SOLIMAN M. SANTOS, JR., Complainant, v. ATTY. FRANCISCO R.

LLAMAS, Respondent
A.C. No. 4749 | January 20, 2000

Second Division Decision | Mendoza

FACTS:

A Complaint for misrepresentation and non-payment of bar membership dues. It appears that Atty.
Llamas, who for a number of years now, has not indicated the proper PTR and IBP OR Nos. and data in
his pleadings. If at all, he only indicated “IBP Rizal 259060” but he has been using this for at least three
years already.

On the other hand, respondent, who is now of age, averred that he is only engaged in a “limited”
practice of law and under RA 7432, as a senior citizen, he is exempted from payment of income taxes
and included in this exemption is the payment of membership dues.

RULING:

Yes. Rule 139-A requires that every member of the Integrated Bar shall pay annual dues and default
thereof for six months shall warrant suspension of membership and if nonpayment covers a period of 1-
year, default shall be a ground for removal of the delinquent’s name from the Roll of Attorneys. It does
not matter whether or not respondent is only engaged in “limited” practice of law. Moreover, the
exemption invoked by respondent does not include exemption from payment of membership or
association dues.

In addition, by indicating “IBP Rizal 259060” in his pleadings and thereby misprepresenting to the
public and the courts that he had paid his IBP dues to the Rizal Chpater, respondent is guilty of violating
the Code of Professional Responsibility which provides: Rule 1.01 – A lawyer shall not engage in
unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct. His act is also a violation of Rule 10.01 which
provides that: A lawyer shall not do any falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in court; nor mislead
or allow the court to be misled by any artifice.

Lawyer was suspended for one year or until he has paid his IBP dues, whichever is later.