; or a :ros:ecive aorney8clien
relaions%i:; and i is 4y reason o! %is relaions%i: %a %e clien made %e
communicaion.
3%e clien made %e communicaion in con!idence.
3%e legal advice mus 4e soug% !rom %e aorney in %is :ro!essional
ca:aciy.
)C ruled %a in a::lying all %ere rules; %e evidence on record !ails o
su4saniae 'ercado<s allegaions. 'ercado did no even s:eci!y %e alleged
communicaion. all %er claims were couc%ed in general erms and lac-ed s:eci!iciy.
GENATO @+ ATTY SILAPAN
Facs:
Ay. )ila:an was leasing o!!ice s:ace in #enao<s 4uilding. Ay. )ila:an
%andled some o! #enao<s cases. A!er a w%ile; Ay. )ila:an 4orrowed money !rom
#enao o 4uy a car. Ay. )ila:an 4oug% %e car; and issued a :osdaed c%ec- o
#enao. 3%e c%ec- was dis%onored.
#enao !iled a case agains Ay. )ila:an under B6 22. 0n %is de!ense; %e
alleged %a #enao was in %e 4usiness o! E4uying an selling de!iciency aCed
im:ored cars; s%ar- loans and o%er s%ady dealsF and %a %e was also involved in
4ri4ery cases.
#enao claimed %a Ay. )ila:an was guily o! 4rea-ing %eir con!idenial
lawyer8clien relaions%i:.
0ssue:
Aas Ay. )ila:an guily 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 communicaion U %e :roecion
is only limied o communicaions w%ic% are legiimaely and :ro:erly wi%in %e sco:e
o! a law!ul em:loymen o! a lawyer. 0 does no eCend o %ose made in conem:laion
o! a crime or :er:eraion o! a !raud. 3%us; %ere; %e aorney8clien :rivilege does no
aac%; %ere 4eing no :ro!essional em:loymen in %e srices sense.
?owever; %e disclosures were no indis:ensa4le o :roec Ay. )ila:an<s
rig%s as %ey were no :erinen o %e case. 0 was im:ro:er !or %im o disclose %ose
in!ormaion as %ey were no %e su4@ec maer o! liigaion a %and. ?is :ro!essional
com:eence and legal advice were no 4eing aac-ed in %e said case. A lawyer mus
conduc %imsel! wi% inegriy.
?e is %ere!ore sus:ended !or & mon%s.
HAD>ULA @+ ATTY =ADIANDA
Facs:
?ad@ula claimed %a s%e as-ed legal advice !rom %er !riend; Ay. 'adianda.
)%e disclosed con!idenial in!ormaion during %a :eriod. ?owever; a!er %e
con!idenial in!ormaion was given 4y ?ad@ula; Ay. 'adianda re!erred %er o ano%er
lawyer.
?ad@ula !iled a com:lain agains Ay. 'adianda 4ecause o! %is; claiming
%e lawyer @us waned o %ear %er secres. 0n answering %e com:lain; Ay.
'adianda !iled a couner com:lain agains ?ad@ula !or !alsi!icaion o! :u4lic
documens and immoraliy U using %e disclosures as 4asis !or %e c%arges.
0ssue: A%a is o 4ecome o! Ay. 'adiandaH
?eld:
Re:rimanded.
3%e momen com:lainan a::roac%ed %e %en rece:ive res:onden o see-
legal advice; a veria4le lawyer8clien relaions%i: evolved 4eween %e wo. Ay.
'adianda s%ould %ave -e: %e in!ormaion secre and con!idenial; under %e
aorney8clien :rivilege rule.
?owever; %e seriousness o! %e res:onden<s o!!ense nowi%sanding; %e
Cour !eels %a %ere is room !or com:assion; a4sen com:elling evidence %a s%e
IAy. 'adiandaJ aced wi% ill8will. 0 a::ears %a s%e was acuaed 4y %e urge o
realiae wi%ou :er%a:s reali+ing %a in %e :rocess o! giving 4en o a negaive
senimen; s%e was violaing %e rule o! con!idenialiy.
39 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
PAL= @+ ATTY+ ILEDAN
Facs:
6alm is %e :residen o! Comec%; w%ic% %ired Ay. 0ledan as is reained
counsel. )%e !iled a case o! dis4armen agains Ay. 0ledan !or 4reac% o! %e aorney8
clien :rivilege and con!lic o! ineress.
3%e 4asis o! %e claim o! 4reac% occurred during a meeing. Ay. 0ledan
claimed %a %e soc-%olders< meeing canno a-e :lace via elecon!erencing
4ecause %ey %ave ye o amend %e 4y8laws o! %e cor:oraion o allow suc% mode o!
communicaions. 6alm claims %is was a 4reac% o! %e aorney8clien :rivilege o!
con!idenialiy.
3%e 4asis o! %e con!lic o! ineress semmed !rom Ay. 0ledan 4eing %e
counsel o! )oledad w%o was !iled wi% an esa!a case 4y Comec%.
0ssue:
Aas Ay. 0ledan guily o! 4reac%H ?ow a4ou con!lic o! ineressH
?eld:
1o. Al%oug% %e in!ormaion a4ou %e necessiy o amend %e cor:orae 4y8
laws may %ave 4een given o res:onden; i could no 4e considered a con!idenial
in!ormaion. 3%e amendmen; re:eal or ado:ion o! new 4y8laws may 4e e!!eced 4y
E%e 4oard o! direcors or rusees; 4y a ma@oriy voe %ereo!; and %e owners o! a
leas a ma@oriy o! %e ousanding ca:ial soc-; or a leas a ma@oriy o! mem4ers o! a
non8soc- cor:oraion.F0 means %e soc-%olders are aware o! %e :ro:osed
amendmens o %e 4y8laws. Fur%er; w%enever any amendmen or ado:ion o! new
4y8laws is made; co:ies o! %e amendmens or %e new 4y8laws are !iled wi% %e
)ecuriies and BCc%ange Commission I)BCJ and aac%ed o %e original aricles o!
incor:oraion and 4y8laws.3%e documens are :u4lic records and could no 4e
considered con!idenial.
0 is seled %a %e mere relaion o! aorney and clien does no raise a
:resum:ion o! con!idenialiy. 3%e clien mus inend %e communicaion o 4e
con!idenial. )ince %e :ro:osed amendmens mus 4e a::roved 4y a leas a
ma@oriy o! %e soc-%olders; and co:ies o! %e amended 4y8laws mus 4e !iled wi%
%e )BC; %e in!ormaion could no %ave 4een inended o 4e con!idenial. 3%us; %e
disclosure made 4y res:onden during %e soc-%olders< meeing could no 4e
considered a violaion o! %is clien<s secres and con!idence wi%in %e conem:laion
o! Canon 21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy.
3%e Cour also !inds no con!lic o! ineres w%en res:onden re:resened
)oledad in a case !iled 4y Comec%. 3%e case w%ere res:onden re:resens )oledad
is an Bsa!a case !iled 4y Comec% agains is !ormer o!!icer. There was #"h$#* $#
"he re)r!s "ha" wul! shw "ha" resp#!e#" use! a*a$#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:resenaion a!er %e erminaion o! %is
reainer agreemen wi% Comec%. A lawyer<s immua4le duy o a !ormer clien does
no cover ransacions %a occurred 4eyond %e lawyer<s em:loymen wi% %e clien.
3%e inen o! %e law is o im:ose u:on %e lawyer %e duy o :roec %e clien<s
ineress only on maers %a %e :reviously %andled !or %e !ormer clien and no !or
maers %a arose a!er %e lawyer8clien relaions%i: %as erminaed
CANON ,,

<ACD <ACD GOLF @+ CA% PETRONILO ARCANGEL AND ANTONINO
BERNARDO
Facs:
Aac-8wac- was in a la4or case agains Arcangel. *uring %e :endency o!
%e case; Aac-8wac- waned 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 :eiion o se
aside %e @udgmen on %e ground o! misundersanding. 3%is :eiion was denied 4y
%e lower cour. Aac-8wac- assails %e denial o! %e :eiion.
0 %as o 4e a-en noe o! %a %e cour did no -now o! %e c%ange o!
counsel 4ecause C%udian only enered %is a::earance a!er %e @udgmen was
rendered agains Aac-8wac-.
0ssue:
Aas %e rial cour correc in denying %e :eiion o se aside %e @udgmenH
?eld:
/es. As suc% counsel o! record; Balco!!; 6o4lador and Cru+ mus %ave
-nown %a; is im:ending relie! as counsel! !or %e de!endan nowi%sanding; i is sill
under o4ligaion o :roec %e clien<s ineres unil is !inal release !rom %e
:ro!essional relaions%i: wi% suc% clien. 3%e cour could recogni+e no o%er
re:resenaion on 4e%al! o! %e clien eCce: suc% counsel o! record unil a !ormal
su4siuion o! aorney is e!!eced.
Any agreemen or arrangemen suc% counsel o! record and is clien may
reac% regarding %e :resenaion o! %e clien<s case in cour is :urely %eir :rivae
concern. 6roceedings in cour canno 4e made o de:end on %em.
@ENTEREA @+ ATTY COS=E
Facs:
>enere+ and !riends %ired Ay. Cosme as counsel !or a land ile dis:ue.
3%e cour rule agains >enere+ and !riends. 3%ey waned o !ile a moion !or
reconsideraion 4u Ay. Cosme !ailed or re!used o do so. Because o! %is; >enere+
was consrained o conrac ano%er lawyer o :re:are %e 'R.
Ay. Cosme claims %a %e son o! one o! %e com:lainans 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. Ay. Cosme eC:lained %a %e even urned over
%e records o! %e case o %e son and %us; ceased o 4e counsel any longer.
31 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
0ssue:
0s Ay. Cosme guily 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 !ideliy
o suc% cause and mus 4e mind!ul o! %e rus and con!idence re:osed on %im. An
aornery w%o undera-es an acion im:liedly si:ulaes o carry i o is erminaion U
%a is; unil %e case 4ecomes !inal and eCecuory. Any derelicion o! duy a!!ecs %e
clien.
3%e Cour canno acce: Ay. Cosme<s de!ense %a %e %ad already
wi%drawn !rom %e case. A lawyer may reire a any ime wi% %e wrien consen o!
%is clien !ileed in cour and wi% a co:y %ereo! served u:on %e adverse :ary.
)%ould %e clien re!use o give %is consen; %e lawyer mus !ile an a::licaion wi%
%e cour. 3%e a::licaion mus 4e 4ased on a good case.
A%a consiues good causeH )ee Rule 22.21; Canon 22.
3%ere was no :ro:er revocaion in %is case. ?e is sus:ended !or 3 mon%s.
SANTECO @+ ATTY+ A@ANCE
Facs:
)aneco go Ay. Avance o %andle a case !or %er in a civil sui. )%e :aid %er
612;222 as acce:ance money. Losing in %e !irs insance; Ay. Avance made
re:resenaions %a s%e was going o !ile a :eiion !or ceriorari wi% %e CA.
)%e didn<.
)%e also didn< a::ear during sc%eduled %earings; causing %e case o ge
dismissed !or !ailure o :rosecue.
0ssue:
0s Ay. Avance grossly remiss in %e :er!ormance o! %er duiesH
?eld:
/es. Aggravaing %er gross negligence in %e :er!ormance o! %er duies; s%e
a4ru:ly so::ed a::earing as com:lainan<s counsel even as :roceedings were sill
:ending U wi% nei%er a wi%drawal nor an eC:lanaion !or doing so. 3%is violaed
Canon 22.
)us:ended !or 5 years.
FRANCISCO @S+ PORTUGAL
Facs:
Ay was counsel !or com:lainans in a criminal case. Ay was reained A!er
@udgmen was rendered convicing a::ellans. Ay !iled an 'R and ano%er 'oion
and 6eiion !or review o! %e @udgmen o! convicion. Bu a!er %e !iling; Ay
disa::eared and was now%ere o 4e !ound.
Laer; %e com:lainans !ound ou %a %eir :eiions were denied !or 4eing
!iled ou o! ime and !or !ailure o :ay %e doc-e !ees. 3%e decision 4ecame !inal and
warrans o! arres were issued.
Ay argues %a %e %ad decided o wi%draw as counsel. ?e wroe a leer o
one o! %e com:lainans giving %em insrucinos o sign and !ile wi% %e Cour %e
1oice 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 Ay guily o! negligence in %andling %e caseH
?eld:
/esN 3 mon% sus:ension. Ay s%ould %ave !iled %e noice o! wi%drawal
%imsel! i! %e ruly waned o wi%draw. A %e very leas; %e s%ould %ave in!ormed %e
cour. For !ailure o do so; Ay was negligen. Ay was also negligen in !iling %e
:eiion ou o! ime. evenually %e would %ave -nown %a %e :eiion was denied 4u
sill %e !ailed o in!orme %e convics and reurn %eir calls.
5ne o! %e !undamenal rules o! e%ics is %e :rinci:le %a an aorney w%o
undera-es o conduc an acion im:liedly si:ulaes o carry i o is conclusion. ?e is
no a li4ery o a4andon i wi%ou reasona4le cause. A lawyer<s rig% o wi%draw !rom
a case 4e!ore is !inal ad@udicaion arises only !rom %e clien<s wrien consen or !rom
a good cause.
A!er agreeing o a-e u: %e cause o! a clien; a lawyer owes !ideliy o 4o%
cause and clien; even i! %e clien never :aid any !ee !or %e aorney8clien
relaions%i:. Lawyering is no a 4usinessK i is a :ro!ession in w%ic% duy o! :u4lic
service; no money; is %e :rimary consideraion.
=ETROPOLITAN BAND @+ CA
Facs:
Ay. %andled several cases !rom 1.(4 o 1.,3 concerning %e declaraion o!
nulliy o! cerain deeds o! sale. 6ending resoluion in %e R3C; Ay !iled a moion o
ener %is c%arging lien e"ual o 25Y o! %e mar-e value o! %e liigaed :ro:eries as
ay !ees. 3%e cour graned and %e ay<s lien was annoaed on %e 3C3s. 3%e
cases were laer dismissed wi% :re@udice a %e insance o! %e :laini!!s %erein. 3%us
%e Ban- now %ad %e 3C3<s in is name and %e ay<s lien was carried over.
Ay. !iled a moion o !iC %is Ay Fees 4ased on "uanum merui. R3C
graned %e moion and !iCed %e !ees a .3&$. CA a!!irmed.
0ssue:
0s Ay. eniled o a c%arging lienH 0s a se:arae 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 securiy !or %e :aymen o!
aorneyLs !ees; re"uires as a condiion sine "ua non a @udgmen !or money and
eCecuion in :ursuance o! suc% @udgmen secured in %e main acion 4y %e aorney
in !avor o! %is clien. A lawyer may en!orce %is rig% o !ees 4y !iling %e necessary
3, ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
:eiion as an inciden in %e main acion in w%ic% %is services were rendered w%en
some%ing is due %is clien in %e acion !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%oriy o !iC a c%arging lien.
A :eiion !or recovery o! aorneyLs !ees; ei%er as a se:arae civil sui or as
an inciden in %e main acion; %as o 4e :rosecued and %e allegaions %erein
esa4lis%ed as any o%er money claim.
DORONILLA @+ CA
Facs:
?eirs o! *oronilla %ad a dis:ue wi% %eir counsel over %is Ay Lien. 3%e
R3C declared %a Counsel was eniled o 12Y o! %e s%ares o! %e %eirs.
Counsel !iled a moion o annoae aorneyLs lien on %e ile o! :arcels o!
land o! %e esae w%ic% %e %eirs %ad in%eried. 3%e R3C graned %e moion.
0ssue:
0s %e order o! annoaion :ro:erH
?eld:
1oN An aorneyLs lien does no eCend o land w%ic% is %e su4@ec maer o!
%e liigaion.
SESBRENO @+ CA
Facs:
Ay was %ired as counsel 4y some wor-ers. 3%ey agreed %a Ay would
a-e 32Y o! w%aever %ey may recover. 3%e rial cour ordered reinsaemen and
:aymen o! 4ac-wages. 3%e em:loyer a::ealed %e decision.
6ending a::eal; %e wor-ers enered ino a com:romise agreemen %a %ey
waived %eir rig% o 4e reinsaed 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 Ay. Bu insead o! wi%%olding; %e em:loyer direcly :aid
%e wor-ers in !ull. 3%us Ay !iled a com:lain !or collecion agains %e em:loyer and
em:loyees.
Ay. moved o dismiss %e case agains %e em:loyees.
Laer %e rial cour ordered :aymen o! &&.$ 4y %e em:loyee. 3%e CA reversed.
0ssue:
0s %e em:loyer lia4le !or %e Ay<s !eesH
?eld:
1oN CA a!!irmed. Ay rig%ly commenced %e acion agains 4o% %is cliens
and %e @udgmen de4ors. ?owever; a %e insance o! %e :eiioner %imsel!; %e
com:lain agains %is cliens was wi%drawn on %e ground %a %e %ad seled %is
di!!erences wi% %em. ?e mainained %e case agains em:loyers 4ecause;
according o %im; %e com:uaion o! %e em:loyees money claims s%ould %ave 4een
4ased on %e naional and no %e :rovincial wage rae. 3%us; :eiioner insiss %a
%e res:ondens s%ould 4e made lia4le !or %e di!!erence.
Ay<s ac in wi%drawing %e case agains %e em:loyees and agreeing o
sele %eir dis:ue may 4e considered a waiver o! %is rig% o %e lien.
Bven i! %ere was suc% a 4reac% o! %e conrac; %e %ad waived %is rig% o
claim agains %e res:ondens 4y acce:ing :aymen andGor a4solving !rom lia4iliy
%ose w%o were :rimarily lia4le o %im.
SUSPENSION AND DISBAR=ENT
GATCHALIAN PRO=OTIONS @+ NALDOAA
Facs:
Ay. convinced %is cliens o a::eal a case !rom %e 65BA o %e )C. Ay
as-ed !rom com:lainans [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. Laer; com:lainan
cor:oraion came o -now %a %e !ees o 4e :aid o %e )C consised only o! nominal
!ees !or suc% -ind o! a::eal. Ay in order o cover u: :resened com:lainan a !a-e
CeroC co:y o! an alleged )u:reme Cour recei: re:resening :aymen o! [2.5$.
A criminal case was !iled !or esa!a. Ay was ac"uied 4u was %eld civilly lia4le !or
[2.5$.
0ssue:
)%ould Ay 4e dis4arredH )%ould %e case 4e dismissed 4ecause o! %is
ac"uialH
?eld:
/es dis4arredN 1o; com:lain s%ouldn< 4e dismissed. Adminisraive cases
agains lawyers 4elong o a class o! %eir own. 3%ey are disinc !rom and %ey may
:roceed inde:endenly o! civil and criminal cases. 3%e 4urden o! :roo! is clearly
:re:onderan evidence.
A !inding o! guil in a criminal case or lia4iliy in a civil case will no
necessarily resul in a !inding o! lia4iliy in %e adminisraive case and vice versa.
1ei%er will a !avora4le dis:osiion in %e civil acion a4solve %e adminisraive lia4iliy
o! %e lawyer. 3%e 4asic :remise is %a criminal and civil cases are aloge%er
di!!eren !rom adminisraive maers; suc% %a %e dis:osiion in %e !irs wo will no
inevia4ly govern %e %ird and vice versa. *isci:linary :roceedings agains lawyers
are sui generis
Res:ondenLs acs are more des:ica4le. 1o only did %e misa::ro:riae %e
money enrused 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 coninue 4eing a mem4er o! %e 4ar.
SANTOS @+ LLA=AS
Facs:
30 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
3%is is a com:lain !or misre:resenaion and non8:aymen o! 4ar
mem4ers%i: dues !iled agains res:onden Ay. Francisco R. Llamas.
0n a leer8com:lain o %is Cour daed Fe4ruary ,; 1..(; com:lainan
)oliman '. )anos; 9r.; %imsel! a mem4er o! %e 4ar; alleged %a:
5n my oa% as an aorney; 0 wis% o 4ring o your aenion and a::ro:riae
sancion %e maer o! Ay. Francisco R. Llamas w%o; !or a num4er o! years now; %as
no indicaed %e :ro:er 63R and 0B6 5.R. 1os. and daa Idae D :lace o! issuanceJ
in %is :leadings
3%is maer is 4eing 4roug% in %e coneC o! Rule 13,; )ecion 1 w%ic%
"uali!ies %a only a duly admied mem4er o! %e 4ar Mw%o is in good and regular
sanding; is eniled o :racice lawM. 3%ere is also Rule 13.8A; )ecion 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 0negraed 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! Aorneys.M
0ssues:
AG1 counsel is guily o! misre:resenaionH YES
AG1 %e is eCem: !rom :aying %is duesH YES
?eld:
Rule 13.8A :rovides:
)ec. .. 5embership dues. 8 Bvery mem4er o! %e 0negraed Bar s%all :ay
suc% annual dues as %e Board o! #overnors s%all deermine wi% %e a::roval o! %e
)u:reme Cour. A !iCed sum e"uivalen o en :ercen I12YJ o! %e collecions !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!
)ecion 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 0negraed 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! Aorneys.
0n accordance wi% %ese :rovisions; res:onden can engage in %e :racice
o! law only 4y :aying %is dues; and i does no maer %a %is :racice is Mlimied.M
A%ile i is rue %a R.A. 1o. (432; ]4 grans senior cii+ens MeCem:ion !rom %e
:aymen o! individual income aCes: :rovided; %a %eir annual aCa4le income does
no eCceed %e :overy level as deermined 4y %e 1aional Bconomic and
*evelo:men Au%oriy I1B*AJ !or %a year;M %e eCem:ion does no include
:aymen o! mem4ers%i: or associaion dues.
Second. By indicaing M0B68Ri+al 25.2&2M in %is :leadings and %ere4y
misre:resening o %e :u4lic and %e cours %a %e %ad :aid %is 0B6 dues o %e
Ri+al C%a:er; res:onden is guily o! violaing %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy
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 courK nor s%all %e mislead or allow %e cour o 4e misled 4y any ari!ice.
Res:onden<s !ailure o :ay %is 0B6 dues and %is misre:resenaion in %e
:leadings %e !iled in cour indeed meri %e mos severe :enaly. ?owever; in view o!
res:onden<s advanced age; %is eC:ress willingness o :ay %is dues and :lea !or a
more em:erae a::licaion o! %e law; we 4elieve %e :enaly o! one year sus:ension
!rom %e :racice o! law or unil %e %as :aid %is 0B6 dues; w%ic%ever is laer; is
a::ro:riae.
LETTER OF ATTY+ CECILIO ARE@ALO >R RECUESTING EME=PTION FRO=
PAY=ENT OF IBP DUTIES
FAC3):
Ay Arevalo wroe a leer in )e: 2224; as-ing o 4e eCem:ed !rom
:aymen o! 0B6 duies amouning o 612;235 Iun:aid duies !rom 1.((82225J. Ay
Arevalo was admied o %e Bar in 1.&1. ?e was wi% %e 6%ili::ine Civil )ervice
!rom 1.&2 o 1.,&. A!er %a; %e migraed and wor-ed in %e 7)A unil 2223. ?is
main conenion 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%i4is %e :racice o! one<s :ro!ession w%ile in governmen service. ?e also
conends %a %e canno 4e assessed !or %e years %e was wor-ing in %e 7)A.
0B6 commened on %e leer saying %a %e 0B6 mem4ers%i: is 153 4ased
on %e acual :racice o! law. 5nce a lawyer :asses %e Bar; %e coninues o 4e a
mem4er o! %e 0B6; and one o! %is o4ligaions as mem4er is %e :aymen o! annual
dues. 3%e validiy o! suc% dues %as 4een u:%eld 4y %e )C in saying %a i is
necessary o de!ray %e cos o! %e 0negraed Bar 6rogram and no one is eCem:ed
!rom :aying %e dues. A%a was allowed was %e volunary erminaion and
reinsaemen laer on o! mem4ers%i:. 0! mem4ers%i: is erminaed; dues wouldn< 4e
assessed.
Basically; %e main conenion o! Ay. 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 inacive saus and is wi%ou income derived
!rom %is law :racice. Also; i is a de:rivaion o! :ro:ery rig% wi%ou due :rocess.
0))7B:
AG1 Ay. Arevalo is eniled o eCem:ion !rom :aymen o! %is dues during
%e ime %e was inacive in %e :racice o! law; w%en %e was in %e Civil )ervice and
a4roadH
?BL*GRA305:
15. 0negraion o! %e Bar is essenially a :rocess 4y w%ic% every mem4er o!
%e Bar is a!!orded an o::oruniy o do %is s%ares in carrying ou %e o4@ecives o! %e
32 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
Bar as well as o4liged o 4ear %is :orion o! is res:onsi4iliies. 5rgani+ed 4y or under
%e direcion o! %e )ae; an 0negraed Bar is an o!!icial naional 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!!ecive disc%arge o! %e :ur:oses o! %e Bar.
Bar inegraion does no com:el %e lawyer o associae wi% anyone. 3%e
only com:ulsion o w%ic% %e is su4@eced is %e :aymen o! %is annual dues. 3%e
:u4lic ineres :romoed 4y %e inegraion o! %e Bar !ar ouweig%s %e slig%
inconvenience o a mem4er resuling !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 naure o! :aymen o!
dues su4siss !or as long as one<s mem4ers%i: in %e 0B6 remains regardless o! %e
lac- o! :racice o!; or %e y:e o! :racice; %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 correcly o4served 4y %e 0B6; %e could %ave in!ormed
%e )ecreary o! %e 0negraed Bar o! %is inenion o say a4road 4e!ore %e le!. 0n
suc% case; %is mem4ers%i: in %e 0B6 could %ave 4een erminaed and %is o4ligaion
o :ay dues could %ave 4een disconinued.
@DA+ DE BARRERA @+ LAPUT
Dross 5isconduct as ground for discipline of la!yer
/Ea!yer suspended for intimidating his client to sign papers by placing his re"ol"er on
his lap !hen she refused to do so0
Facs:
Res:onden Ay. La:u re:resened :eiioner >da. de Barrera I'rs.
BarreraJ in %e esae :roceedings o! %er lae %us4and. La:u :resened o %er
several :a:ers or :leadings !or %er signaure. ?owever; 'rs. Barrera re!used o sign
%e :leadings 4u re"uesed La:u o leave %em so %a s%e may as- some4ody o
ranslae %e same !or %er Is%e was !rom Ce4uJ. La:u go angry and drew %is
revolver !rom is %olser and :laced i on %is la: o inimidae %e (28year8old woman
ino 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 acs are in%erenly 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 circumsance %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 sill is %e !ac %a %e o!!ended :ary is %e very :erson w%om %e o!!ender
%ad :ledged o de!end and :roec U %is clien. ?e was sus:ended !rom %e :racice
o! law !or 1 year.
@ICTORIA BARRIENTOS @+ TRANSFIGURACION DAAROL
FAC3):
3%is is a dis4armen case !iled 4y Barrienos agains Ay *aarol; on grounds
o! decei and grossly immoral conduc.
Barrienos !irs -new *aarlo in 1.&.. )%e was a college suden; single. Ay.
*aarol wen o %er %ouse 4ecause %e was a !riend o! %er siser; %ence %ey also
4ecame !riends. )%e -new *aarol o 4e a single and as a #eneral 'anager o!
ZA1BC5 Ielecic coo:eraiveJ.
5n 9une 1.(3; *aarol wen o Barrienos< %ouse and as-ed %er o 4e one o!
%e us%erees in %e 'ason<s convenion so %e laer said %e s%ould as- !or %e
:ermission o! %er :arens. 3%ey consened and so s%e served as an us%eree;
*aarol :ic-ing %er u: and a-ing %er %ome everyday.
0n 9uly 1.(3; *aarol came o :eiioner<s %ouse and invied %er !or a @oy ride;
wi% %e :ermission o! %er mo%er Iw%o was *aarol<s !ormer classmaeJ. 3%ey wen
o %e 4eac% and *aarol :ro:osed %is love !or Barrienos 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! couring; s%e acce:ed %e o!!er o! love. >isiaions coninued and %ey
agreed o ge married in *ec 1.(3.
0n Aug 1.(3; %e oo- Barrienos o a :ary 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 ino %aving seCual inercourse reieraing %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% %esiaion 4ecause s%e loved %im. )%e cried a!er %e deed.
3%is even %a::ened !re"uenly %erea!er during Augus o 5co4er 1.(3;
w%ere s%e consened 4ecause s%e loved %im. Bvenually; s%e 4ecame :regnan and
in!ormed *aarol. ?e %owever suggesed %a s%e %ave %e 4a4y a4ored. )%e
re!used. ?e old %er %a s%e didn< %ave o worry 4ecause %ey were geing married
soon anyway.
0n lae 5co4er 1.(3; *aarol came o see Barrienos 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:araed !rom %is wi!e !or 1& years and %a %e would
wor- !or %e annulmen o! %is marriage and su4se"uenly marry %er. )o Barrienos
waied and delivered %e 4a4y 4u evenually wasn< a4le o conac *aarol anymore
I%e wen '0AJ.
0))7B:
AG1 *aarol s%ould 4e dis4arred !or grossly immoral conduc.
?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:resened
%imsel! as 4eing eligi4le o re8marry !or %aving 4een esranged !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 resored o decei in %e sais!acion o! %is seCual desires a %e
eC:ense o! %e gulli4le com:lainan. ?e is :ervered. ?e says %a: M0 see no%ing
33 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
wrong wi% %is relaions%i: des:ie my 4eing married.M Aorse; %e even suggesed
a4orion.
Finally; res:onden even %ad %e emeriy o allege %a %e is a 'oslem
conver and as suc%; could ener ino muli:le marriages and %as in"uired ino %e
:ossi4iliy o! marrying com:lainan. As records indicae; %owever; %is claim o! %aving
em4raced %e 0slam religion is no su::ored 4y any evidence save %a o! %is sel!8
serving esimony.
By %is acs o! decei and immoral endencies o a::ease %is seCual desires;
res:onden *aarol %as am:ly demonsraed %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 Ay. Barcelona !or
'al:racice and #ross 'isconduc 7n4ecoming o! a Lawyer; *erelicion o! *uy and
7n@us Bnric%men.
Ber4ano was one o! %e %eirs o! a cerain ?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::oined a cerain 'r. *aen as aorney8in8!ac. ?owever; 'r. *ane was
arresed in 9an 1... and was deained so %e needed %e assisance o! a law !or %is
release. )omeone recommended Ay. Barcelona o %em. )o laer %a mon%; Ay.
Barcelona wen o see 'r. *aen in @ail. 3%e laer engaged %e services o! Ay.
Barcelona !or %is release. Ay. 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 immediaely come u: wi% suc%
4ig amoun 4u %ey were a4le o come u: wi% 615;(22. )%e %anded Ay. 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 Ay. Barcelona I%roug% %is
wi!e and daug%erJ. 3%ere were o%er :aymens o! money; %e oal amouning o
6&4;222. A!er muc% ime wased; and :romises reieraed o! %e release o! *aen;
Ay. Barcelona wasn< seen again and %e didn< reurn %eir calls. *aen was sill in @ail.
Ay. Barcelona !ailed o !ile an answer. Commissioner on Bar *isci:line
!ound Barcelona guily o! mal:racice and serious 4reac% o! C6R. ?e recommended
dis4armen and reurn o! %e 6&4;222. 0B6 Board o! #overnos ado:ed suc% !indings
4u recommended only sus:ension.
0))7B:
AG1 Ay. Barcelona s%ould 4e dis4arred.
?BL*GRA305:
/es. 3%e o4@ec o! a dis4armen :roceeding is no so muc% o :unis% %e
individual aorney %imsel!; as o sa!eguard %e adminisraion o! @usice 4y :roecing
%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 coninue disc%arging %e rus re:osed in %em as mem4ers o!
%e 4ar.
0n dis4armen :roceedings; %e 4urden o! :roo! ress u:on %e com:lainan;
and !or %e cour o eCercise is disci:linary :owers; %e case agains %e res:onden
mus 4e esa4lis%ed 4y clear; convincing and sais!acory :roo!. Considering %e
serious conse"uence o! %e dis4armen or sus:ension o! a mem4er o! %e Bar; %is
Cour %as consisenly %eld %a clear :re:onderan evidence is necessary o @usi!y
%e im:osiion o! %e adminisraive :enaly.
Com:lainan<s evidence consiss solely o! %er A!!idavi8Com:lain and
esimony 4e!ore %e Commission aesing o %e ru% o! %e allegaions laid down in
%er a!!idavi. 3%e ac o! res:onden in no !iling %is answer and ignoring %e %earings
se 4y %e 0nvesigaing Commission; des:ie due noice; em:%asi+ed %is conem:
!or legal :roceedings.
Res:onden colleced money !rom %e com:lainan and %e ne:%ew o! %e
deained :erson in %e oal amoun o! 6&4;222.22 !or %e immediae release o! %e
deainee %roug% %is alleged connecion wi% a 9usice o! %e )u:reme Cour. ?e
deserves o 4e dis4arred !rom %e :racice o! law. Res:onden %as demonsraed a
:enc%an !or misre:resening o cliens %a %e %as %e :ro:er connecions o secure
%e relie! %ey see-; and %erea!er; as- !or money; w%ic% will allegedly 4e given o
suc% connecions. 0n %is case; res:onden misre:resened o com:lainan %a %e
could ge %e release o! 'r. 6or!irio *aen %roug% %is connecion wi% a )u:reme
Cour 9usice. 0n so doing; res:onden :laced %e Cour in dis%onor and :u4lic
conem:. ?e is dis4arred.
HILDA D+ TABAS @+ ATTY+ BONIFACIO B+ =ANGIBIN
FAC3):
3%is is a dis4armen case !iled 4y 3a4as agains Ay. 'angi4in !or allegedly
%aving commied !orgery.
3a4as claims %a in 'arc% 2221; a cerain #alvan morgaged o %er a :iece
o! real :ro:ery o secure a 64,;222 loan. 3%e deed o! %e RB' was regisered and
annoaed. 5n 5co4er 2221 %owever; a cerain Casille@os; !alsely re:resening
%ersel! as 3a4as; a::eared 4e!ore Ay. 'angi4in and as-ed %im o :re:are a
disc%arge o! %e said morgage and %en noari+e i a!erwards.
Ay. 'angi4in :re:ared %e said disc%arge 4u %e didn< as- Casille@os !or
any o%er documen o%er %a a Communiy 3aC Ceri!icae. ?e laer on noari+ed %e
said deed. )u4se"uenly; %e morgagor #alvan was a4le o morgage %e same
:ro:ery again wi% Rural Ban- o! 1auilian. A%en 3a4as learned o! %e cancellaion;
s%e :rom:ly in!ormed Ay. 'angi4in %a %er signaure in %e deed was !orged.
?owever; %e did no %el: %er.
Ay. 'angi4in admis o! %e disc%arge deed 4u denies lia4iliy !or %e
!alsi!icaion under a claim o! good !ai%. ?e says %e did no -now o! Casille@os<
!raudulen inen and so; %e canno 4e !auled. ?e claims i is 4eyond %e realm o! %is
!uy o invesigae %e ideniy o! :ersons a::earing 4e!ore %im. And %a as a maer
o! rouine; %e only re"uires %e C3Cs o! :ersons a::earing 4e!ore %im.
34 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
0B6 recommended o give res:onden merely a warning; o 4e more care!ul
in %e :re:araion o! legal documens so %a suc% siuaions may me avoided in %e
!uure. Bar Con!idan %owever recommended sus:ension. ?e was !ound guily o!
gross negligence.
0))7B: AG1 Ay. 'angi4in is lia4le !or violaing %e 1oarial Law and s%ould 4e
sus:ended !rom %e :racice o! law.
?BL*GRA305:
/es; sus:ended !or 2 years.
A noarial documen is; 4y law; eniled o !ull !ai% and credi u:on is !ace.
Cours; adminisraive agencies; and %e :u4lic a large mus 4e a4le o rely u:on %e
ac-nowledgmen eCecued 4y a noary :u4lic and a::ended o a :rivae insrumen.
For %is reason; noaries :u4lic mus o4serve wi% umos care %e 4asic re"uiremens
in %e :er!ormance o! %eir duies. 5%erwise; %e con!idence o! %e :u4lic in %e
inegriy o! :u4lic insrumens would 4e undermined. A noary :u4lic s%ould no
noari+e a documen unless %e :erson w%o signed %e same is %e very same :erson
w%o eCecued and :ersonally a::eared 4e!ore %im o aes o %e conens and ru%
o! maers saed in %e documen. 3%e :ur:ose o! %is re"uiremen is o ena4le %e
noary :u4lic o veri!y %e genuineness o! %e signaure o! %e ac-nowledging :ary
and o ascerain %a %e documen is %e :aryLs !ree ac and deed.
3%e circumsances in %is case indu4ia4ly s%ow %a res:onden did no
a-e even ordinary :recauions re"uired in %e :remises. Res:onden<s conduc
s%owed serious lac- o! due care in %e :er!ormance o! %is duies as a noary :u4lic.
Because o! %is carelessness; res:onden !ailed o noice %e glaring di!!erence in %e
signaure o! morgagee in %e deed o! real esae morgage !rom %er :ur:ored
signaure in %e "uesioned disc%arge o! real esae morgage. ?ence; %e 4reac%ed
Canon 0 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy; w%ic% re"uires lawyers o :romoe
res:ec !or %e law and legal :rocesses as well as o u:%old %e Consiuion 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
:eiioner o :rosecue %eir cases. 3%ey %ad undera-en an an agreemen w%erein i
was saed %a )es4reno will ge 32Y o! w%aever 4ac- salaries; damages; ec. %ey
may recover. Ay. )es4reno regisered %is c%ar%ingGreaining lien on %e Agreemen.
3%e camineros %e was re:resening o4ained a !avora4le @udgmen. R3C
ordered %a %ey 4e reinsae wi% 4ac- salaries; wi% :rivileges and ad@usmens. 3%e
res:onden o %a case *6A? a::ealed o %e )C w%ere )es4reno sill re:resened
%e camineros. Laer on; %e #overnor o! Ce4u :ro:osed a com:romise selemen o!
%e cases. 3%e :aries signed a Com:romise Agreemen w%erein i is saed %a
camineros will 4e :aid !ull 4ac- wages. Also saes %a %e camineros are su4@ec o
lawyer<s c%arging and reaining liens as regisered in %e lower cour.
)es:reno was no %e counsel anymore a!er !inaliy o! @udgmen ado:ing
%e com:romise agreemen. 3%e camineros moved !or eCecuion %owever; only 45Y
o! %e amoun due %em was released 4ecause %e cour reained %e 55Y; %olding i
was :aymen o! %e lawyer<s !ees :ending deerminaion o! suc% amoun. ?owever;
insead o! com:lying wi% %e cour order direcing :arial :aymen; %e :rovince o!
Ce4u direcly :aid %e camineros %e !ull amoun o! %eir ad@udicaed claims.
)es4reno now sues !or *amages and Aorney<s Fees agains res:ondens
and %is !ormer cliens. R3C ruled in !avor o! )es4reno. 3%e cour !ur%er u:%eld %e
:eiioner<s saus as a "uasi8:ary considering %a %e %ad a regisered c%arging
lien. CA reversed.
0))7B:
AG1 Ay. )es4reno is eniled o *amages !or 4reac% o! conrac.
?BL*GRA305:
15. 3%e com:romise agreemen %ad 4een validly enered ino 4y %e
res:ondens and %e camineros and %e same 4ecame %e 4asis o! %e @udgmen
rendered 4y %is Cour.
6eiioner<s claim !or aorney<s !ees was evidenced 4y an agreement for
attorney9s fees volunarily eCecued 4y %e camineros w%ere %e laer agreed o :ay
%e !ormer E%iry I32YJ :ercen o! !hate"er 4ac- salaries; damages; ec. %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 conrac nor was a
s:eci!ied rae agreed u:on on %ow %e money claims were o 4e com:ued. 3%e use
o! %e word +!hate"er, s%ows %a %e 4asis !or %e com:uaion would 4e %e amoun
%a %e cour would award in !avor o! %e camineros. Considering %a %e :aries
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
dis4ursemens in -ee:ing wi% %is digniy as an o!!icer o! %e cour; %e law creaes in
!avor o! a lawyer a lien; no only u:on %e !unds; documens and :a:ers o! %is clien
w%ic% %ave law!ully come ino %is :ossession unil w%a is due %im %as 4een :aid; 4u
also a lien u:on all @udgmens !or %e :aymen o! money and eCecuions issued
:ursuan o suc% @udgmens rendered in %e case w%erein %is services %ave 4een
reained 4y %e clien.
A c%arging lien is an e"uia4le rig% o %ave %e !ees and coss due o %e
lawyer !or services in a sui secured o %im ou o! %e @udgmen or recovery in %a
:aricular sui. 0 is 4ased on %e naural e"uiy %a %e :laini!! s%ould no 4e allowed
o a::ro:riae %e w%ole o! a @udgmen in %is !avor wi%ou :aying %ereou !or %e
services o! %is aorney in o4aining suc% @udgmen.
Lawyering is no a moneyma-ing venure and lawyers are no merc%ans.
Law advocacy is no ca:ial %a yields :ro!is. 3%e reurns i 4ir%s are sim:le
rewards !or a @o4 done or service rendered. 0 is a calling %a; unli-e mercanile
:ursuis w%ic% en@oy a greaer deal o! !reedom !rom governmenal iner!erence; is
im:ressed wi% a :u4lic ineres; !or w%ic% i is su4@ec o sae regulaion.
Considering %a :eiioner<s claim o! %ig%er aorney<s !ees is 4aseless and
considering !ur%er %a %e %ad seled %is case as agains %is !ormer cliens; )C did
no susain %is rig% o damages !or 4reac% o! conrac. 3%e aendan circumsances;
in !ac; s%ow %a %e camineros ac-nowledged %eir lia4iliy o %e :eiioner and %ey
willingly !ul!illed %eir o4ligaion. 0 would 4e conrary o %uman naure !or %e
35 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
:eiioner o %ave acceded o %e wi%drawal o! %e case agains %em; wi%ou
receiving %e agreed aorney<s !ees.
NE< CODE OF >UDICIAL CONDUCT
CANON 1
LIBARIOS @+ DABALOS
/Dross ignorance of the la!F close association0
Facs:
9udge *a4alos wi%ou conducing any %earing direced %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 esa4lis%ed legal :rinci:le or rule %a in cases w%ere a
:erson is accused o! a ca:ial o!!ense; %e rial cour mus conduc a %earing in a
summary :roceeding o :rove %a %e evidence o! guil agains %e accused is srong;
4e!ore resolving %e issue o! 4ail !or %e em:orary release o! %e accused.
0rres:ecive o! res:onden @udgeLs o:inion %a %e evidence o! guil agains %erein
accused is no srong; %e law and seled @uris:rudence demanded %a a %earing 4e
conduced 4e!ore 4ail was !iCed. Res:onden @udgeLs disregard o! an esa4lis%ed rule
o! law 4y de:riving %e :rosecuion o! %e o::oruniy o :rove %a %e evidence o!
guil agains %e accused was srong; amouned o gross ignorance o! %e law; w%ic%
is su4@ec o disci:linary acion.
Considering %a res:onden @udge %ad a close associaion wi% res:onden
Calo; 9r. as a !ormer em:loyee o! %e said accused; :rudence and regard !or %is
:osiion 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
McircumsanialM; in order o avoid any dou4 as o %is @udicial im:arialiy. Res:onden
@udge s%ould %ave waied !or %e ra!!le o! %e case and allowed %e @udge o w%om %e
case was acually 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:arial decision 4u
s%ould do so in a manner as o 4e !ree !rom any sus:icion as o %is !airness;
im:arialiy and inegriy.
GO @+ COURT OF APPEALS
Facs:
Accused :resened %imsel! 4e!ore %e :olice o veri!y re:ors %a %e was
4eing %uned 4y %e :olice. ?e was %erea!er deained. 3%e :rosecuor %en in!ormed
accused o! %is rig% o :reliminary invesigaion 4u %a %e mus !irs sign a waiver o!
%e :rovision o! Ar.125 o! %e R6C. Accused re!used o eCecue suc% waiver. 3%e
:rosecuor !iled an in!ormaion !or murder wi% no recommended 4ail and a
ceri!icaion %a no :reliminary invesigaion was conduced 4ecause accused did no
sign a waiver o! %e :rovisions o! Ar.125 o! %e R6C. Counsel o! accused %owever
laer !iled a moion !or release and :ro:er :reliminary invesigaion. A!er %e case
was ra!!led o %e R3C; 9udge 6elayo iniially allowed %e release o! accused on a
cas% 4ond and issued an order graning %e leave o conduc :reliminary
invesigaion. Laer on %owever; 6elayo mou :ro:rio issued an order recalling %e
graning o! 4ail and :roceeded o rial. Accused and %is counsel coninuously
o::osed %is.
?eld:
I1oe: A%a is relaed o e%ics is acually !ound in %e concurring o:inion o!
9usice #uierre+J
E0 am a a loss !or reasons w%y an eC:erienced 9udge s%ould insis on
:roceeding o rial in a sensaional murder case wi%ou a :reliminary invesigaion
des:ie vigorous and coninued o4@ecion and reservaion o! rig%s o! %e accused and
nowi%sanding %e recommendaion o! %e :rosecuor %a said rig%s 4e res:ecedO
0 agree wi% 9usice 0sagani Cru+ %a %e rial cour %as a::arenly 4een moved 4y a
desire o caer o :u4lic o:inion o %e derimen o! %e im:arial adminisraion o!
@usice. 'ass media %as is duy o !earlessly 4u !ai%!ully in!orm %e :u4lic a4ou
evens and :ersons. ?owever; w%en a case %as received wide and sensaional
:u4liciy; %e rial cour s%ould 4e dou4ly care!ul no only o 4e !air and im:arial 4u
also o give %e a::earance o! com:lee o4@eciviy in is %andling o! %e case.F
SABITSANA @+ @ILLA=OR
Facs:
0 was discovered %a %ere were ,( cases undecided 4y res:onden @udge
4eyond %e .28day reglemenary :eriod. 3%e dismal sae o! %e Cour%ouse o! %e
res:onden @udge w%ic% was descri4ed as 4ere! o! any digniy as a cour o! law %as
4een noed. 9udge >illamor %owever s%i!s %e 4lame on %is cler- o! cour; Ay.
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 designaed 9udge 6iao as
acing @udge o! %e 'C3C. >illamor warned 6iao o ac"ui Li:ango 4ecause %e case
was 4eing 4ac-ed u: 4y someone :ower!ul. ?e did %is 4y sending a leer o 6iao
%roug% Li:ango<s wi!e. ?owever; 6iao sill conviced Li:ango 4ecause %e evidence
o! guil was srong. A%en 6iao was away !or some con!erence; %e !ound ou %a
>illamor revo-ed %is designaion and a::oined ano%er as @udge o! %e 'C3C. And
!inally; w%en %e case was elevaed o %e R3C w%ere >illamor was assigned %e
ac"uied Li:ango.
?eld:
>illamor violaed Canon3 and Canon2
A @udge sis no only o 9udge liigaed cases wi% %e leas :ossi4le delay
4u %a %is res:onsi4iliies include 4eing an e!!ecive manager o! %e Cour and is
:ersonnel. Canon 3; Rule 3.2,; o! %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc; :rovides: EA @udge
s%ould diligenly disc%arge adminisraive res:onsi4iliies; mainain :ro!essional
com:eence in cour managemen; and !aciliae %e :er!ormance o! %e
36 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
adminisraive !uncions 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:ac% o! 4usiness; and re"uire a all imes %e o4servance o!
%ig% sandards o! :u4lic service and !ideliy.F
Cardinal is %e rule %a a 9udge s%ould avoid im:ro:riey and %e
a::earance o! im:ro:riey in all aciviies. 3%e Canons mince no words in mandaing
%a a 9udge s%all re!rain !rom in!luencing in any manner %e oucome o! liigaion or
dis:ue :ending 4e!ore ano%er Cour ICanon 2; Rule 2.24J. 0ner!erence 4y mem4ers
o! %e 4enc% in8:ending suis wi% %e end in view o! in!luencing %e course or %e
resul o! liigaion does no only su4ver %e inde:endence o! %e @udiciary 4u also
undermines %e :eo:leLs !ai% in is inegriy and im:arialiy
TAN @+ ROSETE
Facs:
Be!ore %e cases were decided; res:onden @udge allegedly sen a mem4er
o! %is sa!! o al- o com:lainan. 3%e sa!! mem4er old com:lainan 3an %a 9udge
Rosee 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% sill
unsigned; dismissing %e com:lains agains %e accused. )%e was old %a
res:onden @udge would reverse %e dis:osiion o! %e cases as soon as s%e remis
%e amoun demanded. Com:lainan; %owever; did no accede o res:onden<s
demand 4ecause s%e 4elieved %a s%e %ad a very srong case; well su::ored 4y
evidence. 3%e criminal cases were evenually dismissed 4y res:onden @udge.
?eld:
Ae %ave re:eaedly admonis%ed our @udges o ad%ere o %e %ig%es enes
o! @udicial conduc. 3%ey mus 4e %e em4odimen o! com:eence; inegriy and
inde:endence. 3%e eCacing sandards o! conduc demanded !rom @udges are
designed o :romoe :u4lic con!idence in %e inegriy and im:arialiy o! %e @udiciary
4ecause %e :eo:le<s con!idence in %e @udicial sysem is !ounded no only on %e
magniude o! legal -nowledge and %e diligence o! %e mem4ers o! %e 4enc%; 4u
also on %e %ig%es sandard o! inegriy and moral u:rig%ness %ey are eC:eced 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:ue; encourages disres:ec !or %e law
and im:airs :u4lic con!idence in %e inegriy and im:arialiy o! %e @udiciary isel!. 0
is %ere!ore :aramoun %a a @udge<s :ersonal 4e%avior 4o% in %e :er!ormance o!
%is duies and %is daily li!e; 4e !ree !rom any a::earance o! im:ro:riey as o 4e
4eyond re:roac%.
Res:onden<s ac o! sending a mem4er o! %is sa!! o al- wi% com:lainan
and s%ow co:ies o! %is dra! decisions; and %is ac o! meeing wi% liigans ouside
%e o!!ice :remises 4eyond o!!ice %ours violae %e sandard o! @udicial conduc
re"uired o 4e o4served 4y mem4ers o! %e Benc%. 3%ey consiue 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
GHpage case. ?aha. :ote, there are actually a lot of respondents but only Iillon is
related to us0. Basically, there !as denial of due process.
9udge >illon 888 Acing wi% deli4erae dis:ac%; se %e dae o! arraignmen wi%ou
even :erusing %e records Io%erwise %e would<ve -nown among o%ers; %a %ere
was a moion o de!er :roceedings 4ecause o! an a::eal :ending in %e *5#; %ere
was an order giving :eiioners 12days o !ile a :eiion wi% %e CA; %e !iling o! suc%
:eiion; order o! %e CA direcing res:onden accused o commen on %e :eiion o
s%ow cause w%y %e a::licaion !or a wrie o! :reliminary in@uncion s%ould no 4e
granedOec.;J.
All %e !oregoing demanded !rom any im:arial mind a cauious aiude as
%ese were unmisa-a4le indicia o! %e :ro4a4iliy o! a miscarriage o! @usice s%ould
arraignmen 4e :reci:iaely %eld. A%ile i may 4e rue %a %e was no 4ound o awai
%e *59Ls resoluion o! %e a::eal %is @udicial insinc s%ould %ave led %im o :eruse
%e documens o iniially deermine i! indeed murder was %e o!!ense commiedK or;
%e could %ave direced %e :rivae :rosecuor o secure a resoluion on %e a::eal
wi%in a s:eci!ied ime. #iven %e oaliy o! circumsances; @udge >illon s%ould no
%ave merely ac"uiesced o %e !indings o! %e :u4lic :rosecuor.
0'65R3A13: 3%e @udge Ms%ould always 4e im4ued wi% a %ig% sense o! duy
and res:onsi4iliy in %e disc%arge o! %is o4ligaion o :rom:ly and :ro:erly
adminiser @usice.M ?e mus view %imsel! as a :ries; !or %e adminisraion o! @usice
is a-in o a religious crusade. 3%us; eCering %e same devoion as a :ries Min %e
:er!ormance o! %e mos sacred ceremonies o! religious liurgy;M %e @udge mus
render service wi% im:arialiy commensurae wi% %e :u4lic rus and con!idence
re:osed in %im. Al%oug% %e deerminaion o! a criminal case 4e!ore a @udge lies
wi%in %is eCclusive @urisdicion and com:eence; %is discreion is no un!eered; 4u
ra%er mus 4e eCercised wi%in reasona4le con!ines. 3%e @udgeLs acion mus no
im:air %e su4sanial rig%s o! %e accused; nor %e rig% o! %e )ae and o!!ended
:ary o due :rocess o! law.
CANON ,
FERNANDEA @+ HA=OY
Facs:
*es:ie %e la:se o! more %an 12years; res:onden @udge !ailed o render
@udgmen in %e case were com:lainan was counsel o :laini!!. A!er ?amoy was
rans!erred; com:lainan learned %e 4roug% %e records o! %e case o %is new
saion. ?amoy<s eCcuse was %a %is uiliy aid miCed %e records u: and 4ecause %e
doc-es were congesed wi% so many !amily8cases %is cour 4eing %e only !amily
cour in %e area. ?e also !ailed o com:ly wi% %e direcives o! %e 5CA. Also; %e
was a4le o collec %is salary w%en %e claimed in %is ceri!icaion %a %e %ad no
:ending cases.
?eld:
37 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
Res:onden 9udge canno 4e a4solved !rom lia4iliy !or %e ine!!iciency o! %is
cour :ersonnel. 9udges are c%arged wi% %e adminisraive res:onsi4iliy o!
organi+ing and su:ervising %is cour :ersonnel o secure %e :rom: and e!!icien
dis:ac% o! 4usiness; re"uiring a all imes %e o4servance o! %ig% sandards o! :u4lic
service and !ideliy.
'ore im:oranly; @udges %ave a duy o decide %eir cases wi%in %e
reglemenary :eriod. 5n meriorious grounds; %ey may as- !or addiional ime. 0
mus 4e sressed; %owever; %a %eir a::licaion !or eCension mus 4e !iled 4e!ore
%e eC:iraion 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 Adminisraor o 4ring %e
records o! %e cases o %is new assignmen or s%ould %ave a::rised %e :aries o! %is
acion wi% res:ec %ereo.
Fur%ermore; res:onden 9udge s%ould 4e %eld lia4le !or %is !ailure o o4ey
direcives !rom %is Cour and %e Cour Adminisraor. 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 cours s%ould a-e %eir 4earings
0n %e 9udiciary; moral inegriy is more %an a cardinal virue; i is a
necessiy. Res:onden 9udge mus 4ear in mind %a %e eCacing sandards o!
conduc demanded o! @udges are designed o :romoe :u4lic con!idence in %e
inegriy and im:arialiy o! %e @udiciary.
A @udge w%o !ails o decide cases wi%in %e :rescri4ed :eriod 4u collecs
%is salary u:on a !alse ceri!icae is guily o! dis%onesy amouning o gross
misconduc and deserves %e condemnaion o! all rig% %in-ing men. 0n view o! %e
:rimordial role o! @udges in %e adminisraion o! @usice; only %ose wi% irre:roac%a4le
inegriy and :ro4iy mus 4e enrused wi% @udicial :owers.
DA<A @+ DE ASA
Facs:
6residing @udge Armando de Asa was c%arged wi% seCual %arassmen
andGor acs o! lasciviousness 4y Floride *awa; Femenina La+aro8Barreo and 1orali+
9orgensen. *awa and Barreo were em:loyed as senogra:%ic re:orers w%ile
9orgensen was a casual em:loyee in %e 5!!ice o! %e 'ayor o! Caloocan Ciy and
deailed 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 violaed Canon 2 o! %e Code o! 9udicial B%ics
Ruling.
/es.
Canon 2 :rovides %a a @udge s%ould avoid im:ro:riey and %e a::earance
o! im:ro:riey in all aciviies. ?e s%ould 4e%ave a all imes as o :romoe :u4lic
con!idence in %e inegriy and im:arialiy o! %e @udiciary. 0 is %ere!ore :aramoun
%a a @udgeLs :ersonal 4e%avior; 4o% in %e :er!ormance o! %is duies and in %is daily
li!e; 4e !ree !rom %e a::earance o! im:ro:riey as o 4e 4eyond re:roac%.
0n %e :resen case; %e Cour !ound oally unacce:a4le %e emeriy o! %e
res:onden @udge in su4@ecing %erein com:lainans; %is su4ordinaes all; o %is
unwelcome seCual advances and acs o! lasciviousness. 1o only do %e acions o!
res:onden @udge !all s%or o! %e eCacing sandards !or mem4ers o! %e @udiciaryK
%ey sand no c%ance o! sais!ying %e sandards o! decency even o! sociey a large.
?is severely a4usive and ourageous acs; w%ic% are an a!!ron o women;
unmisa-a4ly consiue seCual %arassmen 4ecause %ey necessarily M. . . resul in an
inimidaing; %osile; or o!!ensive environmen !or %e em:loyees. Le i 4e
remem4ered %a res:onden %as moral ascendancy and au%oriy over com:lainans;
w%o are mere em:loyees o! %e cour o! w%ic% %e is an o!!icer. 3%e Cour concludes
wi% moral cerainy %a %e aced 4eyond %e 4ounds o! decency; moraliy and
:ro:riey and violaed %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc. 3%e 4enc% is no a :lace !or
:ersons li-e %im. ?is gross misconduc warrans %is removal !rom o!!ice.
IN RE >UDGE =ARCOS
Facs:
3wo com:lains were !iled 4y Romeo 3. Zacarias and a concerned cii+en o!
#erona; 3arlac. 3%ese Com:lains idenically c%arged 9udge 'aronino R. 'arcos
IFormerly o! %e 'unici:al 3rial Cour in Ciies; Branc% 2; 3arlac CiyJ and Cler- o!
Cour )%irley '. >isaya Io! %e 5
%
'unici:al Circui 3rial Cour o! #erona; 3arlacJ wi%
immoral conduc and illegal soliciaion !rom liigans. Zacarias alleged %a; on wo
occasions; 9udge 'arcos and >isaya ried o eCor 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:ondens 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.
0ssue:
A%e%er res:ondens violaed %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc
Ruling:
/es.
3%e Code o! 9udicial Conduc mandaes %a a magisrae Es%ould avoid
im:ro:riey and %e a::earance o! im:ro:riey in all aciviiesF and Es%ould 4e %e
em4odimen o! com:eence; inegriy and inde:endence.F )ince a::earance and
realiy !use in %e :er!ormance o! @udicial !uncions; %e @udge 88 li-e Caesar<s wi!e 88
mus no only 4e :ure; 4u also 4e 4eyond sus:icion. %e acions o! res:onden @udge
were no !ree !rom all a::earances o! im:ro:riey. ?is conduc lac-ed %e meiculous
care eC:eced o! one ever mind!ul o! %e image o! %e @udiciary %a one :orrays. 0 is
%e -ind o! 4e%avior !or w%ic% %e mus 4e adminisraively deal wi%; as i erodes
:u4lic con!idence in %e @udicial sysem.
As o res:onden cler-; we !ind %a s%e was e"ually remiss in %e
:er!ormance o! %er duies. By %er own admission; s%e re"uired com:lainan o :os
%e cas% 4ond; even %oug% s%e %ad no 4een insruced o do so 4y res:onden
49 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
@udge. )%e %ere4y arrogaed @udicial :ower uno %ersel!. 3%e deerminaion 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 !uncion. 0 was cerainly no among %e mandaed duies
o! res:onden cler-. 0 %as 4een sressed %a %e conduc and 4e%avior o! everyone
c%arged wi% %e dis:ensaion o! @usice is circumscri4ed 4y %e rus and con!idence
re:osed in a :u4lic o!!ice. 3%e image o! a cour o! @usice 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
Facs:
*r. Am:aro A. Lac%ica; %e 'unici:al ?eal% 5!!icer o! 9ose A4ad )anos;
*avao del )ur; c%arged %e res:onden; 9udge Rolando A. Flordeli+a o! %e 'unici:al
Circui 3rial Cour o! 9ose A4ad )anos8)arangani; *avao del )ur; wi% a4use o!
@udicial :osiion and inimidaion; !or allegedly com:elling %er o sign a dea%
ceri!icae even %oug% s%e was no %e aending :%ysician. According o Lac%ica;
during a :ary; 9udge Flordeli+a; w%o was drun- a %a ime; %reaened o !ile an
adminisraive case agains %er i! s%e will re!use o sign %e dea% ceri!icae.
0ssue:
A%e%er res:onden8@udge is guily as c%arged o! a4use o! @udicial :osiion
and inimidaion amouning o violaion 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:riey; and %is :ersonal 4e%avior; no only u:on %e 4enc% and in %e
:er!ormance o! @udicial duies; 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
esa4lis%ed 4y su4sanial evidence; w%ic% is %e "uanum o! :roo! re"uired in
adminisraive cases. ?is undue ineres in %aving com:lainan sign %e *ea%
Ceri!icae is %ig%ly "uesiona4le; o say %e leas. Fur%er; %is ine4riaed demeanor
and inco%eren 4e%avior during %e !esiviies; as aesed o 4y a winess is
re:re%ensi4le in a @udge and s%ould 4e su4@eced o disci:linary acion. Res:onden
was F01B* in %e amoun o! 3B1 3?57)A1* I612;222.22J 6B)5); wi% a sern
warning %a a re:eiion o! %e same or similar acs in %e !uure will 4e deal wi%
more severely.
SIBAYAN->OACUIN @+ >A@ELLANA
Facs:
Blie+er A. )i4ayan89oa"uin c%arged 9udge Ro4ero ). 9avellana; acing
:residing @udge o! %e R3C o! )an Carlos Ciy; Branc% 5(; wi% grave misconduc in
%e :er!ormance o! o!!icial duies; gra! and gross ignorance o! %e law. 3%e 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 Ciy
R3C. Com:lainan averred %a %ere was an undue delay in %e rendiion o! @udgmen
in %e criminal case; %e decision; %a %ad ac"uied %e accused Romeo 3an; %aving
4een rendered only on %e en% mon% a!er %e case was su4mied !or decision.
Res:onden @udge was also cied !or im:ro:riey 4y com:lainan 4ecause %e was
o!en seen wi% Aorney >ic Agravane; counsel !or %e accused; w%ose ve%icle
res:onden @udge would even use a imes.
0ssue:
A%e%er 9udge 9avellana violaed Canon 2 o! %e Code o! 9udicial B%ics
Ruling:
/es.
3%e 0nvesigaing 9usice %as seen im:ro:riey on %e :ar o! res:onden
@udge in %is close associaion wi% a counsel !or a liigan.
3%e Cour s%ares %e view and dis"uisiion o! %e ?onora4le
9usice. 9udges; indeed; s%ould 4e eCra :ruden in associaing wi% liigans and
counsel a::earing 4e!ore %em so as o avoid even a mere :erce:ion o! :ossi4le
4ias or :arialiy. 0 is no eC:eced; o! course; %a @udges s%ould live in reiremen or
seclusion !rom any social inercourse. 0ndeed; i may 4e desira4le; !or insance; %a
%ey coninue; ime and wor- commimens :ermiing; o relae o mem4ers o! %e 4ar
in wor%w%ile endeavors and in suc% !ields o! ineres; in general; as are in -ee:ing
wi% %e no4le aims and o4@ecives o! %e legal :ro!ession. 0n :ending or :ros:ecive
liigaions 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
relaions could in!luence %eir o4@eciviy; !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; liigans and %eir counsel o! %e @udgesL com:eence; inegriy and
inde:endence. 3%e res:onden was A*'510)?B* o consanly 4e circums:ec in
%is conduc and dealings wi% lawyers w%o %ave :ending cases 4e!ore %im.
SA=SON @+ CABALLERO
Facs:
3%is is an adminisraive com:lain !or dis%onesy and !alsi!icaion 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::oined o %e @udiciary !or lac- o! %e consiuional "uali!icaions o! :roven
com:eence; inegriy; :ro4iy and inde:endence; and !or violaing %e Rules o! %e
9udicial and Bar Council I9BCJ w%ic% dis"uali!ies !rom nominaion any a::lican !or
@udges%i: wi% a :ending adminisraive case.
According o %e com:lainan; res:onden; during %is 9BC inerviews;
deli4eraely concealed %e !ac %a %e %ad :ending adminisraive c%arges agains
%im. )%e disclosed %a; on 4e%al! o! Communiy Rural Ban- o! #uim4a I1ueva
Bci@aJ; 0nc.; s%e %ad !iled criminal and adminisraive c%arges !or grave a4use o!
41 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
au%oriy; conduc :re@udicial o %e 4es ineres o! %e service and violaion o! Aricle
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 :rosecuor; res:onden allegedly commied cerain
im:ro:rieies and eCceeded %is :owers 4y overruling %e )ecreary o! 9usice in a
reinvesigaion %e conduced.
0ssue:
A%e%er res:onden violaed %e Code o! 9udicial B%ics
Ruling:
/es. )ince mem4ers%i: in %e 4ar is an inegral "uali!icaion !or mem4ers%i:
in %e 4enc%; %e moral !iness o! a @udge also re!lecs %is moral !iness as a lawyer. A
@udge w%o diso4eys %e 4asic rules o! @udicial conduc also violaes %is oa% as a
lawyer. 0n %is :aricular 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%onesy did no only a!!ec %e
image o! %e @udiciary; i also :u %is moral c%aracer in serious dou4 and rendered
%im un!i o coninue in %e :racice o! law. 6ossession o! good moral c%aracer is no
only a :rere"uisie o admission o %e 4ar 4u also a coninuing re"uiremen o %e
:racice o! law. 0! %e :racice o! law is o remain an %onora4le :ro!ession and aain
is 4asic ideals; %ose couned wi%in is ran-s s%ould no only maser is enes and
:rinci:les 4u s%ould also accord coninuing !ideliy o %em. 3%e re"uiremen o! good
moral c%aracer is o! muc% greaer im:or; as !ar as %e general :u4lic is concerned;
%an %e :ossession o! legal learning. 3%e !irs se: owards %e success!ul
im:lemenaion o! %e Cour<s relenless drive o :urge %e @udiciary o! morally un!i
mem4ers; o!!icials and :ersonnel necessiaes %e im:osiion o! a rigid se o! rules o!
conduc on @udges. 3%e Cour is eCraordinarily sric wi% @udges 4ecause; 4eing %e
visi4le re:resenaion o! %e law; %ey s%ould se a good eCam:le o %e 4enc%; 4ar
and sudens o! %e law. 3%e sandard o! inegriy im:osed on %em is U and s%ould 4e
U %ig%er %an %a o! %e average :erson !or i is %eir inegriy %a gives %em %e rig%
o @udge.
Res:onden was DISBARRED !or violaion o! Canons 1 and 11 and Rules
1.21 and 12.21 o! %e Code o! 6ro!essional Res:onsi4iliy and %is
name STRICDEN !rom %e Roll o! Aorneys.
CANON 0
DI=O REALTY @+ DI=ACULANGAN
Facs:
Leonardo 6. *imaculangan; res:onden; !iled wi% %e Regional 3rial Cour a
com:lain !or s:eci!ic :er!ormance agains *imo Realy D *evelo:men; 0nc. I*imo
RealyJ and s:ouses #regorio and Lu+ 'o@ares *i+on; :eiioners. 3%e com:lain
alleges %a someime in 1.&( o 1.&,; :eiioners engaged %e services o!
res:onden as geodeic surveyor o su4divide Iino su4division losJ 2 :arcels o! land
siuaed in Barrio 1amuco; Rosario; Baangas. As :aymen !or res:onden<s services;
:eiioner agreed o give %im 1 su4division lo a >illa Lu+ )u4division and :ay %im
6.;222.22 in cas%. A!er %e com:leion o! res:onden<s wor-; :eiioners :aid %im
6.;222.22 in insallmens and delivered o %im :ossession o! %e lo. ?owever;
des:ie res:onden<s demands; :eiioners !ailed o deliver %e ile 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 moion !or reconsideraion wi% moion !or in%i4iion
alleging :arialiy on %e :ar o! %e :residing @udge ?on. 6edro 3. )aniago. CA
denied %e moion !or in%i4iion.
0ssue:
A%e%er %e CA erred in denying %e moion !or in%i4iion
Ruling:
1o. )u!!ice i o sae %a w%e%er @udges s%ould in%i4i %emselves !rom a
case ress on %eir own Msound discreion.M 5%erwise saed; in%i4iion :ara-es o!
volunariness on %e :ar o! %e @udges %emselves. 3%is Cour %as o 4e s%own acs
or conduc o! %e @udge clearly indicaive o! ar4irariness or :re@udice 4e!ore %e laer
can 4e 4randed %e sigma o! 4eing 4iased or :arial. 0n a caena o! cases; we %eld
%a M4ias and :re@udice; o 4e considered valid reasons !or %e volunary in%i4iion o!
@udges; mus 4e :roved wi% clear and convincing evidence. Bare allegaions o!
:arialiy and :re@udgmen will no su!!ice. 3%ese canno 4e :resumed; es:ecially i!
weig%ed agains %e sacred o4ligaion o! @udges w%ose oa%s o! o!!ice re"uire %em o
adminiser @usice wi%ou res:ec o :erson and o do e"ual rig% o %e :oor and %e
ric%.M ?ere; :eiioners merely alleged %e ar4irary issuance o! a em:orary
resraining 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%i4iion in %e case.M
PI=ENTEL @+ SALANGA
Facs:
C%allenged %ere in an original :eiion !or certiorari andGor :ro%i4iion is %e
rig% o! res:onden @udge o! %e Cour o! Firs 0nsance o! 0locos )ur IBranc% 0>J o si
in @udgmen in cases w%ere :eiioner; a :racicing aorney; a::ears as counsel.
6eiionerLs misgivings sem !rom %e !ac %a %e is com:lainan in an
adminisraive case %e %imsel! lodged in %is Cour on 'ay 12; 1.&(; agains
res:onden @udge u:on avermens o! Mserious misconduc; ine!!iciency in o!!ice;
:arialiy; ignorance o! %e law and incom:eence.M
6eiioner moved in %e cour 4elow o %ave res:onden @udge dis"uali!y
%imsel! !rom siing in Civil Case 218C; Criminal Cases 4,., and C85; and Blecion
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@eced %e !oregoing moion. ?e sood %is ground wi%
%e saemen %a %e adminisraive com:lain agains %im is no cause !or
dis"uali!icaion under %e Rules o! Cour
4, ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
0ssue:
0s a @udge dis"uali!ied !rom acing in liigaions in w%ic% counsel o! record !or
one o! %e :aries is %is adversary in an adminisraive case said counsel lodged
agains %imH NO+
?eld:
Rule 12& Qo! %e old RulesR enumeraes %e grounds !or dis"uali!icaion 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
relaions%i: wi% counsel !or one o! said :aries. Considering %e s:iri o! %e Rule; i
would seem %a cases of "oluntary inhibition, based on good, sound andJor 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%i4iion.
3%e eCercise o! sound discretion W menioned in %e rule W %as re!erence
eCclusively o a siuaion w%ere a @udge dis<ualifies %imsel!; no w%en %e goes
!orward wi% %e case.
(
For; %e :ermissive au%oriy given a @udge in %e second
:aragra:% o! )ecion 1; Rule 13(; is only in %e maer o! dis"uali!icaion; no
o%erwise. Beer saed ye; w%en a @udge does no in%i4i %imsel!; and %e is no
legally dis"uali!ied 4y %e !irs :aragra:% o! )ecion 1; Rule 13(; %e rule remains as i
%as 4een W %e %as o coninue wi% %e case.
A @udge canno 4e dis"uali!ied 4y a liigan or %is lawyer !or grounds o%er %an %ose
s:eci!ied in %e !irs :aragra:% o! )ecion 1; Rule 13(.
3%is is no o say %a all avenues o! relie! are closed o a :ary :ro:erly
aggrieved. 0! a liigan is denied a !air and im:arial rial; induced 4y %e @udgeLs 4ias or
:re@udice; we will no %esiae o order a new rial; i! necessary; in %e ineres o!
@usice.
B!!ors o aain !air; @us and im:arial rial and decision; %ave a naural and
alluring a::eal. Bu; we are no licensed o indulge in un@usi!ied assum:ions; or
ma-e a s:eculaive 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 :ary liigan %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 o4ligaion o dis"uali!y %imsel!; we may no; on certiorari or :ro%i4iion;
:reven %im !rom siing; rying and rendering @udgmen in %e cases %erein menioned
=ONTE=AYOR @+ BER=E>O
/he $2E1:D portion is kind of lengthy because 1 think the refutation of the .ourt for
e"ery misconduct alleged is important. 0
Facs:
*r. 'onemayor assers %a %e res:onden 9udge !ailed o decide %e case
wi%in %e :eriod :rovided under )ecion 11; Rule (2 o! %e 1..( Rules o! Civil
6rocedure IRules o! CourJ.
*r. 'onemayor !iled wi% %e 5!!ice o! %e Cour Adminisraor I5CAJ %e
insan Adminisraive Com:lain c%arging 9udge Berme@o wi% gross incom:eence
and ine!!iciency; gross negligence; gross ignorance o! %e law; gross misconduc;
andGor conduc :re@udicial o %e 4es ineres o! %e service.
'oreover; 9udge Berme@o did no resolve %e %ree 'oions !or BCecuion and wo
'oions o Re"uire *e!endan<s Counsel o 0n!orm %e Cour %e *ae ?e Received a
Co:y o! %e 9udgmen.
*r. 'onemayor also avers %a 9udge Berme@o :revened %e ransmial o!
%e records o! %e case o %e a::ellae cour wi%in 15 days !rom %e :er!ecion o! %e
a::eal in violaion o! )ecion &; 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 daed 'ay 5; 2223 direcing %e Branc% Cler- o! Cour o
ransmi %e records o! %e case o %e a::ellae cour.
3%e res:onden 9udge mainains %a %e is no lia4le !or delay in %e
rendiion o! @udgmen. 0n essence; %e argues %a since %e 5rder deeming %e case
su4mied !or resoluion was issued on )e:em4er 23; 2222; %e rendiion o! @udgmen
on 5co4er 12; 2222 was made wi%in %e mandaory 328day :eriod.
0ssue:
0s %e res:onden @udge guily o! delaying rendiion o! @udgmen and violaing
%e Code o! 9udicial B%icsH /B).
?eld:
3%e rec-oning :oin !rom w%ic% %e mandaory :eriod !or rendiion o!
@udgmen s%ould 4e com:ued is %e recei: o! %e las a!!idavis and :osiion :a:ers
o! %e :aries; or %e eC:iraion o! %e :eriod !or !iling %e same; as :rovided 4y %e
Rules; #" !rom %e issuance o! %e order 4y %e @udge deeming %e case su4mied
!or resoluion. 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 :aries received 9udge Berme@o<s 5rder
re"uiring %em o su4mi %eir res:ecive a!!idavis and :osiion :a:ers. Assuming;
%owever; %a %e cour received %e de!endan<s 6osiion 6a:er on Augus 14; 2222;
as res:onden 9udge claims; @udgmen s%ould %ave 4een rendered on )e:em4er 13;
2222. 0nsead; %e decision was daed 5co4er 12; 2222; or nearly a mon% a!er %e
la:se o! %e mandaory :eriod !or rendiion o! @udgmen and almos wo mon%s !rom
%e recei: o! %e de!endan<s 6osiion 6a:er. 6lainly; 9udge Berme@o is guily o! delay
and; %us; adminisraively lia4le.
Rule 1.22 o! %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc re"uires @udges o adminiser
@usice 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; consiues gross
ine!!iciency and is a ground !or %e im:osiion o! adminisraive sancions agains %e
de!auling @udge.
3%e res:onden 9udge; %owever; can only o!!er !ee4le eCcuses !or %is
inacion on %e :laini!!s< 'oions !or BCecuion. ?e claims %a %e !irs 'oion !or
BCecuion :rayed %a %earing 4e se on a dae %a was no a moion day. 9udge
40 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
Berme@o !orges %a w%ile %e Rules o! Cour re"uires all moions 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 moions re"uiring
immediae acion. 6er%a:s; as a @udgmen in !avor o! %e :laini!!s in an unlaw!ul
deainer case is immediaely eCecuory; %e :laini!!s 4elieved %a %eir moion came
under %e eCce:ion. ?owever; i! %e res:onden 9udge did no s%are %is view; %e
could %ave sim:ly se %e moion !or %earing on %e neC moion day. 0nsead; %e
unena4ly ignored %e moion.
9udge Berme@o also raionali+es %is !ailure o ac on %e moion on %e
ground %a %ere was no :roo! ye %a %e de!endan<s counsel %ad received noice
o! %e 9udgmen.
3%e :laini!!s !iled %eir !irs 'oion !or BCecuion almos wo mon%s laer on
*ecem4er 12; 2222. 3%e !ac %a %e regisry recei:s o! %e service o! @udgmen %ad
no ye reurned 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! anCiey.
?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 :aries. 0nsead; %e
!ound %e lac- o! regisry recei:s a convenien reason !or arrying on %e moion.
3%ese circumsances may lead a so:%isicaed mind o conclude one o! wo
%ings.
5ne; %e regisry recei:s are indeed missing !rom %e records 4u 9udge
Berme@o is denying i o cover u: suc% loss. 3%is conclusion is 4uressed 4y %e odd
!ac %a; des:ie %e seriousness o! *r. 'onemayor<s allegaions; %e res:onden
9udge %as no o!!ered in %ese adminisraive :roceedings any evidence o! %e
eCisence o! %e regisry recei:s. An o4vious disregard o! -ee:ing records is
evidence o! incom:eence and lac- o! :ro!essionalism.
A @udge is c%arged wi% eCercising eCra care in ensuring %a %e records o!
%e cases and o!!icial documens in %is cusody are inac. 3%ere is no @usi!icaion !or
missing records save !oruious evens.
3wo; 9udge Berme@o is su::ressing :roo! o! %e regisry reurn recei:s; in
w%ic% case; %e is no only guily o! dragging %is !ee in %e resoluion o! %e moions
4u; worse; 4ias in !avor o! %e de!endan.
5%er circumsances su::or %e %eory o! 4ias. 9udge Berme@o :rovides a
!limsy @usi!icaion !or %is inacion on *r. 'onemayor<s )econd 'oion !or BCecuion.
According o %e res:onden 9udge; %e cour was undera-ing is semesral invenory
w%en %e moion was !iled. Bven i! %e Cour were o admi %e ade"uacy o! %is
o4vious :reeC; 9udge Berme@o; a %e very leas; s%ould %ave se %e moion !or
%earing on %e neC moion day a!er %e invenory. Bu again; %e disregarded %e
second moion.
1eC; under )ecion 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 :laini!! would 4e
eniled as a maer o! rig% o %e immediae eCecuion o! %e in!erior cour<s
@udgmen. 0n suc% a case %e eCecuion is mandaory.
?owever; 4y counenancing; :ermiing; and even creaing %e many delays
in o4vious disregard o! %e leer and %e s:iri o! %e Rules o! Cour and %e Rule on
)ummary 6rocedure; 9udge Berme@o %as :u in "uesion %is :arialiy. 0 4ears
reminding %im %a a @udge mus a all imes no only 4e im:arial 4u mainain %e
a::earance o! im:arialiy. 3%us; under Canon 2 o! %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc; a
@udge s%ould avoid im:ro:riey and a::earance o! im:ro:riey in all aciviies.
):eci!ically; under Rule 2.21 o! %e Code; a @udge s%ould so 4e%ave a all imes as o
:romoe :u4lic con!idence in %e inegriy and im:arialiy o! %e @udiciary. 3%e
a::earance o! 4ias or :re@udice can 4e as damaging o :u4lic con!idence and %e
adminisraion o! @usice as acual 4ias or :re@udice.
ACC5R*01#L/; %e Cour !inds res:onden 9udge 9uan 5. Berme@o; 9r. o!
delay in %e rendiion o! @udgmen in violaion 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 guily o! im:ro:riey in violaion o! Canon 2 o! said Code and is !ined
%e amoun o! 612;222.22.
ODTUBRE @+ @ELASCO
FAC3):
5-u4re is %e adminisraor o! 6aler Building; owned 4y 6eggy *<Arcy.
*<Arcy is %e aun8in8law o! 9udge >elasco.
)%orly a!er >elasco<s a::oinmen o %e '3C o! 'aasin; %e as-ed *<Arcy
i! %e could reside a %e 6aler Building. ?e was iniially allowed 4y *<Arcy %owever
w%en %e soug% an eCension o say %erea %e was denied 4y *<Arcy. 1ever%eless;
9udge >elasco was a4le o say in %e 4uilding al4ei in ano%er room.
9udge >elasco %en sen leers o %e enans o! %e 4uilding declaring %a
%e was %e law!ul owner o! %e 4uilding and all renals s%ould 4e de:osied 4y %em a
%is o!!ice in %e '3C. ?e also sen a srongly worded leer using %e '3C<s
leer%ead o *<Arcy assering :ossession over %e 4uilding.
9udge >elasco caused %e removal o! %e 4uilding<s service @ee: !rom is
garage. *<Arcy %en insruced 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:eaed. 5-u4re
success!ully re:laced %e ve%icle and removed one o! is w%eels and :u i inside %e
com:uer room o! %e 4uilding.
3%erea!er; 9udge >elasco caused %e desrucion and re:lacemen o! %e
:adloc- o 5-u4re<s room and %e access gae o %e %ird !loor o! %e 4uilding.
5-u4re %en !iled a com:lain agains %e @udge in %e 6unong Baranggay.
Conciliaion :roceedings !ailed.
A!er %e %earing; 5-u4re was as-ed 4y a :olice o!!icer o come wi% %im o
%e saion a %e c%ie!<s re"ues. 7:on arrival; %e was con!roned wi% an arres
warran signed under au%oriy 4y 9udge >elasco in connecion wi% %e alleged
ro44ery o! %e @ee:ney<s w%eel and %e was :u 4e%ind 4ars :ursuan %ereo.
A!er o4aining %is release %e was again !iled sui !or malicious misc%ie! and
!alsi!icaion o! documens again 4y 9udge >elasco. All %e com:lains were su::ored
4y %e sole a!!idavi o! 9udge >elasco w%ic% %e :rosecued using %is 5!!ice.
0))7B:
A%e%er or no 9udge >elasco is guily o! grave misconduc; grave a4use o!
au%oriy and gross ignorance o! %e law.
R7L01#:
42 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
Res:onden 9udge is Lia4le !or #rave 'isconduc and #rave A4use o!
Au%oriy.
1oe Canon 2; Rule 2.23 o! Code o! 9udicial Conduc and Rule 3.12 o! %e
same code. For ina::ro:riaely using %is 5!!ice<s leer%ead and !or acing on %is own
criminal com:lains agains com:lainan and *<Arcy; res:onden 9udge violaed %ese
rules. 3%us; %e is lia4le !or grave misconduc
Q
and grave a4use o! au%oriy.
5n Res:onden 9udge<s !ailure o Recuse ?imsel! !rom ?is Criminal
Com:lains. 1oe %e :rinci:le %a no @udge s%ould :reside in a case in w%ic% %e is
no w%olly !ree; disineresed; im:arial 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 :arialiy. 3%e rule
is inended o :reserve %e :eo:le<s !ai% and con!idence in %e cours o! @usice.
3rue; a @udge s%ould :ossess :ro!iciency in law so %a %e can com:eenly consrue
and en!orce %e law. ?owever; i is more im:oran %a %e s%ould ac and 4e%ave in
suc% a manner %a %e :aries 4e!ore %im %ave con!idence in %is im:arialiy. 0ndeed;
even conduc %a gives rise o %e mere a::earance o! :arialiy is :roscri4ed.
?ere; al%oug% %e is %e com:lainan in %e %ree criminal com:lains;
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; resuling in %e arres and deenion o!
com:lainan. By doing so; res:onden 9udge violaed Rule 3.12 and; 4y im:licaion
)ecion 1 o! Rule 13(; w%ic% covers %e :reliminary sages o! criminal :rosecuion. 3o
4e sure; %e siuaion in %is case does no !all under any o! %e insances enumeraed
in Rule 3.12. 1ever%eless; as %e :rovision isel! saes; suc% enumeraion is no
eCclusive. 'ore im:oranly; :aragra:% IdJ :ro%i4is a @udge !rom siing in a case
w%ere %e is relaed o a :ary or o counsel wi%in %e siC% and !our% degree o!
consanguiniy or a!!iniy; res:ecively. 3%us; %ere is more reason o :ro%i4i a @udge
!rom doing so in cases w%ere %e is a :ary. 0ndeed; %e idea %a a @udge can :reside
over %is own case is ana%ema o %e noion o! im:arialiy %a suc% was no longer
included in %e enumeraion in Rule 3.12 nor covered 4y )ecion 1 o! Rule 13(.
Res:onden 9udge<s su4se"uen in%i4iion !rom %e %ree cases does no
derac !rom %is cul:a4iliy !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!icaion see-s o :reven is %e denial
o! a :ary 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 Ciy; )ou%ern Leye; #70L3/ o! #rave 'isconduc;
#ross 0gnorance o! %e Law; and #rave A4use o! Au%oriy !or violaion o! Rule 2.23
and Rule 3.12 o! %e Code o! 9udicial Conduc. ?e is *0)'0))B* !rom %e service
wi% !or!eiure o! reiremen 4ene!is and wi% :re@udice o reinsaemen in any 4ranc%
o! %e governmen or any o! is agencies or insrumenaliies; including governmen
owned or conrolled cor:oraions. ?owever; %e s%all receive any accrued leaves due
%im as o! %is dae.
SANDO@AL @+ CA
Facs:
0 a::ears %a an im:osor succeeded in selling :ro:ery law!ully iled in
ano%er<s name 4y misre:resening %imsel! as %e laer. 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 :eiion !or review w%ere 9uan C. )andoval :rays !or %e reversal
o! %e Cour o! A::eals decision. 3wo issues are :resened !or resoluion. Firs;
:eiioner conends %a %e was denied due :rocess w%en %e ponente o! %e decision
in %e Cour o! A::eals; 9usice Luis >icor; 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; :eiioner mainains %a %e is an innocen :urc%aser !or value w%o
s%ould no 4e %eld accouna4le !or %e !raud commied agains :rivae res:onden
3an; 9r.
0ssue:
A%e%er or no %e 9usice w%o :enned %e assailed decision in %e Cour o!
A::eals s%ould %ave in%i4ied %imsel! !rom a-ing :ar in %e case.
?eld:
0n every insance %e @udge s%all indicae %e legal reason !or in%i4iion.F
A @udge<s conduc s%ould 4e a4ove re:roac% and in %e disc%arge o! %is
@udicial duies %e s%ould 4e conscienious; sudious; %oroug%; coureous; :aien;
:uncual; @us; im:arial; !earless o! :u4lic clamour; and regardless o! :rivae in!luence
s%ould adminiser @usice according o law and s%ould deal wi% %e :aronage o! %e
:osiion as a :u4lic rusK and %e s%ould no allow ouside maers or %is :rivae
ineress o iner!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 9usice >icor o
in%i4i %imsel! !rom deciding %e case. 3o 4e sure; as rial cour @udge; %e :resided
:arly over %e case 4elow; %eard :ar o! :laini!!<s evidence and ruled on moions.
3%e decision isel!; %owever; was :enned 4y ano%er @udge; %e ?onora4le Lucas
Bersamin; w%o oo- over as :residing @udge w%en %en 9udge Luis >icor was
:romoed. 7:on elevaion o %e Cour o! A::eals; %e case was assigned o 9usice
>icor as ponente.
3%e :rinci:le %a a::roCimaes %e siuaion o4aining %erein is %e
dis"uali!icaion 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 #raned %a 9usice >icor :resided :arly 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 :osiion 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; 9usice >icor 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 :arialiy; w%ic% aCiom is
inended o :reserve and :romoe :u4lic con!idence in %e inegriy and res:ec !or
%e @udiciary. A%ile %e is no legally re"uired o decline !rom a-ing :ar in %e case; i
43 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
is our considered view %a %is acive :arici:aion in %e case 4elow consiues a
E@us or valid reason;F under )ecion 1 o! Rule 13( !or %im o volunarily in%i4i %imsel!
!rom %e case.
THE LA< FIR= OF CHA@EA @+ >USTICE DICDICAN
Facs:
3%is is an adminisraive com:lain agains 9usice *icdican !iled 4y 'a.
As:aren; a :ary o a case involving ). 'ary 'a++arello )c%ool. 0n %a case; %e
sc%ool im:osed disci:linary sancions on 's. As:aren 4u %e same was li!ed 4y
?on. Blum4a; @udge o! %e 3rial Cour. 3%e res:onden @usice o! %e CA issued a
3R5.
)o com:lainan %ere soug% %e in%i4iion o! res:onden !rom %e case on
%e ground %a %e laer %ad :reviously re:resened various religious organi+aions
during %is :racice in law and %e :eiioner in %is case is run 4y a religious
organi+aion.
Res:onden denied %a suc% circumsance a!!eced %is im:arialiy in %e
case 4u %e never%eless in%i4ied %imsel!.
*es:ie suc% in%i4iion; i was sill alleged %a 9usice sill a::eared as one
o! %e signaories o! a resoluion daed 1ov. 21; 222& o! %e CA admiing %e
memorandum o! %e :eiioner sc%ool and w%ic% deemed %e :eiion as su4mied !or
resoluion.
Com:lainan alleged %a res:onden @usice<s acions s%owed %is mani!es
4ias and :re@udice agains %is clien in %e case. Res:onden 9usice %owever; was
a4le o s%ow %a no documen was !orwarded o %im w%en %e in%i4ied !rom %e
case. 0 was also s%own %a ano%er 9usice oo- over %e same. 0 was also s%own
%a %is inclusion as a signaory was a mere misa-e 4y %e senogra:%er as s%own
4y %e leer o! a:ology.
?eld:
Com:lain was devoid o! meri. 0n adminisraive :roceedings; 4urden o!
:roo! is u:on com:lainan. 0! com:lainan !ails o do so; res:onden is under no
o4ligaion o :rove %is de!ense.
0n %e :resen case; %e com:lainan !ailed o su4saniae %is im:uaions o!
im:ro:riey and :arialiy agains res:onden @usice. ?e !ailed o :resen any o%er
evidence o :rove %is c%arges.
A :ary<s remedy i! :re@udiced 4y %e orders o! a magisrae lies wi% %e
:ro:er reviewing cour; no wi% %e o!!ice o! %e cour adminisraor 4y means o! an
adminisraive com:lain. A%en some o%er @udicial means is availa4le; an
adminisraive com:lain is no %e a::ro:riae remedy !or every ac o! a @udge
deemed a4erran or irregular.
CANON 2
>+ DING E SONS CO=PANY @+ >UDGE HONTANOSAS
Facs:
Com:lainan alleges %a i is %e :laini!! in a case :ending 4e!ore %e R3C
:resided over 4y res:onden. Res:onden issued an 5rder graning %e a::licaion
!or wri o! :reliminary aac%men. An urgen moion o disc%arge and li! wri o!
:reliminary aac%men was !iled 4y de!endans 4e!ore %e res:onden and on %e
same day; res:onden issued an 5rder li!ing %e wri o! :reliminary aac%men. )aid
5rder was issued sans :ro:er noice and %earing as re"uired 4y %e Rules o! Civil
6rocedure. Res:onden a::roved de!endans< couner84ond des:ie -nowledge %a
%e 4onding com:any<s )u:reme Cour Clearance was no valid and %e maCimum
ne reenion o! %e 4onding com:any %ad a de!iciency. A a meeing in %is %ouse;
res:onden as-ed Ra!ael $ing o mac% de!endans< o!!er o :ay 6252;222.22 so %a
%e 5rder o! 9uly 5; 2222 will 4e reconsidered !ormally i! a moion !or reconsideraion
is !iled 4y com:lainan. Res:onden<s !avorie %ang8ou is %e -arao-e music lounge
o! 'ero:olis ?oel owned 4y %erein com:lainan; and %e uses said !aciliies Mgratis et
amore.M
?eld:
Ae agree wi% %e 0nvesigaing 9usice<s !inding %a res:onden is guily o!
gross ignorance o! %e law !or no %olding a !ull84lown %earing on %e moion o li!
aac%men and !or violaing %e %ree8day noice rule.
Res:onden aced wi% indecen %ase in immediaely %olding a %earing on
%e moion o li! aac%men !iled only a !ew minues 4e!ore said %earing; in
considering %e same su4mied !or resoluion; and in issuing %e order li!ing %e wri
o! :reliminary aac%men and a::roving %e couner84ond; all on %e same day
wi%ou giving com:lainan %e o::oruniy o 4e %eard on %e maer.
0 is %as 4een o! re:eaed %a @udges canno 4e %eld o accoun or answer
criminally; civilly or adminisraively !or an erroneous @udgmen o! decision rendered
4y %im in good !ai%; or in %e a4sence o! !raud; dis%onesy or corru:ion. ?owever; i
%as also 4een %eld %a w%en %e law violaed is elemenary; a @udge is su4@ec o
disci:linary acion.

3%e :rinci:les o! due noice and %earing are so 4asic %a
res:onden<s ina4iliy o accord a liigan %eir rig% %ereo canno 4e eCcused. 0n %is
case; we 4elieve %a res:onden<s acuaions ree- o! malice and 4ad !ai%. 3%us; we
!ind res:onden guily o! gross ignorance o! %e law !or violaing %e %ree8day noice
rule and !ailing o give %erein com:lainan due noice and %e o::oruniy o 4e %eard
on %e maer
As o %e maer o! %e a::roval o! %e couner84ond; res:onden uerly
!ailed o eCercise due care in eCamining %e su::oring :a:ers. 3%e res:onden
s%ould -now %e 4asic re"uiremens 4e!ore a::roving a surey 4ond or a @udicial 4ond
suc% as couner84ond.
0 is indeed grossly im:ro:er !or res:onden o mee wi% a liigan a %is
%ome and o !re"uen %e karaoke 4ar owned 4y suc% liigan; en@oying %e use
%ereo! !or !ree. Res:onden %ere4y received 4ene!is !rom a liigan 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 esimonies o! %e waiers a
said 4ar are "uie 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 insised
on :aying; es:ecially considering %a com:lainan %as a oal o! %ree cases :ending
4e!ore %is cour. By eneraining a liigan in %is %ome and receiving 4ene!is given 4y
44 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
said liigan; res:onden misera4ly !ailed o live u: o %e sandards o! @udicial
conduc.
0nsisence on :ersonal inegriy and %onesy as indis:ensa4le "uali!icaions
!or @udicial o!!ice re!lec an awareness in %e legal :ro!ession o! %e immensiy o! %e
damage %a can 4e done o %e legal order 4y @udicial corru:ion.
CENTRU= AGRI-BUSINESS REALTY CORP @+ >UDGE BETHEL DATALBAS-
=OSCARDON
Facs:
6eiioner Cenrum !iled a com:lain wi% %e '3CC !or e@ecmen o! several
sores leasing is 4uilding I9>L) BuildingJ. Cenrum 4oug% %is :ro:ery !rom 9>L)
Co. 0nc.; 4u %e enans re!used o :ay ren o Cenrum I3%ese enans on %e o%er
%and sued 9>L) o en!orce %eir rig% o! !irs o:ionJ. '3CC ruled !or Cenrum;
ordered %e enans o :ay ren covering 53 mon%s X ineress.
3%e enans a::ealed %is decision o R3C w%ere res:onden is %e
:residing @udge. 0n %a a::eal; Cenrum moved !or %e eCecuion o! %e '3CC
decision; 4u res:onden re!used. 3%e enans moved !or 32 days wi%in w%ic% o !ile
%eir su::lemenal memorandum; w%ic% %e @udge graned; 4u limied %e :eriod o
12 days. Cenrum urged !or %e early resoluion o! %e case; 4u %e @udge said %a
Cenrum<s moion was already moo and academic; 4u s%e waned o give %e
enans 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! Cenrum; 4u wi%
di!!eren renal raes I%ig%er; in !avour o! CenrumJ. 3%is decision was daed 9une 15.
0n %e :resen adminisraive case agains res:onden @udge; Cenrum
c%arged %er wi% 1. Corru: acs and :racices; gross dis%onesy; serious misconducK
2. $nowingly rendering an un@us inerlocuory orderK 3. #ross ignorance o! %e law.
Cenrum saes %a no only were %e amouns in %e decision su4sanially
increased; i also disclosed %a i %ad received a du:licae co:y o! %e decision even
4e!ore i was :romulgaed; signed 4y %e res:onden. 9udge claimed s%e was
innocen and %ad no idea %ow Cenrum go a co:y. Cenrum also alleges %a %e
@udge un@usly denied is moion !or eCecuion.
?eld:
Res:onden @udge is guily o! serious misconduc and is dismissed !rom
o!!ice.
Al%oug% %ere is no :roo! o! %ow Cenrum o4ained a co:y o! %e decision
even 4e!ore is :romulgaion; %e !ac is %a a co:y was o4ained 4y i and %is is
%ig%ly irregular. )ince %e @udge is ulimaely res:onsi4le !or %e sa!e-ee:ing o! %er
:a:ers; %e 4urden o! accouning is on %er.
I@udge claims %a %er senogra:%er was a !aulJ
3%is was no merely a sim:le case o! 4reac% o! con!idenialiy; 4u evidence
suggess a sc%eme o eCor money !rom Cenrum.
3%ere was a negoiaion 4eween %e 9udge and Cenrum; as admied 4y
%e laer<s counsel. A%y Cenrum !iled %is case agains %e @udge a::ears o 4e %a
%e decision; al%oug% i was com:leed as o! 9une 15; was no :romulgaed unil a!er
nearly a mon%; leading Cenrum o !ear %a res:onden @udge would wels% on %er
undera-ing o increase %e awards in is !avour.
5n rendering an un@us inerlocuory order and gross ignorance o! %e law;
%e cour !inds %e @udge<s errors in %is case o 4e grossly ineCcusa4le. 3%e @udge
violaed cerain :rovisions in %e rules o! cour a::lica4le o e@ecmen :roceedings.
RIAALINA CAPCO-U=ALI @+ PAULITA ACOSTA-@ILLARANTE
Facs:
9udge Ri+alina Ca:co87mali I:eiionerJ c%arged 9udge 6aulia Acosa8
>illarane Ires:ondenJ wi% violaion o! Canon 4.
3%e :eiioner and o%er @udges made a couresy call o %e 'ayor o!
'andaluyong and %ey al-ed a4ou local allowance o! @udges. 3%e 'ayor noiced %e
dis:ariy in %e amouns received Ires:onden was receiving more; com:ared o
:eiioner and o%er @udgesJ. )o %e 'ayor ordered %a %e allowance received 4y
res:onden 4e revered o %e :revious raes.
*uring %e !irs ever mon%ly meeingo! R3C @udges; w%a %a::ened in %e
couresy call was re:ored. Angered; res:onden yelled accusaions o! :aninira a %e
BCecuive @udge Is%e was %ere during %e couresy call and was :residing over %e
meeingJ. 6eiioner; also :resen a %e meeing; !el %a s%e %ad o rescue %e
eCecuive @udge and eC:lained w%a %a::ened. 3%is ime; res:onden yelled a
:eiioner; called %er sinungaling and old :eiioner o so: al-ing 4ecause
Ena-a-a%iwa 4oses mo.F 6eiioner yelled 4ac-; Emaanda -a na; mala:i -a na sa
-amaayan 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 mac% unil %ey were :aci!ied.
9udge >illarane %en wroe a 'emorandum addressed o BCecuive 9udge
o! %e 'andaluyong R3C; co:ies o! w%ic% were !urnis%ed o %e 9usices o! %e )C;
9BC; o%er @udges o! 'andaluyong; is Congressman; and :rosecuor. 3%e memo
suggesed %a %e %olding o! mon%ly meeing o! @udges 4e sus:ended; considering
w%a rans:ired. 6eiioner !iled a com:lain !or li4el 4ased on %e memorandum. 0n
causing %e circulaion o! %e memorandum; res:onden claimed %a i was %er
o4ligaion o 4ring o %e aenion o! concerned o!!icials %e :ersonal demeanor o!
:eiioner %a would :u %e @udiciary in :u4lic scruiny and disres:ec.
?eld:
Bo% @udges are !ined I11;222 !or :eiioner; 1&;222 !or res:ondenJ and
given a sern warning !or %aving violaed )ec 1; Canon 4 o! %e 1ew Code o! 9udicial
Conduc
Cours are loo-ed u:on 4y %e :eo:le wi% %ig% res:ec. 'is4e%avior 4y
@udges and em:loyees necessarily diminis%es %eir digniy. Any !ig%ing or
misundersanding is a disgrace!ul occurrence re!lecing adversely on %e image o! %e
9udiciary. By !ig%ing; res:onden @udges !ailed o o4serve %e :ro:er decorum
eC:eced o! mem4ers o! %e 9udiciary. 'ore deesa4le is %e !ac %a %eir s"ua44le
arose ou o! a mere allowance coming !rom %e local governmen.
45 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
3%e 4e%aviour o! 4o% :aries was very un4ecoming. 9udge Ca:co8
7mali !ailed o live u: o %e sandard o! :ro:riey re"uired o! @udges. A%ile s%e mig%
%ave 4een :rovo-ed 4y 9udge Acosa8>illarane<s re!erral o %er as a liar; s%e s%ould
%ave mainained %er com:osure insead o! s%ouing 4ac- a a !ellow @udge. )%e
s%ould %ave eCercised sel!8resrain insead o! reacing in suc% a very ina::ro:riae
manner.
9udge Acosa8>illarane s%ould also 4e re"uired o answer !or %er !ailure o
o4serve %e 4asic norm o! :ro:riey demanded !rom a @udge. )%e :rovo-ed :eiioner
4y calling %er sinungaling. )%e s%ould %ave 4een more cauious in c%oosing %er
words. )%e also re:eaed %e uncalled !or conduc w%en s%e wroe %e memorandum
and caused is circulaion. 0! indeed %e memorandum was :roduced sricly o allow
%e :aries o cool o!! and avoid a re:eiion o! %e inciden; %ere was no need o
menion %e alleged mis4e%avior o! 9udge Ca:co87mali during %e meeing. 3%e
memorandum was %us wrien as a medium !or realiaion agains 9udge Ca:co8
7mali.
BINALAY @+ LELINA% >R+
Facs:
Com:lainan Ay. Binalay !iled %is adminisraive case agains 9udge Lelina;
9r. !or violaing Rule 13, o! %e Rules o! Cour and Canon 4 o! %e 1ew Code o!
9udicial Conduc I4o% are wi% regard o :ro%i4iion on @udges in %e :rivae :racice
o! lawJ.
Res:onden @udge is :revenively sus:ended !or 4eing c%arged wi% ra:e;
a4ducion wi% ra:e and slig% illegal deenion. A%ile sill under sus:ension; %e
@udge !iled a mani!esaion !or %e cour o gran %im %e :ermission o :racice law
during %e remainder o! %is :revenive sus:ension; or i! suc% canno 4e graned; o
consider %im resigned !rom %e @udiciary.
0 urned ou; %owever; %a even 4e!ore %e !iled %is mani!esaion; %e %ad
already engaged in %e :rivae :racice o! law re:resening 2 :ersons in a criminal
case; and one in a civil case; all o! w%ic% are sill :ending. All :leadings in %ose
cases were signed 4y %im; as a :arner o! %e Barolome Lelina Calimag *ensing D
Associaes Law 5!!ices.
0n %e meanime; %e o!!ice o! cour adminisraor direced res:onden o
desis !rom engaging in %e :racice o! law :ending %e cour<s resoluion o! %is
mani!esaion.
0n %is commen; %e @udge argues %a %e :ro%i4iion o engage in :racice o!
law a::lies only o @udges w%o are in %e acive service and s%ould no cover %ose
under sus:ension. ?e also said %e was !orced o :racice law due o %is
im:overis%ed li!e and 4ecause o! %e coninuing su!!erings o! %is wi!e and c%ildren.
?eld:
9udge is sus:ended and sernly warned.
By 4eing merely sus:ended; @udge remains o 4ound 4y %e :ro%i4iion o
:racice law. 2bi lex non distinguit nec nos ditinguire debemos. Law does no ma-e a
disincion 4eween a sus:ended @udge and an acive @udge. 3%e !ac %a %e ried o
secure an au%ori+aion o engage in %e :racice o! law only s%ows %a %e is aware
o! %e :ro%i4iion.
'oreover; %e s%ould no :ermi %e law !irm o sill carry %is name. By
allowing %e !irm o do so; %e %eld %imsel! in :u4lic as a lawyer; in violaion 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
Facs:
Com:lainans c%arged 9udge 6ornillos !or; among o%ers; %e violaion o! %e
Canons o! 9udicial Conduc !or 4orrowing money !rom %er sa!! and lawyers in
amouns ranging !rom 6522865-. 3%e 5!!ice o! %e Cour Adminisraor I5CAJ made
an invesigaion and !ound %a suc% aac%es no adminisraive lia4iliy Isince %ey
were already :aid or waived 4y %e crediors and were o4ained 1. years agoJ.
0ssue:
AG1 9udge 6ornillos s%ould 4e %eld adminisraively lia4le.
?eld:
/es. 9udge 6ornillos was dismissed !rom %e service !or gross misconduc
Iaggravaed 4y undue delay in rendering decisions and violaion o! )C rulesJ. 7nder
%e 7ni!orm Rules on Adminisraive Cases in %e Civil service; 4orrowing money 4y
su:erior o!!icers !rom su4ordinaes is a violaion :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 su4ordinaes in an im:ro:er manner.
'ore severely :ro%i4ied is 4orrowing money or :ro:ery !rom lawyers and
liigans 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:arialiy; iner!ere wi% %e :ro:er :er!ormance o! @udicial aciviies; or
increase involvemen wi% lawyers or :ersons li-ely o come 4e!ore %e cour.
LIHAYLIHAY @+ >UDGE ALE>ANDRO CANDA
Facs:
6eiioner !iled a com:lain agains 9udge Canda !or %e !!. acs:
3%reaening %er %roug% eC message %a s%e would 4e in rou4le I4ecause %e
%oug% s%e was su::oring an a::lican !or s%eri!! w%ic% %e o::osedJ
Filing admin. com:lains and criminal cases o %arass %er
*escri4ing %er as a #R5; undigni!ied; a w%ore; disgusing; re:ulsive;
:a-ialamera; o!!ensive; ec. Iin a leer %e wroe o %e BCecuive 9udge a!er %e !ound
ou s%e ad %im 4loed wi% %e :olice 4ecause o! %e eC %reaJ
6u4lis%ing suc% remar-s in a news:a:er
0ssue:
AG1 9udge Canda is guily o! gross misconduc
46 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
?eld:
/es. )ec. 2; Canon 4: As a su4@ec o! consan :u4lic scruiny; @udges mus
acce: :ersonal resricions %a mig% 4e viewed as 4urdensome 4y %e ordinary
cii+enOin :aricular; @udges s%all conduc %emselves in a way %a is consisen wi%
%e digniy o! %e @udicial o!!ice.
)ec. &; Canon 4: 9udges are eniled o !reedom o! eC:ression; 4u in
eCercising suc% rig%; %ey s%all always conduc %emselves in a manner as o
:reserve %e digniy o! %e @udicial o!!ice.
3%e acs commied 4y 9udge Canda are un4ecoming o! a @udge; and %ese
su4@eced %e @udiciary o em4arrassmen. ?e was !ined and was given a sern
warning.
IN REB UNDATED LETTER OF LOUIS BIRAOGO
Facs:
3%e )u:reme Cour; en 4anc; coninued is deli4eraions on %e dra! o!
9usice Ru4en Reyes in 3 consolidaed cases ILim-aic%ong caseJ. )ince %ere was
no !ur%er o4@ecion; %e Bn Banc a::roved i. Being :rined on #il4er :a:er; 9usice
Reyes immediaely circulaed %e :onencia during %e same session. ?owever; %ey
decided o wi%%old %e :romulgaion o! %e #il4er co:y 4ecause . @usices waned o
concur only in %e resul Ii! %e ma@oriy concurred only in resul; %e :onencia would
%ave no docrinal valueJ. 3%ey decided o %old oral argumens.
Biraogo; a :eiioner in one o! %e 3 cases; %eld a :ress con!erence and
circulaed o %e media an undaed leer signed 4y %im oge%er wi% a :%ooco:y o!
%e un:romulgaed :onencia. ?e insinuaed %a %e Cour unlaw!ully and wi%
im:ro:er moives wi%%eld %e :romulgaion o! %e :onencia.
)ince %e unau%ori+ed release o! %e co:y in!ringed on %e con!idenial
deli4eraions o! %e )C and consiued conem: o! cour; %e )C direced an
invesigaion. 3%e 0nvesigaing Commiee !ound %a %e lea- came !rom 9usice
Reyes %imsel!. ?ence; %e mus 4e lia4le !or grave misconduc.
0ssue:
AG1 9usice Reyes is lia4le !or gross misconduc
?eld:
/B). ?e is sus:ended !rom %e :racice o! law inde!iniely. 3%e 1ew Code
o! 9udicial Conduc :rovides %a con!idenial in!ormaionV ac"uired 4y @usices and
@udges in %eir o!!icial ca:aciy s%all no 4e used or disclosed !or any o%er :ur:oses
no relaed o %eir @udicial duies.
V0n!ormaion no ye made :u4lic concerning %e wor- o! any @usice or @udge
relaing o :ending cases.
CANONS 3 E 4
REPUBLIC @+ CAGUIOA
.onsolidation of ( cases against respondent
FAC3)
Case 1: 9udge Caguioa issued a wri o! :reliminary in@uncion agains %e
Re:u4lic !or %e im:lemenaion o! a law
5
w%ic% re"uired %e :aymen o! duies and
aCes o im:orers in %e )u4ic Bay Free:or Zone; w%o !ormerly %ad an eCem:ion o
suc% aCes 4u was su4se"uenly re"uired 4y virue o! suc% law. ?e also graned
various eC8:are moions !or inervenions o! di!!eren 4u similarly siuaed
cor:oraions; and a::roved an in@uncion 4ond o! 61' !or all %e :eiioners. 3%ese
orders were immediaely im:lemened des:ie %e 'Rs !iled 4y %e 5)#. 3%e
Re:u4lic !iled adminisraive cases agains Caguioa !or mani!es :arialiy; gross
ignorance o! %e law and conduc :re@udicial o %e 4es ineres o! %e service. 3%is
was aced u:on 4y %e 5CA and su4se"uenly 4y %e CA; saing %a Caguioa
gravely a4used %is discreion !or ordering %e issuance o! %e wri o! 6reliminary
0n@uncion.
Case 2: IAlmos similar circumsances; di!!eren :eo:le involvedJ 9udge
Caguioa issued a wri o! :reliminary in@uncion and a 3R5; o en@oin a :erson !rom
acing as an o!!icer in a #ov< agency. 3%e agency !iled adminisraive cases agains
Caguioa !or mani!es :arialiy; gross ignorance o! %e law and conduc :re@udicial o
%e 4es ineres o! %e service.
Case 3: Caguioa ordered a Ari o! BCecuion; a!er %is order o! dismissal o!
a case 4ased on :rescri:ion. 6rivae 6eiioner !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:osiive :orion o! %e decision. 3%e 5rder o! dismissal did no ad@udicae any
rig%s o! %e :aries and resolved no o%er maer eCce: %e dismissal o! %e case.
he findings of the 1n"estigati"e Kustice of the .A:
Case 1: #uily o! gross ignorance o! %e law X conduc :re@udicial o %e 4es ineres
o! %e service. Bvidence on %e 'ani!es 6arialiy was insu!!icien.
Case 2: )ame as Case 1.
Case 3: #uily o! sim:le misconduc.
6enaly: 18year sus:ension X )ern Aarning.
0))7BG):
AG1 Caguioa is guily o! #ross 0gnorance o! %e Law; Conduc 6re@udicial o
%e Bes 0neres o! %e )ervice and )im:le 'isconduc.
?BL*:
/B)N Ado: !indings o! %e CA. Caguioa *ismissed !rom service X !or!eiure
o! reiremen 4ene!is eCce: leave credis.
RA305:
#ross 0gnorance o! %e Law
9udge Caguioa issued %e Aris o! 6reliminary 0n@uncion %a did no sais!y
%e legal re"uisies !or is issuance; and w%ic% was en!orced ouside o! %is erriorial
@urisdicion. 0n %e !ormer; %e a::licans o! %e Ari s%owed no clear and
-
R" 933*
47 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
unmisa-a4le rig% %a was maerial and su4sanial as would warran %e issuance o!
suc% Ari; and %e o! is urgency and necessiy. 0n s%or; %e issued %e Aris wi%ou
4asis.
3%e re"uisies !or %e issuance o! %e Ari are 4asic and elemenary; 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
elemenary @urisdicional limis o! %is cour; a @udge s%ould 4e adminisraively lia4le
!or gross ignorance o! %e law.
1o #rave 'isconduc
Bven %oug% Caguioa issued %e Aris wi%ou 4asis; in %is circumsance; i
only amouns 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):
)e: 13; 2222: Final order o! an unlaw!ul deainer case in !avor o! *ee C.
C%uan D )ons 0nc. An a::eal was !iled wi% 6erala; an R3C 9udge.
'arc% 1,; 2223: *CC)0 !iled a Mmoion o dismiss a::eal and !or issuance o!
wri o! eCecuionM !or !ailure o! %e a::ellans o :os %e re"uired 4ond and o :ay %e
renals due in accordance wi% %e decision o! %e 'e3C.
'arc% 21; 2223: Acing on %e 'oion; 6erala re"uired a::ellans o !ile %eir
commen.
Augus 11; 2223; 5co4er 22; 2223 and *ecem4er 3; 2223: *CC)0 !iled a
moion o resolve. ?owever; des:ie %e la:se o! more %an one year; res:onden
!ailed and re!used o resolve %e :ending moions. Com:lain %us !iled.
A%en as-ed 4y %e 5CA a4ou %e case; 6erala said %a i Lha /d0 been
resol"ed by /his0 .ourt and the same /!as0 already for mailingL and aac%ed a co:y
o! %is order daed 'ay 5; 2224. 0n %is order; %e dismissed %e a::eal !or !ailure o! %e
a::ellans o !ile %eir memorandum and direced %e issuance o! a wri o! eCecuion
in !avor o! *CC)0. 3%e 5CA; in is re:or; !ound 6erala indeed !ailed o resolve
several moions !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
duies and !ined in %e amoun o! 611; 222.
0))7BG):
AG1 6erala 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
3%e Consiuion mandaes %a all cases or maers !iled 4e!ore all lower
cours s%all 4e decided or resolved wi%in .2 days !rom %e ime %e case is su4mied
!or decision.

6erala ignored %is mandae. Failure o com:ly wi%in %e mandaed
:eriod consiues a serious violaion o! %e consiuional rig% o! %e :aries o a
s:eedy dis:osiion o! %eir cases.
For more %an a year; 6erala !ailed o resolve several moions ^ %e moion
o dismiss a::eal and !or issuance o! wri o! eCecuion as well as %e %ree moions o
resolve; and didn< o!!er any reason or @usi!icaion on w%y i oo- %im more %an a
year o resolve %e moions. ?e %us violaed %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 moions and incidens 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 is sandards and 4rings i o disre:ue.
BACULI @+ BELEN
FAC3):
Baculi; a 6rovincial 6rosecuor; !iled an 0n!ormaion agains a :erson8
accused !or !rusraed %omicide. Belen; a R3C 9udge; direced Baculi o su4mi
evidence %a %e noice o! :reliminary invesigaion was duly served and received 4y
suc% :erson. A!er a series o! :leadings !iled 4y Baculi; Belen direced %e !ormer w%y
%e s%ould no 4e cied !or em: o! cour !or ma-ing un!ounded saemens in %is
:leadings. 1o suc% reason was given; %us Belen !ound Baculi guily o! direc
conem: !or ma-ing scurrilous IvulgarJ and conumacious Ire4elliousJ saemens in
one o! %e laerLs 'oions; and su4se"uenly !or indirec conem:. Baculi moved %a
suc% order 4e se aside; 4u was denied 4y Belen; saing %a suc% *ecisions are
!inal and eCecuory. 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 indiced %im in a :revious li4el case agains %im; and %a Belen %ad a
L:ower com:leCL.
0))7B:
AG1 Belen is guily o! gross ignorance o! %e law !or ciing Baculi in indirec
conem:.
?BL*:
/B)N )us:ended !or & mon%s X )ern warning.
RA305:
#ross 0gnorance o! %e Law
0ndirec conem: is any im:ro:er conduc ending; direcly or indirecly; o
im:ede; o4sruc; or degrade %e adminisraion o! @usice. 3%e scurrilous and
conumacious saemens consiue direc conem: 4ecause i is e"uivalen o
mis4e%avior commied in %e :resence o! or so near a cour or @udge as o inerru:
%e adminisraion o! @usice. Bu suc% is no %e reason !or indirec conem:. And
even i! suc% saemens were considered as indirec conem:; Belen did no !ollow
59 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
%e :ro:er :rocedure under %e Rules o! Cour. 3%is sreng%ens %e 5CALs !indings
%a Belen is grossly ignoran o! 4asic :rocedure.
7n!amiliariy wi% %e Rules o! Cour is a sign o! incom:eence. Basic
:rocedural rules mus 4e a %e :alm o! %is %ands. A%en %e law is so elemenary;
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 consiues gross ignorance o! %e law; !rom w%ic% no one is eCcused; and
surely no a @udge li-e Belen.
=ARIANO @+ >UDGE NACIONAL
Facs:
3%is is an adminisraive com:lain !or gross ine!!iciency; gross ignorance o!
%e law; derelicion o! duy and violaion o! @udicial conduc semming !rom an acion
!or e@ecmen.
0n %e e@ecmen :roceeding; 9udge 1acional issued a :re8rial order daed
)e:. 3; 2224 re"uiring %e :aries o !ile %eir res:ecive :osiion :a:ers on )e:. 32;
2224 IwGc %e :aries com:lied wi%J. 1acional su4se"uenly issued an order daed
*ec. 2,; 2224 re"uiring :aries o su4mi %eir res:ecive Ememoranda in %e !orm o! a
cour decisionF w%ic% %e :aries com:lied wi%. 3%e case was evenually decided 4y
1acional on Fe4. 14; 2225.
Com:lain alleges %a %e issuance o! %e *ec. 2,; 2224 order violaed %e
:ro%i4iion on memoranda 4y %e Revised Rules on )ummary 6rocedure and %a
1acional violaed %e Rules w%en %e decided %e case only on Fe4. 14; 2225 I13&
days !rom %e dae re"uired 4y lawJ.
9udge 1acional admis %a %e eCceeded %e maCimum :eriod allowed under
%e Revised Rules and o!!ered %e !ollowing eCcuses: I1J "ualiy o! decision %ad
:rioriy over com:liance wG reglemenary :dK I2J %eavy caseloadK and I3J documens
were voluminous.
0ssue:
AG1 1acional violaed 4asic :rocedure and code o! @udicial conducH
?eld:
/es; %e is !ined 642$ !or gross ignorance o! %e law and :rocedure; 622$
!or violaion o! Canons 3 D & ICode o! 9udicial ConducJ and 612$ !or violaions o!
C6R
3%e urgency o! resoring social order is %e :aramoun consideraion in
seling unlaw!ul deainer and !orci4le enry cases. 3%e necessiy o! :rom:ly
resolving unlaw!ul deainer and !orci4le enry cases is made more im:eraive 4y
eC:ress :rovisions o! %e :eriods o! rendiion o! @udgmen I32 days a!er recei: o! %e
a!!idavis and :osiion :eriod; or eC:iraion o! %e :eriod !or %e !iling %e same U
R5CGRules o! )ummary 6rocedureJ. Corollarily; )ec 5 o! Canon & o! Code o! 9udicial
Conduc mandaes @udges o :er!orm all @udicial duies e!!icienly; !airly and wi%
reasona4le :rom:ness. 3%e @usi!icaions 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
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 eCension o! %e deadline.
Failure o a::ly elemenary rules o! :rocedure consiues gross ignorance o!
%e law and :rocedure. Lac- o! malice or good !ai% will no eConerae 1acional
4ecause %e rules violaed were 4asic :rocedural law. All %e %ad o do was a::ly
%em; 4u %e c%ose no o. 0 is seled %a one w%o acce:s %e :osiion o! @udge
owes %e :u4lic and %e cour %e a4iliy o 4e :ro!icien in %e law and %e duy o
mainain %e :ro!essional com:eence a all imes. Com:eence and diligence are
:rere"uisies o %e due :er!ormance o! @udicial o!!ice. I1oe: leng% o! service does
no miigae adminisraive :enalyJ
CANEDA @+ =ENCHA@EA
Facs:
Com:lainan Ay. Caneda is counsel !or de!endan >irginia #u+man; in Civil
Case $oberto Borromeo ". ?eirs of Kuan Borromeo; !or @udicial :ariion :ending wi%
9udge 'ec%anve+<s sala.
*uring %e *ec. 14; 2225 %earing o! said :ariion case; %e moion o
segregae %e in%eriance s%ares o! one o! %e :laini!!s; Ro4ero Borromeo was due
o 4e a-en u:. *uring %e %earing; %e de!endans agreed o a :ariion su4@ec o
:laini!!<s wi%drawal o! a moion !or reconsideraion i !iled 4e!ore %e )C o clear one
o! %e areas Isu4@ec o :ariionJ o! s"uaers. Because %e :laini!! could no wi%draw
%e 'R 4e!ore %e )C; Ay. Caneda suggesed mediaion. 9udge 'enc%ave+ 4lured
ou Enever mind mediaion; walay %inundan na.F
A%en 9udge 'enc%ave+ c%ec-ed on %e :rogress o! %e case; Ay. Caneda
remar-ed i was 4eing delayed 4ecause no :ro:er summons %ad 4een served on %e
de!endans w%o were residing ouside %e counry. 'enc%ave+ reaced angrily and
4anged %is gavel D s%oued E0 said no :u4licaion :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 %olsered %andgun and smas%ed i on %e a4le; as %e
angrily s%oued a Ay. Caneda E7nsay guso nimoH /awaN #a%ig uloNF
Ay. Caneda !iled a com:lain agains 9udge 'enc%ave+ alleging %a %e
9udge<s ac o! c%allenging %im inside %e courroom 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+ overse::ed %e norms o! :ro:riey demanded o! a
mem4er o! %e 4enc% 4y losing %is cool and uering inem:erae language during %e
%earing.
0n %e courroom; a lawyer ma-es su4missions 4e!ore a @udge w%ose role is
o %ear and consider %e su4missions; and su4se"uenly rule on %e maer. 0 is no a
siuaion 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
insead o! :roceeding in a manner %a invied !ur%er argumens. Ay. Caneda also
51 ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena
erred w%en %e coninued o argue des:ie 9udge 'enc%ave+<s ruling. ?owever;
'enc%ave+ s%ould %ave direced %e com:lainan o wind u: %is argumens under
:ain o! direc conem: i! %e :ersised in %is argumens. *irec conem: is no
en!orced 4y %e @udge<s ac o! 4ringing ou o! %is wea:on and as-ing counsel %e
direc "uesion Ew%a do you wanHF 3%is con!ronaional manner %as no :lace in our
:resen @usice sysem. 3%ere are agens o! %e law; o!!icers o! %e cour D %e :olice
w%o can 4e called u:on o im:lemen conem: orders D resore order as needed.
9udge 'enc%ave+<s overreacing 4y 4ringing ou a gun !or everyone :resen
in %e cour o see; even !or :ur:oses o! mainaining order and decorum in cour; is
ineCcusa4le in %e a4sence o! over acs o! :%ysical aggression 4y a :ary 4e!ore %e
cour. A%ile %e 1ew Code o! 9udicial Conduc re"uires a magisrae o mainain
order and decorum in %e cour; %e Code isel! ses is limis Ias :rovided !or 4y )ec.
& o! Canon &J w%erein %e @udge h$(sel' mus o4serve decorum 4y acing wi% digniy
and couresy o all %ose :resen in %e courroom. 9udges are demanded o 4e
always em:erae; :aien; and coureous 4o% in conduc and in language.
SUAREA @+ DILAG
Facs:
)uare+ !iled adminisraive com:lains 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 collecing 632$ !rom liigans in
consideraion o! !avora4le @udgmens in cases !or annulmen or declaraion o! nulliy
o! marriage. )uare+ !ur%er :oined ou %e eCisence o! con!licing decisions rendered
4y 9udge *ilar I6anc%o Case; 3om4oc Case; del Rosario Case w%ic% were all
:reviously dismissed 4u su4se"uenly reo:ened %e case and graned %e :eiionJ.
A!er re!erral o an invesigaion o!!icer; %e 0nvesigaing 9usice !ound 9udge *ilag
lia4le !or I1J gross misconduc !or singing con!licing 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 adminiser su:ervision over %is sa!! w%en a !a-e regisry
reurn recei: was e!!eced in Caya4ya4 Case and enries o! @udgmen were e!!eced
in 'oreno Case D *inoso v. Cor:u+. 6ascua was !ound guily o! gra! and corru:ion.
0ssue:
AG1 9udge *ilag s%ould 4e %eld lia4leH
?eld:
/es; 9udge *ilag is dismissed !rom service; wi% !or!eiure o! all reiremen
4ene!is; eCcluding accrued leave 4ene!is and dis"uali!icaion !rom reinsaemen or
a::oinmen o any :u4lic o!!ice.
A @udge is %e em4odimen o! com:eence; inegriy; and inde:endence o u:%old and
mainain :u4lic con!idence in %e legal sysem. 3%us; w%ile %e is eC:eced o -ee:
a4reas o! develo:mens 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
:eiion !or declaraion o! nulliy on %e ground o! :syc%ological inca:aciy w%en *ilag
%ad already dismissed wi% :re@udice %e !irs :eiion involving %e same :aries;
issues; and causes o! acion wi% %a o! %e !irs :eiionJ. 1o every error is indicaive
o! ignorance; !or i! commied in good !ai%; no adminisraive sancion is im:osed.
#ood !ai%; %owever; in%eres only wi%in %e :arameers 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
adminisraively lia4le !or gross ignorance o! %e law and :rocedure I*uring
"uesioning; *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 Ciy 6rosecuor relaive o
%e invesigaion o deermine collusion 4eween %e :aries as re"uired under )ec. .
o! %e Rule on *eclaraion o! A4solue 1ulliy 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 :aen as o
:roduce an in!erence o! 4ad !ai%. 3%e acs com:lained o! mus no only 4e conrary
o eCising law and @uris:rudence; 4u were also moivaed 4y 4ad !ai%; !raud;
dis%onesy; and corru:ion. For o %old a @udge adminisraively accouna4le !or ever
erroneous order or decision %e renders would 4e inolera4le. 0n %e case a 4ar; %ere
was no allegaion w%asoever %a *ilag was moivaed 4y 4ad !ai%; malice or
corru:ion w%en %e issued %e :remaure warran o! arres. Be %a as i may; %e
Cour %olds %im adminisraively lia4le !or %is u#'a($l$ar$"y wi% %e rules on %e
conduc o! :relim invesigaions. 9udges s%ould 4e conversan wi% 4asic legal norms
and :rece:s as well as wi% %e saues and :rocedural rules. 3%ey are eC:eced o
!ollow develo:mens in %e law and o a::ly %em. ?aving acce:ed %e eCaled
:osiion 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 digniy o! %e cour %e sis 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:eence.
5, ; Bloc- C 2212
9usice ?o!ilena

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