Ethics Undated Letter

7/24/2019 Ethics Undated Letter

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IN RE: UNDATED LETTER OF MR. LOUIS

C. BIRAOGO, PETITIONER IN BIRAOGOV. NOGRALES AND LIMKAICHONG, G.R.

No. 179120.

A.M. No. 09-2-19-SC

Present:

PUNO, C.J.,QUISUMBING,YNARES-SANTIAGO,*

CARPIO,

AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ,

CORONA,CARPIO MORALES,TINGA,*

CHICO-NAZARIO,VELASCO, JR.,

NACHURA,LEONARO-E CASTRO,

BRION, !n"PERALTA,JJ.Pr#$%&'!te":(e)r%!r* +, +

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -x

DECISION

PER CURIAM:

Be/#re t01s C#%rt 1s t0e Re2#rt #/ t0e In3est1'!t1n' C#$$1ttee

4re!te" %n"er t0e Res#&%t1#n "!te" e4e$)er 5, +6, t# 1n3est1'!te t0e

%n!%t0#r17e" re&e!se #/ t0e %n2r#$%&'!te"ponencia#/ J%st14e R%)en T.

Re*es 1n t0e 4#ns#&1"!te" 4!ses #/ Limkaichong v. COMELEC, Villando v.

COMELEC, Biraogo v. Nograles and Limkaichong, !n"Paras v. Nograles,

"#48ete" !s G.R. N#s. 59665-+, 59+-5, 595+ !n" 595+-,

res2e4t13e&*, t# "eter$1ne ;0# !re res2#ns1)&e /#r t0e &e!8!'e #/ !

4#n/1"ent1!& 1ntern!& "#4%$ent #/ t0e En B!n4.

T0e 1n3est1'!t1n' 4#$$1ttee, 4#$2#se" #/ Mr. J%st14e Le#n!r"# A.

Q%1s%$)1n' !s C0!1r2ers#n !n" M$e. J%st14e C#n401t! C!r21# M#r!&es !n"

Mr. J%st14e Ren!t# C. C#r#n! !s Me$)ers, s%)$1tte" t0e /#&1n' re2#rt:

INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE CREATE UNER THEEN BANC RESOLUTION ATE ECEMBER 5, +6

MEMORANDUM FOR:

HON. RENATO S. PUNO, C!"#$ %&'(")#

HON. CONSUELO NARES-SANTIAGO, A''o)"(#%&'(")#

HON. ANTONIO T. CARPIO, A''o)"(# %&'(")#

HON. MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA-MARTINE+, A''o)"(#%&'(")#

HON. DANTE O. TINGA, A''o)"(# %&'(")#HON. MINITA . CHICO-NA+ARIO, A''o)"(# %&'(")#HON. PRESBITERO %. ELASCO, %R., A''o)"(# %&'(")#HON. ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA, A''o)"(#

%&'(")#HON. TERESITA %. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, A''o)"(#

%&'(")#HON. ARTURO D. BRION, A''o)"(# %&'(")#HON. DIOSDADO M. PERALTA, A''o)"(# %&'(")#

RE: Report on the Invest!"ton o# the Un"$thor%e&

Re'e"se o# the Unpro($'!"te& Ponen)" o# *$st)eR$+en . Re-es n the Conso'&"te& C"ses o#

L(")hon! v. COMELEC, V''"n&o v. COMELEC,

Br"o!o v. No!r"'es "n& L(")hon!, "n& P"r"s v.No!r"'es, Do)ete& "s G.R. Nos. /0112/324,/0546736/, /05/47 "n& /05/24322, Respe)tve'-, to

Deter(ne 8ho "re Respons+'e #or the Le""!e o# "Con#&ent"' Intern"' Do)$(ent o# the En B"n)
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/feb2009/09-2-19-SC.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/feb2009/09-2-19-SC.htm#_ftn1


2/50

Res2e4t/%&&* s%)$1tte" /#r t0e 4#ns1"er!t1#n #/ t0e

H#n#r!)&e C01e/ J%st14e !n" Ass#41!te J%st14es #/ t0e

S%2re$e C#%rt t0e /#&1n' re2#rt #n t0e res%&ts #/ t0e

1n3est1'!t1#n #/ t0e 4#$$1ttee 4re!te" %n"er t0e En B!n4

Res#&%t1#n "!te" e4e$)er 5, +6.

ANTECEDENT FACTS

%r1n' 1ts sess1#n #n J%&* 5


3/50

t0e 1$2&1e" 4#nsent #/ t0e #t0er J%st14es, %n&!;/%&&* !n"

;1t0 1$2r#2er $#t13es ;1t00e&" t0e 2r#$%&'!t1#n #/

t0eponencia.

N#t1n' t0!t t0e %n!%t0#r17e" re&e!se #/ ! 4#2* #/

t0e %n2r#$%&'!te"ponencia1n/r1n'e" #n t0e 4#n/1"ent1!&

1ntern!& "e&1)er!t1#ns #/ t0e C#%rt !n" 4#nst1t%te"

4#nte$2t #/ 4#%rt, t0e C#%rt, 1n ! Res#&%t1#n

"!te" e4e$)er 5, +6, "1re4te"

5. T0e 4re!t1#n #/ !n In3est1'!t1n' C#$$1ttee,

40!1re" )* Sen1#r Ass#41!te J%st14e Le#n!r"#

A. Q%1s%$)1n', ;1t0 Ass#41!te J%st14e C#ns%e

Yn!res-S!nt1!'#, C0!1r2ers#n, T01r" 131s1#n

!n" Ass#41!te J%st14e Ant#n1# T. C!r21#,

#r81n' C0!1r2ers#n, (1rst 131s1#n, !s

Me$)ers t# 1n3est1'!te t0e %n!%t0#r17e"

re&e!se #/ t0e %n2r#$%&'!te"ponencia#/

J%st14e Re*es t# "eter$1ne ;0# !re res2#ns1)&e

/#r t01s &e!8!'e #/ ! 4#n/1"ent1!& 1ntern!&

"#4%$ent #/ t0e En B!n4, !n" t# re4#$$en"

t# t0e En B!n4 t0e !22r#2r1!te !4t1#ns

t0ere#nD

+. Mr. L#%1s C. B1r!#'# t# SHO CAUSE, ;1t01n

ten =5> "!*s /r#$ re4e12t #/ t01s Res#&%t1#n,

;0* 0e s0#%&" n#t )e 2%n1s0e" /#r 4#nte$2t

/#r ;r1t1n' t0e %n"!te" &etter !n" 41r4%&!t1n'

t0e s!$e t#'et0er ;1t0 t0e%n2r#$%&'!te"ponencia#/ J%st14e Re*es.

As "1re4te", t0e 4#$$1ttee, 4#$2#se" #/ t0e

!/#re$ent1#ne" t0ree sen1#r J%st14es, 4#n"%4te" 1n1t1!&

0e!r1n's #n e4e$)er 5< !n" 5, +6.

In t0e $e!nt1$e, 1n 4#$2&1!n4e ;1t0 t0e C#%rts

!)#3e-%#te" Res#&%t1#n "!te" e4e$)er 5, +6,

B1r!#'# s%)$1tte" t# t0e C#%rt 01s C#$2&1!n4e "!te"

e4e$)er ++, +6 t# ;0140 0e !tt!40e" t0e /#&1n'

!nne@es: =5> !n %n"!te" 20#t#4#2* #/ ! -2!'e 2r1nte"

&etter !""resse" t# e!r Mr. B1r!#'# ;0140 2%r2#rte"&* ;!s

sent )* ! C#n4erne" E$2*ee !s A#x AD =+> !J%ne 5+,

+6 n#te 0!n";r1tten #n ! $e$# 2!" #/ J%st14e Re*es

re!"1n':

Re: G.R. N#s. 59665-+, et4. t0e 4#$$!!n" et4. !re

0!n";r1ttenFe!r C#&&e!'%es,

I !$ 41r4%&!t1n' ! re31se" "r!/t #/t0eponencia.

=S'".>RUBEN T. REYES,

t#'et0er ;1t0 ! 4#2* #/ J%st14e Re*ess Re31se"

r!/tponencia/#r t0e J%ne 59, +6 !'en"! !s A#x BD

=> ! 20#t#4#2* #/ t0e %n2r#$%&'!te"

ponencia )e!r1n'

t0e s1'n!t%res #/ 5 J%st14es !s A#x CD !n" => !

20#t#4#2* #/ J%st14e C!r21#s Reflecions!s A#x D.

J%st14e Yn!res-S!nt1!'# &!ter 1n01)1te" 0erse&/ %2#n

$#t1#n #/ J%st14e R%)en T. Re*es ;01&e J%st14e C!r21#

3#&%nt!r1&* 1n01)1te" 01$se&/. T0e* ;ere res2e4t13e&*

re2&!4e" )* J%st14e Ren!t# C. C#r#n! !n" J%st14e C#n401t!


4/50

C!r21# M#r!&es, )* !%t0#r1t* #/ t0e C01e/ J%st14e )!se" #n

sen1#r1t*. A""1t1#n!& 0e!r1n's ;ere t0en 0e&" )* t0e

re4#nst1t%te" 4#$$1ttee #n J!n%!r* 5, 5, 5, +, +5 !n"

++, +.

T0e /#&1n' ;1tnessesres#%r4e 2ers#ns ;ere

0e!r":

5.A/o A. D# Ro'/"o, Co!r "enographer

###, Office of $ssociae J!sice R!%en &. Re'es

+.Ro/"3o E. M4(, %/., PE& J!dicial "aff

Officer ##, Office of $ssociae J!sice R!%en &. Re'es

.A((5. Ro'#o B. E63#"'(,J!dicial "aff

(ead, Office of $ssociae J!sice R!%en &. Re'es

.A''o)"(# %&'(")# M""( . C!")o-N/"o


5/50

He ;!s 1n 40!r'e #/

41r4%&!t1n'ponencias/#r t0e s1'n!t%res #/ t0e

J%st14es !n" #/ /#r;!r"1n' s1'ne" =)* !&& t0e

Ass#41!te J%st14es ;0# !re n#t #n &e!3e>ponencias

t# t0e O//14e #/ t0e C01e/ J%st14e =OCJ>.

On J%&* 5. Be4!%se 0e ;!s )%s* !t t0!t t1$e, 0e

1nstr%4te" 01s 4#-e$2*ee R#"r1'# M!n!)!t, Jr. t#

)r1n' t0e G1&)ert 4#2* t# t0e O//14e #/ J%st14e

N!40%r! /#r s1'n!t%re !n" t# ;!1t /#r 1t. He

1nstr%4te" M!n!)!t t# r%s0 t# J%st14e N!40%r!s

#//14e )e4!%se t0e &!tter ;!s '#1n' #%t /#r

&%n40. A/ter $#re t0!n $1n%tes, M!n!)!t

ret%rne" ;1t0 t0e G1&)ert 4#2* !&re!"* s1'ne" )*

J%st14e N!40%r!, ;0# ;!s t0e &!st t# s1'n. ;1.

;=


6/50

T0e L1$8!140#n' 4!se ;!s 4!&&e" !'!1n

#n J%&* +, +6 !s Ite$ N#. . T0e O//14e #/

J%st14e Re*es re4e13e" t0e En B!n4 !'en"! /#r t0e

s!1" "!te #n J%&* +


7/50

#/ J%&* 5, +6, ;0en J%st14e Re*es 4!&&e" 01$ t#

01s 40!$)ers !n" 1nstr%4te" 01$ t# retr1e3e

t0eponencia. He !&s# st!te" t0!t s#$e#ne /r#$

t0e OCJ 4!&&e" t0e1r #//14e !n" re%este" t0e$ t#

retr1e3e t0eponencia)e4!%se 1ts 2r#$%&'!t1#n ;!s

#n 0#&".;179


10/50

=. ATT. ROSENDO B. EANGELISTA, J%"141!&

St!// He!", O//14e #/ Ass#41!te J%st14e R%)en T. Re*es,

test1/1e" t0!t !s /#&s:

Ar#%n" 5: 2.$. #n J%&* 5


11/50

t#2 #/ J%st14e Re*ess 4#//ee t!)&e 1ns1"e 01s

40!$)ers. He re4!&&e" t0!t !t !)#%t 5+: 2.$. #r

)e/#re 5: 2.$. r1'0t !/ter t0e En B!n4 sess1#n

#n J%&* 5


12/50

He 4!$e t# 8n#; t0!t t0e G1&)ert 4#2* ;!s

retr1e3e" #n J%&* 5, +6.;0


15/50

!r#%n"


16/50

t0e* re4e13e 4#21es t0ere#/ #n&* !/ter t0e C&er8 #/

C#%rt 0!s !//1@e" 0er s1'n!t%re t0ere#n !n"

1n"14!te" t0e "!te #/ 2r#$%&'!t1#n.;11=0= re2r1nte" !n" t# )r1n' t0e G1&)ert 4#2* t#

t0e O//14e #/ J%st14e N!40%r! /#r s1'n!t%re !s J%st14e

N!40%r!, ;0# ;!s n#t 2!rt1412!t1n' 1n t0e #r!& !r'%$ents

#n t0e 4!se s40e"%&e" !t 5: t0!t !/tern##n, $1'0t )e

'#1n' #%t. Je!n Y!)%t ;!s t!s8e" )* Att*. E3!n'e&1st! t#

re2r1nt t0e se4#n" s1'n!t%re 2!'e =2!'e > #n G1&)ert2!2er.

T0e re2r1nte" s1'n!t%re 2!'e , t#'et0er ;1t0 t0e

rest #/ t0e 2!'es #/ t0e G1&)ert 4#2*, ;!s t0en '13en )*

Att*. E3!n'e&1st! t# e& R#s!r1#. e& R#s!r1#, 1n t%rn, '!3e

t0e G1&)ert 4#2*, t#'et0er ;1t0 t0e re2r1nte" s1'n!t%re

2!'e , t# M!n!)!t ;0#$ 0e 1nstr%4te" t# '# t# t0e

O//14e #/ J%st14e N!40%r! /#r 01$ t# !//1@ 01s s1'n!t%re

t0ere#n.

M!n!)!t 1$$e"1!te&* ;ent t# t0e O//14e #/ J%st14e

N!40%r! !n" 0!n"e" t0e G1&)ert 4#2* t# (er$1n Se'#t1er,

t0e re4e2t1#n1st !t J%st14e N!40%r!s #//14e. As t0e G1&)ert

4#2* ;!s ! "##r-t#-"##r "#4%$ent, Se'#t1er 1$$e"1!te&*

'!3e 1t t# Gr13* N*s! T#&ent1n# ;0# re4#r"e" 1t 1n 0er

')##8. S0e t0en )r#%'0t t0e G1&)ert 4#2* t# J%st14e

N!40%r!. 0en t0e re2r1nte" 2!'e #/ t0e G1&)ert 4#2*

;!s )r#%'0t #%t /r#$ J%st14e N!40%r!s 40!$)ers !n"

ret%rne" t# T#&ent1n#, s0e re4#r"e" 1t 1n 0er ')##8 t0!t 1t

;!s !&re!"* s1'ne". T0e ;0#&e 2r#4ess t##8 n#t $#re t0!n

/13e $1n%tes. T0e G1&)ert 4#2* ;!s ret%rne" t# M!n!)!t,

;0# 0!" ;!1te" #%ts1"e t0e #//14e #/ J%st14e N!40%r!.

M!n!)!t t0en re2!1re" t# t0e 40!$)ers #/ %&'(")#

R#5#' !o "8&"/# $/o !" "$ %&'(")# N)!&/ !

'"3# (!# /#/"(# 3# =@ (o !")! !# '#/#

" (!# $$"/("6#.M!n!)!t t0ere!/ter 0!n"e" t0e G1&)ert

4#2* t# e& R#s!r1#.

0en Att*. E3!n'e&1st!, ;0# ;!s !tten"1n' t0e #r!&

!r'%$ents #n ! 4!se s40e"%&e" t0!t !/tern##n, ;ent "#;n

t0e O//14e #/ J%st14e Re*es !t !)#%t : 2.$., 0e !n"#r

e& R#s!r1# $%st 0!3e e3ent%!&&* n#t14e" t0!t J%st14e

N!7!r1# "1" n#t, !/ter !&&, %!&1/* 0er 4#n4%rren4e #n t0e

#r1'1n!& s1'n!t%re 2!'e #/ t0e G1&)ert 4#2* ;1t0 t0e

;#r"s 1n t0e res%&t. S1n4e #"(!#/Att*.

E3!n'e&1st! o/ e& R#s!r1# ;!s 6"'# 45 %&'(")#

R#5#' (!( (!# /o&3("o o$ (!# G"4#/( )o5 '

o !o,e& R#s!r1# )r#%'0t t0e G1&)ert 4#2*, t#'et0er

;1t0 t0e rollo, re4#r"s !n" "1s8ettes t# t0e OCJ t# )e

2r#$%&'!te" !n" '!3e 1t !t : 2.$. t# R!$#n G!t"%&! #/

t0e OCJ. G!t"%&! &!ter tr!ns$1tte" t0e G1&)ert 4#2* t# t0e

se4ret!r* #/ t0e C01e/ J%st14e.

T0e /#&1n' "!*, J%&* 5, +6, !t !r#%n" :

2.$., J%st14e Re*es 4!&&e" e& R#s!r1# t# 01s 40!$)ers !n"

1nstr%4te" 01$ t# retr1e3e t0e G1&)ert 4#2*, et4. /r#$ t0e

OCJ, 1n/#r$1n' 01$ $o/ (!# $"/'( ("#t0!t t0e

2r#$%&'!t1#n #/ t0eponencia 0!" )een 2%t #n

0#&". Ar#%n" t0!t s!$e t1$e, t0e OCJ 20#ne" t0e O//14e #/

J%st14e Re*es !n" t#&" t0e$ t# retr1e3e t0eponencia /#r

t0e s!$e re!s#n.

T0%s, e& R#s!r1# ;ent t# t0e OCJ !n" !s8e" /#r

t0e ret%rn #/ t0e G1&)ert 4#2*. As G!t"%&! 0!" !&re!"*

/#r;!r"e" t0e s!$e t# t0e C01e/ J%st14es se4ret!r* /#r t0e


28/50

C01e/ J%st14es s1'n!t%re, G!t"%&! retr1e3e" 1t /r#$ t0e

se4ret!r*. e& R#s!r1# retr1e3e" !&& t0!t 0e s%)$1tte" t0e

2re31#%s "!*, e@4e2t t0e rollo;0140 0!", 1n t0e $e!nt1$e,

)een )#rr#;e" )* J%st14e C!r21#.

e& R#s!r1# t0en )r#%'0t t0e G1&)ert 4#2* t#

J%st14e Re*es ;0# t#&" 01$ t# 8ee2 1t. e& R#s!r1# 1n/#r$e"

Att*. E3!n'e&1st! t0e /#&1n' "!*, J%&* 59, +6, t0!t t0e

2r#$%&'!t1#n #/ t0e G1&)ert 4#2* ;!s #n 0#&". A/ter Att*.

E3!n'e&1st! 3er1/1e" t0e $!tter /r#$ J%st14e Re*es, 0e

=Att*. E3!n'e&1st!> t#&" e& R#s!r1# t0!t t0e 4!se ;#%&" )e

4!&&e" !'!1n #n J%&* +, +6. e& R#s!r1# $!"e ! n#te 1n

01s ')##8 t# t0!t e//e4t.

On J%&* + !ns;ere" 1n t0e ne'!t13e.

EVALUAION

T0e 4#$$1ttee /1n"s t0!t (!# !o(o)o5"3 o$

(!# G"4#/( )o5 o))&//# +et9een%&5 1?,

200, 4#$o/# "( ' 4/o&3!( (o (!# OC% o/ $(#/

"( ' /#(/"#6# o %&5 1@, 200 $/o (!#

OC%, and%&5 2?, 200, ;0en t0e O//14e #/ J%st14e Re*es

4!%se" t0e 2re2!r!t1#n #/ t0e ne; 4#3er 2!'e #/ t0e

G1&)ert 4#2* t# re/&e4t t0!t 1t ;!s !'en"!e" !s Ite$ N#.

1n t0e J%&* +, +6 En B!n4 sess1#n, 4#)&'# (!# )o6#/

3# o$ (!# !o(o)o5 " (!# o''#''"o o$ B"/o3o,

' # ' (!# )o6#/ 3# o$ %&'(")# R#5#'' #

)o5, '(" 4o/# (!# 3# (# %&5 1?, 200

I(# No. ?2.

T0e 4#$$1ttee &18e;1se /1n"s t0!t t0e &e!8!'e ;!s

1ntent1#n!&&* "#ne. It ;!s n#t t0e res%&t #/ ! 4#2* )e1n'


29/50

$1s2&!4e" !n" 1n!"3ertent&* 2148e" %2 )* B1r!#'# #r

s#$e#ne 1n 01s )e0!&/.T0e 4#$$1ttee n#tes t0!t n#ne #/

t0e #//14es t# ;0140 t0e G1&)ert 4#2* ;!s )r#%'0t =OCJ !n"

t0e O//14e #/ J%st14e N!40%r!> !n" ;0140 !4%1re" 4#ntr#&

#3er 1t 20#t#4#21e"ponencias 1n G1&)ert /#r$ !n" re&e!se"

20#t#4#21es t0ere#/ t# 2!rt* &1t1'!nts. In !n* e3ent, !se!r&1er re/&e4te",3# 1 o$ (!# G"4#/( )o5 (!( '

'#( (o (!# OC% %&'(")# N)!&/' O$$")# 3#

1 o$ B"/o3o' !o(o)o5 "$$#/.

T# re1ter!te, t0e G1&)ert 4#2* )e!r1n' t0e

s1'n!t%res #/ 5 J%st14es ;!s 20#t#4#21e" !n" t0!t ! 4#2*

t0ere#/ ;!s 1ntent1#n!&&* &e!8e" "1re4t&* #r 1n"1re4t&* t#

B1r!#'#. As ;1&& )e "1s4%sse" )e, (!# )o"((##

FINDS (!( (!# # )# $/o (!# O$$")# o$ %&'(")#

R#5#'.

It )e!rs re1ter!t1n' t0!t t0e &e!8 "1" n#t 4#$e /r#$

t0e OCJ e3en 1/ t0e G1&)ert 4#2* st!*e" t0ere1n /r#$ :

2.$. #n J%&* 5


30/50

It nee" n#t )e %n"er&1ne" t0!t t0ere ;!s n#

#22#rt%n1t* /#r !n*#ne /r#$ t0e #//14es #/ t0e Ass#41!te

J%st14es t# 20#t#4#2* t0eponencia!s n#ne #/ s!1" #//14es

!4%1re" 2#ssess1#n #/ t0e "#4%$ent, e@4e2t t0e O//14e #/

J%st14e Re*es !n" t0e O//14e #/ J%st14e N!40%r!. B%t )!se"

#n test1$#n*, t0e %n2r#$%&'!te"ponencia

st!*e" 1n t0e

O//14e #/ J%st14e N!40%r! #n&* /#r &ess t0!n /13e $1n%tes,

;0140 "1" n#t s%//14e /#r 1tt# )e s1'ne" )* J%st14e N!40%r!

!n" t# )e 20#t#4#21e". A3", " 5 #6#(, 3# 1

o$ (!# !o(o)o5 " B"/o3o' o''#''"o o#' o(

()! (!# '# 3# o$ (!# G"4#/( )o5.

(%rt0er$#re, e@4e2t /#r J%st14e Re*es, t0e Ass#41!te

J%st14es t##8 0#&" #/ t0e G1&)ert 4#2* #n&* )r1e/&* ;0en t0e*

s1'ne" 1t !t t0e En B!n4 4#n/eren4e r##$. At n# #t0er t1$e

"1" !n* #/ t0e$ 0#&" t0e "#4%$ent n' en#%'0 t#

20#t#4#2* 1t. P%rs%!nt t# st!n"!r" 2r#4e"%re, #n&*

t0eponene, J%st14e Re*es 1n t01s 4!se, !n" 01s st!//, t##8

4%st#"* #/ t0eponencia)e!r1n' t0e s1'n!t%res #/ 5

J%st14es )e/#re 1t ;!s sent t# t0e OCJ.

B%t ;0# /r#$ t0e O//14e #/ J%st14e Re*es &e!8e"

t0e %n2r#$%&'!te"ponencia01&e t0e e31"en4e s0#;s

t0!t t0e 40!1n #/ 4%st#"* 4#%&" n#t r%&e #%t t0e 2#ss1)1&1t*

t0!t t0e G1&)ert 4#2*;!s 20#t#4#21e" )* e& R#s!r1# ;0#

0!" 4#ntr#& !n" 2#ssess1#n #/ 1t, !n" ;01&e t0ere 1s n#

"1re4t e31"en4e !s t# t0e 1"ent1t* #/ t0e 2er2etr!t#r #/ t0e

&e!8!'e, (!# )o"((## FINDS (!( 4'# o (!#

)"/)&'((" #6"#)# /#$#)(# 4o6#, /(")&/5

(!# #6"#( & "(#/#'( o$ %&'(")# R#5#' (o

)"/)&(# /$( o#)" o$ (!# )'#

'oo#'( #6# +e#ore (!# #o/ o$ (!#

/("#' $# , (o "(!!o (!# "$o/("o (o

A((5. E63#"'( D# Ro'/"o (!( (!#

/o&3("o o$ (!# o#)" ' &( o !o ,

"'(#, o (!# "#"(# /o&3("o $(#/

&)! &espte!"' "''"o (!( (!# #)"'"o (o !o

(!# /o&3("o ' //"6# ( ( &)!("#, "( '

%&'(")# R#5#' !"'#$ !o ## !o(o)o5

(!#/#o$.

Re4!&& t0!t t0e C#%rt '!3e "%e 4#%rse t# t0e

2et1t1#n #n A2r1& 6, +6 !n" t0e /1rst $e$#r!n"%$ ;!s

/1&e" )* t0e O//14e #/ t0e S#&141t#r Gener!& #n&* #n J%ne 5,

+6. T0e #t0er 2!rt1es, n!$e&*, O&131! P!r!s, S2e!8er

N#'r!&es, e al., !n" B1r!#'# s%)se%ent&* /1&e" t0e1r

res2e4t13e $e$#r!n"! #n&* #n J%&* 5, +, !n" +,

+6. E3en )e/#re t0e En B!n4 sess1#n #/ J%ne 5,

+6,0#;e3er, J%st14e Re*es 0!" !&re!"* 41r4%&!te" ! "r!/t

"e41s1#n.

(%rt0er, st1&& &!ter #r #n J%ne 5+, +6, J%st14e

Re*es 41r4%&!te", 31! tr!ns$1tt!& &etter #/ e3en "!te 2r1nte"

#n 01s $e$# 2!" !n" s1'ne" )* 01$, ! Re31se"

r!/t, )o5 o$ !")! (/'"(( #((#/, ' # ' (!#

R#6"'# D/$(, 'o )# "(o (!# o''#''"o o$

B"/o3o=Anne@ B t# B1r!#'#s C#$2&1!n4e>.

(%rt0er$#re, e3en !/ter t0e J%st14es 0!", !t

&%n40t1$e #/ J%&* 5


31/50

!n" t01s ;!s, 1t )e!rs re2e!t1n', !"$1tte" )* J%st14e

Re*es--, J%st14e Re*es, !/ter 2!rt!81n' &%n40 !t t0e "1n1n'

r##$ !n" )e/#re 5: 2.$., 1nste!" #/ !"31s1n' 01s C01e/ #/

St!// Att*. E3!n'e&1st! !n" e& R#s!r1# t0!t t0e

2r#$%&'!t1#n ;!s 2%t #n 0#&", '(" "'(/&)(# (!# (o

/#/"( (!# '#)o '"3(&/# 3# 3# =@

(o !6# (!# /#/"(# 3# "#"(#5 4/o&3!( (o

(!# O$$")# o$ %&'(")# N)!&/ $o/ '"3(&/#

4#$o/# %&'(")# R#5#' #$( $o/ (!# '#''"o ! $o/ (!#

o/ /3(' o$ (!( )'# ')!# ( 1:=0 ..

(!( 5, %&'(")# R#5#' '(" $oo# & (!# )'# 45

'"3 M4( "$ %&'(")# N)!&/ ! /#5

'"3# (!# G"4#/( )o5.;2>?@ )%t $!t40e" t0e t#2 4#3er #/ B1r!#'#s 4#2*, J%st14e

Re*es o$$#/# o #x("o. N#"(!#/ " !# ))o&(

$o/ (!# o(!#/ "''""/"("#' 4#(## 3# 1 o$ !"'

# )o5 (!# '# 3# 1 o$ B"/o3o o o#

!, 3# 1 o$ (!# G"4#/( )o5, vi1: 2!'e 5 #/

t0e ne; 4#2*, &18e 2!'e 5 #/ B1r!#'#s 4#2*, o#' o(

!6# '(#/"'' $(#/ (!# #' o$ %&'(")#' T"3

A)& (!# )o//#'o"3 $oo(o(#', !")! (!#

G"4#/( )o5 !'.

J%st14e Re*es, "es21te 01s 2r#/esse" "es1re t# )r1n'

#%t t0e tr%t0, /#$&'# t# s%)$1t 01s ne; 4#2* t# t0e

4#$$1ttee !n" %est1#ne" t0e 4#$$1ttees re%est t0!t 0e

2&!4e 01s 1n1t1!&s #n t0e %est1#ne" 2!'es #/ 01s ne;

4#2*. L!ter, ;01&e t0e 4#$$1ttee ;!s "1s4%ss1n' #t0er

2#1nts 1n 01s N#tes, J%st14e Re*es tr1e" t# 01"e 01s ne;

4#2*. J%st14e C#r#n! 0!" t# 2r* 1t #%t #/ J%st14e Re*ess

/1&es. As J%st14e Re*es re2e!te"&* s!1" t0!t 0e ;!s n#t

s%)$1tt1n' 01s ne; 4#2* t# t0e 4#$$1ttee =0* s0#%&" I>,

t0e 4#$$1ttee $e$)ers ;ere 2r#$2te" t# 20#t#4#2* 01s

ne; 4#2*, )%t #n&* !/ter t0e* !//1@e" t0e1r s1'n!t%res !n"

"!te =J!n%!r* ++, +> #n t0e /1rst < 2!'es t0ere#/.

T# t0e $e$)ers #/ t0e 4#$$1ttee, t0e /#re'#1n'

2r#3en /!4ts !n" 41r4%$st!n4es 4#nst1t%teo/# (!

'&4'((" #6"#)# !")! /#'o45 o"(' (o

%&'(")# R#5#', #'"(# !"' /o(#'(("o' o$

"o)#)#,+F' THE 'o&/)# o$ (!# #. He $%st,

t0ere/#re, )e 0e&" &1!)&e /#r GRAE MISCONDUCT.

E##e)t o# *$st)e Re-ess Retre(ent

T0e s%)se%ent ret1re$ent #/ ! ?%"'e #r !n*

?%"141!& #//14er /r#$ t0e ser314e "#es n#t 2re4&%"e t0e

/1n"1n' #/ !n* !"$1n1str!t13e &1!)1&1t* t# ;0140 0e 1s

!ns;er!)&e.;2?0


36/50

Me!n;01&e, 1n Emiliano Co!r &o-nho!ses

(omeo-ners $ssociaion v. *ioneda,;272

T0e !22!rent t#n1n' "#;n #/ t0e !22&14!t1#n #/

t0e res ipsa lo!i!rr%&e ;!s /%rt0er !$2&1/1e" 1n !t &e!st

t;# 4!ses. InLo!is V!ion ".$. v. Villan!eva,;27>


37/50

As e@2&!1ne" 1n Lo!is V!ion,t0e /!$1&1!r r%&e 1n

!"$1n1str!t13e 4!ses 1s t0!t (!# )(' o$ &3# " !"'

&")" ))"(5 /# o( '&4#)( (o "')""/5

)("o, (!( !# )o( 4# '&4#)(# (o )"6",

)/"" o/ ""'(/("6# "4""(5 $o/ 5 o$ !"'

o$$")" )(', o ((#/ !o #//o#o&', ' o3 ' !#

)(' " 3oo $"(!.T0e r%&e !""s t0!t t0e 2r#2er re$e"*

1s 31! ?%"141!& re4#%rse !n" n#t t0r#%'0 !n !"$1n1str!t13e

!4t1#n.

It $%st )e 2#1nte" #%t t0!t Lo!is V!ion1n3#&3es

'r#ss 1'n#r!n4e #/ t0e &!; !n"#r 8n#;1n'&* ren"er1n' !n

%n?%st ?%"'$ent. In 4!ses #/ &e!8!'e #r )re!40 #/

4#n/1"ent1!&1t*, 0#;e3er, t0e /!$1&1!r r%&e #)31#%s&* "#es

n#t !22&*. 01&e t0e 1n?%re" 2!rt* 1s t0e C#%rt 1tse&/, t0ere

1s n# ?%"141!& re$e"* !3!1&!)&e t# %n"# t0e

"1s4s%re. M#re#3er, t0e 2re$!t%re "1s4s%re "#es n#t

s2r1n' /r#$ t0e /#%r 4#rners #/ t0e !ss!1&e" "e41s1#n #r

res#&%t1#n n#r 4!n 1t '&e!ne" #n t0e /!4e #/ t0e 1ss%!n4e

1tse&/. In"ee", #ne nee" n#t ";e&& #n t0e s%)st!n4e #/ t0e

"e41s1#n s1n4e t0!t 1n 1tse&/ 1s 1n0erent&* 1ns%//141ent. In

%ne!rt01n' t0e $1s"ee", 1t )e4#$es n#t #n&* "es1r!)&e )%t

!&s# ne4ess!r* t# tr!4e t0e !tten"!nt 41r4%$st!n4es,

!22!rent 2!ttern !n" 4r1t14!& /!4t#rs s%rr#%n"1n' t0e ent1re

s4en!r1#.

In Macalinal v. &eh,;27@


38/50

*$st)e Re-es s Le9se L"+'e #or Vo'"tn!

hs L"9-ers O"th "n& the Co&e o# Pro#esson"'

Respons+'t-

(#r &e!81n' ! 4#n/1"ent1!& 1ntern!& "#4%$ent #/ t0e

En B!n4, t0e 4#$$1ttee &18e;1se /1n"s J%st14e

Re*es !"$1n1str!t13e&* &1!)&e /#r GROSS

MISCONDUCT /#r 31#&!t1n' 01s &!;*ers #!t0 !n" t0e C#"e

#/ Pr#/ess1#n!& Res2#ns1)1&1t*, /#r ;0140 0e $!* )e

"1s)!rre" #r s%s2en"e" 2er Se4t1#n +9, ;279


39/50

s!n4t1#n $!* )e 1$2#se" 1s 2r1$!r1&* !""resse" t# t0e

C#%rts s#%n" "1s4ret1#n, t0e s!n4t1#n s0#%&" ne1t0er )e

!r)1tr!r* #r "es2#t14, n#r $#t13!te" )* 2ers#n!& !n1$#s1t*

#r 2re?%"14e. R!t0er, 1t s0#%&" e3er )e 4#ntr#&&e" )* t0e

1$2er!t13e nee" t# s4r%2%%s&* '%!r" t0e 2%r1t* !n"

1n"e2en"en4e #/ t0e )!r. T0%s, t0e s%2re$e 2en!&t* #/

"1s)!r$ent 1s $ete" #%t #n&* 1n 4&e!r 4!ses #/ $1s4#n"%4t

t0!t ser1#%s&* !//e4t t0e st!n"1n' !n" 40!r!4ter #/ t0e

&!;*er !s !n #//14er #/ t0e 4#%rt !n" $e$)er #/ t0e

)!r. Un"er t0e 41r4%$st!n4es #/ t01s 4!se, t0e 4#$$1ttee

/1n"s t0e 2en!&t* #/ 1n"e/1n1te s%s2ens1#n /r#$ t0e 2r!4t14e

#/ &!; s%//141ent !n" 2r#2er.

L"+'t- o# Att-. Rosen&o B. Ev"n!e'st"

T0e C#$$1ttee /1n"s t0!t Att*. E3!n'e&1st!, J%st14e

Re*es J%"141!& St!// He!", ;!s re$1ss 1n 01s "%t1es, ;0140

1n4&%"es t0e s%2er31s1#n #/ t0e #2er!t1#ns #/ t0e #//14e,

2!rt14%&!r&* ;1t0 res2e4t t# t0e 2r#$%&'!t1#n #/

"e41s1#ns. 01&e 1t 1s 1n4%$)ent %2#n 01$ t# "e31se ;!*s

!n" $e!ns t# se4%re t0e 1nte'r1t* #/ 4#n/1"ent1!&

"#4%$ents, 01s !4t%!t1#ns re/&e4te" !)#3e e31n4e" !

"1sre'!r" #/ ! "%t* res%&t1n' /r#$ 4!re&essness #r

1n"1//eren4e.;22 ne'&e4t #/ "%t* 1s

2%n1s0!)&e )* s%s2ens1#n #/ #ne $#nt0 !n" #ne "!* t# s1@

$#nt0s /#r t0e /1rst #//ense. Un"er Se4. 5, R%&e IV #/ t0e

s!$e R%&es, t0e 2en!&t* #/ /1ne =1nste!" #/ s%s2ens1#n>

$!* !&s# )e 1$2#se" 1n t0e !&tern!t13e.;2> J%st14e R%)en T. Re*es =Ret.> !&s# )e /#%n"

&1!)&e /#r GRAE MISCONDUCT/#r &e!81n' ! 4#n/1"ent1!&

1ntern!& "#4%$ent #/ t0e C#%rt !n" )e (INE 1n t0e

!$#%nt #/ P


41/50

HEREFORE,1n 31e; #/ t0e /#re'#1n', t0e

C#%rt ADOPTS t0e/1n"1n's!n" APPROES ITH MODIFICATIONt0e

Re4#$$en"!t1#ns #/ t0e In3est1'!t1n' C#$$1ttee !s /#&s:

=5> J%st14e R%)en T. Re*es =Ret.> 1s 0e&" &1!)&e /#r GRAE

MISCONDUCT /#r &e!81n' ! 4#n/1"ent1!& 1ntern!& "#4%$ent #/ t0e C#%rt

!n" 0e 1s FINED P?00,000.00,t# )e 40!r'e" !'!1nst 01s ret1re$ent

)ene/1ts, !n" "1s%!&1/1e" t# 0#&" !n* #//14e #r e$2*$ent 1n !n* )r!n40

#r 1nstr%$ent!&1t* #/ t0e '#3ern$ent 1n4&%"1n' '#3ern$ent-#;ne" #r

4#ntr#&&e" 4#r2#r!t1#nsD /%rt0er$#re, J%st14e R%)en T. Re*es 1s "1re4te"

t# SHO CAUSE ;1t01n ten =5> "!*s /r#$ re4e12t #/ ! 4#2* #/ t01s

e41s1#n ;0* 0e s0#%&" n#t )e "1s412&1ne" !s ! $e$)er #/ t0e B!r 1n &1'0t

#/ t0e !/#re$ent1#ne" /1n"1n's.

=+> Att*. R#sen"# B. E3!n'e&1st! !n" Ar$!n"# e& R#s!r1# !re 0e&" &1!)&e

/#r SIMPLE NEGLECT OF DUT!n" !re #r"ere" t# 2!* t0e FINE1n t0e

!$#%nt #/ P10,000.00!n" P?,000.00, res2e4t13e&*.

T01s e41s1#n s0!&& t!8e e//e4t 1$$e"1!te&*.

SO ORDERED.EN BANC

;A.M. No. 09-2-19-SC : A&3&'( 11, 2009 "!*s /r#$ re4e12t #/ ! 4#2* #/ t01se41s1#n ;0* 0e s0#%&" n#t )e "1s412&1ne" !s ! $e$)er #/ t0e B!r 1n &1'0t#/ t0e !/#re$ent1#ne" /1n"1n's.

+. Att*. R#sen"# B. E3!n'e&1st! !n" Ar$!n"# e& R#s!r1# !re 0e&" &1!)&e/#r SIMPLE NEGLECT OF DUT!n" !re #r"ere" t# 2!* t0e FINE1n t0e!$#%nt #/ P5,. !n" P


42/50

I. THE ECISION IS VOI BECAUSE THE SUPREME COURT LACSJURISICTION TO ISCIPLINE ITS ON MEMBER (OR ACTS COMMITTE

URING HIS TENURE.

A. S%2re$e C#%rt J%st14es !re 1$2e!40!)&e #//14ers.

B. eter$1n!t1#n !s t# ;0et0er !4t 4#$$1tte" 1s 1$2e!40!)&e 1s ! 2#&1t14!&

%est1#n.

C. P#;er #/ t0e S%2re$e C#%rt t# "1s412&1ne 1s &1$1te" t# ?%"'es !n"?%st14es #/ er 4#%rts.

. Pen!&t1es #/ re$#3!& /r#$ #//14e !n" "1s%!&1/14!t1#n /r#$ 0#&"1n' !n*

2%)&14 #//14e 1s t0e s#&e #//14e #/ !n 1$2e!40$ent 2r#4ee"1n'.

E. I$2e!40$ent 1s st1&& t0e $#"e #/ "1s412&1n1n' !n 1$2e!40!)&e #//14er"es21te res1'n!t1#n #r ret1re$ent.

II. THE ECISION IS VOI BECAUSE MOVANTKS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTTO UB PROCESS AS VIOLATE.

A. R%&e #n Res #psa Lo!ior1n!22&14!)&e.

B. e41s1#n ren"ere" 1n 31#&!t1#n #/ ! 2ers#nKs r1'0t t# "%e 2r#4ess 1s 3#1".

III. THERE ARE NO LEGAL AN (ACTUAL BASES TO ISCIPLINE MOVANT

AS A MEMBER O( THE BAR.

A. R%&e #n !%t#$!t14 4#n3ers1#n #/ !"$1n1str!t13e 4!ses !s "1s412&1n!r*

2r#4ee"1n's /#r s%s2ens1#n #r "1s)!r$ent "#es n#t !22&* t# S%2re$eC#%rt J%st14es.

T0e C#%rt /1n"s t0e e@2&!n!t1#n t# t0e s0#; 4!%se "1re4t13e !s

%ns!t1s/!4t#r*, !n" t0e M#t1#n t# Set As1"e e41s1#n, tre!te" !s $#t1#n /#rre4#ns1"er!t1#n, 1s "en1e" ;1t0 /1n!&1t* /#r &!48 #/ $er1t.

;rst.Pre&1$1n!r1&*. J%st14e Re*es 4&!1$s t0!t t0e e41s1#n "!te" (e)r%!r*+, + s0#%&" )e set !s1"e !n" str%48 "#;n !s ! n%&&1t* /#r )e1n'

31#&!t13e #/ Se4t1#n 5, Art14&e VIII #/ t0e C#nst1t%t1#n $!n"!t1n' t0!t n#"e41s1#n s0!&& )e ren"ere" )* !n* 4#%rt ;1t0#%t e@2ress1n' t0ere1n 4&e!r&*!n" "1st1n4t&* t0e /!4ts !n" &!; #n ;0140 1t 1s )!se", !n" t0e /#&1n'2r#31s1#ns #/ t0e &!;, t# ;1t: R%&es #/ C#%rt =Se4t1#n 5, R%&e D Se4t1#n


43/50

N#. 1n t0e J%&* +. +6 En B!n4 sess1#n, 4#)&'# (!# )o6#/ 3# o$(!# !o(o)o5 " (!# o''#''"o o$ B"/o3o, ' # ' (!# )o6#/

3# o$ %&'(")# R#5#'J' # )o5, '(" 4o/# (!# 3# (# K%&51?, 200K I(# No. ?2.

T0e 4#$$1ttee &18e;1se /1n"s t0!t t0e &e!8!'e ;!s 1ntent1#n!&&* "#ne. It;!s n#t t0e res%&t #/ ! 4#2* )e1n' $1s2&!4e" !n" 1n!"3ertent&* 2148e" %2)* B1r!#'# #r s#$e#ne 1n 01s )e0!&/. T0e 4#$$1ttee n#tes t0!t n#ne #/ t0e

#//14es t# ;0140 t0e G1&)ert 4#2* ;!s )r#%'0t =OCJ !n" t0e O//14e #/ J%st14eN!40%r!> !n" ;0140 !4%1re" 4#ntr#& #3er 1t 20#t#4#21e"ponencias1nG1&)ert /#r$ !n" re&e!se" 20#t#4#21es t0ere#/ t# 2!rt* &1t1'!nts. In !n*e3ent, !s e!r&1er re/&e4te", 3# 1 o$ (!# G"4#/( )o5 (!( ' '#( (o(!# OC% %&'(")# N)!&/J' O$$")# 3# 1 o$ B"/o3oJ'!o(o)o5 "$$#/.

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44/50

RECOMMENDATIONS

IN IE OF THE FOREGOING,t0e In3est1'!t1n' C#$$1ttee res2e4t/%&&*re4#$$en"s t0!t:

=5> J%st14e R%)en T. Re*es =Ret.> )e /#%n" &1!)&e /#r GROSSMISCONDUCT/#r 31#&!t1n' 01s #!t0 !s ! $e$)er #/ t0e B!r !n" t0e C#"e

#/ Pr#/ess1#n!& Res2#ns1)1&1t* !n" )e $ete" t0e 2en!&t* #/ INDEFINITESUSPENSION!s ! $e$)er #/ t0e B!rD

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$!n"!t#r* !'e #/ 9 *e!rs 2en"1n' t0e res#&%t1#n t0ere#/. In t0#se 4!ses,t0e C#%rt ;#%&" $ere&* #r"er t0!t ! 2#rt1#n #/ 01s ret1re$ent )ene/1ts )e

set !s1"e t# !ns;er /#r t0e !$#%nt 4#rres2#n"1n' t# t0e /1ne.

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#/ J%"'e M!n%e& T. M%1#, t0ere1n Pres1"1n' J%"'e t# ;0#$ t0e 4!se ;!s!ss1'ne". J%st14e e$etr1! ;!s /#%n" '%1&t* #/ 31#&!t1n' R%&e +. #/ t0eC#"e #/ J%"141!& C#n"%4t 6F!n" #r"ere" "1s$1sse" /r#$ t0e ser314e ;1t0/#r/e1t%re #/ !&& )ene/1ts !n" ;1t0 2re?%"14e t# 01s !22#1nt$ent #r

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re1ter!tes t0!t !s ! J%st14e #/ t01s C#%rt, 0e 4!n #n&* )e re$#3e" t0r#%'01$2e!40$ent 2r#4ee"1n's !n", t0ere/#re, 1s )e*#n" t0e !"$1n1str!t13e

"1s412&1n!r* !%t0#r1t* #/ t01s C#%rt. He !ss!1&s t0e !22&14!t1#n #/ t0e r%&e#/ res ipsa lo!i!r!'!1nst 01$, "e4&!r1n' t0!t t0e s!$e 2ert!1ns #n&* t#J%st14es #/ t0e C#%rt #/ A22e!&s, t0e S!n"1'!n)!*!n, !n" t0e C#%rt #/ T!@

A22e!&sD !n" t# J%"'es #/ t0e Re'1#n!& Tr1!& C#%rts !n" #t0er 1n/er1#r4#%rts.

T# t0e 4#ntr!r*, J%st14e Re*es ;!s '13en !$2&e #22#rt%n1t* t# 2resent 01s

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!n" ?%"'es 1n t0e1r ?%"141!& 4!2!41t* s0!&& n#t )e %se" #r "1s4se" /#r !n*#t0er 2%r2#se n#t re&!te" t# t0e1r ?%"141!& "%t1es. T0e C#"e #/ C#n"%4t /#r

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2ers#ns !%t0#r17e" t# "# s#.

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SEC. . (#r$er 4#nn 2ers#nne& s0!&& n#t "1s4se 4#n/1"ent1!& 1n/#r$!t1#n!4%1re" )* t0e$ "%r1n' t0e1r e$2*$ent 1n t0e J%"141!r* ;0en "1s4se"

)* 4%rrent 4#%rt 2ers#nne& #/ t0e s!$e 1n/#r$!t1#n ;#%&" 4#nst1t%te !)re!40 #/ 4#n/1"ent1!&1t*. An* "1s4s%re 1n 31#&!t1#n #/ t01s 2r#31s1#ns s0!&&

4#nst1t%te 1n"1re4t 4#nte$2t #/ 4#%rt.55F=E$20!s1s !n" %n"ers4#r1n's%22&1e".>

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T01s s!$e 2r#n#%n4e$ent ;!s re1ter!te" 1n Beg!en v. Masangca'.T0#%'0 )#t0 4!ses 1n3#&3e 1n"1s4ret1#ns #/ 4&er8s #/ 4#%rt, 1t 1s )%t '14!&t0!t ! 01'0er st!n"!r" #/ 4!re )e 1$2#se" %2#n $!'1str!tes #/ t0e C#%rt.

P$2COR v. Rillo1a,1n /!4t, 4#$$!n"s 2ers#ns ;0# r#%t1ne&* 0!n"&e4#n/1"ent1!& $!tters t# )e 4#n/1"ent1!& e$2*ees. T0e* !re t0%s e@2e4te"

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!ssess$ents /r#$ t0e '&!re !n" '#re #/ 2%)&141t* !n" 2ress%re )*1ntereste" 2!rt1es. N#t &e!st #/ !&&, t01s $e40!n1s$ 1s essent1!& t# 2r#te4t

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n# &ess t0!n 'r#ss 1ne@4%s!)&e ne'&1'en4e #n t0e 2!rt #/ J%"'e M1?!res !n"! 31#&!t1#n #/ R%&e .6 #/ t0e C#"e #/ J%"141!& C#n"%4t "1re4t1n' ?%"'es t#2er/#r$ !"$1n1str!t13e res2#ns1)1&1t1es "1&1'ent&* !n" t# $!1nt!1n2r#/ess1#n!& 4#$2eten4e !ss1"%#%s&* 1n 4#%rt $!n!'e$ent.

T0e C#%rt 1s 1r#n-4&!" 1n en/#r41n' t0e r%&e #n str14t 4#n/1"ent1!&1t* #/

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1n/er1#r 4#%rts.

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In3est1'!t1n' C#$$1ttee !s ! "(#'' o/ /#'o&/)# #/'o1n t0e %estt# /erret #%t t0e tr%t0. T# t01s, I "1//er.

!"# (!# #''#)# o$ ) /o)#'' "' '"5 oo/(&"(5 (o 4#

!#/,+5F'&)! "' 8&"$"# (o (!# # (!( (!# /#'#(("o o$ o#J''"# '!o& 4# $o/ /#$""3 "# )!/3#' #6## 3"'( !" o/ (o

/#'#( #6"#)# (o '&o/( !"' #$#'#.T01s ;!s n#t t0e 4!se 0ere.C&e!r&*, t0e In3est1'!t1n' C#$$1ttee ;!s 4re!te" s#&e&* t# "eter$1ne ;0#!re res2#ns1)&e /#r t0e &e!8!'e #/ ! 4#n/1"ent1!& 1ntern!& "#4%$ent #/t0e en %anc.++FHen4e, t0e 4#$$1ttee ;!s $ere&* ! /!4t-/1n"1n' )#"*. (#rt01s re!s#n, J%st14e Re*es ;!s 4!&&e" !s ! ;1tness #r res#%r4e 2ers#n #n&*D!n" n#t !s ! res2#n"ent ! 40!r'e #/ ! 'r#ss $1s4#n"%4t n#t 1$2%te"

!'!1nst 01$.

E31"ent&*, J%st14e Re*es ;!s n#t '13en 2r1#r n#t14e !22r1s1n' 01$ #/ t0e2!rt14%&!r !4&s #r #$1ss1#ns /#r ;0140 t0e s!n4t1#n !'!1nst 01$ ;!s1$2#se" !n" ne1t0er ;!s 0e '13en t0e #22#rt%n1t* s2e41/14!&&* 2resen1e31"en4e t# 01s "e/ense. 1t0#%t "#%)t, t0e r1'0t #/ J%st14e Re*es t# "%e

2r#4ess ;!s n#t $et.

M#re#3er, t0e M!?#r1t* 0#&"s t0!t %n"er t0e "#4tr1ne #/ res 12s! %1t%r,t0e C#%rt $!* 1$2#se 1ts !%t0#r1t* %2#n err1n' ?%"'es ;0#se !4t%!t1#ns,#n t0e1r /!4e, ;#%&" s0#; 'r#ss 1n4#$2eten4e, 1'n#r!n4e #/ t0e &!; #r$1s4#n"%4t. Lo!is V!ion ".$. v. Villan!eva,4&!r1/1es t0!t:

T0e res ipsa lo!i!r"#4tr1ne "#es n#t e@4e2t #r "1s2ense ;1t0 t0ene4ess1t* #/ 2r#31"1n' t0e /!4ts #n ;0140 t0e 1n/eren4e #/ e31& 1s )!se. It

$ere&* e@2resses t0e 4&e!r&* s#%n" !n" re!s#n!)&e 4#n4&%s1#n t0!t ;0ens%40 /!4ts !re !"$1tte" #r !re !&re!"* s0#;n )* t0e re4#r", !n" n#

4re"1)&e e@2&!n!t1#n t0!t ;#%&" ne'!t13e t0e str#n' 1n/eren4e #/ e31& 1ntent1s /#rt04#$1n', n# /%rt0er 0e!r1n' t# est!)&1s0 t0e$ t# s%22#rt ! ?%"'$ent

!s t# t0e 4%&2!)1&1t* #/ ! res2#n"ent 1s ne4ess!r*.+F

Tr%e, t0e "#4tr1ne #/ res ipsa lo!i!r0!s )een %se" )* t0e C#%rt t# !ssert1ts "1s412&1n1n' !%t0#r1t* #3er s#$e #/ 1ts #//14ers. 5, 0#;e3er, s%)$1t t0!t

t01s "#4tr1ne 1s 1n!22&14!)&e 1n t01s 4!se. No(45, (!# ""'(/("6#)'#'+F)"(# 45 (!# Mo/"(5 o""o #(# $/o )o"(

o/ )!/3# o$ "')o&)( (!# /#'o#(' (!#/#" #/#"/#)(# (o /#'o o/ )o#( (o '&)! )!/3#.In J%st14e Re*esK4!se, !/ter 01s test1$#n* !s ! res#%r4e 2ers#n ;!s '13en )e/#re t0eIn3est1'!t1n' C#$$1ttee, t0e ne@t t01n' 0e 8ne; ;!s t0!t 0e ;!s !&re!"*

/#%n" '%1&t* #/ 'r!3e $1s4#n"%4t !n" s!n4t1#ne" ;1t0 ! /1ne. In t01s &1'0t,t0ere ;!s n# !"$1n1str!t13e 4#$2&!1nt t# s2e!8 #/ !n" n# res2#n"ent t#

e@#ner!te #r s!n4t1#n.

@ @ @ @

I/ 2r1#r n#t14e #/ ! 4#$2&!1nt !n" #22#rt%n1t* t# 4#$$ent #n 1t 1s '13en t#! ?%"'e #r ?%st14e #/ I0e CA !n" S!n"1'!n)!*!n, ;1t0 $#re re!s#n t0!t

s%40 t;1n r1'0ts )e !//#r"e" t# ! ?%st14e #/ t0e S%2re$e C#%rt. T# stress,31#&!t1#n #/ !n* #/ t0e 4!r"1n!& re%1re$ents #/ "%e 2r#4ess 1n!"$1n1str!t13e 2r#4ee"1n's ren"ers !n* ?%"'$ent #r #r"er 1ss%e" t0ere1nn%&& !n" 3#1" !n" 4!n )e !tt!48e" 1n !n* !22r#2r1!te 2r#4ee"1n's.+


50/50

I 3#te t# GRANTt0e M#t1#n t# Set As1"e e41s1#n !n" n%&&1/* t0e (e)r%!r*

+, + e41s1#n. J%st14e Re*es s0#%&" )e '13en t0e r1'0t t# !ns;er t0e40!r'e #/ 'r#ss $1s4#n"%4t !n" !""%4e e31"en4e 1n s%22#rt #/ 01s

"e/enses. T0e "1s)!r$ent 2r#4ee"1n's s0#%&" )e 0e&" 1n !)e*!n4e %nt1& !"e41s1#n 1s ren"ere" 1n t0e !"$1n1str!t13e 4#$2&!1nt.

T0e 3#te 1s t# 'r!nt t0e M#t1#n t# Set As1"e e41s1#n #/ J%st14e Re*esD 1n

t0e !&tern!t13e, 1/ t0e "e41s1#n 1s 2er$1ss1)&e, t0e 2en!&t* #/ 1n"e/1n1tes%s2ens1#n 1s t## 0!rs0 !s 1t 1s !&re!"* !81n t# "1s)!r$ent !n" 1nste!",

#2te" /#r ! s%s2ens1#n #/ /13e = *e!rs /r#$ t0e 2r!4t14e #/ &!;.

T0ree => #t0er J%st14es #/ t0e C#%rt !'ree" ;1t0 t0e #21n1#n #/ t0e$!?#r1t* t0!t J%st14e Re*esK M#t1#n t# Set As1"e e41s1#n s0#%&" )e "en1e"D

0#;e3er, t0e* 3#te" t0!t t0e s%s2ens1#n #/ J%st14e Re*es )e &1$1te" t# /13e= *e!rs !s t0e 2en!&t* #/ 1n"e/1n1te s%s2ens1#n /r#$ t0e 2r!4t14e #/ &!; 1s

"ee$e" t## 0!rs0.

T;# =+> J%st14es #/ t0e C#%rt t##8 n# 2!rt 1n t0e "e&1)er!t1#ns ;01&e t;#=+> J%st14es !re #n #//141!& &e!3e, )%t #ne &e/t t0e 3#te ;1t0 t0e C01e/J%st14e.

J%st14e Re*es see8s t0e 81n" )ene3#&en4e #/ t0e C#%rt, )%t t0e C#%rt 1s n#t%n$1n"/%& t0!t e3en t0e 'r!nt #/ 4#$2!ss1#n 1tse&/ $%st 0!3e !n #)?e4t13e

)!s1s. T0e re2re0ens1)&e $1s4#n"%4t J%st14e Re*es e@01)1te" /!r #%t;e1'0s;0!t t0e 'r!nt #/ 4#$2!ss1#n $1'0t re!s#n!)&* "1s2ense 1n 01s /!3#r %n"ert0e 41r4%$st!n4es. It 1s tr%&* s!""en1n' t0!t t0e C#%rt, #n t01s 3er* r!re#44!s1#n, 1s 4#nstr!1ne" t# 1$2#se !"$1n1str!t13e s!n4t1#ns %2#n !

4#&&e!'%e ;0# 0!s r1sen /r#$ t0e r!n8s !n" "e3#te" t0e )est t01rt*-/13e*e!rs #/ 01s &1/e t# ser314e 1n t0e '#3ern$ent. B%t 1n s# "#1n', ;e !re ;e&&-

$1n"e" #/ t0e ser1#%sness !n" 'r!31t* #/ 01s $1s4#n"%4t, !s ;e&& !s #/ t0e)!s14 nee" t# 2re3ent ! 2#ss1)&e re4%rren4e #/ t0e s!$e, t# "eter t0#se 1n;0#se 0!n"s t0e "1s2ens!t1#n #/ ?%st14e rests /r#$ en'!'1n' 1n t0e s!$e

#r s1$1&!r $1s"e$e!n#r !n", n#t!)&*, t# 2r#te4t t0e ent1re $!nt&e #/?%"141!& !"$1n1str!t1#n /r#$ %n;!rr!nte" 4r1t141s$ !n" /r#$ )e1n' "r!''e"

1nt# t0e %!'$1re #/ "1sre2%te.

In"ee", 1$2er!t13e !n" s!4re" 1s t0e "%t* #/ t0#se 40!r'e" ;1t0 t0e

!"$1n1str!t1#n #/ ?%st14e t# $!1nt!1n t0e 4#%rtKs '##" n!$e !n" st!n"1n'!s ! te$2&e #/ ?%st14e !n" r%&e #/ &!;. Hen4e, ! 4#n"%4t, !4t #r #$1ss1#n

t0!t 1s re2%'n!nt t# t0e n#r$ #/ 2%)&14 !44#%nt!)1&1t* #r, !t &e!st, ten"s t#"1$1n1s0 t0e 2e#2&eKs /!1t0 !n" 4#n/1"en4e 1n t0e J%"141!r*, $%st 1n3!r1!)&*

)e $et n#t #n&* ;1t0 t0e !22r#2r1!te s!n4t1#n 1$2#se" )* &!;, )%t !&s#;1t0 t0e 1ne31t!)&e s4#rn t0!t 4#$es ;1t0 1t.

HEREFORE, 1n 31e; #/ t0e /#re'#1n', t0e C#%rt /1n"s t0e e@2&!n!t1#n #/

J%st14e R%)en T. Re*es t# t0e s0#; 4!%se "1re4t13e!s UNSATISFACTOR, !n" 01s M#t1#n t# Set As1"e e41s1#n, tre!te" !s

$#t1#n /#r re4#ns1"er!t1#n #/ t0e C#%rtKs e41s1#n "!te" (e)r%!r* +,+, 1s DENIED ITH FINALIT/#r &!48 #/ $er1t. J%st14e Re*es 1s/#%n" GUILT#/ GROSS MISCONDUCT/#r 31#&!t1n' R%&es 5.5 !n" 5.+#/ C!n#n 5 #/ t0e C#"e #/ Pr#/ess1#n!& Res2#ns1)1&1t* !n" t0e 2en!&t*

#/INDEFINITE SUSPENSION/r#$ t0e 2r!4t14e #/ &!; 1s 1$2#se" %2#n01$.

Let ! 4#2* #/ t01s Res#&%t1#n )e /%rn1s0e" t# t0e O//14e #/ t0e B!r

C#n/1"!nt, t# )e !22en"e" t# t0e 2ers#n!& re4#r" #/ J%st14e Re*es !s !&!;*erD t0e Inte'r!te" B!r #/ t0e P01&1221nesD !n" t0e O//14e #/ t0e C#%rtA"$1n1str!t#r /#r 41r4%&!t1#n t# !&& 4#%1ts 1n t0e 4#%nt1* /#r t0e1r 1n/#r$!t1#n!n" '%1"!n4e.

T01s Res#&%t1#n s0!&& )e 1$$e"1!te&* e@e4%t#r*.

5!is!m%ing!n" 3nares/"aniago, JJ.,#n #//141!& &e!3e, )%t #ne &e/t t0e3#te ;1t0 t0e C01e/ J%st14e.*el Casillo!n"$%ad, JJ.,n# 2!rt.

Ver* tr%&* *#%rs,

S3. MA. LUISA D. ILLARAMAC&er8 #/ C#%r

APRIL 1@, 201=

!((:').&")"/5.3o6.!&/"'/)#/#'o&("o'201=0>09

-2-19-SC.$

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