CASE%NO.
%18% % The% practice% of% law% is% not% a% vested% right% but% a% privilege% clothed% with%
IN%RE:%ATTY.%MARCIAL%EDILLON%
AC91928%,%August%3,%1978%
Castro,(CJ(
% authorizes% the% SC% to% adopt% rules% of% courts% to% effect% integration% of% the% PH% bar%
FACTS:%%
Atty.%Marcial%Edillon%is%a%duly%licensed%practicing%lawyer%in%the%PH.%IBP%
Board%of%Governers%recommended%her%removal%of%name%from%Roll%of%Attorneys%
for%stubborn%refusal%to%pay%his%membership%dues%to%the%IBP%since%their%notice.%
IBP,% through% Pres.% Neri,% submitted% to% the% Court% the% resolution% for%
consideration%and%approval%which%states:%%If(the(delinquency(further(continues,(
the( Board( shall( promptly( inquire( into( the( cause& or& causes& of( the( continued(
delinquency(and(take(whatever(action(it(shall(deem(appropriate%Court%required%
Edillon%to%comment%on%the%resolution%%he%submitted%comment%%IBP%required%
to% reply% comment.% Hearing% was% set% and% the% parties% were% required% to% submit%
memoranda%in%amplification%of%their%oral%arguments.%
%A% scrutiny% of% Edillons% pleadings% would% show% that% propriety% and%
necessity% of% the% IBP% are% in% essence% conceded.% Sec.% 10% of% the% RULE% 139HA%%
sanctions% the% nonHpayment% of% dues% (% 6% month% delinquency% shall% warrant%
suspension% of% membership% in% the% IBP.% Sec.% 1% % establishes% the% organization.%
Sec.%9%%establishes%the%membership%and%dues.%%
EDILLON% aver% that% the% provisions% are% 1)% invasion% of% his% constitutional%
rights%that%he%is%being%compelled%to%pay%dues%to%maintain%his%status%as%lawyer%
in% good% standing% and% 2)% questions% the% jurisdiction% of% the% Court% to% strike% his%
name%from%the%roll%of%attorneys%;%saying%that%it%is%not%a%justiciable%case%but%an%
administrative%one.%%
Similar%to%the%case%of%In%Re:%Ozaeta%%IBP%is%perfectly%constitutional%and%
legally% unobjectionable.% INTEGRATED% BAR% % a% State9organized% Bar% to% which%
every% lawyer% must% belong% to% % process% by% which% every% member% of% Bar% is%
afforded%an%opportunity% to% do% his% share% in%carrying%out%the%objectives%of%the%
Bar%;%OFFICIAL%national%body%of%which%all%lawyers%are%required%to%be%members.%
They% are% subject% to% all% the% rules% prescribed% for% the% governance% of% the% bar% %
reasonable%annual%fee%and%adherence%to%ethics.%%
%
ISSUE:% Whether% or% not% the% failure% of% Edillon% to% pay% his% dues% is% a% ground% for%
disbarment%
%
HELD:%%YES.%Marcial%Edillon%is%DISBARRED%and%ordered%stricken%from%the%Roll%of%
Attorneys%of%the%Court%%
public%interest%b/c%a%lawyer%owes%substantial%duties%not%only%to%his%clients,%but%
also% to% his% % brethren% in% the% profession,% the% courts,% and% the% nation.% % They%
administer%justice.%RA% 6397% is%enacted%for%the%IBP%and%appropriating%funds.%It%
under% conditions% it% shall% see% fit.% This% is% to% raise% the% standards% of% the% legal%
profession,% improve% the% administration% of% justice,% and% enable% the% bar% to%
discharge% its% public% resp% more% effectively.% PD% No.% 181% instituted% the%
Constitution%of%the%IBP%to%a%body%corporate.%%
% The%State,%in%order%to%promote%general%welfare,%may%interfere%with%and%
regulate% personal% liberty,% property,% and% occupations.% SALUS% POPULI% EST%
SUPREME%LEX%%the%public%welfare%is%the%supreme%law.%%
% Sec.%5(5)%of%Article%X%of%the%1973%Consti%provides%that%the%Courts%have%
the% authority% to% promulgate% rules% in% the% practice% of% the% bar.% To% compel% a%
lawyer%to%be%a%member%of%the%IBP%is%NOT%VIOLATIVE%OF%HIS%CONSTI%FREEDOM%
TO%ASSOCIATE.%One%becomes%a%part%of%the%Bar%upon%passing%the%Bar%exam.%Bar%
integration% does% not% compel% the% lawyer% to% associate% with% anyone.% ONLY%
compulsion%is%to%pay%annual%fees.%
% POLICE%POWER%annual%fees%%they%may%promulgate%rules%they%deem%
fit%%it%is%a%regulatory%measure%designed%to%raise%funds%for%the%carrying%out%of%
the%objectives%and%purposes%of%the%integration%%
% There% is% no% deprivation% of% property% without% due% process.% Practice% of%
law%is%not%a%property%right%%but%a%MERE%PRIVILEGE.%%
% It% is% the% duty% of% the% courts% to% strike% out% names% from% the% Roll% of%
Attorneys.%An%inherent%judicial%function%and%responsibility.%%
% %
JTVS%|%1M%|%Legal%Ethics%Case%Digests%Batch%3%%
CASE%NO.%19% % Membership% and% financial% support% is% a% sine% qua% non% condition%
In%re:%Arevalo% topractice% law% and% for% the% retention% of% the% name% in% the% Roll% of% Attorneys.%
BM%no.%1370%,%May%9,%2005% Nothing% in% the% Constitution% that% prohibits% the% Court% to% pay% a% reasonable% fee%
Chico<Nazario,(J.(( toward%defraying%expenses.%%
% % Dues% are% exactions% for% regulations.% Exercising% police% power% of% the%
FACTS:%% State.%It%is%a%necessary%consequence%of%membership%in%the%IBP.%Nothing%in%the%
% Atty.% Cecilo% Y.% Arevalo,% Jr% % sought% exemption% from% payment% of% IBP% law%or%rules%allow%exemption%from%payment%of%membership%dues.%%
dues% in% the% amount% of% 12% 035% PESOS% as% an% alleged% accountability% for% years% % %
197792005.%He%alleged%that%after%being%admitted%to%the%bar,%he%became%a%part%
of% the% Philippine% Civil% Service% from% July% 196291986% ,% migrated% and% worked% in%
the%US%until%retirement%in%2003.%He%said%that%he%cannot%be%assessed%IBP%dues%
for% they% ears% that% he% was% working% with% Phil% Civil% Service% because%they%were%
not%allowed%to%practice%law%concurrently.%%
% The%letter%was%sent%to%IBP%for%comment.%IBP%replied%that%memberhip%is%
NOT% BASED% on% actual% practice% of% law% % continues% to% be% a% part% of% the% Roll% of%
Attorneys%as%long%as%he%continues%to%be%part%of%IBP,%one%obli%as%a%member%is%to%
pay%annual%dues%as%determined%by%the%IBP%board%.%Sections%9%&10%of%Rule%139H
A%of%the%Rules%of%Court%impose%this%%validity%of%imposing%dues%has%been%upheld%
as%necessary%to%defray%cost%of%an%IBP%Program%%policy%of%NO%EXEMPTION%from%
payment%is%an%implementation%of%the%Courts%directives%for%all%members.%%
% What%Arevalo%could%have%done%was%to%inform%the%secretary%of%the%IBP%
of%his%intention%to%stay%abroad%so%that%he%can%withdraw%his%membership%in%the%
IBP.% Arevalo% contends% that% he% is% questioning% the% non9exemption% rule% of%
whether% or% not% they% are% engaged% in% active% or% inactive% practice.% He% also% avers%
that% he% is% suffering% from% constitutional% infirmities% like% the% equal% protection%
clause% and% due% process% clause.% He% states% that% compulsory% payment% is% highly%
oppressive%considering%he%was%inactive.%%
%
ISSUE:%Whether%or%not%Arevalo%is%entitled%to%an%exemption%from%payment%of%his%
dues%during%the%time%he%was%inactive%
%
HELD:% Arevalos% request% for% exemption% is% denied% and% he% is% ordered% to% pay%
12035%pesos%within%10%days%
% An%integrated%bar%is%a%state9organized%bar%to%which%every%lawyer%must%
belong% as% distinguished% from% bar% associations% organized% by% lawyers.% It% is% a%
process%where%every%member%of%the%bar%is%afforded%an%opp%to%do%his%shares%in%
carrying%out%the%objectives%of%the%bar.%IBP%is%the%official%unification%of%the%entire%
lawyer%population%%

JTVS%|%1M%|%Legal%Ethics%Case%Digests%Batch%3%%
CASE%NO.%20%% Also,%Rule%18.03%%a%laywer%shall%not%neglect%a%legal%matter%entrusted%
EDUARDO%AND%TERESITA%GARCIA%V.%ATTY.%ROLANDO%S.%BALA% to% him% and% his% negligence% in% connection% therewith% shall% render% him% liable.%
AC%NO.%5039,%November%25,%2005% Once%%a%lawyer%agrees%to%take%up%the%cause%of%a%client,%they%owe%fidelity%to%the%
%Panganiban,(J.( cause% and% must% always% be% mindful% of% the% trust% and% confidence.% BALA% FAILED%
( TO% CHAMPION% THE% CAUSE% OF% HIS% CLIENTS% WHOLEHEARTEDLY.% He% did% not%
FACTS:% familiarize%himself%with%the%correct%procedural%remedy.%%
% Spouses% Eduardo% and% Teresita% Garcia% filed% a% Letter9Complain% against% Moreover,% Atty.% Bala% evaded% complaints,% refused% to% update% them% on%
Atty.%Rolando%S.%Bala%because%he%failed%to%render%a%legal%service%contracted%% appeal% and% misled% them% as% to% his% wherabaouts.% He% also% uttered% invectives% at%
the%preparation%of%a%petition%for%review%that%he%was%to%file%with%CA%for%a%DARAB% them%when%they%visited%him%for%an%update%of%the%case.%%
case.%%Bala%refuses%to%returen%9200%pesos%legal%fees%that%they%had%paid%him%for% CANON%7:%A%lawyer%shall%at%all%times%uphold%the%integrity%and%dignity%
the%purpose.%He%allegedly%hurdled%incentives.%% of%the%profession.%Lawyers%may%be%disciplined%for%any%conduct%that%is%wanting%
% Court%asked%him%to%comment%but%FAILED%to%comply.%%Therefore,%it%was% in%morality,%honesty,%probity,%and%good%demeanor.%% %
presumed%that%his%right%to%be%heard%had%been%waived.%% He%ignored%the%Courts%order%to%file%his%comment%%never%acknowledge%
% Report%of%investigating%Commissioner:%IBP9CBD%Commissioner%Herbosa% or% offer% any% excuse% for% his% noncompliance.% His% conduct% manifests% his%
found%Bala%guilty%of%violating%the%Code%of%Professional%Responsibility.%He%did% disrespect% of% judicial% authorities.% Did% not% bother% to% speak% a% word% in% his%
not% submit% a% position% paper% nor% appeared% at% any% of% the% hearings.% Case% was% defense.%%
decided%based%on%complainants%evidence.%Herbosa%found%that%spouses%Garcia% Bala% should% return% the% money.% His% legal% services% wer% nullified% % by% his%
engaged% the% service% of% Bala% to% appeal% to% the% CA% the% adverse% decision% of% recourse% to% the% wrong% remedy.% Legal% fees% were% not% commensurate% to% the%
DARAB.%Instead,%he%erroneously%filed%a%NOTICE%OF%APPEAL%with%DARAB.%Rule% services%rendered!%A%full%refund%is%asked.%As%much%as%he%deserves.%%
43%of%RoC%states%that%it%should%be%field%with%CA%through%a%verified%petition%for% %
review.% Herbosa% did% not% credit% that% the% garcias% were% deceived.% Respondent% %
should%be%sanctioned%for%his%unjustified%refusal%and%failure%to%return%the%money% % %
paid.% He% failed% to% return% it% even% if% he% promised% he% would.% Additional% fine% of%
5000%pesos%is%also%recommended.%
% IBP% Board% of% Governors% recommends% that% just% return% the% money% and%
be%reprimanded%and%suspended%from%the%practice%of%law%for%6%months.%%
%
ISSUE:%Whether%or%not%Atty.%Bala%should%be%reprimanded%
%
HELD:%YES.%Atty.%Bala%is%suspended%from%the%practice%of%law%for%6%months%for%
negligence% and% conduct% unbecoming% of% a% lawyer,% with% warning% against%
repetition% of% similar% offenses% and% ordered% to% pay% 9200% pesos% with% legal%
interests%%
% Practice%of%law%is%a%privilege%bestowed%by%the%State%on%those%who%show%
that%they%possessed%and%continue%to%posses%the%legal%qualifications%for%it.%They%
must%perform%the%duty%to%the%society,%legal%profession,%courts%and%clients.%
He% violated% Rule% 18.02% % a% lawyer% shall% not% handle% any% legal% matter% without%
adequate%preparation.%%

JTVS%|%1M%|%Legal%Ethics%Case%Digests%Batch%3%%
CASE%NO.%22%
In%the%matter%of%the%petition%for%disbarment%of%Telesforo%A.%Diao%v.%Severino%
Martinez%
Adm%Case%No.%244%,March%29,%1963%
Bengzon,(CJ.(
(
FACTS:%
% Telesforo% A.% Diao% was% admitted% to% the% bar% in% 1953.% Two% years% later,%
Severino% Martinez% charged% him% for% having% FALSELY% REPRESENTED% HIS%
APPLICATION% FOR% THE% BAR% % saying% that% he% had% the% requisite% academic%
qualifications.%It%was%found%that%He%DID%NOT%COMPLETE%HIS%HS%TRAINING%and%
that%he%NEVER%attended%Quisumbing%College%%never%obtained%AA%diploma.%No%
pre9legal%education.%
% Diao% admits% that% he% did% not% complete% his% hs% training% but% claims% that%
although% he% left% school% during% 3rd% year% hs,% he% entered% the% service% of% the% US%
army,%passed%the%General%Classification%Test%given%and%is%an%equivalent%of%a%hs%
diploma.%%
%
ISSUE:%Whether%or%not%Diao%falsified%his%qualifications%for%the%admission%to%the%
bar%
%
HELD:%YES.%His%name%shall%be%stricken%from%the%roll%of%attorneys%and%required%
to%return%his%lawyers%diploma%within%30%days.%
% The% SC% had% doubts% about% the% validity% of% the% claims.% Diao% never%
obtained% AA% from% Quisumbing% college% yet% his% application% for% exam%
represented% him% as% an% AA% graduate.% He% then% asserted% that% he% acquired% the%
degree%from%Arellano%Univ%but%erroneously%certified.%%
% Explanation%is%NOT%acceptable.%Thus,%Diao%was%not%qualified%to%take%the%
bar% ;% his% false% representations% allowed% him% to% take% it% and% pass% it.% FALSE%
PRETENSES%MUST%BE%REVOKED%%
% Passing( such( examinations( is( not( the( only( qualification( to( become( an(
atty<at<law(;(taking(the(prescribed(courses(of(legal(study(in(the(regular(manner(
is(equally(essential.((
( (

JTVS%|%1M%|%Legal%Ethics%Case%Digests%Batch%3%%
CASE%NO.%23% %
JOSE%TOLOSA%V.%ALFREDO%CARGO% ISSUE:%Whether%or%not%Atty.%Cargo%is%guilty%of%immorality%
Adm.%Case%No.%2385%,%March%8,%1989% %
Feliciano,(J.(( HELD:%NO.%SC%resolved%to%reprimand%Cargo%for%conduct%unbecoming%a%member%
( of% the% bar% and% and% officer% of% the% court,% and% to% WARN% him% that% the%
FACTS:% continuation%of%the%same%or%similar%conduct%will%be%dealt%more%severely%in%the%
% Jose% Tolosa% % filed% with% the% % SC% An% affidavit9complaint% seeking% for% the% future%
disbarment%of%respondent%District%Citizens%Att.%Alfredo%Cargo%for%immorality.% % SC% agreed% withSol9Gen% that% the% record% does% not% contain% sufficient%
HE%claimed%that%Cargo%was%seeing%his%wife,%Priscilla%M.%Tolosoa%in%his%house%and% evidence% to%show%that%respondent%had%indeed%been%cohabiting%with%his%wife.%
elsewhere.%He%also%said%that%wife%left%his%conjugal%home%and%went%to%live%with% They%do%not%agree%that%he%should%be%suspended.%% %
him%in%Malabon.%CARGO% DENIED%ALL%THE%ALLEGATIONS.%He%admitted%that%he% % SC%agrees%that%Cargo%should%be%reprimanded%for%failure%to%comply%with%
was%seeing%the%wife%but%it%was%done%in%the%course%of%seeking(advice(in(view(of( rigorous%standards%of%conduct%for%members%of%the%Bar.%%
cruelty( and( unwarranted( marital( accusations( (maltreatment,% physical% injuries% % Lawyers% must% not% only% in% fact% be% of% good% moral% character% but% must%
and% public% humiliation)% .% Even% the% mother9in9;;aw% had% also% frequently% sought% also% be% seen% to% be% of% good% moral% character% and% lives% in% acc% with% the% highest%
advice.%% moral%standards%of%the%community.%%
% TOLOSA% replied%and%said%that%Priscilla%was%not%the%only%mistress,%that% % %
he%paid%for%her%medical%bills,%that%he%pressed%wife%to%not%see%him%but%refused%to%
do%so,%that%wife%can%buy%stuff%she%cannot%afford,%and%that%Cargo%was%paying%for%
the%rental%of%the%house.%%
% CARGO%filed%a%rejoinder%denying%all%the%allegations%of%the%complainant%
saying% that% he% only% gave% 35% pesos% by% way% of% financial% assistance% during% her%
confinement.%%
% SOLHGEN% INVESTIGATED.% Sol9Gen% reaffirmed% that% complainants%
statement%and%added%that%there%have%been%incidents%involving%the%2%that%were%
brought% the% attention% of% the% police.% On% the% other% hand,% Cargo% added% that%he%
was% not% courting% Priscilla,% that% she% had% been% living% with% a% friend.% SOLHGEN%
FOUND% THAT%%Jose%and%Tolosa%are%husband%and%wife,%that%wife%of%CARGO%is%
their%ninang%during%their%wedding%therefore%ATTY.%CARGO%IS%A%NINONG,%that%
they% were% neighbors% and% lived% one% house% a% part,% that% Priscilla% see% Cargo% for%
legal%advice,%she%lives%with%a%friend,%acquired%stuff%with%her%earnings.%
% SolHgen% found% that% CHARGES% FOR% IMMORALITY% WERE% NOT%
SUSTAINED%BY%SUFFICIENT%EVIDENCE.%However,%Sol9Gen%also%found%that%Cargo%
had%not%been%able%to%explain%satisfactorily%:%his%failure%to%avoid%seeing%Priscilla,%
how%Priscilla%could%pay%for%apartment,%not%avoiding%going%to%Malabon.%%
% Cargo%failed%to(properly(deport(himself(by(avoiding(any(possible(action(
or(behavior(which(may(be(interpreted(by(complainant,(thereby(causing(possible(
trouble(in(complainants(family.(((
% Sol9Gen%recommended%=%Cargo%be%suspended%from%practice%of%law%for%
3%months%and%be%severely%reprimanded.%%
JTVS%|%1M%|%Legal%Ethics%Case%Digests%Batch%3%%
CASE%NO.%24%
LIM%SE%AND%BENITO%LIM%V.%HON.%MANUEL%A.%ARGEL%
No.%L942800,%April%7,%1976%
Aquino,(J.(
( SIMULATED% AND% FRAUDULENT% SALE% OF% THE% BUILDING% TO% JUANA% SAN%
FACTS:%
% Atty.% Homobono% Adaza% filed% a% motion% to% lift% the% write% of% preliminary%
mandatory% injunction% which% he% had% no% legal% or% factual% basis% and% unjust% and%
constitutes%a%serious%miscarriage%of%justice.%He%committed%direct%contempt%of%
court%or%contempt%in%facie%curiae.%
% LIM% SE% AND% BENITO% LIM% alleged% that% from% 196591970% Lim% Se% leased%
from% Venancia% Chiombon% through% her% atty9in9fact% Francisco% San% Pedro.%
Ground%floor%of%building%in%session%road%in%Baguio.%%
% Lease%expired%in%1970,%Lim%Se%leased%the%SAME% premises%from%Estate%
of%Florencio%Reyes%Sr%from%197191973.%It%was%also%alleged%that%an%interpleader%
action% instituted% by% Lim% Se% and% other% tenants% of% Venancia% bldg.% AGAINST%
ESTATE%OF%REYES%%owner%of%the%lot%and%claimed%to%have%become%the%owner%of%
the%building.%%
% 1974,% Lim% Se% and% Benito% Lim% leased% from% estate% of% Reyes% Sr.% thru% its%
special%admin,%Florencio%Reyes%Jr.%the%same%premises%for%3%years.%%
% On% the% other% hand,% Genaro% Bulotano,% claimed% to% have% purchased% the%
building% from% Juana% San% Pedro9Ocampo.% .% he% filed% an% action% in% CFI% Cavity%
against%Lim%Se,%estate%of%Reyes%Sr.,%Juana%SP9Ocampo%and%Remedios%Sarmiento%
for% recovery% of% rentals% and% damages% in% connection% with% their% occupancy% in%
the%Venancia%bldg..%%
% While%waiting%for%Cavite%CFI,%he%filed%in%Caloocan%CFI%against%Juana%San%
Pedro9Ocampo% and% Francisco% San% Pedro% an% action% to% recover% possession% of%
Venancia%building%leased%by%Lim%Se%and%Benito%lim%and%rentals%and%damages%
amounting%to%94,800%pesos.%%Not%filed%in%BAGUIO.%
% The% San% Pedros% thereafter% filed% against% Lim% Se% and% Benito% Lim% an%
unverified% 3rd% party% complaint% praying% that% they% be% ordered% to% vacate% the%
ground%floor%and%pay%rentals%worth%71200%pesos.%Lim%Se%and%Benito%Lim%filed%a%
motion%to%dismiss%on%the%ground%of%improper%venue.%%
% Ocampo% and% San% Pedro% filed% urgent% motion% for% summary% judgment.%
DEED% OF% SALE% :% it% was% stated% that% the% building% was% constructed% on% two% lots%
registered%under%Reyes%but%under%litigation%in%a%civil%case.%%
% Lower% court% directed% that% the% case% would% continue% for% assessment% of%
damages%from%Lim%Se%and%Benito%Lim.%
% San% Pedros% filed% a% motion% for% execution% saying% that% the% appeal% was%
frivolous%and%dilatory.%%They%called%the%attention%of%the%lower%courts%to%the%fact%
that%the%lots%where%Venancia%building%was%constructed%were%registered%under%
Reyes.% It% was% alleged% that% Chiombon% and% son% San% Pedro% executed% a%
PEDROHOCAMPO% IN% ORDER% TO% PREVENT% THE% BUILDING% FROM% BECOMING%
LIM%SES%property.%%
% Lower% court% ejected% Sarmiento% and% Zabala.% Lim% Se% and% Benito% Lim%
alleged% that% the% writ% of% possession% was% consummated% EVEN% before% their%
counsel% had% received% a% copy% of% the% order% .% They% praeyed% for% an% unjuction% to%
stuop% the% court% from% further% hearing% the% case% and% to% order% sheriff% to% restore%
them%the%possession%of%the%premises%in%question.Respondents%asked%to%answer%
petition%and%they%did%so.%
% ATTY.% ADAZA% made%it%appear%that%all%the%respondents%moved%for%the%
lifting% of% the% injuction% GAVE% THE% IMPRESSION% THAT% JUDGE% PARTICIPATED% IN%
THE%MOTION.%%%
% A(judge(in(his(official(capacity(should(not(be(made(to(appear(as(a(party(
seeking( a( reversal( of( an( Appellate( Courts( unfavorable( action( on( his( order( or(
decision.(Injuction%lacked%factual%and%legal%basis%which%brought%about%a%serious%
miscarriage%of%justice.%%
% Petitioners% claimed% that% the% write% was% enforced% in% a% most% cruel% and%
oppressive% manner% and% Court% acted% without% jurisdiction.% Atty.% Adaza% never%
appeared%in%the%lower%court%and%acted%INDEPENDENTLY%OF%both%San%Pedros%
and%Ocampos%;awywer%fo;ed%a%motion%to%lift%the%injuction%
%
ISSUE:%Whether%or%not%Atty.%Adaza%%be%cited%for%contempt%
%
HELD:%Yes.%Guilty%of%direct%contempt%%reprimanded%and%warned%%
% An% unbiased% lawyer% would% not% rashly% jump% to% erroneous% conclusion%
that% the% mandatory% injuction% was% bereft% of% any% factual% and% legal% basis.% His%
characterization% of% the% mandatory% injuction% is% unjust% and% a% miscarriage% of%
justice.%Devoid%of%factual%and%legal%basis.%He%treated%a%resolution%of%the%court%
as% if% it% were% a% pleading% of% the% adversary.% His% unjustified% and% disrespectful%
characterization%carries%with%it%obvious%derogatory%implications%of%innuendos%
% %
JTVS%|%1M%|%Legal%Ethics%Case%Digests%Batch%3%%
CASE%NO.%25% % LIM% filed% an% answer% stating% that% Inting% ABANDONED% his% client% and%
CERINA%B.%LIKONG%V.%ATTY.%ALEXANDER%H.%LIM% Aumentado% DID% NOT% ACTIVELY% PARTICIPATE% IN% THE% CASE.% Lim% states% that% he%
AC%NO.%3149,%AUGUST%17,%1994% first%instructed%Likong%to%notify%her%lawyers%but%was%informed%that%the%lawyers%
Padilla,(J.(( abandoned%her.%Likong%denied%that%she%had%been%abandoned%by%her%lawyers.%
% % SC% Noted% that% the% terms% of% the% compromise% was% grossly% loaded% in%
FACTS:% favor%of%YAP.%It%was%increased%from%92100%to%150%000%pesos%%75%%interest%per%
% Cerina%Likong%filed%an%admin%case%against%Alexander%Lim%seeking%for%his% annum.%Terms%of%the%compromise%is%prejudicial%to%Likong.%%
disbarment%for%alleged%malpractice%and%grave%misconduct.%Likong%obtained%a% %
loan% of% 92,1000% pesos% from% a% certainGeesnell% Yap.% He% executed% a% promissory% ISSUE:%Whether%or%not%Atty.%Alexander%H.%Lim%failed%to%live%up%to%the%duties%and%
note% in% favor% of% Yap% and% a% deed% of% assignment,% assigning% Yap% penson% checks% responsibilties%of%the%legal%profession%%
which%he%regularly%receives%from%the%US.%Stated%that%IT%IS%IRREVOCABLE%UNTIL% %
THE%LOAN%IS%FULLY%PAID%.%% % HELD:%YES.%He%is%suspended%from%the%practice%of%law%for%1%year.%
% LIKONG% executed%a%special%power%of%attorney%authorizing%YAP%to%get,% % There% is% no% showing% that% Lim% even% tried% to% inform% the% opposing%
demand,%collect%and%receive%her%pension%checks%from%post%office%in%Tagbiliran% counsel%of%the%compromise%agreement.%He%saw%this%as%an%opportunity%to%take%
city.%Such%documents%were%prepared%by%ALEXANDER%H.%LIM%%Yaps%counsel.%% advantage% of% the% situation% and% as% a% result,% compro% agreement% is% grossly% and%
% Three%months%after%executing%the%%SPA,%Likong%informed%Tagbiliran%City% patently%disadvantageous%and%prejudicial%to%complainant.%%
Post% office% that% she% was% revoking% the% SPA.% Thus,% Yap% filed% a% complaint% for% % Its%violative%of%CANON%9%of%Code%of%Professional%Ethics%and%RULE%1.01%,%
INJUNCTION%with%damages%against%Likong.%Lim%was%counsel%for%YAP%and%Inting% RULE% 8.02,% Rule% 15.03% % a% lawyer% shall% not% represent% conflicting% interests%
and%Aumentado%appeared%for%LIKONG.%% % except%by%written%consent%of%all%concerned%given%after%a%full%disclosure%of%facts.%%
% In% a% preliminary% injunction,% Likong% was% restrained% from% getting% her% % He%is%guilty%of%malpractice%and%grave%misconduct%%
pension%checks.%Yap%then%filed%an%urgent%omnibus%motion%in%contempt%of%court% % %
for%attempting%to%circumvent%the%prelim%inj.%Likong%and%Yap%then%jointly%filed%a%
motion% to% ALLOW% Yap% to% withdraw% the% pension% checks.% The% signature% of% the%
complainants% counsel% was% not% there,% only% the% parties% assisted% by% Atty.%
Alexander%H.%Lim.%%
% Yap%then%entered%into%a%compromise% agreement% without%the%counsel%
of%the%former.%Likong%admitted%an%obligation%to%Yap%of%150,000%pesos%and%they%
agreed%that%the%amount%would%be%paid%in%monthly%installments%over%a%period%
of% 54% months,% at% an% interest% of% 40%% per% annum% discounted% every% 6% months.%%
THIS%WAS%APPROVED%BY%THE%TRIAL%COURT.%
% Likong%then%filed%present%complaint%for%disbarment%on%the%ground%that:%
Likong% was% prevented% from% seeking% assistance,% advice,% and% signature% of% ANY%
OF% HER% 2% LAWYERS,% was% advised% that% it% was% not% necessary% for% her% to% consult%
her% lawyers% under% the% pretense% that% it% could% only% jeopardize% the% settlement,%
incurring% enormous% expense% if% counsulted% a% new% laywer,% Lim% was% already%
assisting%her,%and%that%she%had%nothing%to%worry%about.%Likong%was%prevented%
from% exhibiting% fully% her% case% by% means% of% fraud,% deception,% and% some% other%
form%of%mendacity%

JTVS%|%1M%|%Legal%Ethics%Case%Digests%Batch%3%%
CASE%NO.%26%
ROSALIE%DALLONGHGALICINAO%V.%ATTY.%VIRGIL%CASTRO%
AC%No.6386%,%Oct.%25,2005%
Tinga,(J.(
( ISSUE:% Whether% or% not% Atty.% Castro% violated% the% Code% of% Professional%
FACTS:%
% This%case%concerns%a%lawyer%who%hurdled%invectives%at%a%clerk%of%court.%
Atty.% Rosalie% DallongHCalicinao% is% the% Clerk% of% Court% of% the% RTC% in% Nueva%
Vizcaya.% She% filed% with% IBP9CBD% against% Atty.% Virgil% Castro% for% unprofessional%
conduct%for%violating%Canon%7,%Rule%7.03%,%Canon%8,%Rule%8.02.%%Atty.%Castro%is%a%
private% practitioner% and% VP% of% IBP9Nueva% vizcaya.% Castro% went% to% Dallongs%
office%to%inquire%whether%the%complete%records%had%already%been%remanded%to%
the%court%of%origin.%Dallong%informed%Castro%that%the%record%had%not%yet%been%
transmitted%since%a%certified%true%copy%of%decision%of%CA%should%be%presented%
first%as%a%basis%for%the%transmittal%of%the%records.%Castro%went%ballistic.%Dallong%
said%that%it%is%in%the%Rules%but%he%could%show%them%the%copy%sent%to%the%party.%
Castro%became%furious.%Dallong%said%that%it%is%not%their%duty%to%notify%them%of%
the%requirements.%%
% Castro%made%accusations%that%Dallong%does%not%care%anymore,%cursed%
her%and%even%mentioned%that%if%she%were%harboring%feelings%against%the%client,%
dont%ire%it%on%him.%Dallong%responded%that%she%does%not%even%know%his%client.%
He%kept%on%cursing%her.%%
% Dallong% suffered% acute% embarrassment% at% the% incident% in% her% office.%
She%felt%that%her%credibility%had%been%tarnished%and%diminished.%Thus,%she%filed%
a% complaint9affidavit% three% days% after% the% incident.% IBP9CBD% issued% an% order%
requiring% Castro% to% submit% an% answer% which% he% did.% Prior% to% the% incident,% he%
went% to% the% office% of% the% complainant% to% request% for% the% transmittal% of% the%
records%of%the%case.%%
% Castro%admits%having%inquired%about%the%status%of%the%record%but%had%
no%explanation%of%what%transpired%that%day.%Hearing%was%set%but%Castro%did%not%
appear.% Castro% filed% a% Manifestation( stating% that% he% was% recuperating% that% is%
why% he% could% not% make% it% to% the% hearing.% DALLONG% filed% a% Manifestation%
expressing% her% desire% not% to% appear% on% the% next% hearing% because% of% Castros%
PUBLIC% APOLOGY% % personally% and% humbly% asked% for% forgiveness% which% she%
accepted.%%
% Investigating% Commissioner% recommended% that% Castro% be%
reprimanded% and% warned% that% any% other% complaint% for% breach% of% his%
professional%duties%shall%be%dealth%with%more%severely.%%
% CASTRO% HAD% NOTHING% TO% DO% WITH% THE% CIVIL% CASE% NO.% 784% % he%
wasa%not%the%counsel.%He%had%no%authoritization%from%either%parties%to%impose%
his%will%on%the%clerk%of%court.%
%
Responsibility%
%
HELD:% Yes.% He% is% FINED% with% 10,000% pesos% with% a% warning% that% any% similar%
infraction%with%be%dealt%more%severely.%%
% Violated% Rule% 8.02% % not% encroach% upon% professional% employment% of%
another% lawyer.% He% deliberately% encroached% upon% the% legal% functions% of% the%
counsel% record% of% that% case,% regardless% of% whether% or% not% he% did% it% in% good%
faith.%%
% He% raised% his% voice% at% the% clerk% of% court% and% uttered% at% her% the% most%
vulgar% of% invectives.% In% Alcantara( v.( Atty.( Pefianco,( such% public% behavior% can%
only%bring%down%%the%legal%profession%in%the%public%estimation%and%erode%public%
respect%for%it.%Violates%Rule%7.03,%Canon%8,%and%Rule%8.01%
% Lawyers%are%duty%bound%to%uphold%the%dignity%of%the%legal%profession.%
They%must%act%honorably,%fairly,%and%candidly%towards%each%other.%It%is%not%an%
isolated%evidence%%%done%to%ATty.%Asuncion%and%Temmy%Lambino%%not%given%
credence%becaue%no%evidence%on%the%claims.%%
% Penalty%imposed%is%to%be%tempered%owing%to%the%fact%that%respondent%
had%apologied%to%the%complainant%and%the%latter%had%accepted%it.%The%highest%
reward%can%be%bestowed%on%lawyers%is%the%esteem%of%their%brethren.% %
%
%
%
%
JTVS%|%1M%|%Legal%Ethics%Case%Digests%Batch%3%%