Professional Documents
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• In his position paper, Atty. Ferrer manifested his willingness to • We may agree with respondent's contention that complainant was
support their daughter. not entirely blameless, as she knew about his wife but blindly
o He admitted his indiscretion; however, he prayed that the IBP believed him to be unmarried. However, that one complicit in
the affair complained of immorality against her co-principal
consider Ms. Samaniego's complicity as she was acquainted
does not make this case less serious since it is immaterial
with his wife and children. He further reasoned that he found it
whether Ms. Samaniego is in pari delicto. We must emphasize
unconscionable to abandon his wife and 10 children to cohabit
that this Court's investigation is not about Ms. Samaniego's acts
with Ms. Samaniego.
but Atty. Ferrer's conduct as one of its officers and his fitness to
• In a Resolution, the IBP Board of Governors adopted the report and continue as a member of the Bar.
recommendation of the Investigating Commissioner, and imposed
upon Atty. Ferrer the penalty of 6 months suspension from the
• Atty. Ferrer and all members of the bar of the following norms
under the Code of Professional Responsibility:
practice of law for his refusal to support his daughter with Ms.
Samaniego. The IBP also admonished him to be a more responsible o “Rule 1.01 - A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest,
member of the bar and to keep in mind his duties as a father. immoral or deceitful conduct. x x x Canon 7 - A lawyer shall
at all times uphold the integrity and dignity of the legal
• Atty. Ferrer filed this MR for reduced penalty.
profession and support the activities of the integrated
ISSUE
bar. x x x Rule 7.03 - A lawyer shall not engage in conduct that
• W/N a reduced penalty is warranted? NO adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law, nor shall he,
HELD whether in public or private life, behave in a scandalous
manner to the discredit of the legal profession.”
• We agree with the IBP on Atty. Ferrer's failure to give support to
his daughter with Ms. Samaniego, and that his affair with Ms.
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