Post on 04-Jun-2018
8/13/2019 Notes of Ethics Cases
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[B. M. No. 1036. June 10, 2003]DONNA MARIE S. AGUIRRE, compl!nn", #$. ED%IN &. RANA, 'e$pon(en".
CARPIO, J.:
Facts:
Issue:
Held:
*Penalty:
A.). No. *+3 Sep"em-e' 10, 200RE/ ). SARMIENO, ANGE&IO ). SARMIENO, %I&&/ ). SARMIENO n( RAUE& ).SARMIENO)O, )ompl!nn"$, #$. A/. EDE&SON G. O&IA, Re$pon(en".
CORONA, J.:
Facts:
Issue:
Held:
*Penalty:
A/. JOSABE4 . A&ONSO n( S4A&IMAR 5. &AAIN, )ompl!nn"$, #$. A/. IBARO B.RE&AMIDA, JR., Re$pon(en".A.). No. 7+71 [8o'me'l9 B.M. No. 12+] Au:u$" 3, 2010
PERALTA, J.:
Facts:
Issue:
Held:
*Penalty:
A.). No. 73+ 8e-'u'9 22, 2011 ;
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ORBEN B. OERGAARD, )ompl!nn", #$. A/. GOD%IN R. A&DE, Re$pon(en".
PER CURIAM:
Facts:
Issue:
Held:
*Penalty:
[A.). No. 70. June 1, 200]SAN JOSE 4OMEO%NERS ASSO)IAION IN)., $ 'ep'e$en"e( -9 REBE))A . &ABRADOR,compl!nn", #$. A/. ROBERO B. ROMANI&&OS, 'e$pon(en".
PER CURIAM:
Facts:
Issue:
Held:
*Penalty:
A.M. No. 50621** ;8o'me'l9 A.M. No. 06+267R)= Ap'!l 1, 200*RE? RE5OR ON 4E 8INAN)IA& AUDI )ONDU)ED ON 4E BOO@S O8 A))OUNS O8 A/.RAUE& G. @4O, )&ER@ O8 )OUR I, REGIONA& RIA& )OUR, ORAS, EASERN SAMAR
CORONA, J.:
Facts:
Issue:
Held:
*Penalty:
A.M. 506212+ ;8o'me'l9 AM No. 012*+*R)= Sep"em-e' 20, 2006Repo'" on ">e S""u$ o< ">e 8!nnc!l Au(!" )on(uc"e( !n ">e R)'lc )!"9
Tina, J.:
Facts:
Issue:
Held:
*Penalty:
A.). No. *136 Au:u$" 1, 200*JOSE&ANO GUEARRA, compl!nn", #$. A/. JOSE EMMANUE& EA&A, 'e$pon(en".
PER CURIAM:
Facts:
Issue:
Held:
*Penalty:
A.M. No. 50*2+03 8e-'u'9 6, 2007 ;
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A.). No. *37 8e-'u'9 1, 2007%I&8REDO M. )AU, compl!nn", #$. A/. I)ENE G. RE&&OSA, 'e$pon(en".
CORONA, J.:
Facts:
Issue:
Held:
*Penalty:
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A.M. No. 07632R) Au:u$" 1, 200UER/ O8 A/. @AREN M. SI&ERIOBU88E, 8ORMER )le'C o< )ou'" BRAN)4 71, ROMB&ON,ROMB&ON ON 4E 5RO4IBIION 8ROM ENGAGING IN 4E 5RIAE 5RA)I)E O8 &A%.
!RION, J.:
Facts:
Lette"#$ue"y dated Ma"c% &, '(() + Atty. a"en M. -ile"i#!u++e /Atty. !u++e0 add"essed t t%e O++ice
+ t%e Cu"t Ad1inist"at".
T%e $ue"y, as "iinally +"a1ed, "elated t -ectin 2/30/'0 + Re4u3lic Act /R.A.0 N. 5267, as
a1ended /" t%e Cde + Cnduct and Et%ical -tanda"ds +" Pu3lic O++icials and E14lyees0. T%is
4"isin 4laces a li1itatin n 4u3lic ++icials and e14lyees du"in t%ei" incu13ency, and t%se
al"eady se4a"ated +"1 e"n1ent e14ly1ent +" a 4e"id + ne /60 yea" a+te" se4a"atin, in
enain in t%e 4"iate 4"actice + t%ei" 4"+essin.
In %e" lette"#$ue"y, Atty. !u++e 4sed t%ese $uestins: 89%y 1ay an incu13ent enae in 4"iate
4"actice unde" /30/'0, assu1in t%e sa1e des nt cn+lict " tend t cn+lict it% %is ++icial duties, 3ut
a nn#incu13ent li;e 1ysel+ cannt, as is a44a"ently 4"%i3ited 3y t%e last 4a"a"a4% + -ec. 2< 9%y
is t%e +"1e" alled, % is still ccu4yin t%e e"y 4u3lic 4sitin t%at %e is lia3le t e=4lit, 3ut a
nn#incu13ent li;e 1ysel+ > % is n lne" in a 4sitin + 4ssi3le a3use?e=4litatin > cannt
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it% "es4ect t %e" actins. -%e as nti+ied, and s%e een "es4nded t t%e -CBs Ne13e" 66, '(()
di"ectie +" t%e E=ecutie Jude + t%e RTC + R13ln t "e4"t n Atty. !u++eBs a44ea"ances 3e+"e
!"anc% )6 s%e e=4"essly 1ani+ested t%at t%ese a44ea"ances e"e 4a"t + t%e !"anc% "ec"ds. He" leal
4sitins n t%ese a44ea"ances %ae als 3een e=4"essed 3e+"e t%e -C +i"st, in %e" "iinal lette"#$ue"y,
and su3se$uently, in %e" Mani+estatin. T%us, n due 4"cess cnside"atin needs t dete" t%e -C +"1
cnside"in t%e leal cnse$uences + %e" a44ea"ances in %e" 4"eius !"anc% it%in a yea" +"1 %e"
"esinatin.
/70 Kes. Atty. !u++eBs ad1itted a44ea"ance, 3e+"e t%e e"y sa1e 3"anc% s%e se"ed and
i11ediately a+te" %e" "esinatin, is a ilatin + -ectin 2 /30/'0 + R.A. N. 5267. At t%e ti1e s%e +iled %e"lette"#$ue"y /n Ma"c% &, '(()0, Atty. !u++e %ad al"eady a44ea"ed 3e+"e !"anc% )6 in at least 7 cases. T%e
te"1s + -ectin 2 /30/'0 + R.A. N. 5267 did nt dete" %e" in any ay and %e" 1isiins a3ut t%e +ai"ness
+ t%e la cannt e=cuse any "esultin ilatin s%e c11itted. -%e t; t%e "is; + a44ea"in 3e+"e %e" n
!"anc% and s%uld su++e" t%e cnse$uences + t%e "is; s%e t;. -%e is aa"e + t%is 4"isin and nly
3ects t its a44licatin t %e" situatin s%e 4e"ceies it t 3e un+ai" t%at s%e cannt 4"actice 3e+"e %e" ld
++ice > !"anc% )6 > +" a yea" i11ediately a+te" "esinatin. F"1 Atty. !u++eBs "ecu"se t t%e -C and t%e
+ilin + t%e t decla"at"y 4etitins t%e intent t s%4 +" a +a"a3le anse" t %e" $ue"y see1s t ta;e
4lace.
!y actin in a 1anne" t%at R.A. N. 5267 3"ands as 8unla+ul,8 Atty. !u++e cnt"aened Rule 6.(6
+ Cann 6 + t%e Cde + P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility. As indicated 3y t%e use + t%e 1andat"y "d 8s%all,8
t%is 4"isin 1ust 3e st"ictly c14lied it%. Atty. !u++e +ailed t d t%is, 4e"%a4s nt it% an eil intent,
cnside"in t%e 1isiins s%e %ad a3ut -ectin 2 /30/'0Bs un+ai"ness. Unla+ul cnduct unde" Rule 6.(6 +
Cann 6, %ee", des nt necessa"ily "e$ui"e t%e ele1ent + c"i1inality, alt%u% t%e Rule is 3"ad enu%
t include it. Li;eise, t%e 4"esence + eil intent n t%e 4a"t + t%e laye" is nt essential t 3"in %is " %e"
act " 1issin it%in t%e te"1s + Rule 6.(6, %en it s4eci+ically 4"%i3its laye"s +"1 enain in unla+ul
cnduct. Atty. !u++e als +ailed t lie u4 t %e" laye"Bs at% and t%e"e3y ilated Cann 2 + t%e Cde +
P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility %ic% states t%at a laye" s%all at all ti1es u4%ld t%e inte"ity and dinity + t%e
leal 4"+essin and su44"t t%e actiities + t%e Inte"ated !a".
Cnside"in Atty. !u++eBs "eady ad1issin + ilatin -ectin 2/30/'0, t%e 4"inci4le + "es i4sa
l$uitu" +inds a44licatin, 1a;in %e" ad1inist"atiely lia3le +" ilatin + Rule 6.(6 + Cann 6 and Cann 2
+ t%e Cde + P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility. In see"al cases, t%e Cu"t %as disci4lined laye"s it%ut +u"t%e"
in$ui"y " "es"t t any +"1al inestiatin %e"e t%e +acts n "ec"d su++iciently 4"ided t%e 3asis +" t%e
dete"1inatin + t%ei" ad1inist"atie lia3ility.
As "ea"ds -ectin 2 + R.A. N. 5267:
o It ene"ally 4"ides +" t%e 4"%i3ited acts and t"ansactins + 4u3lic ++icials and
e14lyees. -u3sectin /30/'0 4"%i3its t%e1 +"1 enain in t%e 4"iate 4"actice +
t%ei" 4"+essin du"in t%ei" incu13ency. As an e=ce4tin, a 4u3lic ++icial " e14lyee
can enae in t%e 4"actice + %is " %e" 4"+essin unde" t%e +llin cnditins: +i"st,
t%e 4"iate 4"actice is aut%"iDed 3y t%e Cnstitutin " 3y t%e la and secnd, t%e
4"actice ill nt cn+lict, " tend t cn+lict, it% %is " %e" ++icial +unctins.
o T%e -ectin 2 4"%i3itins cntinue t a44ly +" a 4e"id + ne yea" a+te" t%e 4u3lic
++icial " e14lyeeBs "esinatin, "eti"e1ent, " se4a"atin +"1 4u3lic ++ice, e=ce4t +"
t%e 4"iate 4"actice + 4"+essin unde" su3sectin /30/'0, %ic% can al"eady 3e
unde"ta;en een it%in t%e ne#yea" 4"%i3itin 4e"id. As an e=ce4tin t t%is
e=ce4tin, t%e ne#yea" 4"%i3ited 4e"id a44lies it% "es4ect t any 1atte" 3e+"e t%e
++ice t%e 4u3lic ++ice" " e14lyee used t "; it%.
o T%e -ectin 2 4"%i3itins a"e 4"edicated n t%e 4"inci4le t%at 4u3lic ++ice is a 4u3lic
t"ust and se"e t "e1e any i14"4"iety, "eal " i1ained, %ic% 1ay ccu" in
e"n1ent t"ansactins 3eteen a +"1e" e"n1ent ++icial " e14lyee and %is "
%e" +"1e" clleaues, su3"dinates " su4e"i"s. T%e 4"%i3itins als 4"1te t%e
3se"ance and t%e e++icient use + ee"y 11ent + t%e 4"esc"i3ed ++ice %u"s t
se"e t%e 4u3lic
P"actice + La:
o In Cayetan . Mnsd, de+ined as any actiity, in and ut + cu"t, t%at "e$ui"es t%e
a44licatin + la, leal 4"cedu"e, ;nlede, t"ainin and e=4e"ience.
o T 4e"+"1 t%se acts %ic% a"e c%a"acte"istics + t%e 4"+essin t ie ntice "
"ende" any ;ind + se"ice, %ic% deice " se"ice "e$ui"es t%e use in any de"ee +
leal ;nlede " s;ill.
-ectin , Cann 7 + t%e Cde + Cnduct +" Cu"t Pe"snnel
o Ceases a44ly a+te" se4a"atin +"1 se"ice since it a44lies s4eci+ically t incu13ents.
o P"ides t%e de+initie "ule t%at 8utside e14ly1ent8 + an incu13ent cu"t ++icial "
cu"t e14lyee 1ay 3e alled 3y t%e %ead + ++ice 4"ided: /60 is nt it% a 4e"sn
" entity t%at 4"actices la 3e+"e t%e cu"ts " cnducts 3usiness it% t%e Judicia"y /'0
it can 3e 4e"+"1ed utside + n"1al ";in %u"s and is nt inc14ati3le it% t%e
4e"+"1ance + t%e cu"t 4e"snnelBs duties and "es4nsi3ilities /70 it des nt "e$ui"et%e 4"actice + la e=ce4t as 4"+ess", lectu"e", " "esu"ce 4e"sn in la sc%ls,
"eie " cntinuin educatin cente"s " si1ila" institutins /&0 it des nt "e$ui"e "
induce t%e cu"t 4e"snnel t disclse cn+idential in+"1atin ac$ui"ed %ile
4e"+"1in ++icials duties /0 it s%all nt 3e it% t%e leislatie " e=ecutie 3"anc% +
e"n1ent, unless s4eci+ically aut%"iDed 3y t%e -u4"e1e Cu"t and /50 i+ it t%e"e is
n cn+lict + inte"est " uld nt ade"sely "e+lect t%e inte"ity + t%e Judicia"y.
Pe" + Cnte14t:
o T%e 4e" t 4unis% +" cnte14t + cu"t des nt e=%aust t%e sc4e + disci4lina"y
aut%"ity + t%e Cu"t e" laye"s.
o T%e disci4lina"y aut%"ity + t%e Cu"t e" 1e13e"s + t%e !a" is 3ut c"lla"y t t%e
Cu"ts e=clusie 4e" + ad1issin t t%e !a".o A laye" is nt 1e"ely a 4"+essinal 3ut als an ++ice" + t%e cu"t and as suc%, %e is
called u4n t s%a"e in t%e tas; and "es4nsi3ility + dis4ensin ustice and "eslin
dis4utes in sciety. Any act n %is 4a"t %ic% isi3ly tends t 3st"uct, 4e"e"t, "
i14ede and de"ade t%e ad1inist"atin + ustice cnstitutes 3t% 4"+essinal
1iscnduct callin +" t%e e=e"cise + disci4lina"y actin aainst %i1, and cntu1acius
cnduct a""antin a44licatin + t%e cnte14t 4e".
o T%e a3sence + any +"1al c%a"e aainst and?" +"1al inestiatin + an e""ant
laye" d nt 4"eclude t%e Cu"t +"1 i11ediately e=e"cisin its disci4linin aut%"ity,
as ln as t%e e""ant laye" " ude %as 3een ien t%e 44"tunity t 3e %ea"d.
Rul!n: o< S)? @ilatin + Rule 6.(6 + Cann 6 and Cann 2 + t%e Cde + P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility.
*5enl"9?Fine + P6(,(((.((, it% ste"n a"nin
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A.). No. 60* June 2*, 20065EER . DONON, )ompl!nn", #$. A/. EMMANUE& O. ANSING)O, Re$pon(en".
CARPIO, J.:
Facts:
C14lainant +iled an esta+a case t%"u +alsi+icatin + a 4u3lic dcu1ent aainst -tie" /U- citiDen and
ne" + "eal 4"4e"ty in C0, Maay, and Atty. Tansinc /nta"y 4u3lic % nta"iDed t%e
Occu4ancy A"ee1ent 3eteen -tie"0.
Atty. Tansinc +iled a cunte"#c%a"e +" 4e"u"y s. cc14lainant.
C14lainant +iled dis3a"1ent c14laint s. Atty. Tansinc +" se"ius 1iscnduct and deli3e"ate
ilatin + Cann 6, Rules 6.(6 and 6.(' + t%e CPR.
Alleatin + c14lainant:
oRes4ndentBs act + 4"e4a"in Occu4ancy A"ee1ent des4ite %is ;nlede t%at -tie" is
dis$uali+ied t n "eal 4"4e"ty in %is na1e cnstitutes se"ius 1iscnduct.
oRes4ndent adised -tie" t d s1et%in in ilatin + t%e la and assisted %i1 in ca""yin
ut a dis%nest sc%e1e.
Anse" + Atty. Tansinc:
o-ince -tie"is dis$uali+ied t n "eal 4"4e"ty %e a"eed t t"ans+e" t%e 4"4e"ty t ntn
/Fili4in0 su3ect t %is undistu"3ed ccu4ancy t%e"e+.
o Res4ndent a"eed t 4"e4a"e and nta"iDe Occu4ancy A"ee1ent 3eteen -tie" and
ntn %ic% as tied u4 it% a lan -tie" e=tended t ntn.
oC14lainant +iled t%e dis3a"1ent case aainst %i1 u4n t%e instiatin + c14lainantBs
cunsel, Atty. !ni+aci A. Alentaan, 3ecause "es4ndent "e+used t act as c14lainantBs
itness in t%e c"i1inal case aainst -tie" and Maay. Res4ndent ad1itted t%at %e
84"e4a"ed and nta"iDed8 t%e Occu4ancy A"ee1ent and asse"ted its enuineness and due
e=ecutin.
Cu"t "e+e""ed 1atte" t I!P.
I!P t%"u% C11issine" Mila"s @. -an Juan:o "es4ndent lia3le +" ta;in 4a"t in a 8sc%e1e t ci"cu1ent t%e cnstitutinal 4"%i3itin
aainst +"ein ne"s%i4 + land in t%e P%ili44ines8
o sus4ensin +" ' yea"s and t%e cancellatin + %is c11issin as Nta"y Pu3lic
I!P !a"d + e"n"s: ad4ted I!P#C!Bs Reslutin it% 1di+icatin + sus4ensin +" 5
1nt%s.
I!P !a"d +"a"d case t -C as 4e" Rules + Cu"t.
Res4ndent +iled 1tin +" "ecn. -tatin %e as al"eady 25 yea"s ld and uld al"eady "eti"e 3y
'(( a+te" t%e te"1inatin + %is 4endin cases %is 4"actice + la is %is nly 1eans + su44"t +"
%is +a1ily and %is si= 1in" c%ild"en.
I!P !a"d denied 1tin 3ecause u"isdictin al"eady "ests it% t%e -C.
Issue: 9%et%e" " nt "es4ndent is lia3le.
Held: Kes. Res4ndent is lia3le +" ilatin + Cann 6 and Rule 6.(' + t%e CPR. A laye" s%uld nt
"ende" any se"ice " ie adice t any client %ic% ill inle de+iance + t%e las %ic% %e is 3und t
u4%ld and 3ey. A laye" % assists a client in a dis%nest sc%e1e " % cnnies in ilatin t%e la
c11its an act %ic% usti+ies disci4lina"y actin aainst t%e laye".
Res4ndent ad1itted t%at -tie", a U.-. citiDen, as dis$uali+ied +"1 nin "eal 4"4e"ty. He
+u"t%e" ad1itted t%at %e caused t%e t"ans+e" + ne"s%i4 t t%e 4a"cel + land t -tie". Res4ndent, %ee",
aa"e + t%e 4"%i3itin, $uic;ly "ecti+ied %is act and t"ans+e""ed t%e title in c14lainantBs na1e. !ut
"es4ndent 4"ided 8s1e sa+eua"ds8 3y 4"e4a"in see"al dcu1ents,includin t%e Occu4ancy
A"ee1ent, t%at uld ua"antee -tie"Bs "ecnitin as t%e actual ne" + t%e 4"4e"ty des4ite its t"ans+e" inc14lainantBs na1e. In e++ect, "es4ndent adised and aided -tie" in ci"cu1entin t%e cnstitutinal
4"%i3itin aainst +"ein ne"s%i4 + lands 3y 4"e4a"in said dcu1ents.
Res4ndent %ad s"n t u4%ld t%e Cnstitutin. T%us, %e ilated %is at% and t%e Cde %en
%e 4"e4a"ed and nta"iDed t%e Occu4ancy A"ee1ent t eade t%e la aainst +"ein ne"s%i4 + lands.
Res4ndent used %is ;nlede + t%e la t ac%iee an unla+ul end. -uc% an act a1unts t 1al4"actice
in %is ++ice, +" %ic% %e 1ay 3e sus4ended.
5enl"9? -us4ensin +" 5 1nt%s
A.). No. 66*2 Sep"em-e' +, 2005EDRO &. &INSANGAN, )ompl!nn", #$. A/. NI)OMEDES O&ENINO, Re$pon(en".
CORONA, J.:
Facts:
C14lainant + Linsanan Linsanan Linsanan La O++ice +iled dis3a"1ent case aainst Atty.
Tlentin +" slicitatin + clients and enc"ac%1ent + 4"+essinal se"ices.
C14lainant allees:
o Res4ndent, it% t%e %el4 + 4a"aleal Fe Ma"ie La3ian, cninced c14lainantBs clients t
t"ans+e" leal " e4"esentatin.
o Res4ndent 4"1ised t%e1 +inancial assistance and e=4editius cllectin n t%ei" clai1s.
o T induce t%e1 t %i"e %is se"ices, %e 4e"sistently called t%e1 and sent t%e1 te=t 1essaes.
o C14lainant attac%ed t%e s"n a++idait + Ja1es "e"i attestin t%at La3ian t"ied t
4"eail u4n %i1 t see" %is laye"#client "elatins it% c14lainant and utiliDe "es4ndentBs
se"ices instead, in e=c%ane +" a lan + P(,(((.
o C14lainant als attac%ed "es4ndentBs callin ca"d %ic% stated it% +inancial assistance
Res4ndent denied ;nin La3ian and aut%"iDin t%e 4"intin and ci"culatin + t%e callin
ca"d.
C14laint "e+e""ed t I!P#C!
I!P#C!:
o "es4ndent %ad enc"ac%ed n t%e 4"+essinal 4"actice + c14lainant, ilatin Rule ).(' and
t%e" canns + t%e CPR
o %e cnt"aened t%e "ule aainst slicitin cases +" ain, 4e"snally " t%"u% 4aid aents "
3";e"s as stated in -ectin '2, Rule 67)6' + t%e Rules + Cu"t
o "ec11ended t%at "es4ndent 3e "e4"i1anded it% a ste"n a"nin
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7/79
Issue: 9%et%e" " nt "es4ndent ilated t%e CPR
Held: Kes.T%e -C ad4ted t%e +indins + t%e I!P n t%e unet%ical cnduct + "es4ndent it%
1di+icatin as t t%e 4enalty.
Canns + t%e CPR a"e "ules + cnduct all laye"s 1ust ad%e"e t, includin t%e 1anne" 3y %ic%
a laye"Bs se"ices a"e t 3e 1ade ;nn. Cann 7 t%e"e+ 4"ides t%at a laye" in 1a;in ;nn %is leal
se"ices s%all use nly t"ue, %nest, +ai", dini+ied and 3ectie in+"1atin " state1ent + +acts.
T%e 4"actice + la is a 4"+essin and nt a 3usiness laye"s s%uld nt ade"tise t%ei" talents
as 1e"c%ants ade"tise t%ei" a"es. T all a laye" t ade"tise %is talent " s;ill is t c11e"cialiDe t%e4"actice + la, de"ade t%e 4"+essin in t%e 4u3licBs esti1atin and i14ai" its a3ility t e++iciently "ende" t%at
%i% c%a"acte" + se"ice t %ic% ee"y 1e13e" + t%e 3a" is called.
Rule '.(7 + t%e CPR 4"ides t%at a laye" s%all nt d " 4e"1it t 3e dne any act desined
4"i1a"ily t slicit l eal 3usiness. Hence, laye"s a"e 4"%i3ited +"1 slicitin cases +" t%e 4u"4se + ain,
eit%e" 4e"snally " t%"u% 4aid aents " 3";e"s. -uc% actuatin cnstitutes 1al4"actice, a "und +"
dis3a"1ent. In cnnectin t%e"eit%, Rule 6.(7 + t%e CPR 4"ides t%at a laye" s%all nt, +" any c""u4t
1tie " inte"est, encu"ae any suit " 4"ceedin " delay any 1anBs cause. T%is "ule 4"sc"i3es
8a13ulance c%asin8 /t%e slicitatin + al1st any ;ind + leal 3usiness 3y an att"ney, 4e"snally "
t%"u% an aent in "de" t ain e14ly1ent0 as a 1easu"e t 4"tect t%e c11unity +"1 3a""at"y and
c%a14e"ty.
Alt%u% "es4ndent initially denied ;nin La3ian in %is anse", %e late" ad1itted it du"in t%e
1andat"y %ea"in. T%"u% La3ianBs actins, "es4ndentBs la 4"actice as 3ene+ited. Ha4less sea1en
e"e enticed t t"ans+e" "e4"esentatin n t%e st"ent% + La3ianBs "d t%at "es4ndent culd 4"duce a
1"e +a"a3le "esult. !ased n t%e +"ein, "es4ndent clea"ly slicited e14ly1ent ilatin Rule '.(7,
and Rule 6.(7 and Cann 7 + t%e CPR and -ectin '2, Rule 67) + t%e Rules + Cu"t.
9it% "ea"d t "es4ndentBs ilatin + Rule ).(' + t%e CPR, settled is t%e "ule t%at a laye"
s%uld nt steal ant%e" laye"Bs client n" induce t%e latte" t "etain %i1 3y a 4"1ise + 3ette" se"ice, d
"esult " "educed +ees +" %is se"ices. Aain t%e Cu"t ntes t%at "es4ndent nee" denied %ain t%ese
sea+a"e"s in %is client list n" "eceiin 3ene+its +"1 La3ianBs 8"e+e""als.8 Fu"t%e"1"e, %e nee" denied
La3ianBs cnnectin t %is ++ice. Res4ndent c11itted an unet%ical, 4"edat"y e"ste4 int ant%e"Bs
leal 4"actice. He cannt esca4e lia3ility unde" Rule ).(' + t%e CPR.
M"ee", 3y enain in a 1ney#lendin entu"e it% %is clients as 3""e"s, "es4ndent
ilated Rule 65.(& %ic% 4"ides t%at a laye" s%all nt 3"" 1ney +"1 %is client unless t%e clientBsinte"ests a"e +ully 4"tected 3y t%e natu"e + t%e case " 3y inde4endent adice. Neit%e" s%all a laye" lend
1ney t a client e=ce4t, %en in t%e inte"est + ustice, %e %as t adance necessa"y e=4enses in a leal
1atte" %e is %andlin +" t%e client.
T%e "ule is intended t sa+eua"d t%e laye"Bs inde4endence + 1ind s t%at t%e +"ee e=e"cise +
%is ud1ent 1ay nt 3e ade"sely a++ected. It see;s t ensu"e %is undiided attentin t t%e case %e is
%andlin as ell as %is enti"e detin and +idelity t t%e clientBs cause. I+ t%e laye" lends 1ney t t%e client
in cnnectin it% t%e clientBs case, t%e laye" in e++ect ac$ui"es an inte"est in t%e su3ect 1atte" + t%e case
" an additinal sta;e in its utc1e. Eit%e" + t%ese ci"cu1stances 1ay lead t%e laye" t cnside" %is n
"ece"y "at%e" t%an t%at + %is client, " t acce4t a settle1ent %ic% 1ay ta;e ca"e + %is inte"est in t%e
e"dict t t%e 4"eudice + t%e client in ilatin + %is duty + undiided +idelity t t%e clientBs cause.
Cnside"in t%e 1y"iad in+"actins + "es4ndent /includin ilatin + t%e 4"%i3itin n lendin
1ney t clients0, t%e sanctin "ec11ended 3y t%e I!P, a 1e"e "e4"i1and, is "ssly inc11ensu"ate t its+indins.
As t t%e callin ca"d, a laye"Bs 3est ade"tise1ent is a ell#1e"ited "e4utatin +" 4"+essinal
ca4acity and +idelity t t"ust 3ased n %is c%a"acte" and cnduct. F" t%is "easn, laye"s a"e nly alled t
annunce t%ei" se"ices 3y 4u3licatin in "e4uta3le la lists " use + si14le 4"+essinal ca"ds. P"+essinal
callin ca"ds 1ay nly cntain t%e +llin details:/a0 laye"Bs na1e /30 na1e + t%e la +i"1 it% %ic% %e
is cnnected /c0 add"ess /d0 tele4%ne nu13e" and /e0 s4ecial 3"anc% + la 4"acticed.
5enl"9? -us4ensin +" 6 yea" and ste"n a"nin
G.R. No. 10613 Jul9 1+, 1*
8&OREN)IO G. BERNARDO, pe"!"!one', #$. 4E 4ON. S5E)IA& SI4 DIISION O8 4E )OUR O8A55EA&S n( JIMM/ OMAS, 'e$pon(en"$.
PANANI!AN, J.:
Facts:
P"iate Res4ndent Ji11y T1as +iled 3e+"e t%e Reinal T"ial Cu"t + al;an City a c14laint
+" "ece"y + 4ssessin, $uietin + title and da1aes it% 4"eli1ina"y 1andat"y inunctin s.
Petitine" Fl"enci !e"na"d, t%e Natinal Husin Aut%"ity /NHA0, Ray1und iDn, J". and Jse
@as$ueD in t%ei" ++icial ca4acities as ene"al 1anae" and 4"ect 1anae", "es4ectiely, + NHA.
o t%e lt su3ect + t%e c14laint as t%e 3ect + a du3le sale 3y t%e NHA t T1as and t
!e"na"d /+" P56,5((0 T%e +i"st 4leadin +iled 3y !e"na"d as an e= 4a"te 1tin +" e=tensin + ti1e t +ile an anse"
sined 3y 8Atty. Jse !. Pue"t8 as cunsel.
9%en t%e anse" as su31itted, %is cunsel 3eca1e 8Pue"t NuQeD Assciates,8 3ut it% t%e sa1e
8Jse !. Pue"t8 sinin. T%e"ea+te", all 4leadins n 3e%al+ + !e"na"d du"in t%e 4"e#t"ial e"e +iled
3y said la +i"1, and t%e t%e" 4a"ties +u"nis%ed %i1 it% t%ei" n 4leadins t%"u% t%e sa1e +i"1.
On t%e sc%eduled date + %ea"in, !e"na"d n" %is cunsel ca1e des4ite due ntice.
u"in t%e 4"ceedins, t%e cu"t inte"4"ete" in+"1ed t%e ude t%at an 8assciate + Atty. Pue"t8
alleedly called t say t%at Atty. Pue"t %ad died.
T%e cu"t cntinued t%e 4"ceedins.
A+te" Plainti++ T1as and t%e NHA cncluded t%e 4"esentatin + t%ei" "es4ectie eidence, Atty.
Ma"cel J. A3i3as, J". +iled a ntice + a44ea"ance as ne cunsel +" !e"na"d, 1entinin t%e"eint%e deat% + Atty. Pue"t.
T"ial cu"t "ende"ed ud1ent in +a" + 4lainti++ and aainst !e"na"d it%ut actin n t%e ntice +iled
3y !e"na"ds ne cunsel and it%ut "eceiin eidence +"1 e+endant !e"na"d.
!e"na"d, t%"u% %is ne cunsel, +iled a nine#4ae O1ni3us Mtin see;in /60 "ecnside"atin +
t%e a3e decisin, /'0 "e4enin + t%e case and /70 a ne t"ial n t%e "unds t%at %e %ad 3een
denied %is su3stantie "i%t t due 4"cess, 4a"ticula"ly t%e "i%t t 3e %ea"d, and t%at said decisin
as cnt"a"y t la.
T"ial cu"t denied t%e 1tin.
T"ial cu"t als denied ntice + a44eal +iled 3y !e"na"d u4n 44sitin 3y T1as cunsel n t%e
"und t%at it as +iled 3eynd t%e "ele1enta"y 4e"id t a44eal.
!e"na"d +iled 3e+"e t%e CA a 4etitin +" ce"ti"a"i, 1anda1us, 4"%i3itin it% inunctin and a
s4ecial 4"aye" +" t%e issuance + a te14"a"y "est"ainin "de".
CA /7"ddiisin0 4"1ulated a ecisin in +a" + !e"na"d
8/13/2019 Notes of Ethics Cases
8/79
oO"de"ed t%e t"ial ude t set t%e case 8+" %ea"in +" t%e "ece4tin + 4etitine"s eidence
a+te" %ic% a decisin 3e "ende"ed 3ased n t%e eidence and a44lica3le la.8
oAs + June 2, 66, Atty. Ma"cel J. A3i3as, J". 3eca1e t%e 4etitine"s ne cunsel. T%is
3ein s, c4y + t%e decisin s%uld %ae 3een sent t %i1. -ince t%is as nt c14lied it%,
and it%ut 3ein tec%nical a3ut it, %is "ecei4t n June '&, 66 + t%e decisin is cnside"ed
as t%e date +"1 %ic% t%e "ele1enta"y 6#day 4e"id t a44eal s%uld c11ence t "un.
T%us, %en 4etitine" +iled %is O1ni3us Mtin n June ', 66, t%is as ell it%in t%e 6#
day 4e"id. And %en t%e 1tin as denied n Auust 2, 66 and "eceied 3y 4etitine" n
Auust '7, 66, t%e"e e"e +u"teen 1"e days le+t +" 4etitine" it%in %ic% t 4e"+ect %is
a44eal. 9%en %e +iled %is Ntice + A44eal n -e4te13e" &, 66, it as nly t%e 67t% day +
t%e a44eal 4e"id.
Mtin +" Recn.+iled 3y T1as
CA /5t%diisin0 "anted 1tin and a++i"1ed t"ial cu"tBs decisin:
o cnside"ed as c"ucial t%e +ailu"e + a 4a"ty t c14ly it% t%e "ules n su3stitutin + cunsel
o9%en a 4a"ty is "e4"esented 3y cunsel + "ec"d, se"ice + "de"s and ntices 1ust 3e
1ade u4n t%e said att"ney and ntice t t%e client and t any t%e" laye", nt t%e cunsel
+ "ec"d, is nt ntice in la.
o In "de" t%at t%e"e 1ay 3e su3stitutin + att"neys in a ien case, t%e"e 1ust 3e /60 "itten
a44licatin +" su3stitutin /'0 a "itten cnsent + t%e client /70 a "itten cnsent + t%e
att"ney t 3e su3stituted and /&0 in case suc% "itten cnsent cannt 3e 4"cu"ed, t%e"e
1ust 3e +iled it% t%e a44licatin +" su3stitutin 4"+ + t%e se"ice + ntice + suc% 1tinin a 1anne" "e$ui"ed 3y t%e "ules n t%e att"ney t 3e su3stituted.
o9%e"e t%e 4"cedu"e +" su3stitutin + att"ney is nt +lled, t%e att"ney % a44ea"s n
"ec"d 3e+"e t%e +ilin + t%e a44licatin +" su3stitutin s%uld 3e "ea"ded as t%e att"ney
entitled t 3e se"ed it% all t%e ntices and 4leadins, and t%e client is anse"a3le +" t%e
s%"tc1ins + %is cunsel n "ec"d.
o T%e +ilin + ntice + a44ea"ance 3y a ne cunsel des nt a1unt t ++icial su3stitutin +
cunsel + "ec"d. T%e cu"ts 1ay nt 4"esu1e t%at t%e cunsel + "ec"d %ad al"eady 3een
su3stituted 3y ne cunsel 1e"ely +"1 t%e +ilin + +"1al a44ea"ance 3y t%e latte".
Petitine"Bs a"u1ent:
oCA /and t%e t"ial cu"t0 c11itted "ae a3use + disc"etin in de4"iin %i1 + due 4"cess
3y +ailin t "e4en t%e t"ial 4"ceedins t ena3le %i1 t 4"esent eidence t su44"t %isde+enses, cunte"clai1 and c"ss#clai1
oCA ent 3eynd "elie+s 4"ayed +": Res4ndent T1as 1e"ely 4"ayed t%at Res4ndent
Cu"ts "iinal decisin 3e 1di+ied suc% t%at a ne t"ial uld 3e denied t%e 4etitine" and
nly %is a44eal uld 3e ien due cu"se.
Issue: id t%e t"ial cu"t deny due 4"cess t t%e 4etitine" 3y its "e+usal t "ant ne t"ial and?" t
"e4en t%e case in s4ite + t%e +act t%at t%e de+endant as una3le t 4a"tici4ate and t 4"esent %is eidence
du e t t%e deat% + t%e %andlin laye" + t%e la +i"1 "e4"esentin %i1 and t%e +ailu"e + t%e ne att"ney t
+ll t%e "ules n su3stitutin + cunsel 2*, 'e$pon(en".
PER CURIAM:
A.). No. *07 No#em-e' 11, 200BERNARDO A. AD&I5, )ompl!nn", #$. A/. 8IDE& 4. BORRES, JR., Re$pon(en".
Tina, J.:
E&5IDIO 5. IONG,C14lainant, s, A/. GEORGE M. 8&ORENDO,Res4ndent.A.). No. ++27 Decem-e' 12, 2011
PERLAS-BERNABE, J.:
Facts:
8/13/2019 Notes of Ethics Cases
12/79
ad1inist"atie c14laint +" dis3a"1ent +iled 3y El4idi P. Tin aainst Atty. e"e M. Fl"end +"
"ss i11"ality and "ae 1iscnduct
Tin, an A1e"ican CitiDen, and %is i+e, Ma. Elena T. Tin, a"e "eal estate less"s in !aui City
and enaed in t%e asse13ly and "e4ai" + 1t" e%icles in Paldit, -isn, Panasinan
t%ey enaed t%e se"ices + "es4ndent Atty. e"e M. Fl"end nt nly as leal cunsel 3ut als
as ad1inist"at" + t%ei" 3usinesses %enee" c14lainant uld leae +" t%e U-
c14lainant 3ean t sus4ect t%at "es4ndent and %is i+e e"e %ain an illicit a++ai"
%is sus4icin as cn+i"1ed %en, in t%ei" "esidence, %e c%anced u4n a tele4%ne cne"satin
3eteen t%e t and %ea"d "es4ndent utte" t%e "ds 8I le yu, Ill call yu late"8 %en cn+"nted, %is i+e initially denied 3ut eentually 3";e dn and cn+essed t t%ei" le a++ai"
t%at 3ean in 67
"es4ndent li;eise ad1itted t%e "elatins%i4
at a 1eetin initiated 3y "es4ndent and %eld at t%e -ali3a Restau"ant in !u"n%a1 Pa";, !aui City,
"es4ndent and c14lainants i+e, cn+essed ane t t%ei" illicit a++ai" 3e+"e t%ei" "es4ectie s4uses
t%e 4a"ties 1et aain at t%e Manda"in Restau"ant in !aui City and, in t%e 4"esence + a Nta"y
Pu3lic, Atty.Li3e"at Tade, "es4ndent and Ma. Elena e=ecuted and sined an a++idait attestin t
t%ei" illicit "elatins%i4 /adulte"y0 and see;in t%ei" "es4ectie s4uses +"ieness
c14lainant instituted t%e 4"esent suit +" dis3a"1ent
"es4ndent ad1itted t%e 1ate"ial alleatins + t%e c14laint 3ut inte"4sed t%e de+ense + 4a"dn
-C "e+e""ed case t I!P I!P#C! t%"u% C11issine" Austinus @. nDaa:
o C14laint %as 1e"it
oRec11ended sus4ensin + "es4ndent +" 6 yea"
I!P !a"d + e"n"s ad4ted C!Bs "ec11endatin
Issue: 9%et%e" t%e 4a"dn e=tended 3y c14lainant in t%e A++idait dated May 6, 6 is su++icient t
a""ant t%e dis1issal + t%e 4"esent dis3a"1ent case aainst "es4ndent +" "ss i11"al cnduct.
Held: N. T%e -C "esles t ad4t t%e +indins and "ec11endatin + t%e I!P#C! e=ce4t as t t%e
4enalty i14sed. Res4ndent ilated Cann 6, Rule 6.(6, Cann 2, and Rule 2.(7 + t%e CPR.
Pssessin + d 1"al c%a"acte" is nt nly a cnditin +" ad1issin t t%e !a" 3ut is acntinuin "e$ui"e1ent t 1aintain nes d standin in t%e leal 4"+essin. It is t%e 3unden duty + la
4"actitine"s t 3se"e t%e %i%est de"ee + 1"ality in "de" t sa+eua"d t%e inte"ity + t%e !a".
Cnse$uently, any e""ant 3e%aiu" n t%e 4a"t + a laye", 3e it in %is 4u3lic " 4"iate actiities, %ic% tends
t s% %i1 de+icient in 1"al c%a"acte", %nesty, 4"3ity " d de1ean", is su++icient t a""ant %is
sus4ensin " dis3a"1ent.
Res4ndent ad1itted %is illicit "elatins%i4 it% a 1a""ied 1an nt %is i+e, and "se, t%at +
%is client. Cnt"a"y t "es4ndents clai1, t%ei" cns"tiu1 cannt 3e classi+ied as a 1e"e 811ent +
indisc"etin cnside"in t%at it lasted +" ' yea"s and as nly a3"ted %en c14lainant e"%ea"d t%ei"
a1"us 4%ne cne"satin n Ma"c% 67, 6.
Res4ndents act + %ain an a++ai" it% %is clients i+e 1ani+ested %is dis"es4ect +" t%e las n
t%e sanctity + 1a""iae and %is n 1a"ital + +idelity. It s%ed %is ut1st 1"al de4"aity and l
"ea"d +" t%e et%ics + %is 4"+essin. Li;eise, %e ilated t%e t"ust and cn+idence "e4sed n %i1 3yc14lainant %ic% in itsel+ is 4"%i3ited unde" Cann 62.
-ectin '2, Rule 67) + t%e Rules + Cu"t 4"ides t%at an att"ney 1ay 3e dis3a""ed "
sus4ended +"1 %is ++ice 3y t%e Cu"t +" any deceit, 1al4"actice, " t%e" "ss 1iscnduct in
++ice, :'o$$l9 !mmo'l con(uc", a1n t%e"s.A case + sus4ensin " dis3a"1ent is sui generisand nt 1eant t "ant "elie+ t a c14lainant
as in a ciil case 3ut is intended t cleanse t%e "an;s + t%e leal 4"+essin + its undesi"a3le 1e13e"s in
"de" t 4"tect t%e 4u3lic and t%e cu"ts. It is nt an inestiatin int t%e acts + "es4ndent as a %us3and
3ut n %is cnduct as an ++ice" + t%e Cu"t and %is +itness t cntinue as a 1e13e" + t%e !a". Hence, t%e
A++idait dated Ma"c% 6, 6, %ic% is a;in t an a++idait + desistance, cannt %ae t%e e++ect + a3atin
t%e instant 4"ceedins.
5enl"9? -us4ensin +" 5 1nt%s +" "ss I1"ality
MAE&OISEA S. GARRIDO, )ompl!nn", #$. A/S. ANGE& E. GARRIDO n( ROMANA 5.A&EN)IA, Re$pon(en"$.A.). No. 63
PER CURIAM:
Facts:
Maeltisea -i4in a""id +iled a c14laint#a++idait +" dis3a"1ent aainst t%e "es4ndents Atty. Anel
E. a""id /Att. !arri"o0 and Atty. R1ana P.@alencia /Att. #alencia0 at t%e I!P C11ittee n
isci4line +" "ss i11"ality.
C14lainant allees t%at:
o -%e is t%e leal i+e + Atty. a""id it% 5 c%ild"en na1ely, Mat EliDa3et%, A"nel Anelit,
Madeleine EliDa, A"nel Anel, A"nel @ict"in and Madnna Aneline, all su"na1ed a""id
o ne + t%ei" dau%te"s, Madeleine tld c14lainant t%at n 6)2, an un;nn calle" tal;ed it%
%e" clai1in t%at t%e +"1e" is a c%ild + Atty. a""id
o ant%e" dau%te", May EliDa3et%, als tld c14lainant t%at n Auust 6(, s%e sa Atty.
a""id st"llin at t%e R3insnBs e4a"t1ent -t"e at E"1ita, Manila tet%e" Atty. Ra1na
Pauida @alencia and Aneli Ra1na @alencia a""id /c%ild0
o c14lainant as a3le t secu"e t%e Ce"ti+icate + Lie !i"t% + t%e c%ild, statin a1n t%e"s
t%at t%e said c%ild is t%ei" dau%te" and t%at Atty. Anel Esc3a" a""id and Atty. R1anaPauida @alencia e"e 1a""ied at Hn;n n 62)
o n June 67, Atty. a""id le+t t%e cnual %1e and ined Atty. Ra1na Pauida @alencia at
t%ei" "esidence
o since t%en, Atty. a""id +ailed t ie c14lainant and +a1ily +inancial su44"t causin t%e
c%ild"en t st4 sc%lin
o a dis3a"1ent case is als +iled aainst %is 1ist"ess Atty. R1ana P. @alencia cnside"in t%at
ut + t%ei" i11"al acts, 1ental anuis% and 3es1i"c%ed "e4utatin, unded +eelins and
slee4less ni%ts as su++e"ed 3y c14lainant
Atty. a""id denied t%e c%a"es and i14utatins:
o alleed t%at Maeltisea as nt %is leal i+e, as %e as al"eady 1a""ied t Cnstancia aid
/$onstancia0 %en %e 1a""ied Maeltiseao %e 1a""ied Maeltisea a+te" %e and Cnstancia 4a"ted ays
8/13/2019 Notes of Ethics Cases
13/79
oMaeltisea ;ne all %is esca4ades and unde"std %is 3ad 3y i1ae 3e+"e t%ey 1a""ied
o %e and Maeltisea "e a4a"t e" t%e yea"s due t +inancial 4"3le1s
o %e 1et Atty. @alencia and t%ey 3eca1e clse
o denied t%at %e +ailed t ie +inancial su44"t t %is c%ild"en it% Maeltisea, e14%asiDin t%at
all %is 5 c%ild"en e"e educated in 4"iate sc%ls, all "aduated +"1 cllee e=ce4t +" A"nel
@ict"in, % +inis%ed a s4ecial secnda"y cu"se
o alleed t%at Maeltisea %ad nt 3een e14lyed and %ad nt 4"acticed %e" 4"+essin +" t%e
4ast 6( yea"s
o e14%asiDed t%at all %is 1a""iaes e"e cnt"acted 3e+"e %e 3eca1e a 1e13e" + t%e 3a" n
62, it% t%e t%i"d 1a""iae cnt"acted a+te" t%e deat% + Cnstancia n 622
o li;eise, %is c%ild"en it% Maeltisea e"e 3"n 3e+"e %e 3eca1e a laye"
Atty. @alencia denied t%at s%e as t%e 1ist"ess + Atty. a""id:
o e=4lained t%at Maeltisea as nt t%e leal i+e + Atty. a""id since t%e 1a""iae 3eteen
t%e1 as id +"1 t%e 3einnin due t t%e t%en e=istin 1a""iae + Atty. a""id it%
Cnstancia
o clai1ed t%at Maeltisea ;ne + t%e "1antic "elatins%i4 3eteen %e" and Atty. a""id, as
t%ey 1et in 62)
oMaeltisea ;e4t silent a3ut %e" "elatins%i4 it% Atty. a""id and %ad 1aintained t%is silence
%en s%e /Atty. @alencia0 +inancially %el4ed Atty. a""id 3uild a %use +" %is secnd +a1ily
o alleed t%at Maeltisea as nt a 4"4e" 4a"ty t t%is suit 3ecause + %e" silence s%e ;e4t sil ent
%en t%ins e"e +a"a3le and 3ene+icial t %e"
oMaeltisea %ad n cause + actin aainst %e".
t%e 4a"ties +iled 7 1tins 3e+"e t%e I!P C11issin n !a" isci4line:
o "es4ndents +iled a Mtin +" -us4ensin + P"ceedins in ie + t%e c"i1inal c14laint +"
cncu3inae Maeltisea +iled aainst t%e1 and t%e Petitin +" ecla"atin + Nullity + 1a""iae
Atty. a""id +iled t nulli+y %is 1a""iae t Maeltisea 1tin denied
o "es4ndents +iled a Mtin t is1iss t%e c14laints a+te" t%e RTC + ueDn City decla"ed t%e
1a""iae 3eteen Atty. a""id and Maeltisea an a3slute nullity 1tin denied
oMaeltisea +iled a 1tin +" t%e dis1issal + t%e c14laints s%e +iled aainst t%e "es4ndents,
a"uin t%at s%e anted t 1aintain +"iendly "elatins it% Atty. a""id1tin denied
I!P#C! "ec11ended "es4ndentsB dis3a"1ent /t%"u Inestiatin C11issine" Mila"s @. -an
Juan0
I!P !a"d + e"n"s ad4ted "ec11endatin it% 1di+icatin:
o Atty. a""id DISBARRED +" "ss i11"ality
o Atty. @alencia case DISMISSED+" lac; + 1e"it
Atty. a""id a44eals t -C a"uin:
o %e did nt c11it any "ss i11"ality t%at uld a""ant %is dis3a"1ent
o t%e ++enses c%a"ed %ae 4"esc"i3ed unde" t%e I!P "ules
o 4leads t%at %e 3e alled n %u1anita"ian cnside"atins t "etain %is 4"+essin /al"eady ld0
Atty. Riss#@idal /i"ect" + t%e C11issin n !a" isci4line0 +iled %e" C11ent "ec11endin a
1di+icatin + t%e 4enalty +"1 dis3a"1ent t "e4"i1and n t%e "und t%at dis3a"1ent is e"y %a"s%
cnside"in t%at t%e 22#yea" ld Atty. a""id t; "es4nsi3ility +" %is acts and t"ied t 1end %is ays
3y +ilin a 4etitin +" decla"atin + nullity + %is 3ia1us 1a""iae als n t%e" ad1inist"atie case
%as ee" 3een +iled aainst Atty. a""id
Issue: 9%et%e" Atty. a""id s%uld 3e dis3a""ed.
Held: Kes. T%e +indins + t%e I!P !a"d + e"n"s aainst Atty. a""id is ad4ted e=ce4t +" its
"ec11endatin it% "es4ect t Atty. @alencia.
Att. !arri"o
las dealin it% du3le e4a"dy " it% 4"cedu"e, in t%is case, 4"esc"i4tin + ++enses " t%e +ilin
+ a++idaits + desistance 3y t%e c14lainant d nt a44ly in t%e dete"1inatin + a laye"Bs
$uali+icatins and +itness +" 1e13e"s%i4 in t%e !a" ad1issin t t%e 4"actice + la is a c14nent + t%e ad1inist"atin + ustice and is a 1atte" +
4u3lic inte"est 3ecause it inles se"ice t t%e 4u3lic
ad1issin $uali+icatins a"e als $uali+icatins +" t%e cntinued eny1ent + t%e 4"iilee t
4"actice la
c14lainant in a dis3a"1ent case is nt a di"ect 4a"ty %se inte"est in t%e utc1e + t%e c%a"e is
%lly %is " %e" n # %is " %e" 4a"tici4atin is t%at + a itness % 3"u%t t%e 1atte" t t%e
attentin + t%e Cu"t
t%e ti1e t%at ela4sed 3eteen t%e i11"al acts c%a"ed and t%e +ilin + t%e c14laint is nt 1ate"ial
in cnside"in t%e $uali+icatin + Atty. a""id %en %e a44lied +" ad1issin t t%e 4"actice + la,
and %is cntinuin $uali+icatin t 3e a 1e13e" + t%e leal 4"+essin
t%e 4ssessin + d 1"al c%a"acte" is 3t% a cnditin 4"ecedent and a cntinuin "e$ui"e1entt a""ant ad1issin t t%e 3a" and t "etain 1e13e"s%i4 in t%e leal 4"+essin
ad1issin t t%e 4"actice nly c"eates t%e "e3utta3le 4"esu14tin t%at t%e a44licant %as all t%e
$uali+icatins t 3ec1e a laye" # 1ay 3e "e+uted 3y clea" and cnincin eidence t t%e cnt"a"y
een a+te" ad1issin t t%e !a"
A"ticle @III -ectin /0 + t%e Cnstitutin "ecniDes t%e disci4lina"y aut%"ity + t%e Cu"t e" t%e
1e13e"s + t%e !a" t 3e 1e"ely incidental t t%e Cu"ts e=clusie 4e" t ad1it a44licants t t%e
4"actice + la
-ectin '2, Rule 67) + t%e Rules + Cu"t e=4"essly states t%at a 1e13e" + t%e 3a" 1ay 3e
dis3a""ed " sus4ended +"1 %is ++ice as att"ney 3y t%e -u4"e1e Cu"t +", a1n t%e"s, any
deceit, "ssly i11"al cnduct, " ilatin + t%e at% t%at %e is "e$ui"ed t ta;e 3e+"e ad1issin
t t%e 4"actice + la MaeltiseaBs a++idait + desistance cannt %ae t%e e++ect + discntinuin " a3atin t%e dis3a"1ent
4"ceedins due t 4u3lic se"ice c%a"acte" + t%e 4"actice + la and t%e natu"e + dis3a"1ent
4"ceedins as a 4u3lic inte"est cnce"n. Maeltisea is 1"e + a itness t%an a c14lainant
and s%e +iled %e" a++idaits + it%d"aal nly a+te" s%e %ad 4"esented %e" eidence 1a;in it
aaila3le +" t%e Cu"tBs e=a1inatin
Immo'l con(uc"inles acts t%at a"e ill+ul, +la"ant, " s%a1eless, and t%at s% a 1"al
indi++e"ence t t%e 4inin + t%e u4"i%t and "es4ecta3le 1e13e"s + t%e c11unity.
G'o$$ !mmo'l con(uc" is s c""u4t as t cnstitute a c"i1inal act, " s un4"inci4led as t 3e
"e4"e%ensi3le t a %i% de"ee, " %en c11itted unde" suc% scandalus " "eltin
ci"cu1stances as t s%c; t%e c11unityBs sense + decency
t%e su4"e1e 4enalty + dis3a"1ent a"isin +"1 cnduct "e$ui"es "ssly i11"al, nt si14ly
i11"al cnduct +" laye"s % cnt"acted an unla+ul secnd " 1ulti4le 1a""iaes
8/13/2019 Notes of Ethics Cases
14/79
t%e ad1issins + Atty. a""id esta3lis%ed a 4atte"n + "ss i11"al cnduct t%at a""ants %is
dis3a"1ent
%is cnduct as nt nly c""u4t " un4"inci4led it as "e4"e%ensi3le t t%e %i%est de"ee
a""id c11itted 1ulti4le ilatins "elatin t t%e leal 4"+essin, s4eci+ically, ilatins + t%e 3a"
ad1issin "ules, + %is laye"Bs at%, and + t%e et%ical "ules + t%e 4"+essin:
6.Atty. a""id ad1itted t%at %e le+t Cnstancia t 4u"sue %is la studies t%e"ea+te" and du"in
t%e 1a""iae, %e %ad "1antic "elatins%i4s it% t%e" 1en. He %ad t%e all t "e4"esent t
t%is Cu"t t%at t%e study + la as %is "easn +" leain %is i+e 1a""iae and t%e study +
la a"e nt 1utually e=clusie.
'.%e 1is"e4"esented %i1sel+ t Maeltisea as a 3ac%el", %en in t"ut% %e as al"eady 1a""ied
t Cnstancia. T%is as a 1is"e4"esentatin ien as an e=cuse t lu"e a 1an int a
4"%i3ited "elatins%i4.
7. Atty. a""id cnt"acted %is secnd 1a""iae it% Maeltisea ntit%standin t%e su3sistence
+ %is +i"st 1a""iae. T%is as an 4en ad1issin, nt nly + an illeal liaisn, 3ut + t%e
c11issin + a c"i1e.
&. Atty. a""id enaed in an e=t"a#1a"ital a++ai" it% Atty. @alencia %ile %is t 1a""iaes
e"e in 4lace and it%ut ta;in int cnside"atin t%e 1"al and e1tinal i14licatins + %is
actins n t%e t 1en %e t; as ies and n %is 5 c%ild"en 3y %is secnd 1a""iae.
. Instead + 1a;in leal a1ends t alidate %is 1a""iae it% Maeltisea u4n t%e deat% +
Cnstancia, Atty. a""id 1a""ied Atty. @alencia % 3"e %i1 a dau%te".
5. Atty. a""id 1isused %is leal ;nlede and cninced Atty. @alencia /% as nt t%en alaye"0 t%at %e as +"ee t 1a""y, cnside"in t%at %is 1a""iae it% Maeltisea as nt
alid.
2. Atty. a""id 1a""ied Atty. @alencia in Hn;n in an a44a"ent atte14t t acc"d leiti1acy
t a unin ente"ed int %ile ant%e" 1a""iae as in 4lace.
). A+te" ad1issin t t%e 4"actice + la, Atty. a""id si1ultaneusly c%a3ited and %ad se=ual
"elatins it% t /'0 1en % at ne 4int e"e 3t% %is edded ies. He als led a
du3le li+e it% t /'0 +a1ilies +" a 4e"id + 1"e t%an ten /6(0 yea"s.
. Atty. a""id 4etitined +" t%e nullity + %is 1a""iae t Maeltisea. Cnt"a"y t t%e 4sitin
adanced 3y Atty. Alicia A. Riss#@idal, t%is as nt an act + +acin u4 t %is "es4nsi3ility "
an act + 1endin %is ays. T%is as an atte14t, usin %is leal ;nlede, t esca4e
lia3ility +" %is 4ast actins 3y %ain %is secnd 1a""iae decla"ed voi"a+te" t%e 4"esent
c14laint as +iled aainst %i1. He did nt 4ssess t%e d 1"al c%a"acte" "e$ui"ed + a laye" at t%e ti1e + %is ad1issin t t%e
!a".
He ilated %is laye"Bs at%, -ectin '(/a0 + Rule 67) + t%e Rules + Cu"t, and Cann 6 + t%e
CPR, all + %ic% c11nly "e$ui"e %i1 t 3ey t%e las + t%e land.
In 1a""yin Maeltisea, %e c11itted t%e c"i1e + 3ia1y, as %e ente"ed t%is secnd 1a""iae %ile
%is +i"st 1a""iae it% Cnstancia as su3sistin.
He ilated et%ical "ules + t%e 4"+essin, s4eci+ically, Rule 6.(6, Cann 2, and Rule 2.(7, CPR
9%en %e ilated t%e la and dist"ted it t cate" t %is n 4e"snal needs and sel+is% 1ties, %e
disc"edited t%e leal 4"+essin and c"eated t%e 4u3lic i14"essin t%at las a"e 1e"e tls +
cnenience t%at can 3e used, 3ended and a3used t satis+y 4e"snal %i1s and desi"es.
Laye"s a"e 3und t 1aintain nt nly a %i% standa"d + leal 4"+iciency, 3ut als + 1"ality,includin %nesty, inte"ity and +ai" dealin.
Laye"s a"e at all ti1es su3ect t t%e atc%+ul 4u3lic eye and c11unity a44"3atin.
Atty. Valencia
Atty. @alencia s%uld 3e ad1inist"atiely lia3le unde" t%e ci"cu1stances +" "ss i11"ality.
Mo'l c>'c"e'is nt a su3ectie te"1 3ut ne t%at c""es4nds t 3ectie "eality. T %ae d
1"al c%a"acte", a 4e"sn 1ust %ae t%e 4e"snal c%a"acte"istics + 3ein d.
It is nt enu% t%at %e " s%e %as a d "e4utatin.
T%e "e$ui"e1ent + d 1"al c%a"acte" %as +u" ene"al 4u"4ses, na1ely: /60 t 4"tect t%e
4u3lic /'0 t 4"tect t%e 4u3lic i1ae + laye"s /70 t 4"tect 4"s4ectie clients and /&0 t 4"tecte""ant laye"s +"1 t%e1seles.
P"i" t 3ec1in a laye", Atty. @alencia al"eady ;ne t%at Atty. a""id as a 1a""ied 1an /eit%e"
t Cnstancia " t Maeltisea0, and t%at %e al"eady %ad a +a1ily.
As Atty. a""idBs ad1itted cn+idante, s%e as unde" t%e 1"al duty t ie %i1 4"4e" adice
instead, s%e ente"ed int a "1antic "elatins%i4 it% %i1 +" a3ut 5 yea"s du"in t%e su3sistence +
%is t 1a""iaes.
In 62), s%e 1a""ied Atty. a""id it% t%e ;nlede t%at %e %ad an utstandin secnd 1a""iae.
T%ese ci"cu1stances, t u" 1ind, su44"t t%e cnclusin t%at s%e lac;ed d 1"al c%a"acte"
een it%ut 3ein a laye", a 4e"sn 4ssessed + %i% 1"al alues, %se cn+idential adice
as su%t 3y ant%e" it% "es4ect t t%e latte"Bs +a1ily 4"3le1s, uld nt a"aate t%e situatin
3y ente"in int a "1antic liaisn it% t%e 4e"sn see;in adice, t%e"e3y e++ectiely alienatin t%e
t%e" 4e"snBs +eelins and a++ectin +"1 %is i+e and +a1ily.
9%ile Atty. @alencia cntends t%at Atty. a""idBs 1a""iae it% Maeltisea as null and id, t%e +act
"e1ains t%at %e t; a 1an aay +"1 a 1an % 3"e %i1 si= /50 c%ild"en. O"dina"y decency uld %ae
"e$ui"ed %e" t a"d ++ Atty. a""idBs adances, as %e as a 1a""ied 1an, in +act a tice#1a""ied 1an it%
3t% 1a""iaes su3sistin at t%at ti1e s%e s%uld %ae said n t Atty. a""id +"1 t%e e"y sta"t. Instead,
s%e cntinued %e" liaisn it% Atty. a""id, d"iin %i1, u4n t%e deat% + Cnstancia, aay +"1 leiti1iDin
%is "elatins%i4 it% Maeltisea and t%ei" c%ild"en. 9"se t%an t%is, 3ecause + Atty. @alenciaBs 4"esence and
illinness, Atty. a""id een le+t %is secnd +a1ily and si= c%ild"en +" a t%i"d 1a""iae it% %e". T%is
scena"i s1ac;s + i11"ality een i+ ieed utside + t%e 4"is1 + l a.
9e a"e nt un1ind+ul + Atty. @alenciaBs e=4"essed 3elie+ t%at Atty. a""idBs secnd 1a""iae tMaeltisea as inalid %ence, s%e +elt +"ee t 1a""y Atty. a""id. 9%ile t%is 1ay 3e c""ect in t%e st"ict leal
sense and as late" n cn+i"1ed 3y t%e decla"atin + t%e nullity + Atty. a""idBs 1a""iae t Maeltisea,
e d nt 3eliee at all in t%e %nesty + t%is e=4"essed 3elie+.
T%e "ec"ds s% t%at Atty. @alencia cnsented t 3e 1a""ied in Hn;n, nt it%in t%e
cunt"y. ien t%at t%is 1a""iae t"ans4i"ed 3e+"e t%e decla"atin + t%e nullity + Atty. a""idBs secnd
1a""iae, e can nly call t%is Hn;n 1a""iae a clandestine 1a""iae, cnt"a"y t t%e Fili4in t"aditin +
cele3"atin a 1a""iae tet%e" it% +a1ily. es4ite Atty. @alenciaBs clai1 t%at s%e a"eed t 1a""y Atty.
a""id nly a+te" %e s%ed %e" proof of &is capacit to enter into a su'se(uent vali" marriage, t%e
cele3"atin + t%ei" 1a""iae in Hn;n 7Gleads us t t%e 44site cnclusin t%ey anted t 1a""y in
Hn;n +" t%e added secu"ity + aidin any c%a"e + 3ia1y 3y ente"in int t%e su3se$uent 1a""iae
utside P%ili44ine u"isdictin. In t%is "ea"d, e cannt %el4 3ut nte t%at Atty. @alencia a+te"a"ds 4ted t"etain and use %e" su"na1e instead + usin t%e su"na1e + %e" %us3and. Atty. @alencia, t, did nt
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/february2010/6593.htm#_ftn41http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/february2010/6593.htm#_ftn41http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/february2010/6593.htm#_ftn418/13/2019 Notes of Ethics Cases
15/79
a44ea" t 1ind t%at %e" %us3and did nt lie and c%a3it it% %e" unde" ne "+, 3ut it% %is secnd i+e
and t%e +a1ily + t%is 1a""iae. A44a"ently, Atty. @alencia did nt 1ind at all s%a"in %e" %us3and it%
ant%e" 1an. T%is, t us, is a clea" de1nst"atin + Atty. @alenciaBs 4e"e"se sense + 1"al alues.
Measu"ed aainst t%e de+initin + "ss i11"ality, e +ind Atty. @alenciaBs actins "ssly
i11"al. He" actins e"e s c""u4t as t a44"=i1ate a c"i1inal act, +" s%e 1a""ied a 1an %, in all
a44ea"ances, as 1a""ied t ant%e" and it% %1 %e %as a +a1ily. He" actins e"e als un4"inci4led and
"e4"e%ensi3le t a %i% de"ee as t%e cn+idante + Atty. a""id, s%e 4"eyed n %is ulne"a3ility and
enaed in a "1antic "elatins%i4 it% %i1 du"in t%e su3sistence + %is t 4"eius 1a""iaes. As al"eady
1entined, Atty. @alenciaBs cnduct culd nt 3ut 3e scandalus and "eltin t t%e 4int + s%c;in t%ec11unityBs sense + decency %ile s%e 4"+essed t 3e t%e la+ully edded i+e, s%e %el4ed t%e secnd
+a1ily 3uild a %use 4"i" t %e" 1a""iae t Atty. a""id, and did nt 3ect t s%a"in %e" %us3and it% t%e
1an + %is secnd 1a""iae.
9e +ind t%at Atty. @alencia ilated Cann 2 and Rule 2.(7 + t%e Cde + P"+essinal
Res4nsi3ility, as %e" 3e%ai" de1eaned t%e dinity + and disc"edited t%e leal 4"+essin. -%e si14ly
+ailed in %e" duty as a laye" t ad%e"e unae"inly t t%e %i%est standa"ds + 1"ality. &(G In Barrientos v.
)aarol,&6Ge %eld t%at laye"s, as ++ice"s + t%e cu"t, 1ust nt nly 3e + d 1"al c%a"acte" 3ut 1ust
als 3e seen t 3e + d 1"al c%a"acte" and 1ust lead lies in acc"dance it% t%e %i%est 1"al
standa"ds + t%e c11unity. Atty. @alencia +ailed t lie u4 t t%ese standa"ds 3e+"e s%e as ad1itted t
t%e 3a" and a+te" s%e 3eca1e a 1e13e" + t%e leal 4"+essin.
Conclusion
Me13e"s%i4 in t%e !a" is a 4"iilee 3u"dened it% cnditins. As a 4"iilee 3ested 3y la
t%"u% t%e -u4"e1e Cu"t, 1e13e"s%i4 in t%e !a" can 3e it%d"an %e"e ci"cu1stances cnc"etely s%
t%e laye"Bs lac; + t%e essential $uali+icatins "e$ui"ed + laye"s. 9e "esle t it%d"a t%is 4"iilee +"1
Atty. Anel E. a""id and Atty. Rena P. @alencia +" t%is "easn.
In i14sin t%e 4enalty + dis3a"1ent u4n t%e "es4ndents, e a"e aa"e t%at t%e 4e" t
dis3a" is ne t 3e e=e"cised it% "eat cautin and nly in clea" cases + 1iscnduct t%at se"iusly a++ects
t%e standin and c%a"acte" + t%e laye" as a leal 4"+essinal and as an ++ice" + t%e Cu"t. &'G
9e a"e cninced +"1 t%e ttality + t%e eidence n %and t%at t%e 4"esent case is ne + t%e1.T%e "ec"ds s% t%e 4a"tiesB 4atte"n + "ae and i11"al 1iscnduct t%at de1nst"ates t%ei" lac; + 1ental
and e1tinal +itness and 1"al c%a"acte" t $uali+y t%e1 +" t%e "es4nsi3ilities and duties i14sed n
laye"s as 4"+essinals and as ++ice"s + t%e cu"t.
9%ile e a"e ;eenly aa"e + Atty. a""idBs 4lea +" c14assin and %is act + su44"tin %is
c%ild"en it% Maeltisea a+te" t%ei" se4a"atin, e cannt "ant %is 4lea. T%e e=tent + %is de1nst"ated
ilatins + %is at%, t%e Rules + Cu"t and + t%e Cde + P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility e""ides %at unde"
t%e" ci"cu1stances a"e c11enda3le t"aits + c%a"acte".
In li;e 1anne", Atty. @alenciaBs 3e%ai" e" a ln 4e"id + ti1e une$uically de1nst"ates a
3asic and se"ius +la in %e" c%a"acte", %ic% e cannt si14ly 3"us% aside it%ut unde"1inin t%e dinity
+ t%e leal 4"+essin and it%ut 4lacin t%e inte"ity + t%e ad1inist"atin + ustice int $uestin. -%e as
nt an n#l;e" icti1iDed 3y t%e ci"cu1stances, 3ut a illin and ;nin +ull 4a"tici4ant in a le t"ianle
%se incidents c"ssed int t%e illicit.
%4ERE8ORE, 4"e1ises cnside"ed, t%e Cu"t "esles t:
/60 DISBAR Atty.Anel E. a""id +"1 t%e 4"actice + la +" "ss i11"ality, ilatin + t%eLaye"Bs Oat% and ilatin + Rule 6.(6, Cann 2 and Rule 2.(7 + t%e Cde +
P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility and
/'0 DISBAR Atty.R1ana P. @alencia +"1 t%e 4"actice + la +" "ss i11"ality, ilatin +Cann 2 and Rule 2.(7 + t%e Cde + P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility.
Let a c4y + t%is ecisin 3e attac%ed t t%e 4e"snal "ec"ds + Atty. Anel E. a""id and Atty.
R1ana P. @alencia in t%e O++ice + t%e !a" Cn+idant, and ant%e" c4y +u"nis%ed t%e Inte"ated !a" + t%e
P%ili44ines.
T%e Cle"; + Cu"t is di"ected t st"i;e ut t%e na1es + An:el E. G''!(o n( RoFen 5.lenc!+"1 t%e Rll + Att"neys. SO ORDERED.
A.). No. *3 Au:u$" 2, 200ANERO J. 5OBRE, )ompl!nn", #$. Sen. MIRIAM DE8ENSORSANIAGO, Re$pon(en"
E&AS)O, JR., J.?
In %is s"n lette"?c14laint dated ece13e" '', '((5, it% enclsu"es, Ante" J. P3"e inites t%e
Cu"tBs attentin t t%e +llin e=ce"4ts + -enat" Mi"ia1 e+ens"#-antiaBs s4eec% delie"ed n t%e
-enate +l":
= = = I a1 nt an"y. I a1 i"ate. I a1 +a1in in t%e 1ut%. I a1 %1icidal. I a1
suicidal. I a1 %u1iliated, de3ased, de"aded. And I a1 nt nly t%at, I +eel li;e t%"in
u4 t 3e liin 1y 1iddle yea"s in a cunt"y + t%is natu"e. I a1 nauseated. I s4it n t%e
+ace + C%ie+ Justice A"te1i Panani3an and %is c%"ts in t%e -u4"e1e Cu"t, I a1
n lne" inte"ested in t%e 4sitin + C%ie+ JusticeG i+ I as t 3e su""unded 3y idits.
I uld "at%e" 3e in ant%e" eni"n1ent 3ut nt in t%e -u4"e1e Cu"t + idits = ==.
T P3"e, t%e +"ein state1ents "e+lected a ttal dis"es4ect n t%e 4a"t + t%e s4ea;e"
ta"ds t%en C%ie+ Justice A"te1i Panani3an and t%e t%e" 1e13e"s + t%e Cu"t and cnstituted di"ect
cnte14t + cu"t. Acc"dinly, P3"e as;s t%at dis3a"1ent 4"ceedins " t%e" disci4lina"y actins 3e ta;en
aainst t%e lady senat".
In %e" c11ent n t%e c14laint dated A4"il ', '((2, -enat" -antia, t%"u% cunsel, des
nt deny 1a;in t%e a+"e$uted state1ents. -%e, %ee", e=4lained t%at t%se state1ents e"e ce"ed
3y t%e cnstitutinal 4"isin n 4a"lia1enta"y i11unity, 3ein 4a"t + a s4eec% s%e delie"ed in t%e
disc%a"e + %e" duty as 1e13e" + Cn"ess " its c11ittee. T%e 4u"4se + %e" s4eec%, acc"din t %e",
as t 3"in ut in t%e 4en cnt"e"sial an1alies in e"nance it% a ie t +utu"e "e1edial leislatin.-%e ae""ed t%at s%e anted t e=4se %at s%e 3elieed t 3e an unust act + t%e Judicial !a" Cuncil
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16/79
J!CG, %ic%, a+te" sendin ut 4u3lic initatins +" n1inatin t t%e sn t#3e acated 4sitin + C%ie+
Justice, uld eentually in+"1 a44licants t%at nly incu13ent ustices + t%e -u4"e1e Cu"t uld $uali+y
+" n1inatin. -%e +elt t%at t%e J!C s%uld %ae at least ien an adanced adis"y t%at nn#sittin
1e13e"s + t%e Cu"t, li;e %e", uld nt 3e cnside"ed +" t%e 4sitin + C%ie+ Justice.
T%e i11unity -enat" -antia clai1s is "ted 4"i1a"ily n t%e 4"isin + A"ticle @I, -ectin 66
+ t%e Cnstitutin, %ic% 4"ides: A -enat" " Me13e" + t%e Huse + Re4"esentatie s%all, in all
++enses 4unis%a3le 3y nt 1"e t%an si= yea"s i14"isn1ent, 3e 4"iileed +"1 a""est %ile t%e Cn"ess is
in sessin. No mem-e' $>ll -e ue$"!one( no' -e >el( l!-le !n n9 o">e' plce e )on:'e$$ o' !n n9 comm!""ee ">e'eo>A laye" s%all nt, in %is 4"+essinal dealins, use
lanuae %ic% is a3usie, ++ensie " t%e"ise i14"4e".
Cann 66.>>A laye" s%all 3se"e and 1aintain t%e "es4ect due t t%e
cu"ts and t t%e udicial ++ice"s and s%uld insist n si1ila" cnduct 3y t%e"s.
-enat"?Atty. -antia is a cut %i%e" t%an 1st laye"s. He" ac%iee1ents s4ea; +" t%e1seles.
-%e as a +"1e" Reinal T"ial Cu"t ude, a la 4"+ess", an +t#cited aut%"ity n cnstitutinal and
inte"natinal la, an aut%" + nu1e"us la te=t3;s, and an elected senat" + t%e land. Needless t
st"ess, -enat" -antia, as a 1e13e" + t%e !a" and ++ice" + t%e cu"t, li;e any t%e", is duty#3und t
u4%ld t%e dinity and aut%"ity + t%is Cu"t and t 1aintain t%e "es4ect due its 1e13e"s. Laye"s in 4u3lic
se"ice a"e ;ee4e"s + 4u3lic +ait% and a"e 3u"dened it% t%e %i%e" de"ee + scial "es4nsi3ility, 4e"%a4s
%i%e" t%an t%ei" 3"et%"en in 4"iate 4"actice. 2G -enat" -antia s%uld %ae ;nn, as any 4e"ce4tie
indiidual, t%e i14act %e" state1ents uld 1a;e n t%e 4e4leBs +ait% in t%e inte"ity + t%e cu"ts.
As -enat" -antia alleed, s%e delie"ed %e" 4"iilee s4eec% as a 4"elude t c"a+tin "e1edial
leislatin n t%e J!C. T%is alleatin st"i;es t%e Cu"t as an a+te"t%u%t in li%t + t%e insultin ten" +
%at s%e said. 9e $ute t%e 4assae nce 1"e:
= = = Ia1 nt an"y. I a1 i"ate. I a1 +a1in in t%e 1ut%. Ia1%1icidal. I a1 suicidal. Ia1 %u1iliated, de3ased, de"aded. And Ia1 nt nly t%at, I+eel li;e t%"in u4 t 3e liin 1y 1iddle yea"s in a cunt"y + t%is natu"e. I a1nauseated. Is4it n t%e +ace + C%ie+ Justice A"te1i Panani3an and %is c%"ts int%e -u4"e1e Cu"t, Ia1 n lne" inte"ested in t%e 4sitin + C%ie+ JusticeG i+ I as t3e su""unded 3y idits. Iuld "at%e" 3e in ant%e" eni"n1ent 3ut nt in t%e-u4"e1e Cu"t + idits = = =. /E14%asis u"s.0
A ca"e+ul "e#"eadin + %e" utte"ances uld "eadily s% t%at %e" state1ents e"e e=4"essins +
4e"snal ane" and +"ust"atin at nt 3ein cnside"ed +" t%e 4st + C%ie+ Justice. In a sense, t%e"e+"e, %e"
"e1a";s e"e utside t%e 4ale + %e" ++icial 4a"lia1enta"y +unctins. Een 4a"lia1enta"y i11unity 1ust nt
3e alled t 3e used as a e%icle t "idicule, de1ean, and dest"y t%e "e4utatin + t%e Cu"t and its1aist"ates, n" as a"1" +" 4e"snal "at% and disust. Aut%"ities a"e a"eed t%at 4a"lia1enta"y i11unity
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17/79
is nt an indiidual 4"iilee acc"ded t%e indiidual 1e13e"s + t%e Pa"lia1ent " Cn"ess +" t%ei"
4e"snal 3ene+it, 3ut "at%e" a 4"iilee +" t%e 3ene+it + t%e 4e4le and t%e institutin t%at "e4"esents t%e1.
T 3e su"e, -enat" -antia culd %ae ien ent t %e" ane" it%ut indulin in insultin
"%et"ic and ++ensie 4e"snalities.
Lest it 3e e"l;ed, -enat" -antiaBs ut3u"st as di"ectly t"acea3le t %at s%e cnside"ed
as an unust act t%e J!C %ad ta;en in cnnectin it% %e" a44licatin +" t%e 4sitin + C%ie+ Justice. !ut
%ile t%e J!C +unctins unde" t%e Cu"tBs su4e"isin, its indiidual 1e13e"s, sae 4e"%a4s +" t%e C%ie+
Justice % sits as t%e J!CBs e-officioc%ai"4e"sn,)G%ae n ++icial duty t n1inate candidates +"a44int1ent t t%e 4sitin + C%ie+ Justice. T%e Cu"t is, t%us, at a lss t unde"stand -enat" -antiaBs
%lesale and indisc"i1inate assault n t%e 1e13e"s + t%e Cu"t and %e" c%ice + c"itical and de+a1at"y
"ds aainst all + t%e1.
At any eent, e$ually i14"tant as t%e s4eec% and de3ate clause + A"t. @I, -ec. 66 + t%e
Cnstitutin is -ec. /0 + A"t. @III + t%e Cnstitutin t%at 4"ides:
-ectin . T%e -u4"e1e Cu"t s%all %ae t%e +llin 4e"s: = = = =
/0 P"1ulate "ules cnce"nin t%e 4"tectin and en+"ce1ent +
cnstitutinal "i%ts, 4leadin, 4"actice, and 4"cedu"e in all cu"ts, t%e ad1issin t
t%e 4"actice + t%e la, ">e In"e:'"e( B', and leal assistance t t%e unde"4"iileed./E14%asis u"s.0
T%e Cu"t, 3esides 3ein aut%"iDed t 4"1ulate "ules cnce"nin 4leadin, 4"actice, and
4"cedu"e in all cu"ts, e=e"cises s4eci+ic aut%"ity t 4"1ulate "ules e"nin t%e Inte"ated !a" it% t%e
end in ie t%at t%e inte"atin + t%e !a" ill, a1n t%e" t%ins:
/&0 -%ield t%e udicia"y, %ic% t"aditinally cannt de+end itsel+ e=ce4t it%in
its n +"u1, +"1 t%e assaults t%at 4litics and sel+ inte"est 1ay leel at it, and assist
it t 1aintain its inte"ity, i14a"tiality and inde4endence = = = =
/660 En+"ce "iid et%ical standa"ds = = =.
G
In Re: Letter )ate" / 0e'ruar 112 of Att. Noel S. Sorre"a ,6(Ge "eite"ated u"
4"nunce1ent in R&eem of t&e P&ilippines v. 0errer66G t%at t%e duty + att"neys t t%e cu"ts can nly 3e
1aintained 3y "ende"in n se"ice inlin any dis"es4ect t t%e udicial ++ice %ic% t%ey a"e 3und t
u4%ld. T%e Cu"t "te in R&eem of t&e P&ilippines:
= = = As e=4licit is t%e +i"st cann + leal et%ics %ic% 4"nunces t%at iGt is
t%e duty + a laye" t 1aintain ta"ds t%e Cu"ts a "es4ect+ul attitude, nt +" t%e
sa;e + t%e te14"a"y incu13ent + t%e udicial ++ice, 3ut +" t%e 1aintenance + its
su4"e1e i14"tance. T%at sa1e cann, as a c"lla"y, 1a;es it 4eculia"ly incu13ent
u4n laye"s t su44"t t%e cu"ts aainst unust c"iticis1 and cla1". And 1"e. T%e
att"neyBs at% sle1nly 3inds %i1 t a cnduct t%at s%uld 3e it% all d +idelity = == t t%e cu"ts.
Als, in Sorre"a, t%e Cu"t "eisited its %ldin in Surigao 3ineral Reservation Boar" v.
$lori'el6'Gt%at:
A laye" is an ++ice" + t%e cu"ts %e is, li;e t%e cu"t itsel+, an inst"u1ent
" aency t adance t%e ends + ustice. His duty is t u4%ld t%e dinity and aut%"ity
+ t%e cu"ts t %ic% %e es +idelity, nt t 4"1te dist"ust in t%e ad1inist"atin +
ustice. Fait% in t%e cu"ts, a laye" s%uld see; t 4"ese"e. F", t unde"1ine t%e
udicial edi+ice is disast"us t t%e cntinuity + e"n1ent and t t%e attain1ent +
t%e li3e"ties + t%e 4e4le. T%us %as it 3een said + a laye" t%at aGs an ++ice" + t%ecu"t, it is %is s"n and 1"al duty t %el4 3uild and nt dest"y unnecessa"ily t%at
%i% estee1 and "ea"d ta"ds t%e cu"ts s essential t t%e 4"4e" ad1inist"atin +
ustice.67G
T%e lady senat" 3elns t t%e leal 4"+essin 3und 3y t%e e=actin inunctin + a st"ict Cde.
-ciety %as ent"usted t%at 4"+essin it% t%e ad1inist"atin + t%e la and dis4ensatin + ustice. ene"ally
s4ea;in, a laye" %ldin a e"n1ent ++ice 1ay nt 3e disci4lined as a 1e13e" + t%e !a" +"
1iscnduct c11itted %ile in t%e disc%a"e + ++icial duties, unless said 1iscnduct als cnstitutes a
ilatin + %is?%e" at% as a laye".6&G
Laye"s 1ay 3e disci4lined een +" any cnduct c11itted in t%ei" 4"iate ca4acity, as ln as
t%ei" 1iscnduct "e+lects t%ei" ant + 4"3ity " d de1ean", 6Ga d c%a"acte" 3ein an essential
$uali+icatin +" t%e ad1issin t t%e 4"actice + la and +" cntinuance + suc% 4"iilee. 9%en t%e Cde +
P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility " t%e Rules + Cu"t s4ea;s + cnduct " 1iscnduct, t%e "e+e"ence is nt
cn+ined t neBs 3e%ai" e=%i3ited in cnnectin it% t%e 4e"+"1ance + laye"sB 4"+essinal duties, 3ut
als ce"s any 1iscnduct, %ic%>>al3eit un"elated t t%e actual 4"actice + t%ei" 4"+essin>>uld s%
t%e1 t 3e un+it +" t%e ++ice and un"t%y + t%e 4"iilees %ic% t%ei" license and t%e la inest in t%e1.65G
T%is Cu"t, in its unceasin $uest t 4"1te t%e 4e4leBs +ait% in cu"ts and t"ust in t%e "ule +
la, %as cnsistently e=e"cised its disci4lina"y aut%"ity n laye"s %, +" 1alelent 4u"4se " 4e"snal
1alice, atte14t t 3st"uct t%e "de"ly ad1inist"atin + ustice, t"i+le it% t%e inte"ity + cu"ts, and
e13a""ass ", "se, 1alin t%e 1en and 1en % c14se t%e1. 9e %ae dne it in t%e case + +"1e"
-enat" @icente -tt in Sotto, in t%e case +Atty. Nel -""eda inSorre"a, and in t%e case + Atty.
F"ancisc !. C"uDin4acor"an v. Ang
62G
% "e4eatedly insulted and t%"eatened t%e Cu"t in a 1st inslent1anne".
T%e Cu"t is nt %esitant t i14se s1e +"1 + disci4lina"y sanctins n -enat"?Atty. -antia
+" %at t%e"ise uld %ae cnstituted an act + utte" dis"es4ect n %e" 4a"t ta"ds t%e Cu"t and its
1e13e"s. T%e +actual and leal ci"cu1stances + t%is case, %ee", dete" t%e Cu"t +"1 din s, een
it%ut any sin + "e1"se +"1 %e". !asic cnstitutinal cnside"atin dictates t%is ;ind + dis4sitin.
9e, %ee", uld 3e "e1iss in u" duty i+ e let t%e -enat"Bs ++ensie and dis"es4ect+ul
lanuae t%at de+initely tended t deni"ate t%e institutin 4ass 3y. It is i14e"atie n u" 4a"t t "e#instill in
-enat"?Atty. -antia %e" duty t "es4ect cu"ts + ustice, es4ecially t%is T"i3unal, and "e1ind %e" ane t%at
t%e 4a"lia1enta"y nn#accunta3ility t%us "anted t 1e13e"s + Cn"ess is nt t 4"tect t%e1 aainst
4"secutins
8/13/2019 Notes of Ethics Cases
18/79
cn"essinal %all.6)GIt is intended t 4"tect 1e13e"s + Cn"ess aainst e"n1ent 4"essu"e and
inti1idatin ai1ed at in+luencin t%e decisin#1a;in 4"e"aties + Cn"ess and its 1e13e"s.
T%e Rules + t%e -enate itsel+ cntains a 4"isin n 5nparliamentar Acts an" Languaget%at
enins a -enat" +"1 usin, unde" any ci"cu1stance, ++ensie " i14"4e" lanuae aainst ant%e"
-enat" " :!n$" n9 pu-l!c !n$"!"u"!on.6G !ut as t -enat" -antiaBs un4a"lia1enta"y "e1a";s, t%e-enate P"esident %ad nt a44a"ently called %e" t "de", let alne "e+e""ed t%e 1atte" t t%e -enate Et%ics
C11ittee +" a44"4"iate disci4lina"y actin, as t%e Rules dictates unde" suc% ci"cu1stance. '(GT%e lady
senat" clea"ly ilated t%e "ules + %e" n c%a13e". It is un+"tunate t%at %e" 4ee"s 3ent 3ac;a"ds and
aided i14sin t%ei" n "ules n %e".
Finally, t%e lady senat" $uestins P3"eBs 1ties in +ilin %is c14laint, statin t%at disci4lina"y
4"ceedins 1ust 3e unde"ta;en slely +" t%e 4u3lic el+a"e. 9e cannt a"ee it% %e" 1"e. 9e cannt
e"st"ess t%at t%e senat"Bs use + inte14e"ate lanuae t de1ean and deni"ate t%e %i%est cu"t + t%e
land is a clea" ilatin + t%e duty + " es4ect laye"s e t t%e cu"ts.'6G
Finally, t%e -enat" asse"ts t%at c14lainant P3"e %as +ailed t 4"e t%at s%e in +act 1ade t%e
state1ents in $uestin. -u++ice it t say in t%is "ea"d t%at, alt%u% s%e %as nt cate"ically denied 1a;in
suc% state1ents, s%e %as une$uically said 1a;in t%e1 as 4a"t + %e" 4"iilee s4eec%. He" i14lied
ad1issin is d enu% +" t%e Cu"t.
%4ERE8ORE, t%e lette"#c14laint + Ante" J. P3"e aainst -enat"?Atty. Mi"ia1 e+ens"#-antia is, cn+"1a3ly t A"t. @I, -ec. 66 + t%e Cnstitutin, DISMISSED. SO ORDERED.
A.). No. *1F"1e"ly C! (C)5G July '', '((8OODS54ERE, IN).,$omplainant,s. A/. ME&ANIO &. MAURI)IO, JR., Respon"ent.)AR5IO MORA&ES, J.?
Fds4%e"e, Inc. /c14lainant0, a c"4"atin enaed in t%e 3usiness + 1eat 4"cessin and
1anu+actu"e and dist"i3utin + canned ds and "ce"y 4"ducts unde" t%e 3"and na1e CO, +iled a
@e"i+ied C14laint
6G
+" dis3a"1ent 3e+"e t%e C11issin n !a" isci4line /C!0 + t%e Inte"ated !a" +t%e P%ili44ines /I!P0 aainst Atty. Melani L. Mau"ici, J"., 44ula"ly ;nn as !atas Mau"ici /"es4ndent0,
a "ite"?clu1nist + ta3lids includin Balitang PatasBA4AS, Bagong 4646, 4*R*and %A4A78,and a
%st + a teleisin 4""a1 6A6A3P 3* AN! BA4AStelecast e" UNT@ and + a "adi 4""a1 )ou'le
B-BA4AS N! BA9ANai"ed e" V!!, +" /60 "ssly i11"al cnduct /'0 ilatin + laye"Bs at% and /70
dis"es4ect t t%e cu"ts and t inestiatin 4"secut"s.
T%e +acts t%at s4aned t%e +ilin + t%e c14laint a"e as +lls:
On June '', '((&, a ce"tain Al3e"t C"de" /C"de"0 4u"4"tedly 3u%t +"1 a "ce"y in
@alenDuela City canned ds includin a can + CO Lie" s4"ead. On June '2, '((&, as C"de" and %is
"elaties e"e eatin 3"ead it% t%e CO Lie" s4"ead, t%ey +und t%e s4"ead t 3e su" and sn disce"ed
a clny + "1s inside t%e can.
C"de"Bs i+e t%us +iled a c14laint it% t%e !u"eau + Fd and "u Ad1inist"atin
/!FA0. La3"at"y e=a1inatin cn+i"1ed t%e 4"esence + 4a"asites in t%e Lie" s4"ead.
Pu"suant t Jint TI#OH#A Ad1inist"atie O"de" N. 6, -e"ies + 67, t%e !FA cnducted a
cnciliatin %ea"in n July '2, '((& du"in %ic% t%e s4uses C"de" de1anded P6(,((( as da1aes
+"1 c14lainant. C14lainant "e+used t %eed t%e de1and, %ee", as 3ein in cnt"aentin + c14any
4licy and, in any eent, ut"aeus.
C14lainant instead ++e"ed t "etu"n actual 1edical and incidental e=4enses incu""ed 3y t%e
C"de"s as ln as t%ey e"e su44"ted 3y "ecei4ts, 3ut t%e ++e" as tu"ned dn. And t%e C"de"st%"eatened t 3"in t%e 1atte" t t%e attentin + t%e 1edia.
C14lainant as late" "e$ui"ed 3y t%e !FA t +ile its Anse" t t%e c14laint. In t%e 1eanti1e
" n Auust 5, '((&, "es4ndent sent c14lainant ia +a= a c4y + t%e +"nt 4ae + t%e uld#3e Auust 6(#
65, '((& issue + t%e ta3lidBalitang Patas BA4AS,@l. 6, N. 6''G%ic% c14lainant +und t cntain
a"ticles 1alinin, disc"editin and i14utin ices and de+ects t it and its 4"ducts. Res4ndent t%"eatened t
4u3lis% t%e a"ticles unless c14lainant ae in t t%e P6(,((( de1and + t%e C"de"s. C14lainant
t%e"eu4n "eite"ated its cunte"#++e" ea"lie" cneyed t t%e C"de"s, 3ut "es4ndent tu"ned it dn.
Res4ndent late" 4"4sed t settle t%e 1atte" +" P(,(((, P6,((( + %ic% uld t t%e
C"de"s and P7,((( t %isBA4ASFundatin. And "es4ndent di"ected c14lainant t 4lace 4aid
ade"tise1ents in t%e ta3lids and teleisin 4""a1.
T%e C"de"s eentually +"ed a 6AS5N)5AN7Gsee;in t%e it%d"aal + t%ei" c14laint 3e+"e
t%e !FA. T%e !FA t%us dis1issed t%e c14laint.&G Res4ndent, % a++i=ed %is sinatu"e t
t%e 6AS5N)5AN as a itness, late" "te in ne + %is a"ticles?clu1ns in a ta3lid t%at %e 4"e4a"ed t%e
dcu1ent.
On Auust 66, '((&, "es4ndent sent c14lainant an Ade"tisin Cnt"act Gas;in c14lainant t
ade"tise in t%e ta3lidBalitang Patas BA4AS+" its ne=t '& ee;ly issues at P6,((( 4e" issue " a ttal
a1unt + P75(,(((, and a P""a1 P"+ile5G+ t%e teleisin 4""a1 6A6A3P 3* AN! BA4ASals
as;in c14lainant t 4lace s4t ade"tise1ents it% t%e +llin "ate ca"ds: /a0 s4t 3uy 6#secnd T@C
at P&,((( /30 s4t 3uy 7(#secnd T@C at P2,2(( and /c0 seasn 3uy 67 e4isdes, '5 s4tsG + 7(#secndT@C +" P67(,(((.
As a sin + dill, c14lainant ++e"ed t 3uy t%"ee +ull#4ae ade"tise1ents in t%e ta3lid
a1untin t P&,((( atP6,((( 4e" ade"tise1ent, and t%"ee s4ts + 7(#secnd T@C in t%e teleisin
4""a1 at P2,2(( eac% " a ttal + P'7,6((. Actin n c14lainantBs ++e", "es4ndent "elayed t it t%at %e
and %is E=ecutie P"duce" e"e disa44inted it% t%e ++e" and t%"eatened t 4"ceed it% t%e 4u3licatin +
t%e a"ticles?clu1ns.2G
On Auust '), '((&, "es4ndent, in %is "adi 4""a1 u3le !# BA4AS N! BA9ANat "adi
statin V!!, annunced t%e %ldin + a su44sed cntest s4ns"ed 3y said 4""a1, %ic%
annunce1ent as t"ansc"i3ed as +lls:
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn21http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn21http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn22http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn3http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn3http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn4http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn4http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn5http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn5http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn21http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/august2009/7399.htm#_ftn22http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn3http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn4http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn5http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn78/13/2019 Notes of Ethics Cases
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*6, at meron a;ong pa-contest, total magpapas;o na o &a, meron pa-
contest si Batas 3auricio ang Batas ng Baan. to ung ating pa-contest, &ulaan nino,
tatawag ;ao sa telepono, 2
8/13/2019 Notes of Ethics Cases
20/79
Actin n t%e 4"esent ad1inist"atie c14laint, t%e Inestiatin C11issine" + t%e Inte"ated
!a" + t%e P%ili44ines /I!P0 ca1e u4 it% t%e +llin +indins in %is Oct3e" , '(( Re4"t and
Rec11endatin:7G
I. = = = =
In Ciil Case N. '@#(& entitled Fds4%e"e, Inc. s. Atty. MelaniG
Mau"ici, et al., t%e O"de" dated 6( ece13e" '((& /Anne= O + t%e C14laint0 as
issued 3y P"esidin Jude inisi C. -isn %ic% in 4a"t "eads:
Anent t%e 4lainti++Bs 4"aye" +" t%e issuance + a
te14"a"y "est"ainin "de" included in t%e instant 4lainti++Bs
1tin, t%is Cu"t, inas1uc% as t%e de+endants +ailed t a44ea"
in cu"t " +ile an 44sitin t%e"et, is cnst"ained t RANT t%e
said 4lainti++Bs 4"ate", as it is RANTE, in "de" t 1aintain
-TATU- UO, and t%at all t%e de+endants, t%ei" aents,
"e4"esentaties " any 4e"sn actin +" and in 3e%al+ a"e %e"e3y
"est"ained?enined +"1 +u"t%e" 4u3lis%in, teleisin and?"
3"adcastin any 1atte" su3ect + t%e C14laint in t%e instant
case 1"e s4eci+ically t%e i14utatin + ices and?" de+ects n
4lainti++ and its 4"ducts.
C14lainant alleed t%at t%e a3e#$uted O"de" as se"ed n
"es4ndent 3y t%e !"anc% -%e"i++ n 67 ece13e" '((&. Res4ndent %as nt denied
t%e issuance + t%e O"de" dated 6( ece13e" '((& " %is "ecei4t + a c4y t%e"e+
n 67 ece13e" '((&.
es4ite %is "ecei4t + t%e O"de" dated 6( ece13e" '((&, and t%e clea"
di"ectie t%e"ein add"essed t %i1 t desists sicG +"1 +u"t%e" 4u3lis%in, teleisin
and?" 3"adcastin any 1atte" su3ect + t%e C14laint in t%e instant case 1"e
s4eci+ically t%e i14utatin + ices and?" de+ects n 4lainti++ and its
4"ducts, "es4ndent in clea" de+iance + t%is O"de" ca1e ut it% a"ticles n t%e
4"%i3ited su3ect 1atte" in %is clu1n Atty. !atas, '((& in t%e ece13e" 65 and 62,
'((& issues + t%e ta3lid !alitan !ayan >T" /Anne=es and #6 + t%e
C14laint0.
T%e a3e actuatins + "es4ndent a"e als in ilatin + Rule 67.(7 + t%e
Cann + P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility %ic% "eads: A laye" s%all nt 1a;e 4u3lic
state1ents in t%e 1edia "ea"din a 4endin case tendin t a"use 4u3lic 4inin +"
" aainst a 4a"ty.
II. = = = =
In I.-. N. @.('62#'77, t%en 4endin 3e+"e t%e O++ice + t%e City
P"secut" + @alenDuela City, "es4ndent +iled %is Ent"y + A44ea"ance it% Hi%ly
U"ent Mtin t Eleate T%ese Cases T t%e e4a"t1ent + Justice. In said 4leadin,
"es4ndent 1ade t%e +llin state1ents: = = = =
T%e a3e lanuae e14lyed 3y "es4ndent undu3tedly casts as4e"sins
n t%e inte"ity + t%e O++ice + t%e City P"secut" and all t%e P"secut"s cnnected
it% said O++ice. Res4ndent clea"ly assailed t%e i14a"tiality and +ai"ness + t%e said
O++ice in %andlin cases +iled 3e+"e it and did nt een desin t su31it any eidence
t su3stantiate said ild alleatins. T%e use 3y "es4ndent + t%e a3e#$uted
lanuae in %is 4leadins is 1ani+estly ilatie + Cann 66 + t%e Cde +
P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility %ic% 4"ides: A laye" sG%all G3se"e and 1GaintaintG%e "eGs4ect dGue tG tG%e cGu"ts aGnd tG Gudicial G++ice"s aGnd sG%uld iGnsist
Gn sGi1ila" cGnduct 3Gy Gt%e"s.
I II . T%e asunduan ente"ed int 3y t%e -4uses C"de" and
%e"ein c14lainant /Anne= C + t%e C14laint0 as ad1ittedly
4"e4a"ed, itnessed and sined 3y %e"ein "es4ndent. X = = = =
In its O"de" dated 65 Auust '((&, t%e !u"eau + Fd and "us "ecniDed
t%at t%e said asunduan as nt cnt"a"y t la, 1"als, d cust1s, 4u3lic "de"
and 4licy, and t%is acc"dinly dis1issed t%e c14laint +iled 3y t%e -4uses C"de"
aainst %e"ein c14lainant.
Hee", een a+te" t%e e=ecutin + t%e asunduan and t%e cnse$uent
dis1issal + t%e c14laint + %is clients aainst %e"ein c14lainant, "es4ndent
ine=4lica3ly launc%ed a 1edia ++ensie intended t dis4a"ae and 4ut t "idicule %e"ein
c14lainant. On "ec"d a"e t%e nu1e"us a"ticles + "es4ndent 4u3lis%ed in 7 ta3lids
c11encin +"1 76 Auust t 62 ece13e" '((& /Anne=es t #60. As al"eady
a3e#stated, "es4ndent cntinued t c1e ut it% t%ese a"ticles aainst
c14lainant in %is ta3lid clu1ns des4ite a te14"a"y "est"ainin "de" issued aainst
%i1 e=4"essly 4"%i3itin suc% actins. Res4ndent did nt deny t%at %e indeed "te
said a"ticles and su31itted t%e1 +" 4u3licatin in t%e ta3lids.
Res4ndent clai1s t%at %e as 4"14ted 3y %is sense + 4u3lic se"ice, t%at is,
t e=4se t%e de+ects + c14lainantBs 4"ducts t t%e cnsu1in 4u3lic. C14lainant
clai1s t%at t%e"e is a 3ase" 1tie t t%e actins + "es4ndent. C14lainant ae"s t%at
"es4ndent "etaliated +" c14lainantBs +ailu"e t ie in t "es4ndentBs "e$uest t%at
c14lainant ade"tise in t%e ta3lids and teleisin 4""a1s + "es4ndent.
C14lainantBs e=4lanatin is 1"e c"edi3le. Nee"t%eless, %atee" t%e t"ue 1tie +
"es4ndent +" %is 3a""ae + a"ticles aainst c14lainant des nt det"act +"1 t%e +act
t%at "es4ndent cnsciusly ilated t%e s4i"it 3e%ind t%e asunduan %ic% %e
%i1sel+ 4"e4a"ed and sined and su31itted t t%e !FA +" a44"al. Res4ndent as
less t%an +"t%"i%t %en %e 4"e4a"ed said asunduan and t%en tu"ned a"und and
4"ceeded t la13aste c14lainant +" %at as su44sedly al"eady settled in said
a"ee1ent. C14lainant uld %ae 3een 3ette" + it% t%e !FA case 4"ceedin asit culd %ae de+ended itsel+ aainst t%e c%a"es + t%e -4uses C"de". C14lainant
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as %el4less aainst t%e attac;s + "es4ndent, a 1edia 4e"snality. T%e actuatins +
"es4ndent cnstituted, t say t%e least, deceit+ul cnduct cnte14lated unde" Rule
6.(6 + Cann 6 + t%e Cde + P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility.75G /Unde"sc"in su44lied0
T%e I!P !a"d + e"n"s, 3y Reslutin N. @III#'((5#66& dated Ma"c% '(, '((5, ad4ted t%e
+indins and "ec11endatin + t%e Inestiatin C11issine" t sus4end "es4ndent +"1 t%e 4"actice +
la +" t yea"s.
T%e Cu"t +inds t%e +indins?ealuatin + t%e I!P ell#ta;en.
T%e Cu"t, nce aain, ta;es t%is ccasin t e14%asiDe t%e necessity +" ee"y laye" t act and
c14"t %i1sel+ in a 1anne" t%at 4"1tes 4u3lic cn+idence in t%e inte"ity + t%e leal 4"+essin , 72G%ic%
cn+idence 1ay 3e e"ded 3y t%e i""es4nsi3le and i14"4e" cnduct + a 1e13e" + t%e 3a".
!y t%e a3e#"ecited acts, "es4ndent ilated Rule 6.(6 + t%e Cde + P"+essinal
Res4nsi3ility %ic% 1andates laye"s t "e+"ain +"1 enain in unla+ul, dis%nest, i11"al " deceit+ul
cnduct. F", as t%e I!P +und, %e enaed in deceit+ul cnduct 3y, inter alia, ta;in adantae + t%e
c14laint aainst CO t adance %is inte"est > t 3tain +unds +" %is BA4ASFundatin and see;
s4ns"s%i4s and ade"tise1ents +" t%e ta3lids and %is teleisin 4""a1.
He als ilated Rule 67.(' + t%e Cde + P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility, %ic% 1andates:
A laye" s%all nt 1a;e 4u3lic state1ents in t%e 1edia "ea"din a 4endin
case tendin t a"use 4u3lic 4inin +" " aainst a 4a"ty.
F" des4ite t%e 4endency + t%e ciil case aainst %i1 and t%e issuance + a status (uo"de"
"est"ainin?eninin +u"t%e" 4u3lis%in, teleisin and 3"adcastin + any 1atte" "elatie t t%e c14laint +
CO, "es4ndent cntinued it% %is attac;s aainst c14lainant and its 4"ducts. At t%e sa1e ti1e,
"es4ndent ilated Cann 6 als + t%e Cde + P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility, %ic% 1andates laye"s t
u4%ld t%e Cnstitutin, 3ey t%e las + t%e land and 4"1te "es4ect +" la and leal 4"cesses. F" %e
de+ied said status (uo"de", des4ite %is /"es4ndentBs0 at% as a 1e13e" + t%e leal 4"+essin t 3ey t%e
las as ell as t%e leal "de"s + t%e duly cnstituted aut%"ities.
Fu"t%e", "es4ndent ilated Cann ) and Rule ).(6 + t%e Cde + P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility %ic%
1andate, viK:
CANON ) # A laye" s%all cnduct %i1sel+ it% cu"tesy, +ai"ness and cand"
ta"d %is 4"+essinal clleaues, and s%all aid %a"assin tactics aainst 44sin
cunsel.
Rule ).(6 > A laye" s%all nt, in %is 4"+essinal dealins, use lanuae %ic%
is a3usie, ++ensie " t%e"ise i14"4e", 3y usin inte14e"ate lanuae.
Apropos is t%e +llin "e1inde" in Sa'eron v. Larong:7)G
T 3e su"e, t%e ade"sa"ial natu"e + u" leal syste1 %as te14ted
1e13e"s + t%e 3a" t use st"n lanuae in 4u"suit + t%ei" duty t adance t%e
inte"ests + t%ei" clients.
Hee", %ile a laye" is entitled t 4"esent %is case it% i" and
cu"ae, suc% ent%usias1 des nt usti+y t%e use + ++ensie and a3usie lanuae.
Lanuae a3unds it% cuntless 4ssi3ilities +" ne t 3e e14%atic 3ut "es4ect+ul,
cnincin 3ut nt de"at"y, illu1inatin 3ut nt ++ensie.
On 1any ccasins, t%e Cu"t %as "e1inded 1e13e"s + t%e !a" t a3stain
+"1 all ++ensie 4e"snality and t adance n +act 4"eudicial t t%e %n" and"e4utatin + a 4a"ty " itness, unless "e$ui"ed 3y t%e ustice + t%e cause it% %ic%
%e is c%a"ed. In ;ee4in it% t%e dinity + t%e leal 4"+essin, a laye"Bs lanuae
een in %is 4leadins 1ust 3e dini+ied.7G/Unde"sc"in su44lied0
!y +ailin t lie u4 t %is at% and t c14ly it% t%e e=actin standa"ds + t%e leal 4"+essin,
"es4ndent als ilated Cann 2 + t%e Cde + P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility, %ic% di"ects a laye" t at all
ti1es u4%ld t%e inte"ity and t%e dinity + t%e leal 4"+essin.&(G
T%e 4e" + t%e 1edia t +"1 " in+luence 4u3lic 4inin cannt 3e unde"esti1ated. In )alisa v.
3auricio, Jr.,&6Gt%e t%e"ein c14lainant enaed t%e"ein#%e"ein "es4ndentBs se"ices as s%e as i14"essed
3y t%e 4"#4" and 4"#ustice adcacy + "es4ndent, a 1edia 4e"snality,&'Gnly t late" +ind ut t%at a+te"
%e de1anded and t%e t%e"ein c14lainant 4aid an e="3itant +ee, n actin as ta;en n" any 4leadins
4"e4a"ed 3y %i1. Res4ndent as sus4ended +" si= 1nt%s.
On "eadin t%e a"ticles "es4ndent 4u3lis%ed, nt t 1entin listenin t %i1 e" t%e "adi and
atc%in %i1 n teleisin, it cannt 3e ainsaid t%at t%e sa1e culd, t a ce"tain e=tent, %ae a++ected t%e
sales + c14lainant.
!ac; t )alisa, t%is Cu"t, in denyin t%e"ein#%e"ein "es4ndentBs 1tin +" "ecnside"atin, t;
nte + t%e +act t%at "es4ndent as 1tiated 3y indictieness %en %e +iled +alsi+icatin c%a"es aainst t%e
t%e"ein c14lainant.&7G
T t%e Cu"t, sus4ensin + "es4ndent +"1 t%e 4"actice + la +" t%"ee yea"s is, in t%e 4"e1ises,
su++icient.
%4ERE8ORE,Atty. Melani Mau"ici is, +" ilatin + t%e laye"Bs at% and 3"eac% + et%ics +t%e leal 4"+essin as e13died in t%e Cde + P"+essinal Res4nsi3ility, SUS5ENDED +"1 t%e 4"actice+ la +" t%"ee yea"s e++ectie u4n %is "ecei4t + t%is ecisin. He is 9ARNE t%at a "e4etitin + t%e sa1e
" si1ila" acts ill 3e dealt it% 1"e see"ely.
Let a c4y + t%is ecisin 3e attac%ed t %is 4e"snal "ec"d and c4ies +u"nis%ed t%e Inte"ated !a"
+ t%e P%ili44ines and t%e O++ice + t%e Cu"t Ad1inist"at" +" disse1inatin t all cu"ts. -O ORERE.
[A.). No. *26, No#em-e' 23, 2011]
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn36http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn36http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn36http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn37http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn37http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn37http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn38http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn39http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn39http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn40http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn41http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn41http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn41http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn42http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn43http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn43http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn43http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn36http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn37http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn38http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn39http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn40http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn41http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn42http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/july2009/7199.htm#_ftn438/13/2019 Notes of Ethics Cases
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A/. EDIA NOE&A)SAMANA, )OM5&AINAN, S. A/. /O&ANDO 8. BUSMENE,RES5ONDEN.
>e )$e
!e+"e t%e Cu"t is a c14laint +" dis3a"1ent +iled 3y Atty. Edita Ne#Lacsa1ana /Ne#Lacsa1ana0 aainst
Atty. Kland F. !us1ente /!us1ente0 3e+"e t%e Inte"ated !a" + t%e P%ili44ines /I!P0.
>e An"ece(en" 8c"$
Ne#Lacsa1ana alleed in %e" c14laint t%at s%e as t%e cunsel +" I"ene !ides, t%e 4lainti++ in Ciil Case
N. -CA#'&)6 3e+"e t%e Reinal T"ial Cu"t + Pasi City, !"anc% 652, %ile !us1ente as t%e cunsel +"
t%e de+endant I1elda !. Ulas /Ulas0. Ne#Lacsa1ana alleed t%at UlasBs deed + sale e" t%e 4"4e"ty
su3ect + Ciil Case N. -CA#'&)6 as annulled, %ic% "esulted in t%e +ilin + an eect1ent case 3e+"e t%e
Met"4litan T"ial Cu"t /MTC0, -an Juan, dc;eted as Ciil Case N. ')&, %e"e !us1ente a44ea"ed as
cunsel. Ant%e" case +" +alsi+icatin as +iled aainst Ulas %e"e !us1ente als a44ea"ed as cunsel.
Ne#Lacsa1ana alleed t%at ne Atty. EliDa3et% ela Rsa " Atty. LiDa ela Rsa /ela Rsa0 uld
acc14any Ulas in cu"t, 4"ectin %e"sel+ as !us1enteBs clla3"atin cunsel. ela Rsa sined t%e
1inutes + t%e cu"t 4"ceedins in Ciil Case N. ')& nine ti1es +"1 ' Ne13e" '((7 t ) Fe3"ua"y
'((. Ne#Lacsa1ana +u"t%e" alleed t%at t%e cu"t "de"s and ntices s4eci+ied ela Rsa as !us1enteBs
clla3"atin cunsel. Ne#Lacsa1ana alleed t%at u4n e"i+icatin it% t%is Cu"t and t%e Inte"ated !a" +
t%e P%ili44ines, s%e disce"ed t%at ela Rsa as nt a laye".
!us1ente alleed t%at ela Rsa as a la "aduate and as %is 4a"aleal assistant +" a +e yea"s.
!us1ente alleed t%at ela RsaBs e14ly1ent it% %i1 ended in '((( 3ut ela Rsa as a3le t cntinue
1is"e4"esentin %e"sel+ as a laye" it% t%e %el4 + Reine Macasie3 /Macasie30, !us1enteBs +"1e"
sec"eta"y. !us1ente alleed t%at %e did nt "e4"esent Ulas in Ciil Case N. ')& and t%at %is sinatu"e in
t%e Anse"6G4"esented as 4"+ 3y Ne#Lacsa1ana as +"ed.
>e Dec!$!on o< ">e )omm!$$!on on B' D!$c!pl!ne
In its Re4"t and Rec11endatin,'Gt%e I!P C11issin n !a" isci4line /I!P#C!0 +und t%at ela Rsa
as nt a laye" and t%at s%e "e4"esented Ulas as !us1enteBs clla3"atin cunsel in Ciil Case N.
')&. T%e I!P#C! nted t%at %ile !us1ente clai1ed t%at ela Rsa n lne" ";ed +" %i1 since '(((,
t%e"e as n 4"+ + %e" se4a"atin +"1 e14ly1ent. T%e I!P#C! +und t%at ntices +"1 t%e MTC -an
Juan, as ell as t%e 4leadins + t%e case, e"e all sent t !us1enteBs desinated ++ice add"ess. T%e I!P#
C! stated t%at !us1enteBs nly e=cuse as t%at ela Rsa cnnied it% %is +"1e" sec"eta"y Macasie3 s
t%at t%e ntices and 4leadins uld nt "eac% %i1.
T%e I!P#C! "eected t%e a++idait su31itted 3y Judy M. O"taleD /O"taleD0, !us1enteBs sta++, allein
Macasie3Bs +ailu"e t end"se 4leadins and ntices + Ciil Case N. ')& t !us1ente. T%e I!P#C! nted
t%at O"taleD did nt e=actly "e+e" t UlasBs case in %e" a++idait and t%at t%e"e as n 1entin t%at s%e
actually itnessed Macasie3 it%%ldin 4leadins and ntices +"1 !us1ente. T%e I!P#C! als nted t%at
Macasie3 as still ";in at !us1enteBs ++ice in Ne13e" '((7 as s%n 3y t%e a++idait attac%ed t a
Mtin t Li+t O"de" + e+ault t%at s%e sined. Hee", een i+ Macasie3 "esined in Ne13e" '((7, elaRsa cntinued t "e4"esent Ulas until '((, %ic% 3elied !us1enteBs alleatin t%at ela Rsa as a3le t
illeally 4"actice la usin %is ++ice add"ess it%ut %is ;nlede and nly due t ela RsaBs cnniance
it% Macasie3. As "ea"ds !us1enteBs alleatin t%at %is sinatu"e n t%e Anse" as +"ed, t%e I!P#C!
ae !us1ente t%e 44"tunity t c"dinate it% t%e Natinal !u"eau + Inestiatin /N!I0 t 4"e t%at %is
sinatu"e as +"ed 3ut %e +ailed t su31it any "e4"t +"1 t%e N!I des4ite t%e la4se + +u" 1nt%s +"1 t%e
ti1e %e "ese"ed %is "i%t t su31it t%e "e4"t.
T%e I!P#C! "ec11ended !us1enteBs sus4ensin +"1 t%e 4"actice + la +" nt less t%an +ie yea"s. On
'5 May '