#1.

Eustaquio v. Rimorin
AC No. 5081, Mar 24, 2003

Facts: n !un" 1#, 1$$$, com%&ainants Emi&iana Eustaquio, 'iori&&o Ru(is, an) A&icia Ru(is, *i&") a com%&aint a+ainst Att,. R"- Rimorin in t." /C. 0" 1as c.ar+") 1it. +rav" miscon)uct *or a&&"+")&, *a&si*,in+ c"rtain )ocum"nts 1.ic. "na(&") .im to s"&& com%&ainants2 &an) 1it.out t."ir 3no1&")+" an) cons"nt.

4t 1as r"v"a&") t.at on !un" 22, 1$$1, 1.i&" com%&ainants 'iori&&o an) A&icia Ru(is 1"r" (ot. in t." 5/, r"s%on)"nt Rimorin "-"cut") a /%"cia& 'o1"r o* attorn", %ur%ort")&, notari6"), 1it. t." Ru(is s%ous"s %r"s"nt an) a%%"arin+ on sam" )at" ("*or" Notar, 'u(&ic Fa&&arm" o* 7a+uio cit,. 5sin+ t.is s%urious /'A, r"s%on)"nt su(s"qu"nt&, "-"cut") a 8"") o* A(so&ut" /a&" ov"r t." sam" %ro%"rt, in *avor o* Mr. an) Mrs. /o 0u o* 7a+uio Cit,. 9." "-"cution o* t.is )"") o* sa&" r"su&t") in t." issuanc" o* 9C9 ov"r t." &an) in *avor o* t." /o 0u s%ous"s.

9." Court r"*"rr") t." cas" 1it. t." 47' *or inv"sti+ation, r"%ort an) r"comm"n)ation. 7"caus" o* r"s%on)"nt2s *ai&ur" to *i&" .is ans1"r, t." Commission r"so&v") to )"c&ar" r"s%on)"nt to .av" 1aiv") .is ri+.t to *i&" an ans1"r an) t." cas" 1as )""m") su(mitt") *or r"so&ution. 0"arin+s 1"r" con)uct") an) on Nov. 13, 2001, t." 4nv"sti+atin+ Commission"r *oun) r"s%on)"nt Att,. Rimorin +ui&t, o* +rav" miscon)uct an) r"comm"n)") .is )is(arm"nt.

9." 7oar) o* :ov"rnors o* t." 47' %ass") a r"so&ution r"so&vin+ an) a)o%tin+ t." r"%ort an) r"comm"n)ation o* t." 4nv"sti+ation o**ic"r 1it. mo)i*ication t.at r"s%on)"nt (" sus%"n)") inst"a) o* )is(arr").

4//5E: ; N r"s%on)"nt (" su(<"ct") to sus%"nsion or )is(arm"nt.

0E=8:

Time and again, we have stressed the settled principle that the practice of law is not a right but a privilege bestowed by the State on those who show that they possess, and continue to possess, the qualifications required by law for the conferment of such privilege.19 Membership in the bar is a privilege burdened with conditions. A high sense of morality, honesty, and fair dealing is e pected and required of a member of the bar. !ule 1."1 of the #ode of $rofessional !esponsibility provides that, %A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct.%&" The nature of the office of a lawyer requires that he shall be of good moral character. This qualification is not only a condition precedent to the admission to the legal profession, but its continued possession is essential to maintain one's good standing in the profession.&1 A lawyer can be deprived of his license for misconduct ascertained and declared by (udgment of the #ourt after giving him the opportunity to be heard.&& !espondent's deceitful conduct ma)es him less than worthy of his continued practice of law. A lawyer is e pected at all times to uphold the integrity of the legal profession.&* #ommission of grossly immoral conduct and deceit are grounds for suspension or disbarment of lawyers.&+ ,henever it is made to appear to the Supreme #ourt that an attorney is no longer worthy of the trust and confidence of the public, it becomes not only the right but the duty of the #ourt which made him one of its officers and gave him the privilege of ministering within its bar to withdraw the privilege.&,./!/01!/, Atty. !e #. !imorin is hereby S2S$/34/4 from the practice of law for five 567 years. .is commission as 3otary $ublic is revo)ed, and he is perpetually disqualified from appointment as 3otary $ublic.

#2.

COJUANGCO v PALMA
September 15, 2004

Adm. Case No. 2474

Facts: Com%&ainant Co<uan+co 1as a c&i"nt o* An+ara Conc"%cion R"+a&a an) Cru6 =a1 **ic"s an) 'a&ma 1as t." &a1,"r assi+n") to .an)&" .is cas"s. 'a&ma>s r"&ations.i% 1it. t." Co<uan+cos ("cam" intimat". 0" *r"qu"nt") t." is .ous" an) "v"n tutor") Co<uan+co>s 22?,"ar o&) )au+.t"r Maria =uis Co<uan+co. ;it.out t." 3no1&")+" o* com%&ainant Co<uan+co>s *ami&,, 'a&ma marri") =isa in 0on+3on+. 4t 1as on&, t." n"-t )a, t.at 'a&ma in*orm") com%&ainant o* suc. *act. Com%&ainant 1as s.oc3"), 3no1in+ *u&&, 1"&& t.at 'a&ma is a marri") man an) .as 3 c.i&)r"n. Com%&ainant *i&") 1it. CF4 a %"tition *or )"c&aration o* nu&&it, o* t." marria+" ("t1""n r"s%on)"nt 'a&ma an) =isa. CF4 )"&ar") t.at marria+" nu&& an) voi). 9."r"a*t"r, Co<uan+co *i&") 1it. t." /C t." instant com%&aint *or )is(arm"nt. M"an1.i&", t." *irst )ivision o* /C issu") a r"so&ution s"ttin+ asi)" t." CF4 8"cision )"c&arin+ t." marria+" nu&& an) voi)

an) r"man)in+ t." cas" to t." CF4 *or %ro%"r %roc"")in+. 9o t.is )at", t." r"cor)s *ai& to )isc&os" t." outcom" o* t.is cas". 4ssu":;@n 'a&ma s.ou&) (" )is(arr")... 0"&): AE/. 9."r" is no )istinction as to 1."t."r t." trans+r"ssion is committ") in t." &a1,"r>s %ro*"ssiona& ca%acit, or in .is %rivat"&i*". 'ro*"ssiona& com%"t"nc, a&on" )o"s not ma3" a &a1,"r 1ort., m"m("r o* t." 7ar. :oo) mora& c.aract"r is a&1a,san in)is%"nsa("& r"quir"m"nt. 9." trut. is r"s%on)"nt marri") =isa 1.i&" ." .as a su(sistin+ marria+" 1it. E&i6a("t. 0"rosisima. 9."r"*or" ." "-.i(it")a )"%&ora(&" &ac3 o* t.at )"+r"" o* mora&it, r"quir") o* .im as a m"m("r o* t." (ar. R"s%on)"nt>s cu&%a(i&it, isa++ravat") (, t." *act t.at =isa 1as <ust 22 ,"ars o&) an) 1as un)"r %s,c.o&o+ica& tr"atm"nt *or "motiona& immaturit,. 9." su(s"qu"nt <u)+m"nt o* annu&&m"nt o* marria+" .as no ("arin+ to t." instant )is(arm"nt %roc"")in+. A )is(arm"ntcas" is sui +"n"ris *or it is an inv"sti+ation (, t." court into t." con)uct o* its o**ic"rs.

COJUANGCO v PALMA
Adm. Case No. 2474 September 15, 2004

%The practice of law is a privilege accorded only to those who measure up to certain rigid standards of mental and moral fitness. 0or the admission of a candidate to the bar, the !ules of #ourt not only prescribe a test of academic preparation but require satisfactory testimonials of good moral character. These standards are neither dispensed with nor lowered after admission8 the lawyer must continue to adhere to them or else incur the ris) of suspension or removal.%1 /duardo M. #o(uangco, 9r. filed with this #ourt the instant complaint for disbarment against Atty. :eo 9. $alma, alleging as grounds %deceit, malpractice, gross misconduct in office, violation of his oath as a lawyer and grossly immoral conduct.%
FAC9/:

#omplainant and respondent met sometime in the +"'s. #omplainant was a client of Angara #oncepcion !egala ; #ru< :aw 1ffices 5A##!A7 and respondent was the lawyer assigned to handle his cases. 1wing to his growing business concerns, complainant decided to hire respondent as his personal counsel. 1n 9une &&, 19-&, without the )nowledge of complainant's family, respondent married :isa in .ong)ong. =t was only the ne t day that respondent informed complainant and assured him that %everything is legal.% #omplainant was shoc)ed, )nowing fully well that respondent is a married man and has three children. 2pon investigation, complainant found that respondent courted :isa

during their tutoring sessions. =mmediately, complainant sent his two sons to .ong)ong to convince :isa to go home to Manila and discuss the matter with the family. :isa was persuaded. #omplainant also came to )now that8 5a7 on the date of the supposed marriage, respondent requested from his 5complainant's7 office an airplane tic)et to and from Australia, with stop>over in .ong ?ong@ 5b7 respondent misrepresented himself as %bachelor% before the .ong ?ong authorities to facilitate his marriage with :isa@ and 5c7 respondent was married to /li<abeth .ermosisima and has three children, namely8 /ugene $hilippe, /lias Anton and /duardo :oren<o. /duardo M. #o(uangco, 9r. filed with this #ourt the instant complaint for disbarment against Atty. :eo 9. $alma, alleging as grounds %deceit, malpractice, gross misconduct in office, violation of his oath as a lawyer and grossly immoral conduct.% 1n March &", &""A, =nvestigating #ommissioner Milagros B. San 9uan submitted a !eport and !ecommendation finding respondent guilty of grossly immoral conduct and violation of his oath as a lawyer. She recommended that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for a period of three 5A7 years.
9." 47' 7oar) o* :ov"rnors a)o%t") an) a%%rov") t." a(ov" R"%ort an) R"comm"n)ation, (ut it r")uc") r"s%on)"nt2s %"na&t, to on&, on" B1C ,"ar sus%"nsion 4//5E: ; N r"s%on)"nt Att,. 'a&ma s.ou&) (" )is(arr") 0E=8:

At the outset, it must be stressed that the law profession does not prescribe a dichotomy of standards among its members. There is no distinction as to whether the transgression is committed in the lawyer's professional capacity or in his private life. This is because a lawyer may not divide his personality so as to be an attorney at one time and a mere citi<en at another.1+ Thus, not only his professional activities but even his private life, insofar as the latter may reflect unfavorably upon the good name and prestige of the profession and the courts, may at any time be the sub(ect of inquiry on the part of the proper authorities.1-

The ringing truth in this case is that respondent married :isa while he has a subsisting marriage with /li<abeth .ermosisima. The #ertification&" from the :ocal #ivil !egistrar of #ebu #ity shows that he married /li<abeth on 4ecember 19, 19+1 at #ardial's $rivate #hapel, #ebu #ity. 1n the other hand, the #ertificate of Marriage&1 from the 4eputy !egistrar of Marriages, .ong ?ong, proves respondent's subsequent marriage with :isa on 9uly 9, 19-&. That /li<abeth was alive at the time of respondent's second marriage was confirmed on the witness stand by Atty. Bictor $. :a<atin, /li<abeth's classmate and family friend.&&

5n)ou(t")&,, r"s%on)"nt2s act constitut"s +ross&, immora& con)uct, a +roun) *or )is(arm"nt un)"r Section 27, Rule 138 of the Revise Rules of Cou!t" 0" "-.i(it") a )"%&ora(&" &ac3 o* t.at )"+r"" o* mora&it, r"quir") o* .im as a m"m("r o* t." 7ar. 4n %articu&ar, ." ma)" a moc3"r, o* marria+" 1.ic. is a sacr") institution )"man)in+ r"s%"ct an) )i+nit,. 0is act o* contractin+ a s"con) marria+" is contrar, to .on"st,, <ustic", )"c"nc, an) mora&it,.

This is not the first occasion that we censure immorality. Thus, we have somehow come up with a common definition of what constitutes immoral conduct, i.e., %that conduct which is willful, fla rant, or shameless, and which shows a moral indifference to the opinion of the ood and respectable members of the communit!.%&C Measured against this definition, respondent's act is manifestly immoral. First, he abandoned his lawful wife and three children. Second, he lured an innocent young woman into marrying him. And third, he misrepresented himself as a %bachelor% so he could contract marriage in a foreign land.
9." circumstanc"s ."r" s%"a3 of a c&"ar cas" o* ("tra,a& o* trust an) a(us" o* con*i)"nc". 4t 1as r"s%on)"nt2s c&os"n"ss to t." com%&ainant2s *ami&, as 1"&& as t." &att"r2s com%&"t" trust in .im t.at ma)" %ossi(&" .is intimat" r"&ations.i% 1it. =isa. ;."n .is conc"rn 1as su%%os") to (" com%&ainant2s &"+a& a**airs on&,, ." sn"a3") at t." &att"r2s (ac3 an) court") .is )au+.t"r. =i3" t." %rov"r(ia& t.i"* in t." ni+.t, ." attac3") 1."n no(o), 1as &oo3in+. Mor"ov"r, ." avai&") o* com%&ainant2s r"sourc"s (, s"curin+ a %&an" tic3"t *rom com%&ainant2s o**ic" in or)"r to marr, t." &att"r2s )au+.t"r in 0on+3on+. 0" )i) t.is 1it.out com%&ainant2s 3no1&")+". A*t"r1ar)s, ." "v"n .a) t." t"m"rit, to assur" com%&ainant t.at D"v"r,t.in+ is &"+a&.D C&"ar&,, r"s%on)"nt .a) cross") t." &imits o* %ro%ri"t, an) )"c"nc,.

Anent respondent's argument that since the validity of his marriage to :isa has not yet been determined by the court with finality, the same poses a pre(udicial question to the present disbarment proceeding. Suffice it to say that a subsequent (udgment of annulment of marriage has no bearing to the instant disbarment proceeding. As we held in In re Almacen,AA a disbarment case is sui generis for it is neither purely civil nor purely criminal but is rather an investigation by the court into the conduct of its officers. Thus, if the acquittal of a lawyer in a criminal action is not determinative of an administrative case against him,AC or if an affidavit of withdrawal of a disbarment case does not affect its course,A6 then the (udgment of annulment of respondent's marriage does not also e onerate him from a wrongdoing actually committed. So long as the quantum of proof >>> clear preponderance of evidence >>> in disciplinary proceedings against members of the bar is met, then liability attaches.A* The interdict upon lawyers, as inscribed in !ule 1."1 of the #ode of $rofessional !esponsibility, is that they %shall not en a e in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct.% This is founded on the lawyers' primordial duty to society as spelled out in #anon 1 which states8 %#A313 1 D A lawyer shall uphold the #onstitution, obey the laws of the land and promote respect for law and legal processes.% #orollarily, the above responsibility is enshrined in the Attorney's 1ath which every lawyer in the country has to ta)e before he is allowed to practice.

=n sum, respondent committed grossly immoral conduct and violation of his oath as a lawyer. The penalty of one 517 year suspension recommended by the =E$ is not commensurate to the gravity of his offense. The bul) of (urisprudence supports the imposition of the e treme penalty of disbarment. "#$%$&'%$, respondent :eo 9. $alma is found ()*+,- of grossly immoral conduct and violation of his oath as a lawyer, and is hereby .*S/A%%$. from the practice of law.

#3.

$.$%+*N.A 0 1AN2AN' 3S. A,,-. SAN,*A(' C. S'%*AN'

The law profession is not a trade or a business venture.F1G The practice of lawHIJand membership in the bar for that matterHIJis a high personal privilege burdened with conditionsF&G and is limited to citi<ens who show and continue to show the qualifications and character traits required by law for the conferment of such privilege.FAG=n accordance, therefore, with its constitutional mandate to regulate the legal profession and its authority to discipline its erring members, it behooves the #ourt to )eep an ever watchful eye on, among others, unscrupulous lawyers with a penchant for hoodwin)ing, at every turn, their trusting clients@ and, in general, on those whose misconduct tends to blemish the purity of the legal profession. And if need be, the #ourt shall remove from the ran)s those unable to adhere to the rigid standards of morality and integrity required by the ethics of the legal profession. So it must be in this disciplinary proceeding.

FAC9/:
=n a verified complaint for disbarment dated March &A, &""*, with enclosures, filed with the =ntegrated Ear of the $hilippines 5=E$7, complainant /derlinda ?. Man<ano charged respondent Atty. Santiago #. Soriano with dishonesty 5misappropriation7 and misrepresentation andKor usurping the authority of a notary public. The case was doc)eted as #ommission on Ear 4iscipline 5#E47 #ase 3o. "*>1+"&. According to complainant, she engaged respondent's services to commence and pursue collection cases from individuals dealing with her construction supplyKhardware business. As part of the agreement, respondent was allowed the free use of an office space in the Man<ano #omple building in 3abua, #amarines Sur. After a time, complainant noticed that not a single successful collection was ever made, albeit respondent )ept on as)ing for money to cover incidental e penses. :ater on, complainant discovered that respondent had succeeded in convincing one of her debtors, Abelino L. Earela, to sell to him, for $h$ *6,""", a piece of land and the house standing on it. The condition of the sale was that, out of the proceeds, respondent should deliver $h$ 6",""" personally to complainant to .illy cover Earela's indebtedness. As complainant would later claim, the $h$ 6",""" was never turned over to her.

=n the light of this unsettling development, complainant severed her client>attorney relationship with respondent and evicted him from his office>space at the Man<ano #omple . She, together with Earela, later charged Mrespondent with estafa. #omplainant also allegedly discovered further that respondent had for a time been acting as a notary public for and in the province of #amarines Sur without the necessary notarial commission. =n his Report and Recommendation dated March A1, &""-, =nvestigating #ommissioner $edro A. Magpayo, 9r. found respondent guilty of grave misconduct 5misappropriating the funds belonging to his client7 and malpractice, and recommended his disbarment. 1n May &&, &""-, the =E$ Eoard of Lovernors passed !esolution 3o. NB===>&""->&A+, approving #ommissioner Magpayo's report and recommendation with modification insofar as the recommended penalty was concerned, that is Atty. Santiago #. Soriano is hereby S)S4$N.$. *N.$&*N*,$+- from the practice of law. =SS2/8 ,13 Atty. Soriano should be disbarred.

./:48 !espondent's acts immediately adverted to are reflective of his gross and wanton disregard of the #ode of $rofessional !esponsibility, more specifically its #anon 1*, which provides that Ma lawyer shall hold in trust all money and property collected or received for or from the client.J Time and again, the #ourt has reminded lawyers that, as an officer of the court, theirs is the duty to obey, respect, and uphold the law and legal processes by not engaging in unlawful, dishonest, immoral, or deceitful conduct.F+G An immoral or deceitful conduct necessarily involves moral turpitude.F-G 3eedless to stress, the commission of any of these unlawful acts, which amounts too to a violation of the attorney's oath, is a ground for suspension or disbarment of lawyers.F9G The #ourt agrees too with the other inculpatory finding of malpractice on the part of respondent consisting of e ercising the powers of a notary public without having the appropriate commission. The act of notari<ing without the necessary commission is not merely a simple enterprise to be triviali<ed. So much so that one who stamps a notarial seal and signs a document as a notary public without being so authori<ed may be haled to court not only for malpractice but also for falsification. F$erforming a notarial without such commission is a violation of the lawyerOs oath to obey the laws, more specifically the 3otarial :aw. Then, too, by ma)ing it appear that he is duly commissioned when he is not, he is, for all intents and purposes, indulging in deliberate falsehood, which the lawyerOs oath similarly proscribes.F1&G

A lawyer, by ta)ing the lawyer's oath, becomes a guardian of the law and an indispensable instrument for the orderly administration of (ustice. As such, he is e pected to have a mega>dose of social conscience with the end in view of ma)ing a meaningful difference and with a little less of self>interest. A lawyer, by ta)ing the lawyer's oath, becomes a guardian of the law and an indispensable instrument for the orderly administration of (ustice. As such, he is e pected to have a mega>dose of social conscience with the end in view of ma)ing a meaningful difference and with a little less of self>interest. As between the penalty recommendation of the =E$ Eoard of Lovernors and that of the =nvestigating #ommissioner, we find that of the latter to be more appropriate. ,e ta)e this course of action, fully aware that only in a clear case of misconduct that seriously affects the standing and character of the lawyer as officer of the court and as a member of the bar will disbarment be imposed as a penalty.F16G 9udging from his past actions, respondent has become a liability to the legal profession. .is act of notari<ing a sham deed of sale where he is named as a vendor is reprehensible. .e cannot be trusted any longer with the sacred duty and responsibility to protect the interest of any prospective client and pursue the ends of (ustice. .is continued practice of law will li)ely subvert (ustice, bring further dishonor to the bar, and lessen the respect and the trust reposed by the public in the integrity of the legal society.F1*G "#$%$&'%$, the premises of this case considered, respondent Atty. Santiago #. Soriano is .*S/A%%$. from the practice of law.

#4. L#$%e!s in &ove!n'ent se!vice( $hen #llo$e

#n

not #llo$e

to )!#ctice l#$""

4n t." cas" o* *+L,P+ +" A-+LLA vs" A../" AS.+R,A +" CRU0A-RA, A"C" No" 1288, June 3, 2445, t." r"s%on)"nt 1as *oun) +ui&t, o* "n+a+in+ in notaria& %ractic" 1it.out t." 1ritt"n aut.orit, *rom t." /"cr"tar, o* t." 8"%artm"nt o* !ustic", an) 1as accor)in+&, R+PR,MAN6+6. /." 1as 1arn") t.at a r"%"tition o* t." sam" or simi&ar act in t." *utur" s.a&& m"rit a mor" s"v"r" sanction. 9.us:

E - -. F"&i%" E. A("&&a Bcom%&ainantC *i&") a com%&aint *or vio&ation o* Canon 1 o* t." Co)" o* 'ro*"ssiona& R"s%onsi(i&it, an) /"ction #B(CB2C o* R"%u(&ic Act No. F#13G1H BRA F#13C or t." Co)" o* Con)uct an) Et.ica& /tan)ar)s *or 'u(&ic **icia&s an) Em%&o,""s a+ainst Att,. Ast"ria E. Cru6a(ra Br"s%on)"ntC. 4n .is a**i)avit?com%&aintG2H )at") 8 Ma, 2002, com%&ainant c.ar+") r"s%on)"nt 1it. "n+a+in+ in %rivat" %ractic" 1.i&" "m%&o,") in t." +ov"rnm"nt s"rvic". Com%&ainant a&&"+") t.at r"s%on)"nt 1as a)mitt") to t." '.i&i%%in" 7ar on 30 Ma, 1$8F an) 1as a%%oint") as 8"%ut, R"+ist"r o* 8"")s o* :"n"ra& /antos Cit, on 11 Au+ust 1$8#.G3H Com%&ainant ass"rt") t.at as 8"%ut, R"+ist"r o* 8"")s, r"s%on)"nt *i&") a %"tition *or commission as a notar, %u(&ic an) 1as commission") on 2$ F"(ruar, 1$88 1it.out

o(tainin+ %rior aut.orit, *rom t." /"cr"tar, o* t." 8"%artm"nt o* !ustic" B8 !C.G4H Com%&ainant c&aim") t.at r"s%on)"nt .as notari6") som" 3,000 )ocum"nts.G5H Com%&ainant %oint") out t.at r"s%on)"nt on&, sto%%") notari6in+ )ocum"nts 1."n s." 1as r"%riman)") (, t." C.i"* o* t." 4nv"sti+ation 8ivision o* t." =an) R"+istration Aut.orit,.GFH E - -. E - -. /"ction #B(CB2C o* RA F#13 %rovi)"s: /"ction #. Prohibited Acts and Transactions. ? 4n a))ition to acts an) omissions o* %u(&ic o**icia&s an) "m%&o,""s no1 %r"scri(") in t." Constitution an) "-istin+ &a1s, t." *o&&o1in+ s.a&& constitut" %ro.i(it") acts an) transactions o* an, %u(&ic o**icia& an) "m%&o,"" an) ar" ."r"(, )"c&ar") to (" un&a1*u&: --B(C utsi)" "m%&o,m"nt an) ot."r activiti"s r"&at") t."r"to. ? 'u(&ic o**icia&s an) "m%&o,""s )urin+ t."ir incum("nc, s.a&& not: --B2C En+a+" in t." %rivat" %ractic" o* t."ir %ro*"ssion un&"ss aut.ori6") (, t." Constitution or &a1, %rovi)"), t.at suc. %ractic" 1i&& not con*&ict or t"n) to con*&ict 1it. t."ir o**icia& *unctionsI or --M"moran)um Circu&ar No. 1#G#H o* t." E-"cutiv" 8"%artm"nt a&&o1s +ov"rnm"nt "m%&o,""s to "n+a+" )ir"ct&, in t." %rivat" %ractic" o* t."ir %ro*"ssion %rovi)") t."r" is a 1ritt"n %"rmission *rom t." 8"%artm"nt ."a). 4t %rovi)"s: 9." aut.orit, to +rant %"rmission to an, o**icia& or "m%&o,"" s.a&& (" +rant") (, t." ."a) o* t." ministr, or a+"nc, in accor)anc" 1it. /"ction 12, Ru&" EJ444 o* t." R"vis") Civi& /"rvic" Ru&"s, 1.ic. %rovi)"s: K/"c. 12. No o**ic"r or "m%&o,"" s.a&& "n+a+" )ir"ct&, in an, %rivat" (usin"ss, vocation, or %ro*"ssion or (" conn"ct") 1it. an, comm"rcia&, cr")it, a+ricu&tura&, or in)ustria& un)"rta3in+ 1it.out # $!itten )e!'ission f!o' the he# of 6e)#!t'entI 'rovi)"), 9.at t.is %ro.i(ition 1i&& (" a(so&ut" in t." cas" o* t.os" o**ic"rs an) "m%&o,""s 1.os" )uti"s an) r"s%onsi(i&iti"s r"quir" t.at t."ir "ntir" tim" (" at t." )is%osa& o* t." :ov"rnm"nt: 'rovi)"), *urt."r, 9.at i* an "m%&o,"" is +rant") %"rmission to "n+a+" in outsi)" activiti"s, t." tim" so )"vot") outsi)" o* o**ic" .ours s.ou&) (" *i-") (, t." c.i"* o* t." a+"nc, to t." "n) t.at it 1i&& not im%air in an, 1a, t." "**ici"nc, o* t." ot."r o**ic"r or "m%&o,"": An) %rovi)"), *ina&&,, 9.at no %"rmission is n"c"ssar, in t." cas" o* inv"stm"nts, ma)" (, an o**ic"r or "m%&o,"", 1.ic. )o not invo&v" an, r"a& or a%%ar"nt con*&ict ("t1""n .is %rivat" int"r"sts an) %u(&ic )uti"s, or in an, 1a, in*&u"nc" .im in t." )isc.ar+" o* .is )uti"s, an) ." s.a&& not ta3" %art in t." mana+"m"nt o* t." "nt"r%ris" or ("com" an o**ic"r or m"m("r o* t." (oar) o* )ir"ctorsL, /u(<"ct to an, a))itiona& con)itions 1.ic. t." ."a) o* t." o**ic" )""ms n"c"ssar, in "ac. %articu&ar cas" in t." int"r"st o* t." s"rvic", as "-%r"ss") in t." various issuanc"s o* t." Civi& /"rvic" Commission. B7o&)*acin+ su%%&i")C 4t is c&"ar t.at 1."n r"s%on)"nt *i&") ."r %"tition *or commission as a notar, %u(&ic, s." )i) not o(tain a 1ritt"n %"rmission *rom t." /"cr"tar, o* t." 8 !. R"s%on)"nt2s su%"rior, t." R"+ist"r o* 8"")s, cannot issu" an, aut.ori6ation ("caus" ." is not t." ."a) o* t." 8"%artm"nt. An) "v"n assumin+ t.at t." R"+ist"r o* 8"")s aut.ori6") ."r, r"s%on)"nt *ai&")

to %r"s"nt an, %roo* o* t.at 1ritt"n %"rmission. R"s%on)"nt cannot *"i+n i+noranc" or +oo) *ait. ("caus" r"s%on)"nt *i&") ."r %"tition *or commission as a notar, %u(&ic a*t"r M"moran)um Circu&ar No. 1# 1as issu") in 1$8F. 4n Yumol, Jr. v. Ferrer Sr.,G8H 1" sus%"n)") a &a1,"r "m%&o,") in t." Commission on 0uman Ri+.ts BC0RC *or *ai&in+ to o(tain a 1ritt"n aut.orit, an) a%%rova& 1it. a )u&, a%%rov") &"av" o* a(s"nc" *rom t." C0R. ;" "-%&ain"): Cr,sta& c&"ar *rom t." *or"+oin+ is t." *act t.at %rivat" %ractic" o* &a1 (, C0R &a1,"rs is not a matt"r o* ri+.t. A&t.ou+. t." Commission a&&o1s C0R &a1,"rs to "n+a+" in %rivat" %ractic", a 1ritt"n r"qu"st an) a%%rova& t."r"o*, 1it. a )u&, a%%rov") &"av" o* a(s"nc" *or t.at matt"r ar" in)is%"nsa(&". 4n t." cas" at (ar, t." r"cor) is ("r"*t o* an, suc. 1ritt"n r"qu"st or )u&, a%%rov") &"av" o* a(s"nc". No 1ritt"n aut.orit, nor a%%rova& o* t." %ractic" an) a%%rov") &"av" o* a(s"nc" (, t." C0R 1as "v"r %r"s"nt") (, r"s%on)"nt. 9.us, ." cannot "n+a+" in %rivat" %ractic". As to r"s%on)"nt2s act o* notari6in+ )ocum"nts, r"cor)s s.o1 t.at ." a%%&i") *or commission as notar, %u(&ic on 14 Nov"m("r 2000, ("*or" t." R"+iona& 9ria& Court BR9CC o* /an F"rnan)o, 'am%an+a, 7ranc. 42. 9.is 1as +rant") (, R9C E-"cutiv" !u)+" '")ro M. /un+a, !r., on 01 8"c"m("r 2000. 0o1"v"r, t." C0R aut.ori6") r"s%on)"nt to act as notar, %u(&ic on&, on 2$ cto("r 2001. Consi)"rin+ t." acts o* notari6ation ar" 1it.in t." am(it o* t." t"rm K%ractic" o* &a1,L *or 1.ic. a %rior 1ritt"n r"qu"st an) a%%rova& (, t." C0R to "n+a+" into it ar" r"quir"), t." crucia& %"rio) to (" consi)"r") is t." a%%rova& o* t." C0R on 2$ cto("r 2001 an) not t." a%%rova& o* t." R9C on 04 8"c"m("r 2000.G$H 4n Muring, Jr. v. Gatcho,G10H 1" sus%"n)") a &a1,"r *or .avin+ *i&") %"titions *or commission as a notar, %u(&ic 1.i&" "m%&o,") as a court attorn",. ;" ."&): Att,. :atc.o s.ou&) .av" 3no1n t.at as a +ov"rnm"nt &a1,"r, ." 1as %ro.i(it") *rom "n+a+in+ in notaria& %ractic", or in an, *orm o* %rivat" &"+a& %ractic" *or t.at matt"r. Att,. :atc.o cannot no1 *"i+n i+noranc" or +oo) *ait., as ." )i) not s""3 to "-cu&%at" .ims"&* (, %rovi)in+ an "-%&anation *or .is "rror. Att,. :atc.o2s *i&in+ o* t." %"tition *or commission, 1.i&" not an actua& "n+a+"m"nt in t." %ractic" o* &a1, a%%"ars as a *urtiv" att"m%t to "va)" t." %ro.i(ition.G11H 5n)"r t." 5ni*orm Ru&"s on A)ministrativ" Cas"s in t." Civi& /"rvic", "n+a+in+ in t." %rivat" %ractic" o* %ro*"ssion, 1."n unaut.ori6"), is c&assi*i") as a &i+.t o**"ns" %unis.a(&" (, r"%riman).G12H

#4.

A.C. No. 5566

7une 4, 2008

*+L,P+ +" A-+LLA, vs. A../" AS.+R,A +" CRU0A-RA

0elipe /. Abella 5complainant7 filed a complaint for violation of #anon 1 of the #ode of $rofessional !esponsibility and Section +5b75&7 of !epublic Act 3o. *+1A1 5!A *+1A7 or the #ode of #onduct and /thical Standards for $ublic 1fficials and /mployees against Atty. Asteria /.

#ru<abra 5respondent7. =n his affidavit>complaint& dated - May &""&, complainant charged respondent with engaging in private practice while employed in the government service.
FAC9/:

#omplainant alleged that respondent was admitted to the $hilippine Ear on A" May 19-* and was appointed as 4eputy !egister of 4eeds of Leneral Santos #ity on 11 August 19-+.A #omplainant asserted that as 4eputy !egister of 4eeds, respondent filed a petition for commission as a notary public and was commissioned on &9 0ebruary 19-- without obtaining prior authority from the Secretary of the 4epartment of 9ustice 54197.C #omplainant claimed that respondent has notari<ed some A,""" documents.6 #omplainant pointed out that respondent only stopped notari<ing documents when she was reprimanded by the #hief of the =nvestigation 4ivision of the :and !egistration Authority.* #omplainant contended that respondent could not (ustify her act by pretending to be in good faith because even non>lawyers are not e cused from ignorance of the law. #omplainant branded as incredible respondent's claim that she was merely motivated by public service in notari<ing A,""" documents. #omplainant pointed out that respondent spent money to buy the 3otarial !egister Eoo)s and spent hours going over the documents subscribed before her, thereby pre(udicing her efficiency and performance as 4eputy !egister of 4eeds. #omplainant believed that even if respondent had obtained authority from the 419, respondent would still be guilty of violating Section +5b75&7 of !A *+1A because her practice as a notary public conflicts with her official functions.+
4n ."r Comm"nt, r"s%on)"nt a)mitt") t.at s." 1as a notar, %u(&ic *rom 2$ F"(ruar, 1$88 to 31 8"c"m("r 1$8$.8 R"s%on)"nt stat") t.at s." 1as aut.ori6") (, ."r su%"rior, t." R"+ist"r o* 8"")s, to act as a notar, %u(&ic. 4n ."r R"%ort an) R"comm"n)ation BR"%ortC )at") 25 !anuar, 2005, 4nv"sti+atin+ Commission"r =,)ia A. Navarro r"comm"n)") to t." 47' 7oar) o* :ov"rnors t." )ismissa& o* t." com%&aint a+ainst r"s%on)"nt *or &ac3 o* m"rit.

=n a !esolution dated 1& March &""6, the =E$ Eoard of Lovernors, in adopting and approving the !eport, dismissed the case for lac) of merit.
4//5E: ; N

0E=8

4t is c&"ar t.at 1."n r"s%on)"nt *i&") ."r %"tition *or commission as a notar, %u(&ic, s." )i) not o(tain a 1ritt"n %"rmission *rom t." /"cr"tar, o* t." 8 !. R"s%on)"nt2s su%"rior, t." R"+ist"r o* 8"")s, cannot issu" an, aut.ori6ation ("caus" ." is not t." ."a) o* t." 8"%artm"nt. An) "v"n assumin+ t.at t." R"+ist"r o* 8"")s aut.ori6")

."r, r"s%on)"nt *ai&") to %r"s"nt an, %roo* o* t.at 1ritt"n %"rmission. R"s%on)"nt cannot *"i+n i+noranc" or +oo) *ait. ("caus" r"s%on)"nt *i&") ."r %"tition *or commission as a notar, %u(&ic a*t"r M"moran)um Circu&ar No. 1# 1as issu") in 1$8F.

2nder the 2niform !ules on Administrative #ases in the #ivil Service, engaging in the private practice of profession, when unauthori<ed, is classified as a light offense punishable by reprimand.&A "herefore, we find Atty. Asteria /. #ru<abra guilty of engaging in notarial practice without the written authority from the Secretary of the 4epartment of 9ustice, and accordingly we %$4%*1AN. her. She is warned that a repetition of the same or similar act in the future shall merit a more severe sanction.

#5 -U+7S 8S" -ACA.AN FAC9/:

A.C. No. 5574

7une 90, 2008

Com%&ainant 7u".s institut") t.is )is(arm"nt 1."n r"s%on)"nt r"%r"s"nt") A&var"6 an) Ma&u3u., com%&ainants in a &a(or cas" *i&") a+ainst ."r"in com%&ainant as E-"cutiv" Jic"? 'r"si)"nt o* Miramar Fis. Com%an,, 4nc. BMFC4C. /ai) &a(or cas" 1as assi+n") to r"s%on)"nt as an accr")it") Jo&untar, Ar(itrator o* t." Nationa& Conci&iation an) M")iation 7oar) BNCM7C o* t." 8"%artm"nt o* =a(or an) Em%&o,m"nt B8 =EC to )"ci)" u%on. R"s%on)"nt r"n)"r") a )"cision in *avor o* A&var"6 an) Ma&u3u. an) a+ainst com%&ainant 7u".s an) MFC4. 0o1"v"r, )urin+ t." %"n)"nc, o* t." %roc"")in+s, ." r"comm"n)") t.at a crimina& cas" (" *i&") a+ainst t." 7u".s an) MFC4. 4n .is 4n)ors"m"nt, r"s%on)"nt stat") t.at ." r"%r"s"nts t." A&var"6 an) Ma&u3u.. A&on+ 1it. t.is, r"s%on)"nt issu") an r)"r )ir"ctin+ t." 7ur"au o* 4mmi+ration an) 8"%ortation to %&ac" ."r"in com%&ainant in its ;atc.&ist an) to issu" a 0o&) 8"%artur" r)"r 1it.out notic" an) ."arin+. Com%&ainant 1as not +iv"n a co%, o* t." sai) 0o&) 8"%artur" r)"r. 0"nc" t.is a)ministrativ" cas" a+ainst Att,. 7acatan, com%&ainant a&&"+in+ t.at .is Br"s%on)"nt2sC act o* r"%r"s"ntin+ A&var"6 an) Ma&u3u., 1.i&" a &a(or cas" invo&vin+ t." sam" %arti"s 1as sti&& %"n)in+ ("*or" .im, +av" ris" to a con*&ict o* int"r"sts.

4ssu"s: 1.C r"s%on)"nt r"%r"s"nt") con*&ictin+ int"r"sts (, actin+ as couns"& *or A&var"6 an) Ma&u3u. in t." crimina& cas" t.", *i&") a+ainst ."r"in com%&ainant 1.i&" t." &a(or cas" *i&") (, A&var"6 an) Ma&u3u. a+ainst com%&ainant 1as sti&& %"n)in+ ("*or" .im. 2.C ." usur%") t." <u)icia& %o1"rs o* t." R"+iona& 9ria& Court an) t." .i+."r <u)icia& aut.oriti"s (, issuin+ a 0o&) 8"%artur" r)"r@;atc.&ist r)"r 1it.out an, notic" or ."arin+ Ru&in+:

1. R"s%on)"nt c&aim") t.at it 1as "rron"ous to sa, t.at t." issu" 1as sti&& %"n)in+ 1it. t." ar(itrator at t." sta+" o* "-"cution ("caus" 1."n ." su(mitt") t." 8"cision, ." 1as a&r"a), in *unctus o*icio. R"s%on)"nt is mista3"n. !uris)iction, onc" acquir"), is not &ost u%on t." instanc" o* t." %arti"s (ut continu"s unti& t." cas" is t"rminat"), or unti& t." 1rit o* "-"cution .as (""n issu") to "n*orc" t." <u)+m"nt. ;."n r"s%on)"nt 1as a%%oint") as Jo&untar, Ar(itrator *or t." %arti"s in t." i&&"+a& )ismissa& cas" ." 1as "-%"ct") to "-.i(it n"utra&it, an) im%artia&it,. 0o1"v"r, 1.at ." )is%&a,") is t." o%%osit". 0" "v"n in)ors") a crimina& com%&aint a+ainst ."r"in com%&ainant, an) si+n") t." sai) 4n)ors"m"nt as couns"& *or com%&ainants in t." i&&"+a& )ismissa& cas", an act 1.ic. 1as c&"ar&, r"%r"."nsi(&" an) vio&ativ" o* t." %rinci%&" o* con*&ict o* int"r"sts. &. n t." s"con) issu", as a )"*"ns", r"s%on)"nt ass"rt") t.at it 1as com%&ainant 1.o r"sort") to &"+a& man"uv"rs to )"&a,, i* not "va)", .is mon"tar, o(&i+ations. 9.us, t." *orm"r 1as com%"&&") to as3 *or an r)"r to %&ac" %"tition"r in t." ;atc.&ist to %r"v"nt .im *rom a(scon)in+, com%&"t"&, contrav"nin+ /u%r"m" Court Circu&ar No. 3$? $#, 1.ic. %rovi)"s t.at sai) r)"rs s.a&& (" issu") on&, in crimina& cas"s $ithin the e9clusive :u!is iction of the Re&ion#l .!i#l Cou!ts. 4n )oin+ so, r"s%on)") s.o1") +ross i+noranc" o* t." &a1. 7as") on t." *or"+oin+, t." Court *oun) r"s%on)"nt Att,. 4noc"ncio 9. 7acatan +ui&t, o* +ross miscon)uct *or r"%r"s"ntin+ con*&ictin+ int"r"sts, +ross i+noranc" o* t." &a1 *or issuin+ an or)"r 1it.out aut.orit,, an) is /5/'EN8E8 *rom t." %ractic" o* &a1 *or t1o B2C ,"ars.

#F.

## 1" A"C" No" 8414 June 12, 2445 =,NS.ON P"L"

;+L6 S.+MM+R,;, !e)!esente <% A../S" 7+RM,N,O A" L,=ANAG #n +SGU+RRA, Com%&ainant, vs. A../" L+ONU+L N" MAS, R"s%on)"nt.

Com%&ainant /t"mm"ri3 1as int"r"st") in acquirin+ r"a& %ro%"rt, in t." '.i&i%%in"s. 0" consu&t") r"s%on)"nt 1.o a)vis") .im t.at ." cou&) &"+a&&, acquir" an) o1n r"a& %ro%"rt, in t." '.i&i%%in"s. R"s%on)"nt "v"n su++"st") a %ro%"rt, in /u(ic, Mam(a&"s 1it. t." assuranc" t.at t." %ro%"rt, 1as a&i"na(&". 9rustin+ r"s%on)"nt, com%&ainant %urc.as") t." %ro%"rt, t.rou+. .im as .is attorn",?in?*act. Com%&ainant a&so "n+a+") .is s"rvic"s *or t." %r"%aration o* t." n"c"ssar, )ocum"nts. For t.is %ur%os", r"s%on)"nt )"man)") an) r"c"iv") a '400,000 *"". Com%&ainant &"*t *or 8"nmar3 an) "ntrust") t." %roc"ssin+ o* t." n"c"ssar, %a%"r1or3 to r"s%on)"nt. 0o1"v"r, inst"a) o* .avin+ t." %ro%"rt, r"+ist"r") in com%&ainant2s nam", it 1as r"+ist"r") an) conv",") in t." nam" o* a c"rtain A&vin :on6a&"s. ;."n ." *urt."r inquir") as to t." status o* t." %ro%"rt, ." su%%os")&, (ou+.t, ." 1as )"vastat") to &"arn t.at a&i"ns cou&) not

o1n &an) un)"r '.i&i%%in" &a1s. Mor"ov"r, u%on v"ri*ication, it 1as r"v"a&") t.at t." %ro%"rt, 1as ina&i"na(&" as it 1as situat") 1it.in t." *orm"r 5/ Mi&itar, R"s"rvation. Com%&ainant *i&") a com%&aint *or )is(arm"nt *or +rav"&, misr"%r"s"ntin+ t.at a *or"i+n"r cou&) &"+a&&, acquir" &an) in t." '.i&i%%in"s an) *or ma&icious&, a(scon)in+ 1it. com%&ainant2s '3.8 mi&&ion. 4ssu": ;."t."r or not att,. Mas2 nam" s.ou&) (" stric3"n out *rom t." Ro&& o* Attorn",s an) (" )is(arr") *rom t." %ractic" o* &a1.

Ru&in+: 9." Court *oun) t." r"s%on)"nt to (" )is.on"st an) )"c"it*u& an) Dnot.in+ mor" t.an an "m("66&"rD. 0" a(us") t." trust an) con*i)"nc" r"%os") (, com%&ainant in .im. R"s%on)"nt, in +ivin+ a)vic" t.at )ir"ct&, contra)ict") a *un)am"nta& constitutiona& %o&ic,, s.o1") )isr"s%"ct *or t." Constitution an) +ross i+noranc" o* (asic &a1. ;ors", ." %r"%ar") s%urious )ocum"nts t.at ." 3n"1 1"r" voi) an) i&&"+a&. 0" a)vis") t." com%&ainant t.at a *or"i+n"r cou&) &"+a&&, an) va&i)&, acquir" r"a& "stat" in t." '.i&i%%in"s an) assurin+ com%&ainant t.at t." %ro%"rt, 1as a&i"na(&". 4n t.is, r"s%on)"nt committ") a s"rious (r"ac. o* .is oat. as a &a1,"r an) is a&so +ui&t, o* cu&%a(&" vio&ation o* t." Co)" o* 'ro*"ssiona& R"s%onsi(i&it,, t." co)" o* "t.ics o* t." &"+a& %ro*"ssion. 9.us t." Court or)"r") t.at Att,. Mas (" )is(arr") *rom *urt."r %racticin+ &"+a& %ro*"ssion an) *or .im to r"turn to com%&ainant N"&) /t"mm"ri3 t." tota& amount o* '4.2 mi&&ion 1it. int"r"st.

#8

1" A"C" No" 7813

A)!il 21, 2445

CARL,.O P" CARAN6ANG, Com%&ainant, vs. A../" G,L-+R. S" O-M,NA, R"s%on)"nt. 9.is is a com%&aint *i&") (, Car&ito '. Caran)an+ a+ainst Att,. :i&("rt /. (mina. Att,. (mina 1as couns"& *or Caran)an+ in an E<"ctm"nt cas" ." *i&"). Caran)an+ (rou+.t suit *or Att,. (mina2s *ai&ur" to in*orm Caran)an+ o* t." a)v"rs" )"cision in sai) cas" an) *or *ai&ur" to a%%"a& t." )"cision. 9." Commission on 7ar 8isci%&in", issu") an r)"r )ir"ctin+ r"s%on)"nt Att,. :i&("rt /. (mina to su(mit .is Ans1"r. 0o1"v"r, 1.at t." Commission r"c"iv") 1as a Mani*"station (, a c"rtain Att,. Ma. Carm"ncita C. (mina?MuaOa, a&&"+")&, )au+.t"r o* r"s%on)"nt. /." *urt."r a&&"+") t.at ."r *at."r is a&r"a), a %"rman"nt r"si)"nt o* t." 5nit") /tat"s o* Am"rica sinc" Marc. 2001 an) .a) a&r"a), r"tir") *rom t." %ractic" o* &a1.

n t." sc.")u&") Man)ator, Con*"r"nc", Commission )ir"ct") Att,. MuaOa to %ro)uc" an) %r"s"nt ("*or" t." Court t." a&&"+") 1it.)ra1a& o* a%%"aranc" *i&") (, ."r *at."r an) %roo* t.at ."r *at."r is no1 r"a&&, a %"rman"nt r"si)"nt o* t." 5nit") /tat"s o* Am"rica. 4ssu": ;."t."r or not Att,. (mina is &ia(&" *or *ai&ur" s"rv" .is c&i"nt 1it. com%"t"nc" an) )i&i+"nc" as %ursuant to Canon 18 o* t." Co)" o* 'ro*"ssiona& Et.ics an) to in*orm .is c&i"nt as to t." stus o* .is cas" %ursuant to Ru&" 18.03 o* Canon 18. Ru&in+: 9."r" is not.in+ on r"cor) t.at 1i&& s.o1 t.at Att,. (mina noti*i") com%&ainant in an, mann"r a(out t." )"cision. 7&am" s.ou&) not (" attri(ut") so&"&, to t." r"s%on)"nt ("caus" it 1as o(s"rv") t.at com%&ainant is %art&, to (&am" *or .is &oss *or *ai&ur" to maintain contact 1it. Att,. (mina. 9." /u%r"m" Court ."&) t.at Dclients should maintain contact with their counsel from time to time and inform themselves of the rogress of their case, thereb! e"ercising that standard of care which an ordinar! rudent man bestows u on his business B="onar)o vs. /.9. 7"st, 4nc.,C. Non"t."&"ss, t." Court un)"rscor") t." )ut, o* r"s%on)"nt to noti*, .is c&i"nt as to 1.at .a%%"n") to .is cas". 0o1"v"r, t." r"s%on)"nt 1.o .as in .is %oss"ssion t." com%&"t" *i&"s an) a))r"ss o* t." com%&ainant, s.ou&) .av" "-"rt") mor" "**orts to noti*, Mr. Caran)an+ as to 1.at .a%%"n") to .is cas". ;."t."r t." )"cision is a)v"rs" to or in *avor o* .is c&i"nt, r"s%on)"nt is )ut, (oun) to noti*, t." c&i"nts %ursuant to Canon 18 o* t." Co)" o* 'ro*"ssiona& Et.ics. 9.at as a r"su&t o* t." r"s%on)"nt2s *ai&ur" to noti*, t." com%&ainant, t." &att"r &ost t." cas" &"a)in+ to .is "viction. 9." Court or)"r") t.at Att,. :i&("rt /. (mina (" sus%"n)") *rom t." %ractic" o* &a1 *or a %"rio) o* on" B1C ,"ar. A&t.ou+. t." sai) r"s%on)"nt is r"%ort")&, in t." 5nit") /tat"s o* Am"rica an) accor)in+&, r"tir") *rom t." %ractic" o* &a1, t." Commission r"so&v") not to c&os" its ","s on t." n"+&i+"nc" t.at r"s%on)"nt .as committ") 1.i&" in t." activ" %ractic".

#$ .ANU R+66, vs" A../" 6,OS6A6O C" S+-R,O, JR", A"C" No" 7427, 2445 J#n 34

*AC.S> R"s%on)"nt 1as intro)uc") to Com%&ainant Ban Am"rican citi6"nC 1.om ." "ntic") to acquir" c"rtain r"a& "stat" to *urt."r ."r %.i&ant.ro%ic )"sir" o* "sta(&is.in+ a .os%ita& *or t." %oor. R"s%on)"nt a)vis") Com%&ainant B("in+ a *or"i+n"rC, to us" cor%orat" v".ic&"s Bt.us, t." *ormation o* t.r"" cor%orationsC *or t." %urc.as"s o* &an)s in 9a+a,ta, Cit, B1.ic. turn") out to (" .av" (""n acquir") (, anot."r %"rson via *or"c&osur" sa&"C, =as 'iOas Cit,, Ma3ati Cit,B1.ic. s." &at"r )iscov"r") 1as not actua&&, o1n") (, t." (u,"rC, Pu"6on Cit, B1.ic. &ot is occu%i") (, /M Nort. Ma&& (ut c&aim") (, R"s%on)"nt to (" o1n") (, .is c&i"ntC, an) 'asa, Cit, Bsu%%os")&, vacant &ots 1.ic. 1"r" actua&&, o1n") (, c"rtain (an3sC. Com%&ainant a&&"+") t.at R"s%on)"nt )u%") ."r into +ivin+ .im a tota& o* Q3M *or t."s" %urc.as"s. RUL,NG> R"s%on)"nt 6,S-ARR+6 *or vio&atin+ Canon 1 Bto u%.o&) t." Constitution, o(", &a1s o* t." &an) an) %romot" r"s%"ct *or t." &a1 an) &"+a& %roc"ss"sC, Ru&" 1.01 Bnot to "n+a+" in un&a1*u&, )is.on"st, immora& or )"c"it*u& con)uctC, Canon 1F Bto .o&) in trust a&&

mon",s an) %ro%"rti"s o* .is c&i"nt t.at ma, com" into .is %oss"ssionC, Ru&" 1F.01 Bnot to stat" or im%&, t.at ." is a(&" to in*&u"nc" an, %u(&ic o**icia&, tri(una& or &"+is&ativ" (o),CI .is nam" OR6+R+6 S.R,C;+N *rom t." Ro&& o* Attorn",sI OR6+R+6 .O R+.URN to Com%&ainant 5/Q544,828. R"s%on)"nt vio&at") 7, R"s%on)"nt2s o1n a)mission, ." r"c"iv") a tota& o* 5/Q544,828 *rom Com%&ainant, 1.ic. ." cou&) not %ro%"r&, account *or. 9." orc."strat") mann"r in 1.ic. ." carri") out .is *rau)u&"nt sc."m", in connivanc" 1it. ot."r %"rsons, an) (, ta3in+ a)vanta+" o* Com%&ainant2s naiv"t" in t." 1or3in+s o* t." r"a& "stat" (usin"ss in t." '.i&i%%in"s, )"%ict a man 1.os" c.aract"r *a&&s 1a,, 1a, s.ort o* t." "-actin+ stan)ar)s r"quir") o* .im as a m"m("r o* t." (ar an) an o**ic"r o* t." court. 9.us, R"s%on)"nt is no &on+"r *it to r"main as suc.. R"s%on)"nt on&, or)"r") to r"turn 5/Q544,828 ("caus", 1.i&" Com%&ainant su(mitt") )ocum"nts s.o1in+ ."r (an3 r"mittanc"s invo&vin+ )i**"r"nt sums o* mon",, som" o* t."s" r"mittanc"s 1"r" not ma)" in R"s%on)"nt2s nam". Com%&ainant ."rs"&* )"c&ar"s, t." amount o* 5/Q3,000,000 as a m"r" "stimat" o* ."r tota& c&aim BCom%&ainant is not %r"c&u)") *rom &iti+atin+ ."r c&aim *or an, (a&anc" )u" ."r in t." %ro%"r *orumC.

10 ANGALAN vs" A../" 6+LAN.+ 9.is is a com%&aint *i&") (, maria, n"na, )ionicio, Ma+)a&"na, *rancisca, rosario an) !os"*ina BAn+a&anC a+ainst Att,. ="oni)o 8"&ant". 9."s" ar" t." ."irs o* An+a&an /ama&B an+a&anC an) /anaan /ama&B /anaanC. 1$#1 An+a&an an) com%&ainants (orro1") 153 *r. Navarro Eustaquio an) Ara("&&a, to s"cur" t." &oan t.", mort+a+") 8.102 .a o* $.102 .a %ro%"rt, an) surr"n)"r") to t." s%s. Eustaquio (, a**i-in+ t."ir t.um( mar3s on t." )oc. ;."n com%&ainants tri") to %a, s%s. Eustaquio r"*us") an) &"arn") t.at it 1as )"") o* a(so&ut" sa&". Com%&ainants "n+a+") t." s"rvic"s o* r"s%on)"nt *or t." %ur%os" o* r"cov"rin+ t."ir %ro%"rt,. A r"c"i%t "vi)"ncin+ %a,m"nt 1as issu") (, t." com%&ainants *or t." *u&& %a,m"nt o* .is %ro*"ssiona& *""s 1as a&so +iv"n. R"s%on)"nt t."n *i&") a com%&aint 1it. t." court o* *irst instanc" BCF4C no1 R9C. 1$## Com%&ainants an) "ustaquio "nt"r") into an amica(&" s"tt&"m"nt: aC Com%&ainants o**"r") t." sum o* 303 as r"%urc.as" 1.ic. )"*"n)ant acc"%t (C 5%on si+nin+ %&ainti** s.a&& %a, 153 t." )"") o* r"conv",anc" s.a&& (" "-"cut") (, t." )"*"n)ant C.C;.i&" (a&anc" not %ai) )"*"n)ants continu" to %oss"ss an) i* n"c"ssar, to +at."r t." %ro)uc" o* t." %ro%"rt,

Com%&ainants )i)n2t .av" t." 303 r"%urc.as" %ric". R"s%on)"nt a)vanc") t." 303 in r"turn com%&ainants a&&o1") r"s%on)"nt to %oss"ss t." %ro%"rt, unti& ." is %ai). ;."n com%&ainants tri") to r"%a, r"s%on)"nt r"*us"). 4n 1$## a *orm"r Fi&i%ino c&i"nt no1 a %"rman"nt r"si)"nt in NAor3 1as &oo3in+ *or a %ro%"rt, an) ." 1as r"*"rr") to )"*"n)ant "ustaquio an) )"ci)") to (u, an) &"*t a mon", an) to (u, t." sai) %ro%"rt, un)"r )"*"n)ants nam" 1it. t." un)"rstan)in+ to turn ov"r as soon as .is *ami&, s.a&& .av" r"turn") to ) countr,. Com%&ainants *i&") a com%&aint (ut %arti"s *ai&") to a%%"ar an) as3") to su(mit t."ir %osition %a%"rs. R"s%on)"nt stat") t.at an+a&an an) ca%u& 1"nt to .is o**ic" to s""3 a)vic" a(out (orro1in+ mon",. 0is c&i"nt *rom NA (ou+.t t." %ro%"rt, *rom t." s%s.Eustaquio an) t." com%&ainants "-"cut") a motion to 1it.)ra1 t." com%&aint *or t." )is(arm"nt an) an a**i)avit o* )"sistanc". =ON t." r"s%on)"nt committ") +rav" vio&ation o* t." C'R 1."n ." (ou+.t t." %ro%"rt, *rom .is c&i"nt 1it.out t."ir 3no1&")+" an) a+ainst t."ir 1i&&R 7+L6: An+a&an an) com%&ainants 1"nt to r"s%on)"nts o**ic" not to s""3 a)vic" a(out (orro1in+ mon", (ut to "n+a+" .is s"rvic"s *or t." %ur%os" o* r"cov"rin+ t." %ro%"rt, 1."r" r"s%on)"nt *i&") a com%&aint 1it. t." CF4, an) 1."n t.", issu") a r"c"i%t an) a &"tt"r a))r"ss to (arrio ca%tain statin+ t.at ." is t." &a1,"r. R"s%on)"nts a&&"+" t.at .is c&i"nt *r. NA (ou+.t t." %ro%"rt, *rom t." s%s. Eustaquio. 9." court 1as not im%r"ss") *irst t." com%&ainants an) Eustaquio "nt"r") into an amica(&" s"tt&"m"nt t.at 1ou&) r"%urc.as" t." %ro%"rt,. An) s"con) a &"tt"r to t." (arrio ca%t. /tat") t.at t." com%&ainants r"%urc.as") t." %ro%"rt, t.rou+. .im. R"s%on)"nt stor, is un("&i"va(&" *or ." )i) not +iv" )"tai& or %roo* t." nam" o* t." a&&"+" c&i"nt, t." o&) %ass%ort s.o1in+ immi+ration stam%s. R"s%on)"nt vio&at") canon 1F an) 1#. 1F stat"s t.at a &a1,"r s.a&& .o&) in trust a&& %ro%"rti"s o* t."ir c&i"nts t.at ma, com" into t."ir %oss"ssion. 0" s.ou&) .av" r"turn") t." %ro%"rt, to com%&ainants. 4nst"a) ." trans*"rr") t." tit&" to .is nam" r"*us") to r"turn an) r"*"rr") t." com%&ainants c.ar+"s as ma&icious an) untrut.*u&. 1# stat"s t.at &a1,"rs s.a&& (" min)*u& o* t." trust an) con*i)"nc" r"%os") in .im, com%&ainants a&&"+" t.at t.", ar" i&&it"rat" s%s. Eustaquio too3 a)vanta+" o* t."m, inst"a) o* %rot"ctin+ t." int"r"st o* t." com%&ainants ." too3 a)vanta+" o* t."m too. C1# constitut"s +ross miscon)uct. A %"rson ta3in+ 8.102.a to .is i&&it"rat" c&i"nts 1.o is inca%a(&" o* t"&&in+ trut. is un*it to (" a &a1,"r. 4t is )"structiv" o* t." con*i)"nc" i* t." %u(&ic in t." *i)"&it,, .on"st, an) int"+rit, o* t." &"+a& %ro*"ssion.

#11 R+ 2443 -AR +?AM,NA.,ONS> A../" 6AN,LO 6+ GU0MAN FAC9/:t." &"a3a+" o* (ar qu"stions in m"rcanti&" &a1 )urin+ t." 2003 (ar "-aminations 1arrant") t." nu&&i*ication o* t." r"su&ts in t.at su(<"ct an) t." su(s"qu"nt )istri(ution o* t." corr"s%on)in+ %"rc"nta+" t."r"o* amon+ t." s"v"n (ar su(<"cts. t.orou+. inv"sti+ation r"v"a&") t.at a c"rtain )ani&o )" +u6man, on" o* t." assistant attorn",s at t." (a&+os an) %"r"6 &a1 *irm, 1as r"s%onsi(&" *or t." &"a3a+". att,. marcia& (a&+os, a s"nior %artn"r in t." *irms, .a%%"n") to .av" (""n commission") (, <ustic" <os" vitu+ to %r"%ar" qu"stions in m"rcanti&" &a1. att,. )" +u6man a)mitt") to )o1n&oa)in+ t." qu"stions *rom att,. (a&+os>

com%ut"r an) )istri(utin+ t." sam" to t1o o* .is (rot."rs in t." ("ta si+ma &am()a *rat"rnit,. *rom t." %oint, t." &"a3") qu"stions s%r"a) an) an un3no1n num("r o* "-amin""s 1"r" a(&" to o(tain co%i"s t."r"o*. att,. )" +u6man 1as t.us )is(arr"), 1.i&" att,. (a&+os 1as r"%riman)") *or .is n"+&i+"nc" an) &ac3 o* )u" car" in sa*"+uar)in+ t." %ro%os") qu"stions in m"rcanti&" &a1. 4//5E: 1."t."r or not )is(arm"nt 1as %ro%"r 0E=8: ,"s. att,. )" +u6man, (, transmittin+ an) )istri(utin+ t." sto&"n t"st qu"stions to som" m"m("rs o* t." ("ta si+ma &am()a *rat"rnit,, %ossi(&, *or %"cuniar, %ro*it an) to +iv" t."m un)u" a)vanta+" ov"r t." ot."r "-amin""s in m"rcanti&" &a1, a("tt") c."atin+ an) )is.on"st, (, .is *rat"rnit, (rot."rs in t." "-amination, 1.ic. is vio&ativ" o* ru&" 1.01 o* canon 1 as 1"&& as canon # o* t." co)" o* %ro*"ssiona& r"s%onsi(i&it,. )" +u6man 1as +ui&t, o* miscon)uct un("comin+ a m"m("r o* t." (ar. ." vio&at") t." &a1 inst"a) o* %romotin+ r"s%"ct *or it an) )"+ra)") t." no(&" %ro*"ssion inst"a) o* u%.o&)in+ its )i+nit, an) int"+rit,.

@ 11 R+> 2443 -AR +?AM,NA.,ONS 'ER C5R4AMI F"(ruar, 4, 2004 NA.UR+ A8M4N4/9RA94JE MA99ER in t." /u%r"m" Court. 7ar /can)a&. *AC.S ? n /"%t"m("r 22, 2003, t." )a, *o&&o1in+ t." (ar "-amination in M"rcanti&" =a1, !ustic" !os" C. Jitu+, C.airman o* t." 2003 7ar E-aminations Committ"", 1as a%%ris") o* a rumor") &"a3a+" in t." "-amination on t." su(<"ct. 0" t."n r"%ort") to C.i"* !ustic" 0i&ario 8avi)", !r. an) to t." ot."r m"m("rs o* t." Court, r"comm"n)in+ t.at t." "-amination on t." su(<"ct (" nu&&i*i") an) t.at an inv"sti+ation (" con)uct") *ort.1it.. ? n /"%t"m("r 2003, t." Court a)o%t") t." r"comm"n)ation o* !ustic" Jitu+ an) r"so&v") to nu&&i*, t." "-amination in M"rcanti&" =a1 an) to .o&) anot."r "-am on t." sai) su(<"ct a+ainst 1.ic. %"titions 1"r" *i&"). 9." %"titions voic") out t." su%%ort to nu&&i*,in+ t." "-am on t." sai) su(<"ct an) not to ta3" anot."r "-am )u" to t." "motiona&, %.,sica& an) *inancia& (ur)"ns it 1i&& caus" t." (arrist"rs. A&t"rnativ" %ro%osa&s 1"r" su(mitt") to t." Court. 9." Court mov") to nu&&i*, an) to s%r"a) out t." 1"i+.t o* t." M"rcanti&" =a1 amon+ t." r"mainin+ s"v"n (ar su(<"cts. ? 9." Court r"so&v") a&so to cr"at" a Committ"" com%os") o* t.r"" r"tir") m"m("rs o* t." Court t.at 1ou&) con)uct a t.orou+. inv"sti+ation o* t." inci)"nt su(<"ct o* t." /"%t"m("r 23, 2003 r"so&ution. 9." 4nv"sti+atin+ Committ"" *oun) t.at t." &"a3") t"st qu"stions in M"rcanti&" =a1 1"r" t." qu"stions 1.ic. t." "-amin"", Att,. 7a&+os .a) %r"%ar") an) su(mitt") to !ustic" !os" Jitu+. 0is qu"stions constitut") 82S o* t." qu"stions as3") in t." "-amination in M"rcanti&" =a1 in t." mornin+ o* /"%t"m("r 21, 2003, /un)a,, in som" cas"s 1it. s&i+.t c.an+"s 1.ic. 1"r" not su(stantia& an) in ot."r cas"s "-act&, as Att,. 7a&+os, #1 ,"ars o&), %ro%os"). ? 9." circumstanc"s t.at t." &"a3") t"st qu"stions consist") "ntir"&, o* t"st qu"stions %r"%ar") (, Att,. 7a&+os %rov"s conc&usiv"&, t.at t." &"a3a+" ori+inat") *rom .is o**ic", not *rom t." **ic" o* !ustic" Jitu+. Att,. 7a&+os c&aim") t.at t." &"a3") t"st qu"stions 1"r" %r"%ar") (, .im on .is com%ut"r. ;it.out an, )ou(t, t." sourc" o* t." &"a3") t"st qu"stions 1as Att,. 7a&+os2 com%ut"r. 9." cu&%rit 1.o sto&" or )o1n&oa)") t."m *rom Att,. 7a&+os2 com%ut"r 1it.out t." &att"r2s 3no1&")+" an) cons"nt, an) 1.o *a-") t."m to ot."r %"rsons, 1as Att,. 7a&+os2 &"+a& assistant, Att,. 8ani&o 8" :u6man, 1.o vo&untari&, con*"ss") t." )"") to t." 4nv"sti+atin+ Committ"". 8" :u6man r"v"a&") t.at ." *a-") t." t"st qu"stions, 1it. t." ."&% o* .is s"cr"tar, Ji&&asis to .is *rat (ro)s in 7"ta /i+ma =am()a Frat"rnit,, nam"&,,

:arvi)a, Ar&an, an) Er1in 9an. 4n turn, :arvi)a *a-") t." t"st qu"stions to 4Oi+o an) 7u+ain. 4Oi+o %ass") a co%, or co%i"s to ot."r 7"tan :uia%a& 1.o +av" a co%, to t." M=P5?7"ta /i+ma2s Most 4&&ustrious 7rot."r, Rona&) Co&&a)o 1.o or)"r") t." %rintin+ an) )istri(ution o* 30 co%i"s to t." M=P52s 30 (ar can)i)at"s. ? Att, 8" :u6man2s act o* )o1n&oa)in+ 7a&+os2 t"st qu"stions in m"rcanti&" &a1 *rom t." &att"r2s com%ut"r, 1it.out .is 3no1&")+" an) %"rmission, 1as a crimina& act o* &arc"n,. 4t 1as t."*t o* int"&&"ctua& %ro%"rt,. ? 7"si)"s t."*t, 8" :u6man a&so committ") an un&a1*u& in*raction o* 7a&+os2 ri+.t to %rivac, o* communication an) to s"curit, o* .is %a%"rs an) "**"cts a+ainst unaut.ori6") s"arc. an) s"i6ur"Tri+.ts 6"a&ous&, %rot"ct") (, t." 7i&& o* Ri+.ts o* our Constitution. 0" trans+r"ss") t." v"r, *irst canon o* t." &a1,"rs2 Co)" o* 'ro*"ssiona& R"s%onsi(i&it, 1.ic. %rovi)"s t.at a &a1,"r s.a&& u%.o&) t." Constitution, o(", t." &a1s o* t." &an), an) %romot" r"s%"ct *or &a1 an) &"+a& %roc"ss"s. ? 8" :u6man a&so vio&at") ru&" 1.01 o* Canon 1, as 1"&& as Canon # o* t." Co)" o* 'ro*"ssiona& R"s%onsi(i&it, *or m"m("rs o* t." 7ar, 1.ic. %rovi)": Ru&" 1.01TA &a1,"r s.a&& not "n+a+" in un&a1*u&, )is.on"st, immora& or )"c"it*u& con)uct. Canon #TA &a1,"r s.a&& at a&& tim"s u%.o&) t." int"+rit, an) )i+nit, o* t." &"+a& %ro*"ssion an) su%%ort t." activiti"s o* t." 4nt"+rat") 7ar. ? 0" is +ui&t, o* +rav" miscon)uct un("comin+ a m"m("r o* t." 7ar. A&so, t." 4nv"sti+atin+ committ"" )o"s not ("&i"v" t.at ." act") a&on". 'a&ma, s"cr"tar, o* Att,. 7a&+os an) Ati"n6a 3n"1 o* t." %ass1or). C"rtain (ro)s s.ou&) a&so (" inv"sti+at"). 9." committ"" )o"s not ("&i"v" 8" :u6man )i) t.is out o* &ov" *or t." *rat"rnit,. 9."r" must .av" (""n an u&t"rior mat"ria& consi)"ration *or .is (r"a3in+ t." &a1 an) t"arin+ t." s.rou) o* s"cr"c, t.at, ." v"r, 1"&& 3no1s, cov"rs t." (ar "-aminations. ? Att,. 7a&+os is a&so n"+&i+"nt.0" cou&) .av" <ust us") t." t,%"1rit"r consi)"rin+ .is &ac3 o* a)"%tn"ss 1it. t." com%ut"r. ,SSU+ ; N 8ani&o 8" :u6man s.ou&) (" )is(arr") 7+L6 AE/. 0" s.ou&) (" )is(arr") %&us ." ou+.t to ma3" a %u(&ic a%o&o+, an) %a, )ama+"s to t." /u%r"m" Court ? Att,. 7a&+os s.ou&) (" r"%riman)") (, t." Court an) ma3" a 1ritt"n a%o&o+, as a r"su&t o* .is n"+&i+"nc". 0" is not "ntit&") to r"c"iv" an, .onorarium as "-amin"r *or t.at su(<"ct. ? Furt."r "-amination o* t." ot."rs s.ou&) (" ."&) to s.o1 accounta(i&it, an) a&so to *in) out .o1 8" :u6man 1as a(&" to s"cur" a co%, o* t." /u%r"m" Court2s CA=R )ata(as" 1it.out t." court2s %"rmission.

#12 CAM-AL,0A v CR,S.O-ALA.+NOR,O

Facts: Cam(a&i6a, a *orm"r "m%&o,"" o* Att,. Crista&?9"norio, c.ar+") t." &att"r 1it. +ross&, immora& con)uct. Cam(a&i6a a&&"+") t.at Att,. .as (""n *a&s"&, r"%r"s"ntin+ ."rs"&* to (" marri") to F"&icisimo 9"norio, 1."n in *act F"&icisimo 1as a&r"a), marri") to anot."r 1oman BAtt,. +ot a *a3" marria+" &ic"ns".C. /." a&so a&&"+"s t.at t." Att,. caus") t."

)iss"mination to t." %u(&ic o* a &i("&ous a**i)avit a+ainst a Ma3ati Counci&or. At t." ."&m o* ."r com%&aint 1as t." a&&"+ation t.at t." Att,. coo%"rat") in t." i&&"+a& %ractic" o* &a1 (, ."r .us(an) F"&icisimo, 1.o is not a m"m("r o* t." (ar. Att,. )"ni"s a&& t." a&&"+ations. /." sa,s t.at ."r *irm is a so&"?%ro%ri"tors.i%I ."nc", s." .a) no %artn"rs in ."r &a1 o**ic".

4ssu": ;@N t." &a1,"r is +ui&t, o* coo%"ratin+ in t." i&&"+a& %ractic" o* &a1. 0"&): 9." &a1,"r is +ui&t,. 9." court a+r""s 1it. t." *in)in+ o* t." Commission"r on 7ar 8isci%&in". Accor)in+ to t." Commission"r, Att,. coo%"rat") in i&&"+a& %ractic", in vio&ation o* Ru&" $.01 (as") on t." **. "vi)"nc": B1C &"tt"r."a) o* Crista&?9"norio =a1 o**ic", 1it. F"&icisimo as s"nior %artn"r, B2C /a+i% Ra)io Comm. :rou% car) o* KAtt,. F"&icisimo 9"norioL B3C an or)"r") (, t." M9CC 1."r" F"&icisimo "nt"r") .is a%%"aranc" as couns"&. An, &a1,"r 1.o a&&o1s a non?m"m("r o* t." 7ar to misr"%r"s"nt .ims"&* as a &a1,"r is +ui&t, o* vio&atin+ ru&" $.01. 9." &a1,"r2s )ut, to %r"v"nt or not assist in t." unaut.ori6") %ractic" o* &a1 is *oun)") on %u(&ic int"r"st an) %o&ic,. 9." %ur%os" is to %rot"ct t." %u(&ic, t." c&i"nt, t." (ar, an) t." court *rom t." incom%"t"nc" an) )is.on"st, o* t.os" un&ic"ns") to %ractic".

ANA MAR,+ CAM-AL,0A vs" A../" ANA LU0 CR,S.ALA.+NOR,O, A"C" No" 2254, 7B13B2443" FAC9/: Com%&ainant 1.o 1as R"s%on)"nt2s *orm"r "m%&o,"", c&aim") t.at BaC R"s%on)"nt *a&s"&, r"%r"s"nt") ."rs"&* to (" marri") to F"&icisimo 9"norio )"s%it" t." &att"r2s %rior an) su(sistin+ marria+" 1it. anot."r 1oman an) t.at B(C R"s%on)"nt, assist") F"&icisimo in t." i&&"+a& %ractic" o* &a1 ("in+ not a m"m("r o* t." '.i&i%%in" 7ar. R"s%on)"nt a)mitt") t.at F"&icisimo R. 9"norio, !r., is not a &a1,"r, (ut ." an) a c"rtain :"rar)o A. 'an+.u&an, 1.o is a&so not a &a1,"r, ar" nam") as s"nior %artn"rs ("caus" t.", .av" inv"stm"nts in ."r &a1 o**ic". ;.i&" t." )is(arm"nt cas" 1as %"n)in+, Com%&ainant *i&") a motion to 1it.)ra1 com%&aint su%%os")&, ("caus" it aros" out o* a misun)"rstan)in+. R5=4N:: R"s%on)"nt SUSP+N6+6" An a**i)avit o* 1it.)ra1a& o* t." )is(arm"nt cas" a&&"+")&, "-"cut") (, Com%&ainant )o"s not, in an, 1a,, "-on"rat" R"s%on)"nt. A sus%"nsion@)is(arm"nt cas" ma, %roc"") r"+ar)&"ss o* int"r"st or &ac3 o* int"r"st o* t." com%&ainant U suc. %roc"")in+s invo&v" no %rivat" int"r"st an) a**or) no r")r"ss *or %rivat" +ri"vanc" an) ar" so&"&, *or t." %u(&ic 1"&*ar", t.at is, to %r"s"rv" courts o* <ustic" *rom t." o**icia& ministration o* %"rsons un*it to %ractic" in t."m. 0"nc", i* t." "vi)"nc" on r"cor) 1arrants, t." r"s%on)"nt ma, (" sus%"n)") or )is(arr") )"s%it" t." )"sistanc" o* com%&ainant or .is 1it.)ra1a& o* t." c.ar+"s. R"s%on)"nt is +ui&t, o* assistin+ in t." unaut.ori6") %ractic" o* &a1. 9." Co)" %rovi)"s t.at, Ka law!er shall not directl! or indirectl! assist in the unauthori#ed ractice of law BCanon $C,

Ka law!er shall not delegate to an! un$ualified erson the erformance of an! tas% which b! law ma! onl! be erformed b! a member of the &ar in good standing BRu&" $.01CL. F"&icisimo R. 9"norio, !r., is not a &a1,"r, (ut ." .o&)s .ims"&* out as on". 0is 1i*" BR"s%on)"nt a)mitt") to a("ttin+ an) ai)in+ .im in t." unaut.ori6") %ractic" o* t." &"+a& %ro*"ssion as ." is &ist") Bin t." &"tt"r."a) o* t." &a1 o**ic"C as a s"nior %artn"rs ("caus" o* an inv"stm"nt in ."r &a1 o**ic". 9.at is a (&atant misr"%r"s"ntation. 9." B/a+i% Communication Ra)io :rou%C i)"nti*ication car) is anot."r %roo* t.at R"s%on)"nt assist") F"&icisimo R. 9"norio, !r., in misr"%r"s"ntin+ to t." %u(&ic t.at ." is a &a1,"r. Nota(&,, t." i)"nti*ication car) statin+ t.at ." is KAtt,. F"&icisimo 9"norio, !r.,L ("ars t." si+natur" o* t." r"s%on)"nt as C.air%"rson o* t." :rou%. 9." &a1,"r2s )ut, to %r"v"nt, or at t." v"r, &"ast not to assist in, t." unaut.ori6") %ractic" o* &a1 is *oun)") on %u(&ic int"r"st an) %o&ic,. 'u(&ic %o&ic, r"quir"s t.at t." %ractic" o* &a1 (" &imit") to t.os" in)ivi)ua&s *oun) )u&, qua&i*i") in ")ucation an) c.aract"r. 9." %"rmissiv" ri+.t con*"rr") on t." &a1,"r is an in)ivi)ua& an) &imit") %rivi&"+" su(<"ct to 1it.)ra1a& i* ." *ai&s to maintain %ro%"r stan)ar)s o* mora& an) %ro*"ssiona& con)uct. 9." %ur%os" is to %rot"ct t." %u(&ic, t." court, t." c&i"nt, an) t." (ar *rom t." incom%"t"nc" or )is.on"st, o* t.os" un&ic"ns") to %ractic" &a1 an) not su(<"ct to t." )isci%&inar, contro& o* t." Court.

#13

=ao vs. M")"&, 405 /CRA 22# G2003H G!oun s fo! 6is<#!'ent o! Sus)ension of # L#$%e!

1.

Deceit

For a &a1,"r to (" )"a&t 1it. (, t." /u%r"m" Court, t." transaction "nt"r") into n"") not (" in t." %"r*ormanc" o* %ro*"ssiona& s"rvic"s. 4t can (" in .is %rivat" ca%acit,. 'ro*"ssiona& .on"st, an) .onor ar" not to (" "-%"ct") as t." accom%anim"nt o* )is.on"st, an) )is.onor in ot."r r"&ations.

#14 +S.RA6A 8 SAN6,GAN-A/AN 'ER C5R4AMI Nov"m("r 25, 2003 NA.UR+ RE/ =594 N o* t." '"tition *or C"rtiorari un)"r Ru&" F5 o* t." Ru&"s o* Court *AC.S

?!os"%. Estra)a, t.rou+. Att, A&an 'a+uia, *i&") a '"tition *or C"rtiorari un)"r t." Ru&"s o* Court a+ainst /an)i+an(a,an, 1.ic. %ra,") U K1. 9.at C.i"* !ustic" 8avi)" an) t." r"st o* t." m"m("rs o* t." 0onora(&" Court )isqua&i*, t."ms"&v"s *rom ."arin+ an) )"ci)in+ t." %"titionI 2. 9.at t." assai&") r"so&utions o* t." /an)i+an(a,an (" vacat") an) s"t asi)"I an) 3.9.at Crimina& Cas"s No. 2F558, No. 2F5F5 an) No. 2F$05 %"n)in+ ("*or" t." /an)i+an(a,an (" )ismiss") *or &ac3 o* <uris)iction. ?Att, 'a+uia, s%"a3in+ *or Estra)a, ass"rt") t.at t." in.i(ition o* t." m"m("rs o* t." /C *rom ."arin+ t." %"tition is ca&&") *or un)"r Ru&" 5.10 o* t." Co)" o* !u)icia& Con)uct %ro.i(itin+ <ustic"s or <u)+"s *rom %artici%atin+ in an, %artisan %o&itica& activit, 1.ic. %roscri%tion, accor)in+ to .im, t." <ustic"s .av" vio&at") (, att"n)in+ t." VE8/A 2 Ra&&,2 an) (, aut.ori6in+ t." assum%tion o* Jic"?'r"si)"nt :&oria Maca%a+a& Arro,o to t." 'r"si)"nc, in vio&ation o* t." 1$8# Constitution. '"tition"r cont"n)") t.at t." <ustic"s .av" t."r"(, %r"<u)+") a cas" t.at 1ou&) assai& t." &"+a&it, o* t." act ta3"n (, 'r"si)"nt Arro,o. 9." su(s"qu"nt )"cision o* t." Court in Estra)a v. Arro,o is, accor)in+ to %"tition"r, a %at"nt moc3"r, o* <ustic" an) )u" %roc"ss. ?9." /C )ismiss") t." %"tition *or &ac3 o* m"rit B/an)i+an(a,an committ") no +rav" a(us" o* )iscr"tionC an) t." /C 1arn") Att, 'a+uia o* .is con)uct ?? .is attac3s on t." Court an) ma3in+ %u(&ic stat"m"nts on t." cas" Bvio&atin+ Ru&" 13.02 o* t." Co)" o* 'ro*"ssiona& R"s%onsi(i&it,C. 0" 1as +iv"n 10 )a,s /0 ; CA5/E 1., ." s.ou&) not (" sanction") *or con)uct un("comin+ a &a1,"r an) an o**ic"r o* t." Court. ? n 10 cto("r 2003, Att,. 'a+uia su(mitt") .is com%&ianc" 1it. t." s.o1?caus" or)"r. 4n a t.r""?%a+" %&"a)in+, Att,. 'a+uia, in an o(stinat" )is%&a, o* )"*ianc", r"%"at") .is "ar&i"r c&aim o* %o&itica& %artisans.i% a+ainst t." m"m("rs o* t." Court B*or )iscussion on %o&itica& %artisans.i% %&"as" s"" ori+ina& cas"C, an) continu") to ma3" %u(&ic stat"m"nts a(out Estra)a2s cas". ,SSU+S ; N Att, 'a+uia s.ou&) (" sus%"n)") *rom t." %ractic" o* &a1 7+L6 AE/. ?Canon 11 o* t." Co)" o* 'ro*"ssiona& R"s%onsi(i&it, man)at"s t.at t." &a1,"r s.ou&) o(s"rv" an) maintain t." r"s%"ct )u" to t." courts an) <u)icia& o**ic"rs an), in)""), s.ou&) insist on simi&ar con)uct (, ot."rs. 4n &i("ra&&, im%utin+ sinist"r an) )"vious motiv"s an) qu"stionin+ t." im%artia&it,, int"+rit,, an) aut.orit, o* t." m"m("rs o* t." Court, Att,. 'a+uia .as on&, succ"")") in s""3in+ to im%")", o(struct an) %"rv"rt t." )is%"nsation o* <ustic". ?9." /u%r"m" Court )o"s not c&aim in*a&&i(i&it,I it 1i&& not )"nounc" criticism ma)" (, an,on" a+ainst t." Court *or, i* 1"&&*oun)"), can tru&, .av" constructiv" "**"cts in t." tas3 o* t." Court, (ut it 1i&& not count"nanc" an, 1ron+)oin+ nor a&&o1 t." "rosion o* t." %"o%&"2s *ait. in t." <u)icia& s,st"m, &"t a&on", (, t.os" 1.o .av" (""n %rivi&"+") (, it to %ractic" &a1 in t." '.i&i%%in"s. ?9." att"ntion o* Att,. 'a+uia .as a&so (""n ca&&") to t." man)at" o* Ru&" 13.02 o* t." Co)" o* 'ro*"ssiona& R"s%onsi(i&it, %ro.i(itin+ a m"m("r o* t." (ar *rom ma3in+ suc. %u(&ic stat"m"nts on a cas" t.at ma, t"n) to arous" %u(&ic o%inion *or or a+ainst a %art,. R"+r"tta(&,, Att,. 'a+uia .as %"rsist") in i+norin+ t." Court2s 1"&&?m"ant a)monition. 9." Court .as a&r"a), 1arn") Att,. 'a+uia, on %ain o* )isci%&inar, sanction, to ("com" min)*u& o* .is +rav" r"s%onsi(i&iti"s as a &a1,"r an) as an o**ic"r o* t." Court. A%%ar"nt&,, ." .as c.os"n not to at a&& ta3" .""). Disposition Att, 'a+uia in)"*init"&, sus%"n)") *rom t." %ractic" o* &a1

#15 RAO S7+NG v 8+LASCO FAC9/: Rau /."n+ Mao is a 9ai1an"s" nationa& 1.o "n+a+") t." s"rvic"s o* Att,. An+"&"s J"&asco as .is &"+a& consu&tant an) couns"& o* .is com%an, For"i+n 4nv"stors Consu&tanc, an) Mana+"m"nt, 4nc BF4CM4C. 0aru :"n 7"ac. R"sort an) 0ot"& Cor%oration ,r"%r"s"nt") (, Att,, J"&asco as its )ir"ctor an) stoc3.o&)"r, "nt"r") into a mana+"m"nt a+r""m"nt 1it. F4CM4 Att, J"&asco so&) to Rau /."n+ .is 10,000 s.ar"s in 0aru :"n *or '1,000,000 (ut t." *orm"r r"*us") to )"&iv"r t." c"rti*icat"s to t." 9ai1an"s" )"s%it" com%&"t" %a,m"nt ma)" (, t." 9ai1an"s" A&so, 3 &an)s o* Att,. J"&asco 1as (ou+.t (, Rau /."n+ *or '3.3M 1it. a r"mainin+ (a&anc" o* '300,000, (ut Att,. J"&asco sti&& r"*us") to )"&iv"r t." tit&"s Rau /."n+ *i&") an a)ministrativ" cas" a+ainst Att,. J"&asco. Rau /."n+ %r"s"nt") as "vi)"nc" &"tt"rs ma)" (, Att,. J"&asco 1."r"in t." &att"r 1as as3in+ mon", *rom t." *orm"r to (" +iv"n to <u)+"s ."arin+ .is cas"s An a))itiona& c.ar+" *or immora&it, ("caus" o* .is i&&icit r"&ations.i% 1it. =uc, Mati"n6o 1.o is not .is &"+a& 1i*" 1as *i&") (, Rau /."n+ 1."r"in ." %r"s"nt") t." (a%tisma& c"rti*icat" o* !"nn, J"&asco 1.ic. &ist") Att,. J"&asco as its *at."r to+"t."r 1it. t." a**i)avits o* s"v"ra& %"o%&" con*irmin+ J"&asco2s i&&icit r"&ations.i% 1it. =uc, as "vi)"nc" Att,. J"&asco )"ni") a&& t." a&&"+ations o* Rau /."n+ 1it. t."s" ar+um"nts: o 0" cou&) not )"c"iv" Rau /."n+ *or t." 9ai1an"s" 1as a&1a,s r"%r"s"nt") in a&& t."ir transactions (, Att,. 'uro+ o 0" r"*us") to )"&iv"r t." c"rti*icat" o* stoc3s an) t." &an) tit&"s ("caus" o* t." Rau /."n+2s incom%&"t" %a,m"nt o* t." %urc.as" %ric" o As to t." immora&it, c&aim, Att,. J"&asco %r"s"nt") a**i)avits o* .is 1i*" an) =uc, Mati"n6o

4//5E: ;@N Att,. J"&asco is +ui&t, o* a&& t." a&&"+ations ma)" (, Rau /."n+ 0E=8: AE/W Att,. J"&asco 1as *oun) +ui&t, o* t." .avin+ i&&icit r"&ations.i% 1it. Mati"6a an) +ivin+ Rau /."n+ t." im%r"ssion t.at ." 1as in t." %osition to in*&u"nc" t." court an) ." 1as or)"r") sus%"n)") *rom t." %ractic" o* &a1 *or 2 ,"ars 9." court *oun) it un&i3"&, t.at Rau /."n+ 1as )"c"iv") (, Att,. J"&asco in a&& t."ir transactions *or ." 1as a&1a,s r"%r"s"nt") (, Att,. 'uro+ in a&& t." )"a&in+s 7ut Att,. J"&asco is +ui&t, o* .avin+ an a)u&t"rous r"&ations.i% 1it. Mati"n6a 1it. 1.om ." .as 3 c.i&)r"n a&& ("arin+ .is surnam" as s""n in a&& t." sc.oo& r"cor)s o* t." c.i&)r"n. J"&asco vio&at") Canon 1, Ru&" 1.101 (, "n+a+in+ in un&a1*u& an) immora& acts. =a1,"rs ar" (ur)"n") 1it. t." .i+."st )"+r"" o* socia& r"s%onsi(i&it, an) t.us must .an)&" t."ir %"rsona& a**airs 1it. t." +r"at"st caution. 9."ir "-a&t") %ositions as o**ic"rs o* t." court )"man) no &"ss t.an t." .i+."st )"+r"" o* mora&it,. ;.at is mor", J"&asco vio&at") on" o* t." (asic t"n"ts o* &"+a& "t.ics (, +ivin+ Rau /."n+ t." im%r"ssion t.at ." 1as in t." %osition to in*&u"nc" t." courts. J"&asco c&aim") t.at ." .as conn"ctions 1it. <u)+"s an) t.", 1"r" c&aimin+ mon", *rom Rau /."n+. A &a1,"r is )ut, (oun) to avoi) im%ro%ri"ti"s 1.ic. +av" t." a%%"aranc" o* in*&u"ncin+ t." courts an) %&ac" t." int"+rit, o* t." a)ministration o* <ustic" in %"ri&.

No %ro*"ssion o**"rs +r"at"r o%%ortunit, *or %u(&ic s"rvic" t.an t.at o* a &a1,"r. For t." %rivi&"+" con*"rr") u%on .im, a &a1,"r 1as tas3") 1it. t." "qua&&, +r"at"r r"s%onsi(i&it, o* u%.o&)in+ t." i)"a&s an) "t.ics "sta(&is.").

#1F GA.C. No. 421$. 8"c"m("r 8, 2003H LO.7AR SC7UL0, co')l#in#nt, vs" A../" MARC+LO G" *LOR+S, !es)on ent" *AC.S> Att,. F&or"s 3n"1 too &itt&" o* t." %rovisions an) a%%&ication o* '8 No. 1508 1.ic. man)at"s t.at a&& )is%ut"s, "-c"%t t.os" s%"ci*ica&&, cit") Bt." )is%ut" ("t1""n =ot.ar /c.u&6 an) ;i&son n+ not inc&u)")C, ("t1""n an) amon+ r"si)"nts o* t." sam" cit, or munici%a&it, s.ou&) (" (rou+.t *irst un)"r t." s,st"m o* (aran+a, conci&iation ("*or" r"cours" to t." court can (" a&&o1"). 7"caus" o* r"s%on)"nt2s trans+r"ssions, .is c&i"nt 1as .a&") to court as %art? )"*"n)ant. R"s%on)"nt a&so r"*us") to r"turn %"tition"r2s mon", in s%it" o* .is m"a+"r s"rvic". 0"&): :54=9A o* n"+&i+"nc" an) incom%"t"nc". /5/'EN8E8 *or BFC mont.s. RE95RN t." mon", o* com%&ainant 1it. int"r"st. /9ERN=A ;ARNE8 t.at a commission o* t." sam" or simi&ar act in t." *utur" 1i&& (" )"a&t 1it. mor" s"v"r"&,. 9." (r"ac. o* r"s%on)"nt2s s1orn )ut, as a &a1,"r an) o* t." "t.ica& stan)ar)s ." 1as strict&, to .onor an) o(s"rv" .as (""n su**ici"nt&, "sta(&is."). R"s%on)"nt .as *a&&"n s.ort o* t." com%"t"nc" an) )i&i+"nc" r"quir") o* "v"r, m"m("r o* t." 7ar. ''''' CANON 17. ( A )A*Y+, -*+S F./+).TY T- T0+ 1A2S+ -F 0.S 1).+3T A3/ 0+ S0A)) &+ M.3/F2) -F T0+ T,2ST A3/ 1-3F./+31+ ,+P-S+/ .3 0.M. CANON 18. ( A )A*Y+, S0A)) S+,4+ 0.S 1).+3T *.T0 1-MP+T+31+ A3/ /.).G+31+ Rule 18.03 ( A law!er shall not neglect a legal matter entrusted to him and his negligence in connection therewith shall render him liable. ,es ondent erred in not returning com lainant5s mone! des ite demands after his failure to file the case and his devious act of com elling com lainant to sign a document stating that he has no financial obligation to com lainant in e"change of the return of com lainant5s a ers. This conduct violated the following 1anon6 CANON 15. ( A )A*Y+, S0A)) -&S+,4+ 1A3/-,, FA.,3+SS, A3/ )-YA)TY .3 A)) 0.S /+A).3GS A3/ T,A3SA1T.-3S *.T0 0.S 1).+3T. Rule 16.03. ( A law!er shall deliver the funds and ro ert! of client when due or u on demand. The failure of an attorne! to return the client5s mone! u on demand gives rise to the resum tion that he has misa ro riated it for his own use to the re7udice and violation of the trust re osed in him b! the client. .t is not onl! a gross violation of the general moralit! as well as of rofessional ethics8 it also im airs ublic confidence in the legal rofession and deserves unishment. .n short, it is settled that the un7ustified withholding of mone! belonging to his client, as in this case, warrants the im osition of

disci linar! action. A law!er must conduct himself, es eciall! in his dealings with his clients, with integrit! in a manner that is be!ond re roach. 0is relationshi with his clients should be characteri#ed b! the highest degree of good faith and fairness. #1# LUC,LA S" -AR-UCO vs" A../" RA/MUN6O N" -+L.RAN, A"C" No" 1452, 8B11B2443 C L#$%e! sus)en e fo! f#ilin& to file #))ell#ntDs <!ief !esultin& to the is'iss#l of his clientDs c#se" Rule 18"43 EKa law!er shall not neglect a legal matter entrusted to him, and his negligence in connection therewith shall render him liable9:. An attorn", is (oun) to %rot"ct .is c&i"nt2s int"r"st to t." ("st o* .is a(i&it, an) 1it. utmost )i&i+"nc". Fai&ur" to *i&" (ri"* 1it.in t." r"+&"m"ntar, %"rio) c"rtain&, constitut"s in"-cusa(&" n"+&i+"nc", mor" so i* t." )"&a, o* F R9A 90REE B43C )a,s r"su&t") in t." )ismissa& o* t." a%%"a&. 9.at R"s%on)"nt 1as invo&v") in a v".icu&ar acci)"nt an) su**"r") %.,sica& in<uri"s as a r"su&t t."r"o* cannot s"rv" to "-cus" .im *rom *i&in+ .is %&"a)in+s on tim" consi)"rin+ t.at ." 1as a m"m("r o* a &a1 *irm com%os") o* not <ust on" &a1,"r. R"s%on)"nt cou&) .av" as3") an, o* .is %artn"rs in t." &a1 o**ic" to *i&" t." A%%"&&ant2s 7ri"* *or .im or, at &"ast, to *i&" a Motion *or E-t"nsion o* 9im" to *i&" t." sai) %&"a)in+. Fai&ur" to tim"&, *i&" a %&"a)in+ is (, its"&* in"-cusa(&" n"+&i+"nc" on R"s%on)"nt2s %art an) .is &ia(i&it, is *urt."r com%oun)") (, .is *ai&ur" to maintain an o%"n &in" o* communication 1it. .is c&i"nt, in vio&ation o* Ru&" 18.04 BK a law!er shall %ee the client informed of the status of his case and shall res ond within a reasonable time to the client5s re$uest for informationLC.

#18 R,CAR6O A" *ORON6A vs" A../" ARNOL6 8" GU+RR+RO, A"C" No" 1325, 8B14B2443 C L#$%e! sus)en e fo! t!iflin& $ith :u ici#l )!ocess <% !eso!t to fo!u' sho))in& in filin& 'ultif#!ious )etitions, 'otions #n #ctions conce!nin& # )!o)e!t% es)ite the f#ct th#t SC h# u)hel the :u &'ent of the t!i#l cou!t #n #))ell#te cou!t" ;.i&" a &a1,"r o1"s *i)"&it, to t." caus" o* .is c&i"nt, it s.ou&) not (" at t." "-%"ns" o* trut. an) t." a)ministration o* <ustic". 4n *i&in+ mu&ti%&" %"titions ("*or" various courts conc"rnin+ t." sam" su(<"ct matt"r, R"s%on)"nt vio&at") Canon 12 BKa law!er shall e"ert ever! effort and consider it his dut! to assist in the s eed! and efficient administration of 7ustice5: and ,ule 12.02 an) Ru&" 12.04 o* t." Co)", as 1"&& as a &a1,"r2s man)at" Kto )"&a, no man *or mon", or ma&ic".L ;.i&" &a1,"rs o1" t."ir "ntir" )"votion to t." int"r"st o* t."ir c&i"nts an) 6"a& in t." )"*"ns" o* t."ir c&i"nt2s ri+.t, t.", s.ou&) not *or+"t t.at t.", ar", *irst an) *or"most, o**ic"rs o* t." court, (oun) to "-"rt "v"r, "**ort to assist in t." s%""), an) "**ici"nt a)ministration o* <ustic".

#1$ -UA6O v LA/AG Facts: 0"r"in com%&ainant =isin+ an) ."r sist"r Rosita )" :u6man B mot."r o* ."r"in com%&ianat /usana 7ua)oC 1"r" t." %&ainti**s in a civi& cas" 1.ic. 1as )"ci)") in *avor o* t." %&ainti**s. Att, =a,a+ r"%r"s"nt") t." sai) %&ainti**s in t.at cas". 4n&an) 9rai&1a,s, t." )"*"n)ant in t.at cas", issu") c."c3s: B1C%a,a(&" to Att, =a,a+ *or '15,000 B2C %a,a(&" to =isin+ *or '30,180 B3C %a,a(&" to 8" :u6man, 1.o .a) (, t."n %ass") a1a, B*or '45,000C. 9." c."c3s 1"r" r"c"iv") (, Att, =a,a+. Att, =a,a+ )i) not in*orm t." %&ainti**s a(out t." c."c3s. 4nst"a) ." +av" t." c."c3s to on" Mari" 'a6 :on6a&"s *or "ncas.m"nt on t." str"n+t. o* a /%"cia& 'o1"r o* Attorn",, %ur%ort")&, "-"cut") (, 8" :u6man constitutin+ :on6a&"s as a+"nt. A*t"r )iscov"rin+ t.at c."c3s .av" a&r"a), (""n issu"), =isin+ an) 7ua)o, as ."ir o* 8" :u6man )"man)") t." )"&iv"r, o* t." c."c3s. :on6a&"s, t." a+"nt +av" =isin+ '10,000. No *ur.t"r amounts 1"r" r"mitt").

4ssu": ;@n Att, =a,a+>s act o* )"&iv"rin+ t." c."c3s to :on6a&"s, t." %ur%ort") a+"nt, constitut"s ma&%ractic"...

0"&): AE/. As a &a1,"r, 1it. mor" t.an 30 ,"ars in %ractic", r"s%on)"nt is c.ar+") 1it. 3no1&")+" o* t." &a1. 0" s.ou&) 3no1 t.at it 1as "rror *or .im to r"&, on a /%"cia& 'o1"r o* Attorn", a*t"r t." )"at. o* t." %rinci%a&, 8" :u6man. ;."n 8" :u6man )i"), t." /%"cia& 'o1"r o* Attorn", c"as") to (" o%"rativ". ;it. r"s%"ct to t." c."c3 %a,a(&" to =isin+, Att, =a,a+ s.ou&) .av" )"&iv"r") it )ir"ct&, to =isin+. 9." 'o1"r o* Attorn", )i) not cov"r =isin+>s cas". 0" is t."r"*or", sus%"n)") in)"*init"&,, su(<"ct to *urt."r or)"rs (, t." /C.

#21 .OR-+N -" O8+RGAAR6 vs" A../" GO6=,N 8AL6+0, A"C" No" 7542, 5B24B2448 FAC9/: Com%&ainant, a 8utc. nationa& %ai) R"s%on)"nt '$00,000 to r"%r"s"nt .im in s"v"ra& cas"s *i&") (,, an) a+ainst .im. 8"s%it" continu") "**orts to contact Bvia unans1"r") %.on" ca&&s an) "?mai&sC R"s%on)"nt to inquir" on t." status o* t." cas"s, =at"r, Com%&ainant &"arn") t.at R"s%on)"nt )i) not *i&" .is "ntr, o* a%%"aranc" in t." cas"s ." *i&"). Furt."r, R"s%on)"nt *ai&") to in*orm .im t.at ." 1as "ntit&") to %r"%ar" a count"r?a**i)avit to ans1"r t." com%&aint *or ot."r &i+.t t.r"ats. ;ors", Com%&ainant .a) no 3no1&")+" t.at t."r" .a)

a&r"a), (""n arrai+nm"nt )at"s *or t." crimina& cas"s a+ainst .im, an) t.at 1arrants .a) a&r"a), (""n issu") *or .is non?att"n)anc".

R5=4N:: R"s%on)"nt 6,S-ARR+6, .is nam" S.R,C;+N *rom t." Ro&& o* Attorn",sI or)"r") to imm")iat"&, R+.URN to Com%&ainant a&& .is %a%"rs an) )ocum"nts an) .is mon",.

R"s%on)"nt .as in)u(ita(&, *a&&"n ("&o1 t." "-actin+ stan)ar)s )"man)") o* m"m("rs o* t." (ar. 0" )i) not m"r"&, n"+&"ct .is c&i"nt2s caus", ." a(an)on") .is c&i"nt an) &"*t .im 1it.out an, r"cours" (ut to .ir" anot."r &a1,"r. 9o .i)" *rom Com%&ainant, avoi) .is ca&&s, i+nor" .is &"tt"rs, an) &"av" .im ."&%&"ss is un*or+iva(&"I an) to commit a&& t."s" acts an) omissions a*t"r r"c"ivin+ t." *u&& amount o* &"+a& *""s an) a*t"r assurin+ t." c&i"nt o* .is commitm"nt an) r"s%onsi(i&it, vio&at"s t." C'R.

KA &a1,"r s.a&& not "n+a+" in un&a1*u&, )is.on"st, immora& or )"c"it*u& con)uctL BCanon 1, Ru&" 1.01 o* t." C'RC. 8"c"it*u& con)uct invo&v"s mora& tur%itu)" an) inc&u)"s an,t.in+ )on" contrar, to <ustic", mo)"st, or +oo) mora&s. 4t is an act o* (as"n"ss, vi&"n"ss or )"%ravit, in t." %rivat" an) socia& )uti"s 1.ic. a man o1"s to .is *"&&o1m"n or to soci"t, in +"n"ra&, contrar, to <ustic", .on"st,, mo)"st,, or +oo) mora&s. R"%r"s"ntin+ to Com%&ainant t.at ." 1ou&) ta3" car" o* t." cas"s *i&") a+ainst .im, assurin+ Com%&ainant t.at .is %ro%"rt, invo&v") in a civi& cas" 1ou&) (" sa*"+uar)"), an) t."n co&&"ctin+ t." *u&& amount o* &"+a& *""s o* '.'$00,000.00, on&, to )"s"rt t." com%&ainant a*t"r r"c"i%t o* t." *""s, 1"r" mani*"st&, )"c"it*u& an) )is.on"st.

A &a1,"r s.a&& s"rv" .is c&i"nt 1it. com%"t"nc" an) )i&i+"nc". A &a1,"r s.a&& not n"+&"ct a &"+a& matt"r "ntrust") to .im, an) .is n"+&i+"nc" in conn"ction t."r"1it. s.a&& r"n)"r .im &ia(&".

9." C'R *urt."r %rovi)"s t.at a &a1,"r is r"quir") to 3""% t." c&i"nt in*orm") o* t." status o* .is cas" an) to r"s%on) 1it.in a r"asona(&" tim" to t." c&i"nt2s r"qu"st *or in*ormation. 9." r"s%on)"nt )i) t." o%%osit". 8"s%it" Com%&ainant2s "**orts to consu&t .im an) not1it.stan)in+ num"rous att"m%ts to contact .im, sim%&, to as3 *or an u%)at" o* t." status o* t." cas"s, R"s%on)"nt 1as a(&" to avoi) Com%&ainant an) n"v"r (ot."r") to r"%&,. KA &a1,"r s.a&& account *or a&& mon", an) %ro%"rt, co&&"ct") or r"c"iv") *or an) *rom t." c&i"ntL BRu&" 1F.01, Canon 1FC. Com%&ainant %ai) %$00,000.00 to R"s%on)"nt *or &"+a& s"rvic"s to (" r"n)"r"). 0o1"v"r, sinc" R"s%on)"nt )i) not carr, out an, o* t." s"rvic"s ." 1as "n+a+") to %"r*orm, ." must imm")iat"&, r"turn t." mon", ." r"c"iv") *rom t." c&i"nt u%on )"man). 0o1"v"r, ." r"*us") to r"turn t." mon", ." r"c"iv") *rom Com%&ainant )"s%it" 1ritt"n )"man)s, an) 1as not "v"n a(&" to +iv" a sin+&" r"%ort r"+ar)in+ t." status o* t." cas"s.

Acc"%tanc" o* mon", *rom a c&i"nt "sta(&is."s an attorn",?c&i"nt r"&ations.i% an) +iv"s ris" to t." )ut, o* *i)"&it, to t." c&i"nt>s caus". Mon", "ntrust") to a &a1,"r *or a s%"ci*ic %ur%os" U suc. as *or *i&in+ *""s U (ut not us") *or *ai&ur" to *i&" t." cas", must imm")iat"&, (" r"turn") to t." c&i"nt on )"man).

#20. C7UA v M+S,NA, J! Facts: Att, /im"on M"sina is t." &"+a& couns"& o* s%ous"s Anna C.ua an) C.ua An. 9." s%ous"s &"as") a (ui&)in+ o1n")(, M"sina2s *ami&,. 9." %ro%"rt,, .o1"v"r, 1as actua&&, mort+a+") in *avor o* a (an3 *or a &oan o(tain") (,M"sina2s mot."rTF"&icisima M"&"ncio B1.o 1as t." r"+ist"r") o1n"r as 1"&&C. ;."n F"&icisima *ai&") to m""t ."r o(&i+ations to t." (an3, t." s%ous"s 1"r" convinc") (, M"sina to ."&% .ismot."r in consi)"ration *or t." %urc.as" o* t." sam" &ot at a c"rtain %ric". A )"") o* sa&" 1as ma)" conv",in+t." %ro%"rt, to t." s%ous"s. 7ut 1."n t." s%ous"s 1"r" a%%rais") *or ca%ita& +ains ta-, Att, M"sina su++"st") to "-"cut" anot."r )"") o* sa&"Tt.is tim", t." )at" o* t." transaction is 1$#$, 1.ic. is ("*or" t." "**"ctivit, o* t." &a1 im%osin+ ca%ita&+ains ta-. Not &on+ a*t"r t." tit&" 1as .an)") ov"r to t." s%ous"s, anot."r &"ss"" o* t." (ui&)in+T 9"csonTqu"stion") t."transaction as ." 1as, .ims"&*, int"r"st") in (u,in+ t." %ro%"rt,. 9"cson *i&") c.ar+"s *or *a&si*ication o* )ocum"nts. 9o avoi) t." *a&si*ication c.ar+", M"sina %ro%os") to simu&at" a )"") o* sa&" 1."r"in t." s%ous"s 1ou&) a%%"arto r"s"&& t." %ro%"rt, to F"&icisima. A n"1 tit&" 1as issu") to F"&icisima (, virtu" o* sai) )"") (ut t.is 1as"ntrust") in t." .an)s o* t." s%ous"s. =at"r on, 9"cson )"sist") *rom %ursuin+ t." c.ar+"s. M"an1.i&", M"sina (orro1") t." tit&" o* t." %ro%"rt, *romt." s%ous"s an) %romis") to trans*"r, ,"t a+ain, tit&" in t." nam" o* t." s%ous"s. 7ut M"sina *ai&") to "**"ct suc. trans*"r an) t." s%ous"s &"arn") t.at t." %ro%"rt, is ("in+ o**"r") to a %u(&icsa&". 0"nc" t." action. 9." cas" 1as inv"sti+at") (, t." 47' an) r"comm"n)") t.at M"sina (" sus%"n)") *or+ross miscon)uct. 4ssu":;as Att,. M"sina +ui&t, o* +ross miscon)uctR 0"&):7&im",W * cours"W ;."n Att, M"sina a)vis") C.ua to "-"cut" a )"") o* sa&" ant")at") to 1$#$ to "va)" %a,m"nt o* ca%ita& +ains ta-, ." vio&at") .is )ut, to %romot" r"s%"ct *or &a1 an) &"+a& %roc"ss"s. ;."n ." convinc") C.ua to "-"cut"anot."r )"") to ma3" it a%%"ar t.at t." %ro%"rt, 1as conv",") (ac3 to F"&icisima, M"sina committ") )is.on"st,. An)1."n ." o(tain") t." tit&" u%on t." misr"%r"s"ntation t.at ." 1i&& r"turn t." sam" a*t"r 4 mont.s, ." committ"))is.on"st, a+ain. 9."r" 1"r" a&so (a)+"s o* *rau) t.at can (" attri(ut") to M"sina

as t."r" 1"r" mar3") )i**"r"nc"s int." si+natur"s o* F"&icisima.C&"ar&,, M"sina vio&at") .is oat. o* o**ic" an) Canons 1, #, 15, an) 1# o* t." Co)" o* 'ro*"ssiona& R"s%onsi(i&it,. 0is)is(arm"nt is 1arrant").

#22 SAN.OSA.AN vs" RO-,SO

FAC9/: Com%&ainant c.ar+") r"s%on)"nt 1it. ma&%ractic" *or +ross&, n"+&"ctin+ .is )uti"s an) r"s%onsi(i&iti"s as couns"& *or com%&ainant an) *or issuin+ a (ouncin+ c."c *or '85,000.

Com%&ainant "n+a+") t." &"+a& s"rvic"s o* r"s%on)"nt as ."r couns"& *or an int"stat" %roc"")in+ *or ."r .us(an) Eus"(io 9an. /." %ai) r"s%on)"nt '100,000 *or acc"%tanc" *"". /"v"ra& mont.s %ass") an) t." cas" .a) no %ro+r"ss. not satis*i") 1it. r"s%on)"nt>s s"rvic"s, s." 1"nt to .is o**ic" an) )"manan)") t." r"turn o* t." %ro*"ssiona& *""s *or t."r" 1as no %ro*"ssiona& s"rvic" r"n)"r"). R"s%on)"nt t."n +av" ."r a c."c3 amountin+ to '85,000. ;."n s." )"%osit") t." sam", it 1as )is.onor") *or insu**ici"nc, o* *un)s. Com%&aianant ma)" s"v"ra& )"man)s (ut 1as un."")") (, t." r"s%on)"nt an) sai) t.at ." on&, issu") t." sam" to sto% com%&ainant>s Dac"r(ic v"r(a& a(us".D

R"s%on)"nt a&&"+") t.at ." .a) (""n %"rsona&&, *o&&o1in+?u% t." cas" (ut it 1as sta+nant in t." court *or t."r" 1as sti&& no <u)+" to %r"si)". it 1as on&, &at"r t.at r"s%on)"nt *oun) out t.at t." <u)+") 1as sus%"n)") an) not r"tir"). ." "v"n ma)" not"s to r"cor) t." )at"s o* .is visits in t." court.

4//5E: B1C 1."t."r r"s%on)"nt 1as n"+&i+"nt in .an)&in+ com%&ainant2s cas"I an) B2C 1."t."r r"s%on)"nt s.ou&) (" )isci%&in") *or issuin+ a (ouncin+ c."c3.

0E=8: 9." Court a**irm") t." *in)in+s o* t." 47', t.at r"s%on)"nt (" sus%"n)") *or on" mont. 1it. stron+ 1arnin+ t.at a commission o* a simi&ar o**"ns" 1ou&) (" )"a&t 1it. mor" s"v"rit, in t." *utur". 0" a&so r"comm"n)") t.at r"s%on)"nt (" or)"r") to r"im(urs" com%&ainant t." amount o* Xs%anY'X@s%anY#0,000.00, Xs%anY'X@s%anY30,000.00 o* 1.ic. corr"s%on)s to t." s"rvic"s r"n)"r") (, .im on a $uantum meruit. 0" )i) not *in) r"s%on)"nt to (" +ross&, n"+&i+"nt in t." %"r*ormanc" o* .is )uti"s as t."r" 1as not.in+ mor" r"s%on)"nt cou&) )o in acc"&"ratin+ t." r"so&ution o* t." motions 1.ic. 1"r" a&r"a), su(mitt") *or r"so&ution. 9." *i&in+ o* a))itiona& %&"a)in+s or %a%"rs 1it. t." court 1ou&) not (" n"c"ssar,. 8urin+ t." tim" t." motion *or r"consi)"ration 1as %"n)in+ t." r"+u&ar %r"si)in+ <u)+" o* t." court 1as un)"r sus%"nsion an) t." actin+ %r"si)in+ <u)+" 1.o issu") t." r"so&ution consi)"rin+ t." motion as su(mitt") *or r"so&ution 1as not )is%os") to act on sai) motion (ut inst"a) o%t") to 1ait *or t." r"+u&ar %r"si)in+ <u)+" to act on it.

0o1"v"r, t." ."arin+ o**ic"r r"comm"n)") t.at r"s%on)"nt (" ma)" &ia(&" *or issuin+ t." (ouncin+ c."c3. ;.at"v"r 1as r"s%on)"nt2s r"ason *or issuin+ t." c."c3, t." *act r"mains t.at t." sam" 1as )is.onor") (, t." (an3 *or .avin+ (""n )ra1n a+ainst insu**ici"nt *un)s. 4* r"s%on)"nt2s %ur%os" 1as <ust to a%%"as" com%&ainant to ma3" ."r &"av" .is o**ic" an) ." *irm&, ("&i"v") t.at ." .a) no o(&i+ation to r"turn t." Xs%anY'X@s%anY100,000.00, t."n ." cou&) .av" issu") a sto%?%a,m"nt or)"r to t." (an3 ("*or" t." "ncas.m"nt o* t." c."c3, t." ."arin+ o**ic"r a))").

#23 An&eles, et #l" vs" Att%" ,<#FeG Facts: Com%&ainants a&&"+") t.at r"s%on)"nt Att,. Ama)o 4(aO"6 notari6") an DE-tra<u)icia& 'artition 1it. A(so&ut" /a&"D 1it.out a notaria& commission an) in t." a(s"nc" o* t." a**iants. 9." com%&ainants )"ni") t.at t.", "-"cut") t." sai) )ocum"nt or t.at t.", "v"r a%%"ar") ("*or" r"s%on)"nt Att,. 4(aO"6 *or t.is %ur%os". 4ssu": ;."t."r or not Att,. 4(aO"6 ma, (" )is(arr") on t." +roun) o* notari6in+ a )ocum"nt 1it.out a notaria& commission an) in t." a(s"nc" o* t." a**iants. Ru&in+: /es, Att,. 4(aO"6 ma, (" )is(arr") on t.is +roun). As a m"m("r o* t." 7ar, r"s%on)"nt s.ou&) 1"&& 3no1 t.at notari6ation o* a %rivat" )ocum"nt conv"rts suc. )ocum"nt into a %u(&ic on", an) r"n)"rs it a)missi(&" in court 1it.out *urt."r %roo* o* its aut."nticit,. Notari6ation "n+a+"s %u(&ic int"r"st in a su(stantia& )"+r"" an) t." %rot"ction o* t.at int"r"st r"quir"s %r"v"ntin+ t.os" 1.o ar" not qua&i*i") or aut.ori6") to act as notari"s %u(&ic *rom im%osin+ u%on t." %u(&ic an) t." courts an) a)ministrativ" o**ic"s +"n"ra&&,. 9." court ru&") t.at r"s%on)"nt s.ou&) not (" )is(arr") (ut ." s.ou&) (" sus%"n)") as 1"&& as .is notaria& commission.

#25M+N6O0A vs" 6,C,+M-R+ Com%&ainant, a %osta& "m%&o,"", is a cr")itor o* r"s%on)"nt in t." amount o* ' 20,000 %a,a(&" in F mont.s at 20S int"r"st, s"cur") (, 12 (&an3 c."c3s. Com%&ainant a&t.ou+. not *ait.*u&&, %a,in+ ."r o(&i+ation, ,(ut ma)" r"mittanc"s in t." amount o* '12,$10 in r"s%on)"nt>s M"tro(an3 account. Not satis*i") 1it. t." r"mitt") amount, r"s%on)"nt *i&&") u% t1o %osta& c."c3s s." issu") in (&an3, in t." amount o* '50,000 "ac. in 1.ic. r"s%on)"nt c&aim") 1as *or t." '100,000 cas. t.at com%&ainant r"c"iv") in Nov. 15,1$$$. Com%&ainant )"ni") .avin+ (orro1") t." '100, 000 *rom r"s%on)"nt an) c&aim") t.at r"s%on)"nt victimi6") ot."r "m%&o,""s o* 'osta& **ic" (, *i&&in+ u% 1it.out aut.ori6ation, (&an3 c."c3s issu") to .im as con)ition *or &oans.

9." cas" 1as r"*"rr") to t." 47' 1."r" it 1as initia&&, *oun) out in t." R"%ort )at") /"%t. F, 2002, *in)in+ r"s%on)"nt +ui&t, o* )is.on"st,. 9." /u%r"m" Court r"man)") t." cas" an) a s"con) R"%ort 1as ma)" (, Commission"r Funa statin+ amon+ ot."rs, t.at r"s%on)"nt>s a&&"+ations ar" m"r" *a(rications *or t."r" 1"r" contra)ictin+ a&&"+ations. 9." &oan a&&"+") (, r"s%on)"nt to .av" .a%%"n") on Nov"m("r 15, 1$$$ n"v"r too3 %&ac" as it 1as r"s%on)"nt>s mo)us o%"ran)i to )"man) a c"rtain amount as Ds"tt&"m"ntD *or t." )ro%%in+ o* "sta*a com%&aints a+ainst .is (orro1"rs. 9." 47' in its R"so&ution in)"*init"&, sus%"n)") 8ici"m(r" *rom %ractic" o* &a1.

4//5E: 4s t." in)"*init" sus%"nsion a+ainst 8ici"m(r" %ro%"rR

0E=8: 9." Court ru&") t.at 8ici"m(r" s.ou&) not in)"*init"&, sus%"n)") (ut inst"a) (" )is(arr") *rom t." %ractic" o* &a1 an) .is nam" (" stric3"n out *rom t." Ro&& o* Attorn",s. R"s%on)"nt is +ui&t, o* +ross miscon)uct an) vio&ation o* Canon 1, Ru&" 1.01 an) Canon #, Ru&" #.03 o* t." Co)" o* 'ro*"ssiona& R"s%onsi(i&it,. CAN N 1 U A &a1,"r s.a&& u%.o&) t." constitution, o(", t." &a1s o* t." &an) an) %romot" r"s%"ct *or &a1 an) &"+a& %roc"ss"s. Ru&" 1.01. ? A &a1,"r s.a&& not "n+a+" in un&a1*u&, )is.on"st, immora& or )"c"it*u& con)uct. CAN N # U A &a1,"r s.a&& at a&& tim"s u%.o&) t." int"+rit, an) )i+nit, o* t." &"+a& %ro*"ssion an) su%%ort t." activiti"s o* t." int"+rat") (ar. Ru&" #.03. A &a1,"r s.a&& not "n+a+" in con)uct t.at a)v"rs"&, r"*&"cts on .is *itn"ss to %ractic" &a1, nor s.ou&) .", 1."t."r in %u(&ic or %rivat" &i*", (".av" in a scan)a&ous mann"r to t." )iscr")it o* t." &"+a& %ro*"ssion. 9." *act t.at t."r" is no attorn",?c&i"nt r"&ations.i% in t.is cas" an) t." transactions "nt"r") into (, r"s%on)"nt 1"r" )on" in .is %rivat" ca%acit, cannot s.i"&) r"s%on)"nt, as a &a1,"r, *rom &ia(i&it,. A &a1,"r ma, (" )isci%&in") *or acts committ") "v"n in .is %rivat" ca%acit, *or acts 1.ic. t"n) to (rin+ r"%roac. on t." &"+a& %ro*"ssion or to in<ur" it in t." *avora(&" o%inion o* t." %u(&ic.28 4n)""), t."r" is no )istinction as to 1."t."r t." trans+r"ssion is committ") in a &a1,"r>s %rivat" &i*" or in .is %ro*"ssiona& ca%acit,, *or a &a1,"r ma, not )ivi)" .is %"rsona&it, as an attorn", at on" tim" an) a m"r" citi6"n at anot."r.2$ 4n t.is cas", "vi)"nc" a(oun)s t.at r"s%on)"nt .as *ai&") to &iv" u% to t." stan)ar)s r"quir") o* m"m("rs o* t." &"+a& %ro*"ssion.