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REPRIMAND
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Re: ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT DATED FEBRUARY 18, 2005 OF
ACOURT PERSONNEL AGAINST JUDGE FRANCISCO C. GEDORIO, JR
A.M. No. RTJ-05-155 M!" 25, 200#
SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ, J:
FACTS
On February 24, 2005, the Office f the !hief "u#tice recei$e% an
anny&u# 'etter %ate% February 1(, 2005 fr& a curt )er#nne'
%enuncing "u%ge Franci#c !* +e%ri, "r* f the Regina' ria' !urt
-R!., /ranch 12, Or&c !ity, a# a %i#grace t the bench fr beha$ing
un)rfe##ina''y* he 'etter #tate# that "u%ge +e%ri
1* #hut# at an% re)ri&an%# 'ayer#, )er#nne', itne##e#, an%
'itigant# in )en curt
2* %e# nt 3n the ba#ic ru'e# f )rce%ure an% the 'a
* i# crru)t, an% fa$r# t r three 'ayer# becau#e 3u#g &hatag
niya, &eaning they gi$e hi& t ften
4* i##ue% &any cntr$er#ia' r%er#, #uch a# granting bai' t a Mu#'i&
%rug 'r% a'thugh the ca#e a# a##igne% t anther #a'a )re#i%e%
by a ne u%ge an% %irecting that an r%er f arre#t again#t the
6ice Mayr f Pa'&)n be 7ua#he% e$en if n ca#e a# fi'e%
again#t the 'atter in hi# -u%ge#. #a'a
5* a##igning Atty* !'intn Nue$, then R! c'er3 f curt, t rite hi#
r%er# an% %eci#in# an%
8* re)ri&an%e% in )en curt Atty* Ruben !a)ahi, a )ri$ate
)ractitiner, an% Atty* Pa&e'a O'i$er f the Pub'ic Attrney# Office
-PAO.*
!hief "u#tice 9i'ari Da$i%e, "r* referre% the anny&u# 'etter t De)uty
!urt A%&ini#tratr -D!A. :enai%a E'e)a fr %i#creet in$e#tigatin* he
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In$e#tigating ea& fr& the Office f the !urt A%&ini#tratr cn%ucte% a
%i#creet in$e#tigatin an% #ub&itte% a re)rt* "u%ge +e%ri %enie% a''
the accu#atin# again#t hi&*
In a Me&ran%u& %ate% May 4, 2008 fr then !hief "u#tice Arte&i
6* Panganiban, !urt A%&ini#tratr !hri#t)her O* ;c3 rec&&en%e%
that re#)n%ent u%ge be fine% in the a&unt f P10,000*00 fr cn%uct
unbec&ing a u%ge an% be #e$ere'y ADMONI
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c&)'aint, #u))rte% by )ub'ic recr%# f in%ubitab'e integrity* he
in#tant c&)'aint a# in#titute% thrugh the 'a#t &%e*
On the #ecn% i##ue, the !urt fin%# the E$a'uatin Re)rt f the
O!A e''=fun%e%* he In$e#tigating ea& )er#na''y hear% re#)n%ent
u%ge #huting )unyeta at hi# #taff an% #aying, Sino si Clinton? Bakla yon.
when asked by a lady looking for the latter* ;i3ei#e, he in#u'te% "tha&
;)e>, curt inter)reter, by #huting at hi&, Ani&a' 3a, ba3'a 3a*
he tea& ha% the cca#in t ta'3 t Atty* Franci#c 9* E#ca, a
fr&er u%ge* 9e cnfi%e% t the& that he can n 'nger ta3e hi#
-re#)n%ent u%ge. abu#e#, arrgance, an% crru)tin* 9e$er,
accr%ing t !urt A%&ini#tratr ;c3, there i# n e$i%ence t #u#tain the
charge f crru)tin*
On the charge f granting bai' t a Mu#'i& h#e ca#e a# nt
a##igne% t "u%ge +re%ri?# #a'a, #uffice it t #tate that he a#
authri>e% by thi# !urt in it# Re#'utin %ate% A)ri' 8, 2005 t )re#i%e
$er /ranch 5 here the ca#e a# raff'e%*
On the charge f 7ua#hing an r%er f arre#t again#t Pa'&)n
6ice=Mayr !n#tantin u)a, the recr%# #h that thi# &atter i# the
#ubect f an a%&ini#trati$e c&)'aint, %c3ete% a# A*M* O!A IPI N* 05=
2244=R", #ti'' )en%ing e$a'uatin by the O!A*
@e are cn$ince% that "u%ge +e%ri?# actuatin# in the )re&i#e#
cn#titute cn%uct unbec&ing a u%ge* he u#e f inte&)erate 'anguage
i# inc'u%e% in the )r#cri)tin )r$i%e% by
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er%e# )ub'ic cnfi%ence in the u%iciary* hu#, it i# their %uty t a$i% any
i&)re##in f i&)r)riety in r%er t )rtect the i&age an% integrity f
the u%iciary*
hu#, the curt fin%# re#)n%ent u%ge +re%ri gui'ty f cn%uct
unbec&ing f a u%ge, c'a##ifie% a# a 'ight charge un%er
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CYNT$IA AD(INCULA (S ATTY. ERNESTO MACABATA
AC #20), M!*+ #, 200#
C$ICO-NAARIO, J.:
FACTS
!&)'ainant A%$incu'a #ught the 'ega' a%$ice f re#)n%ent
Macabata, regar%ing her c''ectib'e# fr& ueen#ay ra$e' an% ur#*
he t &et in a re#taurant in ue>n !ity t %i#cu## the )##ibi'ity f
fi'ing a c&)'aint again#t ueen#ay becau#e they %i% nt #ett'e their
accunt# a# %e&an%e%* After %inner, re#)n%ent t3 c&)'ainant h&e
an% a# #he a# abut t #te) ut f the car, the re#)n%ent he'% her ar&
an% 3i##e% her n the chee3 an% e&brace% her tight'y*
After a't a &nth, they &et again in
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re#)n%ent?# fee# an% it a# re#)n%ent h u'% a'ay# )ay e$ery
ti&e they u'% eat ut* he I/P i&)#e% a ne &nth #u#)en#in n the
re#)n%ent*
ISSUE
@hether r nt re#)n%ent c&&itte% act# that are gr##'y i&&ra'
r hich cn#titute #eriu# &ra' %e)ra$ity that u'% arrant hi#
%i#bar&ent r #u#)en#in*
$ELD
he !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity frbi%# 'ayer# fr&
engaging in un'afu', %i#hne#t, i&&ra' r %eceitfu' cn%uct* he !urt
)ercei$e# the act f 3i##ing -be#=be#. n the chee3# a# &ere ge#ture#
f frien%#hi) an% ca&ara%erie fr f greeting#, ca#ua' an% cu#t&ary*
he act f re#)n%ent in turning the hea% f the c&)'ainant tar%#
hi&, 3i##ing her n the 'i)# are %i#ta#tefu' but they cannt be cn#i%ere%
a# gr##'y i&&ra'* @hi'e re#)n%ent 3i##e% her n the 'i)#, that a# nt
&ti$ate% by &a'ice* he !urt c&e# t the cnc'u#in becau#e right
after the c&)'ainant e)re##e% her annyance at being 3i##e%, thrugh
a ce''u'ar tet &e##age, re#)n%ent i&&e%iate'y eten%e% an a)'gy t
c&)'ainant* ;i3ei#e, if re#)n%ent ante% t i&)#e hie'f n the
c&)'ainant, he u'% ha$e ch#en a &re #ec'u%e% )'ace here he
cu'% &a3e hi# #eua' a%$ance#* A'' t'%, re#)n%ent# act# are nt
gr##'y i&&ra' nr high'y re)rehen#ib'e t arrant %i#bar&ent r
#u#)en#in*
he c&)'aint i# hereby %i#&i##e%* 9e$er, Macabata i#
REPRIMANDEDt be &re )ru%ent an% cautiu# ith hi# actin# hen
%ea'ing ith hi# c'ient#*
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ATTY. GEORGE C. BRIONES $#* ATTY. JACINTO D. JIMENE
A.C. No. 1 A/* 2#, 200#
AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ, J.:
FACTS
Atty* +erge /rine# c'ai that Atty* "acint "i&ene> an% the 9eir#
engage% again in fru& #h))ing hen Atty* "i&ene>, a# cun#e' fr the
9eir#, fi'e% a cri&ina' c&)'aint an% eecute% an affi%a$it again#t Atty*
/rine# fr re#i#ting an% #eriu#'y %i#beying the R! Or%er %ate% A)ri' ,
2002 hich %irecte% Atty* /rine# t %e'i$er the re#i%ue f the e#tate t
the 9eir# in )r)rtin t their #hare#, )uni#hab'e un%er Artic'e 151 f the
Re$i#e% Pena' !%e*
ISSUES
1. @hether r nt Atty* "i&ene> i# gui'ty f fru& #h))ing*
2. @hether r nt Atty* "i&ene> $i'ate% Ru'e 1G*01 f the !%e f
Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity*
$ELD
@9EREFORE, Atty* "acint D* "i&ene> i# fun% 34" f an%
REPRIMANDED fr $i'atin f Ru'e 1G*01 f the !%e f Prfe##ina'
Re#)n#ibi'ity*
1. he !urt agree# ith the O/! that Atty* "i&ene> i# %o4 34" o
o*36 7o//%* Recr%# #h that re#)n%ent, a# cun#e' fr
the heir# f the 'ate ;u> "* 9en#n, fi'e% a #)ecia' ci$i' actin
%c3ete% a# !A=+*R*
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)ay&ent f c&&i##in t c&)'ainant* It i# e$i%ent that there i#
i%entity f )artie# 34 &e*e%4 +!37e7 o !+4o% !%& *ee7
7o34* 9ence, Atty* "i&ene> i# nt gui'ty f fru& #h))ing* he
!urt 'i3ei#e fin%# n fau't n the )art f re#)n%ent in eecuting
an affi%a$it in #u))rt f the cri&ina' c&)'aint a# he'% in
the Santiago ca#e*
2. 9e$er, there i# #ufficient grun% in #u))rt f Atty* /rine#?
c&)'ain that Atty* "i&ene> 9o!4e&the Ru'e 1G*01 f the !%e f
Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity an% !7 *e/*6!%&e& o* 9o!4o% o
4e R3e* Recr%# re$ea' that befre re#)n%ent a##i#te% the 9eir#
in fi'ing the cri&ina' c&)'aint again#t herein c&)'ainant, he #ent
%e&an% 'etter# t the 'atter t c&)'y ith the Or%er f "u%ge i)n
t %e'i$er the re#i%ue f the e#tate t the heir# f the 'ate ;u> "*
9en#n* !n#i%ering that Atty* /rine# %i% nt re)'y t the %e&an%
'etter#, Atty* "i&ene> )te% t fi'e #ai% cri&ina' c&)'aint in beha'f
f hi# c'ient# fr refu#a' t bey the 'afu' r%er f the curt*
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ALE; B. CUETO 9 ATTY. JOSE B. JIMENE, JR.
A.C. No. 5#8 J!%3!*" 20, 2005
CORONA, J:
FACTS
Engr* A'e /* !uet fi'e% an a%&ini#trati$e ca#e again#t Atty*
"i&ene> fr ha$ing $i'ate% the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity an%
!ann# f Prfe##ina' Ethic# hen he fi'e% a cri&ina' ca#e again#t hi& fr
the c''ectin f the P20,000*00 ba'ance )en%ing hi# ntaria' fee*
After ntari>ing the %cu&ent fr "#e "i&ene> III, the #n f Atty*
"i&ene> an% ner f the bui'%ing, the 'atter %e&an%e% a P50,000 fee fr
#uch #er$ice* abut the 'atter?# un)ai% bi'' fr !uet?# #er$ice#
a# genera' cntractr* De#)ite the a%$ice, Atty* "i&ene> #ti'' %e)#ite% the
chec3, hich a# cn#e7uent'y %i#hnre% fr 'ac3 f #ufficient fun%#*
Meanhi'e, the P2,500,000 chec3 i##ue% by the 'ayer?# #n t !uet a#
initia' )ay&ent )ur#uant t the !n#tructin Agree&ent a# a'#
%i#hnre% fr ha$ing been %ran fr& a c'#e% accunt* hereafter,
Atty* "i&ene> fi'e% a cri&ina' ca#e again#t Engr* !uet in $i'atin f /P 22
-Anti=/uncing !hec3# ;a.* It a# in the )en%ency f hich that !uet
fi'e% the a%&ini#trati$e c&)'aint again#t Atty* "i&ene>* he I/P, after
recei$ing n re#)n#e fr& the 'ayer %e#)ite a ntice t e)'ain,
re#'$e% t #anctin #uch act in $i'atin f !ann 20, Ru'e 20*4 f the
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!%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity an% rec&&en%e% that Atty* "#e /*
"i&ene>, "r* be re)ri&an%e%* 9ence, the ca#e at bar*
ISSUE
@hether r nt Atty* "i&ene> i# gui'ty f ha$ing $i'ate% !ann 20,
Ru'e 20*4 f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity
$ELD
@9EREFORE, Atty* "#e "i&ene>, "r* i# hereby SE(ERELY REPRIMANDED
fr $i'ating !ann 20, Ru'e 20*4 f the !%e f Prfe##ina'
Re#)n#ibi'ity
!ann 20, Ru'e 20*4 f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity
&an%ate# that HaJ 'ayer #ha'' a$i% cntr$er#ie# ith c'ient#
cncerning hi# c&)en#atin an% #ha'' re#rt t u%icia' actin n'y t
)re$ent i&)#itin, inu#tice r frau%*H ;i3ei#e, in !ann 14 f the
!ann# f Prfe##ina' Ethic# it #tate# that, HcJntr$er#ie# ith c'ient#
cncerning c&)en#atin are t be a$i%e% by the 'ayer # far a# #ha''
be c&)atib'e ith hi# #e'f=re#)ect an% ith hi# right t recei$e
rea#nab'e rec&)en#e fr hi# #er$ice an% 'a#uit# ith the c'ient#
#hu'% be re#rte% t n'y t )re$ent inu#tice, i&)#itin r frau%*H
here a# c'ear'y n i&)#itin, inu#tice r frau% btaining in thi#
ca#e t u#tify the 'ega' actin ta3en by re#)n%ent* A# brne ut by the
recr%#, c&)'ainant !uet ha% a'rea%y )ai% &re than ha'f f
re#)n%ent?# fee* re#rt t a #uit t rec$er the ba'ance re$ea'# a
certain 3in% f #ha&efu' cn%uct an% incn#i%erate beha$ir that c'ear'y
un%er&ine# the tenet e&b%ie% in !ann 15 that HAJ 'ayer #hu'%
b#er$e can%r, fairne## an% 'ya'ty in a'' hi# %ea'ing# an% tran#actin#
ith hi# c'ient*H An% hat can e #ay abut the fai'ure f re#)n%ent?# #n
"#e III t )ay hi# n b'igatin t c&)'ainant !uetK It in a'' )rbabi'ity
e)'ain# hy !uet ran #hrt f fun%#*
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Re#)n%ent therefre #hu'% ha$e been &re t'erant f the %e'ay
incurre% by c&)'ainant !uet*
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A44" ORLANDO DION 97. A44" MARIC$U LAMBINO
A.C.No. 8 AUGUST , 200
CARPIO-MORALES, J:
FACTS
he 3i''ing %uring a ru&b'e n Dece&ber (, 1GG4 f Bni$er#ity f
the Phi'i))ine# -BP. gra%uating #tu%ent Denni# 6enturina, the chair)er#n
f the BP !''ege f Pub'ic A%&ini#tratin n, then !hief f
the n re7ue#te% t ta3e the& int hi# cu#t%y* Atty* Marichu ;a&bin,
;ega' !un#e' f BP Di'i&an, h re)aire% t the Office f !'* /entain,
a%$i#e% again#t Atty* Di>nL# &$e, he$er, he nt being ar&e% ith a
arrant fr their arre#t* !hance''r P#a%a# an% 6ice !hance''r fr
#tu%ent# R#ari rre#=u, h a'# re)aire% t the ffice f the c'ne',
ine% Atty* ;a&bin in ))#ing the turn=$er f the #u#)ect# t Atty*
Di>n, %e#)ite the 'atterL# c'ai& that un%er it# !harter the N/I a#
authri>e% t &a3e arrant'e## arre#t#*
he #u#)ect#L 'ayer, ne Atty* 6i''a&r, 'ater a'# #he% u) at the
ffice f !'* /entain an% after hat a))eare% t be a heate% %i#cu##in
beteen Atty* Di>n an% the BP fficia'#, the #tu%ent# ere a''e% t g
bac3 t their %r&itrie#, ith Atty* 6i''a&r un%erta3ing t acc&)any
the& t the N/I the f''ing &rning* he t #tu%ent=#u#)ect# ere
e$entua''y in%icte% in curt*
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9ence, ari#e# the fi'ing f a c&)'aint by Atty* Di>n again#t Atty*
;a&bin befre the Integrate% /ar f the Phi'i))ine# -I/P., fr $i'atin f
!ann 1, Ru'e# 1*1 t 1* f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity*
Atty* Di>n ha% ear'ier fi'e% a cri&ina' c&)'aint a'# again#t Atty*
;a&bin, tgether ith !hance''r P#a%a# an% 6ice !hance''r rre#=u
an% !'* /entain, befre the O&bu%#&an, fr $i'atin f P*D* 1(2G hich
&a3e# it un'afu' fr anyne t b#truct the a))rehen#in an%
)r#ecutin f cri&ina' ffen#e#* Atty* ;a&bin in turn charge% Atty* Di>n
befre the I/P ith $i'atin f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity,
#)ecifica''y !ann 1, Ru'e 1*01, 1*02, an% 1*0 !ann 8, Ru'e# 8*01 an%
8*02 an% !ann (, Ru'e (*01*
ISSUES
-1. @hether r nt the act f Atty* ;a&bin in refu#ing t turn $er the
#u#)ecte% #tu%ent# t the gru) f Atty* Di>n cn#titute# $i'atin f
!%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity
-2. @hether r nt the act f Atty* Di>n in trying t arre#t the #tu%ent=
#u#)ect# cn#titute# $i'atin f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity*
$ELD
On the fir#t i##ue, Re)rt an% Rec&&en%atin #ub&itte% t
the /ar% f +$ernr# f the I/P n "une 20, 2005, !/D
In$e#tigating !&&i##iner
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In%ee%, Atty* ;a&bin a# 'ega''y u#tifie% in a%$i#ing again#t the
turn$er f the #u#)ect# t Atty* Di>n, there being n ba#i# fr hi& t
effect a arrant'e## arre#t* Atty* Di>nL# a%&ini#trati$e c&)'aint again#t
her &u#t then be %i#&i##e%*
On the #ecn% i##ue, re#)ecting the c&)'aint again#t Atty* Di>n,
thi# !urt, a'# in Posadas v. Ombudsman, he'% that fr the fai'ure f the
N/I agent# t c&)'y ith the cn#titutina' an% )rce%ura' re7uire&ent#,
their atte&)t t arre#t the t #tu%ent=#u#)ect# ithut a arrant a#
i''ega'*
@ith re#)ect t the c&)'aint again#t Atty* Di>n, the
!&&i##iner rec&&en%e% t re)ri&an% hi& fr $i'ating the !%e f
Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity in rec3'e##'y trying t arre#t the #u#)ect#
ithut arrant*
In the &ain, Atty* Di>n in$3e%
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Ru'e 1*02*A 'ayer #ha'' nt cun#e' r abet acti$itie# ai&e% at %efiance
f the 'a r at 'e##ening cnfi%ence in the 'ega' #y#te&*
@9EREFORE, the ca#e again#t Atty* Marichu !* ;a&bin i#
DI
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Ro7! Y!/ P!*!7 9 J374o P!*!7
A.C. No. ))# J3%e #, 200#
Garcia, J.:
FACTS
Petitiner R#a a) Para# fi'e% a Mtin fr !nte&)tCDi#bar&ent
again#t Re#)n%ent Atty* "u#t Para# fr "u#t?# a''ege% $i'atin f a
#u#)en#in r%er ear'ier &ete% u)n hi& by the !urt* he &tin a''ege#
that "u#t ha# cntinue% hi# )ractice f after the recei)t f #u#)en#in n
the grun% that the a''ege% fi'ing f hi# &tin fr recn#i%eratin
#u#)en%# r interru)t# the running f the )eri% t a))ea'*
On G
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ISSUE
@hether r nt "u#t Para# #hu'% be %i#barre%
$ELD
A!!ORDIN+;, the Mtin fr !nte&)t an%Cr Di#bar&ent i#
DENIED* 9e$er, Atty* "u#t Para# i# hereby REPRIMANDED fr hi#
fai'ure t b#er$e the re#)ect %ue the !urt in nt )r&)t'y c&)'ying
ith thi# !urtL# re#'utin, ith 'ARNING that a &re %ra#tic
)uni#h&ent i'' be i&)#e% u)n hi& fr a re)etitin f the #a&e act*
he curt fin%# n #ufficient ba#i# t #u))rt R#a?# a''egatin that
Atty* Para# $i'ate% the !urtL# #u#)en#in r%er, hat ith the fact that
Atty* Para# hie'f t3 the initiati$e t infr& the 'er curt# f hi# ne=
year #u#)en#in fr& 'a )ractice*
In a nu&ber f ca#e#, e ha$e re)eate%'y e)'aine% an% #tre##e%
that the )ur)#e f %i#bar&ent i# nt &eant a# a )uni#h&ent t %e)ri$e
an attrney f a &ean# f 'i$e'ih% but i# rather inten%e% t )rtect the
curt# an% the )ub'ic fr& &e&ber# f the bar h ha$e bec&e unfit
an% unrthy t be )art f the e#tee&e% an% nb'e )rfe##in* ;i3ei#e,
the )ur)#e f the eerci#e f the )er t cite fr cnte&)t i# t
#afeguar% the functin# f the curt t a##ure re#)ect fr curt r%er# by
attrney# h, a# &uch a# u%ge#, are re#)n#ib'e fr the r%er'y
a%&ini#tratin f u#tice*
"u#t a%&itte% that he ha% been 'e## than )ru%ent, an% in%ee% fe''
#hrt, f hi# b'igatin t f'', bey an% c&)'y ith the #)ecific Or%er
f the 9nrab'e
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L!"! (. S!%4o7, e4 ! 97 J3&e Ro!%&o G. $o
A.M. No. RTJ-05-1) J!%3!*" 2, 200#
Austria-Marin!, J.:
FACTS
!&)'ainant ;igaya
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On Dece&ber 14, 2004, the )r#ecutin )re#ente% it# fir#t itne##
h re=affir&e% hi# affi%a$it an% )#iti$e'y i%entifie% a'' the a''ege%
&a'efactr#, inc'u%ing c&)'ainant#* On Dece&ber 18, 2004, the #ecn%
itne## )re#ente% by the )r#ecutin h i# an a''ege% c=cn#)iratr
%irect'y i&)'icate% ;igaya
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he act f "u%ge in %enying the c&)'ainant# the right t )re#ent
e$i%ence cn#titute# #i&)'e ignrance f the 'a but in the ab#ence f
&a'ice, crru)t &ti$e# r i&)r)er cn#i%eratin# n the )art f the
re#)n%ent* Re#)n%ent fai'e% t b#er$e an% cn#i%er fr hi# )r)er
%eter&inatin an% e$a'uatin the eight f e$i%ence )re#ente% by the
)r#ecutin* !ann , Ru'e *01 f the !%e f "u%icia' !n%uct &an%ate#
that a u%ge #ha'' be faithfu' t the 'a# an% &aintain )rfe##ina'
c&)etence* Nthing in the recr%# #ugge#t# that re#)n%ent a#
&ti$ate% by &a'ice r crru)t &ti$e# t %eny the a))'icatin fr bai'*
!&)'ainant# fai'e% t #ub#tantiate their ther a''egatin# ith c&)etent
)rf be#i%e# their n bare a''egatin#* Re#)n%ent# %i% hat he
thught a# right un%er the 'a an% e#tab'i#he% )rinci)'e#* 9ence,
re#)n%ent cu'% nt be he'% 'iab'e fr &anife#t )artia'ity an% #eriu#
&i#cn%uct*
Mre$er, fr #eriu# &i#cn%uct t ei#t, the u%icia' act
c&)'aine% f #hu'% be crru)t r in#)ire% by an intentin t $i'ate the
'a r a )er#i#tent %i#regar% f e''=3nn 'ega' ru'e#* he recr%# are
bereft f any e$i%ence t thi# effect t arrant %i#ci)'inary actin again#t
re#)n%ent*
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FLORENCIA SOMOSOT 97. ATTY. ELIAS PONTE(EDRA
A.C. No. )285 M!" 2, 200
=UISUMBING,J.:
FACTS
F'rencia
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E66!%3e (e!7+o 9 J3&e A&o*!+o% A%ee7
A.M. No. RTJ-05-108 A3374 15, 200#
Car"i#, J.:
FACTS
hi# a%&ini#trati$e ca#e c$er# 10 c&)'aint# fi'e% by E&&anue'
n 6e'a#c,
he re)rt an% rec&&en%atin %ate% Dec* 1, 2004 f "u#tice ia&
ut'ine# the ff charge# again#t the "u%ge
1. Mi#7uting 6e'a#c in ba% faith an% accu#ing hi& f fa'#ifying a
)ub'ic %cu&ent
2. B#ing inte&)erate 'anguage in )'ea%ing# fi'e% befre the Office f
the Pre#i%ent an% the Office f the !urt A%&ini#tratr -O!A.,
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4. 6i#iting the
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in#tance# hen #he u#e% inte&)erate 'anguage fr her )'ea%ing# high=
fau't tin the#i# in#u't t inte''igence 6e'a#c?#J &in% ha# been #u%%en'y
tran#fr&e% int a chea) factry f bgu# charge# a &nu&ent t
hy)cri#y the in#tant c&)'aint can be c&)are% t the 'a#t
grunting ni#e# f a %ying rat that beca&e tra))e% in it# n gu''ibi'ity
iJt i# $ery %i#gu#ting that 6e'a#cJ i# acting 'i3e a cry baby begging fr
attentin an% eJ$en the greate#t f cr3# can ea#i'y &a3e
%i#gui#e#* E$en '$e# can %re## in #hee)?# c'thing*
he e#tee&e% )#itin f a &agi#trate f the 'a %e&an%# te&)erance,
)atience an% curte#y bth in cn%uct an% 'anguage*
"u#tice ia& a'# fun% Ange'e# gui'ty f inte&)erate 'anguage in
her #tate&ent# again#t "u#tice /e''#i'' in her )'ea%ing# befre the Office
f the Pre#i%ent an% the
beteen 6e'a#c an% "u#tice /e''#i''*
@e agree that re#)n%ent #hu'% ha$e been &re circu)ect in
her 'anguage*@e ha$e he'% in a 'ng 'ine f ca#e# that the u%ge i# the
$i#ib'e re)re#entatin f the 'a* hu#, a u%ge &u#t beha$e at a'' ti&e# in
#uch a &anner that hi# r her cn%uct, fficia' r theri#e, can ith#tan%
the t #earching )ub'ic #crutiny* he ethica' )rinci)'e# an% #en#e f
)r)riety f a u%ge are e##entia' t the )re#er$atin f the )e)'e?# faith
in the u%icia' #y#te&* 9e$er, e % nt agree that Ange'e#?# actin
&erit# the fin%ing f in%irect cnte&)t again#t her* Ange'e#?# utbur#t
a# %ue t the fact that the #ubect 'etter f "u#tice /e''#i'' a#
a%%re##e% t then !hief "u#tice Da$i%e, "r*, c)y furni#he% a'' A##ciate
"u#tice# f the
It i# e)ecte% f her t try t fin% ut h c&)'ainant gt h'% f a c)y
f the 'etter*
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JULIO B. (EROSA 97 JUDGE MANUEL E. CONTRERAS
A.M. No. MTJ-0-1> M!*+ 12, 200#
AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ, J.:
FACTS
!&)'ainant a''ege# that he i# a fre#t ranger f the De)art&ent f
En$irn&ent an% Natura' Re#urce# -DENR. Prtecte% Area Office* On
A)ri' 14, 2004, hi'e cn%ucting #ur$ei''ance n trea#ure hunting
acti$itie# in Mt* I#arg Natura' Par3, Oca&), !a&arine#
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u#t inci%enta' that he cau#e% the a))rehen#in f the truc3 'a%e% ith
#t'en tru##e# an% bar# f the P;D er*
ISSUE
@hether r nt "u%ge Manue' E* !ntrera#, be a%&ni#he% fr
$i'atin f Ru'e *12-a. f the Ne !%e f "u%icia' !n%uct*
$ELD
he curt ru'e% that the re#)n%ent "u%ge $i'ate% the !%e f
"u%icia' !n%uct *12-a. f !ann , !%e f "u%icia' !n%uct, t it
Ru'e *12 = A u%ge #hu'% ta3e n )art in a )rcee%ing here the u%geL#
i&)artia'ity &ight rea#nab'y be 7ue#tine%* he#e ca#e# inc'u%e, a&ng
ther#, )rcee%ing# here
-a. the u%ge ha# )er#na' 3n'e%ge f %i#)ute% e$i%entiary fact#
cncerning the )rcee%ing*
Recr%# re$ea' that re#)n%ent ha% )rir 3n'e%ge f the 'ting
an% %i#&ant'ing at the P;D er in Oca&), !a&arine#
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D!9& !%& M!*7! '!67 9A44". R3&" E%*?3e@
A.C. No. >5> Fe*3!*" 2#, 200
Ca$$%#, SR., J.:
FACTS
Re#)n%ent Atty* Enri7ue> i# the cun#e' f recr% f c&)'ainant=
#)u#e# Da$i% an% Mari#a @i''ia in a ci$i' ca#e )en%ing befre the R!
in Du&aguete here the #)u#e# are the %efen%ant#* Accr%ing t the
c&)'ainant=#)u#e#, Mari#a @i''ia bught the 't #ubect f the
cntr$er#y* A ran#fer !ertificate f it'e a# then i##ue% in her fa$r,
#tating that #he i# HFi'i)in, &arrie% t Da$i% @* @i''ia, an A&erican
citi>en*HOn "anuary (, 2004, Atty* Enri7ue> charge% Mari#a @i''ia ith
fa'#ificatin f )ub'ic %cu&ent# befre the Office f the !ity Pr#ecutr f
Du&aguete a''eging that Mari#a /acatan=@i''ia aut&atica''y '#t her
Fi'i)in citi>en#hi) hen #he &arrie% an A&erican, an% a# thu#
)rhibite% t n 'an% in the Phi'i))ine#, thereby &a3ing her gui'ty f
fa'#ificatin in the Dee% #he eecute% t buy )r)erty in Negr# Orienta'*
9e$er, in her cunter=affi%a$it, Mari#a cite# Artic'e I6, en#hi)
hen #he &arrie% an A&erican un'e## #he renunce% it in a #)ecific act*
In re)'y, Atty* Enri7ue>, 7ute# &re ut%ate% 'a, %ec'aring that her Hact
f &arryingH her hu#ban% a# e7ui$a'ent t renuncing her citi>en#hi)*
9e a'# %gge%'y atte&)t# t #h that the 1G( !n#titutin #u))rt#
hi# )#itin, nt Mari#a?#*
On Dece&ber 1, 2004, the ca#e a# referre% t the Integrate% /ar
f the Phi'i))ine# fr in$e#tigatin, re)rt an% rec&&en%atin an% then
ru'e% that re#)n%ent Atty* Enri7ue> be Hre)ri&an%e%, ith a arning an%
a%$ice t #tu%y each an% e$ery )inin he &ay gi$e t hi# c'ient#*H
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ISSUE
@hether r nt the#e fact# cn#true that Atty* Enri7ue> can be
charge% ith Hun'afu', %i#hne#t, i&&ra' an% %eceitfu' act# in $i'atin
f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity an% the !ann# f Prfe##ina'
Ethic#*
$ELD
@herefre, fr gr## ignrance f the 'a, Atty* Ru%y * Enri7ue> i#
REPRIMANDEDan% a%$i#e% t carefu''y #tu%y the )inin# he &ay gi$e
t hi# c'ient#* 9e i# #tern'y arne% that a re)etitin f a #i&i'ar act #ha''
be %ea't ith &re #e$ere'y*
Atty* Enri7ue> i# a%&ini#trati$e'y 'iab'e fr hi# actuatin# fr there i#
n e$i%ence #hn by hi& that c&)'ainant Mari#a /acatan=@i''ia ha#
renunce% her Fi'i)in citi>en#hi) ece)t her !ertificate f Marriage,
hich %e# nt #h that #he ha# aut&atica''y ac7uire% her hu#ban%?#
citi>en#hi) u)n her &arriage t hi&* he ca#e# cite% by Atty* Enri7ue>
are nt a))'icab'e in thi# ca#e a# it i# c'ear that they refer t a'ien#
ac7uiring 'an%# in the Phi'i))ine#* A# )inte% ut by the In$e#tigating
!&&i##iner, !ann 5 f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity re7uire#
that a 'ayer be u)%ate% in the 'ate#t 'a# an% uri#)ru%ence* In%ee%,
hen the 'a i# # e'e&entary, nt t 3n it r t act a# if ne %e# nt
3n it cn#titute# gr## ignrance f the 'a* A# a retire% u%ge,
re#)n%ent #hu'% ha$e 3nn that it i# hi# %uty t 3ee) hie'f e''=
infr&e% f the 'ate#t ru'ing# f the !urt n the i##ue# an% 'ega'
)rb'e cnfrnting a c'ient* In thi# ca#e, the 'a he a))arent'y
&i#cn#true% i# n 'e## than the !n#titutin, the t ba#ic 'a f the
'an%*
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@ARNIN+
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JIMMY T. GO !..!. JAIME T. GAISANO 97 $ON. EUS C. ABROGAR
e4 !
G.R. No. 1)521> M!*+ 28, 200
AZCUNA, J.:
FACTS
hi# i# an a))ea' by )etitin fr re$ie un%er Ru'e 45 f the Ru'e# f
!urt fr& a %eci#in f the !urt f A))ea'#*
Internatina' Echange /an3 fi'e% a !&)'aint befre the R! f
Ma3ati fr !''ectin f a
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'ayer they fi'e% a Ntice f A))ea' but R! i##ue% an r%er %enying the
Ntice f A))ea' n the grun% that the reg'e&entary )eri% ha% a'rea%y
e)ire% n N$e&ber 4, 1GGG, r ne %ay befre +ai#an fi'e% hi# Ntice
f A))ea', cn#i%ering that hi# )re$iu# 'ega' cun#e' Atty* "a$ier recei$e%
a c)y f the %eci#in n Octber 20, 1GGG* he %eci#in ha$ing bec&e
fina' an% eecutry u)n &tin by the /an3, the R! r%ere% the
i##uance f a @rit f Eecutin again#t )etitiner* +ai#an i# n befre
thi# !urt n a Petitin fr Re$ie by !ertirari un%er Ru'e 45 f the Ru'e#
f !urt t re$er#e the %enia' f hi# Petitin fr !ertirari by the !urt f
A))ea'#* +ai#an argue# that he #hu'% be gi$en a ne tria' a# hi# fr&er
cun#e', Atty* "a$ier a# gr##'y neg'igent in the han%ing f hi# ca#e an%
that he ha# a &eritriu# %efen#e*
ISSUE
@hether r nt hi# Ntice f A))ea' fr& the %eci#in f the
Regina' ria' !urt -R!. #hu'% be gi$en %ue cur#e %e#)ite ha$ing
been fi'e% 'ate
$ELD
@herefre, the )etitin i# %enie%* he !urt fin%# the )etitin
ithut &erit* It #hu'% be nte% that the a##ai'e% %eci#in a# %eci%e%
by the !urt f A))ea'# un%er Ru'e 85 f the Ru'e# f !urt* be grante%
re'ief un%er a #)ecia' ci$i' actin, it &u#t be cn$incing'y )r$en that the
curt a 7u c&&itte% gra$e abu#e f %i#cretin, r an act cn#tituting a
)atent an% gr## e$a#in f a %uty, r a $irtua' refu#a' t )erfr& the %uty
enine% r t act in cnte&)'atin f 'a, r that the tria' curt eerci#e%
it# )er# in an arbitrary an% %e#)tic &anner by rea#n f )a##in an%
)er#na' h#ti'ity* /earing thi# #tan%ar% in &in%, the !urt fin%# n errr
in the %enia' f the )etitin by the !urt f A))ea'# a# there a# n
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#hing that the R! ha% gra$e'y abu#e% it# %i#cretin r hiica''y
eerci#e% it# u%g&ent* he !urt agree# ith the R! an% the !urt f
A))ea'# that the %eci#in a# )r)er'y &ai'e% t Atty* "a$ier a# he a#
#ti'' cun#e' f recr%* 9i# recei)t f the %eci#in n Octber 20, 1GGG i#,
therefre, the #tarting )int fr& hich t cunt the 15=%ay reg'e&entary
)eri%* he R!, therefre, crrect'y %i#&i##e% the Ntice f A))ea' that
a# fi'e% 'ate*
Bn%er
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STRICTLY 'ARNED nt t &a3e %i#re#)ectfu' #tate&ent# again#t a
"u%ge ithut ba#i# in the recr%# r the e$i%ence*
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FINE
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ROSARIO ADRIANO (SJUDGE FRANCISCO (ILLANUE(A
A.M. NO. MTJ-- 12>2 DECEMBER8, 200>
PANGANIBAN,J.:
FACTS
An a%&ini#trati$e ca#e a# fi'e% again#t "u%ge Franci#c D*
6i''anue$a fr i&&ra'ity* hi# #te&&e% fr& a 'etter f c&)'aint fi'e% by
R#ari * A%rian charging hi& ith gr## ignrance f the 'a,
3ning'y ren%ering an unu#t u%g&ent, gra$e abu#e f %i#cretin an%
cn%uct f unbec&ing a tria' u%ge*
On her 'etter=c&)'aint, A%rian #tate% that the ac7uitta' f
accu#e% Fe F'r 6a'in f charge# f &i#re)re#enting an% recr%ing her
na&e in the %eath certificate a# the ife f the %ecea#e% hu#ban% f
herein c&)'ainant, cuntenance% the cri&ina' act# #ubect f the ca#e
that re#)n%ent# 'eniency tar%# the accu#e% h a# the &i#tre## f
her %ecea#e% hu#ban%, &ay ha$e been brught abut by hi# n )ractice
f chabiting ith a &an h i# nt hi# 'ega' ife, hich cn#titute#
cn%uct unbec&ing a u%ge*
!&)'ainant he$er %i% nt #)ecify the na&e f the na&e f the
&an h a''ege%'y i# the &i#tre## f "u%ge 6i''anue$a but #)ecifie% the
a%%re## a# N* 1 9anna
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R#ari D* A%rian?# #rn c&)'aint, be re=%c3ete% a# an a%&ini#trati$e
&atter #e)arate fr& thi# ca#e, be in$e#tigate% an%, if fun% true, he
#hu'% be %ea't ith accr%ing'y*
;a#t'y, ith regar% t the charge f cn%uct f unbec&ing a tria'
u%ge, it a# fun% ut that c&)'ainant?# e$i%ence i# )ure'y
circutantia'* It a# a'# fun% ut that re#)n%ent "u%ge ha% been
)re$iu#'y accu#e% f the #a&e an% a# )ena'i>e% by )aying P40,000*00
)e## an% #ince "u%ge 6i''anue$a i# a'rea%y retire%, he can n 'nger be
%i#&i##e% r #u#)en%e%* A'thugh un%er Ru'e 140 f the Ru'e# f !urt,
i&&ra'ity i# cn#i%ere% a #eriu# charge ith an i&)#ab'e )ena'ty f
either %i#&i##a' r #u#)en#in fr& the #er$ice re#)n%ent?# retire&ent
ren%er# the )ena'ty f either %i#&i##a' r #u#)en#in &t an% aca%e&ic*
herefre rec&&en%ing the %i#&i##a' f herein a%&ini#trati$e &atter fr
ha$ing been &t an% aca%e&ic in $ie f the %eci#in ren%ere% in A*M*
N* M"=GG=120 entit'e%, NBI vs. udge !illanueva*
A# t the "u%ge 6i''anue$a?# 'etter re7ue#ting the re'ea#e f hi#
retire&ent benefit# an% the retentin f a cn#i%erab'e a&unt there fr&
)en%ing re#'utin f the a%&ini#trati$e ca#e fi'e% again#t hi&, the !urt,
affir&ing the rec&&en%atin f the De)uty !urt A%&ini#tratr, re#'$e
that -a. DEN the re7ue#t f "u%ge Franci#c D* 6i''anue$a an%
@I99O;D hi# c&)u'#ry retire&ent benefit#, ece)t hi# accrue% 'ea$e
cre%it#, )en%ing the fina' re#'utin f AM N#* M"=GG=122 an% M"=GG=
12 an% -b. DIRE! the IMMEDIAE RE;EA
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$ELD
he !urt ru'e% that re#)n%ent "u%ge gui'ty f #i&)'e &i#cn%uct,
un%ue %e'ay in %e'ay in %eci%ing a ca#e an% gr## ignrance f the 'a,
an% i&)#ing u)n hi& a fine f P40,000*00 t be %e%ucte% fr& hi#
retire&ent benefit# hich ha$e been ithhe'% in $ie f the #ecn%
a%&ini#trati$e ca#e fi'e% again#t hi& herein he a# fun% gui'ty an%
fine%*
A# t the )re#ent c&)'aint, charging the re#)n%ent i&&ra'ity r
cn%uct f unbec&ing a tria' u%ge, #ince c&)'ainant %i% nt #)ecify the
na&e f the &i#tre## but )r$i%e% the a%%re## hich turn# ut t be the
#a&e a%%re## here re#)n%ent an% hi# '$er na&e% a# Marian 9errera
ha$e been fun% t be chabiting, a# he'% in the N/I ca#e, the !urt
rea#nab'y cnc'u%e% that the &i#tre## a''u%e% t by c&)'ainant in thi#
ca#e &u#t be the #a&e &i#tre## #ubect f the N/I ca#e becau#e f the
#i&i'arity f the gi$en a%%re##e# an% if thi# ere #, the )re#ent charge#
f i&&ra'ity again#t re#)n%ent ha% a'rea%y been fu''y thre#he% ut in
that N/I ca#e here the #a&e re#)n%ent a# fun% gui'ty theref an%
&ete% ut a FINE o Fo*4" To37!%& Pe7o7 P)0,000.
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Re: Re/o*4 o% 4e F%!%+! A3&4 o 4e Boo7 o A++o3%47 o
A44". R!?3e o
A.M. No. P-0-21## J3%e 2#, 200
Co*o%!,J.:
FACTS
An au%it ha# been cn%ucte% by the Office f the !urt
A%&ini#tratr -O!A. f the b3# f accunt# f Atty* Ra7ue' +* h,
fr&er c'er3 f curt f the Regina' ria' !urt, /ranch 5, Ora#, Ea#tern
e% %e)#itry ban3 the c''ectin# fr the Fi%uciary
Fun% -P80,000. an%
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ISSUE
@hether r nt h?# fai'ure t re&it the fun%# in %ue ti&e
cn#titute# gr## %i#hne#ty an% gr## &i#cn%uct*
$ELD
@herefre, Atty* Ra7ue' +* h i# hereby fun% +BI; f gr##
&i#cn%uct fr hi# fai'ure t &a3e ti&e'y re&ittance f u%iciary fun%# in
hi# cu#t%y* 9e i# r%ere% t )ay a FINE o P10,000ithin ten -10. %ay#
fr& recei)t f thi# re#'utin*
he fai'ure t re&it the fun%# in %ue ti&e cn#titute# gr##
%i#hne#ty an% gr## &i#cn%uct* It %i&ini#he# the faith f the )e)'e in
the "u%iciary* Di#hne#ty, being in the nature f a gra$e ffen#e, carrie#
the etre&e )ena'ty f %i#&i##a' fr& the #er$ice e$en if c&&itte% fr
the fir#t ti&e* 9e$er, h #he% re&r#e by i&&e%iate'y re#tituting
the ca#h #hrtage# an% c&)'ying ith the %irecti$e# f the au%it tea&*
An% cn#i%ering that thi# i# hi# fir#t ffen#e, e fin% that the )ena'ty
f P10,000 fine i# #ufficient*
h?# fai'ure t &a3e a ti&e'y turn=$er f ca#h %e)#ite% ith hi&
a# inecu#ab'e becau#e he cu'% ha$e )urcha#e% )#ta' &ney r%er#
fr& the 'ca' )#t ffice )ayab'e t the chief accuntant, Accunting
Di$i#in, FMO=O!A* he &ney cu'% ha$e earne% intere#t ha% he nt
3e)t the& in the $au't fr $er a year
Mre$er, e$en thugh h ha% a'rea%y tran#ferre% t the
De)art&ent f "u#tice, it neither ren%er# thi# &atter &t nr free# hi&
fr& 'iabi'ity* 9i# &i#cn%uct ref'ect# n hi# fitne## a# a &e&ber f the
bar* 9i# &a'fea#ance"rima fa#iecntra$ene# !ann 1, Ru'e 1*01 f the
!%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity* Atty* h i# further r%ere% t
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!AB
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C!*6e% E&!o 9. J3&e F!46! A7&!!
A.M. No. RTJ-0-200# De+e6e* , 2010
Fo*6e*" A.M. OCA IPI No. 05-2>8-RTJ
BRION,J.:
FACTS
hi# ca#e i# an a%&ini#trati$e c&)'aint fi'e% by herein c&)'ainant
!ar&en E%an again#t re#)n%ent "u%ge A#%a'a, fr a''ege%'y %eci%ing n
!i$i' !a#e N* =G=058 n March 22, 2005, hen in fact herein
re#)n%ent u%ge actua''y ru'e% n #e$era' &tin# re'ate% t the
afre&entine% ca#e e$en after March 22, 2005* In a%%itin t thi#,
c&)'ainant E%an a''ege# that re#)n%ent "u%ge erre% in %enying her
ntice f a))ea'* Further&re, herein c&)'ainant cau#e% %e'ay by ging
beyn% the G0=%ay reg'a&entary )eri% fr ren%ering %eci#in#*
In the re#)n#e f "u%ge A#%a'a, #he #tate% that the r%er# #he
i##ue% after March 22, 2005 %i% nt tuch n the ca#e, but ere actua''y
re'ate% t herein c&)'ainant?# recei$ing #u))rt"endent lite* In a%%itin
t thi#, #he %enie% the c&)'ainant?# ntice f a))ea' becau#e
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$ELD
In the ru'ing f the
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M3e E. Coo*!&o 9 J3&e R+!*&o M. A!/4o
A.M. No. MTJ-0-158, J3" >, 200#
Austria-Martin!, J:
FACTS
Migue' E* !'ra% fi'e% a #rn='etter c&)'aint %ate% 1 "anuary
2001 charging "u%ge Ricar% M* Aga)it ith +r## Ignrance f the ;a
an% +ra$e Abu#e f Authrity re'ati$e t !ri&ina' !a#e N#* 481=+ an%
482=+ entit'e% Pe)'e $#* Migue' !'ra%, ith +ra$e
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A curt Re#'utin %ate% 24 March 200 re7uire% re#)n%ent t
&anife#t hether he a# i''ing t #ub&it the a%&ini#trati$e &atter
again#t hi& fr re#'utin ithut hi# c&&ent* Again, he fai'e% t
c&)'y ith it* In the Re#'utin f 28 "anuary 2005, the !urt r%ere%
hi& t #h cau#e hy he #hu'% nt be %i#ci)'inari'y %ea't ith r he'% in
cnte&)t fr fai'ure t &anife#t an% c&)'y ith the fir#t curt re#'utin*
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In the Re#'utin %ate% 2G March 2008, the !urt referre% bac3 the
a%&ini#trati$e &atter t the O!A fr e$a'uatin, re)rt, an%
rec&&en%atin* On 0 Augu#t 2008, the O!A #ub&itte% it# e$a'uatin
a# f''# that the ffen#e charge% again#t the accu#e% hich ha# an
i&)#ab'e )ena'ty f &re than ne year %e# nt nee% a certificatin t
fi'e actin fr& the /arangay that there a# n gra$e abu#e f %i#cretin
in the i##uance f arrant f arre#t n a Fri%ay that there a# &erit in
the neg'ect f re#)n%ent u%ge t re#'$e the )en%ing i##ue f the
&tin fr inhibitin hich a# nt acte% u)n t the ti&e f hi#
c&)u'#ry retire&ent an% that c&)'ainant !'ra% #hu'% ha$e
i&&e%iate'y infr&e% the curt abut the en$e')e ithut any cntent#
# that )r)er actin cu'% ha$e been %ne* he O!A rec&&en%e% that
"u%ge Aga)it be fun% gui'ty f gr## neg'ect fr fai'ure t act n the
&tin fr )rhibitin fi'e% by accu#e%=c&)'ainant !'ra% an% fr hi#
fai'ure t )r&)t'y c&)'y ith the 'afu' r%er f !urt an% nt ffering
a $a'i% ecu#e theref an% #hu'% be fine% P20,000*00, an% that the
ithhe'% a&unt f P20,000*00 fr& hi# retire&ent benefit# #ha'' be
cn#i%ere% the )ay&ent f the fine* he !urt agree% in tt ith the
#ai% fin%ing# an% rec&&en%atin# f the O!A*
ISSUES
1. @hether r nt the O!A crrect'y )rcee%e% ith the a%&ini#trati$e
ca#e again#t re#)n%ent u%ge ba#e% n the a))'icabi'ity f A*M*
N* 0=10=01=
A%&ini#trati$e !&)'aint#*
2. @hether r nt re#)n%ent u%ge c&&itte% +r## Ignrance f the
'a fr hi# fai'ure t re&an% r %i#&i## the ca#e in $ie f the
ab#ence f the re7ui#ite certificate t fi'e actin i##ue% by the
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barangay a# a &an%atry re7uire&ent f the atarungan
Pa&barangay ;a an% the ;ca' +$ern&ent !%e*
. @hether r nt re#)n%ent u%ge c&&itte% +ra$e abu#e f
authrity fr the i##uance f a arrant f arre#t n a Fri%ay t
en#ure c&)'ainant?# incarceratin fr t %ay#*
4. @hether r nt re#)n%ent u%ge c&&itte% +ra$e abu#e f
authrity an% bia# in cntinuing the hearing f the ca#e# an% fr
fai'ure t act n the &tin fr inhibitin*
5. @hether r nt there a# an intentin n the )art f re#)n%ent
u%ge t )re$ent c&)'ainant?# a))earance in curt by #en%ing an
en$e')e, ith a #u))#e% ntice f hearing but ith nthing in#i%e*
$ELD
Se#tion ' ()* and )) (B*, +ule )- of the +ules of Court, as
amended by ./. No. -)010)-0SC, #lassifies gross negle#t or undue delay
in rendering a de#ision or order as a less serious #harge whi#h #arries any
of the following san#tions2 sus"ension from offi#e without salary and other
benefits for not less than one ()* nor more than three (3* months or a fine
of more than P)-,---.-- but not eeeding P4-,---.--. 5e ado"t the
re#ommendation of the OC that res"ondent should be im"osed a fine in
the amount of P4-,---.--.
@9EREFORE,the Court finds res"ondent udge +i#ardo /. ga"ito
guilty of gross negle#t and is FINED % 4e !6o3%4 o Te%4"
To37!%& Pe7o7 P20,000.00. $he withheld amount of $wenty
$housand Pesos (P4-,---.-* from res"ondent6s retirement benefits is
#onsidered as "ayment of the fine.
1* e#, the O!A crrect'y )rcee%e% ith the a%&ini#trati$e
ca#e again#t re#)n%ent u%ge ba#e% n the a))'icabi'ity f A*M*
N* 0=10=01=
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Me&ber# f the "u%iciary fr& /a#e'e## an% Bnfun%e%
A%&ini#trati$e !&)'aint#* he re#'utin )r$i%e#
7If the #om"laint is (a* filed within si& months before the
#om"ulsory retirement of a usti#e or udge8 (b* for an alleged #ause
of a#tion that o##urred at least a year before su#h filing8 and (#*
shown "rima fa#ie that it is intended to harass the res"ondent, it
must forthwith be re#ommended for dismissal. If su#h is not the
#ase, the Offi#e of the Court dministrator must re9uire the
res"ondent to file a #omment within ten ()-* days from re#ei"t of
the #om"laint, and submit to the Court a re"ort and
re#ommendation not later than thirty (3-* days from re#ei"t of the
#omment. $he Court shall a#t on the re#ommendation before the
date of #om"ulsory retirement of the res"ondent, or if it is not
"ossible to do so, within si& (:* months from su#h date without
"re%udi#e to the release of the retirement benefits less su#h amount
as the Court may order to be withheld, taking into a##ount the
gravity of the #ause of a#tion alleged in the #om"laint.;
In the ca#e befre u#, the fir#t t re7ui#ite# fr %i#&i##a' are
)re#ent* Fir#t, the #rn 'etter=c&)'aint a# recei$e% by the O!A
n'y n 1 "anuary 2001, hich a# abut three ee3# befre the
c&)u'#ri'y retire&ent f the re#)n%ent u%ge fr& hi# #er$ice n
February 22, 2001*
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ithut &erit* he fi'ing f the )re#ent c&)'aint %i% nt #h t
be inten%e% &ere'y t hara## the re#)n%ent*
2* N* !&)'ainant !'ra% i# charge% ith gra$e #'an%er*
Bn%er Artic'e 5( f the Re$i#e% Pena' !%e, the &ai&u& )ena'ty
fr it i# 2 year# an% 4 &nth#* hu#, re#)n%ent ha# uri#%ictin
$er #ai% cri&ina' ca#e #ince )rir recur#e t barangaycnci'iatin
i# nt re7uire% fr ffen#e# ith i&)#ab'e )ena'ty f &re than
ne year a# ee&)'ifie% in A%&ini#trati$e !ircu'ar 14=G ba#e% n
the ;ca' +$ern&ent !%e f 1GG1, R*A* 180*
* N* A# )r$i%e% by
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motu "ro"rio n the &tin fr inhibitin ithut re7uiring the
atten%ance f c&)'ainant if the 'atter re)eate%'y fai'e% t a))ear
%e#)ite #e$era' #etting# t hear the &tin* A u%ge, in the eerci#e
f hi# #un% %i#cretin, &ay %i#7ua'ify hie'f fr& #itting n a
ca#e fr u#t r $a'i% rea#n#*
"u%ge# are &an%ate% t )erfr& a'' u%icia' %utie#, inc'u%ing
the %e'i$ery f re#er$e% %eci#in#, efficient'y, fair'y an% ith
rea#nab'e )r&)tne## un%er Se+4o% 5, C!%o% f the Ne
!%e f "u%icia' !n%uct fr the Phi'i))ine "u%iciary* A'#, they are
%irecte% t b#er$e un#cru)u'u#'y the )eri%# )re#cribe% by the
!n#titutin in the a%u%icatin an% re#'utin f a'' ca#e# r
&atter# #ub&itte% t their curt un%er the S3/*e6e Co3*4
C*+3!* No. 1>%ate% "u'y 1, 1G(*
In the ca#e f !isbal v. Buban, the !urt he'% that fai'ure t
%eci%e ca#e# an% ther &atter# ithin the reg'e&entary )eri%
cn#titute# gr## inefficiency an% arrant# the i&)#itin f
a%&ini#trati$e #anctin again#t the erring &agi#trate* De'ay in
re#'$ing &tin# an% inci%ent# )en%ing befre a u%ge ithin the
reg'e&entary )eri% f ninety -G0. %ay# fie% by the !n#titutin
an% the 'a i# nt ecu#ab'e an% cn#titute# gr## inefficiency*
Further, #uch %e'ay cn#titute# a $i'atin f R3e >.05, C!%o% >
f the !%e f "u%icia' !n%uct, hich &an%ate# that a u%ge #hu'%
%i#)#e f the curt?# bu#ine## )r&)t'y an% %eci%e ca#e# ithin
the re7uire% )eri%#* A# a tria' u%ge, re#)n%ent i# a frnt'ine
fficia' f the u%iciary an% #hu'% at a'' ti&e# act ith efficiency
an% ith )rbity* Bn%ue %e'ay in the %i#)#itin f ca#e# an%
&tin# er%e# the faith an% cnfi%ence f the )e)'e in the
u%iciary an% unnece##ari'y b'e&i#he# it# #tature*
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5* here a# ab#ence f e$i%ence t #h that the #en%ing f
an e&)ty en$e')e t c&)'ainant !'ra% a# &a'iciu# n the
)art f the re#)n%ent u%ge*
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J3!% &e! C*3@ Co%+e*%e& C4@e% o Le!@/ C4" 9 J3&e R3e%
C!**e4!7
A.M. No. RTJ-0#-20)> Se/4e6e* 5, 200#
C#r#na, J:
FACTS
An a%&ini#trati$e ca#e a# fi'e% again#t the re#)n%ent thru an
anny&u# 'etter accu#ing #ai% re#)n%ent f ba% beha$ir %uring
hearing# cn%ucte% by hi& by u#ing har#h r%# again#t the cun#e'# an%
their itne##e#, #uch 'etter a'# c'ai&e% that the re#)n%ent a# #te))ing
beyn% hi# %utie# by cr## e&ining the itne##e# hie'f*
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&i#beha$ir# u#e% har#h r%# but it a# %ne n'y t crrect the
cun#e'# rng*
An in$e#tigatin a# cn%ucte% hea%e% by "u%gre R&e Dana#,
eecuti$e u%ge f the R! f ;ega>)i !ity* B)n hi# in$e#tigatin,
cun#e'# ere inter$iee% #tating that the re#)n%ent a# u#ing har#h
r%# an% a# cn#tant'y engage in e&barra##ing cun#e'# an%
itne##e#* hey a'# accu#e% re#)%ent f being ba#tfu'*
A &eeting a# he'% by the &e&ber# f the )r$incia' Pr#ecutin
ffice fr the #ai% &atter, their rec&&en%atin a# t a%$ice the
re#)n%ent t b#er$e )r)er u%icia' %ecru& an% t b#er$e the
&an%ate# f Ne !%e f "u%icia' !n%uct an% the !ann# f "u%icia'
Ethic#*
ISSUE
@hether r nt the re#)n%ent u%ge i# gui'ty f i&)r)er beha$ir
a# %ictate% by the !ann# f "u%icia' Ethic#K
$ELD
he curt ru'e% that re#)n%ent?# cn%uct a# unbec&ing f a
&agi#trate* he cann# f 'a )r$i%e% the u%icia' b%y f the )r)er
eti7uette a u%icia' re)re#entati$e &u#t ha$e in )erfr&ing their %utie#*
It a# )r$i%e% fr by #uch cann that a u%icia' re)re#entati$e
&u#t nt u#e har#h r%# r e&barra## cun#e'#, 'itigant# an% itne##e#*
9e &u#t be ab'e t u#e curteu# r%# an% be )atient in %ea'ing ith
the&* It a# fu% ut that the re#)n%ent a# nt ab'e t &eet #uch
re7uire&ent# e)ecte% f a u%ge* he curt #ite% !ann 2, Integrity #ec*1
an% 2, !ann 4 n Pr)riety, #ec 1 an% 8* It i# re7uire% f a u%ge t 7=e
should be learned in the law, dignified in demeanor, refined in s"ee#h and
virtuous in #hara#ter. Besides having the re9uisite learning in the law, he
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must e&hibit that hallmark %udi#ial tem"erament of utmost sobriety and
self0restraint.;
@ith regar% t re#)n%ent?# beha$ir f #te))ing beyn% hi# r'e by
7ue#tining by hie'f the itne##e#, it a# ru'e% that a'thugh u%ge#
an% 'ayer# ha$e a #hare% re#)n#ibi'ity t u)h'% u#tice, they ha$e t
c)erate an% ha$e &utua' re#)ect ith each ther* A# a genera' ru'e,
u%ge &u#t n'y 'i&it hi# 7ue#tin# ith c'arificatry ne#* 9e &u#t
eerci#e i&)artia'ity an% neutra'ity
It a# ru'e% that the re#)n%ent a# gui'ty in $i'atin f the !%e
f "u%icia' !n%uct an% the !ann# f "u%icia' Ethic# cn#titute# a breach
f !ann# 1an% 11f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity an% !ann (
an% Ru'e (*01* $e 7 6!%&!4e& 4o /!" %e7 !%& !7 74e*%"
!*%e&*
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PSINSP. OMEGA JIRE$ D. FIDEL 9 JUDGE FELI; A. CARAOS
A.M. No. MTJ--122) De+e6e* 12, 2002
&NARES-SANTIAGO, J:
FACTS
Re#)n%ent "u%ge Fe'i, at 1045 in the e$ening a# hea$i'y %run3,
atte&)te% t frcib'y re'ea#e ne Nati$i%a% /ra>a fr& %etentin ithut
any )re'i&inary in$e#tigatin r ritten r%er fr the 'atter?# re'ea#e in the
Munici)a' P'ice n, a gru)
f #e$en &ar3et $en%r# a))rache% hi&* he &ar3et $en%r# )'ea%e%
ith hi& t r%er the te&)rary re'ea#e f a certain Nati$i%a% /ra>a, a'#
a &ar3et $en%r*
Re#)n%ent u%ge a$erre% that after rea%ing the c&)'aint again#t
/ra>a an% fin%ing that the ca#e a# c$ere% by the Ru'e n n by te'e)hne but t n a$ai'* 9e then trie% t cntact the
!an%e'aria Pub'ic Mar3et P'ice Detach&ent an% a# ab'e t ta'3 t a
certain P'ice Officer ;i&b* Re#)n%ent u%ge a#3e% Officer ;i&b t
cn$ey hi# &e##age t the &unici)a' ai' ar%en fr the te&)rary
re'ea#e f /ra>a )en%ing the )re'i&inary ea&inatin f the 'atter?# ca#e
#che%u'e% the f''ing %ay*
At arun% 1000 that e$ening, hi# ife 3e hi& u) an% t'% hi&
that there ere t &en ut#i%e their hu#e*
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a&ng the $en%r# h a))rache% hi& ear'ier at the tenni# curt, he 'et
the& in* he t &en c&)'aine% that /ra>a a# nt a''e% t be
re'ea#e% an% that the ai'er t'% the&, n that #a&e e$ening* @hen he arri$e% there, he ntice% that a
te'e)hne a# 'cate% be#i%e the )'ice&en h ere then bu#y
atching te'e$i#in an% h %i% nt e$en )ay attentin t hi&*
Re#)n%ent u%ge a%&itte% that thi# irritate% hi&, cn#i%ering that ear'ier
the )'ice&en fai'e% t an#er hi# te'e)hne ca'', # he uttere% the
r%#
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re)etitin f the #a&e r #i&i'ar act# i'' be %ea't ith &re #e$ere'y*
A u%ge, a# an a%$cate f u#tice an% $i#ib'e re)re#entatin f the
'a, &u#t nt n'y a))'y the 'a but &u#t i&bibe it in hi# e$ery%ay 'i$ing*
9a$ing acce)te% the ea'te% )#itin f a u%ge, bth hi# )er#na' an%
)ub'ic 'ife ha$e been #et a)art fr& the a$erage citi>en by '#ing hi# c'
an% uttering inte&)erate 'anguage at the )'ice&en n %uty regar%ing
the re'ea#e f %etentin )ri#ner /ra>a, re#)n%ent u%ge ha#
$er#te))e% the nr& %e&an%e% f a &e&ber f the bench*
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Le4+! Go%@!e7 9 A44" M!*+e%o C!3+!%!
A.C. No. 8> J!%3!*" 2>, 200
Austria-Martin!, J.:
FACTS
Petitiner ;eticia +n>a'e> i# )raying that Re#)n%ent Atty*
Marce'in !abucana be %i#barre% fr re)re#enting cnf'icting intere#t#*
a'e# t fi'e a c&)'aint again#t the #ai% #heriff ith
thi# !urt, after hich a'e#* hey hara##e% +n>a'e# an% a#3e% her t eecute an affi%a$it
f %e#i#tance regar%ing her c&)'aint befre thi# !urt +n>a'e#
thereafter fi'e% again#t the +atchec# cri&ina' ca#e# fr tre#)a##, gra$e
threat#, gra$e ra' %efa&atin, #i&)'e cercin an% unu#t $eatin*
9e$er, ntith#tan%ing the )en%ency f !i$i' !a#e N* 1=58,
here re#)n%entL# 'a fir& a# #ti'' re)re#enting +n>a'e#, herein
re#)n%ent re)re#ente% the +atchec# in the ca#e# fi'e% by +n>a'e#
again#t the #ai% #)u#e#* +n>a'e> n a''ege# that !abucana #hu'% be
%i#barre% fr& the )ractice f 'a #ince hi# acce)tance f the ca#e# f the
+atchec# $i'ate# the 'ayer=c'ient re'atin#hi) beteen c&)'ainant
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an% re#)n%entL# 'a fir& an% ren%er# re#)n%ent 'iab'e un%er the !%e
f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity*
On "une 25, 2005, a Re#'utin a# )a##e% by the /ar% f
+$ernr# f the I/P 'ARNED !%& REPRIMANDED Atty* Marce'in
!abucana, "r* an% a%$i#e% t be &re circu)ect an% carefu' in
acce)ting ca#e# hich &ight re#u't in cnf'ict f intere#t#*
ISSUES
1*. @hether r nt Atty* Marce'in !abucana re)re#ente% cnf'icting
intere#t# hen he re)re#ente% the +atchec# in the ca#e# fi'e% by
+n>a'e# again#t the #ai% #)u#e#*
2*. @hether r nt there i# &erit n the cntentin f !abucana that
there i# n cnf'ict f intere#t# in thi# ca#e, a# the ci$i' ca#e han%'e%
by their 'a fir& here +n>a'e# i# the c&)'ainant an% the
cri&ina' ca#e# fi'e% by +n>a'e# again#t the +atchec #)u#e# are
nt re'ate%*
$ELD
@herefre, the re#'utin f the Integrate% /ar f the Phi'i))ine# i#
a))r$e% ith &%ificatin that re#)n%ent Atty* Marce'in !abucana, "r*
i# FINED 4e !6o3%4 o 4o 4o37!%& /e7o7 P2,000.00 4 !
74e*% !*%%that a c&&i##in f the #a&e r #i&i'ar act in the future
#ha'' be %ea't ith &re #e$ere'y*
1*. !abucana i# fun% gui'ty f $i'ating Ru'e 15*0 f !ann 15 f the
!%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity* Ru'e 15*0 Q A 'ayer #ha'' nt
re)re#ent cnf'icting intere#t ece)t by ritten cn#ent f a''
cncerne% gi$en after a fu'' %i#c'#ure f the fact#*
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cnfi%ence f the highe#t %egree* ;ayer# are e)ecte% nt n'y t
3ee) in$i'ate the c'ient?# cnfi%ence,but a'# t a$i% the
a))earance f treachery an% %ub'e=%ea'ing fr n'y then can
'itigant# be encurage% t entru#t their #ecret# t their 'ayer#,
hich i# f )ara&unt i&)rtance in the a%&ini#tratin f u#tice*
One f the te#t# f incn#i#tency f intere#t# i# hether the
acce)tance f a ne re'atin u'% )re$ent the fu'' %i#charge f the
'ayer?# %uty f un%i$i%e% fi%e'ity an% 'ya'ty t the c'ient r in$ite
#u#)icin f unfaithfu'ne## r %ub'e=%ea'ing in the )erfr&ance f
that %uty* In thi# ca#e, re#)n%ent %i% nt n'y re)re#ent the
+atchec #)u#e# in the a%&ini#trati$e ca#e fi'e% by +n>a'e#
again#t the&* A# !abucana hie'f narrate% in hi# P#itin Pa)er,
he 'i3ei#e acte% a# their cun#e' in the cri&ina' ca#e# fi'e% by
+n>a'e# again#t the&*
2*. here i# n &erit in the cntentin f !abucana that it a# hi#
brther h re)re#ente% +n>a'e# in the ci$i' ca#e an% nt hi&,
thu#, there cu'% be n cnf'ict f intere#t#* A# !abucana a%&itte%,
it a# their 'a fir& hich re)re#ente% +n>a'e# in the ci$i' ca#e*
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M!*77! Mo%&!! 97 J3&e Ree++! M!*!%o
AM RTJ-0-2010 J!%3!*" 25, 200#
&NARES-SANTIAGO, J.:
FACTS
Mari##a Mn%a'a, a ;ega' Re#earcher f R! Ma3ati, /ranch 18,
charge% re#)n%ent "u%ge, "u%ge Marian, ith &i#re)re#enting her
Re)rt f Pen%ing !a#e# fr "anuary 2005 that #he ha% a'rea%y %eci%e%
entit'e% A&anet Inc $# Ea#tern e'ec&&unicatin#, Phi'i))ine#, Inc*,
hen, in fact, the ca#e a# #ti'' ith Mn%a'a fr re#earch an% %rafting f
the %eci#in*
he u%ge %enie% the a''egatin, #aying that at the ti&e the
&nth'y re)rt a# being %ne, a %eci#in ha% a'rea%y been )re)are%
an% it a# u#t an $er#ight n her )art , nt &i#re)re#entatin, hen #he
re)rte% the #tatu# f the ca#e a# %eci%e%* "u#t the #a&e, Marian #igne%
anther %eci#in n the ca#e* Marian attache% %cu&entary e$i%ence
t #u))rt her c'ai&* A&ng her three itne##e#, ere Atty* Rie' f
/ranch 18* 9e cnten%e% that the A&anet ca#e a# a&ng th#e
%eci%e% in "anuary an% that "u%ge Marian in#tructe% hi& t inc'u%e the
#ai% ca#e in the 'i#t f ca#e# %eci%e% fr the &nth an% t #ub&it a c)y
f the %eci#in 'ater n #ince it a# #ti'' t be )rinte% in fina' fr&*
Anther itne## a# ab'ate, the !'er3=in=!harge fr !i$i' !a#e#,
h atte#te% that hen the &nth'y re)rt a# being )re)are%, the
A&anet ca#e ha% a'rea%y been %rafte% an% a# %ue fr )rinting an% that
#he a# t'% by the u%ge t a'rea%y inc'u%e it in the &nth'y re)rt*
9e$er, after the #ub&i##in f the re)rt, the c&)uter bgge% %n
an% the %raft cu'% n 'nger be retrie$e%*
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/e'an%, an e&)'yee f the 'ca' g$ern&ent f Ma3ati !ity,
%etai'e% in /ranch 18, re=ty)e% the fina' %raft u)n the in#tructin f the
"u%ge*
"u%ge Marian cuntere% that Mn%a'a #hu'% ha$e ca''e% her
attentin regar%ing the #tatu# f the #ubect ca#e t enab'e her t a%%re##
the #ituatin that Mn%a'a?# fai'ure t infr& her f the #tatu# #he% her
inefficiency an% untru#trthine## a# a )ub'ic #er$ant* Marian affir
that Mn%e'a i# a )erennia' 'atec&er, a habitua' ab#entee, an% i#
neg'igent in the )erfr&ance f her %uty* Mn%a'a?# %i#re#)ectfu' attitu%e
an% un)rfe##ina' cn%uct )r&)te% her t a#3 Mn%a'a?# %etai' t the
ffice f the !'er3 !urt f the Ma3ati R!*
he Office f the !urt A%&ini#tratr rec&&en%e% that the ca#e
be cn$erte% int a regu'ar a%&ini#trati$e &atter an% that "u%ge Marian
be he'% 'iab'e fr &i#re)re#enting the #ai% ca#e that #he e)'ain in
riting hy #he #hu'% nt be %i#ci)'ine% fr her fai'ure t %eci%e #&e
ca#e# ithin the reg'e&entary )eri%*
ISSUE
@hether r nt "u%ge Marian i# 'iab'e fr &i#re)re#entatin hen
#he inc'u%e% in the &nth'y re)rt the #ai% ca#e a# a&ng the %eci%e%
ca#e# an% @ON re#)n%ent "u%ge &a%e inaccurate entrie# in the &nth'y
re)rt# an% fai'e% t %eci%e the ther ca#e# ithin the G0=%ay
reg'e&entary )eri%*
$ELD
e#* "u%ge Marian i# 'iab'e fr &i#re)re#enting that #he ha%
%eci%e% the ca#e f A&anet, befre it a# %rafte%, )rinte% an% #igne% by
her* E$en if there i# a 7uarre' beteen the "u%ge an% Mn%a'a an% that
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Mn%a'a a# &ti$ate% by a %e#ire fr re$enge, #ti'', the "u%ge inc'u%e%
an un%eci%e% ca#e in the 'i#t f %eci%e% ca#e#*
A %eci#in in a ci$i' ca#e i# ren%ere% n'y u)n the #igning by the
u%ge h )enne% the #a&e an% u)n fi'ing ith the c'er3 f curt* A
u%g&ent r fina' r%er %eter&ining the &erit# f the ca#e #ha'' be in
riting )er#na''y an% %irect'y )re)are% by the u%ge, #tating c'ear'y an%
%i#tinct'y the fact# an% the 'a f hich they are ba#e%, #igne% by hi&
an% fi'e% by the !'er3 f !urt* @hat cn#titute# ren%itin f u%g&ent i#
nt the &ere )rnunce&ent f the u%g&ent in an )en curt but the
fi'ing f the %eci#in #igne% by the "u%ge ith the !'er3 f !urt* A %raft
%eci#in %e# nt )erate a# a u%g&ent* Ren%itin f u%g&ent i# nt
effecte% an% c&)'ete% unti' after the %eci#in an% u%g&ent i# #igne% by
the u%ge*
@hat the &nth'y re)rt re7uire# i# a 'i#t f ca#e# %eci%e% an% nt
a 'i#t f ca#e# ith )re)are% %raft#* he 'i#t f %eci%e% ca#e# #hu'%
)ertain t th#e %eci%e% %uring the &nth fr hich the re)rt i# being
#ub&itte%, the ba#i# f hich i# the
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N!4o%! B3*e!3 o I%9e74!4o% 97. J3&e F*!%+7+o D.
(!%3e9!
A.M. No. MTJ--120#. No9e6e* 21, 2001
PANGANI'AN, J.:
FACTS
Directr n !ity an% three ther#
fr i''ega' recruit&ent un%er Re)ub'ic Act -RA. (042 an% hite #'a$e tra%e
un%er the Re$i#e% Pena' !%e in re'atin t RA 810* he 'etter a'#
charge% re#)n%ent ith i&&ra'ity, a''eging that Marian 9errera a# hi#
'i$e=in )artner*
"u%ge Franci#c D* 6i''anue$a encurage three yung &en t
a))'y fr b# a# +RO#, he acc&)anie% the& t the /%ega Night !'ub
ne night in "anuary 1GGG* 9e intr%uce% the& t the )eratr, An%re# !*
rre#=a), an% infr&e% the 'atter that the &en ere '3ing fr b#*
Re#)n%ent Franci#c 6i''anue$a a'# acc&)anie% the& hen they
a))'ie% at the 6 night c'ub, here they e$entua''y r3e% a# +RO#
fr& "anuary 28, 1GGG t "anuary 2G, 1GGG* 9e c'ear'y faci'itate% the
e&)'y&ent f the three yung &en a# +RO#* Our )re#ent #ciety
cn#i%er# their r3 a# &ra''y rng* /y faci'itating the e&)'y&ent f
the three in a night c'ub a# #uch, he a# )'acing the then i&)re##inab'e
&inr# %irect'y n a )ath f &ra' %ecay* 9e a# e)#ing the& t a
#ee%y r'% here the )ractice f ffering ne# f'e#h in echange fr
&ney a# thru#t right in frnt f their face#*
hrugh hi# care'e## act#, re#)n%ent )ene% hie'f t the
charge# f hite #'a$e tra%e an% $i'atin f RA 810*
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righteu#ne## an% u)rightne## than a #eat in the u%iciary* 9igh ethica'
)rinci)'e# an% a #en#e f )r)riety #hu'% be &aintaine%, ithut hich
the faith f the )e)'e in the u%iciary # in%i#)en#ab'e in an r%er'y
#ciety cannt be )re#er$e%* In #u&, hi# actin# #h cn%uct
unbec&ing hi# ffice*
On I&&ra'ity, "u%ge Franci#c D* 6i''anue$a an% Marian 9errera
ere '$er# becau#e re#)n%ent a# fun% #'ee)ing in#i%e the #a&e
be%r& ccu)ie% by 9errera at N* 1 9anna
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Jo%%" N 9 A44". Be%!6% A!*
A&6. C!7e No. #252 No9e6e* 22, 200
AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ, J.:
FACTS
"hnny Ng, ne f the re#)n%ent# in a 'abr ca#e, fi'e% a
%i#bar&ent ca#e again#t Atty* A'ar fr &i#beha$ir* A'ar, in hi# &tin fr
recn#i%eratin, %eri%e% an% attac3e% the )er#na'itie# f the ;abr
Arbiter an% the !&&i##iner# fr ha$ing c&e ith a %eci#in nt in
fa$r f the&* Pre$iu#'y, A'ar?# c&)'aint again#t "nny Ng an% c&)any
a# %i#&i##e% by the ;abr Arbiter, h#e act a# a'# u)he'% by the
N;R! c&&i##iner#* he &tin fr recn#i%eratin cntaine% abu#i$e
'anguage that atte&)te% at ca#tigating the )er#na'itie# herein
&entine%*
9e$er, A'ar argue% in %efence that the Ru'e# f !urt an% the
!%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity n'y ha$e #u))'etry effect t the
N;R! hen it# Ru'e# f Prce%ure ha# n )r$i#in n %i#ci)'inary &atter#
again#t 'itigant# an% 'ayer# a))earing befre it* In thi# ca#e, A'ar
#tre##e% that Ru'e f the N;R! Ru'e# f Prce%ure a'rea%y )r$i%e# fr
a))r)riate #anctin# again#t &i#beha$ing 'ayer# an% 'itigant#* 9e a'#
cnten%e% that the Ru'e# f !urt an%Cr the !%e f Prfe##ina'
Re#)n#ibi'ity ha$e n a))'icatin an% effect t 'ayer# )racticing at the
N;R!, the 'atter nt being a curt* Mre$er, he argue% that ;abr
Arbiter# an% !&&i##iner# are nt u%ge# nr u#tice# an% hence, the
!%e f "u%icia' !n%uct % nt a))'y t the& 'i3ei#e a# they % nt fr&
)art f the u%iciary*
ISSUE
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@hether r nt the !%e f Prfe##ina' !n%uct a))'ie# t Atty* A'ar?#
&i#beha$ir befre the N;R!
$ELD
A!!ORDIN+;, e fin% re#)n%ent Atty* /ena&in !* A'ar +BI; f
$i'atin f !ann# ( an% 11 f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity* 9e
i# i&)#e% a FINE o P5,000.00ith STERN 'ARNINGthat a re)etitin
f the #a&e r #i&i'ar act in the future i'' be %ea't ith &re #e$ere'y
1*. he MRMI cntain# in#u't# an% %iatribe# again#t the N;R!, attac3ing
bth it# &ra' an% inte''ectua' integrity, re)'ete ith i&)'ie%
accu#atin# f )artia'ity, i&)r)riety an% 'ac3 f %i'igence*
Re#)n%ent u#e% i&)r)er an% ffen#i$e 'anguage in hi# )'ea%ing#
that %e# nt a%&it any u#tificatin* he !%e f Prfe##ina'
Re#)n#ibi'ity &an%ate#
!ANON ( Q A 'ayer #ha'' cn%uct hie'f ith curte#y, fairne##
an% can%r tar% hi# )rfe##ina' c''eague#, an% #ha'' a$i%
hara##ing tactic# again#t ))#ing cun#e'*
Ru'e (*01 S A 'ayer #ha'' nt, in hi# )rfe##ina' %ea'ing#, u#e
'anguage hich i# abu#i$e, ffen#i$e r theri#e i&)r)er*
!ANON 11 Q A 'ayer #ha'' b#er$e an% &aintain the re#)ect %ue t
the curt# an% t u%icia' fficer# an% #hu'% in#i#t n #i&i'ar
cn%uct by ther#*
Ru'e 11*0 Q A 'ayer #ha'' ab#tain fr& #can%a'u#, ffen#i$e r
&enacing 'anguage r beha$ir befre the !urt#*
Ru'e 11*04 Q A 'ayer #ha'' nt attribute t a "u%ge &ti$e# nt
#u))rte% by the recr% r ha$e n &ateria'ity t the ca#e*
2*.he a##ertin that the N;R! nt being a curt, it# c&&i##iner#,
nt being u%ge# r u#tice# an% therefre nt )art f the u%iciary
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an% that cn#e7uent'y, the !%e f "u%icia' !n%uct %e# nt a))'y
t the&, i# una$ai'ing* In ;acu&r& $* "acba, the en, t critici>e in )r)er'y re#)ectfu' ter
an% thrugh 'egiti&ate channe'# the act# f curt# an% u%ge#*
9e$er, e$en the t har%ene% u%ge u'% be #carre% by the
#curri'u# attac3 &a%e by the 0 "u'y 2001 &tin n "u%ge
;acur&L# Re#'utin* On it# face, the Re#'utin )re#ente% the
fact# crrect'y an% %eci%e% the ca#e accr%ing t #u))rting 'a
an% uri#)ru%ence* hugh a 'ayerL# 'anguage &ay be frcefu' an%
e&)hatic, it #hu'% a'ay# be %ignifie% an% re#)ectfu', befitting the
%ignity f the 'ega' )rfe##in* he u#e f unnece##ary 'anguage i#
)r#cribe% if e are t )r&te high e#tee& in the curt# an% tru#t
in u%icia' a%&ini#tratin*
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Roe*4 M. (7! 97. J3&e Roeo C. Se7+o%
A.M. No. RTJ-0>-1#)). A3374 18, 200>
SANDO(AL-GUTIERRE,J.:
FACTS
On Feb* 4, 2002 Pr#ecutr Rbert M* 6i#ba' charge% "u%ge Rge'i
!*
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@hether r nt "u%ge Rge'i !*
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SPOUSES RODOLFO !%& SYL(IA CABICO 9 JUDGE E(ELYN L.
DIMACULANGAN-=UERIJERO
A.M. No. RTJ-02-1#>5 A/* 2#, 200#
CARPIO,J.:
FACTS
infr&e% hi& that the re&aining a&unt fr the #ett'e&ent f the ca#e
u'% nt be gi$en t c&)'ainant#* It a# at thi# )int that re#)n%ent
"u%ge ca''e%
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the f''ing
/isis, bakit ayaw mong "umirma. Sige, huwag mo ng asahan na
masisingil mo "a si Nadora. Didismisin ko ang lahat ang tatlo na iyan.
Pumunta ka ng Batangas at doon mo "abistahan si Nadora. /as takot
kayo sa abogado ninyo kaysa sa akin.
On that #a&e %ay, %e#)ite the ab#ence f an affi%a$it f %e#i#tance,
re#)n%ent "u%ge i##ue% an r%er %i#&i##ing the cri&ina' ca#e n the
rea#n that c&)'ainant i# n 'nger intere#te% in the cri&ina' a#)ect*
he Di#trict "ai' @ar%en Rufin M* e% re)re#entati$e i# %irecte% t
re'ea#e i&&e%iate'y E%in A>arcn un'e## he i# %etaine% fr ther 'afu'
cau#e r cau#e#*
ISSUE
@hether r nt "u%ge E$e'yn c&&itte% gr## ignrance f the 'a
hen #he i##ue% the r%er %ate% 12 Octber 2001, %i#&i##ing the cri&ina'
ca#e ith )reu%ice again#t bth accu#e% after the 'atter ha% )ai% their
in%i$i%ua' ci$i' 'iabi'ity*
$ELD
@9EREFORE, e fin% "u%ge E$e'yn ;* Di&acu'angan=uerier f
the Regina' ria' !urt f !abanatuan !ity, /ranch 28 'iab'e fr +RO
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ignrance f the 'a, fr )ay&ent f ci$i' 'iabi'ity %e# nt etingui#h
cri&ina' 'iabi'ity*
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LETICIA ADRIMISIN 97. ATTY. ROLANDO S. JA(IER
A.C. No. 251 Se/4e6e* 8, 200
Car"i#,J. :
FACTS
"u'y 12, 1G(, ;eticia A%riin a# intr%uce% by her cu#in, Pab'
A%ri&i#in, t Atty* R'an% "a$ier* 9er #n=in='a, A'fre% Mnter%e
Mnter%e a# charge% ith the cri&e f 7ua'ifie% theft*
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$ELD
@herefre, )etitin 7ue#tining the $i'atin f !ann 18 an% Ru'e
1(*0 f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ty*
he !urt fin%# Atty* "a$ier 'iab'e fr $i'atin f !ann 18 an% Ru'e
1(*0 f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity -H!%eH., thu# he i#
SUSPENDED fr& the )ractice f 'a o* SI; MONT$Seffecti$e u)n
fina'ity f thi# Deci#in* he !%e &an%ate# e$ery 'ayer t h'% in tru#t
a'' &ney# an% )r)ertie# f hi# c'ient that &ay c&e int hi# )##e##in*
!n#e7uent'y, a 'ayer #hu'% accunt fr the &ney recei$e% fr& a
c'ient* he !%e a'# enin# a 'ayer nt t neg'ect a 'ega' &atter
entru#te% t hi&, an% hi# neg'igence in cnnectin thereith #ha'' ren%er
hi& 'iab'e* A 'ayerL# fai'ure t return u)n %e&an% the fun%# he'% by hi&
n beha'f f hi# c'ient gi$e# ri#e t the )re#u&)tin that he ha#
a))r)riate% the #a&e fr hi# n u#e in $i'atin f the tru#t re)#e% in
hi& by hi# c'ient*
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DA(ID ALMENDRE, JR (S ATTY MINER(O LANGIT
A.C. No. #05# JULY 25, 200
CARPIO, J.:
FACTS
On February 1GG4, the tria' curt ren%ere% a %eci#in in the
eect&ent ca#e ba#e% n a c&)r&i#e agree&ent eecute% by
c&)'ainant an% /u&an'ag* On 1( Dece&ber 1GG5, the tria' curt i##ue%
an a'ia# rit f eecutin fr the #ati#factin f the %eci#in* A curt r%er
%ate% 2 March 2000 grante% the O&nibu# Mtin fr Eecutin an%
@ith%raa' f De)#ite% Renta'# fi'e% by re#)n%ent a# c&)'ainantL#
cun#e'* Re#)n%ent fi'e% a #ecn% &tin fr ith%raa' f %e)#ite%
renta'#, hich the tria' curt a'# grante% n 18 March 2000* c&)'ainant
'earne% that re#)n%ent a# ab'e t ith%ra the renta'# %e)#ite% by
/u&an'ag* Fe'ici%a% Dary -HDaryH., Officer=in=!harge !'er3 f !urt,
cnfir&e% thi# t c&)'ainant h recei$e% fr& Dary c)ie# f the t
ith%raa' #'i)# %ran fr& the tria' curtL# #a$ing# accunt* One #'i)
%ate% 10 March 2000 a# fr P2(,000, an% anther #'i) %ate% 1G A)ri'
2000 a# fr P22,000*hu#, re#)n%ent recei$e% a tta' f P255,000, a#
e$i%ence% by t recei)t# #igne% by hi&* he ith%raa'# ere &a%e
thrugh DaryL# authri>e% re)re#entati$e Antnia Macaraeg, but Dary
)er#na''y %e'i$ere% the &ney t re#)n%ent* Re#)n%ent %i% nt infr&
c&)'ainant f the#e tran#actin#* !&)'ainant, thrugh hi# ne cun#e'
Atty* Migue' D* ;ari%a, #ent re#)n%ent n 0 "une 200 a fina' %e&an%
'etter fr the accunting an% return f the P255,000* Re#)n%ent fai'e% t
re)'y* he I/P %irecte% the )artie# t fi'e their re#)ecti$e )#itin )a)er#*
!&)'ainant #ub&itte% hi# )#itin )a)er n 22 March 2005* Again,
re#)n%ent t3 n actin* 9ence, c&)'ainant fi'e% thi# ca#e fr
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%i#bar&ent again#t re#)n%ent fr fai'ing t accunt fr c&)'ainantL#
fun%#*
ISSUE
@hether r nt Atty Miner$ ;angit i# gui'ty f the charge# again#t
hi&
$ELD
@9EREFORE, e fin% Atty* Miner$ * ;angit +BI; f $i'ating
!ann# 1, 11, 18, an% 1 f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity* @e
SUSPENDre#)n%ent fr& the )ractice f 'a o* 4o "e!*7 effecti$e
u)n fina'ity f thi# Deci#in* Re#)n%ent he'% the &ney in tru#t fr
c&)'ainant* he !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity #tate#
!ANON 18 S A ;A@ER
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CELIA ARROYO-POSIDIO 9. ATTY. JEREMIAS R. (ITAN
A.C. No. 051, A/* 2, 200#
&NARES-SANTIAGO, J.
FACTS
In a $erifie% c&)'aint %ate% "une 14, 2002, c&)'ainant !e'ia
Arry=P#i%i )raye% fr the %i#bar&ent f re#)n%ent Atty* "ere&ia# R*
6itan n accunt f %eceit, frau%, %i#hne#ty an% c&&i##in f act# in
$i'atin f the 'ayer?# ath*
!&)'ainant a''ege% that #he engage% the #er$ice# f re#)n%ent in
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1GGG, the tria' curt ren%ere% a %eci#in, the %i#)#iti$e )rtin f hich
#tate#
'$EREFORE, /*e67e7 +o%7&e*e&, 3&6e%4 7 e*e"
*e%&e*e& % !9o* o 4e /!%4 !%& !!%74 4e
&ee%&!%4 o*&e*% 4e !44e* 4o:
1. To /!" /!%4 4e 736 o P100,000.00 4
%4e*e74 !4 4e *!4e o 12H /e* !%%36 *o6 Se/4e6e*
#, 1 3%4 4e 7!6e 7 3" /!& !%&o* 7!47e&
2. To /!" /!%4 4e !6o3%4 o P8,000.00 !7 !%& o*
!44o*%e"7 ee7 !%&
>. To /!" 4e +o74 o 734.
Re#)n%ent a))ea'e% t the Regina' ria' !urt hich affir&e%
the Metr)'itan ria' !urt %eci#in in toto. hu#, c&)'ainant fi'e% a
Mtin fr I##uance f a @rit f Eecutin hich a# grante% n March 1G,
2001*
#ati#fy the u%g&ent again#t hi&, re#)n%ent i##ue% Pru%entia' /an3
chec3 nu&ber 0(425 %ate% May 1, 2001 in the a&unt f
P120,000*00 in fa$r f c&)'ainant* 9e$er, u)n )re#ent&ent fr
)ay&ent, the chec3 a# %i#hnre% fr the rea#n A!!OBN !;O
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P150,000*00 a# e$i%ence% by a Recei)t T uitc'ai& %ate% Augu#t 10,
2000*
On March 1, 2004, the ca#e a# referre% t the Integrate% /ar f
the Phi'i))ine# -I/P. fr in$e#tigatin, re)rt an% rec&&en%atin* On
"anuary 15, 2008, the In$e#tigating !&&i##iner #ub&itte% hi# Re)rt
fin%ing re#)n%ent gui'ty f $i'ating the 'ayer?# ath an% the !%e f
Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity in %efrau%ing hi# c'ient an% i##uing a chec3
ithut #ufficient fun%# t c$er the #a&e*
ISSUE
@hether r nt Ru'e 18*01, !ann 18 f the !%e f Prfe##ina'
Re#)n#ibi'ity hich re7uire# the 'ayer t accunt fr a'' &ney r
)r)erty c''ecte% r recei$e% fr r fr& hi# c'ient $i'ate%
$ELD@9EREFORE, re#)n%ent Atty* "ere&ia# R* 6itan i# gui'ty f
$i'ating Ru'e 18*01, !ann 18 f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity
an% i# SUSPENDED fr& the )ractice f 'a o* ! /e*o& o o%e 1
"e!*effecti$e fr& ntice, ith a STERN 'ARNINGthat a re)etitin f
the #a&e r #i&i'ar act# i'' be %ea't ith &re #e$ere'y*
It i# c'ear fr& the freging that re#)n%ent fe'' #hrt f the
eacting &ra' an% ethica' #tan%ar%# i&)#e% n &e&ber# f the 'ega'
)rfe##in* Re#)n%ent?# refu#a' t return c&)'ainant?# &ney u)n
%e&an%, hi# fai'ure t c&)'y ith the 'afu' r%er# f the tria' curt, a#
e'' a# the i##uance f a buncing chec3, re$ea' hi# fai'ure t 'i$e u) t hi#
%utie# a# a 'ayer in cn#nance ith the #tricture# f hi# ath an% the
!%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity*
It cannt be $ere&)ha#i>e% that &e&ber#hi) in the 'ega'
)rfe##in i# a )ri$i'ege* @hene$er it i# &a%e t a))ear that an attrney
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i# n 'nger rthy f the tru#t an% cnfi%ence f the )ub'ic, it bec&e#
nt n'y the right but a'# the %uty f thi# !urt, hich &a%e hi& ne f
it# fficer# an% ga$e hi& the )ri$i'ege f &ini#tering ithin it# /ar, t
ith%ra the )ri$i'ege*
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L374o B!!4!4 9 A44". E&!*&o A*!7 " S!%+e@
A.C. No. 1 A/* 1>, 200#
Ca$$%#, Sr, J:
FACTS
Petitner engage% the #er$ice# f the re#)n%ent t re)re#ent hi&
in a ci$i' ca#e* It a# c'ai&e% by the )etitiner %i% nt a))ear %uring hi#
tria' a# a%$i#e% by re#)n%ent* 9e c'ai&e% that the ca#e again#t the
)etitiner a# u%ge% again#t hi# fa$r becau#e he a# u%ge% t be n
%efau't fr hi# nn a))earance* @ith thi# ru'ing )etitiner a#
e&barra##e% an% a# )ut in &i#ery an% )ub'ic ri%icu'e*
On the ther han%, the re#)n%ent c'ai&e% that he a# trying t
bring ith hi& the )etitiner %uring the tria' but it a# /a'abat h
refu#e% fr %ifferent rea#n#* 9e a'# c'ai&e% that he %i% nt reei$e the
ntice f %efau't fr& the curt an% that it a# the )etitiner h
infr&e% hi& f #uch %eci#in* 9e a'# c'ai&e% that )etitiner a#3e% the
#er$ice# f anther cun#e' hich a# the rea#n hy he a# nt ab'e t
recei$e the ntice#* 9e further a''ege% that the a%&ini#trati$e ca#e a#
brught abut by i''=i''* Anther a''egatin &a%e by the re#)n%ent a#
that a ntice f hearing a# &a%e t a))ear a# #igne% by hi& hen in
fact it?# nt hi#*
An in$e#tigatin a# cn%ucte% by the I/P, an% it a# fun% ut
that there ere t Atty* E%gar% Aria# the ther ne i# re#i%ing
in Mani'a hi'e the re#)n%ent a# current'y re#i%ing at Puert Prin#e#a*
Due t thi# fact, ntice# #ent t the %efen%ant ere #ent t the ther
cun#e'* he I/P rec&&en%e% the re#)n%ent t be #u#)en%e%*
ISSUE
@hether r nt the re#)n%ent a# a%&ini#trati$e'y 'iab'e
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$ELD
!ON
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BUN SIONG YAO$#* ATTY. LEONARDO A. AURELIO
A.C. No. #02>, M!*+ >0, 200
&nars-Santia(#, J.:
FACTS
On N$e&ber 11, 2004, a c&)'aint=affi%a$it1a# fi'e% again#t
Atty* ;enar% A* Aure'i by /un
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Rec&&en%atinfin%ing that fr& 1G( u) t 1GGG, re#)n%ent ha%
been the )er#na' 'ayer f the c&)'ainant an% incr)ratr an% cun#e'
f
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)rfe##ina' character by a c'ient, un'e## the 'atter cn#ent#* hi#
b'igatin t )re#er$e the cnfi%ence# an% #ecret# f a c'ient ari#e# at the
ince)tin f their re'atin#hi)* he )rtectin gi$en t the c'ient i#
)er)etua' an% %e# nt cea#e ith the ter&inatin f the 'itigatin, nr i#
it affecte% by the )artyL# cea#ing t e&)'y the attrney an% retaining
anther, r by any ther change f re'atin beteen the&* It e$en
#ur$i$e# the %eath f the c'ient* ;ayer# &u#t cn%uct thee'$e#,
e#)ecia''y in their %ea'ing# ith their c'ient# an% the )ub'ic at 'arge, ith
hne#ty an% integrity in a &anner beyn% re)rach* ;ayer# cannt be
a''e% t e)'it their )rfe##in fr the )ur)#e f eacting $engeance
r a# a t' fr in#tigating h#ti'ity again#t any )er#nSt e#)ecia''y
again#t a c'ient r fr&er c'ient*
+enera''y #)ea3ing, a 'ayer can % hnr t the 'ega' )rfe##in
by faithfu''y )erfr&ing hi# %utie# t #ciety, t the bar, t the curt# an%
t hi# c'ient#* thi# en%, nthing #hu'% be %ne by any &e&ber f the
'ega' fraternity hich &ight ten% t 'e##en in any %egree the cnfi%ence
f the )ub'ic in the fi%e'ity, hne#ty an% integrity f the )rfe##in*
In #u&, e fin% that re#)n%entL# actuatin# a&unt t a breach f
hi# %uty t u)h'% g% faith an% fairne##, #ufficient t arrant the
i&)#itin f %i#ci)'inary #anctin again#t hi&*
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(!e*!%! D!7!" 9 A44" Me!%o M!3*+o, J*
AC 555 J!%3!*" 2>, 200
San)#*a$-Gutirr!, J:
FACTS
At bar i# a &tin fr recn#i%eratin f the !urt?# Deci#in n
A)ri' 22, 2005 fin%ing Atty* Me'ani HBatasH Maurici, "r* gui'ty f
&a')ractice an% gr## &i#cn%uct an% i&)#ing u)n hi& the )ena'ty f
SUSPENSIONfr& the )ractice f 'a fr a )eri% f 7< 6o%47*
On Octber 1, 2001, 6a'eriana Da'i#ay, engage% Atty Maurici?#
#er$ice# a# cun#e' in !i$i' !a#e N* 00=044, entit'e% HAu#io De uFman,
et#. v. !aleriana Dalisay,a'* Ntith#tan%ing hi# recei)t f %cu&ent#
an% attrney?# fee# in the tta' a&unt f P58,000 fr& Da'i#ay, Atty
Maurici ne$er ren%ere% 'ega' #er$ice# fr her* A# a re#u't, Da'i#ay
ter&inate% the attrney=c'ient re'atin#hi) an% %e&an%e% the return f
her &ney an% %cu&ent#, but Atty Maurici refu#e%*
On "anuary 1, 2004, the I/P !&&i##in n /ar Di#ci)'ine, fun%
that Hfr the a&unt f P58,000 )ai% by the c&)'ainant , n actin
ha% been ta3en nr any )'ea%ing# )re)are% by the re#)n%ent ece)t hi#
a''ege% cnference# an% )inin# ren%ere% hen c&)'ainant fre7uente%
hi# 'a ffice*H It rec&&en%e% that Atty Maurici be re7uire% t refun%
the a&unt f P58,000*00 t Da'i#ay, an% #ur)ri#ing'y, that the c&)'aint
be %i#&i##e%*
On February 2, 2004, the I/P /ar% f +$ernr# )a##e%
Re#'utin N* 6I=2004=121, a%)ting an% a))r$ing in toto the
!&&i##in?# Re)rt an% Rec&&en%atin*
On A)ri' 22, 2005, the !urt ren%ere% the a##ai'e% Deci#in*
In thi# &tin fr recn#i%eratin, Atty Maurici a##ai'# that
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1. Da'i#ay %i% nt engage hi# #er$ice# a# cun#e' in !i$i' !a#e N* 00=
044*
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Atty Maurici i# #ti'' 'iab'e becau#e there i# nthing in the recr%# t
#h that he fi'e% any )etitin* Neither %e# the fact that !i$i' !a#e
N* 00=044 a# a'rea%y H#ub&itte% fr %eci#inH ecu#e hi& fr&
'iabi'ity f nt a))earing in !urt* 9e #hu'% ha$e returne%
c&)'ainant?# &ney*
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rectify her frau%u'ent re)re#entatin* If c&)'ainant refu#e#,
then that i# the ti&e that he #hu'% ter&inate hi# re'atin#hi)
ith her* Ob$iu#'y, in fi'ing fa'#ificatin charge# again#t
c&)'ainant, re#)n%ent a# &ti$ate% by $in%icti$ene##*
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D!"!% S4!. A%! C*74!% Neo*oo& A77o+!4o%, I%+. !%&o*
47 O+e*7, Me6e*7 %!6e": M%e*9! A. Ge%!4o, J3e4! P.
Be%e&+4o, P*!
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1* @hether r nt re#)n%ent Atty* Na)'en E#)iritu &i#a))r)riate
the fun%# entru#te% t hi& by hi# c'ient# thereby $i'ating the Ru'e
18*01, !ann 18 f the !%e f Prfe##ina' Re#)n#ibi'ity an%
2. @hether r nt c&)'ainant fficer#C&e&ber f the Dayan
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2* !&)'ainant Miner$a +enat an% c&)any ha$e the 'ega' #tan%ing
t #ue re#)n%ent Atty* E#)iritu #ince the#e t )artie# ha$e
e#tab'i#he% a 'ayer=c'ient re'atin#hi)* If they % nt ha$e thi#
uni7ue bn%, +enat et* a'* i'' nt ha$e the lo#us standi again#t
Atty* E#)iritu* A# regar%# t the i##ue that c&)'ainant# ha$e n
cau#e f actin, 7uting !&&i#iner
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PETER DONTON 97. ATTY. EMMANUEL TANSINGCO
A.C. No. 05# J3%e 2#, 200
CARPIO, J.:
FACTS
he %i#bar&ent c&)'aint ar#e hen Atty* an#ingc fi'e% a
cunter=charge fr )erury again#t Dntn* he ca#e in$'$e# an
Occu)ancy Agree&ent beteen Mr* Duane
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$ELD
Ee% the Occu)ancy
Agree&ent t e$a%e the 'a again#t freign ner#hi) f 'an%#*
Re#)n%ent u#e% hi# 3n'e%ge f the 'a t achie$e an un'afu' en%*
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J3!% D3!!, J*. 97. A44". P!o C. C*3@
A.C. No, 85) A/* 25, 200#
Car"i# M#ra$s, J. :
FACTS
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!*%%that #i&i'ar infractin i'' be %ea't ith &re #e$ere'y*
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FIDELA (DA. DE ENRI=UE 97. ATTY. MANUEL G. SAN JOSE
A.C. No. >5 Fe*3!*" 2>, 200#
+UISUM'ING, J.:
FACTS
hi# i# an a%&ini#trati$e c&)'aint1J fr %i#bar&ent fi'e% by Fi%e'a
6%a* De Enri7ue> again#t re#)n%ent Atty* Manue' +*
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%utie# a# cun#e'* Accr%ing t !&&i##iner "u'i !* E'a&)ar, the n'y
c&)'ete r3 re#)n%ent ren%ere% t hi# c'ient a# #en%ing a %e&an%
'etter fr the 'e##ee t $acate the #ubect )re&i#e# ithin ten %ay# fr&
recei)t f the %e&an% 'etter* he !&&i##iner a'# fun% re#)n%ent#
e)'anatin fr hi# fai'ure t fi'e the ca#e un#ati#factry an% cnc'u%e%
that re#)n%ent a# gui'ty f neg'igence in the )erfr&ance f hi# %uty a#
a 'ayer fr aban%n&ent f hi# c'ient# cau#e* he !&&i##iner
rec&&en%e% that re#)n%ent be #u#)en%e% fr& the )ractice f 'a fr
three &nth#*
Re#)n%ent %enie% being neg'i