TRINIDAD H. CAMARA Complainant, vs ATTY. OSCAR AMANDY REYES, Respondent. A.C. No. 6121 RESOLUTION NACHURA, J.

: Before us is a Letter-Complaint !" file# $% &omplainant Trini#a# H. Camara a'ainst respon#ent Att%. Os&ar Aman#% Re%es. Sometime in ())*, &omplainant +ire# t+e ser,i&es of respon#ent to +an#le +er &ase. As partial a&&eptan&e fee, respon#ent re&ei,e# from &omplainant -.),))).)) e,i#en&e# $% a re&eipt (" pla&e# on +is &allin' &ar#. Respon#ent, +o/e,er, too0 no steps to prote&t &omplainant1s interest. As no ser,i&e /as ren#ere# $% respon#ent, &omplainant as0e# t+at +e return t+e amount 'i,en +im so t+at s+e &oul# use it in repairin' +er +ouse. Respon#ent offere# t+at +e /oul# ta0e &+ar'e of repairin' t+e +ouse. 2et, +e a'ain faile# to fulfill +is promise, /+i&+ prompte# t+e &omplainant to reiterate +er #eman# for t+e return of t+e mone%. *" As respon#ent faile# to 'i,e $a&0 t+e amount #eman#e#, &omplainant initiate# t+e instant &ase. In +is Ans/er, respon#ent pra%e# t+at t+e &ase $e &lose# an# terminate#, simpl% $e&ause t+e matter +as alrea#% $een resol,e# $% all t+e parties &on&erne#. He a##e# t+at &omplainant /ent to +is offi&e an# e3plaine# t+at s+e si'ne# t+e letter-&omplaint not 0no/in' t+at it /as a'ainst respon#ent, as s+e /as ma#e to $elie,e t+at it /as a &omplaint a'ainst +er nei'+$or. 4" Complainant an# respon#ent faile# to atten# t+e man#ator% &onferen&e5 an# to su$mit t+eir respe&ti,e position papers. On 6e$ruar% !7, ())8, /e referre# t+e &ase to t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9IB-: for in,esti'ation, report an# re&ommen#ation. ." In +is Report an# Re&ommen#ation, IBCommissioner Sal,a#or B. Ha$a$a' ma#e t+e follo/in' fin#in's: T+ere is proof t+at respon#ent re&eipte# t+e amount of -+p.),))).)) in +is o/n +an#/ritin'. E,en +is &allin' &ar# /as 'i,en to t+e &omplainants. Canon !;, Rule !;.)! pro,i#es t+at a la/%er s+all a&&ount for all mone% or propert% &olle&te# or re&ei,e# for or from t+e &lient. Canon !<, Rule !<.)* pro,i#es t+at a la/%er s+all not ne'le&t a le'al matter entruste# to +im, an# +is ne'li'en&e in &onne&tion t+ere/it+ s+all ren#er +im lia$le. Canon !<, Rule !<.)4 pro,i#es t+at a la/%er s+all 0eep t+e &lient informe# of t+e status of +is &ase an# s+all respon# /it+in a reasona$le time to &lient1s re=uest for information.

Usin' t+e a$o,e %ar#sti&0s, &learl% t+e respon#ent is lia$le an# faile# to li,e up" to t+e" a$o,e mentione# stan#ar#s. >+ile it is true t+at &omplainant Trini#a# Camara alle'e#l% e3e&ute# an affi#a,it, t+e same /ill not sa,e t+e respon#ent. As a 'eneral rule, #is$arment pro&ee#in' s+all not $e interrupte# or terminate# $% reason of t+e #esistan&e, settlement, &ompromise, restitution, /it+#ra/al of t+e &+ar'es or failure of t+e &omplainant to prose&ute unless t+e Court motu proprio #etermines t+at t+ere is no &ompellin' reason to &ontinue /it+ t+e #is$arment or suspension pro&ee#in's a'ainst t+e respon#ent. >e reiterate t+at t+e respon#ent #i# not tra,erse t+e &+ar'es a'ainst +im. He simpl% /ante# t+is &ase to $e &lose# an# terminate# alle'e#l% $e&ause +e an# ?rs. Camara +a# alrea#% resol,e# t+eir pro$lem an# t+e latter1s son, /+o also si'ne# t+e letter-&omplaint as attorne%-in-fa&t +as no aut+orit% to #o so. >HERE6ORE, premises &onsi#ere#, it is" most respe&tfull% re&ommen#e# t+at t+e respon#ent $e suspen#e# for si3 9;: mont+s from t+e a&ti,e pra&ti&e of la/. ;" In its Resolution No. @AIII-())<-.((, t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors a#opte# an# appro,e# t+e report an# re&ommen#ation of t+e in,esti'atin' Commissioner, t+us: RESOLAEC to ACO-T an# A--ROAE, as it is +ere$% ACO-TEC an# A--ROAEC t+e Report an# Re&ommen#ation of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner of t+e a$o,e-entitle# &ase, +erein ma#e part of t+is Resolution a s" Anne3 DAE5 an#, fin#in' t+e re&ommen#ation full% supporte# $% t+e e,i#en&e on re&or# an# t+e appli&a$le la/s an# rules, an# for respon#ent1s ,iolation of Canon !;, Rule !;.)!, Canon !<, Rule !<.)* an# !<.)4 of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%, Att%. Os&ar Aman#% Re%es is +ere$% SUS-ENCEC from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for si3 9;: mont+s. >e a'ree /it+ t+e fore'oin' re&ommen#ation. T+e Court notes t+at #espite t+e opportunit% a&&or#e# to respon#ent to refute t+e &+ar'es a'ainst +im, +e faile# to #o so or e,en offer a ,ali# e3planation. 8" It is in&um$ent upon respon#ent to meet t+e issue an# o,er&ome t+e e,i#en&e a'ainst +im. He must s+o/ proof t+at +e still maintains t+at #e'ree of moralit% an# inte'rit% /+i&+ at all times is e3pe&te# of +im. T+ese, respon#ent misera$l% faile# to #o. T+e re&or# is $ereft of an% e,i#en&e to s+o/ t+at respon#ent +as presente# an% &ounter,ailin' e,i#en&e to #ispute t+e &+ar'es a'ainst +im. In +is ans/er, +e #i# not e,en #en% &omplainant1s alle'ations. He onl% pra%e# t+at t+e &ase $e &lose# an# terminate#, simpl% $e&ause t+e pro$lem /it+ &omplainant +a# alrea#% $een resol,e#. T+e alle'e# &ompromise $et/een &omplainant an# respon#ent is not enou'+ to e3onerate t+e latter from t+e present #is&iplinar% &ase. A

&ase of suspension or #is$arment ma% pro&ee# re'ar#less of t+e interest or la&0 of interest of t+e &omplainant. >+at matters is /+et+er, on t+e $asis of t+e fa&ts $orne out $% t+e re&or#, t+e &+ar'e of ne'li'en&e +as $een #ul% pro,e#. 7" Cis&iplinar% pro&ee#in's in,ol,e no pri,ate interest an# affor# no re#ress for pri,ate 'rie,an&e. T+e% are un#erta0en an# prose&ute# solel% for t+e pu$li& /elfare, an# for t+e purpose of preser,in' &ourts of Fusti&e from t+e offi&ial ministration of persons unfit to pra&ti&e in t+em. T+e attorne% is &alle# to ans/er to t+e &ourt for +is &on#u&t as an offi&er of t+e &ourt. T+e &omplainant is in no sense a part%, an# +as 'enerall% no interest in t+e out&ome of t+e &ase. !)" T+is is also t+e reason /+% t+is Court ma% in,esti'ate &+ar'es a'ainst la/%ers re'ar#less of &omplainant1s stan#in'. !!" >+en respon#ent a&&epte# t+e amount of -.),))).)) from &omplainant, it /as un#erstoo# t+at +e a'ree# to ta0e up t+e latter1s &ase, an# t+at an attorne%-&lient relations+ip $et/een t+em /as esta$lis+e#. 6rom t+en on, it /as e3pe&te# t+at +e /oul# ser,e +is &lient, +erein &omplainant, /it+ &ompeten&e, an# atten# to +er &ause /it+ fi#elit%, &are an# #e,otion. !(" T+e a&t of re&ei,in' mone% as a&&eptan&e fee for le'al ser,i&es in +an#lin' &omplainant1s &ase an# su$se=uentl% failin' to ren#er su&+ ser,i&es is a &lear ,iolation of Canon !< of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%, /+i&+ pro,i#es t+at a la/%er s+all ser,e +is &lient /it+ &ompeten&e an# #ili'en&e. !*" Spe&ifi&all%, Rule !<.)* states: A la/%er s+all not ne'le&t a le'al matter entruste# to +im, an# +is ne'li'en&e in &onne&tion t+ere/it+ s+all ren#er +im lia$le. A mem$er of t+e le'al profession o/es +is &lient entire #e,otion to t+e latter1s 'enuine interest, an# /arm Geal in t+e maintenan&e an# #efense of +is ri'+ts. An attorne% is e3pe&te# to e3ert +is $est efforts an# a$ilit% to preser,e +is &lient1s &ause, for t+e un/a,erin' lo%alt% #ispla%e# to +is &lient, li0e/ise, ser,es t+e en#s of Fusti&e. Aeril%, t+e entruste# pri,ile'e to pra&ti&e la/ &arries /it+ it t+e &orrespon#in' #uties, not onl% to t+e &lient, $ut also to t+e &ourt, to t+e $ar an# to t+e pu$li&. !4" T+e fi#u&iar% #ut% of a la/%er an# a#,o&ate is /+at pla&es t+e la/ profession in a uni=ue position of trust an# &onfi#en&e, an# #istin'uis+es it from an% ot+er &allin'. On&e t+is trust an# &onfi#en&e is $etra%e#, t+e fait+ of t+e people, not onl% in t+e in#i,i#ual la/%er $ut also in t+e le'al profession as a /+ole, is ero#e#. To t+is en#, all mem$ers of t+e $ar are stri&tl% re=uire# at all times to maintain t+e +i'+est #e'ree of pu$li& &onfi#en&e in t+e fi#elit%, +onest% an# inte'rit% of t+eir profession. !." T+e fa&tual ante&e#ents in Reyes v. Vitan !;" an# Sencio v. Atty. Calvadores !8" $ear a stri0in' similarit% to t+e present &ase. In Reyes, &omplainant en'a'e# t+e ser,i&es of respon#ent la/%er for t+e purpose of filin' t+e appropriate &omplaint or &+ar'es

a'ainst t+e former1s sister-in-la/ an# t+e latter1s nie&e. After re&ei,in' t+e amount of-!8,))).)), respon#ent #i# not ta0e an% a&tion on &omplainant1s &ase. In Sencio, &omplainant t+erein, li0e/ise, en'a'e# t+e ser,i&es of Att%. Cal,a#ores to prose&ute t+e &i,il aspe&t of t+e &ase in relation to t+e #eat+ of +er son in a ,e+i&ular a&&i#ent. T+e total amount of -!(,))).)) /as #ul% a&0no/le#'e# an# re&ei,e# $% respon#ent as attorne%1s fees. Cespite repeate# assuran&es $% respon#ent, &omplainant #is&o,ere# t+at t+e former +a# not file# an% &ase on +er $e+alf. In $ot+ &ases, /e suspen#e# t+e respon#ent la/%ers for a perio# of si3 9;: mont+s. T+us, /e impose t+e same penalt% on respon#ent +erein, as re&ommen#e# $% t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors. >HERE6ORE, Resolution No. @AIII-())<-.(( of t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors is A66IR?EC. A&&or#in'l%, Att%. Os&ar Aman#% Re%es is +ere$% SUS-ENCEC for a perio# of SI@ 9;: ?ONTHS from t+e pra&ti&e of la/. Let &opies of t+is Ce&ision $e furnis+e# t+e Offi&e of t+e Bar Confi#ant, to $e appen#e# to respon#ent1s personal re&or# as an attorne%, t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e-+ilippines, an# all &ourts in t+e &ountr% for t+eir information an# 'ui#an&e. A.C. No. 62 ! "#l$ 1%, 2&&' DO(ORESD.)ARI*AS, +omplainant, vs. ATTY. OSCAR ). )A,-INTO, .espondent. CECISION CAR-IO, J.: The Case A la/%er +as t+e #ut% to 'i,e a#e=uate attention an# time to e,er% &ase +e a&&epts. A la/%er implie#l% /arrants t+at +e possesses t+e ne&essar% #ili'en&e, learnin' an# s0ill to +an#le ea&+ &ase. He s+oul# e3ert +is $est Fu#'ment an# e3er&ise reasona$le an# or#inar% &are an# #ili'en&e in t+e pursuit or #efense of +is &lientHs &ause. The Facts Sometime in O&to$er ())!, &omplainant Colores Cr%#en -ariIas 9J-ariIasJ: en'a'e# t+e ser,i&es of respon#ent Att%. Os&ar -. -a'uinto 9J-a'uintoJ: to annul +er marria'e to Canilo Soriano. T+e% a'ree# t+at for t+e le'al ser,i&es, -ariIas /oul# pa% -a'uinto an a&&eptan&e fee of -(.,))), t+e filin' fee of -(,.)) an# ot+er in&i#ental e3penses. On ( Ce&em$er ())!, -ariIas pai# -a'uinto -!),))) in &as+ as partial pa%ment of t+e a&&eptan&e fee. An a&0no/le#'ment re&eipt e,i#en&e# t+is pa%ment.! -ariIas 'a,e -a'uinto a #is0ette &ontainin' a narration of /+at +appene# $et/een +er an# +er estran'e# +us$an# Canilo Soriano. -ariIas also furnis+e# -a'uinto

/it+ a &op% of +er marria'e &ontra&t /it+ Soriano. Before t+e en# of Ce&em$er ())!, -ariIas 'a,e -a'uinto -(,.)) for t+e filin' fee. Sometime $et/een Kanuar% an# April ())(, -ariIas in=uire# from -a'uinto on t+e pro'ress of +er annulment &ase. -a'uinto informe# +er t+at t+e &ase /as file# /it+ t+e Re'ional Trial Court of ?anila, Bran&+ ;4 9JRTC-?anila, Bran&+ ;4J:, $efore Ku#'e Ri&aforte an# t+at t+e +earin' /as s&+e#ule# on (. April ())(. Before t+e +earin', -ariIas re=ueste# for a meetin' /it+ -a'uinto $ut t+e se&retar% informe# +er t+at t+e +earin' /as &an&elle#. T+e se&retar% furt+er informe# -ariIas t+at t+e Fu#'e reset t+e su&&ee#in' +earin's ori'inall% s&+e#ule# on (7 ?a% ())( an# (; Kune ())( $e&ause t+e Fu#'e /as si&0 or out of to/n. On t+e first /ee0 of Kul% ())(, -ariIas /ent to t+e trial &ourt to in=uire a$out +er &ase $ut t+e &ourt personnel in RTC-?anila, Bran&+ ;4 informe# +er t+at t+ere /as no su&+ &ase file# in t+eir &ourt. -ariIas as0e# -a'uinto for t+e &ase num$er, #ate of filin', &op% of t+e petition an# t+e &ourt /+ere t+e annulment &ase /as pen#in'. -a'uinto tol# -ariIas t+at t+e re&or#s /ere at +is offi&e an# t+at +e /as in ?alolos, Bula&an atten#in' to a &ase. It turne# out t+at t+ere /as no annulment &ase file# in RTC-?anila, Bran&+ ;4. -a'uinto promise# to return t+e mone% t+at -ariIas pai# as #o/n pa%ment. Ho/e,er, -a'uinto returne# t+e -!),))) onl% after -ariIas file# /it+ t+e Commission on Bar Cis&ipline 9JCBCJ: of t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9JIB-J: t+e present &omplaint for #is$arment. In t+e Or#er #ate# !4 6e$ruar% ())*, ( t+e CBC #ire&te# -a'uinto to ans/er t+e &omplaint. -a'uinto as0e# for an e3tension of !. #a%s to file +is Ans/er. T+e CBC 'rante# t+e e3tension in t+e Or#er #ate# !7 ?ar&+ ())*.*Ho/e,er, -a'uinto faile# to file +is Ans/er /it+in t+e e3ten#e# perio# an# t+us t+e CBC #e&lare# +im in #efault in t+e Or#er #ate# !. Kul% ())*.4 After t+e +earin', -ariIas su$mitte# +er -osition -aper pra%in' t+at t+e CBC #e&lare -a'uinto 'uilt% of ,iolation of Rule !;.)! an# Rule !<.)* of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%. On !) Septem$er ())*, -ariIas file# an Affi#a,it of >it+#ra/al . of t+e &omplaint. -ariIas state# t+at -a'uinto Jpersonall% e3plaine# e3+austi,el% t+e reasons /+% +e faile# to &ompl% /it+ +is o$li'ationsJ an# s+e realiGe# t+at t+e &omplaint arose #ue to a Jmisappre+ension of fa&ts, misun#erstan#in' an# mis&ommuni&ation.J -ariIas manifeste# t+at s+e /as /it+#ra/in' t+e &omplaint, as s+e /as no lon'er intereste# in pursuin' t+e &ase. On t+e same #ate, -a'uinto file# a ?anifestation an# ?otion; e3plainin' t+at +e faile# to atten# t+e +earin' on *) Kul% ())* $e&ause +e /as in Ta$u0, Lalin'a atten#in' a +earin' in a &riminal &ase for frustrate# +omi&i#e. He apolo'iGe# to -ariIas for +is a&tuations &laimin' J+imself solel% to $e $lame#.J He furt+er

#e&lare# t+at +e faile# to timel% prepare an# file t+e petition for annulment $e&ause +e spen#s +is time mostl% in Ben. ?ariano Al,areG, Ca,ite /+ere +e pra&ti&es la/ &aterin' to t+ose J&lients /+o +a,e less in life.J Commissioner's Report & Recommendation T+e IB#esi'nate# Att%. Re$e&&a Aillanue,a-?aala 9JCommissionerJ: as Commissioner to &on#u&t a formal in,esti'ation of t+e &ase. T+e Commissioner foun# -a'uinto ne'li'ent in performin' +is #uties as a la/%er an# as an offi&er of t+e &ourt. T+e Commissioner #e&lare# t+at a la/%er +as t+e #ut% to 'i,e a#e=uate attention, &are an# time to +is &ases, a&&eptin' onl% as man% &ases as +e &an +an#le. -a'uinto faile# to &ompl% /it+ t+is #ut%. T+e Commissioner re&ommen#e# t+e suspension of -a'uinto from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for si3 mont+s. The Court's Ruling >e a'ree /it+ t+e Commissioner. -ariIas 'a,e -a'uinto -!),))) &as+ as partial pa%ment of t+e a&&eptan&e fee. -ariIas also 'a,e -a'uinto-(,.)) for t+e filin' fee. -a'uinto le# -ariIas to $elie,e t+at +e +a# file# t+e annulment &ase. -a'uinto informe# -ariIas t+at t+e &ase /as file# /it+ t+e RTC-?anila, Bran&+ ;4, $efore Ku#'e Ri&aforte. Ho/e,er, -ariIas later foun# out t+at -a'uinto ne,er file# t+e annulment &ase in &ourt. Rule !;.)! of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% 9Jt+e Co#eJ: pro,i#es t+at a la/%er s+all a&&ount for all mone% or propert% &olle&te# for or from t+e &lient. A&&eptan&e of mone% from a &lient esta$lis+es an attorne%-&lient relations+ip an# 'i,es rise to t+e #ut% of fi#elit% to t+e &lientHs &ause. 8 ?one% entruste# to a la/%er for a spe&ifi& purpose, su&+ as for filin' fee, $ut not use# for failure to file t+e &ase must imme#iatel% $e returne# to t+e &lient on #eman#.< -a'uinto returne# t+e mone% onl% after -ariIas file# t+is a#ministrati,e &ase for #is$arment. -a'uinto s+oul# 0no/ t+at as a la/%er, +e o/es fi#elit% to t+e &ause of +is &lient. >+en a la/%er a&&epts a &ase, +is a&&eptan&e is an implie# representation t+at +e possesses t+e re=uisite a&a#emi& learnin', s0ill an# a$ilit% to +an#le t+e &ase. T+e la/%er +as t+e #ut% to e3ert +is $est Fu#'ment in t+e prose&ution or #efense of t+e &ase entruste# to +im an# to e3er&ise reasona$le an# or#inar% &are an# #ili'en&e in t+e pursuit or #efense of t+e &ase. A la/%er s+oul# 'i,e a#e=uate attention, &are an# time to +is &ase. On&e +e a'rees to +an#le a &ase, +e s+oul# un#erta0e t+e tas0 /it+ #e#i&ation an# &are. If +e fails in t+is #ut%, +e is not true to +is oat+ as a la/%er. Hen&e, a la/%er must a&&ept onl% as mu&+ &ases as +e &an effi&ientl% +an#le, ot+er/ise +is &lientsH interests /ill suffer. 7 It is not enou'+ t+at a la/%er possesses t+e =ualifi&ation to +an#le t+e le'al matter. He must also 'i,e a#e=uate attention to +is le'al /or0.

T+e la/%er o/es it to +is &lient to e3er&ise +is utmost learnin' an# a$ilit% in +an#lin' +is &ases. A li&ense to pra&ti&e la/ is a 'uarantee $% t+e &ourts to t+e pu$li& t+at t+e li&ensee possesses suffi&ient s0ill, 0no/le#'e an# #ili'en&e to mana'e t+eir &ases. !) T+e le'al profession #eman#s from a la/%er t+e ,i'ilan&e an# attention e3pe&te# of a 'oo# fat+er of a famil%. In amalinda vs. Alcantara,!! /e rule#: A la/%er o/es fi#elit% to t+e &ause of +is &lient an# must $e min#ful of t+e trust an# &onfi#en&e repose# in +im. He s+all ser,e +is &lient /it+ &ompeten&e an# #ili'en&e, an# +is #ut% of entire #e,otion to +is &lientHs &ause not onl% re=uires, $ut entitles +im to emplo% e,er% +onora$le means to se&ure for t+e &lient /+at is Fustl% #ue +im or to present e,er% #efense pro,i#e# $% la/ to ena$le t+e latterHs &ause to su&&ee#. An attorne%Hs #ut% to safe'uar# t+e &lientHs interests &ommen&es from +is retainer until +is effe&ti,e release from t+e &ase or t+e final #isposition of t+e /+ole su$Fe&t matter of t+e liti'ation. Curin' t+at perio#, +e is e3pe&te# to ta0e su&+ reasona$le steps an# su&+ or#inar% &are as +is &lientHs interests ma% re=uire. An# failure to #o so ,iolates Canon !< of t+e Co#e. !( Rule !<.)! of t+e Co#e is &lear. A la/%er s+all not un#erta0e a le'al ser,i&e t+at +e is not =ualifie# to ren#er. Rule !<.)( of t+e Co#e pro,i#es t+at a la/%er s+all not +an#le an% le'al matter /it+out a#e=uate preparation. He +as t+e #ut% to prepare for trial /it+ #ili'en&e an# #eli$erate spee#. Rule !<.)* of t+e Co#e also pro,i#es t+at a la/%er s+all not ne'le&t a le'al matter entruste# to +im an# +is ne'li'en&e s+all ren#er +im lia$le. One last point. -ariIas e3e&ute# an Affi#a,it of >it+#ra/al !* of t+e &omplaint statin' t+at s+e /as /it+#ra/in' t+e a#ministrati,e &omplaint a'ainst -a'uinto after realiGin' t+at Jsai# &omplaint a'ainst t+e respon#ent arose #ue to misappre+ension of fa&ts, misun#erstan#in' an# mis&ommuni&ation.J -a'uinto, on t+e ot+er +an#, su$mitte# a ?anifestation an# ?otion apolo'iGin' to -ariIas for +is a&tuations an# a#mittin' t+at +e /as Jsolel% to $e $lame#.J A &ompromise or /it+#ra/al of &+ar'es #oes not terminate an a#ministrati,e &omplaint a'ainst a la/%er, !4 espe&iall% in t+is &ase /+ere t+e la/%er a#mitte# +is mis&on#u&t. -ariIasHs affi#a,it of /it+#ra/al of t+e #is$arment &ase #oes not e3onerate -a'uinto in an% /a%. >e reiterate our rulin' in Rayos! "m#ac v. Rayos!. t+at M A" pro&ee#in' for suspension or #is$arment is not in an% sense a &i,il a&tion /+ere t+e &omplainant is a plaintiff an# t+e respon#ent la/%er is a #efen#ant. Cis&iplinar% pro&ee#in's in,ol,e no pri,ate interest an# affor# no re#ress for pri,ate 'rie,an&e. T+e% are un#erta0en solel% for t+e pu$li& /elfare. 3 3 3 T+e attorne% is &alle# upon to ans/er to t+e &ourt for +is &on#u&t as an offi&er of t+e &ourt. T+e &omplainant or t+e person /+o &alle# t+e attention of t+e &ourt

to t+e attorne%Hs alle'e# mis&on#u&t is in no sense a part%, an# +as 'enerall% no interest in t+e out&ome e3&ept as all 'oo# &itiGens ma% +a,e in t+e proper a#ministration of Fusti&e >HERE6ORE, /e fin# respon#ent Att%. Os&ar -. -a'uinto BUILT2 of ,iolation of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%. A&&or#in'l%, /e penaliGe Att%. Os&ar -. -a'uinto /it+ SUS-ENSION for SI@ 9;: ?ONTHS from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ effe&ti,e upon re&eipt of t+is Ce&ision. Let &opies of t+is Ce&ision $e furnis+e# t+e Offi&e of t+e Bar Confi#ant, to $e appen#e# to respon#entHs personal re&or# as an attorne%5 t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines5 an# all &ourts in t+e &ountr% for t+eir information an# 'ui#an&e. SO ORCEREC A.C.No.!2 / "#ne20,2&&!12o.me.l$ C3D Case No. &0410605 2ERNANDOMARTINO.)ENA, +omplainant, vs. ATTY. (O(ITO ,. A)ARICIO, .espondent. RESOLUTION TINBA, J.: In t+is a#ministrati,e &omplaint, a la/%er is &+ar'e# /it+ ,iolation of Rule !7.)! of Canon !7 of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% for /ritin' a #eman# letter t+e &ontents of /+i&+ t+reatene# &omplainant /it+ t+e filin' of &riminal &ases for ta3 e,asion an# falsifi&ation of #o&uments. Att%. Lolito B. Apari&io 9respon#ent: appeare# as le'al &ounsel for Bra&e C. Hufana in an ille'al #ismissal &ase $efore t+e National La$or Relations Commission 9NLRC:. Sometime in Au'ust ())., &omplainant 6ernan#o ?artin O. -ena, as -resi#ent of ?O6 Compan%, In&. 9Su$i&:, re&ei,e# a noti&e from t+e Con&iliation an# ?e#iation Center of t+e NLRC for a me#iationN&on&iliation &onferen&e. In t+e &onferen&e, respon#ent, in $e+alf of +is &lient, su$mitte# a &laim for separation pa% arisin' from +er alle'e# ille'al #ismissal. Complainant reFe&te# t+e &laim as $ein' $aseless. Complainant t+ereafter sent noti&es to Hufana for t+e latter to e3plain +er a$sen&es an# to return to /or0. In repl% to t+is return to /or0 noti&e, respon#ent /rote a letter to &omplainant reiteratin' +is &lientHs &laim for separation pa%. T+e letter also &ontaine# t+e follo/in' t+reat to t+e &ompan%: BUT if t+ese are not pai# on Au'ust !), ())., /e /ill $e &onstraine# to file an# &laim $i''er amounts in&lu#in' moral #ama'es to t+e tune of millions un#er esta$lis+e# pre&e#en&e of &ases an# la/s. In a##ition to ot+er multiple &+ar'es li0e: !. Ta3 e,asion $% t+e millions of pesos of in&ome not reporte# to t+e 'o,ernment. (. Criminal C+ar'es for Ta3 E,asion

*. Criminal C+ar'es for 6alsifi&ation of Co&uments 4. Can&ellation of $usiness li&ense to operate #ue to ,iolations of la/s. T+ese are reser,e# for future a&tions in &ase of failure to pa% t+e a$o,e amounts as settlements in t+e National La$or Relations Commission 9NLRC:.1 Belie,in' t+at t+e &ontents of t+e letter #e,iate# from a&&epte# et+i&al stan#ar#s, &omplainant file# an a#ministrati,e &omplaint 2 /it+ t+e Commission on Bar Cis&ipline of t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9IB-:. Respon#ent file# an Ans/er /it+ Implea#er 9?otion to Cismiss an# Counter&laims: 3 &laimin' t+at Att%. Emmanuel A. Ko&son, &omplainantHs le'al &ounsel, also pla%e# an important part in imputin' t+e mali&ious, #efamator%, an# fa$ri&ate# &+ar'es a'ainst +im. Respon#ent also pointe# out t+at t+e &omplaint +a# no &ertifi&ation a'ainst forum s+oppin' an# /as moti,ate# onl% to &onfuse t+e issues t+en pen#in' $efore t+e La$or Ar$iter. B% /a% of &ounter&laim, respon#ent as0e# for #ama'es an# for t+e #is$arment of Att%. Ko&son. Respon#ent also as0e# t+e IB- to en#orse t+e prose&ution of Att%. Ko&son for Usurpation of -u$li& 6un&tions4 an# for ,iolation of t+e Notarial La/. 5 A man#ator% &onferen&e /as +el# on ; Ce&em$er ()). $ut respon#ent faile# to appear.6 Bot+ parties /ere t+ereafter re=uire# to su$mit t+eir position papers. T+e Report an# Re&ommen#ation7 of In,esti'atin' Commissioner ?ila'ros A. San Kuan foun# t+at &omplainant, faile# to file +is position paper an# to &ompl% /it+ A#ministrati,e Cir&ular No. )4-74 re=uirin' a &ertifi&ate a'ainst forum s+oppin' an#, a&&or#in'l%, re&ommen#e# t+e #ismissal of t+e &omplaint a'ainst respon#ent. On (; ?a% ());, t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors a#opte# an# appro,e# t+e Report an# Re&ommen#ation of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner. 8 On !) Kul% ());, t+e IB- Commission on Bar Cis&ipline transmitte# to t+e Supreme Court t+e noti&e of sai# Resolution an# t+e re&or#s of t+e &ase.9 T+ereafter, on !< Au'ust ());, respon#ent file# /it+ t+e IB- a ?otion for Re&onsi#eration 9for ?o#ifi&ation of Ce&ision:10 reiteratin' +is &laim of #ama'es a'ainst &omplainant in t+e amount of four +un#re# million pesos 9-4)),))),))).)):, or its e=ui,alent in #ollars, for filin' t+e Jfalse, mali&ious, #efamers si&", frau#ulent, ille'al fa$ri&ators si&", male,olent ," oppressi,e, e,asi,e filin' of" a 'roun#less an# false suit.J11 Complainant t+ereafter file# t+is -etition for Re,ie/ 9of t+e Resolution of t+e IB- Commission on Bar Cis&ipline: 12alle'in' t+at +e personall% su$mitte# an# file# /it+ t+e IB- +is position paper, after ser,in' a &op% t+ereof on respon#ent $% re'istere# mail. He furt+er alle'es t+at +e /as #epri,e# of +is ri'+t to #ue pro&ess /+en t+e IB- #ismisse# +is &omplaint /it+out &onsi#erin' +is position paper an# /it+out rulin' on t+e merits t+ereof.

Complainant a&&or#in'l% pra%s for t+e re,ersal an# settin' asi#e of t+e (; ?a% ()); Resolution 13 of t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors an# t+e reman# of t+e &ase to t+e IB- Commission on Bar Cis&ipline for proper a#Fu#i&ation an# #isposition on t+e merits. Base# on t+e re&or#s, t+ere is trut+ to &omplainantHs assertion t+at +e file# +is position paper on (! Ce&em$er ())., after ser,in' a &op% of t+e same to respon#ent. T+e IB- stamp on t+e front pa'e of sai# #o&ument s+o/s t+at it /as re&ei,e# $% t+e IB- on (! Ce&em$er ()).. T+e re'istr% re&eipt atta&+e# to t+e same #o&ument also s+o/s t+at it /as sent $% re'istere# mail to respon#ent on t+e same #ate. 14 Complainant, +o/e,er, omitte# to offer an% e3planation in +is petition $efore t+is Court for +is failure to atta&+ a &ertifi&ation a'ainst forum s+oppin' in +is &omplaint a'ainst respon#ent. T+e re=uirement of a &ertifi&ation a'ainst forum s+oppin' /as ori'inall% re=uire# $% Cir&ular No. (<-7!, #ate# < 6e$ruar% !774, issue# $% t+is Court for e,er% petition file# /it+ t+e Court or t+e Court of Appeals. A#ministrati,e Cir&ular No. )4-74, ma#e effe&ti,e on ! April !774, e3pan#e# t+e &ertifi&ation re=uirement to in&lu#e &ases file# in &ourts an# =uasi-Fu#i&ial a'en&ies $elo/ t+is Court an# t+e Court of Appeals. Ultimatel%, t+e Court a#opte# para'rap+s 9!: an# 9(: of A#ministrati,e Cir&ular No. )4-74 to $e&ome Se&tion ., Rule 8 of t+e!778 Rules of Ci,il -ro&e#ure.15 Sai# rule states t+at a ,iolation t+ereof /oul# &onstitute &ontempt of &ourt an# $e &ause for t+e summar% #ismissal of $ot+ petitions /it+out preFu#i&e to t+e ta0in' of appropriate a&tion a'ainst t+e &ounsel of t+e part% &on&erne#. 16 T+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner an# t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors too0 a'ainst &omplainant +is failure to atta&+ t+e &ertifi&ation a'ainst forum s+oppin' to +is &omplaint an# &onse=uentl% #ismisse# +is &omplaint. T+is Court, +o/e,er, #isa'rees an#, a&&or#in'l%, 'rants t+e petition. Ho/e,er, a reman# of t+e &ase to t+e IB- /oul# un#ul% prolon' its a#Fu#i&ation. T+e CourtHs #etermination is an&+ore# on t+e sui generis nature of #is$arment pro&ee#in's, t+e reasons for t+e &ertifi&ation a'ainst forum s+oppin' re=uirement, &omplainantHs su$se=uent &omplian&e /it+ t+e re=uirement, an# t+e merit of &omplainantHs &omplaint a'ainst respon#ent. T+e Court, in t+e &ase of $n re Almacen,17 #/elt on t+e sui generis &+ara&ter of #is&iplinar% pro&ee#in's a'ainst la/%ers, t+us: Cis&iplinar% pro&ee#in's a'ainst la/%ers are sui generis. Neit+er purel% &i,il nor purel% &riminal, t+e% #o not in,ol,e a trial of an a&tion or a suit, $ut is rat+er an in,esti'ation $% t+e Court into t+e &on#u&t of one of its offi&ers. Not $ein' inten#e# to infli&t punis+ment, it is in no sense a &riminal prose&ution. A&&or#in'l%, t+ere is neit+er a plaintiff nor a prose&utor t+erein. It ma% $e initiate# $% t+e Court motu proprio. -u$li& interest is its primar% o$Fe&ti,e, an# t+e

real =uestion for #etermination is /+et+er or not t+e attorne% is still a fit person to $e allo/e# t+e pri,ile'es as su&+. Hen&e, in t+e e3er&ise of its #is&iplinar% po/ers, t+e Court merel% &alls upon a mem$er of t+e Bar to a&&ount for +is a&tuations as an offi&er of t+e Court /it+ t+e en# in ,ie/ of preser,in' t+e purit% of t+e le'al profession an# t+e proper an# +onest a#ministration of Fusti&e $% pur'in' t+e profession of mem$ers /+o $% t+eir mis&on#u&t +a,e pro,e# t+emsel,es no lon'er /ort+% to $e entruste# /it+ t+e #uties an# responsi$ilities pertainin' to t+e offi&e of an attorne%. In su&+ posture, t+ere &an t+us $e no o&&asion to spea0 of a &omplainant or a prose&utor.18 Emp+asis supplie#" In ,ie/ of t+e nature of #is$arment pro&ee#in's, t+e &ertifi&ation a'ainst forum s+oppin' to $e atta&+e# to t+e &omplaint, if one is re=uire# at all in su&+ pro&ee#in's, must refer to anot+er a#ministrati,e &ase for #is&iplinar% pro&ee#in's a'ainst t+e same respon#ent, $e&ause su&+ ot+er pro&ee#in's or Ja&tionJ is one t+at ne&essaril% in,ol,es Jt+e same issuesJ as t+e one pose# in t+e #is$arment &omplaint to /+i&+ t+e &ertifi&ation is suppose#l% to $e atta&+e#. 6urt+er, t+e rationale for t+e re=uirement of a &ertifi&ation a'ainst forum s+oppin' is to apprise t+e Court of t+e pen#en&% of anot+er a&tion or &laim in,ol,in' t+e same issues in anot+er &ourt, tri$unal or =uasi-Fu#i&ial a'en&%, an# t+ere$% pre&isel% a,oi# t+e forum s+oppin' situation. 6ilin' multiple petitions or &omplaints &onstitutes a$use of &ourt pro&esses,19 /+i&+ ten#s to #e'ra#e t+e a#ministration of Fusti&e, /rea0s +a,o& upon or#erl% Fu#i&ial pro&e#ure, an# a##s to t+e &on'estion of t+e +ea,il% $ur#ene# #o&0ets of t+e &ourts.20 6urt+ermore, t+e rule pros&ri$in' forum s+oppin' see0s to promote &an#or an# transparen&% amon' la/%ers an# t+eir &lients in t+e pursuit of t+eir &ases $efore t+e &ourts to promote t+e or#erl% a#ministration of Fusti&e, pre,ent un#ue in&on,enien&e upon t+e ot+er part%, an# sa,e t+e pre&ious time of t+e &ourts. It also aims to pre,ent t+e em$arrassin' situation of t/o or more &ourts or a'en&ies ren#erin' &onfli&tin' resolutions or #e&isions upon t+e same issue.21 It is in t+is li'+t t+at /e ta0e a furt+er loo0 at t+e ne&essit% of atta&+in' a &ertifi&ation a'ainst forum s+oppin' to a #is$arment &omplaint. It /oul# seem t+at t+e s&enario sou'+t to $e a,oi#e#, i.e., t+e filin' of multiple suits an# t+e possi$ilit% of &onfli&tin' #e&isions, rarel% +appens in #is$arment &omplaints &onsi#erin' t+at sai# pro&ee#in's are eit+er Jta0en $% t+e Supreme Court motu proprio, or $% t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9IB-: upon t+e ,erifie# &omplaint of an% person.J 22 T+us, if t+e &omplainant in a #is$arment &ase fails to atta&+ a &ertifi&ation a'ainst forum s+oppin', t+e pen#en&% of anot+er #is&iplinar% a&tion a'ainst t+e same respon#ent ma% still $e as&ertaine# /it+ ease. >e +a,e pre,iousl% +el# t+at t+e

rule re=uirin' a &ertifi&ation of forum s+oppin' to a&&ompan% e,er% initiator% plea#in', Js+oul# not $e interprete# /it+ su&+ a$solute literalness as to su$,ert its o/n ultimate an# le'itimate o$Fe&ti,e or t+e 'oal of all rules of pro&e#ureO/+i&+ is to a&+ie,e su$stantial Fusti&e as e3pe#itiousl% as possi$le.J23 At an% rate, &omplainantHs su$se=uent &omplian&e /it+ t+e re=uirement &ure# t+e suppose# #efe&t in t+e ori'inal &omplaint. T+e re&or#s s+o/ t+at &omplainant su$mitte# t+e re=uire# &ertifi&ation a'ainst forum s+oppin' on ; Ce&em$er ()); /+en +e file# +is CommentNOpposition to respon#entHs ?otion to Cismiss t+e present petition. 6inall%, t+e intrinsi& merit of &omplainantHs &ase a'ainst respon#ent Fustifies t+e 'rant of t+e present petition. Respon#ent #oes not #en% aut+ors+ip of t+e t+reatenin' letter to &omplainant, e,en spirite#l% &ontestin' t+e &+ar'e t+at t+e letter is unet+i&al. Canon !7 of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% states t+at Ja la/%er s+all represent +is &lient /it+ Geal /it+in t+e $oun#s of t+e la/,J remin#in' le'al pra&titioners t+at a la/%erHs #ut% is not to +is &lient $ut to t+e a#ministration of Fusti&e5 to t+at en#, +is &lientHs su&&ess is /+oll% su$or#inate5 an# +is &on#u&t ou'+t to an# must al/a%s $e s&rupulousl% o$ser,ant of la/ an# et+i&s. 24 In parti&ular, Rule !7.)! &omman#s t+at a Jla/%er s+all emplo% onl% fair an# +onest means to attain t+e la/ful o$Fe&ti,es of +is &lient an# s+all not present, parti&ipate in presentin' or t+reaten to present unfoun#e# &riminal &+ar'es to o$tain an improper a#,anta'e in an% &ase or pro&ee#in'.J Un#er t+is Rule, a la/%er s+oul# not file or t+reaten to file an% unfoun#e# or $aseless &riminal &ase or &ases a'ainst t+e a#,ersaries of +is &lient #esi'ne# to se&ure a le,era'e to &ompel t+e a#,ersaries to %iel# or /it+#ra/ t+eir o/n &ases a'ainst t+e la/%erHs &lient.25 In t+e &ase at $ar, respon#ent #i# e3a&tl% /+at Canon !7 an# its Rule pros&ri$e. T+rou'+ +is letter, +e t+reatene# &omplainant t+at s+oul# t+e latter fail to pa% t+e amounts t+e% propose as settlement, +e /oul# file an# &laim $i''er amounts in&lu#in' moral #ama'es, as /ell as multiple &+ar'es su&+ as ta3 e,asion, falsifi&ation of #o&uments, an# &an&ellation of $usiness li&ense to operate #ue to ,iolations of la/s. T+e t+reats are not onl% unet+i&al for ,iolatin' Canon !7, $ut t+e% also amount to $la&0mail. Bla&0mail is Jt+e e3tortion of mone% from a person $% t+reats of a&&usation or e3posure or opposition in t+e pu$li& prints,Po$tainin' of ,alue from a person as a &on#ition of refrainin' from ma0in' an a&&usation a'ainst +im, or #is&losin' some se&ret &al&ulate# to operate to +is preFu#i&e.J In &ommon parlan&e an# in 'eneral a&&eptation, it is e=ui,alent to an# s%non%mous /it+ e3tortion, t+e e3a&tion of mone% eit+er for t+e performan&e of a #ut%, t+e pre,ention of an inFur%, or t+e e3er&ise of an influen&e. Not

infre=uentl%, it is e3torte# $% t+reats, or $% operatin' on t+e fears or t+e &re#ulit%, or $% promises to &on&eal or offers to e3pose t+e /ea0nesses, t+e follies, or t+e &rime of t+e ,i&tim. 26 In Sps. Boyboy v. Atty. Yabut, Jr.,27 %e held that &'a(n accusation )or #lac*mail and e+tortion is a very serious one %hich, i) properly su#stantiated, %ould entail not only respondent's dis#arment )rom the practice o) la%, #ut also a possi#le criminal prosecution.& 28 ,hile the respondent in -oy#oy %as e+onerated )or lac* o) evidence, the same may not #e said o) respondent in the present case )or he admits to %riting the o))ensive letter. In fa&t, respon#ent #oes not fin# an%t+in' /ron' /it+ /+at +e /rote, #ismissin' t+e same as merel% an a&t of pointin' out massi,e ,iolations of t+e la/ $% t+e ot+er part%, an#, /it+ $ol#ness, assertin' t+at Ja la/%er is un#er o$li'ation to tell t+e trut+, to report to t+e 'o,ernment &ommission of offenses punis+a$le $% t+e State.J 29 He furt+er asserts t+at t+e /ritin' of #eman# letters is a stan#ar# pra&ti&e an# tra#ition an# t+at our la/s allo/ an# en&oura'e t+e settlement of #isputes. Respon#entHs assertions, +o/e,er, are mislea#in', for it is =uite o$,ious t+at respon#entHs t+reat to file t+e &ases a'ainst &omplainant /as #esi'ne# to se&ure some le,era'e to &ompel t+e latter to 'i,e in to +is &lientHs #eman#s. It /as not respon#entHs intention to point out &omplainantHs ,iolations of t+e la/ as +e so 'allantl% &laims. 6ar from it, t+e letter e,en &ontains an implie# promise to J0eep silentJ a$out t+e sai# ,iolations if pa%ment of t+e &laim is ma#e on t+e #ate in#i&ate#. In#ee#, t+e /ritin' of #eman# letters is a stan#ar# pra&ti&e an# tra#ition in t+is Furis#i&tion. It is usuall% #one $% a la/%er pursuant to t+e prin&ipal-a'ent relations+ip t+at +e +as /it+ +is &lient, t+e prin&ipal. T+us, in t+e performan&e of +is role as a'ent, t+e la/%er ma% $e tas0e# to enfor&e +is &lientHs &laim an# to ta0e all t+e steps ne&essar% to &olle&t it, su&+ as /ritin' a letter of #eman# re=uirin' pa%ment /it+in a spe&ifie# perio#. Ho/e,er, t+e letter in t+is &ase &ontains more t+an Fust a simple #eman# to pa%. It e,en &ontains a t+reat to file retaliator% &+ar'es a'ainst &omplainant /+i&+ +a,e not+in' to #o /it+ +is &lientHs &laim for separation pa%. T+e letter /as o$,iousl% #esi'ne# to se&ure le,era'e to &ompel &omplainant to %iel# to t+eir &laims. In#ee#, letters of t+is nature are #efinitel% pros&ri$e# $% t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%. Respon#ent &annot &laim t+e san&tuar% pro,i#e# $% t+e pri,ile'e# &ommuni&ation rule un#er /+i&+ a pri,ate &ommuni&ation e3e&ute# in t+e performan&e of a le'al #ut% is not a&tiona$le. T+e pri,ile'e# nature of t+e letter /as remo,e# /+en respon#ent use# it to $la&0mail &omplainant an# e3tort from t+e latter &omplian&e /it+ t+e #eman#s of +is &lient.

Ho/e,er, /+ile t+e /ritin' of t+e letter /ent $e%on# et+i&al stan#ar#s, /e +ol# t+at #is$arment is too se,ere a penalt% to $e impose# on respon#ent, &onsi#erin' t+at +e /rote t+e same out of +is o,erGealousness to prote&t +is &lientHs interests. A&&or#in'l%, t+e more appropriate penalt% is repriman#. >HERE6ORE, premises &onsi#ere#, t+e petition is 'rante#. T+e (; ?a% ()); Resolution of t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors is +ere$% REAERSEC an# SET ASICE. Respon#ent Att%. Lolito B. Apari&io is +ere$% foun# lia$le for ,iolation of Rule !7.)! of Canon !7 of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%, an# is a&&or#in'l% mete# out t+e penalt% of RE-RI?ANC, /it+ t+e STERN >ARNINB t+at a repetition of t+e same or similar a&t /ill $e #ealt /it+ more se,erel%. SO ORCEREC A.C. No. 66 1 Ap.il 2!, 2&&! ATTY.,EOR,EC.3RIONES, Complainant, vs. ATTY. "ACINTO D. "IMENE6, Respondent. RESOLUTION AUSTRIA-?ARTINEQ, J.: T+e root of +erein a#ministrati,e &omplaint for Cis$arment 1 #ate# Au'ust !(, ())4 file# $% Att%. Beor'e S. Briones &+ar'in' Att%. Ka&into C. KimeneG /it+ ,iolation of Re,ise# Cir&ular No. (<-7! on forum-s+oppin' an# Rule !7.)! an# Rule !(.)< of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%, is t+e April *, ())( Or#er of t+e Re'ional Trial Court 9RTC: of ?anila in S- -ro&. No. 77-7(<8), entitle#, JIn t+e ?atter of t+e -etition for t+e Allo/an&e of t+e >ill of LuG K. HensonJ, to /it: IN AIE> O6 THE 6OREBOINB, t+e &ourt +ere$%: !. Reiterates its #esi'nation of t+e a&&ountin' firm of ?essrs. Al$a, Romeo R Co. to imme#iatel% &on#u&t an au#it of t+e a#ministration $% Att%. Beor'e S. Briones of t+e estate of t+e late LuG K. Henson, t+e e3penses of /+i&+ s+all $e &+ar'e# a'ainst t+e estate. (. Suspen#s t+e appro,al of t+e report of t+e spe&ial a#ministrator e3&ept t+e pa%ment of +is &ommission /+i&+ is +ere$% fi3e# at !.<S of t+e ,alue of t+e estate. *. Cire&ts t+e spe&ial a#ministrator to #eli,er t+e resi#ue to t+e +eirs in proportion to t+eir s+ares. 6rom t+e s+are of Lilia K. Henson-CruG, t+ere s+all $e #e#u&te# t+e a#,an&es ma#e to +er. IT IS SO ORCEREC. Complainant Att%. Briones is t+e Spe&ial A#ministrator of t+e Estate of LuG K. Henson. Respon#ent Att%. Ka&into C. KimeneG is t+e &ounsel for t+e Heirs of t+e late LuG K. Henson 9Heirs:. On April 7, ())(, Att%. KimeneG file# /it+ t+e RTC a noti&e of appeal from t+e Or#er #ate# April *, ())(, =uestionin' t+e pa%ment of &ommission to Att%. Briones.2

On April (7, ())(, Att%. KimeneG file# /it+ t+e Court of Appeals 9CA: a -etition for Certiorari, -ro+i$ition an#.andamus, #o&0ete# as CAB.R. S- No. 8)*47 assailin' t+e Or#er #ate# ?ar&+ !(, ())(, appointin' t+e firm of Al$a, Romeo R Co. to &on#u&t an au#it at t+e e3pense of t+e late LuG K. Henson, as /ell as t+e Or#er #ate# April *, ())(, insofar as it #enie# t+eir motion for re&ommen#ation. 3 On Kul% (;, ())(, Att%. KimeneG file# /it+ t+e CA a -etition for .andamus, #o&0ete# as CA-B.R. No. 8!<44,4alle'in' t+at t+e respon#ent Ku#'e t+erein unla/full% refuse# to &ompl% /it+ +is ministerial #ut% to appro,e t+eir appeal /+i&+ /as perfe&te# on time.5 Att%. Briones, in +is Comment, &onten#s t+at t+e +eirs of t+e late LuG K. Henson, represente# $% Att%. KimeneG, are 'uilt% of forum s+oppin' for /+i&+ reason, t+e petition s+oul# $e #ismisse#. 6 On 6e$ruar% !!, ())*, t+e CA /it+out tou&+in' on t+e forum s+oppin' issue, 'rante# t+e petition an# or#ere# t+e respon#ent Ku#'e to 'i,e #ue &ourse to t+e appeal ta0en $% Att%. KimeneG from t+e Or#er #ate# April *, ())(, insofar as it #ire&te# t+e pa%ment of &ommission to Att%. Briones.7 Att%. Briones t+en file# /it+ t+is Court a -etition for Re,ie/ on Certiorari un#er Rule 4. of t+e Rules of Court, #o&0ete# as B.R. No. !.7!*), pra%in' for t+e #ismissal of t+e appeal from t+e Or#er #ate# April *, ())(, insofar as it or#ere# t+e pa%ment of &ommission to +im, as t+e Spe&ial A#ministrator of t+e estate of t+e #e&ease# LuG K. Henson.8 T+e Court 'a,e #ue &ourse to t+e petition an# re=uire# t+e parties to file t+eir respe&ti,e memoran#a. Att%. Briones 9+ereinafter referre# to as &omplainant: file# +is J?emoran#um /it+ A#ministrati,e Complaint for Cis$arment a'ainst Att%. Ka&into KimeneG, Counsel for Respon#entsJ, 9 for ,iolation of Rule !7.)! an# Rule !(.)< of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% an# Re,ise# Cir&ular No. (<-7! on forum s+oppin'. Complainant &laims t+at Att%. KimeneG 9+ereinafter referre# to as respon#ent: an# t+e Heirs en'a'e# a'ain in forum s+oppin' /+en respon#ent, as &ounsel for t+e Heirs, file# a &riminal &omplaint an# e3e&ute# an affi#a,it a'ainst &omplainant for resistin' an# seriousl% #iso$e%in' t+e RTC Or#er #ate# April *, ())( /+i&+ #ire&te# &omplainant to #eli,er t+e resi#ue of t+e estate to t+e Heirs in proportion to t+eir s+ares, punis+a$le un#er Arti&le !.! of t+e Re,ise# -enal Co#e. Complainant furt+er &laims t+at respon#ent ,iolate# Rules !7.)! an# !(.)< of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%, to /it: Rule !7.)! - A la/%er s+all emplo% onl% fair an# +onest means to attain t+e la/ful o$Fe&ti,es of +is &lient an# s+all not present, parti&ipate in presentin' or t+reaten to present unfoun#e# &riminal &+ar'es to o$tain an improper a#,anta'e in an% &ase of pro&ee#in'.

Rule !(.)< M A la/%er s+all a,oi# testif%in' in $e+alf of +is &lient, e3&ept: 9a: on formal matters, su&+ as t+e mailin', aut+enti&ation or &usto#% of an instrument, an# t+e li0e5 or $: on su$stantial matters, in &ases /+ere +is testimon% is essential to t+e en#s of Fusti&e, in /+i&+ e,ent +e must, #urin' +is testimon%, entrust t+e trial of t+e &ase to anot+er &ounsel. $% filin' t+e unfoun#e# &riminal &omplaint a'ainst +im to o$tain an improper a#,anta'e in Spe&ial -ro&ee#in's No. 77-7(<8) $efore t+e RTC, Bran&+ 4;, an# &oer&e &omplainant to #eli,er to t+e Heirs t+e resi#ue of t+e estate of t+e late LuG K. Henson /it+out an% /rit of e3e&ution or an% pronoun&ement from t+e RTC as to t+e finalit% of t+e Or#er #ate# April *, ())(510 an# in e3e&utin' an affi#a,it in support of t+e &riminal &omplaint. T+e Court in its Resolution #ate# Kanuar% (4, ())., in B.R. No. !.7!*), resol,e# to #o&0et t+e &omplaint a'ainst Att%. KimeneG as a re'ular a#ministrati,e &omplaint5 referre# sai# Complaint to t+e Offi&e of t+e Bar Confi#ant 9OBC:5 an# re=uire# Att%. KimeneG to &omment.11 Respon#ent file# +is Comment on April ;, ()).. He &onten#s t+at /+en +e assiste# t+e Heirs in filin' a &riminal &ase a'ainst &omplainant, +e /as merel% fulfillin' +is le'al #ut% to ta0e t+e ne&essar% steps to prote&t t+e interests of +is &lients5 t+at it &annot ser,e as $asis for filin' an a#ministrati,e &ase a'ainst +im.12 Respon#ent furt+er &ites Santiago v. Ra)anan13 /+ere t+e Court a$sol,e# t+e respon#ent la/%er from a#ministrati,e lia$ilit% in su$mittin' an affi#a,it in a preliminar% in,esti'ation in #efense of +is &lients. On Kanuar% *!, ())8, t+e OBC su$mitte# its Report an# Re&ommen#ation re&ommen#in' t+at t+e a#ministrati,e &omplaint a'ainst Att%. KimeneG $e #ismisse# for la&0 of merit.14 T+e Court a'rees /it+ t+e OBC t+at respon#ent is not 'uilt% of forum s+oppin'. Re&or#s s+o/ t+at respon#ent, as &ounsel for t+e +eirs of t+e late LuG K. Henson, file# a spe&ial &i,il a&tion #o&0ete# as CAB.R. S- No. 8)*47 assailin' t+e Or#er of ?ar&+ !(, ())( appointin' t+e a&&ountin' firm of Al$a, Romeo an# Co. as au#itor5 an#, a re'ular appeal #o&0ete# as CA-B.R. S- No. 8!4<< assailin' t+e Or#er of April *, ())(, insofar as it #ire&te# t+e pa%ment of &ommission to &omplainant. It is e,i#ent t+at t+ere is i#entit% of parties $ut #ifferent &auses of a&tion an# reliefs sou'+t. Hen&e, respon#ent is not 'uilt% of forum s+oppin'. 15 T+e Court li0e/ise fin#s no fault on t+e part of respon#ent in e3e&utin' an affi#a,it in support of t+e &riminal &omplaint as +el# in t+e Santiago&ase. Ho/e,er, t+ere is suffi&ient 'roun# in support of &omplainant1s &laim t+at respon#ent ,iolate# Rule !7.)! of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%. Re&or#s re,eal t+at $efore respon#ent assiste# t+e

Heirs in filin' t+e &riminal &omplaint a'ainst +erein &omplainant, +e sent #eman# letters to t+e latter to &ompl% /it+ t+e Or#er of Ku#'e Tipon to #eli,er t+e resi#ue of t+e estate to t+e +eirs of t+e late LuG K. Henson. Consi#erin' t+at &omplainant #i# not repl% to t+e #eman# letters, respon#ent opte# to file sai# &riminal &omplaint in $e+alf of +is &lients for refusal to o$e% t+e la/ful or#er of t+e &ourt. T+e Or#er referre# to is t+e t+ir# part of t+e assaile# Or#er #ate# April *, ())( /+i&+ #ire&ts &omplainant to #eli,er t+e resi#ue to t+e Heirs in proportion to t+eir s+ares. As aptl% pointe# out $% &omplainant, respon#ent s+oul# +a,e first file# t+e proper motion /it+ t+e RTC for e3e&ution of t+e t+ir# part of sai# Or#er instea# of imme#iatel% resortin' to t+e filin' of &riminal &omplaint a'ainst +im. A mere perusal of t+e rest of t+e Or#er #ate# April *, ())( rea#il% #is&loses t+at t+e appro,al of t+e report of &omplainant as Spe&ial A#ministrator /as suspen#e# prior to t+e au#it of t+e a#ministration of &omplainant. Conse=uentl%, t+e RTC /oul# still +a,e to #etermine an# #efine t+e resi#ue referre# to in t+e su$Fe&t Or#er. T+e filin' of t+e &riminal &omplaint /as e,i#entl% premature. Respon#ent &laims t+at +e a&te# in 'oo# fait+ an# in fa&t, #i# not ,iolate Rule !7.)! $e&ause +e assiste# t+e Heirs in filin' t+e &riminal &omplaint a'ainst +erein &omplainant after t+e latter i'nore# t+e #eman# letters sent to +im5 an# t+at a la/%er o/es +is &lient t+e e3er&ise of utmost pru#en&e an# &apa$ilit%. T+e Court is not &on,in&e#. 6air pla% #eman#s t+at respon#ent s+oul# +a,e file# t+e proper motion /it+ t+e RTC to attain +is 'oal of +a,in' t+e resi#ue of t+e estate #eli,ere# to +is &lients an# not su$Fe&t &omplainant to a premature &riminal prose&ution. As +el# in Su/u*i v. Tiamson:16 Canon !7 of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% enFoins a la/%er to represent +is &lient /it+ Geal. Ho/e,er, t+e same Canon pro,i#es t+at a la/%er1s performan&e of +is #uties to/ar#s +is &lient must $e /it+in t+e $oun#s of t+e la/. Rule !7.)! of t+e same Canon re=uires, amon' ot+ers, t+at a la/%er s+all emplo% onl% fair an# +onest means to attain t+e la/ful o$Fe&ti,es of +is &lient. Canon !., Rule !..)8 also o$li'es la/%ers to impress upon t+eir &lients &omplian&e /it+ t+e la/s an# t+e prin&iple of fairness. To permit la/%ers to resort to uns&rupulous pra&ti&es for t+e prote&tion of t+e suppose# ri'+ts of t+eir &lients is to #efeat one of t+e purposes of t+e state M t+e a#ministration of Fusti&e. >+ile la/%ers o/e t+eir entire #e,otion to t+e interest of t+eir &lients an# Geal in t+e #efense of t+eir &lient1s ri'+t, t+e% s+oul# not for'et t+at t+e% are, first an# foremost, offi&ers of t+e &ourt, $oun# to e3ert e,er% effort to assist in t+e spee#% an# effi&ient a#ministration of Fusti&e.17 Alt+ou'+ respon#ent faile# to li,e up to t+is e3pe&tation, t+ere is no e,i#en&e t+at +e a&te# /it+ mali&e or $a# fait+. Conse=uentl%, it is $ut fit to repriman# respon#ent for +is a&t of unfair #ealin' /it+

&omplainant. It must $e stresse# t+at #is$arment is t+e most se,ere form of #is&iplinar% san&tion, an#, as su&+, t+e po/er to #is$ar must al/a%s $e e3er&ise# /it+ 'reat &aution for onl% t+e most imperati,e reasons an# in &lear &ases of mis&on#u&t affe&tin' t+e stan#in' an# moral &+ara&ter of t+e la/%er as an offi&er of t+e &ourt an# a mem$er of t+e $ar. A&&or#in'l%, #is$arment s+oul# not $e #e&ree# /+ere an% punis+ment less se,ere M su&+ as repriman#, suspension, or fine M /oul# a&&omplis+ t+e en# #esire#. 18 >HERE6ORE, Att%. Ka&into C. KimeneG is foun# 'uilt% of an# RE-RI?ANCEC for ,iolation of Rule !7.)! of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%. SO ORCEREC.

,.R. No. 16 &! 2E3 12,2&&! 2RANCISCO RAYOS )etitione.,4 versus 4 ATTY.)ONCIANO,.HERNANDE6,Resp ondent. CECISION CHICO-NAQARIO, J.: T+is is a -etition for Re,ie/ [1] of t+e Resolution #ate# !( ?ar&+ ()). of t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9IB-:, #ismissin' petitioner 6ran&is&o Ra%os1s &omplaint for #is$arment a'ainst respon#ent Att%. -on&iano Hernan#eG. Respon#ent /as t+e &ounsel of petitioner in Ci,il Case No. S?-7.! entitle#, 0Francisco Rayos v. 1A2"C"R,E file# $efore t+e Re'ional Trial Court 9RTC:, ?alolos, Bula&an. T+e &omplaint alle'e#, amon' ot+er t+in's, t+at t+e National -o/er Corporation 9NA-OCOR: re&0lessl%, impru#entl% an# ne'li'entl% opene# t+e t+ree floo#'ates of t+e spill/a% of An'at Cam at mi#ni'+t of (; O&to$er !78< until t+e earl% mornin' +ours of (8 O&to$er !78<, #urin' t+e o&&urren&e of t%p+oon DLa#in'E &ausin' t+e release of a 'reat ,olume of store# /ater, t+e resultant s/ellin' an# floo#in' of An'at Ri,er, an# t+e &onse=uent loss of li,es of some of petitioner1s relati,es an# #estru&tion of +is famil%1s properties, for /+i&+ +e sou'+t #ama'es. Of t+e !) mem$ers of petitioner1s famil% /+o peris+e#, onl% four $o#ies /ere re&o,ere# an# onl% petitioner an# one of +is sons, Berman Ra%os, sur,i,e#. On (! Ce&em$er !787, t+e &omplaint /as #ismisse# [2] on t+e 'roun# t+at t+e State &annot $e sue# /it+out its &onsent as t+e operation an# mana'ement of An'at Cam, NorGa'ara%, /ere 'o,ernmental fun&tions. Sai# #ismissal /as =uestione# #ire&tl% to t+is Court /+i&+

set asi#e t+e RTC #e&ision an# or#ere# t+e reinstatement of t+e &omplaint.[3] On *) April !77), +o/e,er, t+e &omplaint /as #ismisse# a'ain $% t+e RTC for la&0 of suffi&ient an# &re#i$le e,i#en&e.[4] T+e &ase /as su$se=uentl% appeale# to t+e Court of Appeals, /+i&+ re,erse# t+e RTC #e&ision an# a/ar#e# #ama'es in fa,or of petitioner, t+e #ispositi,e portion of /+i&+ rea#s: CON6OR?ABL2 TO THE 6OREBOINB, t+e Foint #e&ision appeale# from is +ere$% REAERSEC an# SET ASICE, an# a ne/ one is +ere$% ren#ere#: 333 (. In Ci,il Case No. S?-7.!, or#erin' #efen#ants-appellees to pa% Fointl% an# se,erall%, plaintiff-appellant, /it+ le'al interest from t+e #ate /+en t+is #e&ision s+all +a,e $e&ome final an# e3e&utor%, t+e follo/in': A. A&tual #ama'es of 6i,e Hun#re# T/ent% T+ousan# -esos 9-.(),))).)):5 B. ?oral Cama'es of 6i,e Hun#re# T+ousan# -esos 9-.)),))).)):5 an# C. Liti'ation E3penses of Ten T+ousan# -esos 9-!),))).)):. 3333 In a##ition, in all t+e four 94: instant &ases, or#erin' #efen#antsappellees to pa%, Fointl% an# se,erall%, plaintiffs-appellants, attorne%1s fees in an amount e=ui,alent to !.S of t+e total amount a/ar#e#. [5] T+e &ase /as appeale# to t+is Court, /+i&+ affirme# t+e Court of Appeals Ce&ision.[6] T+e Ce&ision of t+e Supreme Court $e&ame final an# e3e&utor% on 4 Au'ust !77*. T+us, a >rit of E3e&ution[7] /as issue# $% t+e RTC on !) Ce&em$er !77*, upon motion file# $% respon#ent. As a &onse=uen&e, NA-OCOR issue# C+e&0 No. )!48!) #ate# . Kanuar% !774, in t+e amount of -!,);),<)).)) pa%a$le to petitioner. T+ereafter, t+e &+e&0 /as turne# o,er to respon#ent as &ounsel of petitioner. -etitioner #eman#e# t+e turn o,er of t+e &+e&0 from respon#ent, $ut t+e latter refuse#. On (4 Kanuar% !774 , petitioner file# /it+ t+e RTC a motion [8] to #ire&t respon#ent to #eli,er to +im t+e &+e&0 issue# $% NA-OCOR, &orrespon#in' to t+e #ama'es a/ar#e# $% t+e Court of Appeals. -etitioner sou'+t to re&o,er t+e &+e&0 in t+e amount of -!,);),<)).)) from respon#ent, &laimin' t+at respon#ent +a# no aut+orit% to re&ei,e t+e same as +e /as alrea#% #ismisse# $% petitioner as +is &ounsel on (! No,em$er !77*.[9] Respon#ent, on t+e ot+er +an#, Fustifies +is retention as a means to ensure pa%ment of +is attorne%1s fees. On 8 April !774, t+e RTC issue# an Or#er #ire&tin' respon#ent to #eli,er t+e &+e&0 to t+e S+eriff of t+e &ourt /+o /ill su$se=uentl% #eli,er it to petitioner. A >rit of E3e&ution /as su$se=uentl%

issue#. Cespite t+e Court Or#er, respon#ent refuse# to surren#er t+e &+e&0. Ho/e,er, on 4 Kul% !774, respon#ent #eposite# t+e amount of -.)(,<*<.87 /it+ 6armers Sa,in's an# Loan Ban0, In&., NorGa'ara%, Bula&an, in t+e name of petitioner /+i&+ /as e,entuall% re&ei,e# $% t+e latter. T+us, petitioner initiate# t+is &omplaint for #is$arment for t+e failure of respon#ent to return t+e rest of t+e a/ar# in t+e amount of -..8,7;!.(!. In +is &omment,[10] respon#ent alle'e# t+at +e +an#le# petitioner1s &ase, in Ci,il Case No. S?-7.!, for !. %ears, from t+e trial &ourt up to t+e Supreme Court. On (! No,em$er !77*, +e re&ei,e# a letter from petitioner #ismissin' +im as &ounsel. Simultaneous t+ereto, respon#ent re&ei,e# a letter #ate# !. No,em$er !77* from Att%. Kose B. Bruno as0in' +im to &omment on t+e t+erein atta&+e# letter #ate# !7 No,em$er !77* of petitioner a##resse# to NA-OCOR, re=uestin' t+at t+e a/ar# of #ama'es 'rante# $% t+e Court of Appeals an# affirme# $% t+e Supreme Court $e pai# to +im. Respon#ent also a,erre# t+at petitioner +a# a ,er$al &ontra&t for attorne%1s fees on a &ontin'ent $asis an# t+at t+e sai# &ontra&t /as onl% re#u&e# in /ritin' on ; O&to$er !77!, #ul% si'ne# $% $ot+ of t+em. B% ,irtue of t+e &ontra&t, petitioner an# respon#ent suppose#l% a'ree# on a 4)S-;)S s+arin', respe&ti,el%, of t+e &ourt a/ar#. Respon#ent /as entitle# to re&ei,e ;)S of t+e a/ar# $e&ause petitioner a'ree# to pa% +im 4)S of t+e a/ar# as attorne%1s fees an# ()S of t+e a/ar# as liti'ation e3penses. Respon#ent furt+er asse,erate# t+at $e&ause petitioner #ismisse# t+e respon#ent an# refuse# to settle +is o$li'ation, +e #eposite# t+e amount of -4(4,*().)) in a $an0 in petitioner1s name un#er A&&ount No. *<! 9representin' petitioner1s s+are of 4)S of t+e total a/ar#: on !) ?a% !774[11]5 an# t+e amount of -;*,;4<.)) in petitioner1s name un#er A&&ount No. *<7 9representin' petitioner1s s+are of 4)S of t+e -!.7,!().)) a/ar#e# as attorne%1s fees $% t+e Court of Appeals: on !7 ?a% !774.[12] -etitioner alrea#% re&ei,e# t+e amount of -.)(,<*<.87 in a&&or#an&e /it+ t+e RTC Or#er #ate# 8 April !774. Respon#ent &onten#e# t+at t+e petitioner1s &omplaint /as /it+out $asis an# /as meant onl% to +arass an# put +im to s+ame $efore t+e resi#ents of NorGa'ara%, Bula&an. In a Resolution #ate# 7 Au'ust !77.,[13] t+e Court referre# t+e &ase to t+e Commission on Bar Cis&ipline of t+e IB- for in,esti'ation, report an# re&ommen#ation. A series of +earin's /ere &on#u&te# $% t+e Commission on Bar Cis&ipline of t+e IB- at t+e IB- Buil#in', Orti'as Center, -asi' Cit%, from ?ar&+ to Septem$er ())!.

On ! 6e$ruar% ())., In,esti'atin' Commissioner L%#ia A. Na,arro B. 6una su$mitte# +er Report an# Re&ommen#ation, [14] re&ommen#in' t+e #ismissal of t+e &ase. T+ereafter, t+e IB- issue# its Resolution #ate# !( ?ar&+ ())., appro,in' an# a#optin' t+e re&ommen#ation of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner, t+us: RESOLAEC to ACO-T an# A--ROAE, as it +ere$% ACO-TEC an# A--ROAEC, t+e Report an# Re&ommen#ation of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner of t+e a$o,e-entitle# &ase, +erein ma#e part of t+is Resolution as Anne3 DAE5 an#, fin#in' t+e re&ommen#ation full% supporte# $% t+e e,i#en&e on re&or# an# t+e appli&a$le la/s an# rules, an# &onsi#erin' t+at t+e &ase la&0s merit, t+e same is +ere$% CIS?ISSEC.[15] >e #o not a'ree in t+e re&ommen#ation of t+e IB-. T+e t+res+ol# issue in t+is petition is: /+et+er respon#ent is Fustifie# in retainin' t+e amount a/ar#e# to petitioner in Ci,il Case No. S?-7.! to assure pa%ment of +is attorne%1s fees. ?one%s &olle&te# $% an attorne% on a Fu#'ment ren#ere# in fa,or of +is &lient &onstitute trust fun#s an# must $e imme#iatel% pai# o,er to t+e &lient.[16] Canon !; of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% pro,i#es as follo/s: CANON !; - A la/%er s+all +ol# in trust all mone%s an# properties of +is &lient t+at ma% &ome into +is possession. Rule !;.)! M A la/%er s+all a&&ount for all mone% or propert% &olle&te# or re&ei,e# for or from t+e &lient. In t+e &ase at $ar, /+en respon#ent /it++el# an# refuse# to #eli,er t+e NA-OCOR &+e&0 representin' t+e amount a/ar#e# $% t+e &ourt in Ci,il Case No. S?-7.!, /+i&+ +e re&ei,e# on $e+alf of +is &lient 9petitioner +erein:, +e $rea&+e# t+e trust repose# on +im. It is onl% after an Or#er /as issue# $% t+e RTC or#erin' t+e #eli,er% of t+e &+e&0 to petitioner t+at t+e respon#ent partiall% #eli,ere# t+e amount of -.)(,<*<.87 to t+e former, $ut still retainin' for +imself t+e amount of -..8,7;!.(! as pa%ment for +is attorne%1s fees. T+e &laim of t+e respon#ent t+at petitioner faile# to pa% +is attorne%1s fees is not an e3&use for respon#ent1s failure to #eli,er t+e amount to t+e petitioner. A la/%er is not entitle# to unilaterall% appropriate +is &lient1s mone% for +imself $% t+e mere fa&t alone t+at t+e &lient o/es +im attorne%1s fees.[17] T+e failure of an attorne% to return t+e &lient1s mone% upon #eman# 'i,es rise to t+e presumption t+at +e +as misappropriate# it for +is o/n use to t+e preFu#i&e an# ,iolation of t+e 'eneral moralit%, as /ell as of professional et+i&s5 it also impairs pu$li& &onfi#en&e in t+e le'al profession an# #eser,es punis+ment. In s+ort, a la/%er1s unFustifie# /it++ol#in' of mone% $elon'in' to +is &lient, as in t+is &ase, /arrants t+e imposition of #is&iplinar% a&tion. [18] It is true t+at un#er Canon !;.)* of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%, an attorne% +as t+e follo/in' ri'+ts5

Rule !;.)*- A la/%er s+all #eli,er t+e fun#s an# propert% of +is &lient /+en #ue or upon #eman#. Ho/e,er, +e s+all +a,e a lien o,er t+e fun#s an# ma% appl% so mu&+ t+ereof as ma% $e ne&essar% to satisf% +is la/ful fees an# #is$ursements, 'i,in' noti&e promptl% t+ereafter to +is &lient. He s+all also +a,e a lien to t+e same e3tent on all Fu#'ments an# e3e&utions +e +as se&ure# for +is &lient as pro,i#e# for in t+e Rules of Court. 9Emp+ases supplie#.: But t+e fa&t alone t+at a la/%er +as a lien for fees on mone%s in +is +an#s &olle&te# for +is &lient, as a$o,e-state#, #oes not relie,e +im of +is #ut% to promptl% a&&ount for t+e mone%s re&ei,e#5 +is failure to #o so &onstitutes professional mis&on#u&t. [19] T+us, /+at respon#ent s+oul# +a,e properl% #one in t+e &ase at $ar /as to pro,i#e t+e petitioner /it+ an a&&ountin' $efore #e#u&tin' +is attorne%1s fees an# t+en to turn o,er t+e remainin' $alan&e of t+e a/ar# &olle&te# to petitioner. T+e Court notes t+at respon#ent represente# petitioner from t+e time of filin' of t+e &omplaint in Ci,il Case No. S?-7.! $efore /+at is no/ t+e RTC an# of t+e appeal of t+e same &ase to t+e Court of Appeals an# Supreme Court. But respon#ent /as not Fustifie# to +ol# on t+e entire amount of a/ar# &olle&te# $% +im until +is fees +a# $een pai# an# re&ei,e# $% +im. T+e relations+ip of attorne% an# &lient +as al/a%s $een ri'+tl% re'ar#e# as one of spe&ial trust an# &onfi#en&e. An attorne% must e3er&ise t+e utmost 'oo# fait+ an# fairness in all +is relations+ip vis! 3!vis +is &lient. Respon#ent fell far s+ort of t+is stan#ar# /+en +e faile# to ren#er an a&&ountin' for t+e amount a&tuall% re&ei,e# $% +im on $e+alf of +is &lient an# /+en +e refuse# to turn o,er an% portion of sai# amount to +is &lient upon t+e prete3t t+at +is attorne%1s fees +a# not at all $een pai#. Respon#ent +a#, in fa&t, pla&e# +is pri,ate an# personal interest a$o,e t+at of +is &lient. >e +a,e +el# t+at la/%erin' is not a mone%ma0in' ,enture an# la/%ers are not mer&+ants.[20] La/ a#,o&a&%, it +as $een stresse#, is not &apital t+at %iel#s profits. T+e returns it $irt+s are simple re/ar#s for a Fo$ #one or ser,i&e ren#ere#. It is a &allin' t+at, unli0e mer&antile pursuits /+i&+ enFo% a 'reater #eal of free#om from 'o,ernmental interferen&e, is impresse# /it+ a pu$li& interest, for /+i&+ it is su$Fe&t to State re'ulation.[21] A la/%er is not merel% t+e #efen#er of +is &lient1s &ause an# a trustee of +is &lient1s &ause of a&tion an# assets5 +e is also, an# first an# foremost, an offi&er of t+e &ourt an# parti&ipates in t+e fun#amental fun&tion of a#ministerin' Fusti&e in so&iet%. [22] It follo/s t+at a la/%er1s &ompensation for professional ser,i&es ren#ere# is su$Fe&t to t+e super,ision of t+e &ourt, not Fust to 'uarantee t+at t+e fees +e &+ar'es an# re&ei,es remain reasona$le an# &ommensurate /it+ t+e ser,i&es ren#ere#, $ut also to maintain t+e #i'nit% an# inte'rit% of t+e le'al profession to /+i&+ +e $elon's. Upon ta0in' +is attorne%1s oat+ as an offi&er of t+e &ourt, a la/%er su$mits +imself to

t+e aut+orit% of t+e &ourts to re'ulate +is ri'+t to &+ar'e professional fees.[23] T+ere is anot+er aspe&t to t+is &ase /+i&+ t+e Court &annot Fust 'loss o,er. Respon#ent &laime# t+at +e &+ar'e# petitioner, +is &lient, a &ontin'ent fee &omprisin' of fort% per&ent 94)S: as attorne%1s fees an# t/ent% per&ent 9()S: as liti'ation e3penses. T+e a'reement pro,i#es: UNA>AIN NB LAHAT SA -A?A?ABITAN NITO: A0o, si 6ran&is&o Ra%os, Sr., -ilipino, ma% sapat na 'ulan' at n'a%on a% naninira+an sa -ina'$arilan, Bali/a', Bula&an, sa pamama'itan n' 0asulatan' ito, a% na'papatuna% sa m'a sumusuno#: Na, 0au'na% sa a0in' usapin la$an sa N-C at BenFamin C+a,eG 9Ra%os ,s. N-C, et al.: na n'a%on a% na0a$in$in sa Court of Appeals, a0o a% na0ipa'0asun#o sa a0in' a$o'a#o, Att%. -on&iano B. Hernan#eG, 'a%a n' sumusuno#: ! Sa0alin' ipanalo an' a0in' usapin, an' ano man' a0in' ma0u0u+a a% +a+atiin 'a%a n' sumusuno#: 4)S an' para sa a0in5 4)S an' para 0a% Att%. -on&iano B. Hernan#eG5 ()S a% ilala$as $ilan' 'astos sa 0aso. (. Lun' matalo a0o sa 0aso a% /ala a0on' sa'utin sa a0in' a$o'a#o. Sa 0atuna%an n' la+at, a0o a% luma'#a sa 0asun#uan' ito #ito sa NorGa'ara%, Bula&an n'a%on' i0a-; n' O0tu$re !77!. 9SBC:-ONCIANO B. HERNANCEQ 9SBC:6RANCISCO RA2OS A$o'a#o ?a% Usapin[24] A &ontin'ent fee arran'ement is ,ali# in t+is Furis#i&tion [25] an# is 'enerall% re&o'niGe# as ,ali# an# $in#in' $ut must $e lai# #o/n in an e3press &ontra&t.[26] T+e amount of &ontin'ent fee a'ree# upon $% t+e parties is su$Fe&t to t+e stipulation t+at &ounsel /ill $e pai# for +is le'al ser,i&es onl% if t+e suit or liti'ation prospers. A mu&+ +i'+er &ompensation is allo/e# as &ontin'ent fee in &onsi#eration of t+e ris0 t+at t+e la/%er ma% 'et not+in' if t+e suit fails. [27] Contra&ts of t+is nature are permitte# $e&ause t+e% re#oun# to t+e $enefit of t+e poor &lient an# t+e la/%er Despe&iall% in &ases /+ere t+e &lient +as meritorious &ause of a&tion, $ut no means /it+ /+i&+ to pa% for le'al ser,i&es unless +e &an, /it+ t+e san&tion of la/, ma0e a &ontra&t for a &ontin'ent fee to $e pai# out of t+e pro&ee#s of t+e liti'ation. Oftentimes, t+e &ontin'ent fee arran'ement is t+e onl% means $% /+i&+ t+e poor an# +elpless &an see0 re#ress for inFuries sustaine# an# +a,e t+eir ri'+ts ,in#i&ate#.E[28] Contin'ent fee &ontra&ts are su$Fe&t to t+e super,ision an# &lose s&rutin% of t+e &ourt in or#er t+at &lients ma% $e prote&te# from unFust &+ar'es.[29] Se&tion !* of t+e Canons of -rofessional Et+i&s states t+at Da &ontra&t for a &ontin'ent fee, /+ere san&tione# $% la/,

s+oul# $e reasona$le un#er all t+e &ir&umstan&es of t+e &ase in&lu#in' t+e ris0 an# un&ertaint% of t+e &ompensation, #ut should al%ays #e su#4ect to the supervision o) a court, as to its reasona#leness.E Li0e/ise, Rule !*<, Se&tion (4, of t+e Rules of Court pro,i#es: SEC. (4. Compensation o) attorney5s6 agreement as to )ees . - An attorne% s+all $e entitle# to +a,e an# re&o,er from +is &lient no more t+an a reasona$le &ompensation for +is ser,i&es, /it+ a ,ie/ to t+e importan&e of t+e su$Fe&t matter of t+e &ontro,ers%, t+e e3tent of t+e ser,i&es ren#ere#, an# t+e professional stan#in' of t+e attorne%. No &ourt s+all $e $oun# $% t+e opinion of attorne%s as e3pert /itnesses as to t+e proper &ompensation, $ut ma% #isre'ar# su&+ testimon% an# $ase its &on&lusion on its o/n professional 0no/le#'e. A /ritten &ontra&t for ser,i&es s+all &ontrol t+e amount to $e pai# t+erefor unless foun# $% t+e &ourt to $e un&ons&iona$le or unreasona$le. 9Un#ers&orin' supplie#.: T+e re#u&tion of unreasona$le attorne%1s fees is /it+in t+e re'ulator% po/ers of t+e &ourts. [30] >+en t+e &ourts fin# t+at t+e stipulate# amount is e3&essi,e or t+e &ontra&t is unreasona$le, or foun# to +a,e $een marre# $% frau#, mista0e, un#ue influen&e or suppression of fa&ts on t+e part of t+e attorne%, pu$li& poli&% #eman#s t+at sai# &ontra&t $e #isre'ar#e# to prote&t t+e &lient from unreasona$le e3a&tion.[31] T+ere is, t+erefore, no/ a &orollar% issue of /+et+er t+e stipulate# attorne%1s fees are unreasona$le an# un&ons&iona$le un#er t+e &ir&umstan&es of t+e &ase as to /arrant a re#u&tion t+ereof. Stipulate# attorne%1s fees are un&ons&iona$le /+ene,er t+e amount is $% far so #isproportionate &ompare# to t+e ,alue of t+e ser,i&es ren#ere# as to amount to frau# perpetrate# upon t+e &lient. T+is means to sa% t+at t+e amount of t+e fee &ontra&te# for, stan#in' alone an# une3plaine# /oul# $e suffi&ient to s+o/ t+at an unfair a#,anta'e +a# $een ta0en of t+e &lient, or t+at a le'al frau# +a# $een perpetrate# on +im.[32] T+e #e&ree of un&ons&iona$ilit% or unreasona$leness of a stipulate# amount in a &ontin'ent fee &ontra&t, /ill not, +o/e,er, pre&lu#e re&o,er%. It merel% Fustifies t+e fi3in' $% t+e &ourt of a reasona$le &ompensation for t+e la/%er1s ser,i&es. Benerall%, t+e amount of attorne%1s fees #ue is t+at stipulate# in t+e retainer a'reement /+i&+ is &on&lusi,e as to t+e amount of t+e la/%er1s &ompensation. A stipulation on a la/%er1s &ompensation in a /ritten &ontra&t for professional ser,i&es or#inaril% &ontrols t+e amount of fees t+at t+e &ontra&tin' la/%er ma% $e allo/e#, unless t+e &ourt fin#s su&+ stipulate# amount unreasona$le or un&ons&iona$le.[33] In t+e a$sen&e t+ereof, t+e amount of attorne%1s fees is fi3e# on t+e $asis of 7uantum meruit, i.e., t+e reasona$le

/ort+ of t+e attorne%1s ser,i&es. Courts ma% as&ertain also if t+e attorne%1s fees are foun# to $e e3&essi,e, /+at is reasona$le un#er t+e &ir&umstan&es.[34] In no &ase, +o/e,er, must a la/%er $e allo/e# to re&o,er more t+an /+at is reasona$le, pursuant to Se&tion (4, Rule !*< of t+e Rules of Court. >e +a,e i#entifie# t+e &ir&umstan&es to $e &onsi#ere# in #eterminin' t+e reasona$leness of a &laim for attorne%1s fees as follo/s: 9!: t+e amount an# &+ara&ter of t+e ser,i&e ren#ere#5 9(: la$or, time, an# trou$le in,ol,e#5 9*: t+e nature an# importan&e of t+e liti'ation or $usiness in /+i&+ t+e ser,i&es /ere ren#ere#5 94: t+e responsi$ilit% impose#5 9.: t+e amount of mone% or t+e ,alue of t+e propert% affe&te# $% t+e &ontro,ers% or in,ol,e# in t+e emplo%ment5 9;: t+e s0ill an# e3perien&e &alle# for in t+e performan&e of t+e ser,i&es5 98: t+e professional &+ara&ter an# so&ial stan#in' of t+e attorne%5 9<: t+e results se&ure#5 97: /+et+er t+e fee is a$solute or &ontin'ent, it $ein' re&o'niGe# t+at an attorne% ma% properl% &+ar'e a mu&+ lar'er fee /+en it is &ontin'ent t+an /+en it is not5 [35] an# 9!): t+e finan&ial &apa&it% an# e&onomi& status of t+e &lient +a,e to $e ta0en into a&&ount in fi3in' t+e reasona$leness of t+e fee. [36] Rule ().!, Canon () of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% enumerates t+e follo/in' fa&tors /+i&+ s+oul# 'ui#e a la/%er in #eterminin' +is fees: 9a: T+e time spent an# t+e e3tent of t+e ser,i&es ren#ere# or re=uire#5 9$: T+e no,elt% an# #iffi&ult% of t+e =uestions in,ol,e#5 9&: T+e importan&e of t+e su$Fe&t matter5 9#: T+e s0ill #eman#e#5 9e: T+e pro$a$ilit% of losin' ot+er emplo%ment as a result of a&&eptan&e of t+e proffere# &ase5 9f: T+e &ustomar% &+ar'es for similar ser,i&es an# t+e s&+e#ule of fees of t+e IB- C+apter to /+i&+ +e $elon's5 9': T+e amount in,ol,e# in t+e &ontro,ers% an# t+e $enefits resultin' to t+e &lient from t+e ser,i&e5 9+: T+e &ontin'en&% or &ertaint% of &ompensation5 9i: T+e &+ara&ter of t+e emplo%ment, /+et+er o&&asional or esta$lis+e#5 an# 9F: T+e professional stan#in' of t+e la/%er. In t+e &ase at $ar, respon#ent retaine# t+e amount of -..8,7;!.(! out of t+e -!,);),<)).)) a/ar# for #ama'es pai# $% NA-OCOR to petitioner. Un#er t+e sai# s&+eme, respon#ent a&tuall% &olle&te# fift%-t+ree per&ent 9.*S: or more t+an +alf of t+e total amount #ue t+e petitioner5 in#ee#, +e appropriate# for +imself more t+an t+e amount /+i&+ +e +a# alrea#% turne# o,er to an# a&tuall% re&ei,e# $% +is &lient. As a#,erte# to a$o,e, /e note t+at petitioner /as uns&+oole# an# frustrate# an# +opeless /it+ t+e tra'i& loss of +is lo,e# ones &ause#

$% t+e inun#ation of t+e to/n ofNorGa'ara%, Bula&an, on (;-(8 O&to$er !78< $e&ause of t+e ne'li'ent release $% NA-OCOR of t+e /ater t+rou'+ t+e spill/a%s of t+e An'at Cam. -etitioner also +a# to fa&e t+e loss an# #estru&tion of +is famil%1s properties. Un#er su&+ &ir&umstan&es an# 'i,en +is un#erstan#a$le #esire to re&o,er t+e #ama'es for t+e loss of +is lo,e# ones an# properties, petitioner /oul# easil% su&&um$ an# rea#il% a'ree to t+e #eman#s of respon#ent la/%er re'ar#in' +is attorne%1s fees. >e $elie,e an# so +ol# t+at t+e &ontin'ent fee +ere &laime# /as, un#er t+e fa&ts o$tainin' in t+is &ase, 'rossl% e3&essi,e an# un&ons&iona$le. Su&+ a fee stru&ture, /+en &onsi#ere# in &onFun&tion /it+ t+e &ir&umstan&es of t+is &ase, also s+o/s t+at an unfair a#,anta'e /as ta0en of t+e &lient an# le'al frau# an# imposition perpetrate# upon +im. La/%ers s+oul# not $e permitte# to 'et a lion1s s+are of t+e $enefits #ue t+e poor an# t+e +elpless. Contra&ts for le'al ser,i&es $et/een t+e +elpless an# attorne% s+oul# $e Gealousl% s&rutiniGe# to t+e en# t+at a fair s+are of t+e $enefits $e not #enie# to t+e former. T+is Court +as t+e po/er to 'uar# a &lient,[37] espe&iall% an a'e# an# ne&essitous &lient, [38] a'ainst su&+ a &ontra&t. A sur,e% of e3istin' Furispru#en&e re'ar#in' attorne%1s fees /oul# re,eal t+e follo/in': in t+e &ase of Amalgamated 8a#orers5 Association v. Court o) $ndustrial Relations, [39] t+e rate of attorne%1s fees allo/e# /as (.S5 in 8a% Firm o) Raymundo A. Armovit v. Court o) Appeals,[40] t+e rate allo/e# /as ()S5 in 2olytrade Corporation v. -lanco,[41] (.S5 in Santiago v. 9imayuga,[42] ()S5 in Cosmopolitan $nsurance Co., $nc. v. Reyes,[43] !.S5 in Reyes v. Court o) Appeals, [44] :;<6 and in Social Security Commission v. Almeda,[45] !.S. In t+e present &ase, respon#ent Att%. Hernan#eG, after all, su&&ee#e# in o$tainin' a fa,ora$le #e&ision for +is &lient, t+e petitioner. At first, respon#ent faile# to o$tain a fa,ora$le Fu#'ment in t+e RTC as t+e &ase /as #ismisse#. But on appeal to t+e Court of Appeals, t+e RTC Ce&ision /as re,erse# an# petitioner /as a/ar#e# t+e amount of-!,);),<)).)) as #ama'es an# -!.7,!().)) as attorne%1s fees. Sai# a/ar# /as sustaine# $% t+e Supreme Court. >e also ta0e note respon#ent1s efforts in liti'atin' petitioner1s &ase for a lon' perio# of !. %ears. Lastl%, t+e respon#ent too0 ris0 in representin' petitioner on a &ontin'ent fee $asis. In &onsi#eration of t+e fore'oin', a fee of *.S of t+e amount a/ar#e# to petitioner /oul# $e a fair &ompensation for respon#ent1s le'al ser,i&es. T+e mis&on#u&t of a la/%er, /+et+er in +is professional or pri,ate &apa&it%, /+i&+ s+o/s +im to $e /antin' in moral &+ara&ter, +onest%, pro$it% an# 'oo# #emeanor, ren#ers +im un/ort+% to t+e pri,ile'es /+i&+ +is li&ense an# t+e la/ &onfer upon +im, ma% $e san&tione# /it+ #is$arment or suspension.[46]

T+e &ourt s+oul# also e3er&ise a soun# #is&retion in #eterminin' /+et+er a la/%er s+oul# $e #is$arre# or merel% suspen#e#. It s+oul# $ear in min# t+at a#mission to t+e Bar is o$taine# onl% after %ears of la$or an# stu#% an# t+e offi&e a&=uire# often $e&omes t+e sour&e of 'reat +onor an# emolument to its possessor. To most mem$ers of t+e le'al profession, it is a means of support for t+emsel,es an# t+eir families. To #epri,e one of su&+ an offi&e is often to #e&ree po,ert% to t+e la/%er an# #estitution to +is famil%.[47] Cis$arment, t+erefore, s+oul# ne,er $e #e&ree# /+ere an% lesser penalt%, su&+ as temporar% suspension, /oul# a&&omplis+ t+e en# #esire#.[48] In t+e &ase of Schul/ v. Atty. Flores,[49] a la/%er /as suspen#e# for si3 mont+s for not returnin' +is &lient1s mone% #espite #eman#s, for unFustifia$l% refusin' to return +is &lient1s papers, an# for &olle&tin' e3&essi,e an# unreasona$le fees. Also in t+e &ase of Tanhueco v. Atty. 9e 9umo, [50] a la/%er /as suspen#e# for a perio# of si3 mont+s for failure to return t+e mone% re&ei,e# $% +im on $e+alf of +is &lient an# for &olle&tin' e3&essi,e an# un&ons&iona$le fees. Bui#e# $% our rulin's in t+e a$o,estate# &ases, suspension of respon#ent for si3 mont+s is Fustifie# in t+e &ase at $ar. >HERE6ORE t+e Court Resol,es t+at: !. Respon#ent is 'uilt% of ,iolation of t+e attorne%1s oat+ an# of serious professional mis&on#u&t an# s+all $e SUS-ENCEC from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for si3 9;: mont+s an#>ARNEC t+at repetition of t+e same or similar offense /ill $e #ealt /it+ more se,erel%5 (. Respon#ent is entitle# to attorne%1s fees in t+e amount e=ui,alent to THIRT2-6IAE -ERCENT 9*.S: of t+e total amount a/ar#e#[51] to petitioner in Ci,il Case No. S?-7.!5 an# *. Respon#ent is to return t+e amount of T/o Hun#re# Ninet% T+ousan# One Hun#re# Nine -esos an# T/ent%-One Centa,os 9-(7),!)7.(!:,[52] /+i&+ +e retaine# in e3&ess of /+at /e +erein #e&lare# as fair an# reasona$le attorne%1s fees, plus le'al interest from #ate of finalit% of t+is Fu#'ment until full pa%ment t+ereof. Let &opies of t+is Ce&ision $e entere# in t+e personal re&or# of respon#ent as mem$er of t+e Bar an# furnis+e# t+e Offi&e of t+e Bar Confi#ant, t+e IB-, an# t+e Court A#ministrator for &ir&ulation to all &ourts of t+e &ountr%. SO ORCEREC. A.M. No. 1'%! Ap.il 20, 1 / HI(ARIATANH-ECO, +omplainant, vs. "-STINIANO ,. DE D-MO, .espondent. R E S O L U T I ON -ER CURIA?: On (4 6e$ruar% !78., &omplainant Hilaria Tan+ue&o file# $efore t+e Court a -etition for Cis$arment 9#o&0ete# as A#ministrati,e Case

No. !4*8: a'ainst respon#ent Kustiniano B. #e Cumo for +a,in' ,iolate# t+e Canons of -rofessional Et+i&s $% +is 9a: refusal to remit to +er mone% &olle&te# $% +im from #e$tors of t+e &omplainant5 an# 9$: refusal to return #o&uments entruste# to +im as &ounsel of &omplainant in &ertain &olle&tion &ases. In +is Ans/er an# Counter--etition ! file# on * April !78., respon#ent #enie# t+e &+ar'es. Complainant file# a ReFoin#er s+oul# $e Repl%" to Ans/er /it+ Counter--etition, on !< April !78.. B% a Resolution ( #ate# !; Kune !78., t+e Court referre# t+is &ase to t+e Soli&itor Beneral for in,esti'ation, report an# re&ommen#ation. A %ear later, on (. Kune !78;, one Kose 6loren&io N. Tan+ue&o &laimin' to $e t+e nep+e/ an# representati,e of t+e &omplainant, a##resse# a s/orn letter &omplaint to ?rs. Imel#a R. ?ar&os a'ainst t+e respon#ent for 9a: refusal to remit t+e mone% &olle&te# $% respon#ent from #e$tors of &omplainantHs aunt, ?rs. Hilaria Tan+ue&o A#a. #e Ca,i#5 9$: refusal to return #o&uments entruste# to +im in +is &apa&it% as &ounsel in &ertain &ases5 an# 9&: a$an#onment of &ases in respe&t of /+i&+ +is professional ser,i&es +a# $een en'a'e#. On (4 Au'ust !78;, t+e letter &omplaint /as for/ar#e# $% t+e t+en -u$li& Information Assistan&e Staff, Cepartment of -u$li& Information, to t+is Court for appropriate a&tion 9an# #o&0ete# as A#ministrati,e Case No. !;<*:. After respon#ent +a# file# +is Ans/er, t+e Court, $% a Resolution * #ate# 7 Ce&em$er !78;, referre# t+is &ase to t+en A&tin' Ku#i&ial Consultant Ri&ar#o C. -uno for stu#%, report an# re&ommen#ation. Sin&e A#ministrati,e Case No. !;<* an# A#ministrati,e Case No. !4*8 in,ol,e# t+e same parties an# t+e same su$Fe&t matter, Hon. Ri&ar#o C. -uno referre# t+e former &ase to t+e Offi&e of t+e Soli&itor Beneral for &onsoli#ation /it+ t+e latter one. T+e Offi&e of t+e Soli&itor Beneral +el# t/o 9(: +earin's, one on * Ce&em$er !78. an# anot+er on !< April !7<<. In t+e first +earin', respon#ent #e Cumo /as a$sent alt+ou'+ +e +a# $een notifie# t+ereof. At t+e en# of t+e first +earin', &ontinuation of t+e +earin' of t+e &ase /as set for !4 Kanuar% !78;. T+e re&or#s s+o/ t+at t+e se&on# +earin' too0 pla&e on !< April !7<< $ut #o not in#i&ate t+e reason for t+e !(-%ear interre'num. B% t+en, &omplainant Tan+ue&o +a# #ie#. T+ere /as no appearan&e at t+e se&on# +earin' $% &omplainant Kose 6loren&io Tan+ue&o $ut respon#ent #e Cumo /as t+en present. T+e report of t+e Soli&itor Beneral, #ate# Kune !., !7<< in A#ministrati,e Case No. !4*8 summariGe# t+e e,i#en&e for t+e &omplainant in t+e follo/in' manner: =V$9=1C= F"R C".28A$1A1T Complainant >ilaria Tanhueco testifie# t+at s+e se&ure# t+e le'al ser,i&es of respon#ent to &olle&t in#e$te#ness from +er #ifferent #e$tors. Alt+ou'+ s+e offere# to e3e&ute a #o&ument e,i#en&in'

t+eir la/%er-&lient relations+ip, respon#ent tol# +er t+at it /as not ne&essar%. S+e nonet+eless offere# to 'i,e +im !.S of /+at +e ma% $e a$le to &olle&t from t+e #e$tors 9pp. 4-8. tsn, Ce&. *, !78.:. Complainant also #e&lare# t+at respon#ent $orro/e# from +er -(,))).)), -l,*)).)), an# -*,))).)) on t+ree separate o&&asions, $ut s+e &oul# not remem$er /+en s+e 'a,e t+ose amounts. Respon#ent #i# not pa% t+ose loans 9pp. <-7, tsn, $d.:. S+e &onfirme# t+at respon#ent file# &ases a'ainst +er #e$tors an# t+at one of t+em, Constan&ia ?aIos&a pai# -!(,.)).)) to respon#ent. Informe# of su&+ pa%ment $% ?aIos&a +erself, &omplainant &onfronte# respon#ent $ut t+e latter #enie# +a,in' re&ei,e# pa%ment from an% of +er #e$tors. Complainant t+en $rou'+t t+e matter to t+e attention of ?ala&aIan' /+i&+ referre# +er to Camp Crame. Not/it+stan#in' su$se=uent #eman#s of &omplainant for t+e mone%, respon#ent +a# refuse# to 'i,e +er t+e amount 9pp. !! -!., tsn, $d.:. T+e Soli&itor Beneral t+en summe# up t+e e,i#en&e for t+e respon#ent in t+e follo/in' terms: =V$9=1C= F"R R=S2"19=1T Respondent Atty. Justiniano . de 9umo testifie# t+at &omplainant in#ee# se&ure# +is le'al ser,i&es to &olle&t from +er #e$tors, /it+ t+e a'reement t+at +e 'ets .)S of /+at +e ma% $e a$le to &olle&t. He t+us file# &olle&tion &ases a'ainst Tipa&e ?aIos&a ?orena, Kr., an# ot+ers, an# /as a$le to o$tain fa,ora$le Fu#'ment in t+e &ases a'ainst ?aIos&a, Tipa&e, an# Leonila ?en#oGa. T+e initial pa%ments ma#e $% t+ese Fu#'ment-#e$tors /ere all 'i,en to &omplainant. >it+ respe&t to ?aIos&a respon#ent o$taine# a Fu#'ment for -!7,))).)) alt+ou'+ t+e #e$t /as onl% -!(,))).)) 9pp. *-7, tsn, April !<, !7<<:. Respon#ent also #e&lare# t+at &omplainant, /+o /as t+en alrea#% ol# an# si&0l%, /as influen&e# $% +er #e$tors, /+o /ere also +er frien#s into #istrustin' +im. Ultimatel%, $e&ause &omplainant file# a &omplaint a'ainst +im /it+ ?ala&aIan' /+i&+ referre# t+e matter to Camp Crame, +e terminate# +is relations+ip /it+ &omplainant an# #eman#e# +is attorne%Hs fees e=ui,alent to .)S of /+at +e +a# &olle&te#. Complainant refuse# to pa% +im, +en&e, +e #i# not also turn o,er to +er t+e -!(,))).)) initial pa%ment of ?aIos&a /+i&+ +e &onsi#ere#, or applie#, as part pa%ment of +is attorne%Hs fee 9pp. 7!7, tsn., $d.:. Respon#ent estimate# +is attorne%Hs fee #ue from &omplainant in t+e amount of -!8,))).)) 9p. (), tsn , $d.: Respon#ent #enie# +a,in' $orro/e# t+e amounts of -(,))).)), -!,*)).)), -*,))).)) an# -!,))).)), pointin' out t+at &omplainant #i# not e,en +a,e mone% to pa% +im so t+at +e +an#le# t+e &ases for +er on &ontin'ent $asis 9p. !8, tsn, I#.: He also #enie# +a,in' re&ei,e# #o&umentar% e,i#en&e from &omplainant. >+at e,i#en&e +e +a# /ere all 'at+ere# $% +im on +is initiati,e 9pp. 4-8, tsn, $d.:.

T+e Soli&itor Beneral t+en set out t+e follo/in': F$19$1 S T+ere is in t+e &ase at $ar clear admissions #y #oth complainant and respondent o) an attorney!client relationship #et%een them , spe&ifi&all% in t+e &olle&tion of #e$ts o/in' &omplainant. Respondent also admitted, in his ans%er to the complaint and in his testimony, having received 2:?,@@@.@@ )rom inde#tor Constancia .anosca %ithout turning over the amount to his client, complainant herein, and applying it instead as part o) his attorney's )ees . It +as $een +el# t+at t+e mone% &olle&te# $% a la/%er in pursuan&e of a Fu#'ement in fa,or of +is &lient +el# in trust 9A%a ,. Bi'onia,.8 -+il.<5Caro% ,..Le'aspi ;. SCRA *)4:, an# t+at t+e attorne% s+oul# promptl% a&&ount for all fun#s an# propert% re&ei,e# or +el# $% +im for t+e &lientHs $enefit 9Caro% ,. Le'aspi, supra5 In re Bam$er'er, 47 -+il. 7;(:. T+e &ir&umstan&e t+at an attorne% +as a lien for +is attorne%Hs fees on t+e mone% in +is +an#s &olle&te# for +is &lient #oes not relie,e +im from t+e o$li'ation to ma0e a prompt a&&ountin' 9Comin'o l ,. Comin' o" B.R. No. *).8*, O&t. (7, !78!5 Caro% ,. Le'aspi, supra:. Andou#tedly, respondent's )ailure to account )or the 2:?,@@@.@@, representing payment o) the 4udgement de#t o) .aBosca constitutes unpro)essional conduct an# su$Fe&ts +im to #is&iplinar% a&tion. Nonet+eless, it +as li0e/ise $een re&o'niGe# t+at a la/%er is as mu&+ entitle# to Fu#i&ial prote&tion a'ainst inFusti&e, imposition or frau# on t+e part of +is &lient5 an# t+at t+e attorne% is entitle# to $e pai# +is Fust fees. T+e attorne% s+oul# $e prote&te# a'ainst an% attempt on t+e part of +is &lient to es&ape pa%ment of +is Fust &ompensation 96ernan#eG ,. Bello, !)8 -+il. !!4)5 Al$ano ,. Coloma, B.R. A#m. Case No. .(<, O&t. !!, !7;8:. T+is &ounter,ailin' rule miti'ates t+e a&tions of respon#ent. As re'ar#s t+e &+ar'es t+at respon#ent re&ei,e# #o&uments e,i#en&in' t+e #e$ts to &omplainant an# +a# refuse# to return t+em to t+e latter, an# t+at respon#ent also $orro/e# some amounts from +er, t+ere is" no &ompetent, &on&lusi,e e,i#en&e to support t+em. -erfor&e, su&+ alle'ations +a,e no fa&tual $asis. 9Emp+asis supplie#: T+e Soli&itor Beneral t+en re&ommen#e# t+at: 6or failure to turn o,er t+e amount of -!(,))).)) to t+e &omplainant, an# appl%in' it as +is attorne%Hs fees, respon#ent Att%. Kustiniano B. #e Cumo $e se,erel% repriman#e# an# a#monis+e# t+at repetition of t+e same or similar offense /ill $e #ealt /it+ more se,erel%. >e fin# t+e fin#in's of fa&t of t+e Soli&itor Beneral supporte# $% t+e e,i#en&e of re&or#. >e are, +o/e,er, una$le to a&&ept +is re&ommen#ation. ?one%s &olle&te# $% an attorne% on a Fu#'ment ren#ere# in fa,or of +is &lient, &onstitute trust fun#s an# must, $e imme#iatel% pai# o,er

to t+e &lient. 4 Canon !! of t+e Canons of -rofessional Et+i&s . t+en in for&e, pro,i#es as follo/s: !!. 9ealing %ith trust property. T+e la/%er s+oul# refrain from an% a&tion /+ere$% for +is personal $enefit or 'ain +e a$uses or ta0es a#,anta'e of t+e &onfi#en&e repose# in +im $% +is &lient. .oney o) the client or collected )or the client or ot+er trust propert% &omin' into t+e possession of t+e la/%er s+oul# $e reporte# an# accounted )or promptly an# should not under any circumstance #e comingled /it+ +is o/n or #e used #y him. 9Emp+asis supplie#: >+en respon#ent /it++el# an# refuse# to #eli,er t+e mone% re&ei,e# $% +im for +is &lient, t+e #e&ease# &omplainant Hilaria Tan+ue&o, +e $rea&+e# t+e trust repose# upon +im.T+e &laim of t+e respon#ent t+at &omplainant +a# faile# to pa% +is attorne%Hs fees, is not an e3&use for respon#entHs failure to #eli,er an% amount to t+e &omplainants. ; It is of &ourse true t+at un#er Se&tion *8 of Rule !*< of t+e Re,ise# Rules of Court, an attorne% +as-a lien upon t+e fun#s, #o&uments an# papers of +is &lient /+i&+ +a,e la/full% &ome into +is possession an# ma% retain t+e same until +is la/ful fees an# #is$ursements +a,e $een pai#, an# ma% appl% su&+ fun#s to t+e satisfa&tion t+ereof. He s+all also +a,e a lien to t+e same e3tent upon all Fu#'ments for t+e pa%ment of mone% an# e3e&utions issue# in pursuan&e of su&+ Fu#'ments, /+i&+ +e +as se&ure# in a liti'ation of +is &lient, from an# after t+e time /+en +e s+all +a,e &ause# a statement of +is &laim of su&+ lien to $e entere# upon t+e re&or#s of t+e &ourt ren#erin' su&+ Fu#'ment, or issuin' su&+ e3e&ution, an# s+all +a,e &ause# /ritten noti&e t+ereof to $e #eli,ere# to +is &lient an# to t+e a#,erse part%5 an# +e s+all +a,e t+e same ri'+t an# po/er o,er su&+ Fu#'ments an# e3e&utions as +is &lient /oul# +a,e to enfor&e +is lien an# se&ure t+e pa%ment of +is Fust fees an# #is$ursements. T+e fa&t t+at a la/%er +as a lien for fees on mone%s in +is +an#s &olle&te# for +is &lient, #oes not relie,e +im from +is #ut% promptl% to a&&ount for t+e mone%s re&ei,e#5 +is failure to #o so &onstitutes professional mis&on#u&t. 8 In t+e present &ase, /+at respon#ent &oul# +a,e properl% #one /as to ma0e an a&&ount /it+ +is &lient, t+e &omplainant, deduct his attorney's )ees due in respect o) the amount actually collected #y him, an# turn o,er t+e remainin' $alan&e to t+e &omplainant. T+e Court notes t+at t+e ser,i&es of respon#ent #e Cumo /ere en'a'e# $% t+e &omplainant on a num$er of &ases an# t+at t+ese /ere on #ifferin' sta'es of &ompletion. Respon#ent /as not entitle# to +ol# on to t+e entire amount of -!(,))).)) &olle&te# $% +im until all +is fees for t+e ot+er &ases +a# also $een pai# an# re&ei,e# $% +im. T+ere /as not enou'+ e,i#en&e in t+e re&or# to s+o/ +o/ mu&+ mone%, i) any, respon#ent +a# in fa&t pre,iousl% 9 i.e., ot+er t+an t+e

-!(,))).)) from ?aIos&a: &olle&te# for an# turne# o,er to &omplainant 9t+ere$% /ai,in' +is lien t+ereon: %ithout #e#u&tin' t+erefrom +is &laime# &ontin'ent fees in respe&t of su&+ &olle&tions. T+e relations+ip of attorne% an# &lient +as al/a%s $een ri'+tl% re'ar#e# as one of spe&ial trust an# &onfi#en&e. An attorne% must e3er&ise t+e utmost 'oo# fait+ an# fairness in all +is relations+ips vis!a!vis +is &lient. Respon#ent fell far s+ort of t+is stan#ar# /+en +e faile# to ren#er an a&&ountin' for t+e amount a&tuall% re&ei,e# $% +im an# /+en +e refuse# to turn o,er an% portion of su&+ amount re&ei,e# $% +im on $e+alf of +is &lient upon t+e prete3t t+at +is attorne%Hs fees +a# not all $een pai#. Respon#ent +a# in fa&t pla&e# +is pri,ate an# personal interest a$o,e t+at of +is &lient. Respon#entHs a&t &onstitutes a $rea&+ of +is la/%erHs oat+ an# a mere repriman# is not an a#e=uate san&tion. T+ere is anot+er aspe&t to t+is &ase /+i&+ t+e Court &annot 'loss o,er. Respon#ent &laime# t+at +e &+ar'e# &omplainant, +is &lient, a &ontin'ent fee of fift% per&ent 9.)S: of t+e amount &olle&te# $% +im, plus interest an# /+ate,er attorne%Hs fees ma% $e a/ar#e# $% t+e trial &ourt &+ar'ea$le to t+e ot+er part%. In t+is Furis#i&tion, &ontin'ent fees are not per se pro+i$ite# $% la/. < But /+en it is s+o/n t+at a &ontra&t for a &ontin'ent fee are o$taine# $% un#ue influen&e e3er&ise# $% t+e attorne% upon +is &lient or $% an% frau# or imposition, or t+at t+e &ompensation is &learl% e3&essi,e, t+e Court must an# /ill prote&t t+e a''rie,e# part%. 7 6rom t+e Ans/er of respon#ent #e Cumo it appears t+at in t+ree 9*: &olle&tion &ases file# $% +im for t+e &omplainant an# /+i&+ /ere #e&i#e# in fa,or of t+e &omplainant, t+e a/ar#s totalle# -*!,*7).)). Respon#ent asserte# t+at +e /as entitle# to attorne%Hs fees amountin' to -l<,<4). )) out of t+e a''re'ate total of -*!,*7).)): 8. T+at t+e un#erstan#in' $et/een Hilaria Tan+ue&o an# me /as a )i)ty! )i)ty on collected principal and interests. The la%yer has the right to charge attorney's )ees to the other party!de)endant and that >ilaria Tanhueco shall not inter)ere nor #e included in the computation. T+at of t+e &ases file#, t+e follo/in' ma#e pa%ments: a. Hilaria Tan+ue&o ,s. Constan&ia ?aIos&a Amount Colle&ti$le 9prin&ipal:.......................................PPPP -!(,))).)) Interest a##e# from ?a%!78(o No,N8* at !S a mont+.PPPP (,(<).)) Attorne%Hs fees &+ar'e# to t+e #efen#ant an# not to $e in&lu#e# in t+e &omputation.......... - 4,8().)) TOTAL an# Amount spe&ifie# in t+e Compromise A'reement an# Su$Fe&t of t+e Ce&isionPP. -!7,))).)) $. Hilaria Tan+ue&o ,s. ?el&+or Tipa&e et al.

-rin&ipal amount &olle&ti$le...........PPPPPPPPPPP -8,!)).)) Interest at ! S per mont+ startin' KuneN8! to Sept.N84........... (,<4).)) Attorne%Hs fees &+ar'e# to t+e #efen#ant an# not in&lu#e# in t+e &omputation.......... !,4.).)) TOTAL - ll,*7).)). &. Hilaria Tan+ue&o ,s. Estimo -rin&ipal Amount &olle&ti$le......PPPPPPPPPPPPP -l,))).)) SU??ATION O6 THE THREE CASES 6ILEC ANC A?OUNTS RECEIAABLE B2 THE UNCERSIBNEC INCLUCINB ATTORNE2HS 6EES: ?ATOSCA CASE: Attorne%Hs fees to $e pai# $% ?aIos&a an# not to $e in&lu#e# in t+e &omputationP.......... - 4,<4).)) 6ift%per&ent on t+e prin&ipal amT &olle&ti$le plus interests........ 8,)<).)) TOTAL A?OUNT RECEIAABLE -!!,7().)) TI-ACES CASE: Attorne%Hs fees to $e pai# $% Tipa&e an# not to $e in&lu#e# in t+e &omputation........... -l,4.).)) 6ift% per &ent on t+e prin&ipal amount &olle&ti$le from Tipa&e plus interests........................ 4,78).)) TOTAL A?OUNT RECEIAABLEPPPPPPPPPPPPP -;,4().)) <. T+e total amount /+i&+ I ou'+t to re&ei,e as attorne%Hs fees un#er para'rap+ se,en, su$-para'rap+ a, $ an# & is:-ll,7(). )) -;,4().)) -.)). )) -!<,<4). )) TOTAL !) >e note t+at respon#ent attorne% &laime# as +is &ontin'ent fee t+e follo/in': !: fift% per&ent 9.)S: of t+e sum of prin&ipal an# interest &olle&ti$le from #ifferent #e$tors5 an# (: attorne%Hs fees &+ar'e# to t+e #efen#ant 9presuma$l% un#er promissor% notes or /ritten a'reements: an# Jnot to $e in&lu#e# in t+e &omputation.J Un#er t+is s&+eme, respon#ent /as a&tuall% &olle&tin' as attorne%Hs fees si3t% per&ent 9;)S: or more t+an +alf of t+e total amount #ue from #efen#ant #e$tors5 in#ee#, +e /as appropriatin' for +imself more t+an /+at +e /as, a&&or#in' to +im, to turn o,er to +is &lient. >e $elie,e an# so +ol# t+at t+e &ontin'ent fee +ere &laime# /as, un#er t+e fa&ts o$tainin' in t+is &ase, 'rossl% e3&essi,e an# un&ons&iona$le. !! Su&+ a fee stru&ture, /+en &onsi#ere# in &onFun&tion /it+ t+e &ir&umstan&es of t+is &ase, also s+o/s t+at an unfair a#,anta'e /as ta0en of t+e &lient an# le'al frau# an# imposition perpetrate# upon +er.

T+e &omplainant /as an ol# an# si&0l% /oman an#, in respon#entHs o/n /or#s, Jpenniless.J S+e /as at t+e time s+e file# +er &omplaint in !78;, alrea#% se,ent%-si3 98;: %ears ol#. In +er &ir&umstan&es, an# 'i,en +er un#erstan#a$le #esire to realiGe upon #e$ts o/e# to +er $efore #eat+ o,ertoo0 +er, s+e /oul# easil% su&&um$ to t+e #eman#s of respon#ent attorne% re'ar#in' +is attorne%Hs fees. It must $e stresse# t+at t+e mere fa&t t+at an a'reement +a# $een rea&+e# $et/een attorne% an# &lient fi3in' t+e amount of t+e attorne%Hs fees, #oes not insulate su&+ a'reement from re,ie/ an# mo#ifi&ation $% t+e Court /+ere t+e fees &learl% appear to $e e3&essi,e or unreasona$le. $n .am#ulao 8um#er Company v. 2hilippine 1ational -an*, et al., !( t+is Court stresse#: The principle that courts should reduce stipulated attorney's )ees %henever it is )ound under the circumstances o) the case that the same is unreasona#le, is no% deeply rooted in this 4urisdiction to entertain any serious o#4ection to it. T+us, t+is Court +as e3plaine#: But t+e prin&iple t+at it ma% $e la/full% stipulate# t+at t+e le'al e3penses in,ol,e# in t+e &olle&tion of a #e$t s+all $e #efra%e# $% t+e #e$tor #oes not impl% t+at su&+ stipulations must $e enfor&e# in a&&or#an&e /it+ t+e terms, no matter +o/ inFurious or oppressi,e t+e% ma% $e. T+e la/ful purpose to $e a&&omplis+e# $% su&+ a stipulation is to permit t+e &re#itor to re&ei,e t+e amount #ue +im un#er +is &ontra&t /it+out a #e#u&tion of t+e e3penses &ause# $% t+e #elin=uen&% of t+e #e$tor. It s+oul# not $e permitte# for +im to &on,ert su&+ a stipulation into a sour&e of spe&ulati,e profit at t+e e3pense of t+e #e$tor. 333 333 333 Sin&e t+en this Court has invaria#ly )i+ed counsel )ees on a 7uantum meruit #asis %henever the )ees stipulated appear e+cessive, unconsciona#le, or unreasona#le, $e&ause a la/%er is primaril% a &ourt offi&er &+ar'e# /it+ t+e #ut% of assistin' t+e &ourt in a#ministerin' impartial Fusti&e $et/een t+e parties, an# +en&e, the )ees should #e su#4ect to 4udicial control. Nor s+oul# it $e i'nore# t+at sound pu#lic policy demands that courts disregard stipulations )or counsel )ees, %henever they appear to #e a source o) speculative pro)it at the e+pense o) the de#tor or mortgagor 9See, Borospe, et al. ,. Bo&+an'&o, supra:. An# it is not material t+at t+e present a&tion is $et/een attorne% an# &lient. As courts have po%er to )i+ the )ee as #et%een attorney and client, it must ne&essaril% +a,e t+e ri'+t to sa% /+et+er a stipulation li0e t+is, inserte# in a mort'a'e &ontra&t, is ,ali# 9Ba&+ra&+ ,s. Bolin'&o, supraC. 333 333 333 !* T+is Court +as po/er to 'uar# a &lient, !4 espe&iall% an a'e# an# ne&essitous &lient, !.a'ainst su&+ a &ontra&t. >e +ol# t+at on a 7uantum meruit $asis, no &ir&umstan&es of spe&ial #iffi&ult% atten#in' t+e &olle&tion &ases +a,in' $een s+o/n $% respon#ent,

respon#ent attorne%Hs fees s+oul# $e re#u&e# from si3t% per&ent 9;)S: to ten per&ent 9!.S: of t+e total amount 9in&lu#in' attorne%Hs fees stipulate# as &+ar'ea$le to t+e #e$tors: &olle&te# $% +im on $e+alf of +is &lient. >it+ respe&t to &+ar'es of refusal to return #o&uments entruste# to respon#ent la/%er an# a$an#onment of &ases in /+i&+ +is ser,i&es +a# $een en'a'e#, /e a&&ept t+e fin#in's of t+e Soli&itor Beneral t+at t+e e,i#en&e of re&or# is not suffi&ient to pro,e t+ese alle'ations. >HERE6ORE, t+e Court Resol,e# t+at: !. respon#ent is 'uilt% of ,iolation of t+e attorne%sH oat+ an# of serious professional mis&on#u&t an# s+all $e SUS-ENCEC from t+e pra&ti&e la/ for si3 9;: mont+s an# >ARNEC t+at repetition of t+e same or similar offense /ill $e more se,erel% #ealt /it+5 (. t+e attorne%Hs fees t+at respon#ent is entitle# to in respe&t of t+e &olle&tion &ases +ere in,ol,e# s+all $e an amount e=ui,alent to fifteen per&ent 9!.S: of t+e total amount &olle&te# $% respon#ent from t+e #e$tors in t+ose &ases5 *. respon#ent s+all return fort+/it+ to t+e estate of &omplainant Hilaria Tan+ue&o t+e -!(,))).)) respon#ent re&ei,e# on $e+alf of +is &lient less attorne%Hs fees #ue to +im in respe&t of t+at amount 9l(,))).)) less fifteen per&ent !.S" t+ereof: or a net amount of -!),()).))5 an# 4. respon#ent s+all return to t+e estate of &omplainant Hilaria Tan+ue&o an% #o&uments an# papers re&ei,e# $% +im from t+e #e&ease# &omplainant in &onne&tion /it+ t+e &olle&tion &ases for /+i&+ +e /as retaine#. If +e +as in fa&t ma#e an% ot+er &olle&tions from #e&ease# &omplainantHs #e$tors, +e s+all promptl% a&&ount t+erefor to &omplainantHs estate an# s+all $e entitle# to re&ei,e in respe&t t+ereof t+e fifteen per&ent 9!.S: attorne%Hs fees pro,i#e# for +erein. Let a &op% of t+is Resolution $e furnis+e# ea&+ to t+e Bar Confi#ant an# sprea# on t+e personal re&or# of respon#ent attorne%, an# to t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines.

A.C. No. 0! / "an#a.$ 2&, 2&&0 A(E73.C-ETO, +omplainant, vs. ATTY. "OSE 3. "IMENE6, "R., .espondent. RESOLUTION CORONA, J.D

Before us is a &omplaint1 for #is&iplinar% a&tion a'ainst Att%. Kose KimeneG, Kr. file# $% En'r. Ale3 B. Cueto /it+ t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9IB-:, Commission on Bar Cis&ipline. En'r. Ale3 Cueto alle'e# t+at sometime in O&to$er !777 +e en'a'e# t+e ser,i&es of respon#ent as notar% pu$li&, t+e latter $ein' t+e fat+er of t+e o/ner of t+e $uil#in' su$Fe&t of t+e Constru&tion A'reement2 to $e notariGe#. He /as t+en a&&ompanie# $% a &ertain Aal Ri,era, t+e $uil#in' a#ministrator of respon#ent1s son Kose KimeneG III. After notariGin' t+e a'reement, respon#ent #eman#e# -.),))) as notarial fee. Cespite +is surprise as to t+e &ost of t+e notarial ser,i&e, &omplainant informe# respon#ent t+at +e onl% +a# -*),))) in &as+. Respon#ent persua#e# &omplainant to pa% t+e -*),))) an# to issue a &+e&0 for t+e remainin' -(),))). Bein' unfamiliar /it+ t+e &ost of notarial ser,i&es, &omplainant pai# all +is &as+ 3 an# issue# a 6ar East Ban0 &+e&0 #ate# Ce&em$er (<, !777 for t+e $alan&e.1vvphi1.nt Before t+e maturit% #ate of t+e &+e&0, &omplainant re=ueste# respon#ent not to #eposit t+e same for la&0 of suffi&ient fun#s. He also informe# respon#ent t+at t+e latter1s son Kose KimeneG III +a# not %et pai# +is ser,i&es as 'eneral &ontra&tor. Still, respon#ent #eposite# t+e &+e&0 /+i&+ /as &onse=uentl% #is+onore# for insuffi&ient fun#s. ?ean/+ile, t+e -(,.)),))) &+e&0 issue# $% respon#ent1s son to &omplainant as initial pa%ment pursuant to t+e Constru&tion A'reement /as itself #is+onore# for +a,in' $een #ra/n a'ainst a &lose# a&&ount. Su$se=uentl%, Att%. KimeneG lo#'e# a &omplaint for ,iolation of B(( a'ainst Cueto $efore t+e Cit% -rose&utor1s Offi&e in An'eles Cit%. T+e &riminal &ase /as trie# in t+e ?etropolitan Trial Court of An'eles Cit%, Bran&+ I. In t+e meantime, Cueto file# +is o/n a#ministrati,e &omplaint a'ainst KimeneG on No,em$er !;, ())!. He alle'e# t+at KimeneG ,iolate# t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% an# Canons of -rofessional Et+i&s /+en +e file# t+e &riminal &ase a'ainst Cueto so +e &oul# &olle&t t+e $alan&e of +is notarial fee. -ursuant to Rule !*7-B, Se&tion ; of t+e Rules of Court, respon#ent KimeneG /as re=uire# to ans/er t+e &omplaint file# a'ainst +im.4 Cespite noti&e, +o/e,er, respon#ent faile# to file +is ans/er an# to appear $efore t+e IB- Commission on Bar Cis&ipline. After +earin' t+e &ase e3-parte, t+e &ase /as #eeme# su$mitte# for resolution.5 In its report6 #ate# April (!, ())(, t+e IB- Commission on Bar Cis&ipline foun# respon#ent 'uilt% of ,iolatin' Canon (), Rule ().4 of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% an# re&ommen#e# t+at Att%. Kose B. KimeneG, Kr. $e repriman#e#.

On Kune (7, ())(, t+e Boar# of Bo,ernors passe# a resolution7 a#optin' an# appro,in' t+e report an# re&ommen#ation of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner:8 RESOLAEC to ACO-T an# A--ROAE, as it is +ere$% ACO-TEC an# A--ROAEC, t+e Report an# Re&ommen#ation of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner of t+e a$o,e-entitle# &ase, +erein ma#e part of t+is ResolutionNCe&ision as Anne3 JAJ5 an#, fin#in' t+e re&ommen#ation full% supporte# $% t+e e,i#en&e on re&or# an# t+e appli&a$le la/s an# rules, an# in ,ie/ of respon#ent1s ,iolation of Canon (), Rule ().4 of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%, respon#ent is +ere$% repriman#e#. Complainant1s &laim t+at respon#ent1s -.),))) notarial fee /as e3or$itant is #e$ata$le. As &onfirme# $% t+e IB-, it is a re&o'niGe# le'al pra&ti&e in real estate transa&tions an# &onstru&tion proFe&ts to $ase t+e amount of notarial fees on t+e &ontra&t pri&e. Base# on t+e amount #eman#e# $% respon#ent, t+e fee represente# onl% !S of t+e &ontra&t pri&e of -.,))),))). It &annot $e sai# t+erefore t+at respon#ent notar% #eman#e# more t+an a reasona$le re&ompense for +is ser,i&e. >e are also &on,in&e# t+at t+e t/o &ontra&tin' parties impli&itl% a'ree# on t+e &ost of KimeneG1s notarial ser,i&e. It /as Cueto1s responsi$ilit% to first in=uire +o/ mu&+ +e /as 'oin' to $e &+ar'e# for notariGation. An# on&e informe#, +e /as free to a&&ept or reFe&t it, or ne'otiate for a lo/er amount. In t+is &ase, &omplainant1s &on&ern t+at t+e ot+er part% to t+e &onstru&tion a'reement /as t+e son of respon#ent notar% an# t+at +is non-a,ailment of respon#ent1s ser,i&e mi'+t Feopar#iGe t+e a'reement, /as purel% spe&ulati,e. T+ere /as no &ompulsion to a,ail of respon#ent1s ser,i&e.l^vvphi1.net ?oreo,er, +is failure to ne'otiate t+e amount of t+e fee /as an impli&it a&=uies&en&e to t+e terms of t+e notarial ser,i&e. His su$se=uent a&t of pa%in' in &as+ an# in &+e&0 all t+e more pro,e# it. Ho/e,er, /e a'ree /it+ t+e IB- t+at respon#ent1s &on#u&t in filin' a &riminal &ase for ,iolation of B- (( a'ainst &omplainant 9/+en t+e &+e&0 representin' t+e -(),))) $alan&e /as #is+onore# for insuffi&ient fun#s: /as +i'+l% improper. Canon (), Rule ().4 of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% man#ates t+at J a" la/%er s+all a,oi# &ontro,ersies /it+ &lients &on&ernin' +is &ompensation an# s+all resort to Fu#i&ial a&tion onl% to pre,ent imposition, inFusti&e or frau#.J Li0e/ise, in Canon !4 of t+e Canons of -rofessional Et+i&s it states t+at, J &"ontro,ersies /it+ &lients &on&ernin' &ompensation are to $e a,oi#e# $% t+e la/%er so far as s+all $e &ompati$le /it+ +is self-respe&t an# /it+ +is ri'+t to re&ei,e reasona$le re&ompense for +is ser,i&e5 an# la/suits /it+ t+e &lients s+oul# $e resorte# to onl% to pre,ent inFusti&e, imposition or frau#.J

T+ere /as &learl% no imposition, inFusti&e or frau# o$tainin' in t+is &ase to Fustif% t+e le'al a&tion ta0en $% respon#ent. As $orne out $% t+e re&or#s, &omplainant Cueto +a# alrea#% pai# more t+an +alf of respon#ent1s fee. To resort to a suit to re&o,er t+e $alan&e re,eals a &ertain 0in# of s+ameful &on#u&t an# in&onsi#erate $e+a,ior t+at &learl% un#ermines t+e tenet em$o#ie# in Canon !. t+at J A" la/%er s+oul# o$ser,e &an#or, fairness an# lo%alt% in all +is #ealin's an# transa&tions /it+ +is &lient.J An# /+at &an /e sa% a$out t+e failure of respon#ent1s son Kose III to pa% +is o/n o$li'ation to &omplainant CuetoU It in all pro$a$ilit% e3plains /+% Cueto ran s+ort of fun#s. Respon#ent t+erefore s+oul# +a,e $een more tolerant of t+e #ela% in&urre# $% &omplainant Cueto. >e &annot o,erstress t+e #ut% of a la/%er to up+ol# t+e inte'rit% an# #i'nit% of t+e le'al profession.9 He &an #o t+is $% fait+full% performin' +is #uties to so&iet%, to t+e $ar, to t+e &ourts an# to +is &lients. He s+oul# al/a%s remin# +imself t+at t+e le'al profession is im$ue# /it+ pu$li& ser,i&e. Remuneration is a mere in&i#ent. Alt+ou'+ /e a&0no/le#'e t+at e,er% la/%er must $e pai# /+at is #ue to +im, +e must ne,er resort to Fu#i&ial a&tion to re&o,er +is fees, in a manner t+at #etra&ts from t+e #i'nit% of t+e profession. >HERE6ORE, Att%. Kose KimeneG, Kr. is +ere$% SEAEREL2 RE-RI?ANCEC for ,iolatin' Canon (), Rule ().4 of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%. SO ORCEREC. ,.R. No. 1 0/ "an#a.$ 2', 1 1 8I(2REDO D . (IC-DAN and CRISTINA (IC-DAN4 CAM)OS, petitione.s, vs.THE HONORA3(E CO-RT O2 A))EA(S and ATTY. TEODORO O. DOMA(ANTA, .espondents. A.nold 9. ,#e..e.o : Asso+iates ;o. petitione.s. Teodo.o O. Domalanta ;o. and on <is =e<al; as p.ivate .espondent. BUTIERREQ, KR., J.Dp T+e pra&ti&e of la/ is a profession rat+er t+an tra#e. Courts must 'uar# a'ainst t+e &+ar'in' of un&ons&iona$le an# e3&essi,e fees $% la/%ers for t+eir ser,i&es /+en en'a'e# as &ounsel. >+et+er or not t+e a/ar# of attorne%Hs fees in t+is &ase is reasona$le, $ein' in t+e nature of &ontin'ent fees, is t+e prin&ipal issue. T+is petition for re,ie/ on certiorari assails: !: T+e Ce&ision of t+e pu$li& respon#ent #ate# Septem$er !(, !7<7 /+i&+ #ismisse# t+e petitionersH appeal t+ere$% up+ol#in' t+e reasona$leness of t+e respon#ent la/%erHs lien as attorne%Hs fees o,er t+e properties of +is &lients5 an#

(: T+e Resolution of t+e pu$li& respon#ent #ate# Kanuar% *), !77) /+i&+ #enie# t+e petitionersH motion for re&onsi#eration. T+e 'roun#s relie# upon $% t+e petitioners are as follo/s: T+e respon#ent Court, in up+ol#in' t+e entitlement of pri,ate respon#ent-attorne% on t+e attorne%Hs fees +e &laime#, #e&i#e# t+e =uestion in a manner not in a&&or# /it+ la/ or /it+ t+e appli&a$le #e&isions of t+is Honora$le Tri$unal. T+e respon#ent Court, in refusin' to re,ie/ an# #etermine t+e propriet%, reasona$leness an# ,ali#it% of t+e attorne%Hs fees &laime# $% t+e pri,ate respon#ent-attorne%, #eparte# from t+e usual &ourse of Fu#i&ial pro&ee#in's. T+e respon#ent Court, in failin' to #e&lare t+e attorne%Hs fees &laime# $% t+e pri,ate respon#ent-attorne% as un&ons&iona$le, e3&essi,e, unreasona$le, immoral an# unet+i&al, #e&i#e# t+e =uestion in a /a% not in a&&or# /it+ la/ an# /it+ appli&a$le #e&isions of t+is Honora$le Tri$unal. 9-etition, pp. !(-!*5 Rollo, pp. !;-!8: T+e follo/in' are t+e ante&e#ent fa&ts pertinent to t+e &ase at $ar: T+e respon#ent la/%er /as retaine# as &ounsel $% +is $rot+er-in-la/ an# sister, t+e no/ #e&ease# petitionersH parents, spouses Aurelio an# 6eli&i#a# Li&u#an. His ser,i&es as &ounsel pertaine# to t/o relate# &i,il &ases #o&0ete# as Ci,il Case No. V-!((.4 for partition an# Ci,il Case No. V-(<;.. for a sum of mone% in &onne&tion /it+ t+e re#emption of t+e propert% su$Fe&t matter of t+e t/o &ases &o,ere# $% Transfer Certifi&ate of Title No. <!< of t+e Re'ister of Cee#s of VueGon Cit%. In $ot+ &ases, t+e respon#ent la/%er o$taine# a Fu#'ment in fa,or of +is &lients. On Au'ust !*,!787, t+e respon#ent la/%er file# a -etition for Attorne%Hs Lien /it+ Notifi&ation to +is Clients /+i&+ su$stantiall% alle'e# t+at +is &lients e3e&ute# t/o /ritten &ontra&ts for professional ser,i&es in +is fa,or /+i&+ pro,i#e# t+at: a: T+e un#ersi'ne# &ounsel is entitle# to o/n 78.. s=uare meters of t+e plaintiffHs s+are of t+e lot in =uestion. $: T+e un#ersi'ne# &ounsel s+all +a,e a usufru&tuar% ri'+t for a perio# of ten 9!): %ears of plaintiffsH s+are of t+e lot in =uestion. &: An# t+at all #ama'es a&&ruin' to plaintiffs to $e pai# $% t+e #efen#ant is for t+e un#ersi'ne# &ounsel.9Anne3 JHJ of t+e -etition, Rollo, p. .4: On Septem$er !7, !787, t+e trial &ourt +an#lin' Ci,il Case No. V!((.4 or#ere# t+e annotation at t+e $a&0 of TCT No. <!< of t+e Re'ister of Cee#s of VueGon Cit% of t+e respon#ent la/%erHs Contra&t for -rofessional Ser,i&es #ate# Au'ust *), !787 si'ne# $% petitioner >ilfre#o Li&u#an an# Aurelio Li&u#an on +is o/n $e+alf an# on $e+alf of +is #au'+ter, petitioner Cristina Li&u#an-Campos. T+e sai# trial &ourtHs Or#er, $ein' one of t/o Or#ers $ein' essentiall% &+allen'e# in t+is petition, is repro#u&e# $elo/:

Before t+e &ourt for &onsi#eration is a -etition for Attorne%Hs Lien file# $% Att%. Teo#oro C. Comalanta, &ounsel for t+e plaintiff, pra%in' t+at +is attorne%Hs fees $e annotate# as a lien at t+e $a&0 of Transfer Certifi&ate of Title No. <!< of t+e Re'ister of Cee#s of VueGon Cit%, su$Fe&t matter of t+is &ase. 6or t+e prote&tion of t+e plaintiffs, t+e &ourt re=uire# t+e plaintiff Aurelio Li&u#an as /ell as +is son to appear t+is mornin'. -laintiff Aurelio Li&u#an to'et+er /it+ +is son >ilfre#o Li&u#an, /+o appears to $e intelli'ent an# in fa&t +e spea0s 9t+e: En'lis+ lan'ua'e /ell, appeare#. Bot+ Aurelio an# >ilfre#o Li&u#an manifeste# t+at t+e% +a,e freel% an# ,oluntaril% si'ne# t+e Contra&t for -rofessional Ser,i&es, #ate# Au'ust *), !787 an# notariGe# $efore Notar% -u$li& Ama#o Barro,illas as Co&. No. *(, -a'e <, Boo0 No. @I@, Series of !787. Consi#erin' t+e manifestation of plaintiff, Aurelio Li&u#an an# Alfre#o 9sic: Li&u#an t+at t+e% +a,e entere# freel% an# ,oluntaril% in t+e sai# &ontra&t of professional ser,i&es, let t+e same $e annotate# at t+e $a&0 of TCT <!< of t+e Re'ister of Cee#s of VueGon Cit%, upon pa%ment of t+e re=uire# le'al fees. 9CA Ce&ision, pp. 8<5 Rollo, pp. *;-*8: T+e Contra&t for -rofessional Ser,i&es #ate# Au'ust *), !787 #iffers from t+e earlier &ontra&tual pro,isions in t+at it entitle# t+e respon#ent la/%er to one-t+ir# 9!N*: of t+e su$Fe&t propert% or 7).. s=uare meters an# pro,i#e# for usufru&tuar% ri'+ts o,er t+e entire lot in =uestion in fa,or of t+e respon#ent la/%erHs son, Teo#oro ?. Comalanta, Kr. for an a'ree# &onsi#eration. 9Anne3 JKJ of t+e -etition5 Rollo, p. .7: On Kul% (., !7<., t+e respon#ent la/%er file# a motion e+ parte to amen# t+e Or#er #ate# Septem$er !7, !787 so as to &onform /it+ an a##itional professional fee &o,erin' *! s=uare meters more of t+e lot for ser,i&es ren#ere# in Ci,il Case No. V-(<;.. as e,i#en&e# $% a Cee# of A$solute Sale #ate# ?a% !, !7<* e3e&ute# $% Aurelio Li&u#an in fa,or of t+e respon#ent la/%er. On Septem$er ;, !7<., t+e trial &ourt or#ere# t+e respon#ent la/%er to su$mit a su$#i,ision plan in &onformit% /it+ +is attorne%Hs fees &ontra&t un#er /+i&+ one-t+ir# 9!N*: of t+e propert% or 7).. s=uare meters /as allote# to +im. On Septem$er (*, !7<., t+e respon#ent la/%er file# a motion for re&onsi#eration pra%in' for t+e amen#ment of t+e Or#er #ate# Septem$er !7, !787 to &onform /it+ t+e Cee# of A$solute Sale #ate# ?a% !, !7<* /+i&+ /as e3e&ute# after t+e annotation of t+e ori'inal attorne%Hs lien of 7).. s=uare meters. On Septem$er *), !7<., t+e trial &ourt #enie# t+e motion on t+e 'roun# t+at t+e respon#ent la/%er &annot &olle&t attorne%Hs fees for ot+er &ases in t+e a&tion for partition.

On O&to$er 4, !7<., t+e respon#ent la/%er file# a se&on# motion for re&onsi#eration of t+e Or#er #ate# Septem$er ;, !7<. e3plainin' t+at /+at +e sou'+t to $e in&lu#e# in t+e Or#er #ate# Septem$er !7, !787 is t+e a##itional attorne%Hs fees for +an#lin' t+e re#emption &ase /+i&+ /as $ut a mere offs+oot of t+e partition &ase an# furt+er manifestin' t+at t+e a##itional *! s=uare meters as &ompensation for t+e re#emption &ase must $e mer'e# /it+ t+e 7).. s=uare meters for t+e partition &ase to ena$le t+e sai# respon#ent la/%er to &ompl% /it+ t+e Or#er #ate# Septem$er ;,!7<. /+i&+ #ire&te# +im to su$mit a su$#i,ision plan as re=uire#. On O&to$er (!, !7<., t+e trial &ourt issue# t+e se&on# Or#er $ein' assaile# in t+is petition. T+e sai# Or#er rea#s: A&tin' on t+e JSe&on# ?otion for Re&onsi#erationJ file# $% Att%. Teo#oro Comalanta an# fin#in' t+e same to $e Fustifie#, let an attorne%Hs lien $e annotate# in t+e title of t+e propert% for *! s=uare meters as attorne%Hs fees of sai# Att%. Teo#oro Comalanta in a##ition to t+e ori'inal 7).. s=uare meters. 9CA Ce&ision, p. <5 Rollo, p. *8: On Au'ust ((, !7<;, more t+an ten 9!): mont+s after t+e Or#ers of Septem$er ;, !7<. an# O&to$er (!, !7<. +a# $e&ome final an# e3e&utor%, t+e petitioners as su$stitute# +eirs of t+e respon#ent la/%ersH #e&ease# &lients file# a motion to set asi#e or#ers on t+e 'roun# t+at t+e a/ar# of professional fees &o,erin' !(!.. s=uare meters of t+e (8!.. s=uare meter lot is un&ons&iona$le an# e3&essi,e. After t+e respon#ent la/%er file# +is Opposition to t+e a$o,e petitionersH motion, t+e lo/er &ourt, on Au'ust (7, !7<;, fin#in' t+at t+e petitioners as su$stitute# plaintiffs are not in full a'reement /it+ t+e respon#ent la/%erHs &laim for attorne%Hs fees, set asi#e its Or#ers #ate# Septem$er ;, !7<. an# O&to$er (!, !7<.. On Septem$er !;, !7<;, t+e respon#ent la/%er file# a motion for re&onsi#eration stressin' t+e fa&t t+at t+e pa%ment of t+e professional ser,i&es /as pursuant to a &ontra&t /+i&+ &oul# no lon'er $e #istur$e# or set asi#e $e&ause it +as alrea#% $een implemente# an# +a# sin&e t+en $e&ome final. T+is motion /as #enie# on O&to$er *, !7<;. On No,em$er !., !7<;, t+e respon#ent la/%er file# a motion to set asi#e t+e or#ers #ate# Au'ust (7, !7<; an# O&to$er *, !7<; reiteratin' +is position t+at t+e Or#ers of Septem$er ;, !7<. an# O&to$er (!, !7<. +a,e $e&ome final an# are alrea#% implemente#. T+e respon#ent la/%er furt+er as0e# for t+e mo#ifi&ation of t+e O&to$er (!, !7<. Or#er to refle&t ;).*( s=uare meters instea# of *! s=uare meters onl% sin&e t+e stipulation in t+e A##itional Contra&t for -rofessional Ser,i&es entitle# +im to ;).*( s=uare meters. After t+e petitionersH Opposition to t+e sai# motion /as file#, t+e trial &ourt, on 6e$ruar% (;, !7<8, ren#ere# an Or#er /it+ t+e follo/in' #ispositi,e portion:

>HERE6ORE, t+is Court +as no alternati,e $ut to set asi#e its or#ers of (7 Au'ust !7<; an# * O&to$er !7<; an# #e&lare its Or#ers of !7 Septem$er !787 an# (! O&to$er !7<. irre,o&a$l% final an# e3e&utor%. 9CA Ce&ision, p. .5 Rollo, p. *4: On Appeal, t+e Court of Appeals rule# in fa,or of t+e respon#ent la/%er $% #ismissin' t+e appeal an# t+e pra%e# for /rit of preliminar% inFun&tion. T+eir su$se=uent motion for re&onsi#eration +a,in' $een #enie#H, t+e petitioners file# t+e instant petition. T+e petitioners fault t+e respon#ent Court for its failure to e3er&ise its in+erent po/er to re,ie/ an# #etermine t+e propriet% of t+e stipulate# attorne%Hs fees in fa,or of t+e respon#ent la/%er an# a&&use t+e respon#ent la/%er of +a,in' &ommitte# an unfair a#,anta'e or le'al frau# $% ,irtue of t+e Contra&t for -rofessional Ser,i&es #e,ise# $% +im after t+e trial &ourt a/ar#e# +im attorne%Hs fees for -!,))).)) onl% instea# of respe&tin' t+e trust an# &onfi#en&e of t+e +i'+est le,el repose# on +im &onsi#erin' t+e &lose $loo# an# affinal relations+ip $et/een +im an# +is &lients. T+e petitioners &onten# t+at un#er t+e a/ar# for professional ser,i&es, t+e% ma% +a,e /on t+e &ase $ut /oul# lose t+e entire propert% /on in liti'ation to t+eir un&le-la/%er. T+e% /oul# $e totall% #epri,e# of t+eir +ouse an# lot an# t+e re&o,ere# #ama'es &onsi#erin' t+at of t+e (8!.. s=uare meters of t+e su$Fe&t lot, t+e respon#ent la/%er is &laimin' !(!.. s=uare meters an# t+e remainin' portion of !.) s=uare meters /oul# also 'o to attorne%Hs fees sin&e t+e sai# portion pertains to t+e la/%erHs son $% /a% of usufru&t for ten 9!): %ears. T+e aforesai# su$missions $% t+e petitioners merit our &onsi#eration. It is a /ell-entren&+e# rule t+at attorne%Hs fees ma% $e &laime# in t+e ,er% a&tion in /+i&+ t+e ser,i&es in =uestion +a,e $een ren#ere# or as an in&i#ent of t+e main a&tion. T+e fees ma% $e properl% a#Fu#'e# after su&+ liti'ation is terminate# an# t+e su$Fe&t of re&o,er% is at t+e #isposition of t+e &ourt. 9 see Cama&+o ,. Court of Appeals, !87 SCRA ;)4 !7<7"5 Vuirante ,. Interme#iate Appellate Court, !;7 SCRA 8;7 !7<7":. It is an e=uall% #eepl%-roote# rule t+at &ontin'ent fees are not per se pro+i$ite# $% la/. T+e% are san&tione# $% Canon !* of t+e Canons of -rofessional Et+i&s an# Canon (), Rule ().)! of t+e re&entl% promul'ate# Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%. Ho/e,er, as /e +a,e +el# in t+e &ase of Tanhueco v. 9e 9umo 9!8( SCRA 8;) !7<7":: . . . >+en it is s+o/n t+at a &ontra&t for a &ontin'ent fee /as o$taine# $% un#ue influen&e e3er&ise# $% t+e attorne% upon +is &lient or $% an% frau# or imposition, or t+at t+e &ompensation is &learl% e3&essi,e, t+e Court must an# /ill prote&t t+e a''rie,e# part%. 9Ulan#a% ,. ?anila Railroa# Co., 4. -+il. .4) !7(*"5 Bre% ,. Insular Lum$er Co., 78 -+il. <** !7..":.

In t+e &ase at $ar, t+e respon#ent la/%er &ause# t+e annotation of +is attorne%Hs fees lien in t+e main a&tion for partition #o&0ete# as Ci,il Case No. V-!((.4 on t+e $asis of a Contra&t for -rofessional Ser,i&es #ate# Au'ust *), !787. >e fin# re,ersi$le error in t+e Court of AppealsH +ol#in' t+at: >+en t+e reasona$leness of t+e appelleeHs lien as attorne%Hs fees o,er t+e properties of +is &lients a/ar#e# to +im $% t+e trial &ourt +a# not $een =uestione# $% t+e &lient, an# t+e sai# or#ers +a# alrea#% $e&ome final an# e3e&utor%, t+e same &oul# no lon'er $e #istur$e#, not e,en $% t+e &ourt /+i&+ ren#ere# t+em 9TaIa#a ,. Court of Appeals, !*7 SCRA 4!7:. 9CA Ce&ision p. 85 Rollo, p. *;: On t+e &ontrar%, /e rule t+at t+e =uestione# Or#ers #ate# Septem$er !7, !787 an# O&to$er (!, !7<. &annot $e&ome final as t+e% pertain to a &ontra&t for a &ontin'ent fee /+i&+ is al/a%s su$Fe&t to t+e super,ision of t+e Court /it+ re'ar# to its reasona$leness as une=ui,o&all% pro,i#e# in Se&tion !* of t+e Canons of -rofessional Et+i&s /+i&+ rea#s: !*. Contin'ent 6ees.O A &ontra&t for a &ontin'ent fee, /+ere san&tione# $% la/, s+oul# $e reasona$le un#er all t+e &ir&umstan&es of t+e &ase in&lu#in' t+e ris0 an# un&ertaint% of t+e &ompensation, $ut s+oul# al%ays$e su$Fe&t to t+e super,ision of a &ourt, as to its reasona$leness. 9Emp+asis supplie#:. T+ere is no #ispute in t+e instant &ase t+at t+e attorne%Hs fees &laime# $% t+e respon#ent la/%er are in t+e nature of a &ontin'ent fee. T+ere is not+in' irre'ular a$out t+e e3e&ution of a /ritten &ontra&t for professional ser,i&es e,en after t+e termination of a &ase as lon' as it is $ase# on a pre,ious a'reement on &ontin'ent fees $% t+e parties &on&erne# an# as lon' as t+e sai# &ontra&t #oes not &ontain stipulations /+i&+ are &ontrar% to la/, 'oo# morals, 'oo# &ustoms, pu$li& poli&% or pu$li& or#er. Alt+ou'+ t+e Contra&t for -rofessional Ser,i&es #ate# Au'ust *), !787 /as apparentl% ,oluntaril% si'ne# $% t+e late Aurelio Li&u#an for +imself an# on $e+alf of +is #au'+ter, petitioner Cristina Li&u#anCampos an# $% t+e petitioner >ilfre#o Li&u#an /+o $ot+ manifeste# in open &ourt t+at t+e% 'a,e t+eir free an# /illin' &onsent to t+e sai# &ontra&t /e &annot allo/ t+e sai# &ontra&t to stan# as t+e la/ $et/een t+e parties in,ol,e# &onsi#erin' t+at t+e rule t+at in t+e presen&e of a &ontra&t for professional ser,i&es #ul% e3e&ute# $% t+e parties t+ereto, t+e same $e&omes t+e la/ $et/een t+e sai# parties is not a$solute $ut a#mits an e3&eptionOt+at t+e stipulations t+erein are not &ontrar% to la/, 'oo# morals, 'oo# &ustoms, pu$li& poli&% or pu$li& or#er 9see -+ilippine Ameri&an Life Insuran&e Compan% ,. -ine#a, !8. SCRA 4!; !7<7"5 S%Fu&o ,. Court of Appeals, !8( SCRA !!! !7<7":.

Un#er Canon () of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%, a la/%er s+all &+ar'e onl% fair an# reasona$le fees. In #eterminin' /+et+er or not t+e la/%er fees are fair an# reasona$le, Rule ()-)! of t+e same Co#e enumerates t+e fa&tors to $e &onsi#ere# in resol,in' t+e sai# issue. T+e% are as follo/s: a: T+e time spent an# t+e e3tent of t+e ser,i&es ren#ere# or re=uire#5 $: T+e no,elt% an# #iffi&ult% of t+e =uestions in,ol,e#5 &: T+e importan&e of t+e su$Fe&t matter5 #: T+e s0ill #eman#e#5 e: T+e pro$a$ilit% of losin' ot+er emplo%ment as a result of a&&eptan&e of t+e proferre# &ase5 f: T+e &ustomar% &+ar'es for similar ser,i&es an# t+e s&+e#ule of fees of t+e IB- C+apter to /+i&+ +e $elon's5 ': T+e amount in,ol,e# in t+e &ontro,ers% an# t+e $enefits resultin' to t+e &lient from t+e ser,i&e5 +: T+e &ontin'en&% or &ertaint% of &ompensation5 i: T+e &+ara&ter of t+e emplo%ment, /+et+er o&&asional or esta$lis+e#5 an# F: T+e professional stan#in' of t+e la/%er. A similar pro,ision is &ontaine# un#er Se&tion (4, Rule !*< of t+e Re,ise# Rules of Court /+i&+ partl% states t+at: Se&. (4. Compensation o) attorneys5 agreement as to )ees. O An attorne% s+all $e entitle# to +a,e an# re&o,er from +is &lient no more t+an a reasona$le &ompensation for +is ser,i&es, /it+ a ,ie/ to t+e importan&e of t+e su$Fe&t matter of t+e &ontro,ers%, t+e e3tent of t+e ser,i&es ren#ere#, an# t+e professional stan#in' of t+e attorne%. . . . A /ritten &ontra&t for ser,i&es s+all &ontrol t+e amount to $e pai# t+erefor unless foun# $% t+e &ourt to $e un&ons&iona$le or unreasona$le. All t+at t+e respon#ent la/%er +an#le# for +is #e&ease# sister an# $rot+er-in-la/ /as a simple &ase of partition /+i&+ ne&essitate# no spe&ial s0ill nor an% unusual effort in its preparation. T+e su$se=uent &ase for re#emption /as a#mitte#l% $ut an offs+ot of t+e partition &ase. Consi#erin' t+e &lose $loo# an# affinal relations+ip $et/een t+e respon#ent la/%er an# +is &lients, t+ere is no #ou$t t+at Att%. Comalanta too0 a#,anta'e of t+e situation to promote +is o/n personal interests instea# of prote&tin' t+e le'al interests of +is &lients. A &areful perusal of t+e pro,isions of t+e &ontra&t for professional ser,i&es in =uestion rea#il% s+o/s t+at /+at t+e petitioners /on /as a p%rr+i& ,i&tor% on a&&ount of t+e fa&t t+at #espite t+e su&&essful turnout of t+e partition &ase, t+e% are no/ pra&ti&all% left /it+ not+in' of t+e /+ole su$Fe&t lot /on in t+e liti'ation. T+is is $e&ause asi#e from t+e !(!.. s=uare meters a/ar#e# to Att%. Comalanta as attorne%Hs fees, t+e sai# &ontra&t for professional ser,i&es pro,i#es t+at t+e remainin' portion s+all

pertain to t+e respon#ent la/%erHs son $% /a% of usufru&t for ten 9!): %ears. T+ere s+oul# ne,er $e an instan&e /+ere a la/%er 'ets as attorne%Hs fees t+e entire propert% in,ol,e# in t+e liti'ation. It is un&ons&iona$le for t+e ,i&tor in liti'ation to lose e,er%t+in' +e /on to t+e fees of +is o/n la/%er. T+e respon#ent la/%erHs ar'ument t+at it is not +e $ut +is son Teo#oro ?. Comalanta, Kr. /+o is &laimin' t+e usufru&tuar% ri'+t o,er t+e remainin' portion of t+e su$Fe&t lot is ina&&urate. T+e re&or#s s+o/ t+at t+e matter of usufru&t is tie# up /it+ t+is &ase sin&e t+e $asis for t+e sai# usufru&tuar% ri'+t is t+e &ontra&t for professional ser,i&es t+e reasona$leness of /+i&+ is $ein' =uestione# in t+is petition. >e fin# t+e ten-%ear usufru&t o,er t+e su$Fe&t lot part an# par&el of t+e attorne%Hs fees $ein' &laime# $% t+e respon#ent la/%er. In resol,in' t+e issue of reasona$leness of t+e attorne%Hs fees, /e up+ol# t+e time-+onoure# le'al ma3im t+at a la/%er s+all at all times up+ol# t+e inte'rit% an# #i'nit% of t+e le'al profession so t+at +is $asi& i#eal $e&omes one of ren#erin' ser,i&e an# se&urin' Fusti&e, not mone%-ma0in'. 6or t+e /orst s&enario t+at &an e,er +appen to a &lient is to lose t+e liti'ate# propert% to +is la/%er in /+om an trust an# &onfi#en&e /ere $esto/e# at t+e ,er% in&eption of t+e le'al &ontro,ers%. >e fin# t+e Contra&t for -rofessional Ser,i&es #ate# Au'ust *), !787, un&ons&iona$le an# unreasona$le. T+e amount of -(),))).)) as attorne%Hs fees, in lieu of t+e !(!.. s=uare meters a/ar#e# to t+e respon#ent la/%er an# t+e ten-%ear usufru&tuar% ri'+t o,er t+e remainin' portion of !.) s=uare meters $% t+e respon#ent la/%erHs son, is, in t+e opinion of t+is Court, &ommensurate to t+e ser,i&es ren#ere# $% Att%. Comalanta. >HERE6ORE, IN AIE> O6 THE 6OREBOINB, t+e instant petition is BRANTEC. T+e Court of AppealsH #e&ision of Septem$er !(, !7<7 is +ere$% REAERSEC an# SET ASICE. Att%. Comalanta is a/ar#e# reasona$le attorne%Hs fees in t+e amount of -(),))).)). SO ORCEREC. A.C. No. 01&/ Ma$ 26, 2&&0 ROSA2.MERCADO, +omplainant, vs. ATTY. "-(ITO D. 9ITRIO(O, .espondent. CECISION -UNO, J.: Rosa 6. ?er&a#o file# t+e instant a#ministrati,e &omplaint a'ainst Att%. Kulito C. Aitriolo, see0in' +is #is$arment from t+e pra&ti&e of la/. T+e &omplainant alle'e# t+at respon#ent mali&iousl% institute# a &riminal &ase for falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&ument a'ainst +er, a former &lient, $ase# on &onfi#ential information 'aine# from t+eir attorne%-&lient relations+ip. Let us first +ear0en to t+e fa&ts.

Complainant is a Senior E#u&ation -ro'ram Spe&ialist of t+e Stan#ar#s Ce,elopment Ci,ision, Offi&e of -ro'rams an# Stan#ar#s /+ile respon#ent is a Ceput% E3e&uti,e Cire&tor IA of t+e 9CHEC:. 1 ComplainantHs +us$an# file# Ci,il Case No. 4).*8 entitle# JRu$en B. ?er&a#o ,. Rosa C. 6ran&is&o,J for annulment of t+eir marria'e /it+ t+e Re'ional Trial Court 9RTC: of -asi' Cit%. T+is annulment &ase +a# $een #ismisse# $% t+e trial &ourt, an# t+e #ismissal $e&ame final an# e3e&utor% on Kul% !., !77(.2 In Au'ust !77(, Att%. Anasta&io -. #e Leon, &ounsel of &omplainant, #ie#. On 6e$ruar% 8, !774, respon#ent entere# +is appearan&e $efore t+e trial &ourt as &olla$oratin' &ounsel for &omplainant. 3 On ?ar&+ !;, !774, respon#ent file# +is Noti&e of Su$stitution of Counsel,4 informin' t+e RTC of -asi' Cit% t+at +e +as $een appointe# as &ounsel for t+e &omplainant, in su$stitution of Att%. #e Leon. It also appears t+at on April !*, !777, respon#ent file# a &riminal a&tion a'ainst &omplainant $efore t+e Offi&e of t+e Cit% -rose&utor, -asi' Cit%, entitle# JAtt%. Kulito Aitriolo, et al. ,. Rose Cela CruG 6. ?er&a#o,J an# #o&0ete# as I.S. No. -SB 77-7<(*, for ,iolation of Arti&les !8! an# !8( 9falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&ument: of t+e Re,ise# -enal Co#e.5 Respon#ent alle'e# t+at &omplainant ma#e false entries in t+e Certifi&ates of Li,e Birt+ of +er &+il#ren, An'eli&a an# Latel%n Anne. ?ore spe&ifi&all%, &omplainant alle'e#l% in#i&ate# in sai# Certifi&ates of Li,e Birt+ t+at s+e is marrie# to a &ertain 6er#inan# 6ernan#eG, an# t+at t+eir marria'e /as solemniGe# on April !!, !787, /+en in trut+, s+e is le'all% marrie# to Ru$en B. ?er&a#o an# t+eir marria'e too0 pla&e on April !!, !78<. Complainant #enie# t+e a&&usations of respon#ent a'ainst +er. S+e #enie# usin' an% ot+er name t+an JRosa 6. ?er&a#o.J S+e also insiste# t+at s+e +as 'otten marrie# onl% on&e, on April !!, !78<, to Ru$en B. ?er&a#o. In a##ition, &omplainant ?er&a#o &ite# ot+er &+ar'es a'ainst respon#ent t+at are pen#in' $efore or #e&i#e# upon $% ot+er tri$unals M 9!: li$el suit $efore t+e Offi&e of t+e Cit% -rose&utor, -asi' Cit%56 9(: a#ministrati,e &ase for #is+onest%, 'ra,e mis&on#u&t, &on#u&t preFu#i&ial to t+e $est interest of t+e ser,i&e, pursuit of pri,ate $usiness, ,o&ation or profession /it+out t+e permission re=uire# $% Ci,il Ser,i&e rules an# re'ulations, an# ,iolations of t+e JAnti-Braft an# Corrupt -ra&ti&es A&t,J $efore t+e t+en -resi#ential Commission A'ainst Braft an# Corruption5 7 9*: &omplaint for #is+onest%, 'ra,e mis&on#u&t, an# &on#u&t preFu#i&ial to t+e $est interest of t+e ser,i&e $efore t+e Offi&e of t+e Om$u#sman, /+ere +e /as foun# 'uilt% of mis&on#u&t an# mete# out t+e penalt% of one mont+ suspension /it+out pa%5 8 an#, 94: t+e Information for ,iolation of Se&tion 89$:9(: of Repu$li& A&t No. ;8!*, as amen#e#, ot+er/ise

0no/n as t+e Co#e of Con#u&t an# Et+i&al Stan#ar#s for -u$li& Offi&ials an# Emplo%ees $efore t+e San#i'an$a%an.9 Complainant ?er&a#o alle'e# t+at sai# &riminal &omplaint for falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&ument 9I.S. No. -SB 77-7<(*: #is&lose# &onfi#ential fa&ts an# information relatin' to t+e &i,il &ase for annulment, t+en +an#le# $% respon#ent Aitriolo as +er &ounsel. T+is prompte# &omplainant ?er&a#o to $rin' t+is a&tion a'ainst respon#ent. S+e &laims t+at, in filin' t+e &riminal &ase for falsifi&ation, respon#ent is 'uilt% of $rea&+in' t+eir pri,ile'e# an# &onfi#ential la/%er-&lient relations+ip, an# s+oul# $e #is$arre#. Respon#ent file# +is CommentN?otion to Cismiss on No,em$er *, !777 /+ere +e alle'e# t+at t+e &omplaint for #is$arment /as all +earsa%, mislea#in' an# irrele,ant $e&ause all t+e alle'ations le,ele# a'ainst +im are su$Fe&t of separate fa&t-fin#in' $o#ies. Respon#ent &laime# t+at t+e pen#in' &ases a'ainst +im are not 'roun#s for #is$arment, an# t+at +e is presume# to $e inno&ent until pro,en ot+er/ise.10 He also states t+at t+e #e&ision of t+e Om$u#sman fin#in' +im 'uilt% of mis&on#u&t an# imposin' upon +im t+e penalt% of suspension for one mont+ /it+out pa% is on appeal /it+ t+e Court of Appeals. He a##s t+at +e /as foun# 'uilt%, onl% of simple mis&on#u&t, /+i&+ +e &ommitte# in 'oo# fait+.11 In a##ition, respon#ent maintains t+at +is filin' of t+e &riminal &omplaint for falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&uments a'ainst &omplainant #oes not ,iolate t+e rule on pri,ile'e# &ommuni&ation $et/een attorne% an# &lient $e&ause t+e $ases of t+e falsifi&ation &ase are t/o &ertifi&ates of li,e $irt+ /+i&+ are pu$li& #o&uments an# in no /a% &onne&te# /it+ t+e &onfi#en&e ta0en #urin' t+e en'a'ement of respon#ent as &ounsel. A&&or#in' to respon#ent, t+e &omplainant &onfi#e# to +im as t+en &ounsel onl% matters of fa&ts relatin' to t+e annulment &ase. Not+in' /as sai# a$out t+e alle'e# falsifi&ation of t+e entries in t+e $irt+ &ertifi&ates of +er t/o #au'+ters. T+e $irt+ &ertifi&ates are file# in t+e Re&or#s Ci,ision of CHEC an# are a&&essi$le to an%one.12 In a Resolution #ate# 6e$ruar% 7, ())), t+is Court referre# t+e a#ministrati,e &ase to t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9IB-: for in,esti'ation, report an# re&ommen#ation.13 T+e IB- Commission on Bar Cis&ipline set t/o #ates for +earin' $ut &omplainant faile# to appear in $ot+. In,esti'atin' Commissioner Rosalina R. Catiles t+us 'rante# respon#entHs motion to file +is memoran#um, an# t+e &ase /as su$mitte# for resolution $ase# on t+e plea#in's su$mitte# $% t+e parties.14 On Kune (!, ())*, t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors appro,e# t+e report of in,esti'atin' &ommissioner Catiles, fin#in' t+e respon#ent 'uilt% of ,iolatin' t+e rule on pri,ile'e# &ommuni&ation $et/een attorne% an# &lient, an# re&ommen#in' +is suspension from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for one 9!: %ear.

On Au'ust ;, ())*, &omplainant, upon re&ei,in' a &op% of t+e IBreport an# re&ommen#ation, /rote C+ief Kusti&e Hilario Ca,i#e, Kr., a letter of #esistan&e. S+e state# t+at after t+e passa'e of so man% %ears, s+e +as no/ foun# for'i,eness for t+ose /+o +a,e /ron'e# +er. At t+e outset, /e stress t+at /e s+all not in=uire into t+e merits of t+e ,arious &riminal an# a#ministrati,e &ases file# a'ainst respon#ent. It is t+e #ut% of t+e tri$unals /+ere t+ese &ases are pen#in' to #etermine t+e 'uilt or inno&en&e of t+e respon#ent. >e also emp+asiGe t+at t+e Court is not $oun# $% an% /it+#ra/al of t+e &omplaint or #esistan&e $% t+e &omplainant. T+e letter of &omplainant to t+e C+ief Kusti&e impartin' for'i,eness upon respon#ent is in&onse=uential in #is$arment pro&ee#in's. >e no/ resol,e /+et+er respon#ent ,iolate# t+e rule on pri,ile'e# &ommuni&ation $et/een attorne% an# &lient /+en +e file# a &riminal &ase for falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&ument a'ainst +is former &lient. A $rief #is&ussion of t+e nature of t+e relations+ip $et/een attorne% an# &lient an# t+e rule on attorne%-&lient pri,ile'e t+at is #esi'ne# to prote&t su&+ relation is in or#er. In en'a'in' t+e ser,i&es of an attorne%, t+e &lient reposes on +im spe&ial po/ers of trust an# &onfi#en&e. T+eir relations+ip is stri&tl% personal an# +i'+l% &onfi#ential an# fi#u&iar%. T+e relation is of su&+ #eli&ate, e3a&tin' an# &onfi#ential nature t+at is re=uire# $% ne&essit% an# pu$li& interest.15 Onl% $% su&+ &onfi#entialit% an# prote&tion /ill a person $e en&oura'e# to repose +is &onfi#en&e in an attorne%. T+e +%pot+esis is t+at a$stinen&e from see0in' le'al a#,i&e in a 'oo# &ause is an e,il /+i&+ is fatal to t+e a#ministration of Fusti&e.16 T+us, t+e preser,ation an# prote&tion of t+at relation /ill en&oura'e a &lient to entrust +is le'al pro$lems to an attorne%, /+i&+ is of paramount importan&e to t+e a#ministration of Fusti&e. 17 One rule a#opte# to ser,e t+is purpose is t+e attorne%-&lient pri,ile'e: an attorne% is to 0eep in,iolate +is &lientHs se&rets or &onfi#en&e an# not to a$use t+em.18 T+us, t+e #ut% of a la/%er to preser,e +is &lientHs se&rets an# &onfi#en&e outlasts t+e termination of t+e attorne%-&lient relations+ip,19 an# &ontinues e,en after t+e &lientHs #eat+. 20 It is t+e 'lor% of t+e le'al profession t+at its fi#elit% to its &lient &an $e #epen#e# on, an# t+at a man ma% safel% 'o to a la/%er an# &on,erse /it+ +im upon +is ri'+ts or suppose# ri'+ts in an% liti'ation /it+ a$solute assuran&e t+at t+e la/%erHs ton'ue is tie# from e,er #is&losin' it.21 >it+ full #is&losure of t+e fa&ts of t+e &ase $% t+e &lient to +is attorne%, a#e=uate le'al representation /ill result in t+e as&ertainment an# enfor&ement of ri'+ts or t+e prose&ution or #efense of t+e &lientHs &ause. No/, /e 'o to t+e rule on attorne%-&lient pri,ile'e. Cean >i'more &ites t+e fa&tors essential to esta$lis+ t+e e3isten&e of t+e pri,ile'e, vi/:

9!: >+ere le'al a#,i&e of an% 0in# is sou'+t 9(: from a professional le'al a#,iser in +is &apa&it% as su&+, 9*: t+e &ommuni&ations relatin' to t+at purpose, 94: ma#e in &onfi#en&e 9.: $% t+e &lient, 9;: are at +is instan&e permanentl% prote&te# 98: from #is&losure $% +imself or $% t+e le'al a#,isor, 9<: e3&ept t+e prote&tion $e /ai,e#. 22 In fine, t+e fa&tors are as follo/s: 9!: T+ere e3ists an attorne%-&lient relations+ip, or a prospe&ti,e attorne%-&lient relations+ip, an# it is $% reason of t+is relations+ip t+at t+e &lient ma#e t+e &ommuni&ation. ?atters #is&lose# $% a prospe&ti,e &lient to a la/%er are prote&te# $% t+e rule on pri,ile'e# &ommuni&ation e,en if t+e prospe&ti,e &lient #oes not t+ereafter retain t+e la/%er or t+e latter #e&lines t+e emplo%ment.23 T+e reason for t+is is to ma0e t+e prospe&ti,e &lient free to #is&uss /+ate,er +e /is+es /it+ t+e la/%er /it+out fear t+at /+at +e tells t+e la/%er /ill $e #i,ul'e# or use# a'ainst +im, an# for t+e la/%er to $e e=uall% free to o$tain information from t+e prospe&ti,e &lient.24 On t+e ot+er +an#, a &ommuni&ation from a 9prospe&ti,e: &lient to a la/%er for some purpose ot+er t+an on a&&ount of t+e 9prospe&ti,e: attorne%-&lient relation is not pri,ile'e#. Instru&ti,e is t+e &ase of -flei#er ,. -alan&a,25 /+ere t+e &lient an# +is /ife lease# to t+eir attorne% a !,*(<-+e&tare a'ri&ultural lan# for a perio# of ten %ears. In t+eir &ontra&t, t+e parties a'ree#, amon' ot+ers, t+at a spe&ifie# portion of t+e lease rentals /oul# $e pai# to t+e &lient-lessors, an# t+e remain#er /oul# $e #eli,ere# $% &ounsel-lessee to &lientHs liste# &re#itors. T+e &lient alle'e# t+at t+e list of &re#itors /+i&+ +e +a# J&onfi#entiall%J supplie# &ounsel for t+e purpose of &arr%in' out t+e terms of pa%ment &ontaine# in t+e lease &ontra&t /as #is&lose# $% &ounsel, in ,iolation of t+eir la/%er-&lient relation, to parties /+ose interests are a#,erse to t+ose of t+e &lient. As t+e &lient +imself, +o/e,er, states, in t+e e3e&ution of t+e terms of t+e aforesai# lease &ontra&t $et/een t+e parties, +e furnis+e# &ounsel /it+ t+e J&onfi#entialJ list of +is &re#itors. >e rule# t+at t+is in#i&ates t+at &lient #eli,ere# t+e list of +is &re#itors to &ounsel not $e&ause of t+e professional relation t+en e3istin' $et/een t+em, $ut on a&&ount of t+e lease a'reement. >e t+en +el# t+at a ,iolation of t+e &onfi#en&e t+at a&&ompanie# t+e #eli,er% of t+at list /oul# parta0e more of a pri,ate an# &i,il /ron' t+an of a $rea&+ of t+e fi#elit% o/in' from a la/%er to +is &lient. 9(: T+e &lient ma#e t+e &ommuni&ation in &onfi#en&e. T+e mere relation of attorne% an# &lient #oes not raise a presumption of &onfi#entialit%.26 T+e &lient must inten# t+e &ommuni&ation to $e &onfi#ential.27 A &onfi#ential &ommuni&ation refers to information transmitte# $% ,oluntar% a&t of #is&losure $et/een attorne% an# &lient in &onfi#en&e an# $% means /+i&+, so far as t+e &lient is a/are, #is&loses t+e

information to no t+ir# person ot+er t+an one reasona$l% ne&essar% for t+e transmission of t+e information or t+e a&&omplis+ment of t+e purpose for /+i&+ it /as 'i,en.28 Our Furispru#en&e on t+e matter rests on =uies&ent 'roun#. T+us, a &ompromise a'reement prepare# $% a la/%er pursuant to t+e instru&tion of +is &lient an# #eli,ere# to t+e opposin' part%, 29 an offer an# &ounter-offer for settlement,30 or a #o&ument 'i,en $% a &lient to +is &ounsel not in +is professional &apa&it%, 31 are not pri,ile'e# &ommuni&ations, t+e element of &onfi#entialit% not $ein' present. 32 9*: T+e le'al a#,i&e must $e sou'+t from t+e attorne% in +is professional &apa&it%.33 T+e &ommuni&ation ma#e $% a &lient to +is attorne% must not $e inten#e# for mere information, $ut for t+e purpose of see0in' le'al a#,i&e from +is attorne% as to +is ri'+ts or o$li'ations. T+e &ommuni&ation must +a,e $een transmitte# $% a &lient to +is attorne% for t+e purpose of see0in' le'al a#,i&e.34 If t+e &lient see0s an a&&ountin' ser,i&e, 35 or $usiness or personal assistan&e,36 an# not le'al a#,i&e, t+e pri,ile'e #oes not atta&+ to a &ommuni&ation #is&lose# for su&+ purpose. Appl%in' all t+ese rules to t+e &ase at $ar, /e +ol# t+at t+e e,i#en&e on re&or# fails to su$stantiate &omplainantHs alle'ations. >e note t+at &omplainant #i# not e,en spe&if% t+e alle'e# &ommuni&ation in &onfi#en&e #is&lose# $% respon#ent. All +er &laims /ere &ou&+e# in 'eneral terms an# la&0e# spe&ifi&it%. S+e &onten#s t+at respon#ent ,iolate# t+e rule on pri,ile'e# &ommuni&ation /+en +e institute# a &riminal a&tion a'ainst +er for falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&uments $e&ause t+e &riminal &omplaint #is&lose# fa&ts relatin' to t+e &i,il &ase for annulment t+en +an#le# $% respon#ent. S+e #i# not, +o/e,er, spell out t+ese fa&ts /+i&+ /ill #etermine t+e merit of +er &omplaint. T+e Court &annot $e in,ol,e# in a 'uessin' 'ame as to t+e e3isten&e of fa&ts /+i&+ t+e &omplainant must pro,e. In#ee#, &omplainant faile# to atten# t+e +earin's at t+e IB-. >it+out an% testimon% from t+e &omplainant as to t+e spe&ifi& &onfi#ential information alle'e#l% #i,ul'e# $% respon#ent /it+out +er &onsent, it is #iffi&ult, if not impossi$le to #etermine if t+ere /as an% ,iolation of t+e rule on pri,ile'e# &ommuni&ation. Su&+ &onfi#ential information is a &ru&ial lin0 in esta$lis+in' a $rea&+ of t+e rule on pri,ile'e# &ommuni&ation $et/een attorne% an# &lient. It is not enou'+ to merel% assert t+e attorne%-&lient pri,ile'e. 37 T+e $ur#en of pro,in' t+at t+e pri,ile'e applies is pla&e# upon t+e part% assertin' t+e pri,ile'e.38 IN AIE> >HEREO6, t+e &omplaint a'ainst respon#ent Att%. Kulito C. Aitriolo is +ere$% CIS?ISSEC for la&0 of merit. SO ORCEREC.

A.C. No. %!'0 O+to=e. 2, 1 0 CYNTHIA3.ROSACIA, +omplainant, vs. ATTY. 3EN"AMIN 3. 3-(A(ACAO, .espondent. RESOLUTION 6RANCISCO, J.D Complainant C%nt+ia B. Rosa&ia, presi#ent of Ta&ma, -+ils., In&., a #ul% re'istere# &orporation, file# a &omplaint for #is$arment #ate# O&to$er (., !77!, a'ainst +erein respon#ent Att%. BenFamin B. Bulala&ao. A&tin' on t+e &omplaint, t+e Court in a resolution #ate# 6e$ruar% (4, !77(, resol,e# to refer t+e &ase to t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9IB-: for in,esti'ation, report an# re&ommen#ation. Commissioner Ai&tor C. 6ernan#eG, t+e IB- in,esti'atin' &ommissioner, foun# t+at respon#ent $rea&+e# +is oat+ of offi&e an# a&&or#in'l% re&ommen#e# respon#entHs suspension from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for t+ree 9*: mont+s. ! In a resolution #ate# Kul% *), !774, t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors resol,e# to a#opt an# appro,e t+e &ommissionerHs report an# re&ommen#ation. ( As foun# $% t+e IB-, t+e un#ispute# fa&ts are as follo/s: On Kune !, !77), $% ,irtue of a /ritten A'reement 9E3+. J*-aJ:, respon#ent Att%. BenFamin B. Bulala&ao /as +ire# as retaine# &ounsel of a &orporation $% t+e name of Ta&ma -+ils., In&. On O&to$er *!, !77), t+e la/%er-&lient relations+ip $et/een t+e respon#ent an# Ta&ma -+ils., In&. /as se,ere# as s+o/n $% anot+er a'reement of e,en #ate 9E3+. J*-$J:. On Kul%, !77!, or after almost nine 97: mont+s from t+e #ate respon#entHs retainer a'reement /it+ Ta&ma, -+ils., In&. /as terminate#, se,eral emplo%ees of t+e &orporation &onsulte# t+e respon#ent for t+e purpose of filin' an a&tion for ille'al #ismissal. T+ereafter, +e a'ree# to +an#le t+e &ase for t+e sai# emplo%ees as a'ainst Ta&ma, -+ils., In&. $% filin' a &omplaint $efore t+e National La$or Relations Commission, an# appearin' in t+eir $e+alf. * T+e sole issue to $e a##resse# is /+et+er or not respon#ent $rea&+e# +is oat+ of offi&e for representin' t+e emplo%ees of +is former &lient, Ta&ma, -+ils., In&., after t+e termination of t+eir attorne%-&lient relations+ip. >e a'ree /it+ t+e fin#in's of t+e IBt+at respon#ent $rea&+e# +is oat+ of offi&e. Respon#ent #oes not no/ #ispute t+is. In fa&t, in +is motion for re&onsi#eration, respon#ent a#mitte# t+at +e J#i# &ommit an a&t $or#erin' on 'ra,e mis&on#u&t, if not outri'+t ,iolation of +is attorne%Hs oat+J. 4 Ho/e,er, respon#ent is plea#in' for t+e CourtHs &ompassion an# lenien&% to re#u&e t+e IB- re&ommen#e# t+ree mont+s suspension to eit+er fine or a#monition /it+ t+e follo/in' proffere# 'roun#s: t+at +e is relati,el% ne/ in t+e profession +a,in' $een a#mitte# to t+e -+ilippine Bar on April !), !77) at t+e a'e of 4; /+en t+e &omplaine# &on#u&t /as &ommitte# on Au'ust !77!5 t+at +e is of +um$le $e'innin's an# +is suspension /ill #epri,e +is famil% of its

onl% sour&e of li,eli+oo# +e $ein' t+e sole $rea# /inner in t+e famil%5 t+at +e +as full% realiGe# +is mista0e an# t+e 'ra,it% of +is offense for /+i&+ +e is full% repentant5 t+at +e +as se,ere# +is attorne%-&lient relations+ip /it+ t+e emplo%ees of Ta&ma, -+ils., In&. $% in+i$itin' +imself an# /it+#ra/in' +is appearan&e as &ounsel in t+e la$or &ase a'ainst Ta&ma, -+ils., In&.5 an# t+at +e ple#'es not to &ommit t+e same mista0e an# to +en&efort+ stri&tl% a#+ere to t+e professional stan#ar#s set fort+ $% t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%. T+e Court reiterates t+at an attorne% o/es lo%alt% to +is &lient not onl% in t+e &ase in /+i&+ +e +as represente# +im $ut also after t+e relation of attorne% an# &lient +as terminate# as it is not 'oo# pra&ti&e to permit +im after/ar#s to #efen# in anot+er &ase ot+er person a'ainst +is former &lient un#er t+e prete3t t+at t+e &ase is #istin&t from, an# in#epen#ent of t+e former &ase. . It $e+oo,es respon#ent not onl% to 0eep in,iolate t+e &lientHs &onfi#en&e, $ut also to a,oi# t+e appearan&e of trea&+er% an# #ou$le #ealin' for onl% t+en &an liti'ants $e en&oura'e# to entrust t+eir se&rets to t+eir attorne%s /+i&+ is of paramount importan&e in t+e a#ministration of Fusti&e. ; T+e relation of attorne% an# &lient is one of &onfi#en&e an# trust in t+e +i'+est #e'ree. 8 A la/%er o/es fi#elit% to t+e &ause of +is &lient an# +e ou'+t to $e min#ful of t+e trust an# &onfi#en&e repose# in +im. < An attorne% not onl% $e&omes familiar /it+ all t+e fa&ts &onne&te# /it+ +is &lientHs &ause, $ut also learns from +is &lient t+e /ea0 an# stron' points of t+e &ase. No opportunit% must $e 'i,en attorne%s to ta0e a#,anta'e of t+e se&rets of &lients o$taine# /+ile t+e &onfi#ential relation of attorne% an# &lient e3ists. Ot+er/ise, t+e le'al profession /ill suffer $% t+e loss of t+e &onfi#en&e of t+e people. 7 Respon#entHs plea for lenien&% &annot $e 'rante#. >e note t+at respon#ent is ne/ in t+e profession as +e /as Fust a#mitte# to t+e -+ilippine Bar on April !), !77), /+en t+e $rea&+ of +is oat+ of offi&e o&&urre# more t+an a %ear after. Ha,in' Fust +ur#le# t+e $ar e3aminations /+i&+ in&lu#e# an e3amination in le'al et+i&s, surel% t+e pre&epts of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% to 0eep in,iolate t+e &lientHs trust an# &onfi#en&e e,en after t+e attorne%&lient relation is terminate# !) must +a,e $een still fres+ in +is min#. A la/%er startin' to esta$lis+ +is stature in t+e le'al profession must start ri'+t an# #utifull% a$i#e $% t+e norms of &on#u&t of t+e profession. T+is /ill inelu&ta$l% re#oun# to +is $enefit an# to t+e upliftment of t+e le'al profession as /ell. ACCORCINBL2, respon#ent is +ere$% SUS-ENCEC from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for t+ree mont+s. Let t+is resolution $e atta&+e# to respon#entHs re&or# in t+e Offi&e of t+e Bar Confi#ant an# &opies t+ereof furnis+e# to all &ourts an# to t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines.

1A.C. No. 01&0. A#>#st 12, 1 5 2ERNANDO SA(ON,A, complainant, vs. ATTY. ISIDRO T. HI(DA8A, respondent. CECISION AITUB, J.: In an affi#a,it-&omplaint, #ate# (7 ?ar&+ !77;, 6ernan#o Salon'a, -resi#ent of Si0ap at Ti%a'a Ala$an' Aen#ors Asso&iation, In&. 9DSTAAAE:, of ?untinlupa Cit%, &+ar'e# Att%. Isi#ro T. Hil#a/a /it+ 'ross mis&on#u&t an#Nor #e&eit. Complainant a,erre# t+at respon#ent la/%er /as a retaine# &ounsel of STAAA for a num$er of %ears an#, in Ce&em$er !77*, represente# t+e asso&iation in Ci,il Cases No. (4);, No. (4!* an# No. (4!;, for eFe&tment a'ainst, respe&ti,el% , Lin#a Cel Rosario, An'elita ?anuel an# 6ran&is&o Ae'a, all stall+ol#ers at t+e Ala$an' mar0et, $efore t+e ?uni&ipal Trial Court of ?untinlupa. T+e #efen#ants #eposite# t+e a&&rue# rentals /it+ t+e &ourt. On !4 No,em$er !774, respon#ent la/%er file# a motion to /it+#ra/ t+e #eposit5 t+us: DKOINT ?OTION TO >ITHCRA> CE-OSIT DCounsel for &omplainant, unto t+is Honora$le Court, most respe&tfull% manifest: D!. T+at, #efen#ants-appellants Lin#a #el Rosario, An'elita ?anuel an# 6ran&is&o Ae'a ma#e t+eir #eposit of a&&rue# rentals on t+eir stalls up to O&to$er !., !774, as follo/s: a. Lin#a #el Rosario --(4,44).;) $. An'elita ?anuel -4;,4*;.;) &. 6ran&is&o Ae'a -**,;;;.;) Total --!)4,.4*.<) D(. T+at, plaintiff is entitle# to su&+ #eposits ma#e $% t+e appellants in or#er to pa% its o$li'ation /it+ t+e &ooperati,e /+i&+ 'rante# t+e &on&ession to t+e transient area for t+e plaintiff to operate5 D*. T+at, &ounsel for t+e appellants re'ister no o$Fe&tion to su&+ /it+#ra/al as s+o/n $% +is &onformit% to t+e +erein motion. D>+erefore, it is pra%e# of t+is Honora$le Court t+at plaintiff $e aut+oriGe# to /it+#ra/ t+e &orrespon#in' amounts #eposite# $% t+e #efen#ants in t+e a$o,e-entitle# &ases. DRES-ECT6ULL2 SUB?ITTEC. DNo,em$er !4, !774. D?ALATI for ?untinlupa. DHILCA>A R BO?EQ W*4<4 Ben. Lu&$an St., &or. Sout+ Super+i'+/a%, ?a0ati, ?etro ?anila B%: D9S'#.: ISICRO T. HILCA>A -TR NO. 74(<<;< N !-(!-74 N ?untinlupa IB- NO. *488(8 N .-);-74 N ?a0ati >it+ ?% Conformit%:

9S'#.: Att%. -ATRICIO L. BONCA2AO, KR. (n# 6lr. Cattle%a Commer&ial National Roa#, Ala$an'E[1] Respon#ent la/%er issue# a re&eipt, #ate# )7 Ce&em$er !774, t+at a&0no/le#'e# +is +a,in' re&ei,e# t+e /it+#ra/n #eposit of -!)4,.4*.<). Complainant alle'e# t+at STAAA /as not informe# of t+e filin' of t+e motion nor #i# it aut+oriGe Att%. Hil#a/a to /it+#ra/ t+e amount. Cespite repeate# #eman#s, respon#ent la/%er refuse# to turn o,er t+e /it+#ra/n sum to STAAA. To ma0e matters e,en /orse, a##e# t+e &omplainant, Att%. Hil#a/a appeare# as &ounsel for Lilusan' Ba%an n' m'a ?a'titin#a sa -amili+an' Ba%an n' ?untinlupa 9DLB?B-?E:, an opponent of STAAA in Ci,il Case No. 7.-!7(, for InFun&tion /it+ Ur'ent -ra%er for Restrainin' Or#er, $efore Bran&+ (8; of t+e Re'ional Trial Court of ?untinlupa. E,entuall%, t+e RTC, a&tin' on a motion to #is=ualif% respon#ent in sai# &ase, #ire&te#, in its or#er of (; Ce&em$er !77., t+e latter Dto /it+#ra/ from t+e &ase an# a,oi# &ommittin' an unet+i&al &on#u&t.E[2] In +is ans/er to t+e &omplaint, Att%. Hil#a/a &ountere# t+at &omplainant /as full% a/are of t+e /it+#ra/al of t+e rental in arrears #eposite# $% t+e #efen#ants in t+e eFe&tment &ases an# t+at &omplainant, on se,eral o&&asions, e,en a&&ompanie# +im in follo/in' up t+e release of t+e mone%. He sai# +e #i# not turn o,er t+e amount /it+#ra/n to &omplainant sin&e Salon'a /as t+en on lea,e5 instea# +e +an#e# o,er, on !) Ce&em$er !774, t+e sum to Colores Ka,inar, t+e treasurer of t+e asso&iation, /+o issue# t+e &orrespon#in' re&eipt t+erefor. In +is repl%, Salon'a #is&laime# t+e suppose# turn-o,er of t+e mone% to Ka,inar an# t+e alle'ation t+at +e /as on lea,e of a$sen&e. T+is Court referre# t+e &ase to t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9DIB-E: for in,esti'ation, report an# re&ommen#ation. In a resolution, #ate# !* ?ar&+ !77<, t+e Commission on Bar Cis&ipline, t+rou'+ Commissioner Renato B. Cunanan, foun# respon#ent 'uilt% of ,iolation of Canons !; an# (! of t+e &o#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% an# re&ommen#e# t+at +e $e suspen#e# for one %ear from t+e pra&ti&e of la/. On (. April !77<, t+e IBBoar# of Bo,ernors, in its Resolution NO. @III-7<-8(, resol,e# to a#opt an# appro,e t+e re&ommen#ation of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner. Soon after re&ei,in' a &op% of t+e a$o,e-num$ere# resolution, respon#ent re,erte# to IB- see0in' a re&onsi#eration of its resolution onl% to $e t+ereupon informe# t+at t+e &ase +a# alrea#% $een for/ar#e# to t+is Court. Respon#ent su$mitte# to t+e Court a memoran#um, #ate# ). Au'ust !77<, asse,eratin' t+at t+e fin#in's of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner /ere &ontrar% to t+e e,i#en&e on

re&or#. He &ite# t+e resolution of t+e STAAA Boar# of Trustees, #ate# *) O&to$er !774, t+at rea#: DLATITILAN NB -ULONB NB BOARC O6 TRUSTEES NB SILA- AT TI2ABA ALABANB AENCORS ASSOCIATION, INC. Binanap noon' i0a-*) n' O0tu$re, !774 sa Tan''apan nito sa Ala$an' ?'a Cumalo: -resi#ent 6ernan#o Salon'a E3e&uti,e Ai&e--res. Tirso Sapar A- Internal Comin'o Sila,a A- Se&urit% Leonar#o Bumapos Au#itor Un#o Cipriano Hin#i Cumalo: A- E3ternal Aser Are,alo Treasurer Colores Ka,inar -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------DUnan' tinala0a% sa pa'pupulon' an# 0aa%usan n' sama+an at m'a #apat tup#in n' m'a 0asapi $ilan' 0anilan' tun'0ulin sa sama+an at sa lu'ar na 0anilan' pina'titin#a+an. An' 0alinisan a% pina'tutuunan n' pansin. DBa'ama1t Xon-lea,e1 an' pan'ulo natin, sa 0a+ala'a+an n' pina'uusapan si%a a% narito sa pa'pupulon'. DTinala0a% an' +in#i pa'$a$a%a# n' ?ar0et 6ee at 'amit ele&tri&al n' !! #atin' mi%em$ro n' STAAA na tu/iran' na'$a$a%a# n'a%on sa 0ooperati$a. Ca+il #ito a% na/a/alan n' -4.).)) +an''an' -.)).)) an' sama+an san'-a%on sa ta%a n' pan'ulo. DCa+il #ito, $ini'%an n' 0arapatan an' a$o'a#o n' sama+an na isaa%os an' #apat na +a0$an'in' le'al upan' mali0om an' salapi para sa STAAA upan' ma0atu'on ito sa $a%arin sa LB?B?- at sa i$a pan' pa'0a0a'astusan sa +ina+arap na o0as%on. D?a%roon' pa'-uusap upan' /a0asan an' usapin na i#inulo' n' STAAA la$an sa Looperati$a sapa'0at sa #i/a n' ma'an#an' pa'0a0auna/aan at ma$utin' sama+an, nais n' ipa'0aloo$ n' Looperati$a an' +ini+in'i n' STAAA na la'%an n' +an''anan an' lu'ar na an' m'a miem$ro n' STAAA an' si%a laman' ma'titin#a sa +ala'an' itata0#a n' $a/a1t pani'. DCito tumin#i' si Ester Cal#e at ipina$ati# sa 0apulun'an na si%a a% 0inausap n' Ben. ?ana'er n' Looperati$a at tinatanon' 0un' maari #a/ a% +u/a' n' paalisin an' la$in'-isan' 9!!: tumi/ala' sa STAAA. DTinala0a% n' pamunuan an' $a'a% na ito at an' la+at a% na'0a0aisa sa 0anilan' paninin#i'an na #apat laman' pala%asin an' la+at n' ta0sil at ana% n' sama+an upan' mai/asan an' +in#i pa'0a0auna/aan at tulo% ma'in' aral na #in sa i$a pa.

DIsinuno# na tinala0a% an' m'a X$alim$in'1 o na'#a#ala/an' mu0+a at inatasan na $umuo n' 0ommitte tun'0ol #ito upan' ma$ati# 0un' sino-sino an' m'a ito at malapatan n' 0au0ulan' lunas. DSa ano man' Compromise A'reement na 'a'a/in, +in#i #apat puma%a' na manatili pa an' m'a ta0sil sa STAAA at an' 0ooperati$a an' si%an' ma'$i$i'a% sa 0anila n' lu'ar sa alin man' parte n' palen'0e n'unit +in#i sa Transient Area. DAn' pa'pupulon' a% itinin#i' sa 'anap na i0a-(:)) n' +apon. 9S'#.: 9S'#.: 6ernan#o Salon'a Tirso Sapar -resi#ent E3e&uti,e Ai&e--resi#ent 9S'#.: 9S'#.: Comin'o Sila,a Leonar#o Bumapos A- Internal A- Se&urit% 9S'#.: Respon#ent li0e/ise sou'+t to ma0e t+e &larifi&ation t+at +is ser,i&es as &ounsel of STAAA /ere alrea#% terminate# in 6e$ruar% !77., lon' $efore +e appeare# as &ounsel for LB?B-? in Ce&em$er !77.. After a &lose re,ie/ of t+e re&or#s, t+e Court is in&line# to partiall% 'rant t+e motion for re&onsi#eration su$mitte# $% respon#ent. T+e $asis of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner for fin#in' respon#ent la/%er to +a,e ,iolate# Canon !;[4] /as t+e suppose# a#mission of Att%. Hil#a/a t+at +e /it+#re/ t+e amount of -!)4,.4*.<) for STAAA. T+is fa&t, +o/e,er, /as ne,er #enie# $% Att%. Hil#a/a. It /oul# appear t+at t+e real fo&us s+oul# +a,e $een t+en on t+e issue of /+et+er or not t+e /it+#ra/al of t+e #eposit $% respon#ent +a# t+e &lient1s aut+orit%. Apparentl%, +e #i# +a,e t+at aut+orit% un#er t+e resolution, #ate# *) O&to$er !774, of t+e Boar# of Trustees of STAAA. T+e resolution, in part /as to t+e follo/in' effe&t: DCa+il #ito, $ini'%an n' 0arapatan an' a$o'a#o n' sama+an na isaa%os an' #apat na +a0$an'in' le'al upan' mali0om an' salapi para sa STAAA upan' ma0atu'on ito sa $a%arin sa LB?B-? at sa i$a pan' pa'0a0a'astusan sa +ina+arap na o0as%on.E[5] One of t+e si'natories of t+e resolution /as &omplainant 6ernan#o Salon'a +imself. Att%. Hil#a/a #i# not 0eep t+e mone% $ut turne# it o,er on !) Ce&em$er !774, or Fust one #a% after re&ei,in' it 9on )7 Ce&em$er !774:, to Colores Ka,inar, t+e STAAA treasurer, /+o issue# a &orrespon#in' re&eipt t+erefor. >+at t+e treasurer or STAAA mi'+t +a,e #one t+ereafter /it+ t+e fun#s /as no &on&ern of respon#ent &ounsel. T+e Court a'rees /it+ t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner, +o/e,er, t+at respon#ent la/%er +as trans'resse# Canon (! /+i&+ re=uires a la/%er to preser,e t+e &onfi#en&es an# se&rets of +is &lient e,en after t+e attorne%-&lient relation &eases, a man#ate t+at +e +as pla&e# in possi$le Feopar#% $% a'reein' to appear as &ounsel for a

part% +is &lient +as pre,iousl% &onten#e# /it+ in a &ase similarl% in,ol,in' sai# parties. >HERE6ORE, t+e Court ABSOLAES Att%. Isi#ro T. Hil#a/a from t+e &+ar'e of +a,in' ,iolate# +is o$li'ation to +ol# in trust t+e fun#s of +is &lient $ut RE-RI?ANCS +im for +a,in' pla&e# at ris0 +is o$li'ation of preser,in' t+e &onfi#entialit% relations+ip /it+ a pre,ious &lient, /it+ a /arnin' t+at a repetition of t+e same or similar &on#u&t in t+e future /ill $e #ealt /it+ most se,erel%. SO ORCEREC. A.C. No. 02/& Ma.+< %&, 2&&' 8I((IAMS.-Y, +omplainant, vs. ,ON6A(ES, .espondent.

ATTY.

2ERMIN

(.

RESOLUTION AUSTRIA-?ARTINEQ, J.: >illiam S. U% file# $efore t+is Court an a#ministrati,e &ase a'ainst Att%. 6ermin L. BonGales for ,iolation of t+e &onfi#entialit% of t+eir la/%er-&lient relations+ip. T+e &omplainant alle'es: Sometime in April !777, +e en'a'e# t+e ser,i&es of respon#ent la/%er to prepare an# file a petition for t+e issuan&e of a ne/ &ertifi&ate of title. After &onfi#in' /it+ respon#ent t+e &ir&umstan&es surroun#in' t+e lost title an# #is&ussin' t+e fees an# &osts, respon#ent prepare#, finaliGe# an# su$mitte# to +im a petition to $e file# $efore t+e Re'ional Trial Court of Ta%u', -an'asinan. >+en t+e petition /as a$out to $e file#, respon#ent /ent to +is 9&omplainant1s: offi&e at Airra ?all, Breen+ills an# #eman#e# a &ertain amount from +im ot+er t+an /+at t+e% +a# pre,iousl% a'ree# upon. Respon#ent left +is offi&e after reasonin' /it+ +im. E3pe&tin' t+at sai# petition /oul# $e file#, +e /as s+o&0e# to fin# out later t+at instea# of filin' t+e petition for t+e issuan&e of a ne/ &ertifi&ate of title, respon#ent file# a letter-&omplaint #ate# Kul% (;, !777 a'ainst +im /it+ t+e Offi&e of t+e -ro,in&ial -rose&utor of Ta%u', -an'asinan for J6alsifi&ation of -u$li& Co&uments.J ! T+e letter&omplaint &ontaine# fa&ts an# &ir&umstan&es pertainin' to t+e transfer &ertifi&ate of title t+at /as t+e su$Fe&t matter of t+e petition /+i&+ respon#ent /as suppose# to +a,e file#. -ortions of sai# letter&omplaint rea#: T+e un#ersi'ne# &omplainant a&&uses >ILLIA? S. U2, of le'al a'e, 6ilipino, marrie# an# a resi#ent of !*(-A Bilmore Street &orner 7t+ Street, Ne/ ?anila, VueGon Cit%, ?i&+ael An'elo T. U2, CRISTINA EARL T. U2, minors an# resi#ents of t+e aforesai# a##ress, Lu,imin#a B. Toma'os, of le'al a'e, marrie#, 6ilipino an# a resi#ent of Carma% East, Rosales, -an'asinan, an# 6. ?a#a%a', /it+ offi&e a##ress at A!(, (N6 Aira ?all S+oppin' Comple3, Breen+ills, San

Kuan, ?etro ?anila, for ESTA6A THRU 6ALSI6ICATION O6 -UBLIC COCU?ENTS, &ommitte# as follo/s: T+at on ?ar&+ !., !77;, >illiam S. U% a&=uire# $% pur&+ase a par&el of lan# &onsistin' of 4.))! +a. for t+e amount of -!)),))).)), -+ilippine Curren&%, situate# at Br'%. BonGales, Umin'an, -an'asinan, from 6ER?IN C. BONQALES, as e,i#en&e# $% a Cee# of Sale e3e&ute# $% t+e latter in fa,or of t+e formerP5 t+at in t+e sai# #ate, >illiam S. U% re&ei,e# t+e Transfer Certifi&ate of Title No. T**!((, &o,erin' t+e sai# lan#5 T+at instea# of re'isterin' sai# Cee# of Sale an# Transfer Certifi&ate of Title 9TCT: No. T-**!((, in t+e Re'ister of Cee#s for t+e purpose of transferrin' t+e same in +is name, >illiam S. U% e3e&ute# a Cee# of Aoluntar% Lan# Transfer of t+e aforesai# lan# in fa,or of +is &+il#ren, namel%, ?i&+ael An'elo T. U% an# Cristina Earl T. U%, /+erein >illiam S. U% ma#e it appear t+at +is sai# &+il#ren are of le'al a'e, an# resi#ents of Br'%. BonGales, Umin'an, -an'asinan, /+en in fa&t an# in trut+, t+e% are minors an# resi#ents of ?etro ?anila, to =ualif% t+em as farmersN$enefi&iaries, t+us pla&in' t+e sai# propert% /it+in t+e &o,era'e of t+e Lan# Reform -ro'ram5 T+at t+e a$o,e-name# a&&use#, &onspirin' to'et+er an# +elpin' one anot+er pro&ure# t+e falsifie# #o&uments /+i&+ t+e% use# as supportin' papers so t+at t+e% &an se&ure from t+e Offi&e of t+e Re'ister of Cee#s of Ta%u', -an'asinan, TCT No. T-.!;. 9Certifi&ate of Lan# O/ners+ip A/ar# No. ))4 *(7*): in fa,or of +is a$o,e-name# &+il#ren. Some of t+ese 6alsifie# #o&uments are purporte# Affi#a,it of SellerNTransferor an# Affi#a,it of Non-Tenan&%, $ot+ #ate# Au'ust (), !77;, /it+out t+e si'nature of affiant, 6ermin C. BonGales, an# t+at on t+at sai# #ate, 6ermin C. BonGales /as alrea#% #ea#P 5 T+at on Ce&em$er !8, !77<, >illiam S. U% /it+ #e&eit an# e,i#ent intent to #efrau# un#ersi'ne#, still a&&epte# t+e amount of -*4),))).)), from Att%. 6ermin L. BonGales, -*)),))).)), in -NB C+e&0 No. )))););, an# -4),))).)), in &as+, as full pa%ment of t+e re#emption of TCT No. **!((P0no/in' full% /ell t+at at t+at time t+e sai# TCT &annot $e re#eeme# an%more $e&ause t+e same /as alrea#% transferre# in t+e name of +is &+il#ren5 T+at >illiam S. U% +as appropriate# t+e amount &o,ere# $% t+e aforesai# &+e&0, as e,i#en&e# $% t+e sai# &+e&0 /+i&+ /as en&as+e# $% +imP5 T+at inspite of repeate# #eman#s, $ot+ oral an# in /ritin', >illiam S. U% refuse# an# &ontinue to refuse to #eli,er to +im a TCT in t+e name of t+e un#ersi'ne# or to return an# repa% t+e sai# -*4),))).)), to t+e #ama'e an# preFu#i&e of t+e un#ersi'ne#. ( >it+ t+e e3e&ution of t+e letter-&omplaint, respon#ent ,iolate# +is oat+ as a la/%er an# 'rossl% #isre'ar#e# +is #ut% to preser,e t+e se&rets of +is &lient. Respon#ent un&eremoniousl% turne# a'ainst

+im Fust $e&ause +e refuse# to 'rant respon#ent1s re=uest for a##itional &ompensation. Respon#ent1s a&t tarnis+e# +is reputation an# so&ial stan#in'.* In &omplian&e /it+ t+is Court1s Resolution #ate# Kul% *!, ())),4 respon#ent file# +is Comment narratin' +is ,ersion, as follo/s: On Ce&em$er !8, !77<, +e offere# to re#eem from &omplainant a 4.7 +e&tare-propert% situate# in Br'%. BonGales, Umin'an, -an'asinan &o,ere# $% TCT No. T-**!(( /+i&+ t+e latter a&=uire# $% pur&+ase from +is 9respon#ent1s: son, t+e late 6ermin C. BonGales, Kr.. On t+e same #ate, +e pai# &omplainant -*4),))).)) an# #eman#e# t+e #eli,er% of TCT No. T-**!(( as /ell as t+e e3e&ution of t+e Cee# of Re#emption. Upon re=uest, +e 'a,e &omplainant a##itional time to lo&ate sai# title or until after C+ristmas to #eli,er t+e same an# e3e&ute t+e Cee# of Re#emption. After t+e sai# perio#, +e /ent to &omplainant1s offi&e an# #eman#e# t+e #eli,er% of t+e title an# t+e e3e&ution of t+e Cee# of Re#emption. Instea#, &omplainant 'a,e +im p+oto&opies of TCT No. T-**!(( an# TCT No. T-.!;.. Complainant e3plaine# t+at +e +a# alrea#% transferre# t+e title of t+e propert%, &o,ere# $% TCT No.T-.!;. to +is &+il#ren ?i&+ael an# Cristina U% an# t+at TCT No. T-.!;. /as mispla&e# an# &annot $e lo&ate# #espite efforts to lo&ate it. >antin' to prote&t +is interest o,er t+e propert% &ouple# /it+ +is #esire to 'et +ol# of TCT No. T-.!;. t+e earliest possi$le time, +e offere# +is assistan&e pro $ono to prepare a petition for lost title pro,i#e# t+at all ne&essar% e3penses in&i#ent t+ereto in&lu#in' e3penses for transportation an# ot+ers, estimate# at -(),))).)), /ill $e s+oul#ere# $% &omplainant. To t+ese, &omplainant a'ree#. On April 7, !777, +e su$mitte# to &omplainant a #raft of t+e petition for t+e lost title rea#% for si'nin' an# notariGation. On April !4, !777, +e /ent to &omplainant1s offi&e informin' +im t+at t+e petition is rea#% for filin' an# nee#s fun#s for e3penses. Complainant /+o /as /it+ a &lient as0e# +im to /ait at t+e anteroom /+ere +e /aite# for almost t/o +ours until +e foun# out t+at &omplainant +a# alrea#% left /it+out lea,in' an% instru&tions nor fun#s for t+e filin' of t+e petition. Complainant1s &on#u&t infuriate# +im /+i&+ prompte# +im to 'i,e a +an#/ritten letter tellin' &omplainant t+at +e is /it+#ra/in' t+e petition +e prepare# an# t+at &omplainant s+oul# 'et anot+er la/%er to file t+e petition. Respon#ent maintains t+at t+e la/%er-&lient relations+ip $et/een +im an# &omplainant /as terminate# /+en +e 'a,e t+e +an#/ritten letter to &omplainant5 t+at t+ere /as no lon'er an% professional relations+ip $et/een t+e t/o of t+em /+en +e file# t+e letter&omplaint for falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&ument5 t+at t+e fa&ts an# alle'ations &ontaine# in t+e letter-&omplaint for falsifi&ation /ere

&ulle# from pu$li& #o&uments pro&ure# from t+e Offi&e of t+e Re'ister of Cee#s in Ta%u', -an'asinan.. In a Resolution #ate# O&to$er !<, ())), t+e Court referre# t+e &ase to t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9IB-: for in,esti'ation, report an# re&ommen#ation.; Commissioner Re$e&&a Aillanue,a-?aala or#ere# $ot+ parties to appear on April (, ())* $efore t+e IB-.8 On sai# #ate, &omplainant #i# not appear #espite #ue noti&e. T+ere /as no s+o/in' t+at respon#ent re&ei,e# t+e noti&e for t+at #a%1s +earin' an# so t+e +earin' /as reset to ?a% (<, ())*.< On April (7, ())*, Commissioner Aillanue,a-?aala re&ei,e# a letter from one Att%. Au'usto ?. ?a&am #ate# April (4, ())*, statin' t+at +is &lient, >illiam S. U%, +a# lost interest in pursuin' t+e &omplaint +e file# a'ainst Att%. BonGales an# re=uestin' t+at t+e &ase a'ainst Att%. BonGales $e #ismisse#.7 On Kune (, ())*, Commissioner Aillanue,a-?aala su$mitte# +er report an# re&ommen#ation, portions of /+i&+ rea# as follo/s: T+e fa&ts an# e,i#en&e presente# s+o/ t+at /+en respon#ent a'ree# to +an#le t+e filin' of t+e Aerifie# -etition for t+e loss of TCT No. T-.!;., &omplainant +a# &onfi#e# to respon#ent t+e fa&t of t+e loss an# t+e &ir&umstan&es atten#ant t+ereto. >+en respon#ent file# t+e Letter-Complaint to t+e Offi&e of t+e Spe&ial -rose&utor in Ta%u', -an'asinan, +e ,iolate# Canon (! of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% /+i&+ e3pressl% pro,i#es t+at JA la/%er s+all preser,e t+e &onfi#en&es an# se&rets of +is &lient e,en after t+e attorne%&lient relation is terminate#.J Respon#ent &annot ar'ue t+at t+ere /as no la/%er-&lient relations+ip $et/een t+em /+en +e file# t+e Letter-Complaint on (; Kul% !777 &onsi#erin' t+at as earl% as !4 April !777, or t+ree 9*: mont+s after, respon#ent +a# alrea#% terminate# &omplainant1s per&ei,e# la/%er-&lient relations+ip $et/een t+em. T+e #ut% to maintain in,iolate t+e &lient1s &onfi#en&es an# se&rets is not temporar% $ut permanent. It is in effe&t perpetual for Jit outlasts t+e la/%er1s emplo%mentJ 9Canon *8, Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%: /+i&+ means e,en after t+e relations+ip +as $een terminate#, t+e #ut% to preser,e t+e &lient1s &onfi#en&es an# se&rets remains effe&ti,e. Li0e/ise Rule (!.)(, Canon (! of t+e Rules of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% pro,i#es t+at JA la/%er s+all not, to t+e #isa#,anta'e of +is &lient, use information a&=uire# in t+e &ourse of emplo%ment, nor s+all +e use t+e same to +is o/n a#,anta'e or t+at of a t+ir# person, unless t+e &lient /it+ t+e full 0no/le#'e of t+e &ir&umstan&es &onsents t+ereto.J On (7 April ())*, t+e Commission re&ei,e# a letter #ate# (4 April ())* from Att%. Au'usto ?. ?a&am, /+o &laims to represent &omplainant, >illiam S. U%, alle'in' t+at &omplainant is no lon'er intereste# in pursuin' t+is &ase an# re=ueste# t+at t+e same $e #ismisse#. T+e aforesai# letter +ar#l% #eser,es &onsi#eration as

pro&ee#in's of t+is nature &annot $e &interrupted #y reason o) desistance, settlement, compromise, restitution, %ithdra%al o) the charges, or )ailure o) the complainant to prosecute the same . 9Se&tion ., Rule !*7-B, Rules of Court:. ?oreo,er, in -oliver vs. Sim#ol, !; SCRA ;(*, t+e Court rule# t+at J any person may #ring to this Court5s attention the misconduct o) any la%yer, and action %ill usually #e ta*en regardless o) the interest or lac* o) interest o) the complainant, i) the )acts proven so %arrant.J IN AIE> O6 THE 6OREBOINB, /e fin# respon#ent Att%. 6ermin L. BonGales to +a,e ,iolate# t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% an# it is +ere$% re&ommen#e# t+at +e $e SUS-ENCEC for a perio# of SI@ 9;: ?ONTHS from re&eipt +ereof, from t+e pra&ti&e of +is profession as a la/%er an# mem$er of t+e Bar.!) On Kune (!, ())*, t+e Boar# of Bo,ernors of t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines issue# Resolution No. @A-())*-*;., t+us: RESOLAEC to ACO-T an# A--ROAE, as it is +ere$% ACO-TEC an# A--ROAEC, t+e Report an# Re&ommen#ation of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner of t+e a$o,e-entitle# &ase, +erein ma#e part of t+is ResolutionNCe&ision as Anne3 JAJ5 an# fin#in' t+e re&ommen#ation full% supporte# $% t+e e,i#en&e on re&or# an# appli&a$le la/s an# rules, an# &onsi#erin' t+at respon#ent ,iolate# Rule (!.)(, Canon (! of t+e Canons of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%, Att%. 6ermin L. BonGales is +ere$% SUS-ENCEC from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for si3 9;: mont+s.!! -reliminaril%, /e a'ree /it+ Commissioner Aillanue,a-?aala t+at t+e manifestation of &omplainant U% e3pressin' +is #esire to #ismiss t+e a#ministrati,e &omplaint +e file# a'ainst respon#ent, +as no persuasi,e $earin' in t+e present &ase. Se&. ., Rule !*7-B of t+e Rules of Court states t+at: No in,esti'ation s+all $e interrupte# or terminate# $% reason of t+e #esistan&e, settlement, &ompromise, restitution, /it+#ra/al of t+e &+ar'es, or failure of t+e &omplainant to prose&ute t+e same. T+is is $e&ause: A pro&ee#in' for suspension or #is$arment is not in an% sense a &i,il a&tion /+ere t+e &omplainant is a plaintiff an# t+e respon#ent la/%er is a #efen#ant. Cis&iplinar% pro&ee#in's in,ol,e no pri,ate interest an# affor# no re#ress for pri,ate 'rie,an&e. T+e% are un#erta0en an# prose&ute# solel% for t+e pu$li& /elfare. T+e% are un#erta0en for t+e purpose of preser,in' &ourts of Fusti&e from t+e offi&ial ministration of persons unfit to pra&ti&e in t+em. T+e attorne% is &alle# to ans/er to t+e &ourt for +is &on#u&t as an offi&er of t+e &ourt. T+e &omplainant or t+e person /+o &alle# t+e attention of t+e &ourt to t+e attorne%Hs alle'e# mis&on#u&t is in no sense a part%, an# +as 'enerall% no interest in t+e out&ome e3&ept as all 'oo# &itiGens ma% +a,e in t+e proper a#ministration of Fusti&e. Hen&e, if t+e e,i#en&e on re&or#

/arrants, t+e respon#ent ma% $e suspen#e# or #is$arre# #espite t+e #esistan&e of &omplainant or +is /it+#ra/al of t+e &+ar'es. !( No/ to t+e merits of t+e &omplaint a'ainst t+e respon#ent. -ra&ti&e of la/ em$ra&es an% a&ti,it%, in or out of &ourt, /+i&+ re=uires t+e appli&ation of la/, as /ell as le'al prin&iples, pra&ti&e or pro&e#ure an# &alls for le'al 0no/le#'e, trainin' an# e3perien&e.!* >+ile it is true t+at a la/%er ma% $e #is$arre# or suspen#e# for an% mis&on#u&t, /+et+er in +is professional or pri,ate &apa&it%, /+i&+ s+o/s +im to $e /antin' in moral &+ara&ter, in +onest%, pro$it% an# 'oo# #emeanor or un/ort+% to &ontinue as an offi&er of t+e &ourt,!4 &omplainant faile# to pro,e an% of t+e &ir&umstan&es enumerate# a$o,e t+at /oul# /arrant t+e #is$arment or suspension of +erein respon#ent. Not/it+stan#in' respon#ent1s o/n per&eption on t+e matter, a s&rutin% of t+e re&or#s re,eals t+at t+e relations+ip $et/een &omplainant an# respon#ent stemme# from a personal transa&tion or #ealin's $et/een t+em rat+er t+an t+e pra&ti&e of la/ $% respon#ent. Respon#ent #ealt /it+ &omplainant onl% $e&ause +e re#eeme# a propert% /+i&+ &omplainant +a# earlier pur&+ase# from +is 9&omplainant1s: son. It is not refute# t+at respon#ent pai# &omplainant -*4),))).)) an# 'a,e +im ample time to pro#u&e its title an# e3e&ute t+e Cee# of Re#emption. Ho/e,er, #espite t+e perio# 'i,en to +im, &omplainant faile# to fulfill +is en# of t+e $ar'ain $e&ause of t+e alle'e# loss of t+e title /+i&+ +e +a# a#mitte# to respon#ent as +a,in' prematurel% transferre# to +is &+il#ren, t+us promptin' respon#ent to offer +is assistan&e so as to se&ure t+e issuan&e of a ne/ title to t+e propert%, in lieu of t+e lost one, /it+ &omplainant assumin' t+e e3penses t+erefor. As a rule, an attorney!client relationship is said to e+ist %hen a la%yer voluntarily permits or ac7uiesces %ith the consultation o) a person, %ho in respect to a #usiness or trou#le o) any *ind, consults a la%yer %ith a vie% o) o#taining pro)essional advice or assistance. $t is not essential that the client should have employed the attorney on any previous occasion or that any retainer should have #een paid, promised or charged )or, neither is it material that the attorney consulted did not a)ter%ard underta*e the case a#out %hich the consultation %as had, )or as long as the advice and assistance o) the attorney is sought and received, in matters pertinent to his pro)ession.!. Consi#erin' t+e atten#ant pe&uliar &ir&umstan&es, sai# rule &annot appl% to t+e present &ase. E,i#entl%, t+e fa&ts alle'e# in t+e &omplaint for JEstafa T+rou'+ 6alsifi&ation of -u$li& Co&umentsJ file# $% respon#ent a'ainst &omplainant /ere o$taine# $% respon#ent #ue to +is personal #ealin's /it+ &omplainant. Respon#ent ,olunteere# +is ser,i&e to +asten t+e issuan&e of t+e &ertifi&ate of title of t+e lan# +e +as re#eeme# from &omplainant.

Respon#ent1s imme#iate o$Fe&ti,e /as to se&ure t+e title of t+e propert% t+at &omplainant +a# earlier $ou'+t from +is son. Clearl%, t+ere /as no attorne%-&lient relations+ip $et/een respon#ent an# &omplainant. T+e preparation an# t+e propose# filin' of t+e petition /as onl% in&i#ental to t+eir personal transa&tion. Canon (! of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% rea#s: Canon (! M A LA>2ER SHALL -RESERAE THE CON6ICENCE ANC SECRETS O6 HIS CLIENT EAEN A6TER THE ATTORNE2CLIENT RELATION IS TER?INATEC. Rule (!.)! M A la/%er s+all not re,eal t+e &onfi#en&es or se&rets of +is &lient e3&ept: a: >+en aut+oriGe# $% t+e &lient after a&=uaintin' +im of t+e &onse=uen&es of t+e #is&losure5 $: >+en re=uire# $% la/5 &: >+en ne&essar% to &olle&t +is fees or to #efen# +imself, +is emplo%ees or asso&iates or $% Fu#i&ial a&tion. T+e alle'e# Jse&retsJ of &omplainant /ere not spe&ifie# $% +im in +is affi#a,it-&omplaint. >+ate,er fa&ts alle'e# $% respon#ent a'ainst &omplainant /ere not o$taine# $% respon#ent in +is professional &apa&it% $ut as a re#emptioner of a propert% ori'inall% o/ne# $% +is #e&ease# son an# t+erefore, /+en respon#ent file# t+e &omplaint for estafa a'ainst +erein &omplainant, /+i&+ ne&essaril% in,ol,e# alle'in' fa&ts t+at /oul# &onstitute estafa, respon#ent /as not, in an% /a%, ,iolatin' Canon (!. T+ere is no /a% /e &an e=uate t+e filin' of t+e affi#a,it-&omplaint a'ainst +erein &omplainant to a mis&on#u&t t+at is /antin' in moral &+ara&ter, in +onest%, pro$it% an# 'oo# #emeanor or t+at ren#ers +im un/ort+% to &ontinue as an offi&er of t+e &ourt. To +ol# ot+er/ise /oul# $e pre&lu#in' an% la/%er from institutin' a &ase a'ainst an%one to prote&t +is personal or proprietar% interests. >HERE6ORE, Resolution No. @A-())*-*;. #ate# Kune (!, ())* of t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines is REAERSEC an# SET ASICE an# t+e a#ministrati,e &ase file# a'ainst Att%. 6ermin L. BonGales, #o&0ete# as A.C. No. .(<), is CIS?ISSEC for la&0 of merit. SO ORCEREC. SECOND DI9ISION ADM. CASE NO. 0&1/ RO,E(IO H. 9I((AN-E9A Complainant 9S ATTY. AMADO 3. DE(ORIA, Respondent. "an#a.$ 26, 2&&! RESOLUTION TINBA, J.: T+is treats of t+e Complaint !" for Cis$arment #ate# 6e$ruar% !8, !777 file# $% Ro'elio H. Aillanue,a 9Aillanue,a: a'ainst Att%. Ama#o B. Celoria in &onne&tion /it+ HLRB Case No. RE?)<).7(-.!;;, entitle# DSpouses Conrado 9e racia v. =state o) Jaime on/ales, et al.E Att%. Celoria, a former full-time

Commissioner of t+e Housin' an# Lan# Use Re'ulator% Boar# 9HLURB:, appeare# as &ounsel for t+e spouses Ce Bra&ia. Aillanue,a a,ers t+at a #e&ision in t+at &ase /as ren#ere# $% Housin' an# Lan# Use Ar$iter, (" Att%. Teresita R. AlfereG, re=uirin' t+e Estate of Kaime BonGales to, amon' ot+er t+in's, refun# to t+e spouses Ce Bra&ia t+e amount of -;7,))).)) plus interest at t+e pre,ailin' &ommer&ial interest rates. T+e &ase /as e,entuall% assi'ne# to Aillanue,a upon t+e latter1s #esi'nation as Ar$iter. It appears t+at Att%. Celoria file# a ?otion for Issuan&e of Su$stitute Ku#'ment an# for Consi'nation *" &laimin' t+at t+e Estate of Kaime BonGales #oes not /ant to pa% interest $ase# on &ommer&ial interest rates. Aillanue,a asserts, +o/e,er, t+at Att%. Celoria1s alle'ation is $elie# $% t/o motions file# $% &ounsel for t+e Estate of Kaime BonGales /+i&+ merel% see0 to &larif% t+e pre&ise interest rate appli&a$le to t+e &ase in or#er for it to full% &ompl% /it+ t+e #e&ision. Att%. Celoria1s misrepresentation is alle'e#l% a ,iolation of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% 9Co#e:, parti&ularl% Canons !, 4" !), ." !( ;" an# !7 8" t+ereof, t+e Attorne%1s Oat+ of Offi&e an# Art. !7 of t+e Ci,il Co#e. Att%. Celoria also alle'e#l% ,iolate# Canon !! <" of t+e Co#e $e&ause +e sou'+t t+e su$stitution of a #e&ision /+i&+ +e 0ne/ +a# alrea#% $e&ome final an# partiall% e3e&ute#. Aillanue,a notes t+at Att%. Celoria en&lose# /it+ +is motion a &+e&0 in t+e amount of -;7,))).)) pa%a$le to t+e or#er of t+e Estate of Kaime BonGales an# CoraGon BonGales, representin' t+e prin&ipal refun#e# to t+e spouses Ce Bra&ia in &omplian&e /it+ t+e #e&ision. Aillanue,a states t+at t+e &+e&0 /as #ra/n a'ainst Att%. Celoria1spersonal &+e&0in' a&&ount in ,iolation of Canon !; 7" of t+e Co#e. ?oreo,er, a&&or#in' to Aillanue,a, Att%. Celoria offere# +im .)S of t+e re&o,era$le amount in t+e &ase if +e resol,es t+e latter1s motion fa,ora$l%. !)" Att%. Celoria1s&on#u&t alle'e#l% ,iolates t+e pre,iousl% &ite# &anons of t+e Co#e, Canon !*, !!" Rule !..);, !(" Canon !. of t+e Co#e, Art. (!( of t+e Re,ise# -enal Co#e, t+e Attorne%1s Oat+ of Offi&e an# Art. !7 of t+e Ci,il Co#e. Aillanue,a also alle'es t+at Att%. Celoria use# +is influen&e as former Commissioner of t+e HLURB to persua#e Att%. AlfereG to impose interest $ase# on &ommer&ial rates instea# of t+e interest rate fi3e# in Resolution No. R-4(! !*" an# ?emoran#um Cir&ular No. !7, !4" $ot+ of /+i&+ pro,i#e a uniform rate of interest in #e&isions in,ol,in' refun#s. Att%. Celoria also alle'e#l% use# +is &onne&tions in t+e HLURB to pre,ent Aillanue,a from releasin' an Or#er #en%in' t+e former1s motion an# to pre,ail upon t+e a'en&%1s Le'al Ser,i&es Broup to interpret t+e term D&ommer&ial rate of interestE in a /a% t+at is fa,ora$le to +is &lient1s &ase, a'ain in ,iolation of t+e Co#e. !."

6urt+er, Aillanue,a &laims t+at Att%. Celoria assiste# +is &lient in filin' an unfoun#e# &riminal &ase a'ainst +im $efore t+e Offi&e of t+e Om$u#sman /it+ t+e purpose of 'ettin' e,en /it+ Aillanue,a for #en%in' t+eir motion. >+en +is &lient pursue# t+is &ourse of a&tion, Att%. Celoria alle'e#l% s+oul# +a,e /it+#ra/n +is ser,i&es in a&&or#an&e /it+ Rule ((.)!, !;" Canon (( of t+e Co#e. In +is Comment !8" #ate# Septem$er ((, ())), Att%. Celoria #enies an% /ron'#oin' an# sou'+t t+e #ismissal of t+e Complaint for la&0 of merit. He a,ers t+at t+e refusal of t+e Estate of Kaime BonGales to pa% t+e interest stipulate# in t+e #e&ision is e,i#ent from t+e ,arious motions it +as file#. On t+e alle'e# &ommin'lin' of +is fun#s /it+ t+ose of +is &lients1, Att%. Celoria &laims t+at t+e spouses Ce Bra&ia re=ueste# +im to a#,an&e t+e amount inten#e# for &onsi'nation as t+e% /ere t+en on ,a&ation in t+e Unite# States. He also maintains t+at +e #i# not e3ert an% influen&e on t+e HLURB to rule in +is &lients1 fa,or, a##in' t+at t+e #raft or#er /+i&+ +e file# in t+e &ase is re=uire# un#er t+e rules of t+e a'en&%. Att%. Celoria &ounters t+at it is Aillanue,a /+o +as e3+i$ite# partialit% in fa,or of t+e Estate of Kaime BonGales $% failin' to rule on t+e motions for &larifi&ation file# $% t+e latter, t+ere$% for&in' t+e spouses Ce Bra&ia to /ait for an inor#inatel% lon' time for t+e #e&ision in t+eir fa,or to $e full% implemente#. Aillanue,a, in +is Repl% !<" #ate# No,em$er !), ())), &onten#s t+at +e /oul# +a,e $een in#i&te# $% t+e Offi&e of t+e Om$u#sman if it /ere true t+at +is Or#er in t+e &ase /as moti,ate# $% $ias an# partialit% in fa,or of t+e Estate of Kaime BonGales. In a Resolution !7" #ate# 6e$ruar% !7, ())!, /e referre# t+e &ase to t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9IB-: for in,esti'ation, report an# re&ommen#ation. In,esti'atin'Commissioner Renato B. Cunanan su$mitte#a Report ()" #ate# Septem$er (7, ())., fin#in' merit in t+e Complaint an# re&ommen#in' t+at Att%. Celoria $e suspen#e# from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for t/o 9(: %ears an#Nor $e fine# in t+e amount of -(),))).)). T+is re&ommen#ation /as annulle# an# set asi#e $% t+e IB- in its Resolution No. @AII-());-(87 #ate# ?a% (;, ());. T+e &ase /as instea# #ismisse# for la&0 of merit. T+e report an# re&ommen#ation of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner appears to $e $ase# solel% on t+e Rollo of t+e &ase /+i&+ t+e Court sent to t+e IB- pursuant to t+e Resolution #ate# 6e$ruar% !7, ())!. T+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner #i# not &on#u&t an% +earin' to #etermine t+e ,era&it% of t+e alle'ations in Aillanue,a1s Complaint an# t+e trut+fulness of Att%. Celoria1s ans/ers t+ereto. A formal in,esti'ation is a man#ator% re=uirement /+i&+ ma% not $e #ispense# /it+ e3&ept for ,ali# an# &ompellin' reasons. (!" In -aldomar v. 2aras, ((" /e +el#:

Complaints a'ainst la/%ers for mis&on#u&t are normall% a##resse# to t+e Court. If, at t+e outset, t+e Court fin#s a &omplaint to $e &learl% /antin' in merit, it outri'+tl% #ismisses t+e &ase. If, +o/e,er, t+e Court #eems it ne&essar% t+at furt+er in=uir% s+oul# $e ma#e, su&+ as /+en t+e matter &oul# not $e resol,e# $% merel% e,aluatin' t+e plea#in's su$mitte#, a referral is ma#e to t+e IB- for a formal in,esti'ation of t+e &ase #urin' /+i&+ t+e parties are a&&or#e# an opportunit% to $e +ear#. An e+!parte in,esti'ation ma% onl% $e &on#u&te# /+en respon#ent fails to appear #espite reasona$le noti&e. 3 3 3 Rule !*7-B of t+e Rules of Court pro,i#es t+e pro&e#ure for in,esti'ation in #is$arment an# #is&iplinar% pro&ee#in's a'ainst attorne%s $efore t+e IB-, t+us: Se&. <. $nvestigation.EUpon Foin#er of issues or upon failure of t+e respon#ent to ans/er, t+e In,esti'ator s+all, /it+ #eli$erate spee#, pro&ee# /it+ t+e in,esti'ation of t+e &ase. He s+all +a,e t+e po/er to issue su$poenas an# a#minister oat+s. T+e respon#ent s+all $e 'i,en full opportunit% to #efen# +imself, to present /itnesses on +is $e+alf, an# $e +ear# $% +imself an# &ounsel. Ho/e,er, if upon reasona$le noti&e, t+e respon#ent fails to appear, t+e in,esti'ation s+all pro&ee# e+!parte T+e In,esti'ator s+all terminate t+e in,esti'ation /it+in t+ree 9*: mont+s from t+e #ate of its &ommen&ement, unless e3ten#e# for 'oo# &ause $% t+e Boar# of Bo,ernors upon prior appli&ation. >illful failure or refusal to o$e% a su$poena or an% ot+er la/ful or#er issue# $% t+e In,esti'ator s+all $e #ealt /it+ as for in#ire&t &ontempt of &ourt. T+e &orrespon#in' &+ar'e s+all $e file# $% t+e In,esti'ator $efore t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors /+i&+ s+all re=uire t+e alle'e# &ontemnor to s+o/ &ause /it+in ten 9!): #a%s from noti&e. T+e IBBoar# of Bo,ernors ma% t+ereafter &on#u&t +earin's, if ne&essar%, in a&&or#an&e /it+ t+e pro&e#ure set fort+ in t+is Rule for +earin's $efore t+e In,esti'ator. Su&+ +earin' s+all as far as pra&ti&a$le $e terminate# /it+in fifteen 9!.: #a%s from its &ommen&ement. T+ereafter, t+e IB- Baor# of Bo,ernors s+all /it+in a li0e perio# of fifteen 9!.: #a%s issue a resolution settin' fort+ its fin#in's an# re&ommen#ations, /+i&+ s+all fort+/it+ $e transmitte# to t+e Supreme Court for final a&tion an# if /arrante#, t+e imposition of penalt%. >e fin# t+at #ue o$ser,an&e of t+e fore'oin' rules is ne&essar% for t+e proper resolution of t+is &ase. >HERE6ORE, t+e instant a#ministrati,e &ase is RE?ANCEC to t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines for furt+er pro&ee#in's. T+e IB- is also #ire&te# to a&t on t+is referral /it+ #eli$erate #ispat&+. SO ORCEREC.

A.C. No. '210 Ma$ 21, 2&&1 2E(ICISIMOM.MONTANO, +omplainant, vs. I3) and Att$. "-AN S. DEA(CA, .espondents. LA-UNAN, J.: In a ,erifie# &omplaint file# $efore t+is Court on ?ar&+ 7, !774, &omplaint 6eli&isimo ?. ?ontano &+ar'e# Att%. Kuan Ceal&a /it+ mis&on#u&t an# pra%s t+at +e $e Jsternl% #ealt /it+ a#ministrati,el%.J T+e &omplaint! is summariGe# as follo/s: !. On No,em$er !4, !77(, t+e &omplainant +ire# t+e ser,i&es of Att%. Kuan S. Ceal&a as +is &ounsel in &olla$oration /it+ Att%. Ronan#o L. Berona in a &ase pen#in' $efore t+e Court of Appeals #o&0ete# as CA-B.R. CA No. *8;8 /+erein t+e &omplainant /as t+e plaintiff-appellant. (. T+e parties a'ree# upon attorne%Hs fees in t+e amount of -!.,))).)) fift% per&ent 9.)S: of /+i&+ /as pa%a$le upon a&&eptan&e of t+e &ase an# t+e remainin' $alan&e upon t+e termination of t+e &ase. A&&or#in'l%, &omplainant pai# respon#ent t+e amount of -8,.)).)) representin' .)S of t+e attorne%Hs fee. *. T+ereafter, e,en $efore respon#ent &ounsel +a# prepare# t+e appellantHs $rief an# &ontrar% to t+eir a'reement t+at t+e remainin' $alan&e $e pa%a$le after t+e termination of t+e &ase, Att%. Ceal&a #eman#e# an a##itional pa%ment from &omplainant o$li'e# $% pa%in' t+e amount of -4,))).)). 4. -rior to t+e filin' of t+e appellantHs $rief, respon#ent &ounsel a'ain #eman#e# pa%ment of t+e remainin' $alan&e of -*,.)).)). >+en &omplainant /as una$le to #o so, respon#ent la/%er /it+#ra/ +is appearan&e as &omplainantHs &ounsel /it+out +is prior 0no/le#'e an#Nor &onformit%. Returnin' t+e &ase fol#er to t+e &omplainant, respon#ent &ounsel atta&+e# a Note #ate# 6e$ruar% (<, !77*,( statin': (<6e$ruar%!774 -epe an# Cel ?ontano, 6or $rea0in' %our promise, sin&e %ou #o not /ant to fulfill %our en# of t+e $ar'ain, +ereHs %our re/ar#: Hen&efort+, %ou la/%er for %oursel,es. Here are %our papers. Ko+nn% Complainant &laime# t+at su&+ &on#u&t $% respon#ent &ounsel e3&ee#e# t+e et+i&al stan#ar#s of t+e la/ profession an# pra%s t+at t+e latter $e sternl% #ealt /it+ a#ministrati,el%. Complainant later on file# motions pra%in' for t+e imposition of t+e ma3imum penalt% of #is$arment. After respon#ent &ounsel file# +is &omment on t+e &omplaint, t+e Court in t+e Resolution of Au'ust !, !774, referre# t+e &ase of t+e

Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9IB-: for in,esti'ation, report an# re&ommen#ation. T+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner foun# respon#ent &ounsel 'uilt% of unprofessional &on#u&t an# re&ommen#e# t+at +e $e Jse,erel% repriman#e#.J Ho/e,er, in a Resolution * $% t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors on Kul% (;, !778, it /as resol,e# t+at t+e penalt% re&ommen#e# $% t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner mete# to respon#ent $e amen#e# to Jt+ree 9*: mont+s suspension from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for +a,in' $een foun# 'uilt% of mis&on#u&t, /+i&+ ero#e# t+e pu$li& &onfi#en&e re'ar#in' +is #ut% as a la/%er.J Respon#ent &ounsel sou'+t re&onsi#eration of t+e aforementione# resolution of t+e IB-, alle'in' t+at t+e latter misappre+en#e# t+e fa&ts an# t+at, in an% &ase, +e #i# not #eser,e t+e penalt% impose#. T+e true fa&ts, a&&or#in' to +im, are t+e follo/in'. !. Complainant is $ein' represente# $% Att%. Ronan#o L. Berona in +is &ase on appeal5 (. Cue to t+e ailment of Att%. BeronaHs #au'+ter, +e &oul# not prepare an# su$mit &omplainantHs appellantHs $rief on time5 *. Complainant /en to t+e respon#ent to #o Fust t+at, i.e., prepare an# su$mit +is appellantHs $rief on time at t+e a'ree# fee of -!.,))).)), .)S #o/n an# .)S upon its &ompletion5 4. >or0in' o,ertime, respon#ent /as a$le to finis+ t+e appellantHs $rief a+ea# of its #ea#line, so +e a#,ise# t+e &omplainant a$out its &ompletion /it+ t+e re=uest t+at t+e remainin' $alan&e of -8,.)).)) $e pai#. Complainant pai# -4,))).)) onl%, promisin' to pa% t+e -*,.)).)) Jtomorro/J or on Jlater parti&ular #ate.J -lease ta0e note t+at, at t+is Fun&ture, t+ere /as alrea#% a $rea&+ of t+e a'reement on &omplainantHs part. .. >+en t+at Jtomorro/J or on a Jlater parti&ular #ateJ &ame, respon#ent, t+ru a messen'er, re=ueste# t+e &omplainant to pa% t+e -*,.)).)) as promise# $ut /or# /as sent t+at +e /ill a'ain pa% Jtomorro/J or on a Jlater #ate.J T+is promise-non-pa%ment &%&le /ent on repeate#l% until t+e last #a% of t+e filin' of t+e $rief. -lease ta0e note a'ain t+at it /as not t+e respon#ent $ut t+e &omplainant /+o sets t+e #ate /+en +e /ill pa%, %et +e fails to pa% as promise#5 ;. E,en /it+out $ein' pai# &ompletel%, respon#ent, of +is o/n free /ill an# a&&or#, file# &omplainantHs $rief on time5 8. After t+e $rief /as file#, respon#ent trie# to &olle&t from t+e &omplainant t+e remainin' $alan&e of -*,.)).)), $ut t+e latter ma#e +imself s&are. As t+e re&or#s /oul# s+o/, su&+ -*,.)).)) remains unpai# until no/5 <. Sensin' t+at somet+in' /as amiss, respon#ent sent t+e 6e$ruar% (<, !77* note an# &ase fol#er to t+e &omplainant, +opin' t+at t+e latter /oul# see personall% t+e former a$out it to settle t+e matter $et/een t+em5

7. Ho/e,er, instea# of seein' t+e respon#ent, &omplainant file# t+is &ase5 !). Respon#ent /as &onstraine# to file +is /it+#ra/al /it+ t+e Court of Appeals $e&ause of t+is &ase to a,oi# furt+er misun#erstan#in' sin&e +e /as t+e one /+o si'ne# t+e appellantHs $rief alt+ou'+ Att%. Berona /as +is &ounsel of re&or#. Su&+ /it+#ra/al /as a&&or#in'l% 'rante# $% t+e appellate &ourt5 333 333 333.4 Respon#ent &ounsel furt+er a,erre# t+at &omplainantHs refusal to pa% t+e a'ree# la/%erHs fees, measl% as it /as, /as #eli$erate an# in $a# fait+5 +en&e, +is /it+#ra/al as &ounsel /as JFust, et+i&al an# proper.J Respon#ent &ounsel &on&lu#e# t+at not onl% /as t+e penalt% of suspension +ars+ for +is a&t of merel% tr%in' to &olle&t pa%ment for +is ser,i&es ren#ere#, $ut it in#ire&tl% /oul# punis+ +is famil% sin&e +e /as t+e sole $rea#/inner /it+ &+il#ren in s&+ool an# +is /ife terminall% ill /it+ &an&er. In its Resolution No. @III-78-!(7 #ate# O&to$er (., !778, t+e IB#enie# Att%. Ceal&aHs motion for re&onsi#eration, to /it: 333 RESOLAEC TO CEN2 Att%. Ceal&aHs ?otion 6or Re&onsi#eration of t+e Boar#Hs Ce&ision in t+e a$o,e-entitle# &ase t+ere $ein' no su$stanti,e reason to re,erse t+e fin#in' t+erein. ?oreo,er, t+e motion is improperl% lai# t+e reme#% of t+e respon#ent is to file t+e appropriate plea#in' /it+ t+e Supreme Court /it+in fifteen 9!.: #a%s from re&eipt of noti&e of sai# Ce&ision pursuant to Se&. !( &" of Rule !*7-B.. On Ce&em$er !), !778, t+is Court note# t+e follo/in' plea#in's file# in t+e present &omplaint, 9a: noti&e an# a &op% of Resolution No. @II-78-!.4 #ate# Kul% (;, !778 of t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines amen#in' t+e re&ommen#ation of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner of repriman# to t+ree 9*: mont+s suspension of respon#ent from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for +a,in' $een foun# 'uilt% of mis&on#u&t /+i&+ ero#e# t+e pu$li& &onfi#en&e re'ar#in' +is #ut% as a la/%er5 9a: &omplainantHs motion pra%in' for t+e imposition of t+e ma3imum penalt% of #is$arment5 9$: motion dated Septem#er :;, :FFG o) respondent )or reconsideration o) the a)oresaid resolution o) July ?H, :FFG6 9&: &ommentNopposition of respon#ent pra%in' t+at t+e motion for t+e imposition of t+e ma3imum penalt% $e #enie#5 9#: &omment of &omplainant pra%in' t+at t+e penalt% of t+ree 9*: mont+s suspension from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ as re&ommen#e# $% t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines pursuant to resolution No. @II-78!.4 $e raise# to a +ea,ier penalt%5 9e: &ommentNmanifestationNopposition of &omplainant pra%in' t+at t+e respon#ent $e #is$arre#5 an#

9': reFoin#er of respon#ent pra%in' t+at t+is &ase $e #ismisse# for $ein' $aseless.; an# referre# t+e same to t+e IB- for e,aluation an# report. In &omplian&e t+ere/it+, on ?ar&+ (<, !77<, t+e IB- issue# Resolution No. @III-7<-4( referrin' t+e a$o,e-entitle# &ase to Commissioner Ai$ar for e,aluation, report an# re&ommen#ation Jin ,ie/ of t+e ?otion for Re&onsi#eration 'rante# $% t+e Supreme Court.J T+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner, after referrin' t+e &ase, re&ommen#e# t+at +is ori'inal re&ommen#ation of t+e imposition of t+e penalt% of repriman# $e maintaine#, notin' t+at respon#ent &ounsel +a# ser,e# t+e IB- /ell as -resi#ent of t+e Sorso'on C+apter.8 A&&or#in'l%, on 6e$ruar% (*, !777, t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors, issue# t+e follo/in' resolution: RESOLUTION NO. @III-77-4< 333 RESOLAEC to ACO-T an# A--ROAE, as it is +ere$% ACO-TEC an# A--ROAEC, t+e Report an# Re&ommen#ation of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner in t+e a$o,e-entitle# &ase, +erein ma#e part of t+is ResolutionNCe&ision as Anne3 JAJ5 an#, fin#in' t+e re&ommen#ation full% supporte# $% t+e e,i#en&e on re&or# an# t+e appli&a$le la/s an# rules, t+e ?otion for Re&onsi#eration $e 'rante# an# t+at t+e penalt% of RE-RI?ANC earlier re&ommen#e# $% t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner $e impose# on Att%. Kuan S. Ceal&a. < Complainant as0e# t+e IB- to re&onsi#er t+e fore'oin' resolution $ut t+e motion /as #enie#.7 On April !), ())), &omplainant file# /it+ t+is Court a petition for re,ie/ on &ertiorari in &onne&tion /it+ A#ministrati,e Case No. 4(!. a'ainst t+e IB- an# respon#ent &ounsel a,errin' t+at t+e IB- Boar# of Bo,ernors &ommitte# 'ra,e a$use of #is&retion /+en it o,erturne# its earlier resolution an# 'rante# respon#ent &ounselHs motion for re&onsi#eration on 6e$ruar% (*, !777. He &laime# t+at t+e earlier resolution #en%in' t+e motion for re&onsi#eration issue# on O&to$er (., !778 +a# alrea#% $e&ome final an# e3e&utor%5 +en&e, an% furt+er a&tion or motion su$se=uent to su&+ final an# e3e&utor% Fu#'ment s+all $e null an# ,oi#. >+en t+e Court issue# t+e resolution of Ce&em$er !), !778 treatin' t+e se,eral plea#in's file# in t+e present &omplaint, it s+oul# $e note# t+at t+e IB- resolution #en%in' respon#entHs motion for re&onsi#eration 9Resolution No. @III-78-!(7: #ate# O&to$er (., !778, for some reason, +a# not %et rea&+e# t+is Court. As of t+at #ate, t+e onl% IB- resolution atta&+e# to t+e re&or#s of t+e &ase /as Resolution No. @II-78-.4 amen#in' t+e a#ministrati,e san&tion from repriman# to t+ree mont+s suspension. Hen&e, at t+e time t+e plea#in's /ere referre# $a&0 to t+e IB- in t+e same resolution, t+e

Court /as not a/are t+at t+e IB- +a# alrea#% #ispose# of t+e motion for re&onsi#eration file# $% respon#ent &ounsel. T+us, /+en t+e IB- /as informe# of t+e sai# Court resolution, it &onstrue# t+e same as 'rantin' Att%. Ceal&aHs motion for re&onsi#eration an# as an or#er for IB- to &on#u&t a re-e,aluation of t+e &ase. T+e IB- assume# t+at its resolution of O&to$er (., !778 /as alrea#% &onsi#ere# $% t+is Court /+en it referre# t+e &ase $a&0 to t+e IB-. It faile# to noti&e t+at its resolution #en%in' t+e motion for re&onsi#eration /as not amon' t+ose plea#in's an# resolution referre# $a&0 to it. Hen&e, on t+e stren't+ of t+is CourtHs resolution /+i&+ it +a# ina#,ertentl% mis&onstrue#, t+e IB- &on#u&te# a re-e,aluation of t+e &ase an# &ame up /it+ t+e assaile# resolution no/ sou'+t to $e re,erse#. T+e Court +ol#s t+at t+e error is not attri$uta$le to t+e IB-. It is re'retta$le t+at t+e pro&e#ural infirmit% alle'e# $% &omplainant a&tuall% arose from a mere o,ersi'+t /+i&+ /as attri$uta$le to neit+er part%. Boin' into t+e merits, /e affirm t+e fin#in's ma#e $% t+e IB- t+at &omplainant en'a'e# t+e ser,i&es of respon#ent la/%er onl% for t+e preparation an# su$mission of t+e appellantHs $rief an# t+e attorne%Hs fees /as pa%a$le upon t+e &ompletion an# su$mission of t+e appellantHs $rief an# not upon t+e termination of t+e &ase. T+ere is suffi&ient e,i#en&e /+i&+ in#i&ates &omplainantHs /illin'ness to pa% t+e attorne%Hs fees. AS a'ree# upon, &omplainant pai# +alf of t+e fees in t+e amount of -8,.)).)) upon a&&eptan&e of t+e &ase. An# /+ile t+e remainin' $alan&e /as not %et #ue as it /as a'ree# to $e pai# onl% upon t+e &ompletion an# su$mission of t+e $rief, &omplainant nonet+eless #eli,ere# to respon#ent la/%er -4,))).)) as t+e latter #eman#e#. T+is, not/it+stan#in', Att%. Ceal&a /it+#re/ +is appearan&e simpl% $e&ause of &omplainantHs failure to pa% t+e remainin' $alan&e of -*,.)).)) /+i&+ #oes not appear to $e #eli$erate. T+e situation /as a''ra,ate# $% respon#ent &ounselHs note to &omplainant /it+#ra/in' as &ounsel /+i&+ /as &ou&+e# in impolite an# insultin' lan'ua'e.!) Bi,en t+e a$o,e &ir&umstan&es, /as Att%. Ceal&aHs &on#u&t Fust an# properU >e fin# Att%. Ceal&aHs &on#u&t un$e&omin' of a mem$er of t+e le'al profession. Un#er Canon (( of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%, a la/%er s+all /it+#ra/ +is ser,i&es onl% for 'oo# &ause an# upon noti&e appropriate in t+e &ir&umstan&es. Alt+ou'+ +e ma% /it+#ra/ +is ser,i&es /+en t+e &lient #eli$eratel% fails to pa% t+e fees for t+e ser,i&es, !! un#er t+e &ir&umstan&es of t+e present &ase, Att%. Ceal&aHs /it+#ra/al /as unFustifie# as &omplainant #i# not #eli$eratel% fail to pa% +im t+e attorne%Hs fees. In fa&t, &omplainant e3erte# +onest efforts to fulfill +is o$li'ation. Respon#entHs &ontemptuous &on#u&t #oes not spea0 /ell of a

mem$er of t+e $ar &onsi#erin' t+at t+e amount o/in' to +im /as onl% -*,.)).)). rule ().4 of Canon (), man#ates t+at a la/%er s+all a,oi# &ontro,ersies /it+ &lients &on&ernin' +is &ompensation an# s+all resort to Fu#i&ial a&tion onl% to pre,ent imposition, inFusti&e or frau#. Sa#l%, for not so lar'e a sum o/e# to +im $% &omplainant, respon#ent la/%er faile# to a&t in a&&or#an&e /it+ t+e #eman#s of t+e Co#e. T+e Court, +o/e,er, #oes not a'ree /it+ &omplainantHs &ontention t+at t+e ma3imum penalt% of #is$arment s+oul# $e impose# on respon#ent la/%er. T+e po/er to #is$ar must $e e3er&ise# /it+ 'reat &aution. Onl% in a &lear &ase of mis&on#u&t t+at seriousl% affe&ts t+e stan#in' an# &+ara&ter of t+e la/%er as an offi&er of t+e Court an# mem$er of t+e $ar /ill #is$arment $e impose# as a penalt%. It s+oul# ne,er $e #e&ree# /+ere a lesser penalt%, su&+ as temporar% suspension, /oul# a&&omplis+ t+e en# #esire#. !( In t+e present &ase, repriman# is #eeme# suffi&ient. >HERE6ORE, in ,ie/ of t+e fore'oin', respon#ent Att%. Kuan S. Ceal&a is RE-RI?ANCEC /it+ a /arnin' t+at repetition of t+e same a&t /ill $e #ealt /it+ more se,erel%. :I%phi:.nJt SO ORCEREC. A.C. No. %!!% Septem=e. 2', 1 ! AN,E(ITAC.ORCINO, +omplainant, vs. ATTY. "OS-E ,AS)AR, .espondent. -UNO, J.D On Kune !4, !77(, &omplainant An'elita C. Or&ino file# /it+ t+is Court a letter-&omplaint #ate# Ce&em$er !), !77! a'ainst respon#ent Att%. Kosue Baspar, +er former &ounsel. Complainant pra%e# t+at t+is Court impose #is&iplinar% san&tions on respon#ent for a$an#onin' +is #uties an# for failin' to return t+e le'al fees s+e full% pai# for +is ser,i&es. T+e &omplaint arose from t+e follo/in' fa&ts: Complainant en'a'e# t+e ser,i&es of respon#ent to prose&ute a &riminal &ase s+e inten#e# to file a'ainst se,eral suspe&ts in t+e sla%in' of +er +us$an#. In &onsi#eration t+ereof, &omplainant $oun# +erself to pa% respon#ent le'al fees of -(),))).)) O -!),))).)) to $e pai# upon si'nin' of t+e &ontra&t an# t+e $alan&e to $e pai# on or $efore t+e &on&lusion of t+e &ase. Complainant /as also to pa% -.)).)) per appearan&e of respon#ent $efore t+e &ourt an# fis&al. T+is a'reement /as em$o#ie# in a &ontra&t e3e&ute# on 6e$ruar% ((, !77!. ! In a&&or#an&e /it+ t+e &ontra&t, &omplainant pai# respon#ent t+e sum of -.,))).)) on 6e$ruar% (., !77!, (anot+er -.,))).)) on ?ar&+ *!, !77!, * an# -!),))).)) on ?a% (!, !77!, 4 for a total of -(),))).)).

6ort+/it+, respon#ent entere# into +is #uties. He inter,ie/e# /itnesses an# 'at+ere# e,i#en&e to $uil# a &ase a'ainst t+e suspe&ts. He #re/ up t+e ne&essar% s/orn statements an# #utifull% atten#e# t+e preliminar% in,esti'ation. T+e &ase /as t+ereafter file# /it+ t+e Re'ional Trial Court, Bran&+ *8, Balo&, Sto. Comin'o, Nue,a E&iFa. . As pri,ate prose&utor, respon#ent reli'iousl% atten#e# t+e $ail +earin's for t+e a&&use# alt+ou'+ t+ese +earin's /ere postpone# on motion of t+e a&&use#Hs &ounsel. Respon#ent +o/e,er faile# to atten# t+e +earin' s&+e#ule# in Au'ust !77!. It /as at t+is nearin' t+at t+e &ourt, o,er &omplainantHs o$Fe&tions, 'rante# $ail to all t+e a&&use#. After t+e +earin', &omplainant imme#iatel% /ent to respon#entHs resi#en&e an# &onfronte# +im /it+ +is a$sen&e. ;Respon#ent e3plaine# t+at +e #i# not re&ei,e formal noti&e of t+e +earin'. 8 Complainant $e&ame $elli'erent an# starte# a&&usin' +im of Feopar#iGin' t+e &ase $% +is a$sen&e. Respon#ent sai# t+at +er suspi&ions /ere $ase# on rumors an# intri'ues fe# to +er $% +er relati,es. < Complainant, +o/e,er, &ontinue# a&&usin' +im $elli'erentl%. S+e as0e# for t+e re&or#s of t+e &ase sa%in' t+at s+e &oul# refer t+em to anot+er la/%er. Stun' $% +er /or#s, respon#ent 'a,e +er t+e re&or#s. 7 Complainant ne,er returne# t+e re&or#s nor #i# s+e see respon#ent. On Septem$er !<, !77!, respon#ent file# $efore t+e trial &ourt a J?otion to >it+#ra/ as Counsel.J !) T+e motion #i# not $ear t+e &onsent of &omplainant. On O&to$er (*, !77!, t+e &ourt issue# an or#er #ire&tin' respon#ent to se&ure &omplainantHs &onsent to t+e motion Jan# +is appearan&e as pri,ate prose&utor s+all &ontinue until +e +as se&ure# t+is &onsent.J !! Complainant refuse# to si'n +er &onformit% to respon#entHs /it+#ra/al. !( ?ean/+ile, t+e +earin's in t+e &riminal &ase &ontinue#. Respon#ent #i# not appear at t+e +earin's nor #i# +e &onta&t &omplainant. Complainant /as t+us &ompelle# to en'a'e t+e ser,i&es of anot+er la/%er. Hen&e, t+e letter-&omplaint. >e referre# t+e letter-&omplaint to t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines, Commission on Bar Cis&ipline, for in,esti'ation, report an# re&ommen#ation. T+e rule in t+is Furis#i&tion is t+at a &lient +as t+e a$solute ri'+t to terminate t+e attorne%-&lient relation at an% time /it+ or /it+out &ause. !* T+e ri'+t of an attorne% to /it+#ra/ or terminate t+e relation ot+er t+an for suffi&ient &ause is, +o/e,er, &onsi#era$l% restri&te#. !4 Amon' t+e fun#amental rules of et+i&s is t+e prin&iple t+at an attorne% /+o un#erta0es to &on#u&t an a&tion implie#l% stipulates to &arr% it to its &on&lusion. !. He is not at li$ert% to a$an#on it /it+out reasona$le &ause. !; A la/%erHs ri'+t to /it+#ra/

from a &ase $efore its final a#Fu#i&ation arises onl% from t+e &lientHs /ritten &onsent or from a 'oo# &ause. !8 Se&tion (; of Rule !*< of t+e Re,ise# Rules of Court pro,i#es: Se&. (;. Change o) attorneys O An attorne% ma% retire at an% time from an% a&tion or spe&ial pro&ee#in', $% t+e /ritten &onsent of +is &lient file# in &ourt. He ma% also retire at an% time from an a&tion or spe&ial pro&ee#in', /it+out t+e &onsent of +is &lient, s+oul# t+e &ourt, on noti&e to t+e &lient an# attorne%, an# on +earin', #etermine t+at +e ou'+t to $e allo/e# to retire. In &ase of su$stitution, t+e name of t+e attorne% ne/l% emplo%e# s+all $e entere# on t+e #o&0et of t+e &ourt in pla&e of t+e former one, an# /ritten noti&e of t+e &+an'e s+all $e 'i,en to t+e a#,erse part%. 333 333 333 A la/%er ma% retire at an% time from an% a&tion spe&ial pro&ee#in' /it+ t+e /ritten &onsent of +is &lient file# in &ourt an# &op% t+ereof ser,e# upon t+e a#,erse part%. S+oul# t+e &lient refuse to 'i,e +is &onsent, t+e la/%er must file an appli&ation /it+ t+e &ourt. T+e &ourt, on noti&e to t+e &lient an# a#,erse part%, s+all #etermine /+et+er +e ou'+t to $e allo/e# to retire. T+e appli&ation for /it+#ra/al must $e $ase# on a 'oo# &ause. !< In t+e instant &ase, &omplainant #i# not 'i,e +er /ritten &onsent to respon#entHs /it+#ra/al. T+e &ourt t+us or#ere# respon#ent to se&ure t+is &onsent. Respon#ent alle'e#l% informe# t+e &ourt t+at &omplainant +a# $e&ome +ostile an# refuse# to si'n +is motion. !7 He, +o/e,er, #i# not file an appli&ation /it+ t+e &ourt for it to #etermine /+et+er +e s+oul# $e allo/e# to /it+#ra/. Brantin' t+at respon#entHs motion /it+out &omplainantHs &onsent /as an appli&ation for /it+#ra/al /it+ t+e &ourt, /e fin# t+at t+is reason is insuffi&ient to Fustif% +is /it+#ra/al from t+e &ase. Respon#entHs /it+#ra/al /as ma#e on t+e 'roun# t+at Jt+ere no lon'er e3ist e#" t+e . . . &onfi#en&eJ $et/een t+em an# t+at t+ere +a# $een Jserious #ifferen&es $et/een t+em relatin' to t+e manner of pri,ate prose&ution.J () Rule ((.)! of Canon (( of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit% pro,i#es: CANON (( O A LA>2ER SHALL >ITHCRA> HIS SERAICES ONL2 6OR BOOC CAUSE ANC U-ON NOTICE A--RO-RIATE IN THE CIRCU?STANCES. Rule ((.)!O A la/%er ma% /it+#ra/ +is ser,i&es in an% of t+e follo/in' &ases: a: >+en t+e &lient pursues an ille'al or immoral &ourse of &on#u&t in &onne&tion /it+ t+e matter +e is +an#lin'5 $: >+en t+e &lient insists t+at t+e la/%er pursue &on#u&t ,iolati,e of t+ese &anons an# rules5 &: >+en +is ina$ilit% to /or0 /it+ &o-&ounsel /ill not promote t+e $est interest of t+e &lient5

#: >+en t+e mental or p+%si&al &on#ition of t+e la/%er ren#ers it #iffi&ult for +im to &arr% out t+e emplo%ment effe&ti,el%5 e: >+en t+e &lient #eli$eratel% fails to pa% t+e fees for t+e ser,i&es or fails to &ompl% /it+ t+e retainer a'reement5 f: >+en t+e la/%er is ele&te# or appointe# to pu$li& offi&e5 an# ': Ot+er similar &ases. A la/%er ma% /it+#ra/ +is ser,i&es from +is &lient onl% in t+e follo/in' instan&es: 9a: /+en a &lient insists upon an unFust or immoral &on#u&t of +is &ase5 9$: /+en t+e &lient insists t+at t+e la/%er pursue &on#u&t ,iolati,e of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%5 9&: /+en t+e &lient +as t/o or more retaine# la/%ers an# t+e la/%ers &oul# not 'et alon' to t+e #etriment of t+e &ase5 9#: /+en t+e mental or p+%si&al &on#ition of t+e la/%er ma0es +im in&apa$le of +an#lin' t+e &ase effe&ti,el%5 9e: /+en t+e &lient #eli$eratel% fails to pa% t+e attorne%Hs fees a'ree# upon5 9f: /+en t+e la/%er is ele&te# or appointe# to pu$li& offi&e5 9': ot+er similar &ases. T+e instant &ase #oes not fall un#er an% of t+e 'roun#s mentione#. Neit+er &an t+is $e &onsi#ere# analo'ous to t+e 'roun#s enumerate#. As foun# $% t+e Commission on Bar Cis&ipline, t+is &ase arose from a simple misun#erstan#in' $et/een &omplainant an# respon#ent. Complainant /as upset $% respon#entHs a$sen&e at t+e +earin' /+ere $ail /as 'rante# to t+e suspe&te# 0illers of +er +us$an#. S+e ,e+ementl% oppose# t+e 'rant of $ail. It /as t+us a spontaneous an# natural rea&tion for +er to &onfront respon#ent /it+ +is a$sen&e. Her $elli'eren&e arose from +er o,erGealousness, not+in' more. ComplainantHs /or#s an# a&tions ma% +a,e +urt respon#entHs feelin's &onsi#erin' t+e /or0 +e +a# put into t+e &ase. But +er /or#s /ere uttere# in a $urst of passion. An# e,en at t+at moment, &omplainant #i# not e3pressl% terminate respon#entHs ser,i&es. S+e ma#e t+is &lear /+en s+e refuse# to si'n +is J?otion to >it+#ra/ as Counsel.J Assumin', ne,ert+eless, t+at respon#ent /as Fustifie# in terminatin' +is ser,i&es, +e, +o/e,er, &annot Fust #o so an# lea,e &omplainant in t+e &ol# unprote&te#. T+e la/%er +as no ri'+t to presume t+at +is petition for /it+#ra/al /ill $e 'rante# $% t+e &ourt. (! Until +is /it+#ra/al s+all +a,e $een appro,e#, t+e la/%er remains &ounsel of re&or# /+o is e3pe&te# $% +is &lient as /ell as $% t+e &ourt to #o /+at t+e interests of +is &lient re=uire. (( He must still appear on t+e #ate of +earin' (* for t+e attorne%-&lient relation #oes not terminate formall% until t+ere is a /it+#ra/al of re&or#. (4 Respon#ent e3pressl% $oun# +imself un#er t+e &ontra&t to $rin' t+e &riminal &ase to its termination. He /as in fa&t pai# in full for +is ser,i&es. Respon#ent faile# to &ompl% /it+ +is un#erta0in', +en&e, it is $ut fair t+at +e return to &omplainant +alf of t+e amount pai# +im. T+e pe&uliar &ir&umstan&es of t+e &ase +a,e ren#ere# it impossi$le

for respon#ent an# &omplainant to &ontinue t+eir relation un#er t+e &ontra&t. IN AIE> >HEREO6, respon#ent is a#monis+e# to e3er&ise more pru#en&e an# Fu#i&iousness in #ealin' /it+ +is &lients. He is also or#ere# to return to &omplainant /it+in fifteen 9!.: #a%s from noti&e t+e amount of ten t+ousan# pesos 9-!),))).)): representin' a portion of +is le'al fees re&ei,e# from t+e latter /it+ a /arnin' t+at failure on +is part to #o so /ill result in t+e imposition of stiffer #is&iplinar% a&tion. SO ORCEREC. A.C. No. 6166 O+to=e. 2, 2&& MARIA EAR( 3E9ER(Y C. CENI6A,Complainant 4 ve.s#s 4 ATTY. 9I9IAN ,. R-3IA Respondent. 9=C$S$"1 2NARES-SANTIABO, J.: In a ,erifie# &omplaint[1] #ate# Kul% (., ())* file# /it+ t+e Offi&e of t+e Bar Confi#ant, ?aria Earl Be,erl% C. CeniGa &+ar'e# Att%. Ai,ian B. Ru$ia /it+ 'ra,e mis&on#u&t, 'ross i'noran&e of t+e la/ an# falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&uments. T+e fa&ts of t+e &ase are as follo/s On ?a% *, ())(, &omplainant sou'+t t+e le'al ser,i&es of t+e respon#ent in re'ar# to t+e s+are of +er mot+er-in-la/ in t+e estate of +er +us$an# Carlos CeniGa. As s+e +a# no mone% to pa% for attorne%1s fees sin&e +er mot+er-in-la/ /oul# arri,e from t+e Unite# States onl% in Kune ())(, respon#ent ma#e +er si'n a promissor% note for -*(,))).)), /+i&+ amount /as lent $% Comin'o Nata,io. After +er mot+er-in-la/ arri,e# an# pai# t+e loan, respon#ent furnis+e# t+em a &op% of t+e &omplaint for partition an# re&o,er% of o/ners+ipNpossession representin' le'itime $ut /it+ no #o&0et num$er on it. T+e% 0ept on follo/in' up t+e pro'ress of t+e &omplaint. Ho/e,er, t+ree mont+s lapse# $efore respon#ent informe# t+em t+at it /as alrea#% file# in &ourt. It /as t+en t+at t+e% re&ei,e# a &op% of t+e &omplaint /it+ DCi,il Case No. 4!7<E an# a ru$$er stampe# DRECEIAECE t+ereon. Ho/e,er, /+en &omplainant ,erifie# t+e status of t+e &ase /it+ t+e Cler0 of Court of t+e Re'ional Trial Court of Ca,ao #el Sur, s+e /as informe# t+at no &ase /it+ sai# title an# #o&0et num$er /as file#. [2] 6urt+er, &omplainant alle'e# t+at respon#ent /as 'uilt% of 'ross i'noran&e of t+e la/ for inten#in' to file t+e &omplaint in Ca,ao #el Sur /+en t+e properties to $e re&o,ere# /ere lo&ate# in Lorona#al, Sout+ Cota$ato an# ?alun'on, Saran'ani -ro,in&e, in ,iolation of t+e rule on ,enue t+at real a&tions s+all $e file# in t+e pla&e /+ere t+e propert% is situate#. Complainant also alle'e# t+at respon#ent for'e# t+e si'nature of +er +us$an#, Carlito C.

CeniGa, in t+e Affi#a,it of Loss atta&+e# to a petition for t+e issuan&e of a ne/ o/ner1s #upli&ate &ertifi&ate of title file# /it+ t+e Re'ional Trial Court 9RTC: of Ci'os Cit%, Bran&+ (), in ?is&. Case No. !!4(()(.[3] In +er &omment, respon#ent assaile# t+e personalit% of t+e &omplainant to institute t+e a#ministrati,e &omplaint for #is$arment as s+e /as not a part% to t+e a&tion for partition an# re&o,er% of o/ners+ipNpossession. As su&+, +er alle'ations in t+e a#ministrati,e &omplaint /ere all +earsa%, self-ser,in' an# unsu$stantiate#. 6urt+er, t+e &+ar'e of for'er% of t+e Affi#a,it of Loss /as $elie# $% t+e ?ar&+ *, ())* #e&ision of t+e trial &ourt, /+erein Carlito C. CeniGa affirme# +is statements in t+e sai# affi#a,it /+en +e /as &alle# to testif%.[4] On 6e$ruar% (, ())4, t+e Court resol,e# to refer t+e &ase to t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines 9IB-: for in,esti'ation, report an# re&ommen#ation. On April (7, ())4, respon#ent file# a Supplemental Comment e3plainin' t+e ru$$er stampe# DRECEIAECE on t+e &omplaint. A&&or#in' to +er, /+en +er staff Kan Lirt Lester Sole#a# /as at t+e RTC Offi&e of t+e Cler0 of Court, s+e &alle# +im t+rou'+ &ellular p+one an# #ire&te# +im to stop t+e filin' of t+e &omplaint as t+e same la&0e# &ertain atta&+ments. Ho/e,er, one &op% t+ereof /as alrea#% stampe# DRECEIAECE $% t+e re&ei,in' &ourt personnel, /+o also assi'ne# a #o&0et num$er. S+e 0ept t+e &opies of t+e &omplaint, in&lu#in' t+e one /it+ t+e stamp, to $e file# later /+en t+e atta&+ments are &omplete. ?ean/+ile, on No,em$er 8, ())., respon#ent file# a ?anifestation /it+ Ur'ent ?otion pra%in' t+at t+e a#ministrati,e &omplaint $e li0e/ise #ismisse# in ,ie/ of t+e #ismissal of t+e &riminal &ase #ue to &omplainant1s apparent la&0 of interest to prose&ute. On Kanuar% !7, ())8, t+e IB- In,esti'atin' Commissioner re&ommen#e# t+at respon#ent $e foun# 'uilt% of falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&ument an# $e mete# t+e penalt% of suspension from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for a perio# of t+ree %ears. T+e report rea#s in part, as follo/s: A pro&ee#in' for suspension or #is$arment is not in an% sense a &i,il a&tion, /+ere t+e &omplainant is a plaintiff an# t+e respon#ent la/%er is a #efen#ant. It in,ol,e# no pri,ate interest. T+e &omplainant or person /+o &alle# t+e attention of t+e &ourt to t+e attorne%1s mis&on#u&t is in no sense a part% an# +as 'enerall% no interest in its out&ome e3&ept as all 'oo# &itiGens ma% +a,e in t+e proper a#ministration of Fusti&e. It affor#s no re#ress for pri,ate 'rie,an&e. 9TeFan ,. Cusi, .8 SCRA !.4:

-res&in#in' from t+e afore=uote# rulin', it is t+erefore irrele,ant an# immaterial if +erein &omplainant is not a part% to t+e su$Fe&t &i,il &omplaint prepare# $% t+e respon#ent. A &ase of suspension or #is$arment ma% pro&ee# re'ar#less of interest or la&0 of interest of t+e. >+at matters is /+et+er on t+e $asis of t+e fa&ts $orne out $% t+e re&or#, t+e &+ar'e +as $een pro,en. On t+e pa%ment of t+e a&&eptan&e fee in t+e amount of -*(,))).)), respon#ent1s &ontention t+at s+e a&te# as 'uarantor of Carlos CeniGa, &omplainant1s +us$an#, /+en +e $orro/e# mone% from a mone% len#er, Comin'o Nata,io, t+e amount representin' t+e a&&eptan&e, #oes not inspire $elief. T+e promissor% note #ate# ?a% *, ())(, appen#e# as Anne3 DAE of t+e &omplaint-affi#a,it elo=uentl% s+o/s t+at &onsistent /it+ t+e &omplainant1s alle'ation, s+e /as ma#e to $orro/ sai# amount to $e pai# as respon#ent1s a&&eptan&e fee. It $ears stress t+at t+e #ate of t+e promissor% note is t+e same #ate /+en respon#ent1s ser,i&es /ere en'a'e# lea#in' to t+e preparation of t+e su$Fe&t &i,il &omplaint. Complainant1s alle'ation is furt+er en+an&e# $% t+e fa&t t+at su&+ promissor% note /as e,en notariGe# $% t+e respon#ent. On t+e alle'e# filin' of t+e su$Fe&t &i,il &omplaint, it is un#ispute# t+at t+e same /as not file# $efore t+e Offi&e of t+e Cler0 of Court, RTC Ca,ao Cel Sur, as e,i#en&e# $% a Certifi&ation from t+e sai# offi&e appen#e# as Anne3 DAE of &omplainant1s ?anifestation #ate# O&to$er !4, ()).. T+us, t+e &laim of &omplainant t+at respon#ent falsifie# or &ause# it to falsif% t+e stamp mar0e# re&ei,e# #ate# ?a% !), ())( in&lu#in' t+e &ase num$er D4!7<E, fin#s fa&tual an# le'al $ases. It $ears stress t+at a &op% of t+e su$Fe&t &i,il &omplaint /as o$taine# $% &omplainant from t+e respon#ent +erself /+o trie# to impress upon t+e former t+at &ontrar% to +er suspi&ion, t+e su$Fe&t &i,il &omplaint /as alrea#% file# in &ourt. Ho/e,er, in=uir% ma#e $% t+e &omplainant s+o/s ot+er/ise. Respon#ent1s &ontention t+at after one &op% of t+e &omplaint /as alrea#% stampe# $% &ourt personnel in preparation for re&ei,in' t+e same an# enterin' in t+e &ourt1s #o&0et, s+e &ause# it to $e /it+#ra/n after realiGin' t+at t+e same la&0e# &ertain atta&+ments, is $ereft of merit. In t+e first pla&e, respon#ent misera$l% faile# to mention t+ese la&0in' atta&+ments t+at alle'e#l% &ause# t+e /it+#ra/al of t+e &omplaint. Se&on#l%, an# assumin' ar'uen#o t+at t+e /it+#ra/al /as #ue to la&0in' atta&+ments, +o/ &ome t+e same /as not file# in t+e ne3t offi&e #a% &omplete /it+ atta&+ments. An# lastl%, t+e Certifi&ation of t+e Cler0 of Court &learl% states t+at Ci,il Case No. 4!<< is not t+e &ase of ?er&e#es CalleFo ,#a. Ce CeniGa, et al. ,s. C+arlotte CeniGa, et al. 3333

T+e fa&t t+at t+e Cit% -rose&utor1s Offi&e of Ci'os, upon motion for re&onsi#eration of t+e respon#ent, #ismisse# a similar &omplaint file# $% +erein &omplainant /ill not in an%/a% affe&t t+e a$o,e &aptione# a#ministrati,e &omplaint. T+e pen#en&% of a &riminal a&tion a'ainst t+e respon#ent, from t+e fa&ts of /+i&+ t+e #is&iplinar% pro&ee#in' is pre#i&ate#, #oes not pose preFu#i&ial =uestion to t+e resolution of t+e issues in t+e #is$arment &ase. 9Calo ,s. Ce'ano, () SCRA 448: His &on,i&tion is not ne&essar% to +ol# t+e la/%er a#ministrati,el% lia$le $e&ause t+e t/o pro&ee#in's an# t+eir o$Fe&ti,es are #ifferent an# it is not soun# pu$li& poli&% to a/ait t+e final resolution of a &riminal &ase $efore t+e &ourt a&t on a &omplaint a'ainst a la/%er as it ma% emas&ulate t+e #is&iplinar% po/er of t+e &ourt. 9In re Brillantes, 8; SCRA !: Nor is +is a&=uittal, $% t+is fa&t alone, a $ar to an a#ministrati,e &omplaint a'ainst +im. 9-iatt ,s. A$or#o, .< -+il. *.):. T+e ot+er alle'ations in t+e &omplaint a$out i'noran&e of t+e la/ are foun# to $e /it+out $asis. RECO??ENCATION >HERE6ORE, it is most respe&tfull% re&ommen#e# t+at +erein respon#ent Att%. Ai,ian C. Ru$ia, $e foun# 'uilt% of t+e &+ar'e of falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&ument an# $e mete# t+e penalt% of suspension from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for a perio# of t+ree 9*: %ears. On ?a% *!, ())8, t+e Boar# of Bo,ernors of t+e IB- issue# a Resolution a#optin' t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner1s re&ommen#ation /it+ mo#ifi&ation, as follo/s: RESOLUTION NO. @AII-())8-(*8 A#m. Case No. ;!;; ?aria Earl Be,erl% C. CeniGa ,s. Att%. Ai,ian B. Ru$ia RESOLAEC to ACO-T an# A--ROAE, as it is +ere$% ACO-TEC an# A--ROAEC, /it+ mo#ifi&ation, t+e Report an# Re&ommen#ation of t+e In,esti'atin' Commissioner of t+e a$o,eentitle# &ase, +erein ma#e part of t+is Resolution as Anne3 DAE5 an# fin#in' t+e re&ommen#ation full% supporte# $% t+e e,i#en&e on re&or# an# t+e appli&a$le la/s an# rules, an# &onsi#erin' Respon#ent1s falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&ument, Att%. Ai,ian B. Ru$ia is +ere$% CISBARREC. Ho/e,er, in its Ce&em$er !!, ())< Resolution, t+e Boar# of Bo,ernors re&onsi#ere# its ?a% *!, ())8 Resolution $% re#u&in' t+e re&ommen#e# penalt% of #is$arment to fi,e %ears suspension from t+e pra&ti&e of la/, t+us: RESOLUTION NO. @AIII-())<-8!. A#m. Case No. ;!;; ?aria Earl Be,erl% C. CeniGa ,s. Att%. Ai,ian B. Ru$ia RESOLAEC to ACO-T an# A--ROAE, as it is +ere$% ACO-TEC an# A--ROAEC t+e Re&ommen#ation of t+e Boar# of Bo,ernors

6irst Ci,ision of t+e a$o,e-entitle# &ase, +erein ma#e part of t+is Resolution as Anne3 DAE5 an#, fin#in' t+e re&ommen#ation full% supporte# $% t+e e,i#en&e on re&or# an# t+e appli&a$le la/s an# rules, t+e ?otion for Re&onsi#eration is +ere$% CENIEC /it+ mo#ifi&ation, t+at Resolution RESOLUTION NO. @AII-())8-(*8 of t+e Boar# of Bo,ernors #ate# *! ?a% ())8 re&ommen#in' t+e Cis$arment of Att%. Ai,ian B. Ru$ia is re#u&e# to 6i,e 9.: %ears Suspension from t+e pra&ti&e of la/. On April (), ())7, t+e IB- for/ar#e# t+e instant &ase to t+is Court as pro,i#e# un#er Rule !*7-B, Se&tion !(9$: of t+e Rules of Court. Complainant see0s t+e #is$arment of respon#ent from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for 'ross mis&on#u&t, i'noran&e of t+e la/ an# for falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&ument. In #is$arment pro&ee#in's, t+e $ur#en of proof rests upon t+e &omplainant, an# for t+e &ourt to e3er&ise its #is&iplinar% po/ers, t+e &ase a'ainst t+e respon#ent must $e esta$lis+e# $% &lear, &on,in&in' an# satisfa&tor% proof. Consi#erin' t+e serious &onse=uen&e of t+e #is$arment or suspension of a mem$er of t+e Bar, t+is Court +as &onsistentl% +el# t+at &lear prepon#erant e,i#en&e is ne&essar% to Fustif% t+e imposition of t+e a#ministrati,e penalt%. [5] T+e sole issue in t+is &ase is /+et+er or not t+ere is prepon#erant e,i#en&e to /arrant t+e imposition of a#ministrati,e san&tion a'ainst t+e respon#ent. In a&&usin' respon#ent of falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&ument, &omplainant alle'e# t+at respon#ent misrepresente# to +er t+at t+e &omplaint /as alrea#% file# in &ourt, /+en in fa&t, upon ,erifi&ation /it+ t+e RTC Cler0 of Court, it /as not. Su&+ misrepresentation is s+o/n $% t+e &op% of t+e &omplaint /it+ a stampe# DRECEIAECE an# #o&0et num$er t+ereon. Apart from sai# alle'ations, &omplainant +as not proferre# an% proof ten#in' to s+o/ t+at respon#ent #eli$eratel% falsifie# a pu$li& #o&ument. A perusal of t+e re&or#s s+o/s t+at &omplainant1s e,i#en&e &onsists solel% of +er Affi#a,it-Complaint an# t+e anne3es atta&+e# t+ere/it+. S+e #i# not appear in all t+e man#ator% &onferen&es set $% t+e in,esti'atin' &ommissioner in or#er to 'i,e respon#ent t+e &+an&e to test t+e ,era&it% of +er assertions. It is one t+in' to alle'e 'ross mis&on#u&t, i'noran&e of t+e la/ or falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&ument an# anot+er to #emonstrate $% e,i#en&e t+e spe&ifi& a&ts &onstitutin' t+e same. In#ee#, &omplainant +as no /a% of 0no/in' t+e surroun#in' &ir&umstan&es $e+in# t+e filin' of t+e &omplaint $% respon#ent1s staff $e&ause s+e /as not present /+en t+e same /as file# /it+ t+e trial &ourt. Complainant faile# to #ispro,e $% prepon#erant e,i#en&e respon#ent1s &laim t+at t+e &ase /as not file# $ut /as in fa&t /it+#ra/n after it /as stampe# /it+ DRECEIAECE an# assi'ne# /it+

a #o&0et num$er. >e fin# t+is e3planation satisfa&tor% an# plausi$le &onsi#erin' t+at t+e stamp #i# not $ear t+e si'nature of t+e re&ei,in' &ourt personnel, /+i&+ is normall% #one /+en plea#in's are re&ei,e# $% t+e &ourt. 6urt+er, t+e &ertifi&ation of t+e RTC Cler0 of Court t+at t+e &omplaint /as not file# an# t+at DCIAIL CASE NO. 4!7<E pertaine# to anot+er &ase, #i# not #iminis+ t+e trut+fulness of respon#ent1s &laim, $ut e,en ten#e# to $olster it. Ne&essaril%, as t+e &omplaint /as not file#, #o&0et num$er D4!7<E in#i&ate# in t+e &op% of t+e &omplaint /as assi'ne# to anot+er &ase t+ereafter file# in &ourt. T+us, for la&0 of prepon#erant e,i#en&e, t+e in,esti'atin' &ommissioner1s rulin' t+at respon#ent /as 'uilt% of falsifi&ation of pu$li& #o&ument, as a#opte# $% t+e IB-Boar# of Bo,ernors, +as no fa&tual $asis to stan# on. Ho/e,er, /e fin# t+at respon#ent &ommitte# some a&ts for /+i&+ s+e s+oul# $e #is&ipline# or a#ministrati,el% san&tione#. >e fin# not+in' ille'al or repre+ensi$le in respon#ent1s a&t of &+ar'in' an a&&eptan&e fee of -*(,))).)), /+i&+ amount appears to $e reasona$le un#er t+e &ir&umstan&es. T+e impropriet% lies in t+e fa&t t+at s+e su''este# t+at &omplainant $orro/ mone% from Comin'o Nata,io for t+e pa%ment t+ereof. T+is a&t impresses upon t+e Court t+at respon#ent /oul# #o not+in' to t+e &ause of &omplainant1s mot+er-in-la/ unless pa%ment of t+e a&&eptan&e fee is ma#e. Her #ut% to ren#er le'al ser,i&es to +er &lient /it+ &ompeten&e an# #ili'en&e s+oul# not #epen# on t+e pa%ment of a&&eptan&e fee, /+i&+ /as in t+is &ase promise# to $e pai# upon t+e arri,al of &omplainant1s mot+er-in-la/ in Kune ())(, or $arel% a mont+ after respon#ent a&&epte# t+e &ase. Respon#ent1s trans'ression is &ompoun#e# furt+er /+en s+e se,ere# t+e la/%er-&lient relations+ip #ue to o,er/+elmin' /or0loa# #eman#e# $% +er ne/ emplo%er Na0a%ama Broup of Companies, /+i&+ &onstraine# +er to return t+e mone% re&ei,e# as /ell as t+e re&or#s of t+e &ase, t+ere$% lea,in' +er &lient /it+ no representation. Stan#in' alone, +ea,% /or0loa# is not suffi&ient reason for t+e /it+#ra/al of +er ser,i&es. ?oreo,er, respon#ent faile# to maintain an open line of &ommuni&ation /it+ +er &lient re'ar#in' t+e status of t+eir &omplaint. Clearl%, respon#ent ,iolate# t+e La/%er1s Oat+ /+i&+ imposes upon e,er% mem$er of t+e $ar t+e #ut% to #ela% no man for mone% or mali&e, Rules !<.)* an# !<.)4 of Canon !<, an# Canon (( of t+e Code o) 2ro)essional Responsi#ility, t+us: CANON !< - A LA>2ER SHALL SERAE HIS CLIENT >ITH CO?-ETENCE ANC CILIBENCE. 3333

Rule !<.)* - A la/%er s+all not ne'le&t a le'al matter entruste# to +im an# +is ne'li'en&e in &onne&tion t+ere/it+ s+all ren#er +im lia$le. Rule !<.)4 - A la/%er s+all 0eep t+e &lient informe# of t+e status of +is &ase an# s+all respon# /it+in a reasona$le time to t+e &lient1s re=uest for information. CANON (( - A LA>2ER SHALL >ITHCRA> HIS SERAICES ONL2 6OR BOOC CAUSE ANC U-ON NOTICE A--RO-RIATE IN THE CIRCU?STANCES. >+en a la/%er a&&epts to +an#le a &ase, /+et+er for a fee or gratis et amore, +e un#erta0es to 'i,e +is utmost attention, s0ill an# &ompeten&e to it, re'ar#less of its si'nifi&an&e. T+us, +is &lient, /+et+er ri&+ or poor, +as t+e ri'+t to e3pe&t t+at +e /ill #is&+ar'e +is #uties #ili'entl% an# e3ert +is $est efforts, learnin' an# a$ilit% to prose&ute or #efen# +is 9&lient1s: &ause /it+ reasona$le #ispat&+. 6ailure to fulfill +is #uties /ill su$Fe&t +im to 'ra,e a#ministrati,e lia$ilit% as a mem$er of t+e Bar. 6or t+e o,erri#in' nee# to maintain t+e fait+ an# &onfi#en&e of t+e people in t+e le'al profession #eman#s t+at an errin' la/%er s+oul# $e san&tione#. [6] >HERE6ORE, in ,ie/ of t+e fore'oin', respon#ent Att%. Ai,ian B. Ru$ia is foun# BUILT2 of ,iolation of Rule !<.)* an# Canon (( of t+e Co#e of -rofessional Responsi$ilit%. A&&or#in'l%, s+e is SUS-ENCEC from t+e pra&ti&e of la/ for si3 9;: mont+s effe&ti,e imme#iatel%, /it+ a /arnin' t+at similar infra&tions in t+e future /ill $e #ealt /it+ more se,erel%. Let all &ourts, t+rou'+ t+e Offi&e of t+e Court A#ministrator, as /ell as t+e Inte'rate# Bar of t+e -+ilippines an# t+e Offi&e of t+e Bar Confi#ant, $e notifie# of t+is Ce&ision, an# $e it #ul% re&or#e# in t+e personal file of respon#ent Att%. Ai,ian B. Ru$ia. SO ORCEREC.