pale cases #16-22

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

1/89

EN BANC

ZOILO ANTONIO VELEZ,Complainant,

- versus-

ATTY. LEONARD S. DE VERA,Respondent.x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

RE: OATH-TAKING OF ATTY. LEONARDS. DE VERA, INCOMING PRESIDENT OFTHE INTEGRATED BAR OFTHEPHILIPPINESx - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - xIN THE MATTER OF THE REMOVAL OFATTY. LEONARD S. DE VERA FROMTHE IBP BOARD OF GOVERNORS AS

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ANDGOVERNOR

IN THE MATTER OF THE LETTER-COMPLAINT OF ATTY. LEONARD S. DEVERA DATEDMAY 18, 2! TOFORTH"ITH DENY#DISAPPROVE THEIBP RESOLUTION UN$USTLY,ILLEGALLY, ARBITRARILY, ANDABRUPTLY REMOVING HIM FROM THEBOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE IBPFOR ABSOLUTE LACK OF BASIS ANDFOR FLAGRANT DENIAL OF DUEPROCESS.

A.C. N%. &&'(

B)* M)++* N%. 122(

A.M. N%. !-!-1!-SC

Present:PANGANIBAN, C. J.,PUNO,QUISUMBING,NAR!S-SAN"IAGO,SAN#O$A%-GU"I!RR!&,CARPIO,MAR"IN!&,CORONA,CARPIO MORA%!S,CA%%!'O,

A&CUNA,"INGA,C(ICO-NA&ARIO,GARCIA and$!%ASCO ''.Prom)l*ated:

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

2/89

')l+ , /x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x

# ! C I S I O N

Per Curiam:

Be0ore Us are t1ree 2onsolidated 2ases re3ol3in* aro)nd Inte*rated Bar o0 t1e

P1ilippines 4IBP5 Go3ernor and !xe2)ti3e $i2e-President 4!$P5 Att+. %eonard de

$era. "1e 0irst pertains to a dis6arment 2ase 7)estionin* Att+. de $eras moral 0itness to

remain as a mem6er o0 t1e P1ilippine Bar, t1e se2ond re0ers to Att+. de $eras letter-

re7)est to s21ed)le 1is oat1 ta8in* as IBP National President, and t1e t1ird 2ase

2on2erns t1e 3alidit+ o0 1is remo3al as Go3ernor and !$P o0 t1e IBP 6+ t1e IBP

Board. "1e resol)tion o0 t1ese 2ases 9ill determine t1e national presiden2+ o0 t1e IBP

0or t1e term -.

A.C. N%. &&'(

"1e O00i2e o0 t1e Bar Con0idant, 91i21 t1is Co)rt tas8ed to ma8e an

in3esti*ation, report and re2ommendation on s)6;e2t 2ase,s)mmari?ed t1e

ante2edents t1ereo0 as 0ollo9s:

In a Complaint dated == April , 2omplainant &oilo Antonio

$ele? mo3ed 0or t1e s)spension and@or dis6arment o0 respondent Att+.%eonard de $era 6ased on t1e 0ollo9in* *ro)nds:

=5 respondents alle*ed misrepresentation in2on2ealin* t1e s)spension order rendered a*ainst1im 6+ t1e State Bar o0 Cali0ornia and

5 respondents alle*ed 3iolation o0 t1e so-2alledrotation r)le en)n2iated in Administrati3e Matter No.= dated / O2to6er =D 4in t1e Matter: =D IBP!le2tions5.
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn1

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

3/89

Complainant a3erred t1at t1e respondent, in appropriatin* 0or 1iso9n 6ene0it 0)nds d)e 1is 2lient, 9as 0o)nd to 1a3e per0ormed an a2t2onstit)tin* moral t)rpit)de 6+ t1e (earin* Re0eree Bill #o?ier, (earin*#epartment San Eran2is2o, State Bar o0 Cali0ornia in Administrati3e CaseNo. D/--=D. Complainant alle*ed t1at t1e respondent 9as t1en 0or2ed

to resi*n or s)rrender 1is li2ense to pra2ti2e la9 in t1e said state in order toe3ade t1e re2ommended t1ree 4F5 +ear s)spension. Complainant assertedt1at t1e respondent la28s t1e moral 2ompeten2e ne2essar+ to lead t1e2o)ntr+s most no6le pro0ession.

Complainant, li8e9ise, 2ontended t1at t1e respondent 3iolated t1e

so-2alled rotation r)le pro3ided 0or in Administrati3e Matter No. = 91en1e trans0erred to IBP A*)san del S)r C1apter. (e 2laimed t1at t1erespondent 0ailed to meet t1e re7)irements o)tlined in t1e IBP B+-%a9spertainin* to trans0er o0 C1apter Mem6ers1ip. (e s)rmised t1at t1erespondents trans0er 9as intended onl+ 0or t1e p)rpose o0 6e2omin* t1e

next IBP National President. Complainant pra+ed t1at t1e respondent 6een;oined 0rom ass)min* o00i2e as IBP National President.Mean91ile, in 1is Comment dated Ma+ , respondent stated

t1at t1e iss)es raised in a6o3e-mentioned Complaint 9ere t1e 3er+ iss)esraised in an earlier administrati3e 2ase 0iled 6+ t1e same 2omplainanta*ainst 1im. In 0a2t, a22ordin* to 1im, t1e said iss)es 9ere alread+extensi3el+ dis2)ssed and 2ate*ori2all+ r)led )pon 6+ t1is Co)rt in its#e2ision dated == #e2em6er in Administrati3e Case No. / 4In Re:Petition to #is7)ali0+ Att+. %eonard #e $era5. Respondent pra+ed t1at t1einstant administrati3e 2omplaint 6e dismissed 0ollo9in* t1e prin2iple o0 res

judicata.On = ')ne , 6ot1 parties appeared 6e0ore t1e O00i2e o0 t1e Bar

Con0idant 0or presentation o0 e3iden2e in s)pport o0 t1eir respe2ti3ealle*ations.

S)6se7)entl+, in a Memorand)m dated ')ne , 2omplainant

maintained t1at t1ere is s)6stantial e3iden2e s1o9in* respondents moral6aseness, 3ileness and depra3it+, 91i21 2o)ld 6e )sed as a 6asis 0or 1isdis6arment. Complainant stressed t1at t1e respondent ne3er denied t1at1e )sed 1is 2lients mone+. Complainant ar*)ed t1at t1e respondent 0ailedto present e3iden2e t1at t1e S)preme Co)rt o0 Cali0ornia a22epted t1elatters resi*nation and e3en i0 s)21 9as a22epted, 2omplainant posited t1att1is s1o)ld not a6sol3e t1e respondent 0rom lia6ilit+.

Moreo3er, 2omplainant added t1at t1e prin2iple o0 res judicata 9o)ld

not appl+ in t1e 2ase at 6ar. (e asserted t1at t1e 0irst administrati3e 2ase0iled a*ainst t1e respondent 9as one 0or 1is dis7)ali0i2ation. x x x.

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

4/89

B)* M)++* N%. 122(A.M. N%. !-!-1!-SC

As earlier ad3erted to, Bar Matter No. = re0ers to Att+. de $eras letter-re7)est

to t1is Co)rt to s21ed)le 1is oat1 ta8in* as IBP National President. A.M. No. --=-

SC, on t1e ot1er 1and, is a letter-report dated = Ma+ o0 IBP National President

'ose Anselmo I. Cadi? 4IBP President Cadi?5 0)rnis1in* t1is Co)rt 9it1 t1e IBPs

Resol)tion, dated =F Ma+ , remo3in* Att+. #e $era as mem6er o0 t1e IBP Board

and as IBP !$P, 0or 2ommittin* a2ts inimi2al to t1e IBP Board and t1e IBP in *eneral.

"1e 2ontro3ers+ in Bar Matter No. = and A.M. No. --=-SC arose 0rom t1e

re*)lar meetin* o0 t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors 1eld on = 'an)ar+ . In said

meetin*, 6+ @F 3ote 4/ 3otin* in 0a3or and a*ainst5, t1e IBP Board appro3ed t1e

9it1dra9al o0 t1e Petition 0iled 6e0ore t1is Co)rt do28eted as Integrated Bar of the

Philippines, Jose Anselmo I. Cadiz, et al. vs. Senate of the Philippines, et al. Petition for

Certiorari and Prohiition !ith Pra"er for the Issuance of #emporar" $estraining %rder

or &rit of Preliminar" Injunction, SC'$()*(+. "1e Petition 9as intended to 7)estion

t1e le*alit+ and@or 2onstit)tionalit+ o0 Rep)6li2 A2t No. , a)t1ori?in* t1e in2rease in

t1e salaries o0 ;)d*es and ;)sti2es, and to in2rease 0ilin* 0ees.

"1e t9o IBP Go3ernors 91o opposed t1e said Resol)tion appro3in* t1e 9it1dra9al o0

t1e a6o3e-des2ri6ed Petition 9ere 1erein respondent Go3ernor and !$P de $era and

Go3ernor Carlos %. $alde?.

On = 'an)ar+ , IBP President Cadi? in0ormed t1is Co)rt o0 t1e de2ision ta8en 6+

t1e IBP Board to 9it1dra9 t1e a0ore-mentioned Petition. Atta21ed to 1is letter 9as a

2op+ o0 t1e IBP Boards = 'an)ar+ Resol)tion.
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn3http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn4http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn5http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn3http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn4http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn5

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

5/89

On = April , Bar Matter No. =, pertainin* to Att+. de $eras re7)est 0or

oat1ta8in* as National President, 9as 0iled. "1e same 9as s)6se7)entl+ 2onsolidated

9it1 A.C. No. //, t1e dis6arment 2ase 0iled a*ainst Att+. de $era.

On April , a plenar+ session 9as 1eld at t1e = t1National IBP Con3ention at

t1e CAP-Camp 'o1n (a+ Con3ention Center, Ba*)io Cit+. It 9as at t1is 0or)m 91ere

Att+. de $era alle*edl+ made some )ntr)t10)l statements, inn)endos and 6latant lies in

2onne2tion 9it1 t1e IBP Boards Resol)tion to 9it1dra9 t1e Petition 7)estionin* t1e

le*alit+ o0 Rep)6li2 A2t No. .

On = Ma+ , t1is Co)rt iss)ed a "emporar+ Restrainin* Order 4"RO5 en;oinin* Att+.

de $era 0rom ass)min* o00i2e as IBP National President.

On = Ma+ , IBP Go3. Rom)lo A. Ri3era 9rote IBP National President Cadi?

a letter 91erein 1e pra+ed 0or t1e remo3al o0 Att+. de $era as mem6er o0 t1e IBP Board

0or 1a3in* 2ommitted a2ts 91i21 9ere inimi2al to t1e IBP Board and t1e IBP.

On =F Ma+ , in t1e t1Re*)lar Meetin* o0 t1e Board 1eld at t1e ater0ront

(otel, Ce6) Cit+, t1e IBP Board, 6+ @F 3ote, resol3ed to remo3e Att+. de $era as

mem6er o0 t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors and as IBP !xe2)ti3e $i2e President. Q)oted

1ere)nder is t1e dispositi3e portion o0 said Resol)tion:

NO "(!R!EOR!, B! I" R!SO%$!#, AS I" IS (!R!BR!SO%$!#, t1at Go3ernor %eonard S. de $era is R!MO$!# as amem6er o0 t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors and !xe2)ti3e $i2e President 0or

2ommittin* a2ts inimi2al to t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors and t1e IBP, to 9it:=. Eor ma8in* )ntr)t10)l statements, inn)endos

and 6latant lies in p)6li2 a6o)t t1e S)preme Co)rt andmem6ers o0 t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors, d)rin* t1e Plenar+Session o0 t1e IBP = t1National Con3ention o0 %a9+ers, 1eldat CAP-Camp 'o1n (a+ Con3ention Center on April, ma8in* it appear t1at t1e de2ision o0 t1e IBP Board o0
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn10

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

6/89

Go3ernors to 9it1dra9 t1e P!"I"ION do28eted asInte*rated Bar o0 t1e P1ilippines, 'ose Anselmo I. Cadi?, etal. 3s. "1e Senate o0 t1e P1ilippines, et al., Petition 0orCertiorari and Pro1i6ition it1 Pra+er 0or t1e Iss)an2e o0 A"emporar+ Restrainin* Order or rit o0 Preliminar+

In;)n2tion, S.C.-R. =/=D, 9as d)e to in0l)en2e andpress)re 0rom t1e S)preme Co)rt o0 t1e P1ilippines. Eor ma8in* said )ntr)t10)l statements,

inn)endos and 6latant lies t1at 6ro)*1t t1e IBP Board o0Go3ernors and t1e IBP as a 91ole in p)6li2 2ontempt anddisrep)te

F. Eor 3iolatin* Canon == o0 t1e Code o0

Pro0essional Responsi6ilit+ 0or %a9+ers 91i21 mandates t1atA la9+er s1all o6ser3e and maintain t1e respe2t d)e to t1e

2o)rts and to ;)di2ial o00i2ers and s1o)ld insist on similar2ond)2t 6+ ot1ers, 6+ ma8in* )ntr)t10)l statements,inn)endos and 6latant lies d)rin* t1e Plenar+ Session o0 t1eIBP =t1National Con3ention o0 %a9+ers in Ba*)io Cit+

. Eor insti*atin* and pro3o8in* some IBP

21apters to em6arrass and 1)miliate t1e IBP Board o0Go3ernors in order to 2oer2e and 2ompel t1e latter to p)rs)et1e a0oresaidP-#I#I%

. Eor 0alsel+ a22)sin* t1e IBP National President,

'ose Anselmo I. Cadi?, d)rin* t1e Plenar+ Session o0 t1e=t1National Con3ention in Ba*)io Cit+ o0 9it11oldin* 0rom1im a 2op+ o0 S)preme Co)rt Resol)tion, dated 'an)ar+, *rantin* t1e 9it1dra9al o0 t1e P-#I#I%, t1ere6+2reatin* t1e 9ron* impression t1at t1e IBP NationalPresident deli6eratel+ pre3ented 1im 0rom ta8in* t1eappropriate remedies 9it1 respe2t t1ereto, t1)s2ompromisin* t1e rep)tation and inte*rit+ o0 t1e IBP NationalPresident and t1e IBP as a 91ole.

On =D Ma+ , Att+. de $era aired 1is sentiments to t1is Co)rt 6+ 9ritin* t1e

t1en (on. C1ie0 ')sti2e (ilario G. #a3ide, 'r. a letter 2aptioned as Ur*ent Plea to

Corre2t a Glarin* In;)sti2e o0 t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors $e1ement Protest to t1e

Board Resol)tion A6r)ptl+ Remo3in* Att+. %eonard de $era 0rom t1e Board o0

Go3ernors in Patent $iolation o0 #)e Pro2ess Petition to #en+@#isappro3e t1e

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

7/89

Completel+ Un;)sti0ied and (i*1l+ Ar6itrar+ Resol)tion Pre2ipitatel+ O)stin* Att+. de

$era 0rom t1e Board o0 Go3ernors in %ess "1an "9ent+ Eo)r 45 (o)rs 0rom Noti2e

and ')d*ment it1o)t Eormal In3esti*ation.

In t1e said letter, Att+. de $era stron*l+ and 2ate*ori2all+ denied 1a3in* 2ommitted a2ts

inimi2al to t1e IBP and its Board. (e alle*ed t1at on t1e 6asis o0 an )n3eri0ied letter-

2omplaint 0iled 6+ IBP Go3ernor Ri3era, t1e IBP Board 3oted to expel 1im post1aste,

9it1o)t ;)st 2a)se and in 2omplete disre*ard o0 e3en t1e minim)m standards o0 d)e

pro2ess.Pertinent portions o0 1is letter read:

It is e3ident t1at t1e Board o0 Go3ernors 1as 2ommitted a *ra3e andserio)s in;)sti2e a*ainst me espe2iall+ 91en, as t1e in2)m6ent !xe2)ti3e$i2e President o0 t1e IBP, I am s21ed)led to ass)me m+ position asNational President o0 t1e IBP on ')l+ =, . x x x

I 9as denied t1e 3er+ 6asi2 ri*1ts o0 d)e pro2ess re2o*ni?ed 6+ t1e

S)preme Co)rt e3en in administrati3e 2ases:=. "1e denial o0 t1e right to answer t1e

21ar*es formally or in writing. "1e 2omplaint a*ainstme 9as in 9ritin*.

. "1e denial o0 t1e ri*1t to answert1e 21ar*es9it1in a reasonable period of timea0ter re2eipt o0t1e 2omplaint.

F. "1e denial o0 t1e rightto a fair hearing.. "1e denial o0 t1e right to confront the

accuserand t1e 9itnesses a*ainst me. I 21allen*edGo3. Ri3era to testi0+ )nder oat1 so I 2o)ld 7)estion1im. (e re0)sed. I o00ered to testi0+ )nder oat1 so I

2o)ld 6e 7)estioned. M+ re7)est 9as denied.. "1e denial o0 m+ right to present witnesses

on my behalf./. "1e denial o0 m+ right to an impartial

judge. Go3ernor Ri3era 9as m+ a22)ser, prose2)tor,and ;)d*e allat t1e same time.

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

8/89

. Go3. Ri3eras pre;)d*ment o0 m+ 2ase 6e2omes

e3en more e3ident 6e2a)se 91en 1is motion to expelme 9as lost in a -F 3otes 4d)e to 1is in1i6ition to3ote5, Go3. Ri3era as8ed 0oranother round of

votingso 1e 2an 3ote to s)pport 1is o9n 2omplaintand motion to expel me.4!mp1asis and)nders2orin* in ori*inal.5

On Ma+ , t1e IBP Board responded to t1e =D Ma+ letter o0 Att+. de

$era. In t1eir Repl+, t1e IBP Board explained to t1is Co)rt t1at t1eir de2ision to

remo3e Att+. de $era 9as 6ased on 3alid *ro)nds and 9as intended to prote2t itsel0

0rom a re2al2itrant mem6er. Amon* t1e *ro)nds 2ited and el)2idated 6+ t1e IBP Board

9ere t1e 0ollo9in*:

4i5 Att+. de $era en*a*ed 1imsel0 in a ne*ati3e media 2ampai*nand soli2ited resol)tions 0rom IBP C1apters to 2ondemn t1e IBPBoard o0 Go3ernors 0or its de2ision to 9it1dra9 t1e P-#I#I%, all!ith the end in vie! of compelling or coercing the IBP Board of/overnors to reconsider the decision to !ithdra! the P-#I#I%.

4ii5 Att+. de $era em6arrassed, 1)miliated and mali*ned t1e IBP

Board o0 Go3ernors and t1e IBP National President in p)6li2 or

d)rin* t1e Plenar+ Session at t1e =t1

National Con3ention o0%a9+ers.4iii5 Rat1er t1an pa2i0+ t1e alread+ a*itated soli2ited spea8ers 4at

t1e plenar+ session5, Att+. de $era 0anned t1e 0ire, so to spea8, and9ent to t1e extent o0 ma8in* )ntr)t10)l statements, inn)endos and6latant lies a6o)t t1e S)preme Co)rt and some mem6ers o0 t1eIBP Board o0 Go3ernors. (e deli6eratel+ and intentionall+ did so topro3o8e t1e mem6ers o0 t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors to en*a*e 1imin an a2rimonio)s p)6li2 de6ate and expose t1e IBP Board o0Go3ernors to p)6li2 ridi2)le.

4i35 Att+. de $era )ttered )ntr)t10)l statements, inn)endos and6latant lies, e.*., t1at some o0 t1e mem6ers o0 t1e IBP Board o0Go3ernors 3oted in 0a3or o0 t1e 9it1dra9al o0 t1e petition 49it1o)tmentionin* names5 6e2a)se na0a0ahi"a 0asi sa Supreme Court,na0a0aa!a 0asi ang Supreme Court, 0asi ma" mga 0aiigan ta"osa Court. (e made it appear t1at t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn13http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn13http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn14

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

9/89

appro3ed t1e resol)tion, 9it1dra9in* t1e petition, d)e to in0l)en2eor press)re 0rom t1e S)preme Co)rt.

"1e IBP Board explained t1at Att+. de $eras a2t)ation d)rin* t1e Plenar+ Session

9as t1e last stra9 t1at 6ro8e t1e 2amels 6a28. (e 2ommitted a2ts inimi2al to t1e interest

o0 t1e IBP Board and t1e IBP 1en2e, t1e IBP Board de2ided to remo3e 1im.

On F ')ne , Att+. de $era 0)rnis1ed t1e Co)rt 9it1 2opies o0 resol)tions and

a position paper 2omin* 0rom 3ario)s IBP C1apters all 2ondemnin* 1is exp)lsion 0rom

t1e IBP Board and as IBP !$P.

On = ')ne , IBP President Cadi? in0ormed C1ie0 ')sti2e #a3ide t1at in a

spe2ial meetin* o0 t1e IBP Board 1eld at t1e !#SA S1an*ri-la Pla?a on =F ')ne ,

t1e IBP Board too8 note o0 t1e 3a2an2+ in t1e position o0 t1e IBP !$P 6ro)*1t a6o)t 6+

Att+. de $eras remo3al. In 1is stead, IBP Go3ernor P)ra An*eli2a . Santia*o 9as

0ormall+ ele2ted and de2lared as IBP !$P.

On = ')ne , Att+. de $era protested a*ainst t1e ele2tion o0 Att+. Santia*o.On ')ne , Att+. Santia*o 3ol)ntaril+ relin7)is1ed t1e !$P position t1ro)*1 a

letter addressed to t1e IBP Board."1)s, on ')ne , d)rin* its last re*)lar

meetin*, t1e IBP Board ele2ted a ne9 !$P in t1e person o0 IBP Go3ernor 'ose $i2ente

B. Sala?ar to repla2e Att+. Santia*o.

On D ')ne , IBP National President Cadi?, t1ro)*1 a letter addressed to

C1ie0 ')sti2e #a3ide, reported to t1is Co)rt Att+. Sala?ars ele2tion. IBP National

President Cadi? also re7)ested, amon* ot1er t1in*s, t1at Att+. Sala?ars ele2tion 6e

appro3ed and t1at 1e 6e allo9ed to ass)me as National President in t1e e3ent t1at Att+.

de $era is dis6arred or s)spended 0rom t1e pra2ti2e o0 la9 or s1o)ld 1is remo3al 0rom
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn15http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn16http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn16http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn17http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn17http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn18http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn15http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn16http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn17http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn18http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn20

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

10/89

t1e F- Board o0 Go3ernors and as !$P is appro3ed 6+ t1is Co)rt. Also on D

')ne , Att+. de $era protested t1e ele2tion o0 Att+. Sala?ar.

In 1is !xtended Commentdated ')l+ , Att+. de $era maintained t1at

t1ere 9as a6sol)tel+ no 0a2t)al or le*al 6asis to s)stain t1e motion to remo3e 1im 0rom

t1e IBP Board 6e2a)se 1e 3iolated no la9. (e ar*)ed t1at i0 t1e 6asis 0or 1is remo3al

as !$P 9as 6ased on t1e same *ro)nds as 1is remo3al 0rom t1e IBP Board, t1en 1is

remo3al as !$P 9as li8e9ise exe2)ted 9it1o)t d)e noti2e and 9it1o)t t1e least

2omplian2e 9it1 t1e minim)m standards o0 d)e pro2ess o0 la9.

Att+. de $era stron*l+ a3erred t1at, 2ontrar+ to t1e )tterl+ 0alse and mali2io)s

21ar*es 0iled a*ainst 1im, t1e spea8ers at t1e Plenar+ Session o0 t1e Ba*)io

Con3ention, alt1o)*1 )ndenia6l+ impassioned and arti2)late, 9ere respe2t0)l in t1eir

lan*)a*e and ex1ortations, not on2e )nderminin* t1e stat)re o0 t1e IBP in *eneral and

t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors in parti2)lar. (e posited t1at spea8in* in disa*reement 9it1

t1e Resol)tion o0 t1e Board d)rin* t1e Con3entions Plenar+ Session is not a 3alid

2a)se to remo3e or expel a d)l+-ele2ted mem6er o0 t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors and

t1e de2ision to remo3e 1im onl+ s1o9s t1at t1e ri*1t to 0reedom o0 spee21 or t1e ri*1t

to dissent is not re2o*ni?ed 6+ t1e in2)m6ent IBP Board.

Anent t1e 21ar*es t1at 1e a22)sed t1e National President o0 9it11oldin* a 2op+

o0 t1is Co)rts Resol)tion *rantin* t1e 9it1dra9al o0 t1e Petition 7)estionin* t1e le*alit+

o0 Rep)6li2 A2t No. , Att+. de $era a3o9ed t1at 1e made no s)21 remar8s. As

re*ards t1e ele2tion o0 a ne9 IBP !$P, Att+. de $era 2ontended t1at t1e said ele2tion

9as ille*al as it 9as 2ontrar+ to t1e pro3isions o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s 2on2ernin* national

o00i2ers, to 9it:

S+%/. 0'. T* % %.- "1e President and t1e !xe2)ti3e

$i2e President s1all 1old o00i2e 0or a term o0 t9o +ears 0rom ')l+ =
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn21http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn22http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn23http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn21http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn22http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn23

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

11/89

0ollo9in* t1eir ele2tion )ntil F ')ne o0 t1eir se2ond +ear in o00i2e and )ntilt1eir s)22essors s1all 1a3e 6een d)l+ 21osen and 7)ali0ied.

In t1e e3ent t1e President is a6sent or )na6le to a2t, 1is 0)n2tions

and d)ties s1all 6e per0ormed 6+ t1e !xe2)ti3e $i2e President, and in t1e

e3ent o0 deat1, resi*nation, or remo3al o0 t1e President, t1e !xe2)ti3e$i2e President s1all ser3e as A2tin* President 0or t1e )nexpired portion o0t1e term. In t1e e3ent o0 deat1, resi*nation, remo3al or disa6ilit+ o0 6ot1t1e President and t1e !xe2)ti3e $i2e President, t1e Board o0 Go3ernorss1all ele2t an A2tin* President to 1old o00i2e 0or t1e )nexpired portion o0t1e term or d)rin* t1e period o0 disa6ilit+.

Unless ot1er9ise pro3ided in t1ese B+-%a9s, all ot1er o00i2ers and

emplo+ees appointed 6+ t1e President 9it1 t1e 2onsent o0 t1e Board s1all1old o00i2e at t1e pleas)re o0 t1e Board or 0or s)21 term as t1e Board ma+0ix.

"o 6olster 1is position, Att+. de $era stressed t1at 91en 6ot1 t1e President and

t1e !$P die, resi*n, are remo3ed, or are disa6led, t1e IBP B+-%a9s onl+ pro3ides 0or

t1e ele2tion o0 an A2tin* President and t1at no mention 0or an ele2tion 0or !$P 9as

made. "1)s, 91en s)21 ele2tion 0or !$P o22)rs, s)21 is 2ontrar+ to t1e express

pro3ision o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s.

Att+. de $era also ar*)ed t1at e3en i0 1e 9ere 3alidl+ remo3ed as IBP !$P, 1is

repla2ement s1o)ld 2ome 0rom !astern Mindanao and not 0rom an+ ot1er re*ion, d)e

to t1e Rotation R)le em6odied in par. , Se2tion , Arti2le $II o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s.

In response to Att+. de $eras a3erments, t1e F- IBP Board, t1ro)*1 its

2o)nsel, s)6mitted a Repl+ dated 'an)ar+ / and 2lari0ied as 0ollo9s:

4i5 "1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors is 3ested 9it1 s)00i2ient po9erand a)t1orit+ to prote2t itsel0 0rom an intra2ta6le mem6er 6+ 3irt)e o0

Arti2le $I, Se2tion o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s

4ii5 Att+. de $era 9as remo3ed as a mem6er o0 t1e IBP Board andas IBP !$P not 6e2a)se o0 1is disa*reement 9it1 t1e IBP Boardsposition 6)t 6e2a)se o0 t1e 3ario)s a2ts t1at 1e 2ommitted 91i21 t1e

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

12/89

IBP Board determined to 6e inimi2al to t1e IBP Board and t1e IBPas a 91ole

4iii5 Att+. de $era 2annot ex2)lpate 1imsel0 0rom lia6ilit+ 6+ in3o8in*

1is 2onstit)tional ri*1t to Eree Spee21 6e2a)se, as a mem6er o0 t1e

Bar, it is 1is s9orn d)t+ to o6ser3e and maintain t1e respe2t d)e tot1e 2o)rts and to ;)di2ial o00i2ers and to insist on similar 2ond)2t 6+ot1ers

4i35 "1e IBP Board, in e00e2tin* t1e remo3al o0 Att+. de $era,

o6ser3ed t1e 0)ndamental prin2iples o0 d)e pro2ess. As t1e re2ords9o)ld 6ear, Att+. de $era 9as d)l+ noti0ied o0 t1e Re*)lar Meetin* o0t1e IBP Board 1eld on =F Ma+ 9as 0)rnis1ed a 2op+ o0Go3ernor Ri3eras %etter-Complaint t1e da+ 6e0ore t1e said meetin*9as 0)rnis1ed a 2op+ o0 t1e said Meetin*s A*enda and 9as allo9edto personall+ de0end 1imsel0 and 1is a22)ser, Go3. Ri3era

435 Att+. de $era 9as 3alidl+ remo3ed 6e2a)se t1e re7)iredn)m6er o0 3otes )nder Se2tion o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s to remo3e

Att+. de $era as a mem6er o0 t1e IBP Board and as IBP !$P 9asd)l+ 2omplied 9it1

43i5 Att+. de $eras repla2ement as IBP !$P need not 2ome 0rom

!astern Mindanao Re*ion 6e2a)se: 4a5 t1e rotation r)le )nderArti2le $II, Se2tion , par. o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s 1ad alread+ 6een2omplied 9it1 91en Att+. de $era, 91o 1ails 0rom !astern Mindanao,9as ele2ted IBP !$P and 465 t1e rotation r)le need not 6e en0or2edi0 t1e same 9ill not 6e pra2ti2a6le, possi6le, 0easi6le, doa6le or3ia6le and, 0inall+, t1at

43ii5 Att+. Sala?ar 9as 3alidl+ ele2ted as IBP !$P and, t1)s, s1o)ld

no9 6e allo9ed to ta8e 1is oat1 as IBP National President.

T3 C%4*+5 R46/7

AC N%. &&'(

In 1is Memorand)mdated ')ne , 2omplainant tendered t1e 0ollo9in*

iss)es 0or t1e 2onsideration o0 t1e Co)rt:

I.

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

13/89

(!"(!R OR NO" R!SPON#!N" A""ORN! %!ONAR# S. #!$!RA4si25 COMMI"!# MA%PRAC"IC! (IC( AMOUN"!# "O MORA%"RPI"U#! IN "(! S"A"! BAR OE CA%IEORNIA AN# IN "(!P(I%IPPIN!S, IN "(! COURS! OE (IS PRAC"IC! OE %A.

II.(!"(!R OR NO" "(! OA"( OE OEEIC! AS %A!R IS A""AC(!#"O "(! P!RSON OE A""ORN! %!ONAR# S. #!$!RA 4si25(!R!$!R (! MA GO AN# NO" N!C!SSARI% BOUN# B "(!"!RRI"ORIA% 'URIS#IC"ION OE "(! P(I%IPPIN!S.

III.

(!"(!R OR NO" "(!R! IS SUBS"AN"IA% !$I#!NC! "O PRO$!"(! MORA% "RPI"U#!, AS BASIS EOR #ISBARM!N" OE

R!SPON#!N" IN AN A#MINIS"RA"I$! PROC!!#ING.I$.

(!"(!R OR NO" R!S 'U#ICA"A APP%I!S IN "(IS CAS!, #U! "OA#MIN. CAS! NO.

"1e disposition o0 t1e 0irst t1ree related iss)es 1in*es on t1e resol)tion o0 t1e

0o)rt1 iss)e. Conse7)entl+, 9e 9ill start 9it1 t1e last iss)e.

A.C. No. 6052 is not a bar to the filing of thepresent administrative case.

In disposin* o0 t1e 7)estion o0 res judicata, t1e Bar Con0idant opined:

"o reiterate, t1e instant 2ase 0or s)spension and@or dis6armenta*ainst respondent %eonard #e $era is *ro)nded on t1e 0ollo9in*:

=5 respondents alle*ed misrepresentation in 2on2ealin*

t1e s)spension order rendered a*ainst 1im 6+ t1e State Barin Cali0ornia and5 respondents alle*ed 3iolation o0 t1e so-2alled rotation

r)le en)n2iated in Administrati3e Matter No. = dated /O2to6er =D 4In t1e Matter: =D IBP !le2tions5.

It appears t1at t1e 2omplainant alread+ raised t1e said iss)es in an

earlier administrati3e 2ase a*ainst t1e respondent. $eril+, t1ese iss)es

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

14/89

9ere alread+ ar*)ed )pon 6+ t1e parties in t1eir respe2ti3e pleadin*s, anddis2)ssed and r)led )pon 6+ t1is Co)rt in its #e2ision dated == #e2em6erF in Administrati3e Matter No. / 4In Re: Petition to #is7)ali0+ Att+.%eonard de $era5.

As s)21, 9it1 respe2t to t1e 0irst iss)e, t1is Co)rt 1eld t1at:As for the administrative complaint filed against him " one ofhis clients !hen he !as practicing la! in California, !hich inturn compelled him to surrender his California license to

practice la!, he maintains that it cannot serve as asis fordetermining his moral 1ualification 2or lac0 of it3 to run for the

position he is aspiring for. 4e e5plains that there is as "et nofinal judgment finding him guilt" of the administrative charge,as the records relied upon " the petitioners are mere

preliminar" findings of a hearing referee !hich are

recommendator" findings of an IBP Commissioner on Bar6iscipline !hich are suject to the revie! of and the finaldecision of the Supreme Court. 4e also stresses that thecomplainant in the California administrative case hasretracted the accusation that he misappropriated thecomplainants mone", ut unfortunatel" the retraction !as notconsidered " the investigating officer. 555%n the administrative complaint that !as filed againstrespondent 6e 7era !hile he !as still practicing la! inCalifornia, he e5plained that no final judgment !as rendered" the California Supreme Court finding him guilt" of thecharge. 4e surrendered his license to protest thediscrimination he suffered at the hands of the investigatorand he found it impractical to pursue the case to the end. &efind these e5planations satisfactor" in the asence ofcontrar" proof. It is a asic rule on evidence that he !hoalleges a fact has the urden to prove the same. In this case,the petitioners have not sho!n ho! the administrativecomplaint affects respondent 6e 7era8s moral fitness to runfor governor.On t1e ot1er 1and, as re*ards t1e se2ond iss)e:

Petitioners contend that respondent de 7era isdis1ualified for the post ecause he is not reall" from -astern9indanao. 4is place of residence is in Paraa1ue and he !asoriginall" a memer of the PP9 IBP Chapter. 4e onl"changed his IBP Chapter memership to pave the !a" for hisultimate goal of attaining the highest IBP post, !hich is the

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

15/89

national presidenc". Petitioners aver that in changing his IBPmemership, respondent 6e 7era violated the domicile rule.

#he contention has no merit. ;nder the last paragraph ofSection (.#olentino, Jr., Secretar" of IBP PP9 Chapter and Att"."ndon J. $omero, Secretar" of IBP Agusan del Sur Chapter,informing them of respondent de 7era8s transfer and advisingthem to ma0e the necessar" notation in their respectiverecords. #his letter is a sustantial compliance !ith thecertification mentioned in Section =

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

16/89

!ere simultaneousl" held all over the Philippines, asmandated " Section =

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

17/89

Appl"ing the principle of res judicata or ar " prior judgment,the present administrative case ecomes dismissile.

555

;nder the said doctrine, a matter that has een adjudicated" a court of competent jurisdiction must e deemed to haveeen finall" and conclusivel" settled if it arises in an"suse1uent litigation et!een the same parties and for thesame cause. It provides thata final judgment on the merits rendered " a court ofcompetent jurisdiction is conclusive as to the rights of the

parties and their priviesE and constitutes an asolute ar tosuse1uent actions involving the same claim, demand, orcause of action. $es judicata is ased on the ground that the

part" to e affected, or some other !ith !hom he is in privit",has litigated the same matter in the former action in a court ofcompetent jurisdiction, and should not e permitted to litigateit again.#his principle frees the parties from undergoing all over againthe rigors of unnecessar" suits and repetitious trials. At thesame time, it prevents the clogging of court doc0ets.-1uall"important, res judicata stailizes rights and promotes the ruleof la!.In t1e instant administrati3e 2ase, it is 2lear t1at t1e iss)es raised 6+

t1e 2omplainant 1ad alread+ 6een resol3ed 6+ t1is Co)rt in an earlieradministrati3e 2ase. "1e 2omplainants 2ontention t1at t1e prin2iple o0 res

judicata 9o)ld not appl+ in t1e 2ase at 6ar as t1e 0irst administrati3e 2ase9as one 0or dis7)ali0i2ation 91ile t1e instant administrati3e 2omplaint isone 0or s)spension and@or dis6arment s1o)ld 6e *i3en least 2reden2e. It is9ort1+ to note t1at 91ile t1e instant administrati3e 2omplaint isdenominated as one 0or s)spension and@or dis6arment, it pra+ed neit1ert1e s)spension nor t1e dis6arment o0 t1e respondent 6)t instead merel+so)*1t to en;oin t1e respondent 0rom ass)min* o00i2e as IBP NationalPresident.

Contrar+ to t1e 0indin*s o0 t1e Bar Con0idant, Adm. Case No. / entitled,In

$e: Petition to 6is1ualif" Att". eonard de 7era, on egal and 9oral /rounds, rom

Being -lected IBP /overnor for -astern 9indanao in the 9a" ?( IBP -lection and

prom)l*ated on == #e2em6er F does not 2onstit)te a 6ar to t1e 0ilin* o0 Adm. Case

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

18/89

No. //.Alt1o)*1 t1e parties in t1e present administrati3e 2ase and in Adm. Case No.

/ are identi2al, t1eir 2apa2ities in t1ese 2ases and t1e iss)es presented t1erein are

not t1e same, t1ere6+ 6arrin* t1e appli2ation o0 res judicata.

In order t1at t1e prin2iple o0 res judicata ma+ 6e made to appl+, 0o)r essential

2onditions m)st 2on2)r, namel+: 4=5 t1e ;)d*ment so)*1t to 6ar t1e ne9 a2tion m)st 6e

0inal 45 t1e de2ision m)st 1a3e 6een rendered 6+ a 2o)rt 1a3in* ;)risdi2tion o3er t1e

s)6;e2t matter and t1e parties 4F5 t1e disposition o0 t1e 2ase m)st 6e a ;)d*ment or

order on t1e merits, and 45 t1ere m)st 6e 6et9een t1e 0irst and se2ond a2tion identit+

o0 parties, identit+ o0 s)6;e2t matter, and identit+ o0 2a)ses o0 a2tion. In t1e a6sen2e o0

an+ one o0 t1ese elements, Att+. de $era 2annot ar*)e res judicatain 1is 0a3or.

It is note9ort1+ t1at t1e t9o administrati3e 2ases in3ol3e di00erent s)6;e2t matters and

2a)ses o0 a2tion. In Adm. Case No. /, t1e s)6;e2t matter 9as t1e 7)ali0i2ation o0

Att+. de $era to r)n as a 2andidate 0or t1e position o0 IBP Go3ernor 0or !astern

Mindanao. In t1e present administrati3e 2omplaint, t1e s)6;e2t matter is 1is pri3ile*e to

pra2ti2e la9. In t1e 0irst administrati3e 2ase, 2omplainants 2a)se o0 a2tion 9as Att+. de

$eras alle*ed 3iolation or 2ir2)m3ention o0 t1e IBP B+-la9s. In t1e present

administrati3e 2ase, t1e primar+ 2a)se o0 a2tion is Att+. de $eras alle*ed 3iolation o0

la9+ers oat1 and t1e Code o0 Pro0essional Responsi6ilit+.

Einall+, t1e t9o administrati3e 2ases do not see8 t1e same relie0. In t1e 0irst 2ase, t1e

2omplainants so)*1t to pre3ent Att+. de $era 0rom ass)min* 1is post as IBP Go3ernor

0or!astern Mindanao. In t1e present 2ase, as 2lari0ied 6+ 2omplainant in 1is

Memorand)m, 91at is 6ein* prin2ipall+ so)*1t is Att+. de $eras s)spension or

dis6arment.

"1e distin2tions 6et9een t1e t9o 2ases are 0ar 0rom tri3ial. "1e pre3io)s 2ase 9as

resol3ed on t1e 6asis o0 t1e parties ri*1ts and o6li*ations )nder t1e IBP B+-la9s. e

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

19/89

1eld t1erein t1at Att+. de $era 2annot 6e dis7)ali0ied 0rom r)nnin* as Re*ional Go3ernor

as t1ere is not1in* in t1e present IBP B+-la9s t1at san2tions t1e dis7)ali0i2ation o0

2andidates 0or IBP *o3ernors. Conse7)entl+, 9e stressed t1at t1e petition 1ad no 0irm

*ro)nd to stand on. %i8e9ise, 9e 1eld t1at t1e 2omplainants t1erein 9ere not t1e proper

parties to 6rin* t1e s)it as t1e IBP B+-la9s pres2ri6es t1at onl+ nominees - 91i21 t1e

2omplainants 9ere not - 2an 0ile 9it1 t1e IBP President a 9ritten protest a*ainst t1e

2andidate. "1e Co)rts statement, t1ere0ore, t1at Att+. de $era 2annot 6e dis7)ali0ied on

t1e *ro)nd t1at 1e 9as not morall+ 0it 9as mere oiter dictum. Pre2isel+, t1e IBP B+-

la9s do not allo9 0or pre-ele2tion dis7)ali0i2ation pro2eedin*s 1en2e, Att+. de $era

2annot 6e dis7)ali0ied on t1e 6asis o0 t1e administrati3e 0indin*s o0 a 1earin* o00i2er o0

t1e State Bar o0 Cali0ornia s)spendin* 1im 0rom t1e pra2ti2e o0 la9 0or t1ree +ears. e

1eld in t1at 2ase t1at

"1ere is not1in* in t1e B+-%a9s 91i21 expli2itl+ pro3ides t1at one

m)st 6e morall+ 0it 6e0ore 1e 2an r)n 0or IBP *o3ernors1ip. Eor one, t1is isso 6e2a)se t1e determination o0 moral 0itness o0 a 2andidate lies in t1eindi3id)al ;)d*ment o0 t1e mem6ers o0 t1e (o)se o0 #ele*ates. Indeed,6ased on ea21 mem6erHs standard o0 moralit+, 1e is 0ree to nominate andele2t an+ mem6er, so lon* as t1e latter possesses t1e 6asi2 re7)irements

)nder t1e la9. Eor anot1er, 6asi2all+ t1e dis7)ali0i2ation o0 a 2andidatein3ol3in* la28 o0 moral 0itness s1o)ld emanate 0rom 1is dis6arment ors)spension 0rom t1e pra2ti2e o0 la9 6+ t1is Co)rt, or 2on3i2tion 6+ 0inal

;)d*ment o0 an o00ense 91i21 in3ol3es moral t)rpit)de.

1at t1is simpl+ means is t1at a6sent a 0inal ;)d*ment 6+ t1e S)preme Co)rt in

a proper 2ase de2larin* ot1er9ise, e3er+ la9+er aspirin* to 1old t1e position o0 IBP

Re*ional #ire2tor is pres)med morall+ 0it. An+ person 91o 6e*s to disa*ree 9ill not 6e

a6le to 0ind a re2epti3e a)dien2e in t1e IBP t1ro)*1 a petition 0or dis7)ali0i2ation 6)t

m)st 0irst 0ile t1e ne2essar+ dis6arment or s)spension pro2eedin* a*ainst t1e la9+er

2on2erned.

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

20/89

And t1is is pre2isel+ 91at 2omplainant 1as 21osen to do in t1e instant 2ase. As 1is

petition is s)00i2ient in 0orm and s)6stan2e, 9e 1a3e *i3en it d)e 2o)rse p)rs)ant to

R)le =FD o0 t1e R)les o0 Co)rt. And, 2onsiderin* t1at t1is 2ase is not 6arred 6+ t1e prior

;)d*ment in Adm. Case No. /, t1e onl+ iss)e le0t 0or 2onsideration is 91et1er or not

Att+. de $era 2an 6e s)spended or dis6arred )nder t1e 0a2ts o0 t1e 2ase and t1e

e3iden2e s)6mitted 6+ 2omplainant.

he recommendation of the hearing officer of the!tate "ar of California# standing alone# is not

proof of malpractice.

In t1e 2ase o0 t1e Suspension rom #he Practice of a! In #he #erritor" of

/uam of Att". eon /. 9a1uera, 9e 9ere 2on0ronted 9it1 t1e 7)estion o0 91et1er or

not a mem6er o0 t1e P1ilippine Bar, 91o is 2on2omitantl+ an attorne+ in a 0orei*n

;)risdi2tion and 91o 9as s)spended 0rom t1e pra2ti2e o0 la9 in said 0orei*n ;)risdi2tion,

2an 6e san2tioned as mem6er o0 t1e P1ilippine Bar 0or t1e same in0ra2tion 2ommitted in

t1e 0orei*n ;)risdi2tion.

e ta8e t1e iss)e inAtt". 9a1uera one not21 1i*1er in t1e 2ase o0 Att+. de $era

91o 9as admitted to t1e pra2ti2e o0 la9 in a 0orei*n ;)risdi2tion 4State Bar o0 Cali0ornia,

U.S.A.5 and a*ainst 91om 21ar*es 9ere 0iled in 2onne2tion 9it1 1is pra2ti2e in said

;)risdi2tion. (o9e3er, )nli8e t1e 2ase o0 Att+. Ma7)era, no 0inal ;)d*ment 0or s)spension

or dis6arment 9as meted a*ainst Att+. de $era despite a re2ommendation o0

s)spension o0 t1ree +ears as 1e s)rrendered 1is li2ense to pra2ti2e la9 6e0ore 1is 2ase

2o)ld 6e ta8en )p 6+ t1e S)preme Co)rt o0 Cali0ornia.

In 9a1uera, 9e emp1asi?ed t1at t1e ;)d*ment o0 s)spension a*ainst a Eilipino

la9+er in a 0orei*n ;)risdi2tion does not a)tomati2all+ res)lt in 1is s)spension or

dis6arment in t1e P1ilippines as t1e a2ts *i3in* rise to 1is s)spension are not *ro)nds

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

21/89

0or dis6arment and s)spension in t1is ;)risdi2tion. ')d*ment o0 s)spension a*ainst a

Eilipino la9+er ma+ transm)te into a similar ;)d*ment o0 s)spension in

t1e P1ilippines onl+ i0 t1e 6asis o0 t1e 0orei*n 2o)rts a2tion in2l)des an+ o0 t1e *ro)nds

0or dis6arment or s)spension in t1is ;)risdi2tion. e li8e9ise 1eld t1at t1e ;)d*ment o0

t1e 0orei*n 2o)rt merel+ 2onstit)tesprima facie e3iden2e o0 )net1i2al a2ts as la9+er.

"1e 9a1uera r)lin* is 2onsistent 9it1 R)le F, Se2tion D, o0 t1e R)les o0 Co)rt

91i21 pro3ides:

Se2. D. !00e2t o0 0orei*n ;)d*ments or 0inal orders. - "1e e00e2t o0 a

;)d*ment or 0inal order o0 a tri6)nal o0 a 0orei*n 2o)ntr+, 1a3in* ;)risdi2tion

to render t1e ;)d*ment or 0inal order is as 0ollo9s:x x x x465 In 2ase o0 a ;)d*ment or 0inal order a*ainst a person, t1e ;)d*ment or0inal order is pres)mpti3e e3iden2e o0 a ri*1t as 6et9een t1e parties andt1eir s)22essors in interest 6+ a s)6se7)ent title.

In eit1er 2ase, t1e ;)d*ment or 0inal order ma+ 6e repelled 6+e3iden2e o0 a 9ant o0 ;)risdi2tion, 9ant o0 noti2e to t1e part+, 2oll)sion,0ra)d, or 2lear mista8e o0 la9 or 0a2t.

In Philippine Aluminum &heels, Inc. v. asgi -nterprises, Inc.,9e explained

t1at 0orei*n ;)d*ment is pres)med to 6e 3alid and 6indin* in t1e 2o)ntr+ 0rom 91i21 it

2omes, )ntil a 2ontrar+ s1o9in*, on t1e 6asis o0 a pres)mption o0 re*)larit+ o0

pro2eedin*s and t1e *i3in* o0 d)e noti2e in t1e 0orei*n 0or)m.

In 1erein 2ase, 2onsiderin* t1at t1ere is te21ni2all+ no 0orei*n ;)d*ment to spea8

o0, t1e re2ommendation 6+ t1e 1earin* o00i2er o0 t1e State Bar o0 Cali0ornia does not

2onstit)teprima facie e3iden2e o0 )net1i2al 6e1a3ior 6+ Att+. de $era. Complainant

m)st pro3e 6+ s)6stantial e3iden2e t1e 0a2ts )pon 91i21 t1e re2ommendation 6+ t1e

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

22/89

1earin* o00i2er 9as 6ased. I0 1e is s)22ess0)l in t1is, 1e m)st t1en pro3e t1at t1ese a2ts

are li8e9ise )net1i2al )nder P1ilippine la9.

here is substantial evidence of malpractice onthe part of Atty. de $era independent of therecommendation of suspension by the hearingofficer of the !tate "ar of California

Se2tion o0 R)le =FD o0 o)r R)les o0 Co)rt states:

S!C. . 6isarment or suspension of attorne"s " Supreme CourtE

grounds therefor.A mem6er o0 t1e 6ar ma+ 6e dis6arred or s)spended

0rom 1is o00i2e as attorne+ 6+ t1e S)preme Co)rt 0or an+ de2eit,malpra2ti2e, or ot1er *ross mis2ond)2t in s)21 o00i2e, *rossl+ immoral2ond)2t, or 6+ reason o0 1is 2on3i2tion o0 a 2rime in3ol3in* moral t)rpit)de,or 0or an+ 3iolation o0 t1e oat1 91i21 1e is re7)ired to ta8e 6e0oreadmission to pra2ti2e, or 0or a 9il0)l diso6edien2e o0 an+ la90)l order o0 as)perior 2o)rt, or 0or 2orr)ptl+ or 9il0)ll+ appearin* as an attorne+ 0or apart+ to a 2ase 9it1o)t a)t1orit+ so to do. "1e pra2ti2e o0 soli2itin* 2ases atla9 0or t1e p)rpose o0 *ain, eit1er personall+ or t1ro)*1 paid a*ents or6ro8ers, 2onstit)tes malpra2ti2e.

"1e dis6arment or s)spension o0 a mem6er o0 t1e P1ilippine Bar 6+

a 2ompetent 2o)rt or ot1er dis2iplinar+ a*en2+ in a 0orei*n ;)risdi2tion91ere 1e 1as also 6een admitted as an attorne+ is a *ro)nd 0or 1isdis6arment or s)spension i0 t1e 6asis o0 s)21 a2tion in2l)des an+ o0 t1ea2ts 1ereina6o3e en)merated.

"1e ;)d*ment, resol)tion or order o0 t1e 0orei*n 2o)rt or dis2iplinar+

a*en2+ s1all 6eprima facie e3iden2e o0 t1e *ro)nd 0or dis6arment ors)spension.

#is2iplinar+ a2tion a*ainst a la9+er is intended to prote2t t1e 2o)rt and t1e p)6li2

0rom t1e mis2ond)2t o0 o00i2ers o0 t1e 2o)rt and to prote2t t1e administration o0 ;)sti2e

6+ re7)irin* t1at t1ose 91o exer2ise t1is important 0)n2tion s1all 6e 2ompetent,

1onora6le and relia6le men in 91om 2o)rts and 2lients ma+ repose 2on0iden2e. "1e

stat)tor+ en)n2iation o0 t1e *ro)nds 0or dis6arment on s)spension is not to 6e ta8en as

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

23/89

a limitation on t1e *eneral po9er o0 2o)rts to s)spend or dis6ar a la9+er. "1e in1erent

po9er o0 t1e 2o)rt o3er its o00i2ers 2annot 6e restri2ted.

Malpra2ti2e ordinaril+ re0ers to an+ mal0easan2e or dereli2tion o0 d)t+ 2ommitted

6+ a la9+er. Se2tion *i3es a spe2ial and te21ni2al meanin* to t1e term Malpra2ti2e.

"1at meanin* is in 2onsonan2e 9it1 t1e elementar+ notion t1at t1e pra2ti2e o0 la9 is a

pro0ession, not a 6)siness.

Unpro0essional 2ond)2t in an attorne+ is t1at 91i21 3iolates t1e r)les on et1i2al

2ode o0 1is pro0ession or 91i21 is )n6e2omin* a mem6er o0 t1at pro0ession.

No9, t1e )ndisp)ted 0a2ts:

=. An administrati3e 2ase a*ainst Att+. de $era 9as 0iled 6e0ore t1e State Bar

o0 Cali0ornia, do28eted t1en as Adm. Case No. D/--=D. It arose 0rom an

ins)ran2e 2ase Att+. de $era 1andled in3ol3in* ')li)s illis, III 91o 0i*)red in an

a)tomo6ile a22ident in =D/. Att+. de $era 9as a)t1ori?ed 6+ t1e elder illis

40at1er o0 ')li)s 91o 9as *i3en a)t1orit+ 6+ t1e son to 2ontrol t1e 2ase 6e2a)se

t1e latter 9as t1en st)d+in* in San #ie*o Cali0ornia5 0or t1e release o0 t1e 0)nds

in settlement o0 t1e 2ase. Att+. de $era re2ei3ed a 21e28 in settlement o0 t1e 2ase

91i21 1e t1en deposited to 1is personal a22o)nt

. "1e (earin* re0eree in t1e said administrati3e 2ase re2ommended t1at Att+.

de $era 6e s)spended 0rom t1e pra2ti2e o0 la9 0or t1ree +ears and

F. Att+. de $era resi*ned 0rom t1e Cali0ornia Bar 91i21 resi*nation 9as

a22epted 6+ t1e S)preme Co)rt o0 Cali0ornia.

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

24/89

Att+. de $era 3e1ementl+ insists t1at t1e 0ore*oin* 0a2ts do not pro3e t1at 1e

misappropriated 1is 2lients 0)nds as t1e latters 0at1er 4t1e elder illis5 *a3e 1im

a)t1orit+ to )se t1e same and t1at, )n0ort)natel+, t1e 1earin* o00i2er did not 2onsider

t1is explanation not9it1standin* t1e 0a2t t1at t1e elder illis testi0ied )nder oat1 t1at 1e

expe2ted de $era mi*1t )se t1e mone+ 0or a 0e9 da+s.

B+ insistin* t1at 1e 9as a)t1ori?ed 6+ 1is 2lients 0at1er and attorne+-in-0a2t to )se

t1e 0)nds, Att+. de $era 1as impliedl+ admitted t1e )se o0 t1e illis 0)nds 0or 1is o9n

personal )se.

In 0a2t, Att+. de $era did not den+ 2omplainants alle*ation in t1e latters

memorand)m t1at 1e 4de $era5 re2ei3ed US=,. intended 0or 1is 2lient and t1at

1e deposited said amo)nt in 1is personal a22o)nt and not in a separate tr)st a22o)nt

and t1at, 0inall+, 1e spent t1e amo)nt 0or personal p)rposes.

At t1is point, it 6ears stressin* t1at in 2ases 0iled 6e0ore administrati3e and 7)asi-

;)di2ial 6odies, a 0a2t ma+ 6e deemed esta6lis1ed i0 it is s)pported 6+ s)6stantial

e3iden2e or t1at amo)nt o0 rele3ant e3iden2e 91i21 a reasona6le mind mi*1t a22ept as

ade7)ate to ;)sti0+ a 2on2l)sion.It means s)21 e3iden2e 91i21 a00ords a s)6stantial

6asis 0rom 91i21 t1e 0a2t in iss)e 2an 6e reasona6l+ in0erred.

Be+ond do)6t, t1e )na)t1ori?ed )se 6+ a la9+er o0 1is 2lients 0)nds is 1i*1l+

)net1i2al. Canon =/ o0 t1e Code o0 Pro0essional Responsi6ilit+ is emp1ati2 a6o)t t1is,

t1)s:

CANON =/. A %A!R S(A%% (O%# IN "RUS" A%% MON!S AN#PROP!R"I!S OE (IS C%I!N" "(A" MA COM! "O (IS POSS!SSION.R)le =/.=. A la9+er s1all a22o)nt 0or all mone+ or propert+ 2olle2ted orre2ei3ed 0or or 0rom t1e 2lient.
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn42http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn43http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn44http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn42http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn43http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn44

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

25/89

R)le =/.. A la9+er s1all 8eep t1e 0)nds o0 ea21 2lient separate and apart0rom 1is o9n and t1ose o0 ot1ers 8ept 6+ 1im.

In -spiritu v. ;lep9e 1eld t1at

"1e relation 6et9een attorne+ and 2lient is 1i*1l+ 0id)2iar+ in nat)re.Bein* s)21, it re7)ires )tmost *ood 0ait1, lo+alt+, 0idelit+ anddisinterestedness on t1e part o0 t1e attorne+. Its 0id)2iar+ nat)re is intended0or t1e prote2tion o0 t1e 2lient.

"1e Code o0 Pro0essional Responsi6ilit+ mandates e3er+ la9+er to

1old in tr)st all mone+ and properties o0 1is 2lient t1at ma+ 2ome into 1ispossession. A22ordin*l+, 1e s1all a22o)nt 0or all mone+ or propert+2olle2ted or re2ei3ed 0or or 0rom t1e 2lient. !3en more spe2i0i2 is t1e Canono0 Pro0essional !t1i2s:

"1e la9+er s1o)ld re0rain 0rom an+ a2tion 91ere6+ 0or1is personal 6ene0it or *ain 1e a6)ses or ta8es ad3anta*e o0t1e 2on0iden2e reposed in 1im 6+ 1is 2lient.

Mone+ o0 t1e 2lient or 2olle2ted 0or t1e 2lient or ot1er

tr)st propert+ 2omin* into t1e possession o0 t1e la9+ers1o)ld 6e reported and a22o)nted 0or *%+69and s1o)ldnot )nder)/9 2ir2)mstan2es 6e 2ommin*led 9it1 1is o9n or6e )sed 6+ 1im.

Conse7)entl+, a la9+erHs 0ail)re to ret)rn )pon demand t1e 0)nds or

propert+ 1eld 6+ 1im on 6e1al0 o0 1is 2lient *i3es rise to t1e pres)mptiont1at 1e 1as appropriated t1e same 0or 1is o9n )se to t1e pre;)di2e o0, andin 3iolation o0 t1e tr)st reposed in 1im 6+, 1is 2lient. It is a *ross 3iolation o0*eneral moralit+ as 9ell as o0 pro0essional et1i2s it impairs t1e p)6li22on0iden2e in t1e le*al pro0ession and deser3es p)nis1ment.

%a9+ers 91o misappropriate t1e 0)nds entr)sted to t1em are in

*ross 3iolation o0 pro0essional et1i2s and are *)ilt+ o0 6etra+al o0 p)6li22on0iden2e in t1e le*al pro0ession. "1ose 91o are *)ilt+ o0 s)21 in0ra2tionma+ 6e dis6arred or s)spended inde0initel+ 0rom t1e pra2ti2e o0la9. 4!mp1ases s)pplied.5

In 1erein 2ase, as it is admitted 6+ Att+. de $era 1imsel0 t1at 1e )sed 1is 2lients

mone+ 0or personal )se, 1e 1as )n9ittin*l+ sealed 1is o9n 0ate sin2e t1is admission

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

26/89

2onstit)tes more t1an s)6stantial e3iden2e o0 malpra2ti2e. Conse7)entl+, Att+. de $era

no9 1as t1e 6)rden o0 re6)ttin* t1e e3iden2e 91i21 1e 1imsel0 s)pplied.

In 1is de0ense, Att+. de $era 2laims t1at 1e 9as d)l+ a)t1ori?ed 6+ t1e elder illis to

)se t1e 0)nds intended 0or t1e latters son. Att+. de $era also points o)t t1at 1e 1ad

restit)ted t1e 0)ll amo)nt o0 US=,. e3en 6e0ore t1e 0ilin* o0 t1e administrati3e

2ase a*ainst 1im in t1e State Bar o0 Cali0ornia.

Aside 0rom t1ese sel0-ser3in* statements, 1o9e3er, 9e 2annot 0ind an+91ere in

t1e re2ords o0 t1is 2ase proo0 t1at indeed Att+. de $era 9as d)l+ a)t1ori?ed to )se t1e

0)nds o0 1is 2lient. In $adjaie v. Att". Alovera9e de2lared t1at

1en t1e inte*rit+ o0 a mem6er o0 t1e 6ar is 21allen*ed, it is not eno)*1t1at 1e denies t1e 21ar*es a*ainst 1im 1e m)st meet t1e iss)e ando3er2ome t1e e3iden2e a*ainst 1im. (e m)st s1o9 proo0 t1at 1e stillmaintains t1at de*ree o0 moralit+ and inte*rit+ 91i21 at all times isexpe2ted o0 1im.

Att+. de $era 2annot rel+ on t1e statement made 6+ t1e 1earin* o00i2er t1at t1e elder

illis 1ad indeed testi0ied t1at 1e expe2ted de $era mi*1t )se t1e mone+ 0or a 0e9

da+s. As Att+. de $era 1ad 3i*oro)sl+ o6;e2ted to t1e admissi6ilit+ o0 t1e do2)ment

2ontainin* t1is statement, 1e is no9 estopped 0rom rel+in* t1ereon. Besides, t1at t1e

elder illis expe2ted de $era mi*1t )se t1e mone+ 0or a 0e9 da+s 9as not so m)21 an

a28no9led*ment o0 2onsent to t1e )se 6+ Att+. de $era o0 1is 2lients 0)nds as it 9as an

a22eptan2e o0 t1e pro6a6ilit+ t1at Att+. de $era mi*1t, indeed, )se 1is 2lients 0)nds,

91i21 6+ itsel0 did not spea8 9ell o0 t1e 21ara2ter o0 Att+. de $era or t1e 9a+ s)2121ara2ter 9as per2ei3ed.

In t1e instant 2ase, t1e a2t o0 Att+. de $era in 1oldin* on to 1is 2lients mone+ 9it1o)t t1e

latters a27)ies2en2e is 2ond)2t indi2ati3e o0 la28 o0 inte*rit+ and propriet+. It is 2lear t1at

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

27/89

Att+. de $era, 6+ depositin* t1e 21e28 in 1is o9n a22o)nt and )sin* t1e same 0or 1is

o9n 6ene0it is *)ilt+ o0 de2eit, malpra2ti2e, *ross mis2ond)2t and )net1i2al 6e1a3ior. (e

2a)sed dis1onor, not onl+ to 1imsel0 6)t to t1e no6le pro0ession to 91i21 1e

6elon*s. Eor, it 2annot 6e denied t1at t1e respe2t o0 liti*ants to t1e pro0ession is

inexora6l+ diminis1ed 91ene3er a mem6er o0 t1e pro0ession 6etra+s t1eir tr)st and

2on0iden2e.Respondent 3iolated 1is oat1 to 2ond)2t 1imsel0 9it1 all *ood 0idelit+ to

1is 2lient.

Ne3ert1eless, 9e do not a*ree 9it1 2omplainants plea to dis6ar respondent 0rom t1e

pra2ti2e o0 la9. "1e po9er to dis6ar m)st 6e exer2ised 9it1 *reat 2a)tion. 1ere an+

lesser penalt+ 2an a22omplis1 t1e end desired, dis6arment s1o)ld not 6e de2reed.

In 9ortera v. Pagatpatan,9e imposed )pon Att+. Pa*atpatan t9o +ears s)spension

0rom 1is pra2ti2e o0 la9 0or depositin* t1e 0)nds meant 0or 1is 2lient to 1is personal

a22o)nt 9it1o)t t1e latters 8no9led*e. In $e"es v. 9agla"aCastillo v. #aguinesE

%52&-spiritu v. Att". Caredo I7, t1e respondents 9ere meted one +ear s)spension

ea21 0or 0ailin* to remit to t1eir 2lients monies in t1e amo)nts o0 P=,. P.,

and P=,=/=., respe2ti3el+, re2ei3ed 6+ t1em 0or t1eir 2lients 9it1o)t t1e latters

permission.In 6umadag v. Att". uma"a,%5'&9e inde0initel+ s)spended respondent 0or

0ail)re to remit to 1is 2lient t1e amo)nt o0 t1e measl+ s)m o0 P,F. representin* t1e

amo)nt re2ei3ed p)rs)ant to a 9rit o0 exe2)tion. Considerin* t1e amo)nt in3ol3ed 1ere

US=,., 9e 6elie3e t1at t1e penalt+ o0 s)spension 0or t9o 45 +ears is

appropriate.

ransferring (") membership to a chapter wherethe lawyer is not a resident of is not a ground forhis suspension or disbarment

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

28/89

Complainant insists t1at Att+. de $eras trans0er o0 mem6ers1ip 0rom t1e Pasa+,

Paraa7)e, %as Pias and M)ntinl)pa 4PP%M5 C1apter to t1e A*)san del S)r IBP C1apter

is a 2ir2)m3ention o0 t1e rotation r)le as it 9as made 0or t1e sole p)rpose o0 6e2omin*

IBP National President. Complainant stresses t1at Att+. de $era is not a resident o0

A*)san del S)r nor does 1e 1old o00i2e t1erein.

In Adm. Case No. /, 9e 1eld t1at Att+. de $eras a2t o0 trans0errin* to anot1er

IBP C1apter is not a *ro)nd 0or 1is dis7)ali0i2ation 0or t1e post o0 IBP Go3ernor as t1e

same is allo9ed )nder Se2tion = o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s 9it1 t1e 7)ali0i2ation onl+ t1at t1e

trans0er 6e made not less t1an t1ree mont1s immediatel+ pre2edin* an+ 21apter

ele2tion.

As it 9as per0e2tl+ 9it1in Att+. de $eras ri*1t to trans0er 1is mem6ers1ip, it 2annot

6e said t1at 1e is *)ilt+ o0 )net1i2al 2ond)2t or 6e1a3ior. And 91ile one ma+ in2essantl+

ar*)e t1at a le*al a2t ma+ not ne2essaril+ 6e et1i2al, in 1erein 2ase, 9e do not see

an+t1in* 9ron* in trans0errin* to an IBP 21apter t1at -- 6ased on t1e rotation r)le 9ill

prod)2e t1e next IBP !$P 91o 9ill a)tomati2all+ s)22eed to t1e National Presiden2+ 0or

t1e next term. O)r Code o0 Pro0essional Responsi6ilit+ as 9ell as t1e %a9+ers Oat1 do

not pro1i6it nor p)nis1 la9+ers 0rom aspirin* to 6e IBP National President and 0rom

doin* per0e2tl+ le*al a2ts in a22omplis1in* s)21 *oal.B)* M)++* N%. 122(A/5+*)+; M)++* N%. !-!-1!-SC

"o resol3e Bar Matter No. = and Administrati3e Matter No. -- =-SC, t1e

0ollo9in* iss)es m)st 6e addressed:

I. 1et1er t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors a2ted 9it1 *ra3e a6)se o0dis2retion in remo3in* Att+. de $era as Go3ernor and !$P o0 t1e IBP on =FMa+ .

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

29/89

i. 1et1er t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors2omplied 9it1 administrati3e d)e pro2ess in remo3in* Att+. de $era.

ii. 1et1er t1e IBP remo3ed Att+. #e $era 0or;)st and 3alid 2a)se.

II. 1et1er Go3ernor Sala?ar 9as 3alidl+ ele2ted as !$P o0 t1e IBP on ')ne , and 2an 2onse7)entl+ ass)me t1e Presiden2+ o0 t1e IBP 0or t1eterm -.

he (") "oard observed due process in itsremoval of Atty. de $era as (") *overnor

e start t1e dis2)ssion 9it1 t1e 3erita6le 0a2t t1at t1e IBP Board is 3ested 9it1

t1e po9er to remo3e an+ o0 its mem6ers p)rs)ant to Se2tion , Arti2le $I o0 t1e IBP

B+-%a9s, 91i21 states:

!ec. ''. +emoval of members. I0 t1e Board o0 Go3ernors s1o)lddetermine a0ter proper in7)ir+ t1at an+ o0 its mem6ers, ele2ti3e orot1er9ise, 1as 0or an+ reason 6e2ome )na6le to per0orm 1is d)ties, t1eBoard, 6+ resol)tion o0 t1e Ma;orit+ o0 t1e remainin* mem6ers, ma+de2lare 1is position 3a2ant, s)6;e2t to t1e appro3al o0 t1e S)preme Co)rt.

A/9

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

30/89

In t1e main, Att+. de $era 7)estions 1is remo3al 0rom t1e Board o0 Go3ernors on

pro2ed)ral and s)6stanti3e *ro)nds. (e ar*)es t1at 1e 9as denied 3er+ 6asi2 ri*1ts o0

d)e pro2ess re2o*ni?ed 6+ t1e (onora6le Co)rt e3en in administrati3e 2ases li8e t1e

ri*1t to ans9er 0ormall+ or in 9ritin* and 9it1in reasona6le time, t1e ri*1t to present

9itnesses in 1is 6e1al0, t1e ri*1t to a 0air 1earin*. Att+. de $era protests t1e 0a2t t1at 1e

9as not a6le to 2ross-examine t1e 2omplainant, IBP Go3. Rom)lo (. Ri3era 4Att+.

Ri3era5 and t1at Att+. Ri3era 3oted as 9ell 0or 1is exp)lsion 91i21 made 1im a22)ser,

prose2)tor and ;)d*e at t1e same time. Att+. de $era emp1asi?ed t1e 0a2t t1at Att+.

Ri3era initiall+ in1i6ited 1imsel0 0rom 3otin* on 1is o9n motion. (o9e3er, 91en 1is

in1i6ition res)lted in t1e de0eat o0 1is motion as t1e ne2essar+ @F 3otes 2o)ld not 6e

m)stered, Att+. Ri3era as8ed 0or anot1er ro)nd o0 3otin* so 1e 2o)ld 3ote to s)pport 1is

o9n motion.

"1e IBP Board 2o)nters t1at sin2e its mem6ers 9ere present d)rin* t1e plenar+

session, and personall+ 9itnessed and 1eard Att+. de $eras a2t)ations, an e3identiar+

or 0ormal 1earin* 9as no lon*er ne2essar+. Sin2e t1e+ all 9itnessed and 1eard Att+. de

$era, it 9as eno)*1 t1at 1e 9as *i3en an opport)nit+ to re0)te and ans9er all t1e

21ar*es imp)ted a*ainst 1im. "1e+ emp1asi?ed t1at Att+. de $era 9as *i3en a 2op+ o0

t1e 2omplaint and t1at 1e 9as present at t1e Board Meetin* on =F Ma+ 91erein

t1e letter-2omplaint a*ainst 1im 9as part o0 t1e a*enda. "1erein, 1e 9as *i3en t1e

opport)nit+ to 6e 1eard and t1at, in 0a2t, Att+. de $era did ar*)e 1is 2ase.

e are in a*reement 9it1 t1e IBP Board.

Eirst, it needs stressin* t1at t1e 2onstit)tional pro3ision on d)e pro2ess sa0e*)ards li0e,

li6ert+ and propert+.It 2annot 6e said t1at t1e position o0 !$P o0 t1e IBP is propert+

9it1in t1e 2onstit)tional sense espe2iall+ sin2e t1ere is no ri*1t to se2)rit+ o0 ten)re o3er

said position as, in 0a2t, all t1at is re7)ired to remo3e an+ mem6er o0 t1e 6oard o0

*o3ernors 0or 2a)se is a resol)tion adopted 6+ @F o0 t1e remainin* mem6ers o0 t1e

6oard.

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

31/89

Se2ondl+, e3en i0 t1e ri*1t o0 d)e pro2ess 2o)ld 6e ri*1t0)ll+ in3o8ed, still, in

administrati3e pro2eedin*s, t1e essen2e o0 d)e pro2ess is simpl+ t1e opport)nit+ to

explain ones side.At t1e o)tset, it is 1ere emp1asi?ed t1at t1e term d)e pro2ess o0

la9 as )sed in t1e Constit)tion 1as no 0ixed meanin* 0or all p)rposes d)e to t1e 3er+

nat)re o0 t1e do2trine 91i21, assertin* a 0)ndamental prin2iple o0 ;)sti2e rat1er t1an a

spe2i0i2 r)le o0 la9, is not s)s2epti6le o0 more t1an one *eneral statement. "1e p1rase

is so el)si3e o0 exa2t appre1ension,6e2a)se it depends on 2ir2)mstan2es and 3aries

9it1 t1e s)6;e2t matter and t1e ne2essities o0 t1e sit)ation.

#)e pro2ess o0 la9 in administrati3e 2ases is not identi2al 9it1 ;)di2ial pro2ess 0or a trial

in 2o)rt is not al9a+s essential to d)e pro2ess. 1ile a da+ in 2o)rt is a matter o0 ri*1t in

;)di2ial pro2eedin*s, it is ot1er9ise in administrati3e pro2eedin*s sin2e t1e+ rest )pon

di00erent prin2iples. "1e d)e pro2ess 2la)se *)arantees no parti2)lar 0orm o0 pro2ed)re

and its re7)irements are not te21ni2al. "1)s, in 2ertain pro2eedin*s o0 administrati3e

21ara2ter, t1e ri*1t to a noti2e or 1earin* are not essential to d)e pro2ess o0 la9. "1e

2onstit)tional re7)irement o0 d)e pro2ess is met 6+ a 0air 1earin* 6e0ore a re*)larl+

esta6lis1ed administrati3e a*en2+ or tri6)nal. It is not essential t1at 1earin*s 6e 1ad

6e0ore t1e ma8in* o0 a determination i0 t1erea0ter, t1ere is a3aila6le trial and tri6)nal

6e0ore 91i21 all o6;e2tions and de0enses to t1e ma8in* o0 s)21 determination ma+ 6e

raised and 2onsidered. One ade7)ate 1earin* is all t1at d)e pro2ess re7)ires. 1at is

re7)ired 0or 1earin* ma+ di00er as t1e 0)n2tions o0 t1e administrati3e 6odies di00er.

"1e ri*1t to 2ross-examine is not an indispensa6le aspe2t o0 d)e pro2ess. Nor is an

a2t)al 1earin* al9a+s essentialespe2iall+ )nder t1e 0a2t)al milie) o0 t1is 2ase 91ere

t1e mem6ers o0 t1e IBP Board -- )pon 91ose s1o)lders t1e determination o0 t1e 2a)se

0or remo3al o0 an IBP *o3ernor is pla2ed s)6;e2t to t1e appro3al o0 t1e S)preme Co)rt all

9itnessed Att+. de $eras a2t)ations in t1e IBP National Con3ention in 7)estion.
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn56http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn57http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn58http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn59http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn60http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn61http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn62http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn56http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn57http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn58http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn59http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn60http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn61http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn62

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

32/89

It is )ndisp)ted t1at Att+. de $era re2ei3ed a 2op+ o0 t1e 2omplaint a*ainst 1im and t1at

1e 9as present 91en t1e matter 9as ta8en )p. Erom t1e trans2ript o0 t1e steno*rap1i2

notes o0 t1e =F Ma+ meetin* 91erein Att+. de $era 9as remo3ed, it is patent t1at

Att+. de $era 9as *i3en 0air opport)nit+ to de0end 1imsel0 a*ainst t1e a22)sations made

6+ Att+. Ri3era.

Att+. de $era, 1o9e3er, additionall+ 7)estions t1e 0a2t t1at Att+. Ri3era, 91o a)t1ored t1e

2omplaint a*ainst 1im, also 3oted 0or 1is exp)lsion ma8in* 1im a22)ser, prose2)tor and

;)d*e at t1e same time. Att+. de $era li8e9ise laments t1e 0a2t t1at Att+. Ri3era initiall+

in1i6ited 1imsel0 0rom 3otin* 6)t 91en t1is res)lted in t1e de0eat o0 1is motion 0or la28 o0

t1e ne2essar+ @F 3ote, 1e a*reed to anot1er ro)nd o0 3otin* and t1at, t1is time, 1e

3oted in 0a3or o0 1is motion.

Eor t1e re2ord, o0 t1e nine *o3ernors 2omprisin* t1e IBP Board, six 3oted 0or Att+.

de $eras exp)lsion 4in2l)din* Att+. Ri3era5 91ile F 3oted a*ainst it 4in2l)din* Att+. de

$era5.

Se2tion 4se2ond para*rap15 o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s pro3ides:

An+ mem6er o0 t1e Board, ele2ti3e or ot1er9ise, ma+ 6e remo3ed

0or 2a)se, in2l)din* t1ree 2onse2)ti3e a6sen2es 0rom Board meetin*s9it1o)t ;)sti0ia6le ex2)se, 6+ resol)tion adopted 6+ t9o-t1irds o0t1e *)//7mem6ers o0 t1e Board, s)6;e2t to t1e appro3al o0 t1eS)preme Co)rt. 4!mp1asis s)pplied.5

Under t1e r)les, a resol)tion 0or exp)lsion o0 an IBP Go3ernor is done via a resol)tion

adopted 6+ @F o0 t1e remainin* mem6ers. "1e p1rase remainin* mem6ers re0ers to t1e

mem6ers ex2l)si3e o0 t1e 2omplainant mem6er and t1e respondent mem6er. "1e

reason t1ere0ore is t1at s)21 mem6ers are interested parties and are t1)s pres)med to

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

33/89

6e )na6le to resol3e said motion impartiall+. "1is 6ein* t1e 2ase, t1e 3otes o0 Att+s.

Ri3era and de $era s1o)ld 6e stri28en-o00 91i21 means t1at onl+ t1e 3otes o0 t1e se3en

remainin* mem6ers are to 6e 2o)nted. O0 t1e se3en remainin* mem6ers, 0i3e 3oted 0or

exp)lsion 91ile t9o 3oted a*ainst it 91i21 still adds )p to t1e @F 3ote re7)irement 0or

exp)lsion.

he (") "oard removed Atty. de $era as (")*overnor for just and valid cause

All t1e 2on2erned parties to t1is 2ase a*ree t1at 91at 2onstit)tes 2a)se 0or t1e

remo3al o0 an IBP Go3ernor 1as not 6een de0ined 6+ Se2tion o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9sal6eit it in2l)des t1ree 2onse2)ti3e a6sen2es 0rom Board meetin*s 9it1o)t ;)sti0ia6le

ex2)se. "1)s, t1e IBP Board ar*)es t1at it is 3ested 9it1 s)00i2ient po9er and a)t1orit+

to prote2t itsel0 0rom an intra2ta6le mem6er 91ose remo3al 9as 2a)sed not 6+ 1is

disa*reement 9it1 t1e IBP Board 6)t d)e to 3ario)s a2ts 2ommitted 6+ 1im 91i21 t1e

IBP Board 2onsidered as inimi2al to t1e IBP Board in parti2)lar and t1e IBP in *eneral.

Att+. de $era, on t1e ot1er 1and, insists t1at spea8in* in disa*reement 9it1 t1e

Resol)tion o0 t1e Board d)rin* t1e Con3entions Plenar+ Session is not a 3alid 2a)se to

remo3e or expel a d)l+-ele2ted mem6er o0 t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors and t1e de2ision

to remo3e 1im onl+ s1o9s t1at t1e ri*1t to 0reedom o0 spee21 or t1e ri*1t to dissent is

not re2o*ni?ed 6+ t1e IBP Board.

A0ter 9ei*1in* t1e ar*)ments o0 t1e parties and in 8eepin* 9it1 t1e 0)ndamental

o6;e2ti3e o0 t1e IBP to dis21ar*e its p)6li2 responsi6ilit+ more e00e2ti3el+, 9e 1ere6+ 0ind

t1at Att+. de $eras remo3al 0rom t1e IBP Board 9as not 2apri2io)s or ar6itrar+.

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

34/89

Ind)6ita6l+, 2on0li2ts and disa*reements o0 3ar+in* de*rees o0 intensit+, i0 not

animosit+, are in1erent in t1e internal li0e o0 an or*ani?ation, 6)t espe2iall+ o0 t1e IBP

sin2e la9+ers are said to disa*ree 6e0ore t1e+ a*ree.

(o9e3er, t1e e00e2ti3eness o0 t1e IBP, li8e an+ ot1er or*ani?ation, is dil)ted i0 t1e

2on0li2ts are 6ro)*1t o)tside its *o3ernin* 6od+ 0or t1en t1ere 9o)ld 6e t1e impression

t1at t1e IBP, 91i21 spea8s t1ro)*1 t1e Board o0 Go3ernors, does not and 2annot spea8

0or its mem6ers in an a)t1oritati3e 0as1ion. It 9o)ld a22ordin*l+ diminis1 t1e IBPs

presti*e and rep)te 9it1 t1e la9+ers as 9ell as 9it1 t1e *eneral p)6li2.

As a means o0 sel0-preser3ation, interne2ine 2on0li2ts m)st t1)s 6e ad;)sted 9it1in t1e

*o3ernin* 6oard itsel0 so as to 0ree it 0rom t1e stresses t1at in3aria6l+ arise 91en

internal 2lea3a*es are made p)6li2.

"1e do2trine o0 ma;orit+ r)le is almost )ni3ersall+ )sed as a me21anism 0or ad;)stin*

and resol3in* 2on0li2ts and disa*reements 9it1in t1e *ro)p a0ter t1e mem6ers 1a3e

6een *i3en an opport)nit+ to 6e 1eard. 1ile it does not e00a2e 2on0li2ts, nonet1eless,

on2e a de2ision on a 2ontentio)s matter is rea21ed 6+ a ma;orit+ 3ote, t1e dissentin*

minorit+ is 6o)nd t1ere6+ so t1at t1e 6oard 2an spea8 9it1 one 3oi2e, 0or t1ose ele2ted

to t1e *o3ernin* 6oard are deemed to impli2itl+ 2ontra2t t1at t1e 9ill o0 t1e ma;orit+ s1all

*o3ern in matters 9it1in t1e a)t1orit+ o0 t1e 6oard.

"1e IBP Board, t1ere0ore, 9as 9ell 9it1in its ri*1t in remo3in* Att+. de $era as t1e

latters a2t)ations d)rin* t1e = t1National IBP Con3ention 9ere detrimental to t1e role o0

t1e IBP Board as t1e *o3ernin* 6od+ o0 t1e IBP. 1en t1e IBP Board is not seen 6+ t1e

6ar and t1e p)6li2 as a 2o1esi3e )nit, it 2annot e00e2ti3el+ per0orm its d)t+ o0 1elpin* t1e

S)preme Co)rt en0or2e t1e 2ode o0 le*al et1i2s and t1e standards o0 le*al pra2ti2e as

9ell as impro3e t1e administration o0 ;)sti2e.

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

35/89

In 3ie9 o0 t1e importan2e o0 retainin* *ro)p 2o1esi3eness and )nit+, t1e exp)lsion o0 a

mem6er o0 t1e 6oard 91o insists on 6rin*in* to t1e p)6li2 1is disa*reement 9it1 a

poli2+@resol)tion appro3ed 6+ t1e ma;orit+ a0ter d)e dis2)ssion, 2annot 6e 0a)lted. "1e

e00e2ti3eness o0 t1e 6oard as a *o3ernin* 6od+ 9ill 6e ne*ated i0 its prono)n2ements

are resisted in p)6li2 6+ a 6oard mem6er.

Indeed, 91en a mem6er o0 a *o3ernin* 6od+ 2annot a22ept t1e 3oi2e o0 t1e ma;orit+, 1e

s1o)ld resi*n t1ere0rom so t1at 1e 2o)ld 2riti2i?e in p)6li2 t1e ma;orit+ opinion@de2ision

to 1is 1earts 2ontent ot1er9ise, 1e s)6;e2ts 1imsel0 to dis2iplinar+ a2tion 6+ t1e 6od+.

he removal of Atty. de $era as member of the"oard of *overnors ipso facto meant his removalas ,$) as well

"1e remo3al o0 Att+. de $era as mem6er o0 t1e Board o0 Go3ernors ipso factomeant

1is remo3al as !$P as 9ell. Se2tion , Arti2le $II o0 t1e B+-%a9s o0 t1e IBP pro3ides:

!,C. '-. National fficers. "1e Inte*rated Bar o0 t1e P1ilippines s1all1a3e a President and !xe2)ti3e $i2e President to 6e 21osen 6+ t1e Board

o0 Go3ernors 0rom amon* nine 45 re*ional *o3ernors, as m)21 aspra2ti2a6le, on a rotation 6asis. x x x

"1)s, to 6e !$P o0 t1e IBP, one m)st ne2essaril+ 6e a mem6er o0 IBP Board o0

Go3ernors. Att+. de $eras remo3al 0rom t1e Board o0 Go3ernors, a)tomati2all+

dis7)ali0ied 1im 0rom a2tin* as IBP !$P. "o insist ot1er9ise 9o)ld 6e 2ontrar+ to

Se2tion o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s.

he Court will not interfere with the +esolution ofthe (") "oard to remove Atty. de $era since it wasrendered without grave abuse of discretion

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

36/89

1ile it is tr)e t1at t1e S)preme Co)rt 1as 6een *ranted an extensi3e po9er o0

s)per3ision o3er t1e IBP,it is axiomati2 t1at s)21 po9er s1o)ld 6e exer2ised

pr)dentl+. "1e po9er o0 s)per3ision o0 t1e S)preme Co)rt o3er t1e IBP s1o)ld not

pre2l)de t1e IBP 0rom exer2isin* its reasona6le dis2retion espe2iall+ in t1e

administration o0 its internal a00airs *o3erned 6+ t1e pro3isions o0 its B+-%a9s. "1e IBP

B+-%a9s 9ere pre2isel+ dra0ted and prom)l*ated so as to de0ine t1e po9ers and

0)n2tions o0 t1e IBP and its o00i2ers, esta6lis1 its or*ani?ational str)2t)re, and *o3ern

relations and transa2tions amon* its o00i2ers and mem6ers. it1 t1ese B+-%a9s in

pla2e, t1e S)preme Co)rt 2o)ld 6e ass)red t1at t1e IBP s1all 6e a6le to 2arr+ on its

da+-to-da+ a00airs, 9it1o)t t1e Co)rts inter0eren2e.

It s1o)ld 6e noted t1at t1e *eneral 21ar*e o0 t1e a00airs and a2ti3ities o0 t1e IBP 1as

6een 3ested in t1e Board o0 Go3ernors. "1e mem6ers o0 t1e Board are ele2ti3e and

representati3e o0 ea21 o0 t1e nine re*ions o0 t1e IBP as delineated in its B+-%a9s. "1e

Board a2ts as a 2olle*iate 6od+ and de2ides in a22ordan2e 9it1 t1e 9ill o0 t1e

ma;orit+."1e 0ore*oin* r)les ser3e to ne*ate t1e possi6ilit+ o0 t1e IBP Board a2tin* on

t1e 6asis o0 personal interest or mali2e o0 its indi3id)al mem6ers. (en2e, t1e a2tions

and resol)tions o0 t1e IBP Board deser3e to 6e a22orded t1e disp)ta6le

pres)mptiono0 3alidit+, 91i21 s1all 2ontin)e, )ntil and )nless it is o3er2ome 6+

s)6stantial e3iden2e and a2t)all+ de2lared in3alid 6+ t1e S)preme Co)rt. In t1e

a6sen2e o0 an+ alle*ation and s)6stantial proo0 t1at t1e IBP Board 1as a2ted 9it1o)t or

in ex2ess o0 its a)t1orit+ or 9it1 *ra3e a6)se o0 dis2retion, 9e s1all not 6e pers)aded to

o3ert)rn and set aside t1e Boards a2tion or resol)tion.

"1ere is no 7)estion t1at t1e IBP Board 1as t1e a)t1orit+ to remo3e its mem6ers as

pro3ided in Arti2le $I, Se2tion o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s. Iss)e arises onl+ as to 91et1er

t1e IBP Board a6)sed its a)t1orit+ and dis2retion in resol3in* to remo3e Att+. de $era

0rom 1is post as an IBP Go3ernor and !$P. As 1as 6een pre3io)sl+ esta6lis1ed 1erein,

Att+. de $eras remo3al 0rom t1e IBP Board 9as in a22ordan2e 9it1 d)e pro2ess and t1e

IBP Board a2ted 9ell 9it1in t1e a)t1orit+ and dis2retion *ranted to it 6+ its B+-
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn64http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn65http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn66http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn67http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn64http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn65http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn66http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn67

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

37/89

%a9s. "1ere 6ein* no *ra3e a6)se o0 dis2retion on t1e part o0 t1e IBP Board, 9e 0ind no

reason to inter0ere in t1e Boards resol)tion to remo3e Att+. de $era.he election of Atty. !ala/ar by the (") "oard as(") ,$) in replacement of Atty. e $era was

conducted in accordance with the authoritygranted to the "oard by the (") "y1aws

In t1e same manner, 9e 0ind no reason to dist)r6 t1e a2tion ta8en 6+ t1e F-

IBP Board o0 Go3ernors in 1oldin* a spe2ial ele2tion to 0ill-in t1e 3a2ant post

res)ltin* 0rom t1e remo3al o0 Att+. de $era as !$P o0 t1e IBP sin2e t1e same is a p)rel+

internal matter, done 9it1o)t *ra3e a6)se o0 dis2retion, and implemented 9it1o)t

3iolatin* t1e R)les and B+-%a9s o0 t1e IBP.

it1 t1e remo3al o0 Att+. de $era 0rom t1e Board, 6+ 3irt)e o0 t1e IBP Board

Resol)tion dated =F Ma+ , 1e 9as also remo3ed 0rom 1is post as !$P t1)s, t1ere

9as a res)ltant 3a2an2+ in t1e position o0 IBP !$P.

Arti2le $I, Se2tion =4*5 o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s expressl+ *rants to t1e Board t1e a)t1orit+

to 0ill 3a2an2ies, 1o9e3er arisin*, in t1e IBP positions, s)6;e2t to t1e pro3isions o0

Se2tion D o0 t1e Inte*ration R)le, and Se2tion == 4$a2an2ies5,Se2tion 4Remo3al

o0 mem6ers5,Se2tion 4National o00i2ers5,Se2tion D 4ot1er o00i2ers5,and

Se2tion 4"erms o0 O00i2e5o0 t1e B+-%a9s. "1e IBP Board 1as spe2i0i2 and s)00i2ient

*)idelines in its R)les and B+-%a9s on 1o9 to 0ill-in t1e 3a2an2ies a0ter t1e remo3al o0

Att+. de $era. e 1a3e 0ait1 and 2on0iden2e in t1e intelle2t)al, emotional and et1i2al

2ompeten2ies o0 t1e remainin* mem6ers o0 t1e - Board in dealin* 9it1 t1e

sit)ation 9it1in t1e 6o)nds o0 t1e IBP R)les and B+-%a9s.

"1e ele2tion 6+ t1e F- IBP Board o0 Go3ernors o0 a ne9 !$P, 91o 9ill

ass)me t1e Presiden2+ 0or t1e term -, 9as 9ell 9it1in t1e a)t1orit+ and

prero*ati3e *ranted to t1e Board 6+ t1e IBP B+-%a9s, parti2)larl+ Arti2le $II, Se2tion ,
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn68http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn68http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn69http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn70http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn71http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn72http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn73http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn73http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn68http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn69http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn70http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn71http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn72http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2006/july2006/A.C.%20No.%206697.htm#_ftn73

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

38/89

91i21 pro3ides t1at 1e !$P s1all a)tomati2all+ 6e2ome President 0or t1e next

s)22eedin* term."1e p1rase 0or t1e next s)22eedin* term ne2essaril+ implies t1at t1e

!$P t1at s1o)ld s)22eed Att+. Cadi? as IBP President 0or t1e next s)22eedin* term

4i.e.,-5 s1o)ld 2ome 0rom t1e mem6ers o0 t1e F- IBP Board o0

Go3ernors. (en2e, in A.M. No. --=-SC, 9e restrained no9 IBP !$P Eeli2iano

Ba)tista 0rom ass)min* t1e position o0 A2tin* President 6e2a)se 9e 1a3e +et to resol3e

t1e 7)estion as to 91o s1all s)22eed Att+. Cadi? 0rom t1e F- IBP Board o0

Go3ernors.

A22ordin*l+, t1e ele2tions o0 Go3ernor Santia*o on =F ')ne as IBP !$P,

and t1erea0ter, Go3ernor Sala?ar on ')ne , as t1e ne9 IBP !$P, )pon t1e

relin7)is1ment o0 Go3. Santia*o o0 t1e position, 9ere 3alid.

Neit1er 2an t1is Co)rt *i3e 2reden2e to t1e ar*)ment o0 Att+. #e $era t1at, ass)min* 1is

remo3al as IBP Go3ernor and !$P 9as 3alid, 1is repla2ement as IBP !$P s1o)ld 2ome

0rom !astern Mindanao Re*ion p)rs)ant to t1e rotation r)le set 0ort1 in Arti2le $II,

Se2tion , o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s.

A22ordin* to Arti2le $II, Se2tion , o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s, t1e !$P s1all 6e 21osen

6+ t1e Board o0 Go3ernors 0rom amon* t1e nine Re*ional Go3ernors, as m)21 as

pra2ti2a6le, on a rotation 6asis. "1is is 6ased on o)r prono)n2ements in Bar Matter

=, 91erein 9e r)led:

OR#!R

x x x x

F. "1e 0ormer s+stem o0 1a3in* t1e IBP President and !xe2)ti3e $i2e-President ele2ted 6+ t1e Board o0 Go3ernors 42omposed o0 t1e *o3ernorso0 t1e nine IBP re*ions5 0rom amon* t1emsel3es 4as pro3ided in Se2., Art. $II, Ori*inal IBP B+-%a9s5 s1o)ld 6e restored. "1e ri*1t o0a)tomati2 s)22ession 6+ t1e !xe2)ti3e $i2e-President to t1e presiden2+

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

39/89

)pon t1e expiration o0 t1eir t9o-+ear term 491i21 9as a6olis1ed 6+ t1isCo)rtHs resol)tion dated ')l+ , =D in Bar Matter No. D5 s1o)ld 6e asit is 1ere6+ restored.. At t1e end o0 t1e PresidentHs t9o-+ear term, t1e !xe2)ti3e $i2e-

President s1all a)tomati2all+ s)22eed to t1e o00i2e o0 president. "1ein2omin* 6oard o0 *o3ernors s1all t1en ele2t an !xe2)ti3e $i2e-President0rom amon* t1emsel3es. T3 %5+%/ % E?4+; V-P*5/+53)66

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

40/89

Moreo3er, t1e appli2ation o0 t1e rotation r)le is not a li2ense to disre*ard t1e

spirit and p)rpose o0 t1e a)tomati2 s)22ession r)le, 6)t s1o)ld 6e applied in 1armon+

9it1 t1e latter. "1e a)tomati2 s)22ession r)le a00ords t1e IBP leaders1ip transition

seamless and ena6les t1e ne9 IBP National President to attend to pressin* and )r*ent

matters 9it1o)t 1a3in* to expend 3al)a6le time 0or t1e )s)al ad;)stment and leaders1ip

2onsolidation period. "1e time t1at an IBP !$P spends assistin* a sittin* IBP President

on matters national in s2ope is in 0a2t a 3al)a6le and indispensa6le preparation 0or t1e

e3ent)al s)22ession. It s1o)ld also 6e pointed o)t t1at t1is 9isdom is 0)rt1er

)nders2ored 6+ t1e 0a2t t1at an IBP !$P is ele2ted 0rom amon* t1e mem6ers o0 t1e IBP

Board o0 Go3ernors, 91o are ser3in* in a national 2apa2it+, and not 0rom t1e mem6ers

at lar*e. It is intrinsi2 in t1e IBP B+-%a9s t1at one 91o is to ass)me t1e 1i*1est position

in t1e IBP m)st 1a3e 6een exposed to t1e demands and responsi6ilities o0 national

leaders1ip.

It 9o)ld t1ere0ore 6e 2onsistent 9it1 t1e p)rpose and spirit o0 t1e a)tomati2

s)22ession r)le 0or Go3ernor Sala?ar to ass)me t1e post o0 IBP President. B+ ele2tin*

t1e repla2ement !$P 0rom amon* t1e mem6ers o0 t1e F- Board o0 Go3ernors,

t1e IBP 6ene0its 0rom t1e experien2e o0 t1e IBP !$P o0 F- in t1is 2ase,

Go3ernor Sala?ar 91o 9o)ld 1a3e ser3ed in a national 2apa2it+ prior to 1is ass)mption

o0 t1e 1i*1est position.

It 9ill also 6e in2onsistent 9it1 t1e p)rpose and spirit o0 t1e a)tomati2 s)22ession

r)le i0 t1e !$P 0or t1e term F- 9ill 6e ele2ted ex2l)si3el+ 6+ t1e mem6ers o0 t1e

(o)se o0 #ele*ates o0 t1e !astern Mindanao re*ion. "1is Co)rt notes t1at t1e remo3al

o0 Att+. #e $era in =F Ma+ 9as a6o)t a mont1 6e0ore t1e expiration o0 t1e term o0

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

41/89

o00i2e o0 t1e F- Board o0 Go3ernors. (en2e, t1e repla2ement Go3ernor 9o)ld

not 1a3e 6een a6le to ser3e in a national 2apa2it+ 0or t9o +ears prior to ass)min* t1e

IBP Presiden2+.

In an+ 2ase, Se2tion o0 t1e IBP R)les )ses t1e p1rase as m)21 as pra2ti2a6le

to 2learl+ indi2ate t1at t1e rotation r)le is not a ri*id and in0lexi6le r)le as to 6ar

ex2eptions in 2ompellin* and ex2eptional 2ir2)mstan2es.

It is in 3ie9 o0 t1e 0ore*oin* t1at t1e ar*)ment ad3an2ed 6+ Att+. #e $era t1at t1e

IBP national presiden2+ s1o)ld 6e ass)med 6+ a nominee 0rom !astern

Mindanao re*ion 0rom 91ere 1e 2omes, 2an not 1old 9ater. It 9o)ld *o a*ainst t1e

intent o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s 0or s)21 a nominee 9o)ld 6e 6ere0t o0 t1e 9ealt1 o0

experien2e and t1e perspe2ti3e t1at onl+ one 91o is 1oned in ser3i2e 91ile ser3in* in a

national post in t1e IBP 9o)ld 1a3e.

e t1ere0ore r)le t1at t1e IBP Board o0 Go3ernors a2ted in a22ordan2e 9it1 t1e

IBP B+-%a9s, in ele2tin* Att+. Sala?ar as IBP !$P and in ens)rin* a s)22ession in t1e

leaders1ip o0 t1e IBP. (ad t1e Board o0 Go3ernors not done so, t1ere 9o)ld 1a3e 6een

no one 7)ali0ied to ass)me t1e Presiden2+ o0 t1e IBP on = ')l+ , p)rs)ant to

Se2tion o0 t1e IBP B+-%a9s.

"HEREFORE, in 3ie9 o0 t1e 0ore*oin*, 9e r)le as 0ollo9s:

=5 SUSPENDAtt+. %eonard de $era in A.C. No. // 0rom t1epra2ti2e o0 la9 0or "O 45 !ARS, e00e2ti3e 0rom t1e 0inalit+ o0 t1isResol)tion. %et a 2op+ o0 t1is Resol)tion 6e atta21ed to t1epersonal re2ord o0 Att+. %eonard de $era and 2opies 0)rnis1ed t1eInte*rated Bar o0 t1e P1ilippines and t1e O00i2e o0 t1e Co)rt

Administrator 0or dissemination to all 2o)rts

7/24/2019 Pale Cases #16-22

42/89

2 DISMISS t1e letter-2omplaint o0 Att+. %eonard de $era, dated

=D Ma+ , in A.M. No. --=-SC, pra+in* 0or t1e disappro3alo0 t1e Resol)tion, dated =F Ma+ , o0 t1e Board o0 Go3ernors o0t1e Inte*rated Bar o0 t1e P1ilippines remo3in* 1im 0rom 1is posts

as Go3ernor and !xe2)ti3e $i2e President o0 t1e Inte*rated Bar o0t1e P1ilippines, t1e said Resol)tion 1a3in* 6een rendered 9it1o)t*ra3e a6)se o0 dis2retion

AFFIRM t1e ele2tion 6+ t1e Board o0 Go3ernors o0 Att+. 'ose

$i2ente B. Sala?ar as !xe2)ti3e $i2e President o0 t1e Inte*ratedBar o0 t1e P1ilippines 0or t1e remainder o0 t1e term F-,s)21 1a3in* 6een 2ond)2ted in a22ordan2e 9it1 its B+-%a9s anda6sent an+ s1o9in* o0 *ra3e a6)se o0 dis2retion and

0 DIRECTAtt+. 'ose $i2ente B. Sala?ar to immediatel+ ta8e 1is

oat1 o0 o00i2e and ass)me t1e Presiden2+ o0 t1

pale cases #16-22

Documents