Leg Ethics 8

8/12/2019 Leg Ethics 8

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Case No. !! & 3hen it 3as appa$ent that the$e 3as no le9al 9$oun- to -o so& $espon-ent )iolate- his oath of office as 3ell as theabo)e?:uote- Canon of the Co-e of P$ofessional Responsibilit4& K$Lespon-ent is he$eb4 SUSPENDED f$o( the p$actice of la3 fo$t3o 4ea$s.=%

The 1acts

In his Co(plaint& Att4. Re4es alle9es that so(eti(e in anua$4 B55!& his se$)ices 3e$e en9a9e- b4 one Gon99i Fu&@ a Chinese?Tai3anese& in a business )entu$e that 3ent a3$4. Fu in)este- P@""&""" on a Cebu?base- fishball& te(pu$a an- seafoo- p$o-uctsfacto$4 bein9 set up b4 a ce$tain Chia Hsien Pan& anothe$ Chinese?Tai3anese $esi-in9 in Ga(boan9a Cit4. E)entuall4& the fo$(e$-isco)e$e- that the latte$ ha- not establishe- a fishball facto$4. 0hen Fu as8e- fo$ his (one4 bac8& Pan beca(e hostile& (a8in9 itnecessa$4 fo$ the fo$(e$ to see8 le9al assistance.

Fu& th$ou9h he$ein co(plainant& file- a Co(plaint fo$ estafa a9ainst Pan& 3ho 3as $ep$esente- b4 $espon-ent. The Co(plaint&-oc8ete- as IS 5! ? B55"& 3as assi9ne- to Assistant Manila Cit4 P$osecuto$ Pe-$o ,. Salan9a& 3ho then issue- a subpoena fo$Pan to appea$ fo$ p$eli(ina$4 in)esti9ation on Octobe$ %# an- %5& B55!. The latte$ neithe$ appea$e- on the t3o sche-ule- hea$in9sno$ sub(itte- his counte$?affi-a)it. Hence& P$osecuto$ Salan9a file- a C$i(inal Co(plaint fo$ estafa a9ainst hi( befo$e theRe9ional T$ial Cou$t of Manila. On Ap$il !& B555& the Manila RTC issue- a 0a$$ant of A$$est a9ainst Pan.

The$eafte$& $espon-ent file- an U$9ent Motion to /uash the 0a$$ant of A$$est.# He also file- 3ith the RTC of Ga(boan9a Cit4 aCi)il Co(plaint fo$ the collection of a su( of (one4 an- -a(a9es as 3ell as fo$ the -issolution of a business )entu$e a9ainstco(plainant& Fu an- P$osecuto$ Salan9a.

0hen conf$onte- b4 co(plainant& $espon-ent e;plaine- that it 3as Pan 3ho ha- -eci-e- to institute the ci)il action a9ainst Att4.Re4es. Respon-ent clai(e- he 3oul- su99est to his client to -$op the ci)il case& if co(plainant 3oul- (o)e fo$ the -is(issal of theestafa case. Ho3e)e$& the t3o la34e$s faile- to $each a settle(ent.

In his Co((ent! -ate- anua$4 %#& %"""& $espon-ent a$9ue- that he ha- sho3n no -is$espect in i(plea-in9 Att4. Re4es as co?-efen-ant in Ci)il Case No. !! . He clai(e- that the$e 3as no basis to conclu-e that the suit 3as 9$oun-less& an- that it ha- beeninstitute- onl4 to e;act )en9eance. He alle9e- that P$osecuto$ Salan9a 3as i(plea-e- as an a--itional -efen-ant because of thei$$e9ula$ities the latte$ ha- co((itte- in con-uctin9 the c$i(inal in)esti9ation. Specificall4& P$osecuto$ Salan9a ha- $esol)e- to filethe estafa case -espite the pen-enc4 of PanJs Motion fo$ an Oppo$tunit4 to Sub(it Counte$?Affi-a)its an- E)i-ence&5 of theappealB" to the 7ustice sec$eta$4& an- of the Motion to Defe$ Suspen- P$ocee-in9s.BB

On the othe$ han-& co(plainant 3as i(plea-e-& because he alle9e-l4 conni)e- 3ith his client in filin9 the estafa case& 3hichthe fo$(e$ 8ne3 full4 3ell 3as baseless. Acco$-in9 to $espon-ent& the i$$e9ula$ities co((itte- b4 P$osecuto$ Salan9a in the c$i(inalin)esti9ation an- co(plainantJs conni)ance the$ein 3e$e -isco)e$e- onl4 afte$ the institution of the collection suit.

The Thi$- Di)ision of this Cou$t $efe$$e- the case to the I,P fo$ in)esti9ation& $epo$t an- $eco((en-ation.B% The$eafte$& the ,oa$-of +o)e$no$s of the I,P passe- its une %5& %""% Resolution.B@

Repo$t an- Reco((en-ation of the I,P

In he$ Repo$t an- Reco((en-ation&B Co((issione$ Mila9$os V. San uan& to 3ho( the case 3as assi9ne- b4 the I,P fo$in)esti9ation an- $epo$t& a)e$$e- that co(plainant an- P$osecuto$ Salan9a ha- been i(plea-e- in Ci)il Case No. !! on the solebasis of the C$i(inal Co(plaint fo$ estafa the4 ha- file- a9ainst $espon-entJs client. In his Co((ent& $espon-ent hi(self clai(e-that =the $eason ; ; ; 3as ; ; ; the i$$e9ula$ities of the c$i(inal in)esti9ation conni)ance an- conse:uent -a(a9es.=

Co((issione$ San uan (aintaine- that the collection suit 3ith -a(a9es ha- been file- pu$posel4 to obtain le)e$a9e a9ainst theestafa case& in 3hich $espon-entJs client 3as the -efen-ant. The$e 3as no nee- to i(plea- co(plainant an- P$osecuto$ Salan9a&since the4 ha- ne)e$ pa$ticipate- in the business t$ansactions bet3een Pan an- Fu. I(p$ope$ an- hi9hl4 :uestionable 3as theinclusion of the p$osecuto$ an- co(plainant in the ci)il case institute- b4 $espon-ent on the alle9e- p$o--in9 of his client. Ve$il4& thesuit 3as file- to ha$ass co(plainant an- P$osecuto$ Salan9a.

Co((issione$ San uan hel- that $espon-ent ha- no 9$oun- to i(plea- P$osecuto$ Salan9a an- co(plainant in Ci)il Case No.!! . In so -oin9& $espon-ent )iolate- his oath of office an- Canon ! of the Co-e of P$ofessional Responsibilit4. The I,P a-opte-the in)esti9atin9 co((issione$Js $eco((en-ation fo$ his suspension f$o( the p$actice of la3 fo$ t3o 4ea$s.

This Cou$tJs Rulin9

0e a9$ee 3ith the I,PJs $eco((en-ation.

'a34e$s a$e license- office$s of the cou$ts 3ho a$e e(po3e$e- to appea$& p$osecute an- -efen- an- upon 3ho( peculia$ -uties&$esponsibilities an- liabilities a$e -e)ol)e- b4 la3 as a conse:uence.B Me(be$ship in the ba$ i(poses upon the( ce$tain

obli9ations. Man-ate- to (aintain the -i9nit4 of the le9al p$ofession& the4 (ust con-uct the(sel)es hono$abl4 an- fai$l4. Mo$eo)e$&

Canon ! of the Co-e of P$ofessional Responsibilit4 p$o)i-es that =KaL la34e$ shall con-uct hi(self 3ith cou$tes4& fai$ness an-can-o$ to3a$-s his p$ofessional collea9ues& an- shall a)oi- ha$assin9 tactics a9ainst opposin9 counsel.=

Respon-entJs actions -o not (easu$e up to this Canon. Ci)il Case No. !! 3as fo$ the =collection of a su( of (one4& -a(a9esan- -issolution of an un$e9iste$e- business )entu$e.= It ha- o$i9inall4 been file- a9ainst Spouses Fu& but 3as late$ (o-ifie- toinclu-e co(plainant an- P$osecuto$ Salan9a.

The A(en-e- an- Supple(ental Co(plaintsB alle9e- the follo3in92

=%#. The in)esti9atin9 p$osecuto$ -efen-ant Pe-$o Salan9a 8no3in9l4 an- -elibe$atel4 $efuse- an- faile- to pe$fo$( his -ut4en7oine- b4 the la3 an- the Constitution to affo$- plaintiff Chia Hsien Pan -ue p$ocess b4 )iolatin9 his $i9hts un-e$ the Rules on

p$eli(ina$4 in)esti9ations he also falsel4 (a-e a Ce$tification un-e$ oath that p$eli(ina$4 in)esti9ation 3as -ul4 con-ucte- an-plaintiff K3asL -ul4 info$(e- of the cha$9es a9ainst hi( but -i- not ans3e$ he (aliciousl4 an- ; ; ; pa$tiall4 $ule- that the$e 3asp$obable cause an- file- a C$i(inal Info$(ation fo$ estafa a9ainst plaintiff Chia Hsien Pan& 8no3in9 full4 K3ellL that the p$ocee-in9s 3e$e fatall4 -efecti)e an- null an- )oi- ; ; ;

=%!. Sai- assistant p$osecuto$& 8no3in9 also that plaintiff Chia Hsien Pan file- sai- appeal an- (otion to -efe$ fo$ the )ali- 9$oun-sstate- the$ein -elibe$atel4 $efuse- to co$$ect his e$$o$s an- consente- to the a$$est of sai- plaintiff un-e$ an in)ali- info$(ation an- 3a$$ant of a$$est.

=%5. Defen-ant Att4. Ra(on Re4es& 8no3in9 that the suit of -efen-ant Gon9oi Fu is baseless conni)e- 3ith the latte$ to ha$ass an-e;to$t (one4 f$o( plaintiff Chia Hsien Pan b4 sai- c$i(inal p$osecution in the (anne$ cont$a$4 to la3& (o$als an- public polic4&$esultin9 to the a$$est of sai- plaintiff an- causin9 plaintiffs 9$a)e i$$epa$able -a(a9esK.L=B#

0e concu$ 3ith the I,P that the a(en-(ent of the Co(plaint an- the failu$e to $eso$t to the p$ope$ $e(e-ies st$en9thenco(plainantJs alle9ation that the ci)il action 3as inten-e- to 9ain le)e$a9e a9ainst the estafa case. If $espon-ent o$ his client -i-not a9$ee 3ith P$osecuto$ Salan9aJs $esolution& the4 shoul- ha)e use- the p$ope$ p$oce-u$al an- a-(inist$ati)e $e(e-ies.Respon-ent coul- ha)e 9one to the 7ustice sec$eta$4 an- file- a Motion fo$ Reconsi-e$ation o$ a Motion fo$ Rein)esti9ation ofP$osecuto$ Salan9aJs -ecision to file an info$(ation fo$ estafa.

In the t$ial cou$t& a Motion to Dis(iss 3as a)ailable to hi( if he coul- sho3 that the estafa case 3as file- 3ithout basis. Mo$eo)e$&he coul- ha)e institute- -isba$(ent p$ocee-in9s a9ainst co(plainant an- P$osecuto$ Salan9a& if he belie)e- that the t3o ha-conspi$e- to act ille9all4. As a la34e$& $espon-ent shoul- ha)e a-)ise- his client of the a)ailabilit4 of these $e(e-ies. Thus& the filin9of the ci)il case ha- no 7ustification.

The lac8 of in)ol)e(ent of co(plainant an- P$osecuto$ Salan9a in the business t$ansaction sub7ect of the collection suit sho3s thatthe$e 3as no $eason fo$ thei$ inclusion in that case. It appea$s that $espon-ent too8 the estafa case as a pe$sonal aff$ont an- use-the ci)il case as a tool to $etu$n the incon)enience suffe$e- b4 his client. His actions -e(onst$ate a (isuse of the le9al p$ocess. Theai( of e)e$4 la3suit shoul- be to $en-e$ 7ustice to the pa$ties acco$-in9 to la3& not to ha$ass the(.B!

'a34e$s shoul- t$eat thei$ opposin9 counsels anothe$ la34e$s 3ith cou$tes4& -i9nit4 an- ci)ilit4. A 9$eat pa$t of thei$ co(fo$t& as 3ell as of thei$ success at the ba$& - epen-s upon thei$ $elations 3ith thei$ p$ofessional b $eth$en. Since the4 -eal constantl4 3itheach othe$& the4 (ust t$eat one anothe$ 3ith t$ust an- $espect. An4 un-ue ill feelin9 bet3een clients shoul- not influence counselsin thei$ con-uct an- -e(eano$ to3a$- each othe$. Mutual bic8e$in9& un7ustifie- $ec$i(inations an- offensi)e beha)io$ a(on9la34e$s not onl4 -et$act f$o( the -i9nit4 of the le9al p$ofession&B5 but also constitute hi9hl4 unp$ofessional con-uct sub7ect to-isciplina$4 action.

1u$the$(o$e& the 'a34e$Js Oath e;ho$ts la3 p$actitione$s not to =3ittin9l4 o$ 3illin9l4 p$o(ote o$ sue an4 9$oun-less& false o$unla3ful suit& no$ 9i)e ai- no$ consent to the sa(e.=

Respon-ent clai(s that it 3as his client 3ho insiste- in i(plea-in9 co(plainant an- P$osecuto$ Salan9a. Such e;cuse is fli(s4 an-unacceptable. 0hile la34e$s o3e enti$e -e)otion to the inte$ests of thei$ clients& thei$ office -oes not pe$(it )iolation of the la3 o$an4 (anne$ of f$au- o$ chicane$4.%" Thei$ $en-ition of i(p$ope$ se$)ice in)ites ste$n an- 7ust con-e(nation. Co$$espon-in9l4& the4a-)ance the hono$ of thei$ p$ofession an- the best inte$ests of thei$ clients 3hen the4 $en-e$ se$)ice o$ 9i)e a-)ice that (eets thest$ictest p$inciples of (o$al la3.%B

The hi9hest $e3a$- that can be besto3e- on la34e$s is the estee( of thei$ p$ofessional b$eth$en. This estee( cannot bepu$chase-& pe$functo$il4 c$eate-& o$ 9aine- b4 a$tifice o$ cont$i)ance. It is bo$n of sha$p contests an- th$i)es -espite conflictin9inte$ests. It e(anates solel4 f$o( inte9$it4& cha$acte$& b$ains an- s8ill in the hono$able pe$fo$(ance of p$ofessional -ut4.%%

0HERE1ORE& $espon-ent is foun- 9uilt4 as cha$9e- an- is he$eb4 SUSPENDED fo$ t3o 4ea$s f$o( the p$actice of la3&effecti)e i((e-iatel4.

SO ORDERED.


3/35

Republic of the PhilippinesSUPREME COURTManila

EN ,ANC

A.M. No. %B5 Septe(be$ %5& B5 %

CASIANO U. 'APUT& petitione$&)s.ATT*. 1RANCISCO E.1. REMOTI+UE an- ATT*. 1ORTUNATO P. PATA'IN+HU+& $espon-ents.

'A,RADOR& .2

This is an o$i9inal co(plaint file- 3ith this Cou$t cha$9in9 $espon-ents 3ith unp$ofessional an- unethical con-uct in solicitin9cases an- int$i9uin9 a9ainst a b$othe$ la34e$& an- p$a4in9 that $espon-ents be -ealt 3ith acco$-in9l4.

The facts 3hich le- to the filin9 of this co(plaint a$e as follo32 In Ma4& B5 %& petitione$ 3as $etaine- b4 Nie)es Rillas V-a. -e,a$$e$a to han-le he$ case in the Cou$t of 1i$st Instance of Cebu& entitle- =Testate Estate of Maca$io ,a$$e$a=.,4 anua$4& B5 & petitione$ ha- conte(plate- the closin9 of the sai- a-(inist$ation p$ocee-in9s an- p$epa$e- t3o plea-in9s2 one&to close the p$ocee-in9s an- -ecla$e Nie)es Rillas V-a. -e ,a$$e$a as uni)e$sal hei$ an- o$-e$ the -eli)e$4 to he$ of the $esi-ue ofthe estate an-& secon-& a notice fo$ the $en-ition of final accountin9 an- pa$tition of estate. At this point& ho3e)e$& the a-(inist$at$i;Nie)es Rillas V-a. -e ,a$$e$a $efuse- to counte$si9n these t3o plea-in9s an- instea- a-)ise- petitione$ not to file the(. So(e 3ee8s late$& petitione$ foun- in the $eco$-s o f sai- p$ocee-in9s that $espon-ent Att4. 1o$tunato Patalin9hu9 ha- file- on anua$4 BB&B5 a 3$itten appea$ance as the ne3 counsel fo$ Nie)es Rillas V-a. -e ,a$$e$a. On 1eb$ua$4 & B5 petitione$ )olunta$il4 as8e-the cou$t to be $elie)e- as counsel fo$ M$s. ,a$$e$a. On 1eb$ua$4 #& B5 & the othe$ $espon-ent& Att4. 1$ancisco E. 1. Re(oti9ue&ente$e- his appea$ance& -ate- 1eb$ua$4 & B5 .

Co(plainant he$e alle9es that the appea$ances of $espon-ents 3e$e unethical an- i(p$ope$ fo$ the $eason that the4 ha-nu$se- the -esi$e to $eplace the petitione$ as atto$ne4 fo$ the estate an- the a-(inist$at$i; an-& ta8in9 a-)anta9e of he$ 9oo-3ill&int$i9ue- a9ainst the p$epa$ation of the final in)ento$4 an- accountin9 an- p$o--e- M$s. ,a$$e$a not to consent to petitione$ s-ecision to close the a-(inist$ation p$ocee-in9s that befo$e thei$ appea$ance& the4 b$ou9ht petitione$ s client to thei$ la3 office an-the$e (a-e he$ si9n fou$ -ocu(ents captione- =Re)ocation of Po3e$ of Atto$ne4= an- sent the sa(e b4 (ail to se)e$al co$po$ationsan- establish(ents 3he$e the Estate of Maca$io ,a$$e$a is o3ne$ of ce$tificates of stoc8s an- 3hich -ocu(ents pu$po$te- to-isautho$i6e the petitione$ f$o( fu$the$ collectin9 an- $ecei)in9 the -i)i-en-s of the estate f$o( sai- co$po$ations& 3hen in fact an-in t$uth the $espon-ents full4 8ne3 that no po3e$ of atto$ne4 o$ autho$it4 3as 9i)en to the petitione$ b4 his client& the $espon-ents(oti)e bein9 to e(ba$$ass petitione$ to the officials& la34e$s an- e(plo4ees of sai- co$po$ations& pictu$in9 hi( as a -ishonestla34e$ an- no lon9e$ t$uste- b4 his client all 3ith the pu$pose of st$ainin9 the $elationship of the petitione$ an- his client& Nie)esRillas V-a. -e ,a$$e$a an- that Att4. Patalin9hu9 ente$e- his appea$ance 3ithout notice to petitione$.

In ans3e$& $espon-ent Att4. Patalin9hu9 state- that 3hen he ente$e- his appea$ance on anua$4 BB& B5 the a-(inist$at$i;Nie)es Rillas V-a. -e ,a$$e$a ha- al$ea-4 lost confi-ence in he$ la34e$& the he$ein petitione$& an- ha- in fact al$ea-4 3ith he$ aplea-in9 -ate- anua$4 BB& B5 & entitle- =Discha$9e of Counsel fo$ the A-(inist$ation an- Motion to Cite Att4. Casiano 'aput=& 3hich she he$self ha- file- 3ith the cou$t.Ba3ph l.n t

In ans3e$& $espon-ent Att4. Re(oti9ue state- that 3hen he file- his appea$ance on 1eb$ua$4 #& B5 & the petitione$ hasal$ea-4 3ith-$a3n as counsel.

Afte$ sepa$ate ans3e$s 3e$e file- b4 the $espon-ents& the Sup$e(e Cou$t $efe$$e- the case to the Solicito$ +ene$al fo$in)esti9ation& $epo$t an- $eco((en-ation. The Solicito$ +ene$al $eco((en-e- the co(plete e;one$ation of $espon-ents.

It appea$s an- it 3as foun- b4 the Solicito$ +ene$al that befo$e $espon-ent Att4. 1o$tunato Patalin9hu9 ente$e- hisappea$ance& the 3i-o3 a-(inist$at$i; ha- al$ea-4 file- 3ith the cou$t a plea-in9 -ischa$9in9 the petitione$ Att4. Casiano 'aput. Ifshe -i- not fu$nish Att4. 'aput 3ith a cop4 of the sai- plea-in9& it 3as not the fault of Att4. Patalin9hu9 but that of the sai- 3i-o3. Itappea$s that the $eason 3h4 M$s. ,a$$e$a -is(isse- petitione$ as he$ la34e$ 3as that she -i- not t$ust hi( an4 lon9e$& fo$ one ti(eshe foun- out that so(e -i)i-en- chec8s 3hich shoul- ha)e been sent to he$ 3e$e sent instea- to petitione$& (a8in9 he$ feel thatshe 3as bein9 cheate- b4 petitione$. Mo$eo)e$& she foun- that 3ith-$a3als f$o( the Philippine National ,an8 an- ,an8 of thePhilippine Islan-s ha)e been (a-e b4 petitione$ 3ithout he$ p$io$ autho$it4.

0e see no i$$e9ula$it4 in the appea$ance of $espon-ent Att4. 1o$tunato Patalin9hu9 as counsel fo$ the 3i-o3 (uch less can 3e consi- e$ it as an actual 9$abbin9 of a case f$o( petitione$. The e)i-ence as foun- b4 the Solicito$ +ene$al sho3s that Att4.Patalin9hu9 s p$ofessional se$)ices 3e$e cont$acte- b4 the 3i-o3& a 3$itten cont$act ha)in9 been (a-e as to the a(ount to be

9i)en hi( fo$ his p$ofessional se$)ices.

Petitione$ s )olunta$4 3ith-$a3al on 1eb$ua$4 & B5 & as counsel fo$ M$s. ,a$$e$a afte$ Att4. Patalin9hu9 ha- ente$e- hisappea$ance& an- his filin9 al(ost si(ultaneousl4 of a (otion fo$ the pa4(ent of his atto$ne4 s fees& a(ounte- to anac:uiescence to the appea$ance of $espon-ent Att4. Patalin9hu9 as counsel fo$ the 3i-o3. This shoul- estop petitione$ f$o( no3co(plainin9 that the appea$ance of Att4. Patalin9hu9 3as unp$ofessional.

Much less coul- 3e hol- $espon-ent Att4. Re(oti9ue 9uilt4 of unp$ofessional con-uct inas(uch as he ente$e- hisappea$ance& -ate- 1eb$ua$4 & B5 & onl4 on 1eb$ua$4 #& sa(e 4ea$& afte$ M$s. ,a$$e$a ha- -ispense- 3ith petitione$ s p$ofessionalse$)ices on anua$4 BB& B5 & an- afte$ petitione$ ha- )olunta$il4 3ith-$a3n his appea$ance on 1eb$ua$4 & B5 .

0ith $espect to the p$epa$ation b4 Att4. Patalin9hu9 of the $e)ocations of po3e$ of atto$ne4 as co(plaine- of b4 petitione$& theSolicito$ +ene$al foun- that the sa(e -oes not appea$ to be p$o(pte- b4 (alice o$ inten-e- to hu$t petitione$ s feelin9s& but pu$el4

to safe9ua$- the inte$est of the a-(inist$at$i;. E)i-entl4& petitione$ s p$i-e 3as hu$t b4 the issuance of these -ocu(ents& an- felt thathe ha- been pictu$e- as a -ishonest la34e$ fo$ he file- a case befo$e the Cit4 1iscal of Cebu a9ainst Att4. Patalin9hu9 an- the 3i-o3 fo$ libel an- falsification. It 3as sho3n& ho3e)e$& that the case 3as -is(isse-.

No sufficient e)i-ence ha)in9 been sub(itte- to sustain the cha$9es& these a$e he$eb4 -is(isse- an- the case close-.

EN ,ANCK,. M. No. B"@ . une B"& %""@L

DONNA MARIE S. A+UIRRE& co(plainant& )s. ED0IN '. RANA& $espon-ent.D E C I S I O NCARPIO& .2

The Case

,efo$e one is a-(itte- to the Philippine ,a$& he (ust possess the $e:uisite (o$al inte9$it4 fo$ (e(be$ship in the le9al p$ofession.Possession of (o$al inte9$it4 is of 9$eate$ i(po$tance than possession of le9al lea$nin9. The p$actice of la3 is a p$i)ile9e besto3e-onl4 on the (o$all4 fit. A ba$ can-i-ate 3ho is (o$all4 unfit cannot p$actice la3 e)en if he passes the ba$ e;a(inations.

The 1acts

Respon-ent E-3in '. Rana 3as a(on9 those 3ho passe- the %""" ,a$ E;a(inations.

On %B Ma4 %""B& one -a4 befo$e the sche-ule- (ass oath?ta8in9 of successful ba$ e;a(inees as (e(be$s of the Philippine ,a$&co(plainant Donna Ma$ie A9ui$$e file- a9ainst $espon-ent a Petition fo$ Denial of A-(ission to the ,a$.Co(plainant cha$9e- $espon-ent 3ith unautho$i6e- p$actice of la3& 9$a)e (iscon-uct& )iolation of la3& an- 9$a)e(is$ep$esentation.

The Cou$t allo3e- $espon-ent to ta8e his oath as a (e(be$ of the ,a$ -u$in9 the sche-ule- oath?ta8in9 on %% Ma4 %""B at thePhilippine Inte$national Con)ention Cente$. Ho3e)e$& the Cou$t $ule- that $espon-ent coul- not si9n the Roll of Atto$ne4s pen-in9the $esolution of the cha$9e a9ainst hi(. Thus& $espon-ent too8 the la34e$Js oath on the sche-ule- -ate but has not si9ne- theRoll of Atto$ne4s up to no3.

Co(plainant cha$9es $espon-ent fo$ unautho$i6e- p$actice of la3 an- 9$a)e (iscon-uct. Co(plainant alle9es that $espon-ent& 3hile not 4et a la34e$& appea$e- as co unsel fo$ a can-i-ate in t he Ma4 %""B e lections befo$e the Munic ipal ,oa$- of ElectionCan)asse$s of Man-aon& Masbate. Co(plainant fu$the$ alle9es that $espon-ent file- 3ith the M,EC a plea-in9 -ate- B5Ma4 %""B entitle- 1o$(al Ob7ection to the Inclusion in the Can)assin9 of Votes in So(e P$ecincts fo$ the Office of Vice?Ma4o$. Inthis plea-in9& $espon-ent $ep$esente- hi(self as Qcounsel fo$ an- in behalf of Vice Ma4o$alt4 Can-i-ate& +eo$9e ,unan& an-si9ne- the plea-in9 as counsel fo$ +eo$9e ,unan .

On the cha$9e of )iolation of la3& co(plainant clai(s that $espon-ent is a (unicipal 9o)e$n(ent e(plo4ee& bein9 a sec$eta$4 of theSan99unian9 ,a4an of Man-aon& Masbate. As such& $espon-ent is not allo3e- b4 la3 to act as couns el fo$ a client in an4 cou$t o$a-(inist$ati)e bo-4.

On the cha$9e of 9$a)e (iscon-uct an- (is$ep$esentation& co(plainant accuses $espon-ent of actin9 as counsel fo$ )ice (a4o$alt4can-i-ate +eo$9e ,unan 3ithout the latte$ en9a9in9 $espon-entJs se$)ices. Co(plainant clai(s that $espon-ent file- theplea-in9 as a plo4 to p$e)ent the p$ocla(ation of the 3innin9 )ice (a4o$alt4 can-i-ate.

On %% Ma4 %""B& the Cou$t issue- a $esolution allo3in9 $espon-ent to ta8e the la34e$Js oath but -isallo3e- hi( f$o( si9nin9 theRoll of Atto$ne4s until he is clea$e- of the cha$9es a9ainst hi(. In the sa(e $esolution& the Cou$t $e:ui$e- $espon-ent to co((enton the co(plaint a9ainst hi(.

In his Co((ent& $espon-ent a-(its that ,unan sou9ht his Qspecific assistance to $ep$esent hi( befo$e the M,EC. Respon-entclai(s that Qhe -eci-e- to assist an- a-)ice ,unan& not as a la34e$ but as a pe$son 3ho 8no3s the la3. Respon-ent a-(its


4/35

si9nin9 the B5 Ma4 %""B plea-in9 that ob7ecte- to the inclusion of ce$tain )otes in the can)assin9. He e;plains& ho3e)e$& that he-i- not si9n the plea-in9 as a la34e$ o$ $ep$esente- hi(self as an Qatto$ne4 in the plea-in9.

On his e(plo4(ent as sec$eta$4 of the San99unian9 ,a4an& $espon-ent clai(s that he sub(itte- his $esi9nation on BB Ma4 %""B 3hich 3as alle9e-l4 accepte- on t he sa(e -ate. He sub(itte- a c op4 of the Ce$tification o f Receipt of Re)ocable Resi9nation-ate- %! Ma4 %""B si9ne- b4 Vice?Ma4o$ Napoleon Relo;. Respon-ent fu$the$ clai(s that the co(plaint is politicall4 (oti)ate-consi-e$in9 that co(plainant is the -au9hte$ of Sil)est$e A9ui$$e& the losin9 can-i-ate fo$ (a4o$ of Man-aon& Masbate. Respon-entp$a4s that the co(plaint be -is(isse- fo$ lac8 of (e$it an- that he be allo3e- to si9n the Roll of Atto$ne4s.

On %% une %""B& co(plainant file- he$ Repl4 to $espon-entJs Co((ent an- $efute- the clai( of $espon-ent that his appea$ancebefo$e the M,EC 3as onl4 to e;ten- specific assistance to ,unan. Co(plainant alle9es that on B5 Ma4 %""B E(il4 Estipona?Hao

file- a petition fo$ p$ocla(ation as the 3innin9 can-i-ate fo$ (a4o$. Respon-ent si9ne- as counsel fo$ Estipona?Hao in this petition. 0hen $espon-ent appea$e- as counsel befo$e the M,EC& co(plainant :uestione- his appea$ance on t3o9$oun-s2 $espon-ent ha- not ta8en his oath as a la34e$ an- he 3as an e(plo4ee of the 9o)e$n(ent.

Respon-ent file- a Repl4 $eite$atin9 his clai( that the instant a-(inist$ati)e case isQ(oti)ate- (ainl4 b4 political )en-etta.

On B# ul4 %""B& the Cou$t $efe$$e- the case to the Office of the ,a$ Confi-ant fo$ e)aluation& $epo$t an- $eco((en-ation.

O,CJs Repo$t an- Reco((en-ation

The O,C foun- that $espon-ent in-ee- appea$e- befo$e the M,EC as counsel fo$ ,unan in the Ma4 %""B elections. The (inutesof the M,EC p$ocee-in9s sho3 that $espon-ent acti)el4 pa$ticipate- in the p$ocee-in9s. The O,C li8e3ise foun- that $espon-entappea$e- in the M,EC p$ocee-in9s e)en befo$e he too8 the la34e$Js oath on %% Ma4 %""B. The O,C belie)es that $espon-entJs(iscon-uct casts a se$ious -oubt on his (o$al fitness to be a (e(be$ of the ,a$. The O,C also belie)es that $espon-entJsunautho$i6e- p$actice of la3 is a 9$oun- to -en4 his a-(ission to the p$actice of la3. The O,C the$efo$e $eco((en-s that$espon-ent be -enie- a-(ission to the Philippine ,a$.

On the othe$ cha$9es& O,C state- that co(plainant faile- to cite a la3 3hich $espon-ent alle9e-l4 )iolate- 3hen he appea$e- ascounsel fo$ ,unan 3hile he 3as a 9o)e$n(ent e(plo4ee. Respon-ent $esi9ne- as sec$eta$4 an- his $esi9nation 3as accepte-.'i8e3ise& $espon-ent 3as autho$i6e- b4 ,unan to $ep$esent hi( befo$e the M,EC.

The Cou$tJs Rulin9

0e a9$ee 3ith the fin-in9s an- conclusions of the O,C that $espon-ent en9a9e- in the unautho$i6e- p$actice of la3 an- thus -oesnot -ese$)e a-(ission to the Philippine ,a$.

Respon-ent too8 his oath as la34e$ on %% Ma4 %""B. Ho3e)e$& the $eco$-s sho3 that $espon-ent appea$e- as counsel fo$ ,unanp$io$ to %% Ma4 %""B& befo$e $espon-ent too8 the la34e$Js oath. In the plea-in9 entitle- 1o$(al Ob7ection to the Inclusion in theCan)assin9 of Votes in So(e P$ecincts fo$ the Office of Vice?Ma4o$ -ate- B5 Ma4 %""B& $espon-ent si9ne- as Qcounsel fo$ +eo$9e,unan. In the fi$st pa$a9$aph of the sa(e plea-in9 $espon-ent state- that he 3as the Qn-e$si9ne- Counsel fo$& an- in behalf ofVice Ma4o$alt4 Can-i-ate& +EOR+E T. ,UNAN. ,unan hi(self 3$ote the M,EC on B Ma4 %""B that h e ha- Qautho$i6e- Att4.E-3in '. Rana as his counsel to $ep$esent hi( befo$e the M,EC an- si(ila$ bo-ies.

On B Ma4 %""B& (a4o$alt4 can-i-ate E(il4 Estipona?Hao also Q$etaine- $espon-ent as he$ counsel. On the sa(e -ate& B Ma4%""B& E$l4 D. Hao info$(e- the M,EC that QAtt4. E-3in '. Rana has been autho$i6e- b4 RE1ORMA 'M?PPC as the le9al counselof the pa$t4 an- the can-i-ate of the sai- pa$t4. Respon-ent hi(self 3$ote the M,EC on B Ma4 %""B that he 3as ente$in9 hisQappea$ance as counsel fo$ Ma4o$alt4 Can-i-ate E(il4 Estipona?Hao an- fo$ the RE1ORMA 'M?PPC. On B5 Ma4 %""B&$espon-ent si9ne- as counsel fo$ Estipona?Hao in the petition file- befo$e the M,EC p$a4in9 fo$ the p$ocla(ation of Estipona?Haoas the 3innin9 can-i-ate fo$ (a4o$ of Man-aon& Masbate.

All these happene- e)en befo$e $espon-ent too8 the la34e$Js oath. Clea$l4& $espon-ent en9a9e- in the p$actice of la3 3ithoutbein9 a (e(be$ of the Philippine ,a$.

In Philippine 'a34e$s Association ). A9$a)a&KBL the Cou$t eluci-ate- that2

The p$actice of la3 is not li(ite- to the con-uct of cases o$ liti9ation in cou$t it e(b$aces the p$epa$ation of plea-in9s anothe$pape$s inci-ent to actions an- special p$ocee-in9s& the (ana9e(ent of such actions an- p$ocee-in9s on behalf of clients befo$e 7u-9es an- cou$ts& an- in a--ition& c on)e4ancin9. In 9ene$al& all a-)ice to clients& an- all action ta8en fo$ the( i n (atte$s connecte- 3ith the l a3& inco$po$ation se$)ices & assess(ent an- con-e(nation se$)ices conte(platin 9 an appea$anc e befo$e a 7u-icial bo-4&the fo$eclosu$e of a (o$t9a9e& enfo$ce(ent of a c$e-ito$ s clai( in ban8$uptc4 an- insol)enc4 p$ocee-in9s& an- con-uctin9p$ocee-in9s in attach(ent& an- in (atte$s of estate an- 9ua$-ianship ha)e been hel- to constitute la3 p$actice& as -o the

p$epa$ation an- -$aftin9 of le9al inst$u(ents& 3he$e the 3o$8 -one in)ol)es the -ete$(ination b4 the t$aine- le9al (in- of the le9aleffect of facts an- con-itions. < A(. u$. p. % %& % @>. ; ; ;

In Ca4etano ). Monso-&K%L the Cou$t hel- that Qp$actice of la3 (eans an4 acti)it4& in o$ out of cou$t& 3hich $e:ui$es the applicationof la3& le9al p$oce-u$e& 8no3le-9e& t$ainin9 an- e;pe$ience. To en9a9e in the p$actice of la3 is to pe$fo$( acts 3hich a$e usuall4pe$fo$(e- b4 (e(be$s of the le9al p$ofession. +ene$all4& to p$actice la3 is to $en-e$ an4 8in- of se$)ice 3hich $e:ui$es the use ofle9al 8no3le-9e o$ s8ill.

Ve$il4& $espon-ent 3as en9a9e- in the p$actice of la3 3hen he appea$e- in the p$ocee-in9s befo$e the M,EC an- file- )a$iousplea-in9s& 3ithout license to -o so. E)i-ence clea$l4 suppo$ts the cha$9e of unautho$i6e- p$actice of la3. Respon-ent calle- hi(selfQcounsel 8no3in9 full4 3ell that he 3as not a (e(be$ of the ,a$. Ha)in9 hel- hi(self out as Qcounsel 8no3in9 that he ha- noautho$it4 to p$actice la3& $espon-ent has sho3n (o$al unfitness to be a (e(be$ of the Philippine ,a$.K@L

The $i9ht to p$actice la3 is not a natu$al o$ constitutional $i9ht but is a p$i)ile9e. It is li(ite- to pe$sons of 9oo- (o$al cha$acte$ 3ithspecial :ualifications -ul4 asce$taine- an- ce$tifie-. The e;e$cise of this p$i)ile9e p$esupposes possession of inte9$it4& le9al8no3le-9e& e-ucational attain(ent& an- e)en public t$ustK L since a la34e$ is an office$ of the cou$t. A ba$ can-i-ate -oes notac:ui$e the $i9ht to p$actice la3 si(pl4 b4 passin9 the ba$ e;a(inations. The p$actice of la3 is a p$i)ile9e that can be 3ithhel- e)enf$o( one 3ho has passe- the ba$ e;a(inations& if the pe$son see8in9 a-(ission ha- p$actice- la3 3ithout a license.K L

The $e9ulation of the p$actice of la3 is un:uestionabl4 st$ict. In ,elt$an& $. ). Aba-&K L a can-i-ate passe- the ba$ e;a(inations butha- not ta8en his oath an- si9ne- the Roll of Atto$ne4s. He 3as hel- in conte(pt of cou$t fo$ p$acticin9 la3 e)en befo$e hisa-(ission to the ,a$. Un-e$ Section @ of Rule #B of the Rules of Cou$t& a pe$son 3ho en9a9es in the unautho$i6e- p$actice ofla3 is liable fo$ in-i$ect conte(pt of cou$t.K#L

T$ue& $espon-ent he$e passe- the %""" ,a$ E;a(inations an- too8 the la34e$Js oath. Ho3e)e$& it is the si9nin9 in the Roll ofAtto$ne4s that finall4 (a8es one a full?fle-9e- la34e$. The fact that $espon-ent passe- the ba$ e;a(inations is i((ate$ial. Passin9the ba$ is not the onl4 :ualification to beco(e an atto$ne4?at?la3.K!L Respon-ent shoul- 8no3 that t3o essential $e:uisites fo$beco(in9 a la34e$ still ha- to be pe$fo$(e-& na(el42 his la34e$Js oath to be a-(iniste$e- b4 this Cou$t an- his si9natu$e in the Rollof Atto$ne4s.K5L

On the cha$9e of )iolation of la3& co(plainant conten-s that the la3 -oes not allo3 $espon-ent to act as counsel fo$ a p$i)ate clientin an4 cou$t o$ a-(inist$ati)e bo-4 since $espon-ent is the sec$eta$4 of the San99unian9 ,a4an.

Respon-ent ten-e$e- his $esi9nation as sec$eta$4 of the San99unian9 ,a4an p$io$ to the acts co(plaine- of as constitutin9unautho$i6e- p$actice of la3. In his lette$ -ate- BB Ma4 %""B a--$esse- to Napoleon Relo;& )ice? (a4o$ an- p$esi-in9 office$ of theSan99unian9 ,a4an& $espon-ent state- that he 3as $esi9nin9 Qeffecti)e upon 4ou$ acceptance. KB"L Vice?Ma4o$ Relo; accepte-$espon-entJs $esi9nation effecti)e BB Ma4 %""B.KBBL Thus& the e)i-ence -oes not suppo$t the cha$9e that $espon-ent acte- ascounsel fo$ a client 3hile se$)in9 as sec$eta$4 of the San99unian9 ,a4an.

On the cha$9e of 9$a)e (iscon-uct an- (is$ep$esentation& e)i-ence sho3s that ,unan in-ee- autho$i6e- $espon-ent to $ep$esenthi( as his counsel befo$e the M,EC an- si(ila$ bo-ies. 0hile the$e 3as no (is$ep$esentation& $espon-ent nonetheless ha- noautho$it4 to p$actice la3.

0HERE1ORE& $espon-ent E-3in '. Rana is DENIED a-(ission to the Philippine ,a$.

SO ORDERED.


1IRST DIVISION

A.M. No. P?55?B%!# anua$4 % & %""B

O11ICE O1 THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR& co(plainant&)s.ATT*. MISAE' M. 'ADA+A& ,$anch Cle$8 of Cou$t& Re9ional T$ial Cou$t& ,$anch B@@ & Ma8ati Cit4& $espon-ent.

APUNAN& .2

In a 'ette$& -ate- Au9ust @B& B55!& $espon-ent Att4. Misael M. 'a-a9a& ,$anch Cle$8 of Cou$t of the Re9ional T$ial Cou$t of Ma8ati&,$anch B@@& $e:ueste- the Cou$t A-(inist$ato$& ustice Alf$e-o '. ,enipa4o& fo$ autho$it4 to appea$ as p$o bono counsel of hiscousin& Na$cisa Nal-o6a 'a-a9a& in C$i(inal Case No. ! !! & entitle- =People )s. Na$cisa Nal-o6a 'a-a9a= fo$ 1alsification ofPublic Docu(ent pen-in9 befo$e the Met$opolitan T$ial Cou$t of /ue6on Cit4& ,$anch ".B 0hile $espon-ent s lette$?$e:uest 3as

pen-in9 action& 'isa Pa4o4o An-$es& the p$i)ate co(plainant in C$i(inal Case No. ! !! & sent a lette$ to the Cou$t A-(inist$ato$&-ate- Septe(be$ %& B55!& $e:uestin9 fo$ a ce$tification 3ith $e9a$- to $espon-ent s autho$it4 to appea$ as counsel fo$ the accuse- in


5/35

the sai- c$i(inal case.% On Septe(be$ #& B55!& the Office of the Cou$t A-(inist$ato$ $efe$$e- the (atte$ to $espon-ent fo$co((ent.@

In his Co((ent& -ate- Septe(be$ B & B55!& $espon-ent a-(itte- that he ha- appea$e- in C$i(inal Case No. ! !! 3ithout p$io$autho$i6ation. He $easone- out that the factual ci$cu(stances su$$oun-in9 the c$i(inal case co(pelle- hi( to han-le the -efense ofhis cousin 3ho -i- not ha)e enou9h $esou$ces to hi$e the se$)ices of a counsel -e pa$te 3hile& on the othe$ han-& p$i)ateco(plainant 3as a (e(be$ of a po3e$ful fa(il4 3ho 3as out to 9et e)en 3ith his cousin. 1u$the$(o$e& he $ationali6e- that hisappea$ance in the c$i(inal case -i- not p$e7u-ice his office no$ the inte$est of the public since he -i- not ta8e a-)anta9e of hisposition. In an4 case& his appea$ances in cou$t 3e$e co)e$e- b4 lea)e applications app$o)e- b4 the p$esi-in9 7u-9e.B 3phiB.n t

On Dece(be$ !& B55!& the Cou$t issue- a Resolution -en4in9 $espon-ent s $e:uest fo$ autho$i6ation to appea$ as counsel an-

-i$ectin9 the Office of the Cou$t A-(inist$ato$ to file fo$(al cha$9es a9ainst hi( fo$ appea$in9 in cou$t 3ithout the $e:ui$e-autho$i6ation f$o( the Cou$t. On anua$4 % & B555& the Cou$t A-(inist$ato$ file- the instant a-(inist$ati)e co(plaint a9ainst$espon-ent fo$ )iolatin9 Sec. # of Republic Act No. #B@& othe$3ise 8no3n as the =Co-e of Con-uct an- Ethical Stan-a$-s fo$Public Officials an- E(plo4ees&= 3hich p$o)i-es2

Sec. #. P$ohibite- Acts an- T$ansactions. In a--ition to acts an- o(issions of public officials an- e(plo4ees no3 p$esc$ibe- inthe Constitution an- e;istin9 la3s& the follo3in9 shall constitute p$ohibite- acts an- t$ansactions of an4 public official an- e(plo4eean- a$e he$eb4 -ecla$e- to be unla3ful2

; ; ;

Outsi-e e(plo4(ent anothe$ acti)ities $elate- the$eto. Public officials an- e(plo4ees -u$in9 thei$ incu(benc4 shall not2

; ; ;

En9a9e in the p$i)ate p$actice of thei$ p$ofession unless autho$i6e- b4 the Constitution o$ la3& P$o)i-e-& that such p$actice 3illnot conflict o$ ten- to conflict 3ith thei$ official functions

In ou$ Resolution& -ate- 1eb$ua$4 5& B555& 3e $e:ui$e- $espon-ent to co((ent on the a-(inist$ati)e co(plaint.

In his Co((ent& $espon-ent e;plaine- that he an- Ms. 'a-a9a a$e =close bloo- cousins= 3ho belon9 to a =po3e$less fa(il4= f$o(the i(po)e$ishe- to3n of ,acaua9& Su$i9ao -el No$te. 1$o( chil-hoo- until he finishe- his la3 -e9$ee& Ms. 'a-a9a ha- al3a4ssuppo$te- an- 9ui-e- hi( 3hile he loo8e- up to he$ as a (ento$ an- an a-)ise$. ,ecause of thei$ close $elationship& Ms. 'a-a9asou9ht $espon-ent s help an- a-)ice 3hen she 3as cha$9e- in C$i(inal Case No. ! !! fo$ falsification b4 the p$i)ate co(plainant&'isa Pa4o4o An-$es& 3hose onl4 pu$pose in filin9 the sai- c$i(inal case 3as to =see8 )en9eance= on he$ cousin. He e;plaine- thathis cousin s -isco$- 3ith Ms. An-$es sta$te- 3hen the latte$ s husban-& SPO Pe-$o An-$es& left the con7u9al ho(e to cohabit 3ithMs. 'a-a9a. Du$in9 the cou$se of thei$ illicit affai$& SPO An-$es an- Ms. 'a-a9a be9ot th$ee chil-$en. The bi$th ce$tificate ofthei$ el-est chil- is the sub7ect of the falsification cha$9e a9ainst Ms. 'a-a9a. Respon-ent state- that since he is the onl4 la34e$ inthei$ fa(il4& he felt it to be his -ut4 to accept Ms. 'a-a9a s plea to be he$ counsel since she not ha)e enou9h fun-s to pa4 fo$ these$)ices of a la34e$. Respon-ent also pointe- out that in his se)en 4ea$s of untainte- 9o)e$n(ent se$)ice& initiall4 3ith theCo((ission on Hu(an Ri9hts an- no3 3ith the 7u-icia$4& he ha- pe$fo$(e- his -uties 3ith honest4 an- inte9$it4 an- that it 3asonl4 in this pa$ticula$ case that he ha- been a-(inist$ati)el4 cha$9e- fo$ e;ten-in9 a helpin9 han- to a close $elati)e b4 9i)in9 af$ee le9al assistance fo$ =hu(anita$ian pu$pose.= He ne)e$ too8 a-)anta9e of his position as b$anch cle$8 of cou$t since the:uestione- appea$ances 3e$e (a-e in the Met$opolitan T$ial Cou$t of /ue6on Cit4 an- not in Ma8ati 3he$e he is hol-in9 office. Hest$esse- that -u$in9 the hea$in9s of the c$i(inal case& he 3as on lea)e as sho3n b4 his app$o)e- lea)e applications attache- to his

co((ent.

In ou$ Resolution& -ate- une %%& B555& 3e note- $espon-ent s co((ent an- $efe$$e- the a-(inist$ati)e (atte$ to the E;ecuti)eu-9e of the Re9ional T$ial Cou$t of Ma8ati& u-9e osefina +ue)a$$a?Salon9a& fo$ in)esti9ation& $epo$t an- $eco((en-ation.

In he$ Repo$t& -ate- Septe(be$ %5& B555& u-9e Salon9a (a-e the follo3in9 fin-in9s an- $eco((en-ation2

The$e is no :uestion that Att4. Misael 'a-a9a appea$e- as counsel fo$ an- in behalf of his cousin& Na$cisa Nal-o6a 'a-a9a& anaccuse- in C$i(inal Case No. ! ?!! fo$ =1alsification of Public Docu(ents= befo$e the METC of /ue6on Cit4. It is also -enie- thatthe appea$ance of sai- $espon-ent in sai- case 3as 3ithout the p$e)ious pe$(ission of the Cou$t.

An e;a(ination of the $eco$-s sho3s that -u$in9 the occasions that the $espon-ent appea$e- as such counsel befo$e the METC of/ue6on Cit4& he 3as on official lea)e of absence. Mo$eo)e$& his P$esi-in9 u-9e& u-9e Napoleon Inotu$an 3as a3a$e of the casehe 3as han-lin9. That the $espon-ent appea$e- as p$o bono counsel li8e3ise cannot be -enie-. His cousin?client Na$cisa 'a-a9ahe$self positi)el4 -ecla$e- that the $espon-ent -i- not $ecei)e a sin9le centa)o f$o( he$. Helpless as she 3as an- $espon-ent bein9the onl4 la34e$ in the fa(il4& he a9$ee- to $ep$esent he$ out of his co(passion an- hi9h $e9a$- fo$ he$.

It (a4 not be a(iss to point out& this is the fi$st ti(e that $espon-ent e)e$ han-le- a case fo$ a (e(be$ of his fa(il4 3ho is li8e abi9 siste$ to hi(. He appea$e- fo$ f$ee an- fo$ the pu$pose of settlin9 the case a(icabl4. 1u$the$(o$e& his P$esi-in9 u-9e 3as

a3a$e of his appea$ance as counsel fo$ his cousin. On top of this& -u$in9 all the 4ea$s that he has been in 9o)e$n(ent se$)ice& hehas (aintaine- his inte9$it4 an- in-epen-ence.

RECOMMENDATION

In the li9ht of the fo$e9oin9& it appea$in9 that the $espon-ent appea$e- as counsel fo$ his cousin 3ithout fi$st secu$in9 pe$(issionf$o( the Cou$t& an- consi-e$in9 that this is his fi$st ti(e to -o it couple- 3ith the fact that sai- appea$ance 3as not fo$ a fee an- 3as 3ith the 8no3le-9e of his P$esi-in9 u-9e& it is he $eb4 $espectfull 4 $eco((en-e - that he be REPRIMANDED 3ith a ste$n 3a$nin9 that an4 $epetition of such act 3oul- be -eal t 3ith (o$e se)e$el4.

0e a9$ee 3ith the $eco((en-ation of the in)esti9atin9 7u-9e.

Respon-ent is cha$9e- un-e$ Sec. # of the Co-e of Con-uct an- Ethical Stan-a$-s fo$ Public Officials an- E(plo4ees 3hichp$ohibits ci)il se$)ants f$o( en9a9in9 in the p$i)ate p$actice of thei$ p$ofession. A si(ila$ p$ohibition is foun- un-e$ Sec. @ & RuleB@! of the Re)ise- Rules of Cou$t 3hich -isallo3s ce$tain atto$ne4s f$o( en9a9in9 in the p$i)ate p$actice of thei$ p$ofession. Thesai- section $ea-s2

SEC. @ . Ce$tain atto$ne4s not to p$actice. No 7u-9e o$ othe$ official o$ e(plo4ee of the supe$io$ cou$ts o$ of the Office of theSolicito$ +ene$al& shall en9a9e in p$i)ate p$actice as a (e(be$ of the ba$ o$ 9i)e p$ofessional a-)ise to clients.

Ho3e)e$& it shoul- be cla$ifie- that =p$i)ate p$actice= of a p$ofession& specificall4 the la3 p$ofession in this case& 3hich is p$ohibite-&-oes not pe$tain to an isolate- cou$t appea$ance $athe$& it conte(plates a succession of acts of the sa(e natu$e habituall4 o$custo(a$il4 hol-in9 one s self to the public as a la34e$.

In the case of People )s. Villanue)a 3e e;plaine- the (eanin9 of the te$( =p$i)ate p$actice= p$ohibite- b4 the sai- section& to 3it2

0e belie)e that the isolate- appea$ance of Cit4 Atto$ne4 1ule -i- not constitute p$i)ate p$actice& 3ithin the (eanin9 an-conte(plation of the Rules. P$actice is (o$e than an isolate- appea$ance& fo$ it consists in f$e:uent o$ custo(a$4 action& asuccession of acts of the sa(e 8in-. In othe$ 3o$-s& it is f$e:uent habitual e;e$cise


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SO ORDERED.


SECOND DIVISION

+.R. No. B@5 %!B Septe( be$ %5& B555SPOUSES ROMUA'DO an- NORA SUAREG.& petitione$s&)s.ARSENIO SA'AGAR& et al.& $espon-ents.

R E S O ' U T I O N

Consi-e$in9 $espon-ents =Motion to E;pun9e All Plea-in9s 1ile- b4 Att4. 1ile(on A. Manan9an 3ith Motion to Hol- Hi( inConte(pt of Cou$t an- to Dis(iss the Petition= an- sai- Att4. Manan9an s a-(ission at the hea$in9 this (o$nin9& Septe(be$ %5&B555& that he is not a la34e$ entitle- to p$actice la3 in the Philippines& an- that he is the sa(e =1ile(on A. Manan9an= 3ho 3asfoun- b4 this Cou$t in +.R. No. !%# " -eci-e- onAu9ust @"& B55"& to be in $ealit4 An-$es Culana9 3ho is not a (e(be$ of the Philippine ,a$& but -espite these facts he hascontinue- to (is$ep$esent hi(self to be an atto$ne4?at?la3 an- has appea$e- as counsel fo$ petitione$s in this case& =Att4. 1ile(onA. Manan9an& 3ho is in $ealit4 An-$es Culana9& is he$eb4 -ecla$e- 9uilt4 of in-i$ect conte(pt of this Cou$t. 0he$efo$e& he is he$eb4sentence- to th$ee (onths i(p$ison(ent to be se$)e- at the Hea-:ua$te$s of the National ,u$eau of In)esti9ation& Taft A)enue&Manila& until fu$the$ o$-e$s f$o( this Cou$t.B 3phiB.n t

SO ORDERED.


THIRD DIVISION

A.M. No. SDC?5#?%?P 1eb$ua$4 % & B55#

SOPHIA A'A0I& co(plainant&)s.ASHAR* M. A'AU*A& Cle$8 of Cou$t VI& Sha$i a Dist$ict Cou$t& Ma$a3i Cit4& $espon-ent.

NARVASA& C. .2

Sophia Ala3i 3as a sales $ep$esentati)e of E.,. Villa$osa Pa$tne$s Co.& 't-. of Da)aoCit4& a $eal estate an- housin9 co(pan4. Asha$i M. Alau4a is the incu(bent e;ecuti)e cle$8 of cou$t of the th u-icial Sha$i aDist$ict in Ma$a3i Cit4& The4 3e$e class(ates& an- use- to be f$ien-s.

It appea$s that th$ou9h Ala3i s a9enc4& a cont$act 3as e;ecute- fo$ the pu$chase on install(ents b4 Alau4a of one of the housin9units belon9in9 to the abo)e (entione- fi$( an- in connection the$e3ith& a housin9 loan 3asalso 9$ante- to Alau4a b4 the National Ho(e Mo$t9a9e 1inance Co$po$ation .

Not lon9 afte$3a$-s& o$ (o$e p$ecisel4 on Dece(be$ B & B55 & Alau4a a--$esse- a lette$ to the P$esi-ent of Villa$osa Co.a-)isin9 of the te$(ination of his cont$act 3ith the co(pan4. He 3$ote2

. . I a( fo$(all4 an- officiall4 3ith-$a3in9 f$o( an- notif4in9 4ou of (4 intent to te$(inate the Cont$act A9$ee(ent ente$e- into

bet3een (e an- 4ou$ co(pan4& as $ep$esente- b4 4ou$ Sales A9ent Coo$-inato$& SOPHIA A'A0I& of 4ou$ co(pan4 s b$anch officehe$e in Ca9a4an -e O$o Cit4& on the 9$oun-s that (4 consent 3as )itiate- b4 9$oss (is$ep$esentation& -eceit& f$au-& -ishonest4 an-

abuse of confi-ence b4 the afo$esai- sales a9ent 3hich (a-e sai- cont$act )oi- ab initio. Sai- sales a9ent actin9 in ba- faithpe$pet$ate- such ille9al an- unautho$i6e- acts 3hich (a-e sai- cont$act an One$ous Cont$act p$e7u-icial to (4 $i9hts an- inte$ests.He then p$ocee-e- to e;poun- in consi-e$able -etail an- :uite ace$bic lan9ua9e on the =9$oun-s 3hich coul- e)i-ence the ba-faith. -eceit& f$au-& (is$ep$esentation& -ishonest4 an- abuse of confi-ence b4 the unsc$upulous sales a9ent . . . = an- close- 3iththe plea that Villa$osa Co. =a9$ee fo$ the (utual $escission of ou$ cont$act& e)en as I info$( 4ou that I cate9o$icall4 state on $eco$-that I a( te$(inatin9 the cont$act . . . I hope I -o not ha)e to $eso$t to an4 le9al action befo$e sai- one$ous an- (anipulate-cont$act a9ainst (4 inte$est be annulle-. I 3as actuall4 foole- b4 4ou$ sales a9ent& hence the nee- to annul the cont$o)e$sialcont$act.=

Alau4a sent a cop4 of the lette$ to the Vice?P$esi-ent of Villa$osa Co. at San Pe-$o& +usa& Ca9a4an -e O$o Cit4. The en)elopecontainin9 it& an- 3hich actuall4 3ent th$ou9h the post& bo$e no sta(ps. Instea- at the $i9ht han- co$ne$ abo)e the -esc$iption of

the a--$essee& the 3o$-s& =1$ee Posta9e ? PD % &= ha- been t4pe-.On the sa(e -ate& Dece(be$ B & B55 & Alau4a also 3$ote to M$. 1e$(in T. A$6a9a& Vice?P$esi-ent& C$e-it Collection +$oup of theNational Ho(e Mo$t9a9e 1inance Co$po$ation at Salce-o Villa9e& Ma8ati Cit4& $epu-iatin9 as f$au-ulent an- )oi- hiscont$act 3ith Villa$osa Co. an- as8in9 fo$ cancellation of his housin9 loan in connection the$e3ith& 3hich 3as pa4able f$o( sala$4-e-uctions at the $ate of P &@@!."" a (onth. A(on9 othe$ thin9s& he sai-2

. . . h$ou9h this 3$itten notice& I a( te$(inatin9& as I he$eb4 annul& cancel& $escin- an- )oi-e-& the =(anipulate- cont$act=ente$e- into bet3een (e an- the E.,. Villa$osa Pa$tne$ Co.& 't-.& as $ep$esente- b4 its sales a9ent coo$-inato$& SOPHIA A'A0I& 3ho (aliciousl4 an- f$au-ulentl4 (anipulate- sai- cont$act an- unla3full4 secu$e- an- pu$sue- the housin9 loan 3ithout (4autho$it4 an- a9ainst (4 3ill. Thus& the cont$act itself is -ee(e- to be )oi- ab initio in )ie3 of the atten-in9 ci$cu(stances& that (4consent 3as )itiate- b4 (is$ep$esentation& f$au-& -eceit& -ishonest4& an- abuse of confi-ence an- that the$e 3as no (eetin9 of the(in-s bet3een (e an- the s3in-lin9 sales a9ent 3ho conceale- the $eal facts f$o( (e.

An-& as in his lette$ to Villa$osa Co.& he na$$ate- in so(e -etail 3hat he too8 to be the ano(alous actuations of Sophia Ala3i.

Alau4a 3$ote th$ee othe$ lette$s to M$. A$6a9a of the NHM1C& -ate- 1eb$ua$4 %B& B55 & Ap$il B & B55 & an- Ma4 @& B55 & in 3hich& fo$ the sa(e $easons al $ea-4 cite-& he insiste - on the cancellation of his housin9 loan an- -iscontinuan ce of -e-uctionsf$o( his sala$4 on account the$eof. a He also 3$ote on anua$4 B!& B55 to Ms. Co$a6on M. O$-o e6& Hea- of the 1iscalMana9e(ent ,u-9et Office& an- to the Chief& 1inance Di)ision& both of this Cou$t& to stop -e-uctions f$o( his sala$4 in $elation tothe loan in :uestion& a9ain asse$tin9 the ano(alous (anne$ b4 3hich he 3as alle9e-l4 -upe- into ente$in9 into the cont$acts b4=the sche(in9 sales a9ent.= b

The upshot 3as that in Ma4& B55 & the NHM1C 3$ote to the Sup$e(e Cou$t $e:uestin9 it to stop -e-uctions on Alau4a s UH'P loan=effecti)e Ma4 B55 .= an- be9an ne9otiatin9 3ith Villa$osa Co. = fo$ the bu4?bac8 of . . . (o$t9a9e. an- . . the $efun-of . . pa4(ents.= c

On lea$nin9 of Alau4a s lette$ to Villa$osa Co. of Dece(be$ B & B55 & Sophia Ala3i file- 3ith this Cou$t a )e$ifie- co(plaint -ate-anua$4 % & B55 to 3hich she appen-e- a cop4 of the lette$& an- of the abo)e (entione- en)elope bea$in9 the t4pe3$itten

3o$-s& =1$ee Posta9e ? PD % .= B In that co(plaint& she accuse- Alau4a of2

B. =I(putation of (alicious an- libelous cha$9es 3ith no soli- 9$oun-s th$ou9h (anifest i9no$ance an- e)i-ent ba-faith =

%. =Causin9 un-ue in7u$4 to& an- ble(ishin9 he$ hono$ an- establishe- $eputation =

@. =Unautho$i6e- en7o4(ent of the p$i)ile9e of f$ee posta9e . . . = an-

. Usu$pation of the title of =atto$ne4&= 3hich onl4 $e9ula$ (e(be$s of the Philippine ,a$ (a4 p$ope$l4 use.

She -eplo$e- Alau4a s $efe$ences to he$ as =unsc$upulous s3in-le$& fo$9e$& (anipulato$& etc.= 3ithout =e)en a bit of e)i-ence to cloth his alle9ations 3ith the essence of t$uth&= -enouncin9 his i(putations as i$$esponsible& =all concoctions& lies& baseless an-couple- 3ith (anifest i9no$ance an- e)i-ent ba- faith&= an- asse$tin9 that all he$ -ealin9s 3ith Alau4a ha- been $e9ula$ an-co(pletel4 t$anspa$ent. She close- 3ith the plea that Alau4a =be -is(isse- f$o( the senice& o$ be app$op$iatel4 -escipline- . . .=

The Cou$t $esol)e- to o$-e$ Alau4a to co((ent on the co(plaint& Confo$(abl4 3ith establishe- usa9e that notices of $esolutionse(anate f$o( the co$$espon-in9 Office of the Cle$8 of Cou$t& the notice of $esolution in this case 3as si9ne- b4 Att4. Alf$e-o P.Ma$asi9an& Assistant Di)ision Cle$8 of Cou$t. %

Alau4a fi$st sub(itte- a =P$eli(ina$4 Co((ent= @ in 3hich he :uestione- the autho$it4 of Att4. Ma$asi9an to $e:ui$e an e;planationof hi(& this po3e$ pe$tainin9& acco$-in9 to hi(& not to =a (e$e Asst. Di). Cle$8 of Cou$t in)esti9atin9 an E;ecuti)e Cle$8 of Cou$t.=

but onl4 to the Dist$ict u-9e& the Cou$t A-(inist$ato$ o$ the Chief ustice& an- )oice- the suspicion that the Resolution 3as the$esult of a =st$on9 lin8= bet3een Ms. Ala3i an- Att4. Ma$asi9an s office. He also a)e$$e- that the co(plaint ha- no factual basis


7/35


8/35

1elipe -el Rosa$io 3as a can-i-ate in the ba$ e;a(ination 3ho faile- fo$ the secon- ti(e in B5% . He p$esente- hi(self fo$ thesuccee-in9 ba$ e;a(ination in B5% an- a9ain 3as unable to obtain the $e:ui$e- $atin9. Then on Ma$ch %5& B5%#& he autho$i6e- thefilin9 of a (otion fo$ the $e)ision of his pape$s fo$ B5% base- on an alle9e- (ista8e in the co(putation of his 9$a-es. The cou$t&actin9 in 9oo- faith& 9$ante- this (otion& an- a-(itte- 1elipe -el Rosa$io to the ba$& but 3ith 7ustices -issentin9. Subse:uentl4&-u$in9 the 9ene$al in)esti9ation of ba$ e;a(ination (atte$s bein9 con-ucte- b4 the cit4 fiscal& this case 3as ta8en up& 3ith the$esult that a c$i(inal cha$9e 3as lo-9e- in the Cou$t of 1i$st Instance of Manila a9ainst uan Villaflo$& a fo$(e$ e(plo4ee of thecou$t an- 1elipe -el Rosa$io. Villaflo$ plea-e- 9uilt4 to the info$(ation an- 3as sentence- acco$-in9l4. Del Rosa$io plea-e- not9uilt4& an- at the conclusion of the t$ial 3as ac:uitte- fo$ lac8 of e)i-ence.

The ac:uittal of 1elipe -el Rosa$io upon the c$i(inal cha$9e is not a ba$ to these p$ocee-in9s. The cou$t is no3 actin9 in an enti$el4-iffe$ent capacit4 f$o( that 3hich cou$ts assu(e in t$4in9 c$i(inal cases. It is as8in9 a 9$eat -eal of the (e(be$s of the cou$t toha)e the( belie)e that 1elipe -el Rosa$io 3as totall4 una3a$e of the ille9al (achinations cul(inatin9 in the falsification of public-ocu(ents& of 3hich he 3as the sole beneficia$4. In-ee-& the con)iction of uan Villaflo$ in itself -e(onst$ates that 1elipe -elRosa$io has no le9al $i9ht to his atto$ne4 s ce$tificate. 0hile to a-(it 1elipe -el Rosa$io a9ain to the ba$ e;a(ination 3oul- betanta(ount to a -ecla$ation of p$ofessional pu$it4 3hich 3e a$e totall4 unable to p$onounce. The p$actice of the la3 is not anabsolute $i9ht to be 9$ante- e)e$4 one 3ho -e(an-s it& but is a p$i)ile9e to be e;ten-e- o$ 3ithhel- in the e;e$cise of a soun--isc$etion. The stan-a$-s of the le9al p$ofession a$e not satisfie- b4 con-uct 3hich (e$el4 enables one to escape the penalties ofthe c$i(inal la3. It 3oul- be a -is9$ace to the u-icia$4 to $ecei)e one 3hose inte9$it4 is :uestionable as an office$ of the cou$t& toclothe hi( 3ith all the p$esti9e of its confi-ence& an- then to pe$(it hi( to hol- hi(self out as a -ul4 autho$i6e- (e(be$ of the ba$.


9/35

NATIONA' 'A,OR RE'ATIONS COMMISSION& DOMIN+O MA'DI+AN an- +I',ERTO SA,SA'ON& $espon-ents.

E-9a$-o +. 1e$nan-e6 fo$ petitione$s.

R E SO ' U T I O N

RE+A'ADO& .2

Petitione$s 1i)e Ta;i an- o$ uan S. A$(a(ento file- this special ci)il action fo$ ce$tio$a$i to annul the -ecision B of $espon-entNational 'abo$ Relations Co((ission


10/35


11/35

This oath to 3hich all la34e$s ha)e subsc$ibe- in sole(n a9$ee(ent to -e-icate the(sel)es to the pu$suit of 7ustice is not a (e$ece$e(on4 o$ fo$(alit4 fo$ p$acticin9 la3 to be fo$9otten afte$3a$-s no$ is it (e$e 3o$-s& -$ift an- hollo3& but a sac$e- t$ust thatla34e$s (ust uphol- an- 8eep in)iolable at all ti(es. ,4 s3ea$in9 the la34e$Js oath& the4 beco(e 9ua$-ians of t$uth an- the $ule ofla3& as 3ell as inst$u(ents in the fai$ an- i(pa$tial -ispensation of 7ustice. This oath is fi$(l4 echoe- an- $eflecte- in the Co-e ofP$ofessional Responsibilit4& 3hich p$o)i-es2

CANON B A la34e$ shall uphol- the constitution& obe4 the la3s of the lan- an- p$o(ote $espect fo$ la3 an- fo$ le9al p$ocesses.

Rule B."B A la34e$ shall not en9a9e in unla3ful& -ishonest& i((o$al o$ -eceitful con-uct.

Rule B."% A la34e$ shall not counsel o$ abet acti)ities ai(e- at -efiance of the la3 o$ at lessenin9 confi-ence in the le9al s4ste(.

. . .

CANON # A la34e$ shall at all ti(es uphol- the inte9$it4 an- -i9nit4 of the le9al p$ofession& an- suppo$t the acti)ities of theInte9$ate- ,a$.

Y

Rule #."@ A la34e$ shall not en9a9e in con-uct that a-)e$sel4 $eflects on his fitness to p$actice la3& no$ shoul- he& 3hethe$ inpublic o$ p$i)ate life& beha)e in a scan-alous (anne$ to the -isc$e-it of the le9al p$ofession.

. . .

CANON B" A la34e$ o3es can-o$& fai$ness an- 9oo- faith to the cou$t.

Rule B"."B A la34e$ shall not -o an4 falsehoo-& no$ consent to the -oin9 of an4 in cou$t no$ shall he (islea- o$ allo3 the cou$tto be (isle- b4 an4 a$tifice.

All of these un-e$sco$e the $ole of a la34e$ as the )an9ua$- of ou$ le9al s4ste(. 0hen the $espon-ent too8 the oath as a (e(be$of the le9al p$ofession& he (a-e a sole(n p$o(ise to so stan- b4 his ple-9e. In this co)enant& $espon-ent (ise$abl4 faile-.

The $eco$-s sho3 that 1elicisi(a an- Mi$ia( state- in the E;t$a7u-icial Settle(ent of Estate -ate- BB No)e(be$ B5! that the4 a$ethe chil-$en of ulita Re4nante an- thus a-7u-icate- onl4 bet3een the( 'ot No. B ! to the e;clusion of thei$ othe$ siblin9s.# The$e 3as conceal(ent of the fac t that the$e 3e$e othe$ co(pulso$4 hei$s to the estate of t he -ecease-. Si9nificantl4& the $espon-ent isthe b$othe$?in?la3 of co(plainant. ,ein9 (a$$ie- to co(plainantJs siste$& he 8ne3 of his 3ifeJs siblin9s. In fact& he -ecla$e- that theco(plainant sta4e- 3ith the( 3hile she 3as in the Philippines.! *et& the $espon-ent p$esente- that -ocu(ent to the Re9iste$ ofDee-s of +ene$al T$ias& Ca)ite& to effect the t$ansfe$ of the title of the lot in :uestion in the na(e of his 3ife an- his siste$?in?la3Mi$ia(.

It also bea$s notin9 that the $espon-ent 3as consulte-5 $e9a$-in9 the falsification of co(plainantJs si9natu$e in the E;t$a7u-icialSettle(entB" -ate- B# Ma$ch B55 in)ol)in9 'ot B "@& 3hich contains a pu$po$te- 3ai)e$ b4 the co(plainant of he$ $i9ht o)e$ thep$ope$t4. Ma$celina a-(itte- that she si9ne- co(plainantJs na(e in that -ocu(ent.BB Such act of counte$feitin9 the co(plainantJssi9natu$e to (a8e it appea$ that the co(plainant ha- pa$ticipate- in the e;ecution of that -ocu(ent is tanta(ount to falsification ofa public -ocu(ent.B%

Instea- of a-)isin9 Ma$celina to secu$e a 3$itten special po3e$ of atto$ne4 an- a9ainst co((ittin9 falsification& he p$esente-B@such -ocu(ent to the Re9ist$4 of Dee-s to secu$e a ne3 title fo$ the lot in fa)o$ of Ma$celina an- his 3ife.B He hi(self& the$efo$e&(a4 also be hel- liable fo$ 8no3in9l4 usin9 a falsifie- -ocu(ent to the -a(a9e of the co(plainant an- he$ othe$ co?hei$s.BNotabl4& he also a-(itte- in an affi-a)it -ate- %% Ma4 B55 that he p$epa$e- the le9al -ocu(ents fo$ the t$ansfe$ of 'ot B "@.B

Respon-ent -i- not a-)ise his 3ife an- his siste$s?in?la3 f$o( -oin9 acts 3hich a$e cont$a$4 to la3. He (ust ha)e 8ept in (in- thefi$st an- fo$e(ost -ut4 of a la34e$& 3hich is to (aintain alle9iance to the Republic of the Philippines& uphol- the Constitution& an-obe4 the la3s of the lan-. The Co-e of P$ofessional Responsibilit4 un-e$sco$es the p$i(ac4 of such -ut4 b4 p$o)i-in9 as its canonthat a la34e$ shall uphol- the Constitution& obe4 the la3s of the lan-& an- p$o(ote $espect fo$ la3 an- le9al p$ocesses.B# 1o$ ala34e$ is the se$)ant of the la3 an- belon9s to a p$ofession to 3hich societ4 has ent$uste- the a-(inist$ation of la3 an- the-ispensation of 7ustice.B! As such& he shoul- (a8e hi(self (o$e an e;e(pla$ fo$ othe$s to e(ulate.B5 He shoul- not& the$efo$e&en9a9e in unla3ful& -ishonest& i((o$al& o$ -eceitful con-uct.%" He (a8es hi(self unfit to $e(ain in the p$ofession 3ho co((itsan4 such unbeco(in9 act o$ con-uct.%B

Respon-entJs a$9u(ent that the non?-ecla$ation b4 his 3ife an- his siste$? in?la3 Ma$celina of the othe$ siblin9s in 'RC Rec. No.5 fo$ the $econstitution of title in)ol)in9 'ot B " 3as a (e$e o)e$si9ht -oes not -ese$)e c$e-ence in )ie3 of the follo3in9

ci$cu(stances2 1i$st& the petition clea$l4 na(es onl4 1elicisi(a an- Ma$celina as the petitione$s 3hen the$e 3e$e si; siblin9s 3ho

3e$e hei$s o f the unpa$titi one- lot.%% Secon-& -u$in9 t he hea$in9 of sai- c ase 3hen the $espon-ent as8e- Ma$celina 3hethe$ shehas b$othe$s an- siste$s othe$ than 1elicisi(a& the latte$ sai- none. The t$ansc$ipt of that hea$in9 $ea-s2

ATT*. TORRES2

/ Ma-a(e 0itness& a$e 4ou the onl4 chil- o$ -au9hte$ of the -ecease- Sps. Vicente Tin9& $. an- ulita Re4nanteW

0ITNESS2

A No& si$. 0e a$e t3o& 1elicisi(a To$$es an- I.

/ Do 4ou ha)e othe$ b$othe$s an- siste$sW

A None& si$.%@

The $espon-ent allo3e- Ma$celina to co((it a c$i(e b4 9i)in9 false testi(on4% in cou$t& an- he ne)e$ co$$ecte- the sa(e -espitefull 8no3le-9e of the t$ue facts an- ci$cu(stances of the case.% Mo$eo)e$& in 8no3in9l4 offe$in9 in e)i-ence such false testi(on4&he hi(self (a4 be punishe- as 9uilt4 of false testi(on4.%

Mo$eo)e$& un-e$ Canon B" of the Co-e of P$ofessional Responsibilit4& a la34e$ o3es can-o$& fai$ness& an- 9oo- faith to the cou$t.He shall =not -o an4 falsehoo-& no$ consent to the -oin9 of an4 in cou$t no$ shall he (islea- o$ allo3 the cou$t to be (isle- b4 an4a$tifice.=%# This Rule 3as clea$l4 an- openl4 )iolate- b4 the $espon-ent 3hen he pe$(itte- Ma$celina to falsel4 testif4 that she ha-no siblin9s asi-e f$o( 1elicisi(a an- 3hen he offe$e- such testi(on4 in the petition fo$ $econstitution of the title in)ol)in9 'ot B " .

The $espon-ent (ust ha)e fo$9otten that as an atto$ne4 he is an office$ of the cou$t calle- upon to assist in the a-(inist$ation of 7ustice. 'i8e the cou$t itself& he is an in st$u(ent to a-)ance its cause. 1o$ this $eason& an4 act on his pa$t that obst$ucts an-i(pe-es the a-(inist$ation of 7ustice constitutes (iscon-uct an- 7ustifies -isciplina$4 action a9ainst hi(.%!

It (a4 not be a(iss to (ention that to fu$the$ suppo$t the $econstitution& he offe$e- in e)i-ence an Affi-a)it of 'oss& 3hich 3ase;ecute- b4 Ma$celina an- nota$i6e- b4 hi(. Du$in9 the hea$in9 of this a-(inist$ati)e case& Ma$celina a-(itte- that he$ state(entin that affi-a)it that the title 3as in he$ possession 3as false& as she 3as ne)e$ in possession of the title%5 an- 3oul- not& the$efo$e&8no3 that the sa(e 3as lost.

Mo$eo)e$& in a lette$ -ate- %" No)e(be$ B55 a--$esse- to a ce$tain M$s. On9& the $espon-ent $e:ueste- the $elease of "X ofthe $e(ainin9 balance fo$ the sale of 'ot B " & $ela4in9 to Antel Hol-in9s& Inc.& th$ou9h M$s. On9 that he 3as assu$e- b4 the Cle$8of Cou$t that the o$-e$ -i$ectin9 the $econstitution of title fo$ 'ot B " 3oul- be $elease- 3ithin the (onth.@" Respon-entJsinfo$(ation 3as (islea-in9 because he p$esente- e)i-ence onl4 on B% Au9ust B55#& o$ al(ost a 4ea$ afte$ he sent the lette$.@BSuch act& the$efo$e& sho3s lac8 of can-o$ an- honest4 on the pa$t of the $espon-ent.

Respon-entJs acts o$ o(issions $e)eal his (o$al fla3s an- -oubtless b$in9 intole$able -ishono$ to the le9al p$ofession. The4constitute 9$oss (iscon-uct fo$ 3hich he (a4 be -isba$$e- o$ suspen-e- pu$suant to Section %#& Rule B@! of the Rules of Cou$t& 3hich p$o)i-es2

Sec. %#. Disba$(ent o$ suspension of atto$ne4s b4 Sup$e(e Cou$t 9$oun-s the$efo$. ?? A (e(be$ of the ba$ (a4 be -isba$$e- o$suspen-e- f$o( his office as atto$ne4 b4 the Sup$e(e Cou$t fo$ an4 -eceit& (alp$actice& o$ othe$ 9$oss (iscon-uct in such office&9$ossl4 i((o$al con-uct& o$ b4 $eason of his con)iction of a c$i(e in)ol)in9 (o$al tu$pitu-e& o$ fo$ an4 )iolation of the oath 3hich heis $e:ui$e- to ta8e befo$e the a-(ission to p$actice& o$ fo$ a 3illful -isobe-ience of an4 la3ful o$-e$ of a supe$io$ cou$t& o$ fo$co$$uptl4 o$ 3illfull4 appea$in9 as an atto$ne4 fo$ a pa$t4 to a case 3ithout autho$it4 to -o so. The p$actice of solicitin9 cases at la3

fo$ the pu$pose of 9ain& eithe$ pe$sonall4 o$ th$ou9h pai- a9ents o$ b$o8e$s& constitutes (alp$actice.

In the -ete$(ination of the i(posable -isciplina$4 sanction a9ainst an e$$in9 la34e$& 3e ta8e into account the p$i(a$4 pu$pose of-isciplina$4 p$ocee-in9s& 3hich is to p$otect the a-(inist$ation of 7ustice b4 $e:ui$in9 that those 3ho e;e$cise this i(po$tant functionshall be co(petent& hono$able& an- $eliable (en in 3ho( cou$ts an- clients (a4 $epose confi-ence.@% 0hile the assess(ent of 3hat sanction (a4 be i(pose- is p$i(a$il4 a--$esse- to ou$ soun- -isc$eti on& the sanction shoul- neithe$ be a$bit$a$4 o$ -espotic&no$ (oti)ate- b4 pe$sonal ani(osit4 o$ p$e7u-ice. Rathe$& it shoul- e)e$ be cont$olle- b4 the i(pe$ati)e nee- to sc$upulousl4 9ua$-the pu$it4 an- in-epen-ence of the ba$.@@

Thus& the sup$e(e penalt4 of -isba$(ent is (ete- out onl4 in clea$ cases of (iscon-uct that se$iousl4 affect the stan-in9 an-cha$acte$ of the la34e$ as an office$ of the cou$t an- (e(be$ of the ba$. 0e 3ill not hesitate to $e(o)e an e$$in9 atto$ne4 f$o( theestee(e- b$othe$hoo- of la34e$s 3he$e the e)i-ence calls fo$ it.@ Ve$il4& 9i)en the peculia$ factual ci$cu(stances p$e)ailin9 in thiscase& 3e fin- that $espon-entJs 9$oss (iscon-uct calls fo$ the se)e$ance of his p$i)ile9e to p$actice la3 fo$ life& an- 3e the$efo$ea-opt the penalt4 $eco((en-e- b4 the In)esti9atin9 Co((issione$.

IN VIE0 O1 A'' THE 1ORE+OIN+& 3e fin- $espon-ent Att4. Rolan-o S. To$$es 9uilt4 of 9$oss (iscon-uct an- )iolation of thela34e$Js oath& as 3ell as Canons B an- B" of the Co-e of P$ofessional Responsibilit4& the$eb4 $en-e$in9 hi( un3o$th4 of continuin9

(e(be$ship in the le9al p$ofession. He is thus o$-e$e- DIS,ARRED f$o( the p$actice of la3& an- his na(e is o$-e$e- st$ic8en offthe Roll of Atto$ne4s& effecti)e i((e-iatel4.


12/35

'et copies of this Resolution be fu$nishe- the Office of the ,a$ Confi-ant& 3hich shall fo$th3ith $eco$- it in the pe$sonal files of the$espon-ent all the cou$ts of the Philippines the Inte9$ate- ,a$ of the Philippines& 3hich shall -isse(inate copies the$eof to all itsChapte$s an- all a-(inist$ati)e an- :uasi?7u-icial a9encies of the Republic of the Philippines.

SO ORDERED.


EN ,ANC

+.R. No. '?%%@%" ul4 %5& B5 !

MERCEDES RUTH CO,,?PEREG an- DAMASO P. PEREG& petitione$s&)s.HON. +RE+ORIO 'ANTIN& u-9e of the Cou$t of 1i$st Instance of Manila&RICARDO P. HERMOSO an- the CIT* SHERI11 O1 MANI'A& $espon-e nts.

C$ispin D. ,ai6as an- Associates fo$ petitione$s.Isi-$o T. Al(e-a fo$ $espon-ents.

CASTRO& .2

This is a (otion fo$ pa$tial $econsi-e$ation of this Cou$t s -ecision of Ma4 %%& B5 !& specificall4 -i$ecte- a9ainst the follo3in9obse$)ation the$ein (a-e2

0e feel co(pelle- to obse$)e that -u$in9 the p$ot$acte- liti9ation belo3& the petitione$s $eso$te- to a se$ies of actions an- petitions&at so(e sta9es alte$natin9l4& abette- b4 thei$ counsel& fo$ the sole pu$pose of th3a$tin9 the e;ecution of a si(ple (one4 7u-9(ent 3hich has lon9 beco(e final an- e;ec uto$4. So(e of the actions 3e$e file-& onl4 to be aban-one- o$ 3ith-$a3n. The petitione$s an-thei$ counsel& fa$ f$o( )ie3in9 cou$ts as sanctua$ies fo$ those 3ho see8 7ustice& ha)e t$ie- to use the( to sub)e$t the )e$4 en-s of 7ustice.

Co$olla$il4& this Cou$t assesse- t$eble costs a9ainst the petitione$s& to =be pai- b4 thei$ counsel.=.

The he$ein (o)ants& Att4s. C$ispin D. ,ai6as an- A. N. ,olinas& counsels fo$ the petitione$s& 3hile sub(ittin9 to the 7u-9(ent on the(e$its& see8 $econsi-e$ation of the -ecision in so fa$ as it $eflects a-)e$sel4 upon thei$ =p$ofessional con-uct= an- con-e(ns the(to pa4 the t$eble costs a-7u-9e- a9ainst thei$ clients.

At fi$st blush& the (otion fo$ $econsi-e$ation p$esents a se(blance of (e$it. Afte$ (atu$e -elibe$ation an- patient $ep$obin9 into the$eco$-s of the case& ho3e)e$& 3e a$e of the fi$(e$ con)iction that the p$ot$acte- liti9ation& allu-e- to in the abo)e?:uote- po$tion ofou$ -ecision& 3as -esi9ne- to cause -ela4& an- the acti)e pa$ticipation of the petitione$s counsels in this a-)entu$e is patent.

Afte$ No)e(be$ B & B5 % 3hen the Cou$t of Appeals $en-e$e- 7u-9(ent sustainin9 Da(aso Pe$e6 position 3ith $espect to thee;tent of the le)4& the subse:uent p$ocee-in9s inte$pose- alte$natin9l4 b4 the petitione$ spouses 3e$e ob)iousl4 :ui;otic

(aneu)e$s e;pecte- to be o)e$th$o3n b4 the cou$ts but calculate- to -ela4 an e;ecution lon9 o)e$-ue.

Ha- the petitione$s an- thei$ counsels se$iousl4 belie)e- that the le)ie- sha$es of stoc8 3e$e con7u9al p$ope$t4& 3h4 -i- the4 nota-opt this position f$o( the )e$4 sta$t& o$& at the latest& in CA?+.R. %55 %?R& 3he$ein Da(aso Pe$e6 challen9e- the le9alit4 of thele)4 s co)e$a9e& in o$-e$ to en- the liti9ation 3ith $easonable -ispatchW The4 chose& ho3e)e$& to attac8 the e;ecution in apiece(eal fashion& causin9 the postpone(ent of the p$o7ecte- e;ecution sale si; ti(es. Mo$e than ei9ht 4ea$s afte$ the finalit4 ofthe 7u-9(ent ha)e passe-& an- the sa(e has 4et to be satisfie-.

In a -ete$(ine- effo$t to p$olon9 the liti9ation& the Pe$e6 spouses& as $ep$esente- b4 thei$ counsels& sou9ht the issuance ofp$eli(ina$4 in7unctions to $est$ain the e;ecution of the final 7u-9(ent in ci)il case @5 "# f$o( cou$ts 3hich -i- not ha)e 7u$is-ictionan- 3hich 3oul-& as e;pecte-& initiall4 o$ ulti(atel4 -en4 thei$ p$a4e$. 1o$ instance& afte$ Da(aso Pe$e6 bo3e- out te(po$a$il4 f$o(the scene follo3in9 the $en-ition of the afo$e(entione- Cou$t of Appeals -ecision& his 3ife& Me$ce-e6& Ruth Cobb?Pe$e6& int$u-e-into the cont$o)e$s4 an- as8e- fo$ an e; pa$te 3$it of p$eli(ina$4 in7unction f$o( the Cou$t of 1i$st Instance of Ri6al in connection 3ith ci)il case # @% 3hich she file- 3ith the sai- cou$t& 8no3in9 full4 3ell that the basic ci)il case @5 "# 3as -eci-e- b4 the Cou$tof 1i$st Instance of Manila


13/35

the sa(e 9$oun-s 3hich she a-)ance- in the fo$(e$ case& until the sai- ci)il case # @% 3as -is(isse- on No)e(be$ 5& B5 @& uponhe$ o3n (otion. Anent ci)il case %5%& the Pe$e6 spouses )i$tuall4 -ese$te- the sa(e 3hen the4 institute- the he$ein petition fo$ce$tio$a$i 3ith u$9ent 3$it of p$eli(ina$4 in7unction base- on the sa(e 9$oun-s p$offe$e- in the sai- ci)il case until the latte$ 3asalso -is(isse- on Ma$ch %"& B5 & 3ith the consent of the pa$ties because of the pen-enc4 then of the afo$esai- petition fo$ce$tio$a$i.

The (o)ants fu$the$ conten- that =If the$e 3as -ela4& it 3as because petitione$s counsel happene- to be (o$e asse$ti)e ... a :ualit4of the la34e$s is not to be con-e(ne-.=

A counsel s asse$ti)eness in espousin9 3ith can-ou$ an- honest4 his client s cause (ust be encou$a9e- an- is to be co((en-e- 3hat 3e -o not an- cannot countenance is a la34e$ s insistence -espite the pate nt futilit4 of his client s position& as in the case atba$.

It is the -ut4 of a counsel to a-)ise his client& o$-ina$il4 a la4(an to the int$icacies an- )a9a$ies of the la3& on the (e$it o$ lac8 of(e$it of his case. If he fin-s that his client s cause is -efenseless& then it is his boun-en -ut4 to a-)ise the latte$ to ac:uiesce an-sub(it& $athe$ than t$a)e$se the incont$o)e$tible. A la34e$ (ust $esist the 3hi(s an- cap$ices of his client& ante(pe$ his client sp$opensit4 to liti9ate. A la34e$ s oath to uphol- the cause of 7ustice is supe$io$ to his -ut4 to his client its p$i(ac4 is in-isputable.

The (o)ants finall4 state that the =Petitione$s ha)e se)e$al counsel in this case but the pa$ticipation of each counsel 3as $athe$li(ite- i(pl4in9 that the -ecision of this Cou$t o$-e$in9 that =t$eble costs a$e assesse- a9ainst the petitione$s& 3hich shall be pai-b4 thei$ counsel= is not clea$. The 3o$- =counsel= (a4 be eithe$ sin9ula$ o$ plu$al in const$uction& so that 3hen 3e sai- =counsel= 3e(eant the counsels on $eco$- of the petitione$s 3ho 3e$e $esponsible fo$ the ino$-inate -ela4 in the e;ecution of the final 7u-9(entin the basic ci)il case @5 "#& afte$ the Cou$t of Appeals ha- $en-e$e- its afo$e(entione- -ecision of No)e(be$ B & B5 %. An- it ison $eco$- that the (o)ants a$e such counsels. Att4. ,olinas& upon his o3n a-(ission& =ente$e- his appea$ance in the case at ba$about the ti(e the Cou$t of 1i$st Instance of Manila -is(isse- the petitione$s Petition fo$ Relief in Ci)il Case No. @5 "#&= o$ aboutAu9ust @& B5 B an- e)en p$io$ to the Cou$t of Appeals -ecision abo)e?(entione-. Att4. ,ai6as clai(s that he =beca(e petitione$scounsel onl4 in Octobe$& B5 @ 3hen he file-& 3ith Att4. A.N. ,olinao& $. Ci)il Case No. %5% befo$e the Cou$t of 1i$st Instance ofManila p$esi-e- b4 the Hon. u-9e Ali8pala althou9h it appea$s on $eco$- that the u$9ent (otion to $ecall 3$it of e;ecution file- b4M$s. Pe$e6 in the basic ci)il case @5 "# on Septe(be$ @& B5 @& 3as o)e$ the si9natu$e of one Rub4 Gai-a of the la3 fi$( of =C$ispin,ai6as Associates= as counsel fo$ M$s. Pe$e6. It is to be $ecalle- that the sai- u$9ent (otion is the sa(e (otion -iscusse- abo)e& 3hich& cu$iousl4 enou9h& ante-ate- b4 at least one (onth the liftin9 of the 3$it of p$eli(i na$4 in7unction issue- in ci)il c ase # @%.

ACCORDIN+'*& the (otion fo$ pa$tial $econsi-e$ation is -enie-. Ou$ -ecision of Ma4 %%& B5 ! is he$eb4 (o-ifie- in the sense thatAtt4s. C$ispin D. ,ai6as an- A.N. ,olinao& $. shall pa4 7ointl4 an- se)e$all4 the t$eble costs assesse- a9ainst the petitione$s.


1IRST DIVISION

A.C. No. @#5 Ma4 5& %""@

0A'TER T. *OUN+& co(plai nant&)s.CEASAR +. ,ATUE+AS& MI+UE'ITO NAGARENO V. ''ANTINO an- 1RAN 'IN /. SUSA& $espo n-ents.

R E S O ' U T I O N

*NARES?SANTIA+O& .2

On Dece(be$ %5& %"""& Att4. 0alte$ T. *oun9 file- a Ve$ifie- Affi-a)it?Co(plaint fo$ -isba$(ent a9ainst Att4s. Ceasa$ +. ,atue9as&Mi9uelito Na6a$eno V. 'lantino an- 1$an8lin /. Susa fo$ alle9e-l4 co((ittin9 -elibe$ate falsehoo- in cou$t an- )iolatin9 the la34e$ soath.B

Co(plainant is the p$i)ate p$osecuto$ in C$i(inal Case No. ""?B!# %# fo$ Mu$-e$& entitle- =People of the Philippines )e$susC$isanto A$ana& $.=& pen-in9 befo$e the Re9ional T$ial Cou$t of Manila& ,$anch %#. On Dece(be$ B@& %"""& $espon-ents ,atue9asan- 'lantino& as counsel fo$ accuse-& file- a Manifestation 3ith Motion fo$ ,ail& alle9in9 that the =accuse- has )olunta$il4su$$en-e$e- to a pe$son in autho$it4. As such& he is no3 un-e$ -etention.=% Upon pe$sonal )e$ification 3ith the National ,u$eau ofIn)esti9ation 3he$e accuse- A$ana alle9e-l4 su$$en-e$e-& co(plainant lea$ne- that he su$$en-e$e- onl4 on Dece(be$ B &%"""& as sho3n b4 the Ce$tificate of Detention e;ecute- b4 Att4. Ro9elio M. Ma(aua9& Chief of the Secu$it4 Mana9e(ent Di)isionof the N,I.

Respon-ent Susa& the ,$anch Cle$8 of Cou$t of RTC of Manila& ,$anch %#& calen-a$e- the (otion on Dece(be$ B & %""" -espitethe fo$e9oin9 i$$e9ula$it4 anothe$ fo$(al -efects& na(el4& the lac8 of notice of hea$in9 to the p$i)ate co(plainant& )iolation of theth$ee?-a4 notice $ule& an- the failu$e to attach the Ce$tificate of Detention 3hich 3as $efe$$e- to in the Motion as Anne; =B=.

Respon-ents file- thei$ $especti)e co((ents& -ecla$in9 that on Dece(be$ B@& %"""& upon lea$nin9 that a 3a$$ant of a$$est 3asissue- a9ainst thei$ client& the4 file- the Manifestation 3ith Motion fo$ ,ail 3ith the t$ial cou$t. Then the4 i((e-iatel4 fetche- theaccuse- in Ca)ite an- b$ou9ht hi( to the N,I to )olunta$il4 su$$en-e$. Ho3e)e$& -ue to hea)4 t$affic& the4 a$$i)e- at the N,I at %2""a.(. the ne;t -a4 hence& the ce$tificate of -etention in-icate- that the accuse- su$$en-e$e- on Dece(be$ B & %""". The4 a$9ue-that the$e 3as neithe$ unethical con-uct no$ falsehoo- in the sub7ect plea-in9 as thei$ client has )olunta$il4 su$$en-e$e- an- 3as-etaine- at the N,I. As $e9a$-s the lac8 of notice of hea$in9& the4 conten- that co(plainant& as p$i)ate p$osecuto$& 3as not entitle-to an4 notice. Ne)e$theless& the4 fu$nishe- the State an- Cit4 p$osecuto$s copies of the (otion 3ith notice of hea$in9 the$eof.Mo$eo)e$& the hea$in9 of a (otion on sho$te$ notice is allo3e- un-e$ Rule B & Sec. of the Rules of Cou$t.@

1o$ his pa$t& $espon-ent Susa a$9ues in his co((ent that he 3as no lon9e$ in cou$t 3hen his co?$espon-ents file- theManifestation 3ith Motion fo$ ,ail. Ms. Teofila A. Pe a& Cle$8 III& $ecei)e- the sai- Motion an- notice- that it 3as set fo$ hea$in9 onDece(be$ B & %""" an- the Ce$tificate of Detention 3as not attache-. Ho3e)e$& the p$esi-in9 7u-9e inst$ucte- he$ to $ecei)e theMotion sub7ect to the p$esentation of the Ce$tificate of Detention befo$e the hea$in9. Thus& the inclusion of the Motion in the cou$t scalen-a$ on Dece(be$ B & %""" 3as autho$i6e- b4 the p$esi-in9 7u-9e an-& thus& 3as -one b4 $espon-ent Susa in faithfulpe$fo$(ance of his (iniste$ial -ut4.

In a Resolution -ate- Au9ust B@& %""B& the instant case 3as $efe$$e- to the Inte9$ate- ,a$ of the Philippines fo$ in)esti9ation&$epo$t an- $eco((en-ation o$ -ecision.

On Dece(be$ #& %""B& the In)esti9atin9 Co((issione$& Rebecca Villanue)a?Maala& sub(itte- he$ $epo$t an- $eco((en-ation asfollo3s2

0HERE1ORE& the fo$e9oin9 p$e(ises consi-e$e-& it is $espectfull4 $eco((en-e- that Att4. Ceasa$ +. ,atue9as an- Att4. Mi9uelitoNa6a$eno V. 'lantino be suspen-e- f$o( the p$actice of thei$ p$ofession as a la34e$ (e(be$ of the ,a$ fo$ a pe$io- of si; < >(onths f$o( $eceipt he$eof. The co(plaint a9ainst Att4. 1$an8lin /. Susa& upon the othe$ han-& is he$eb4 $eco((en-e- -is(isse-fo$ lac8 of (e$it.

The fo$e9oin9 Repo$t an- Reco((en-ation 3as a-opte- an- app$o)e- b4 the I,P?Co((ission on ,a$ Discipline in Resolution No.FV?%""%? ""& to 3it2

RESO'VED to ADOPT an- APPROVE& as it is he$eb4 ADOPTED an- APPROVED& the Repo$t an- Reco((en-ation of theIn)esti9atin9 Co((issione$ of the abo)e?entitle- case& he$ein (a-e pa$t of this Resolution Decision as Anne; =A= an-& fin-in9 the$eco((en-ation full4 suppo$te- b4 the e)i-ence on $eco$- an- the applicable la3s an- $ules& an- in )ie3 of $espon-entsco((ission of -elibe$ate falsehoo-& Att4. ,atue9as an- Att4. 'lantino a$e he$eb4 SUSPENDED f$o( the p$actice of la3 fo$ si; < >(onths. The co(plaint a9ainst Att4. Susa is he$eb4 DISMISSED fo$ lac8 of (e$it.

0e a9$ee 3ith the fin-in9s an- $eco((en-ations of the In)esti9atin9 Co((issione$. Respon-ents ,atue9as an- 'lantino a$e 9uilt4of -elibe$ate falsehoo-.

A la34e$ (ust be a -isciple of t$uth.# He s3o$e upon his a-(ission to the ,a$ that he 3ill =-o no falsehoo- no$ consent to the -oin9of an4 in cou$t= an- he shall =con-uct hi(self as a la34e$ acco$-in9 to the best of his 8no3le-9e an- -isc$etion 3ith all 9oo- fi-elit4as 3ell to the cou$ts as to his clients.=! He shoul- bea$ in (in- that as an office$ of the cou$t his hi9h )ocation is to co$$ectl4 info$(

the cou$t upon the la3 an- the facts of the case an- to ai- it in -oin9 7ustice an- a$$i)in9 at co$$ect conclusion.5 The cou$ts& on theothe$ han-& a$e entitle- to e;pect onl4 co(plete honest4 f$o( la34e$s appea$in9 an- plea-in9 befo$e the(.B" 0hile a la34e$ hasthe sole(n -ut4 to -efen- his client s $i9hts an- is e;pecte- to -ispla4 the ut(ost 6eal in -efense of his client s cause& his con-uct(ust ne)e$ be at the e;pense of t$uth.BB

The Cou$t (a4 -isba$ o$ suspen- a la34e$ fo$ (iscon-uct& 3hethe$ in his p$ofessional o$ p$i)ate capacit4& 3hich sho3s hi( to be 3antin9 in (o$al cha$acte$& in honest4& p$obit4& an- 9oo- -e(eano$& thus p$o)in9 un3o$th4 to continue as an office$ of the c ou$t.B%

E)i-entl4& $espon-ent la34e$s fell sho$t of the -uties an- $esponsibilities e;pecte- f$o( the( as (e(be$s of the ba$. Anticipatin9that thei$ Motion fo$ ,ail 3ill be -enie- b4 the cou$t if it foun- that it ha- no 7u$is-iction o)e$ the pe$son of the accuse-& the4 c$aftil4conceale- the t$uth b4 alle9in9 that accuse- ha- )olunta$il4 su$$en-e$e- to a pe$son in autho$it4 an- 3as un-e$ -etention.Ob)iousl4& such a$tifice 3as a -elibe$ate $use to (islea- the cou$t an- the$eb4 cont$ibute to in7ustice. To 8no3in9l4 alle9e an unt$uestate(ent of fact in the plea-in9 is a conte(ptuous con-uct that 3e st$on9l4 con-e(n. The4 )iolate- thei$ oath 3hen the4 $eso$te-to -eception.

Respon-ents conten- that thei$ alle9ation of the accuse- s -etention 3as (e$el4 a state(ent of an ulti(ate fact 3hich still ha- tobe p$o)e- b4 e)i-ence at the hea$in9 of the Motion. That the4 3e$e able to sho3 that thei$ client 3as al$ea-4 un-e$ the custo-4 of

the N,I at the hea$in9 hel- on Dece(be$ B & %""" -oes not e;one$ate the(. The fact $e(ains that the alle9ation that the accuse- 3as in the custo-4 of the N,I on Dece(be$ B@& %""" 3as fals e.


14/35

In Co(ia )s. Antona& 3e hel-2

It is of no (o(ent that the accuse- e)entuall4 su$$en-e$e- to the police autho$ities on the sa(e -ate =tentati)el4= sche-ule- fo$ thehea$in9 of the application fo$ bail. To ou$ (in-& such supe$)enin9 e)ent is of no bea$in9 an- i((ate$ial it -oes not absol)e$espon-ent 7u-9e f$o( a-(inist$ati)e liabilit4 consi-e$in9 that he shoul- not ha)e acco$-e- $eco9nition to the application fo$ bailfile- on behalf of pe$sons 3ho& at that point& 3e$e -e)oi- of pe$sonalit4 to as8 such specific affi$(ati)e $elief f$o( the cou$t.B@

In this 7u$is-iction& 3hethe$ bail is a (atte$ of $i9ht o$ -isc$etion& $easonable notice of hea$in9 is $e:ui$e- to be 9i)en to thep$osecuto$ o$ fiscal& o$ at least& he (ust be as8e- fo$ his $eco((en-ation.B

In the case at ba$& the p$osecution 3as se$)e- 3ith notice of hea$in9 of the (otion fo$ bail t3o -a4s p$io$ to the sche-ule- -ate.Althou9h a (otion (a4 be hea$- on sho$t notice& $espon-ents faile- to sho3 an4 9oo- cause to 7ustif4 the non?obse$)ance of theth$ee?-a4 notice $ule. Ve$il4& as la34e$s& the4 a$e obli9e- to obse$)e the $ules of p$oce-u$e an- not to (isuse the( to -efeat theen-s of 7ustice.B

1inall4& 3e a$e in acco$- 3ith the In)esti9atin9 Co((issione$ that $espon-ent cle$8 of cou$t shoul- not be (a-e a-(inist$ati)el4liable fo$ inclu-in9 the Motion in the calen-a$ of the t$ial cou$t& consi-e$in9 that it 3as autho$i6e- b4 the p$esi-in9 7u-9e. Ho3e)e$&he is $e(in-e- that his a-(inist$ati)e functions& althou9h not in)ol)in9 the -isc$etion o$ 7u-9(ent of a 7u-9e& a$e )ital to the p$o(ptan- soun- a-(inist$ation of 7ustice.B Thus& he shoul- not hesitate to info$( the 7u-9e if he shoul- fin- an4 act o$ con-uct on thepa$t of la34e$s 3hich a$e cont$a$4 to the establishe- $ules of p$oce-u$e.

0HERE1ORE& in )ie3 of the fo$e9oin9& $espon-ent Att4s. Ceasa$ +. ,atue9as& Mi9uelito Na6a$eno V. 'lantino a$e foun- 9uilt4 ofco((ittin9 -elibe$ate falsehoo-. Acco$-in9l4& the4 a$e SUSPENDED f$o( the p$actice of la3 fo$ a pe$io- of si; < > (onths 3ith a 3a$nin9 that a $epetition of the sa(e o$ si(ila $ act 3ill be -ealt 3ith (o$e se)e$el4.

'et a cop4 of this Resolution be attache- to the pe$sonal $eco$-s of Att4s. Ceasa$ +. ,atue9as an- Mi9uelito Na6a$eno V. 'lantinoin the Office of the ,a$ Confi-ant an- copies the$eof be fu$nishe- the Inte9$ate- ,a$ of the Philippines.

SO ORDERED.


1IRST DIVISION

A-( in is t$ at i) e Cas e No . B # B S ep te (b e$ %@ & B55 5

PARA'UMAN ,. A1URON+& co(plainant&)s.ATT*. AN+E' +. A/UINO& $espon-ent.

R E S O ' U T I O N

PARDO& .2

The case befo$e the Cou$t is a )e$ifie- lette$?co(plaint fo$ -isba$(ent& file- on Dece(be$ %%& B5# & b4 Pa$alu(an ,. Afu$on9a9ainst Att4. An9el +. A:uino& fo$ filin9 f$i)olous ha$ass(ent cases to -ela4 the e;ecution of a final -ecision& co((ittin9 falsehoo-in an U$9ent Motion fo$ Postpone(ent& an- (is$ep$esentin9 hi(self as an atto$ne4 fo$ the Citi6ens 'e9al AssistanceOffice.B 3phiB.n t

The antece-ent facts sho3 that on Ap$il %& B5# & Pa$alu(an Afu$on9 file- a co(plaint fo$ e7ect(ent 3ith the Cit4 Cou$t of Manila fo$non?pa4(ent of $entals a9ainst Victo$ino 1lo$es. B The cou$t $en-e$e- 7u-9(ent on Ma4 %#& B5# in fa)o$ of petitione$ Pa$alu(anAfu$on9. The cou$t then issue- a 3$it of e;ecution on 1eb$ua$4 B#& B5# & 3hich 3as se$)e- on Victo$ino 1lo$es in Ma$ch B5# .

1acin9 e)iction f$o( the lan- he 3as occup4in9& Victo$ino 1lo$es sou9ht the assistance of the Citi6ens 'e9al Assistance Office. Hiscase 3as assi9ne- to Att4. An9el +. A:uino& an e(plo4ee of sai- office at the ti(e.

On Ap$il @& B5# & Att4. An9el +. A:uino file- 3ith the Cit4 Cou$t of Manila a Petition fo$ Relief f$o( u-9(ent 3ith p$a4e$ fo$ theissuance of a $est$ainin9 o$-e$. % On Ma4 5& B5# & the petition& afte$ -ue hea$in9& 3as -is(isse- fo$ ha)in9 been file- out of ti(e.

Att4. A:uino subse:uentl4 file- on Ma4 %5& B5# & 3ith the Cou$t of 1i$st Instance of Manila a Petition fo$ Ce$tio$a$i an- P$ohibition. @The cou$t set the p$e?t$ial confe$ence on Dece(be$ B%& B5# .

Not3ithstan-in9 the fact that he 3as sepa$ate- f$o( the Citi6ens 'e9al Assistance Office on Octobe$ B& B5# & Att4. An9el +. A:uinofile- on Dece(be$ BB& B5# & an U$9ent Motion fo$ Postpone(ent& si9nin9 his na(e as counsel fo$ Victo$ino 1lo$es an- in-icatin9the a--$ess of the Citi6ens 'e9al Assistance Office at #B +asta(bi-e& Sa(paloc& Manila as his office a--$ess.

In the afo$esai- U$9ent Motion fo$ Postpone(ent& Att4. A:uino state- that he 3oul- be unable to atten- the p$e?t$ial confe$encesche-ule- on Dece(be$ B%& B5# & at 52"" a.(.& of Ci)il Case No. 5#5# because he nee-e- to atten- the hea$in9 of a HabeasCo$pus Case befo$e the u)enile an- Do(estic Relations Cou$t that sa(e -a4 an- hou$.

Ho3e)e$& a ce$tification f$o( the Cle$8 of Cou$t of the u)enile an- Do(estic Relations Cou$t state- that a -ecision ha- been$en-e$e- on the afo$e(entione- special p$ocee-in9s case& an- that the$e 3as no hea$in9 in connection 3ith the case on Dece(be$B%& B5# & fo$ the$e 3as nothin9 (o$e to be -one in the p$ocee-in9s an- the sa(e 3as -ecla$e- close- an- te$(inate-.

Thus& on Dece(be$ %%& B5# & Pa$alu(an Afu$on9 file- a co(plaint 3ith this Cou$t fo$ -isba$(ent a9ainst Att4. An9el +. A:uino.

Acco$-in9 to co(plainant& app$op$iate puniti)e sanction shoul- be (ete- to Att4. An9el +. A:uino fo$ filin9 f$i)olous ha$ass(entcases in the fo$( of Ci)il Case Nos. 5#% an- 5#5# & an- fo$ 9i)in9 false alle9ations in his U$9ent Motion fo$ Postpone(ent.

Co(plainant e(phasi6e- that 3hen Ci)il Case No. 5#5# 3as set fo$ p$e?t$ial on Dece(be$ B%& B5# & at 52"" a.(.& $espon-entfalsel4 $ep$esente- that on the sa(e -ate an- hou$& he 3oul- atten- the hea$in9 also on sai- -ate an- ti(e of Special P$ocee-in9sNo. D?""@% & entitle- =In the Matte$ of the Petition fo$ the Issuance of a 0$it of Habeas Co$pus of 'o$-eli6a V. Sohn$e4=.

Co(plainant fu$the$ conten-e- that Att4. An9el +. A:uino (is$ep$esente- hi(self as an atto$ne4 of the Citi6ens 'e9al AssistanceOffice& usin9 the na(e an- a--$ess of sai- Office to postpone the p$e?t$ial hea$in9 of Ci)il Case No. 5#5# & on Dece(be$ B%& B5# &-espite the fact that he ha- been sepa$ate- f$o( office at the ti(e.

On 1eb$ua$4 B@& B5# & $espon-ent file- 3ith this Cou$t his Ans3e$ # to the co(plaint -en4in9 the cha$9es a9ainst hi(& conten-in9that such acts ha- been -one 3ithout (alice.

He a-(itte-& ho3e)e$& that at the ti(e of the p$e?t$ial of Ci)il Case No. 5#5# set on Dece(be$ B%& B5# & he 3as no lon9e$connecte- 3ith the Citi6ens 'e9al Assistance Office& fo$ he 3as =inclu-e- as one of the e(plo4ees pu$9e- b4 the P$esi-ent in a listpublishe- in the ne3spape$s last Octobe$ B& B5# .= ! *et& he $easone-& =Not 3antin9 to $e(o)e the case f$o( the Citi6ens 'e9alAssistance Office b4 appea$in9 as p$i)ate counsel fo$ the petitione$ an- still unable to 3ait fo$ (4 $einstate(ent 3hich I 3asinfo$(e- 3as fo$thco(in9& I -eci-e- to file a (otion to postpone the p$e?t$ial confe$ence of the case.=

He also conce-e- that& =In o$-e$ to 9i)e (o$e =fo$ce= to (4 (otion fo$ postpone(ent& I in-icate- the$ein that I ha- to atten- thehea$in9 of anothe$ case befo$e the u)enile an- Do(estic Relations Cou$t.= 5

He fu$the$ a-(itte- that the filin9 of the (otion 3ith the facts so state- =(i9ht ha)e cause- so(e -ela4=& but 7ustifies such act b4statin9 that =such filin9 3as p$o(pte- b4 so(e ci$cu(stances 3hich 3e can consi-e$ as ine)itable an- una)oi-able at the(o(ent.= He a--s& =If I shall be 9i)en anothe$ chance to continue han-lin9 the case& I p$o(ise that this (ista8e shall ne)e$ be$epeate-.= B"

In a Repl4 file- on Ap$il & B5# & BB co(plainant asse$te- that Att4. An9el +. A:uino 3as -ecla$e- 9uilt4 of conte(pt of cou$t an-co$$espon-in9l4 fine- b4 this Cou$t in a Decision B% -ate- 1eb$ua$4 % & B5# & fo$ (a8in9 false alle9ations in his U$9ent Motion fo$Postpone(ent.

On Ma4 @& B5# & this Cou$t $efe$$e- the case to the Solicito$ +ene$al fo$ in)esti9ation& $epo$t an- $eco((en-ation. The pa$tiesa9$ee-& ho3e)e$& to hol- the case in abe4ance until the te$(ination of Ci)il Case No. 5#5# . B@

Effecti)e une B& B5!!& all cases pen-in9 in)esti9ation b4 the Office of the Solicito$ +ene$al 3e$e t$ansfe$$e- to the Inte9$ate- ,a$of the Philippines ,oa$- of +o)e$no$s fo$ in)esti9ation an- -isposition as p$o)i-e- in the Re)ise- Rules of Cou$t. B

On Ma4 %%& B55#& the I,P Co((ission on ,a$ Discipline sub(itte- a Repo$t& B fin-in9 that $espon-ent Att4. An9el +. A:uino faile-to pe$fo$( his -uties e;pecte- of an atto$ne4 as p$o)i-e- un-e$ the e;istin9 Canons of P$ofessional Ethics an- Section %" of RuleB@! of the Rules of Cou$t in fo$ce at the ti(e of the co((ission of the acts in :uestion. In)esti9atin9 Co((issione$ Pla$i-el C. ose$eco((en-e- that $espon-ent be penali6e- 3ith si; < > (onths suspension.

On ul4 % & B55#& the ,oa$- of +o)e$no$s of the I,P $esol)e- to a-opt an- app$o)e the $epo$t an- $eco((en-ation of theIn)esti9atin9Co((issione$. B


15/35

0e a9$ee.

The Re)ise- Rules of Cou$t p$o)i-es that it is the -ut4 of an atto$ne4 to counsel o$ (aintain such actions o$ p$ocee-in9s onl4 asappea$ to hi( to be 7ust& an- such -efenses onl4 as he belie)es to be honestl4 -ebatable un-e$ the la3. B# The -ecision in Ci)ilCase No. %@B % ha- $eache- finalit4 an- e;ecution of such -ecision 3as bein9 effecte-. Respon-ent Att4. A:uino shoul- not ha)efile- a petition fo$ ce$tio$a$i consi-e$in9 that the$e 3as no appa$ent pu$pose fo$ it than to -ela4 the e;ecution of a )ali- 7u-9(ent.

1u$the$(o$e& $espon-ent co((itte- falsehoo- 3hen he state- in his U$9ent Motion fo$ Postpone(ent that he ha- to atten- thehea$in9 of a special p$ocee-in9s case the sa(e -a4 as the p$e?t$ial of Ci)il Case No. 5#5# . Respon-ent hi(self a-(itte- that heonl4 inclu-e- such state(ent =in o$-e$ to 9i)e (o$e fo$ce = to the U$9ent Motion fo$ Postpone(ent. Such act )iolates the Canons ofP$ofessional Ethics 3hich obli9es an atto$ne4 to

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