PALE CASE DIGEST: LAWYERS DUTIES TO COURT G.R. No. 80390 March 2 ! "998 ". CITY S#ERI$$!

ILIGAN CITY a%& SPOUSES ANGEL L. 'AUTISTA a%& ANGELICA M. 'AUTISTA! ()*+*+o%)r,! -,. AL$ARO $ORTUNADO! EDIT#A $ORTUNADO! . NESTOR $ORTUNADO! r),(o%&)%*,. Facts: Respondents are the registered owners of two parcels of land. Said properties were mortgaged by Arsenio Lopez, Jr. to the Traders ommercial !an" to sec#re a loan obligation. Respondents instit#ted an action before the o#rt of First $nstance against Lopez, Jr. and Traders Royal !an", for ann#lment of mortgage. The trial co#rt r#led in fa%or of respondents b#t the o#rt of Appeals modified the former&s r#ling by eliminating the paragraph declaring the real estate mortgage n#ll and %oid. Traders Royal !an" assigned its rights to the mortgage to petitioner Angel !a#tista who re'#ested to the ity Sheriff of $ligan ity that the mortgaged properties be foreclosed for non(payment of the loan obligation. Respondents filed with the Regional Trial o#rt a complaint for cancellation of lien with preliminary in)#nction against petitioner. The trial co#rt r#led in fa%or of respondents while the o#rt of Appeals forwarded the case to the S#preme o#rt. Respondents, thro#gh co#nsel Ramon *onzales, filed a %erified +anifestation informing the o#rt that the s#b)ect real estate mortgage has already been released by the Traders Royal !an" and that the petitioner was "illed in a robbery in his ho#se. The o#rt re'#ired petitioner,s co#nsel Atty. -milio Abrogena to comment on the said +anifestation. .owe%er, the copy of the resol#tion of the o#rt addressed to Atty. Abrogena was ret#rned #nclaimed after three notices, with the postmaster,s remar" /mo%ed./ $n %iew of this de%elopment, the o#rt considered the resol#tion as ser%ed. $ss#e: Sho#ld Atty. Abrogena be reprimanded for his fail#re to inform the o#rt of the death of petitioner0 .eld: 1e ta"e notice of the fail#re of Atty. Abrogena to inform the trial co#rt of the death of petitioner, a d#ty mandated by Section 23, R#le 4 of the Re%ised R#les of o#rt, which pro%ides in part, to wit:

Sec. 23. 5eath of party6 d#ty of co#nsel. 7 1hene%er a party to a pending action dies, and the claim is not thereby e8ting#ished, it shall be the d#ty of his co#nsel to inform the co#rt within thirty 94:; days after s#ch death of the fact thereof, and to gi%e the name and address of his legal representati%e or representati%es. Fail#re of the co#nsel to comply with this d#ty shall be a gro#nd for disciplinary action. 888 888 888 1e li"ewise note Atty. Abrogena,s fail#re to inform this o#rt of his change of address which acco#nts for his fail#re to comment on the manifestation of respondents relati%e to the death of petitioner and the release of the s#b)ect real estate mortgage. Atty. Abrogena sho#ld bear in mind that a lawyer is, first and foremost, an officer of the co#rt. .is d#ties to the co#rt are more significant than those which he owes to his client. .is first d#ty is not to his client b#t to the administration of )#stice6 to that end, his client,s s#ccess is wholly s#bordinate6 and his cond#ct o#ght to and m#st always be scr#p#lo#sly obser%ant of the law and ethics of the profession. Atty. Abrogena is R-<R$+A=5-5 for his fail#re to inform this o#rt of the death of petitioner and to perform his d#ty #nder Section 23, R#le 4 of the Re%ised R#les of o#rt. .e is f#rther warned that a repetition of s#ch omission in the f#t#re will be dealt with se%erely. 2. Occ)%a -,. /0&1) Mar20)3

$n the Testate -state <roceedings of 1illiam >gan, petitioners, Atty. Jes#s ?. >cce@a and Atty. Sam#el . >cce@a, are the lawyers for the estate e8ec#tri8, +rs. =ecitas >gan >cce@a. $n order to e8pedite the settlement of their deceased father,s estate, the se%en instit#ted heirs decided to enter into compromise with the claimants, as a res#lt of which the total amo#nt of <AA:,:::.:: in cash was awarded to the claimants, incl#ding co(e8ec#tor Atty. $sabelo ?. !inamira, his lawyers and his wife. A partial distrib#tion of the corp#s and income of the estate was made to the heirs in the total amo#nt of <BC:,:::.::.

>n acco#nt of their legal ser%ices, petitionees filed a +otion for <artial <ayment of Attorneys, Fees in the amo#nt of <4:,:::.::. .owe%er, respondent )#dge iss#ed an order fi8ing the total fees of petitioners at <A:,:::. <etitioners contend that respondent J#dge acted with gra%e ab#se of discretion or in e8cess of )#risdiction in fi8ing the entire attorney,s fee. Atty. $. ?. !inamira, who claims to be co(e8ec#tor of the >gan estate filed a +otion for Lea%e to $nter%ene, which was granted. <etitioners filed against inter%enor a <etition for ontempt for alleged #se of false doc#ments. $ss#e: 1>= Atty. !inamira can be held in contempt. .eld: D-S. 1e find no r#le of law or of ethics which wo#ld )#stify the cond#ct of a lawyer in any case, whether ci%il or criminal, in endea%oring by dishonest means to mislead the co#rt, e%en if to do so might wor" to the ad%antage of his client. The cond#ct of the lawyer before the co#rt and with other lawyers sho#ld be characterized by candor and fairness. $t is neither candid nor fair for a lawyer to "nowingly ma"e false allegations in a )#dicial pleading or to mis'#ote the contents of a doc#ment, the testimony of a witness, the arg#ment of opposing co#nsel or the contents of a decision. !efore his admission to the practice of law, he too" the solemn oath that he will do no falsehood nor consent to the doing of any in co#rt, nor wittingly or willingly promote or s#e any false, gro#ndless or #nlawf#l s#it, and cond#ct himself as a lawyer with all good fidelity to co#rts as well as to his clients. 1e find that Atty. !inamira, in ha%ing deliberately made these false allegations in his pleadings, has been recreant to his oath. $ac*0a4 'a,+,: 2. To bolster his claim that the e8ec#tri8, witho#t appro%al of the co#rt, loaned <2::,:::.:: to the !ohol Land Transportation ompany, $nc., inter%enor s#bmitted as Anne8 C of his Answer to S#pplemental <etition a so(called /Real -state +ortgage/ which he made to appear was signed by Atty. ?icente de la Serna and the e8ec#tri8. The certification of the 5ep#ty ler" of o#rt 9Anne8 A( ontempt; shows that what inter%enor claims to be a d#ly e8ec#ted mortgage is in reality only a proposed mortgage not e%en signed by the parties.

A. $nter%enor, in his $nter%enor,s >pposition to <etition, also stated that in 5ecember, 2E3C, the e8ec#tri8, witho#t the co#rt,s appro%al or of the co(e8ec#tor,s consent, b#t with petitioners, consent, loaned <2::,:::.:: to the !ohol Land Transportation ompany, $nc. o#t of the estate,s f#nds. The record shows that only <C:,:::.:: was loaned to the company to protect the in%estment of the estate therein, and that the same was granted p#rs#ant to a )oint motion signed among others, by inter%enor, and appro%ed by the co#rt. 4. To discredit petitioner Sam#el . >cce@a and his wife, the e8ec#tri8, inter%enor stated in his $nter%enor,s >pposition to <etition that less than a month after the loan of <2::,:::.:: had been granted to the transportation company, petitioner Sam#el . >cce@a was elected president by directors of his own choosing in the !ohol Land Transportation ompany, $nc., insin#ating that in effect the e8ec#tri8 loaned to her h#sband the said s#m of money. The certification of the corporate secretary of the !ohol Land Transportation ompany, $nc. 9Anne8 5( ontempt; states that petitioner Sam#el . >cce@a was not the president of the company at the time, nor did he act as president or treas#rer thereof, and that the president was Atty. ?icente de la Serna. This last fact is also shown in inter%enor,s own Anne8 C of his Answer to S#pplemental <etition. B. $n inter%enor,s >pposition to this petition for certiorari, he stated that contrary to the e8ec#tri8,s statement in the 2E3C income ta8 ret#rn of the estate that an estate /income of <E:,FF:.:C was distrib#ted among the heirs in 2E3C, there was in fact no s#ch distrib#tion of income. The e8ec#tri8,s pro)ect of partition 9Anne8 -( ontempt; shows that there was a distrib#tion of the 2E3C income of the estate. C. To discredit petitioner and the e8ec#tri8, inter%enor alleged in his $nter%enor,s >pposition to <etition that petitioners ca#sed to be filed with the co#rt the e8ec#tri8,s %erified in%entory which failed to incl#de as assets of the estate certain loans granted to petitioner Sam#el . >cce@a in the s#m of <B,:::.:: and to the e8ec#tri8 %ario#s s#ms totalling <3,:::.::. The letters written by the late 1. . >gan to his da#ghter, the e8ec#tri8 9Anne8es F, *. and .( ontempt;, show that the said s#ms totalling <2:,:::.:: were in reality partly gi%en to her as a gift and partly for the payment of certain f#rnit#re and e'#ipment.

3. $nter%enor, in >rder to f#rther discredit petitioners and the e8ec#tri8, stated in his Reply to -8ec#tri8,s and >pposition to -8ec#tri8,s +otion for Reconsideration that the e8ec#tri8 and petitioners ref#sed to pay and deli%er to him all that he was entitled to #nder the compromise agreement. The receipt dated >ctober AE, 2E3C, signed by inter%enor himself 9Anne8 $( ontempt;, shows that he ac"nowledged receipt from petitioner Sam#el . >cce@a, lawyer for the e8ec#tri8, the s#m of <2B2,:::.:: /in f#ll payment of all claims and fees against the -state, p#rs#ant to the Agreement dated >ctober AF, 2E3C./ F. $n his Reply to -8ec#tri8,s >pposition and >pposition to -8ec#tri8,s +otion for Reconsideration, inter%enor alleged that he signed Atty. >cce@a,s prepared receipt witho#t recei%ing payment, tr#sting that Atty. >cce@a wo#ld pay the amo#nt in f#ll, b#t later Atty. >cce@a withheld hartered !an" hec" =o. CC4GB for <G,:::.:: drawn in fa%or of inter%enor and <2C,:::.:: in cash. A receipt signed by inter%enor $. ?. !inamira 9Anne8 H( ontempt; shows that he ac"nowledged receipt of the chec" in '#estion in the amo#nt of <G,:::(:: /intended for +rs. Lila >gan astillo ... ./ Anent the s#m of <2C,:::.:: in cash, Anne8 J( ontempt 9Reply to the >pposition for A#thority to Annotate $nterest, etc. filed by inter%enor with the probate co#rt; shows that inter%enor, as mo%ant, himself had alleged that /no chec" was iss#ed to mo%ant, b#t withdrawn amo#nt of <2C,:::.:: was incl#ded in p#rchasing +anager,s chec" =o. CC4EG for the ler" of o#rt 9deposit; for <FC,:::.::,/ for the said amo#nt was %ol#ntarily e8tended by inter%enor as a fa%or and gest#re of goodwill to form part of the total cash bond of <FC,:::.:: deposited with the ler" of o#rt, as shown by a receipt signed by Atty. Sam#el . >cce@a 9Anne8 H(22( ontempt; which forms part of the record in the co#rt below. G. $n his inter%enor,s omments and o#nter(<etition, inter%enor denied the tr#th of petitioners, claim that inter%enor had %ol#ntarily and willingly e8tended the s#m of <2C,:::.:: as a fa%or and gest#re of goodwill to form part of the <FC,:::.::(deposit. $n the >pposition to +otion of -8ec#tri8 for Reconsideration of >rder of Febr#ary 2E, 2E33, dated April 23, 2E33 9Anne8 H(A( ontempt;, inter%enor had, howe%er, admitted that /o#t of the goodness of his heart ... in the nat#re of help,/ he had /willingly e8tended as a fa%or and gest#re of goodwill/ the said s#m of <2C,:::.::.

E. To imp#gn the claim of petitioner Sam#el . >cce@a that he stayed in 5#mag#ete ity for almost one year to attend to the affairs of the estate, inter%enor, in his inter%enor,s >pposition to <etition, alleged that said petitioner,s stay in 5#mag#ete ity was not to attend to the affairs of the estate, b#t to enable him to teach in Silliman Ini%ersity. The certification of the 5irector of the personnel office of Silliman Ini%ersity, dated 5ecember B, 2E3F 9Anne8 ?( ontempt; is, howe%er, to the effect that their /records do not show that Atty. Sam#el . >cce@a was teaching at Silliman Ini%ersity or employed in any other capacity in 2E34, or at any time before or after 2E34./

A**5. '+%a6+ra +, h)4& +% co%*)6(*. A, *o *h) +,,0) o7 co6()%,a*+o%! *h) (ro8a*) co0r* 9a, &+r)c*)& *o co%&0c* h)ar+%1 *o &)*)r6+%) *h) (ro()r a6o0%* *h)r)o7. G.R. No. L:28"3" $)8r0ar5 28! "9 2 ;. C#AN <IAN %s. ARSENIO ANGSIN =A. A. I%&0,*r+a4 Ch)6+ca4 S0((45> $ac*,: <laintiff,s complaint before the F$ of +anila alleges that on J#ly A4, 2E3A, he entered into an agreement with defendant by selling to him, for deli%ery on A#g#st A4, 2E3A, B:: dr#ms of monosodi#m gl#tamate in the amo#nt of <2A:,:::.:: and that on A#g#st A4, 2E3A, he was ready to deli%er b#t defendant ref#sed to accept deli%ery and insisted on the ret#rn of the <2A:,:::.:: beca#se the price of the said merchandise had already fallen in the local mar"et, hence said complaint prays that defendant be ordered to recei%e from plaintiff B:: dr#ms of monosodi#m gl#tamate, with damages. Arising from the same transaction is riminal ase =o. 3FFCA, People vs. Chan Kian 9herein plaintiff; before the same co#rt, wherein herein defendant is the complainant, who acc#ses herein plaintiff with estafa in%ol%ing the same B:: dr#ms of monosodi#m gl#tamate and the s#m of <2A:,:::.::.

o#rt,s e8amination, motu proprio, of the record of said riminal ase =o. 3FFCA entitled /People vs. Chan Kian/ has shown that the principal iss#e raised on appeal by herein plaintiff(appellant that the lower co#rt erred in iss#ing the order dismissing his ci%il complaint against the complainant in the criminal case on its r#ling that the trial of the criminal case sho#ld ta"e precedence o%er the ci%il case, has become moot and academic. =one of the abo%e de%elopments of record in the criminal case has been bro#ght to the attention of the appellate co#rt or of this o#rt in the present appeal by the attorneys for the parties, I,,0): 1>= the co#nsels ha%e complied with their d#ty as officers of the co#rt #)4&: =o. had the co#nsels, as officers of the co#rts, b#t faithf#lly complied with their d#ty to deal with the co#rts in tr#th and candor, and promptly manifested to the appellate co#rt the abo%e de%elopments, all by J#ne, 2E3C, which ha%e made the principal iss#e at bar moot and academic, this case wo#ld then ha%e been disposed of and need not ha%e been certified to this o#rt, and the time needed by it to de%ote to the prompt disposition of meritorio#s cases need not ha%e been th#s dissipated.

second motion for e8tension of ten days to s#bmit respondents, comment on the gro#nd that Atty. L. . 5elante, co#nsel of record, got sic" and that Atty. 5elante has )#st reco%ered from his ailment. 5ecember AG, 2EFA, Atty. Leonido . 5elante filed a third motion for /a last e8tension of fifteen days to s#bmit the comment, stating the #ndersigned co#nsel already prepared the final draft b#t d#e to press#re of wor" in his office and matters occasioned by the hristmas season, the same has not been finalized and typed o#t in a clean copy for filing. The o#rt granted the said e8tensions totalling twenty(fi%e days. .a%ing noted respondents, fail#re to file their comment notwithstanding the n#mero#s e8tensions, the o#rt resol%ed to re'#ire Atty. 5elante to e8plain and show ca#se why they failed to file the re'#ired comment. Atty. 5elante in his e8planation claimed that in %iew of his pressing professional commitments, he re'#ested his clients to ha%e the answer prepared by another lawyer Atty. Antonio Fernandez. $t was only #pon receipt of the o#rt,s resol#tion re'#iring his e8planation that he learned that Atty. Fernandez #nderwent a s#rgical operation. ISSUE 1hether the Atty. 5elante&s e8planation deser%e credence0

?. L+8)ra*o @. Ca,a4,! a%& /o,) T. S06ca& -,. #o%. @+c)%*) N. C0,+! /r. R)8)cca T. Pa4a%ca A%& Gr)ca% Co.! I%c. $ACTS: 5ecember G, 2EFA, Atty. Leonido . 5elante as co#nsel for respondents states that while he recei%ed notice of the o#rt,s resol#tion /no accompanying copy of the petition has been attached hence the co#nsel wo#ld not be able to prepare the comments filed his first motion for a ten(day e8tension of time to s#bmit respondents, comment. The o#rt granted first motion for e8tension. 5ecember 2B, 2EFA, Atty. <rimo >. >rellan on behalf of 5elante, >rellan J Associates as co#nsel for respondents filed a

RULING: NO. $n his pre%io#s motions for e8tension, he ne%er mentioned his belated allegation now that another lawyer had been retained. $n his second motion for e8tension, s#pra, Atty. 5elante,s law office cited as reason the fact that he had gotten sic". $n his third motion for a last 2C(day e8tension, 5elante ass#red the o#rt that he has already prepared the final draft and cited press#re of wor" in his office and the hristmas Season for not ha%ing finalized and typed o#t the comments in a clean copy.

.is present e8planation is not e%en borne o#t by Atty. Fernandez, medical certificate which shows that he was confined in the hospital for sin#sitis only from 5ecember A4(A3. .ence he had s#fficient time and opport#nity to s#bmit the comments by the e8tended deadline. .e s#bmits no e8planation for his gross neglect in not seeing to it, ass#ming that Atty. Fernandez was to prepare the re'#ired comment, that the re'#ired comment was filed within the last e8tension sec#red by him from the o#rt on his ass#rance that the final draft was ready. .is inaction #nd#ly pre%ented and delayed for a considerable period the o#rt,s prompt disposition of the petition. .is #nsatisfactory e8planation e%inces a willf#l disregard of his solemn d#ty as an attorney to employ in the cond#ct of a case /s#ch means only as are consistent with tr#th and honor, and ne%er see" to mislead/ the co#rts. o#rt has in se%eral instances s#spended lawyers from the practice of law for fail#re to file appellants, briefs in criminal cases despite repeated e8tensions of time obtained by them, with the reminder that /the tr#st imposed on co#nsel in accordance not only with the canons of legal ethics b#t with the so#ndest traditions of the profession wo#ld re'#ire fidelity on their part. A. COMELEC -,. NOYNAY B 292 SCRA 2?; C

I,,0): B"C 1hether or not R.A. =o. F3E2 has di%ested Regional Trial o#rts or )#risdiction o%er election offenses, which are p#nishable with imprisonment of not e8ceeding si8 years. B2C Wh)*h)r or %o* ()*+*+o%)r, co0%,)4 9a, car)4),, +% *h) r)7)r)%c), h) 6a&) +% *h) 6o*+o% 7or r)co%,+&)ra*+o%.

#)4&: =o. !y %irt#e of the e8ception pro%ided for in opening sentence of section 4A of !.<. !lg. 2AE, the e8cl#si%e original )#risdiction of +etropolitan Trial o#rts, +#nicipal Trial o#rts and +#nicipal irc#it o#rts does not co%er those criminal cases which by specific pro%isions of law fall within the e8cl#si%e original )#risdiction of Regional Trial o#rts and of the Sandiganbayan, regardless of the penalty prescribed therefor. <#rs#ant to Section A3G of the >mnib#s -lection ode, election offenses also fall within the e8ception pro%ided for in the opening sentence of Section 4A of !atas <ambansa 2AE. Rep#blic Act F3E2 can by no means be considered as a special law on )#risdiction it is merely an amendatory law intended to amend specific sections of the J#diciary Reorganization Act of 2EG: and it does not ha%e the effect of repealing laws %esting #pon the Regional trial o#rts or the Sandiganbayan e8cl#si%e original )#risdiction to heart and decide the cases therein specified.

$ac*,: $n an >rder iss#ed on AC A#g#st 2EEF,respondent J#dge Tomas !. =oynay, as presiding )#dge of !ranch A4, mot# proprio ordered the records of the cases to be withdrawn and directed the omelec Law 5epartment to file the cases with the appropriate +#nicipal Trial o#rt on the gro#nd that p#rs#ant to Section 4A of !.<. !lg. 2AE as amended by R.A. no. F3E2, the Regional Trial o#rt has no )#risdiction o%er the cases since the ma8im#m imposable penalty in each of the cases does not e8ceed si8 years of imprisonment.

Des. o#nsel for petitioner, Atty. Jose <. !alb#ena, 5irector $? of petitioner&s Law 5epartment, m#st also be admonished for his #tter carelessness in his reference to the case against J#dge J#an La%illes, Jr. $n the motion for Reconsideration he filed with the co#rt below, Atty. !alb#ena stated:

As a matter of fact, the iss#e on whether the Regional Trial o#rt has e8cl#si%e )#risdiction o%er election offenses is already a settled iss#e in the case of Alberto =aldeza K%s( J#dge J#an La%illes, Jr., A.+. =o.

+TJ(EB(2::E, +arch C, 2EE3, where the S#preme o#rt s#ccinctly held:

Atty. Jose <. !alb#ena is A5+>=$S.-5 to be more caref#l in the discharge of his d#ty to the co#rt as a lawyer #nder the ode of <rofessional Responsibility.

LA re%iew of the pertinent pro%ision of law wo#ld show that p#rs#ant to Sec. A3C and A3F of the >mnib#s -lection ode, 888M Also, in this petition, Atty. !alb#ena states:

Montecillo vs GICA G.R. No. L-36800 October 21, 19 ! 7. JORGE MONTECILLO and QUIRICO DEL MAR, petitioners, vs. FRANCI CO M. GICA, MAGNO . GATMAITAN, JO E N. LEUTERIO, and RAMON G. GA!IOLA, J"sti#es o$ t%e Co"rt o$ Appea&s, respondents. In Re Q"iri#o de& Mar, For Dis#ip&inar' a#tion as (e()er o$ t%e *%i&ippine +ar, respondent. "#cts$ %or&e Montecillo '#s #cc(se) b* "r#ncisco Gic# o+ sl#n)er. Att*. ,(irico )el M#r re-resente) Montecillo #n) .e s(ccess+(ll* )e+en)e) Montecillo in t.e lo'er co(rt. /el M#r '#s even #ble to 'in t.eir co(ntercl#i0 t.(s t.e lo'er co(rt or)ere) Gic# to -#* Montecillo t.e #)1()&e) 0or#l )#0#&es. Gic# #--e#le) t.e #'#r) o+ )#0#&es to t.e Co(rt o+ A--e#ls '.ere t.e l#tter co(rt reverse) t.e s#0e. Att*. /el M#r t.en +ile) # 0otion +or reconsi)er#tion '.ere .e 0#)e # veile) t.re#t #&#inst t.e Co(rt o+ A--e#ls 1()&es inti0#tin& t.#t .e t.in2s t.e CA 1(stices 32no'in&l* ren)ere) #n (n1(st )ecision4 #n) 31()&0ent .#s been ren)ere) t.ro(&. ne&li&ence4 #n) t.#t t.e CA #llo'e) itsel+ to be )eceive). 5.e CA )enie) t.e M"R #n) it #)0onis.e) Att*. /el M#r +ro0 (sin& s(c. tone 'it. t.e co(rt. /el M#r t.en +ile) # secon) M"R '.ere .e #&#in 0#)e t.re#ts. 5.e CA t.en or)ere) )el M#r to s.o' c#(se #s to '.* .e s.o(l) not be -(nis.e) +or conte0-t. 5.ere#+ter, )el M#r sent t.e t.ree CA 1(stices # co-* o+ # letter '.ic. .e sent to t.e 6resi)ent o+ t.e 6.ili--ines #s2in& t.e s#i) 1(stices to consi)er t.e CA 1()&0ent. 7(t t.e CA )i) not reverse its 1()&0ent. /el M#r t.en +ile) # civil c#se #&#inst t.e

23. This .onorable S#preme o#rt, in the case of LAlberto (%s( J#dge J#an La%illes, Jr.,M ABC S RA AG3 in%ol%ing the same iss#e of )#risdiction between the lower co#rts and Regional Trial o#rt on election offenses, has r#led, 888M

I7 A**5. 'a480)%a 9a, &+4+1)%* )%o01h! h) 9o04& ha-) D%o9% *ha* *h) corr)c* %a6) o7 *h) co6(4a+%a%* +% *h) ca,) r)7)rr)& *o +, %)+*h)r A48)r*o Na4&)3a a, +%&+ca*)& +% *h) 6o*+o% 7or r)co%,+&)ra*+o% %or A48)r*o a4o%) a, ,*a*)& +% *h) ()*+*+o%! 80* AL'ERTO NALDOEA. Mor)o-)r! *h) ca,) 9a, %o* r)(or*)& +% -o406) 2;? o7 *h) S0(r)6) Co0r* R)(or*, A%%o*a*)& BSCRAC a, 7a4,)45 r)(r),)%*)& +% *h) (ara1ra(h "A o7 *h) ()*+*+o%! 80* +% -o406) 2?; o7 *h) SCRA. Wor,)! +% 8o*h *h) 6o*+o% 7or r)co%,+&)ra*+o% a%& *h) ()*+*+o%! A**5. 'a480)%a &)4+8)ra*)45 6a&) +* a(()ar *ha* *h) 20o*)& (or*+o%, 9)r) o0r 7+%&+%1, or r04+%1,! or! (0* a 4+**4) &+77)r)%*45! o0r o9% 9or&,. Th) *r0*h +,! *h) 20o*)& (or*+o% +, F0,* a (ar* o7 *h) 6)6ora%&06 o7 *h) Co0r* A&6+%+,*ra*or 20o*)& +% *h) &)c+,+o%. R04) "0.02 o7 Ca%o% "0 o7 *h) Co&) o7 Pro7),,+o%a4 R),(o%,+8+4+*5 6a%&a*), *ha* a 4a95)r ,ha44 %o* D%o9+%145 6+,20o*) or 6+,r)(r),)%* *h) *)G* o7 a &)c+,+o% or a0*hor+*5.

t.ree 1(stices o+ t.e CA be+ore # Ceb( lo'er co(rt b(t t.e civil c#se '#s event(#ll* )is0isse) b* re#son o+ # co0-ro0ise #&ree0ent '.ere )el M#r #&ree) to -#* )#0#&es to t.e 1(stices. 8vent(#ll*, t.e CA s(s-en)e) Att*. /el M#r +ro0 -r#ctice. 5.e iss(e re#c.e) t.e 9C. /el M#r #s2e) t.e 9C to reverse .is s(s-ension #s 'ell #s t.e CA )ecision #s to t.e Montecillo c#se. 5.e 9C )enie) bot. #n) t.is e#rne) t.e ire o+ )el M#r #s .e )e0#n)e) +ro0 t.e Cler2 o+ t.e 9(-re0e Co(rt #s to '.o 'ere t.e 1()&es '.o vote) #&#inst .i0. 5.e 9(-re0e Co(rt t.en )irecte) )el M#r to s(b0it #n e:-l#n#tion #s to '.* .e s.o(l) not be )isci-line). /el M#r in .is e:-l#n#tion inste#) trie) to 1(sti+* .is #ctions even st#tin& t.#t .#) .e not been 3convince) t.#t .(0#n e++orts in ;-(rs(in& t.e c#se< 'ill be +r(itless4 .e 'o(l) .#ve contin(e) 'it. t.e civil c#se #&#inst t.e CA 1(stices. In .is e:-l#n#tion, )el M#r #lso inti0#te) t.#t even t.e 9(-re0e Co(rt is -#rt #0on& 3t.e corr(-t, t.e &r#+ters #n) t.ose #lle&e)l* co00ittin& in1(stice4. /el M#r even +ile) # civil c#se #&#inst so0e 9(-re0e Co(rt 1(stices b(t t.e 1()&e '.o .#n)le) t.e c#se )is0isse) t.e s#0e.

URIGAO MINERAL RE ER!ATION +OARD, ET AL . vs. .ON. GAUDENCIO CLORI+EL ETC., ET AL., res-on)ents, In Re/ Conte(pt *ro#eedin0s A0ainst Attorne's !i#ente L. antia0o, Jose +e&tran otto, Gra#iano C. Re0a&a and Asso#iates, Er&ito R. U', J"anito M. Ca&in01 and Morton F. Meads. Jan"ar' 2, 3274 an#%e5,J.

,.-

"AC59$ A+ter t.e %(l* 31, 1968 )ecision o+ t.is Co(rt #)verse to res-on)ent M#cArt.(r Intern#tion#l Miner#ls Co., t.e 9olicitor Gener#l bro(&.t to o(r #ttention st#te0ents o+ recor) -(r-orte)l* 0#)e b* ?icente L. 9#nti#&o, 8rlito R. @*, Gr#ci#no Re&#l#, #n) %ose 7eltr#n 9otto, 0e0bers o+ t.e 7#r, 'it. t.e s(&&estion t.#t )isci-lin#r* #ction be t#2en #&#inst t.e0. 5.e +ollo'in& st#te0ents #re set +ort. in t.e 0e0or#n)# -erson#ll* si&ne) b* Att*. %ose 7eltr#n 9otto$ #. 5.e* A-etitioners, incl()in& t.e 8:ec(tive 9ecret#r*B .#ve 0#)e t.ese +#lse, ri)ic(lo(s #n) 'il) st#te0ents in # )es-er#te #tte0-t to -re1()ice t.e co(rts #&#inst M#cArt.(r Intern#tion#l. 9(c. e++orts co(l) be #cc(r#tel* c#lle) Csc#tters.ot )es-er#tionC b. 9(c. # -ro-osition is corr(-t on its +#ce #n) it l#*s b#re t.e i00or#l #n) #rro&#nt #ttit()e o+ t.e -etitioners. c. 5.e .erein -etitioners ... o--ort(nistic#ll* c.#n&e t.eir cl#i0s #n) stories not onl* +ro0 c#se to c#se b(t +ro0 -le#)in& to -le#)in& in t.e s#0e c#se. M#cArt.(rDs t.ir) 0otion +or reconsi)er#tion si&ne) b* Att*. ?icente L. 9#nti#&o, on .is be.#l+ #n) -(r-orte)l* +or Att*s. 8rlito R. @*, Gr#ci#no Re&#l# #n) Associ#tes, #n) %ose 7. 9otto, t.e 9olicitor Gener#l -oints o(t, cont#in t.e +ollo'in& st#te0ents$ ). ... E #n) ;t.e 9(-re0e Co(rt< .#s overloo2e) t.e #--lic#ble l#' )(e to t.e 0isre-resent#tion #n) ob+(sc#tion o+ t.e -etitionersD co(nsel.

Iss(e$ =ON Att*. /el M#r s.o(l) be s(s-en)e) >el)$ 5.e 9C r(le) in t.e #++ir0#tive. Att*. /el M#r, b* .is conte0-t(o(s #cts is in viol#tion o+ .is )(ties to t.e co(rts. As #n o++icer o+ t.e co(rt, it is .is s'orn #n) 0or#l )(t* to .el- b(il) #n) not )estro* (nnecess#ril* t.e .i&. estee0 #n) re&#r) to'#r)s t.e co(rt so essenti#l to t.e -ro-er #)0inistr#tion o+ 1(stice. It is 0#ni+est t.#t )el M#r .#s sc#nt res-ect +or t.e t'o .i&.est Co(rts o+ t.e l#n) '.en on t.e +li0s* &ro(n) o+ #lle&e) error in )eci)in& # c#se, .e -rocee)e) to c.#llen&e t.e inte&rit* o+ bot. Co(rts b* cl#i0in& t.#t t.e* 2no'in&l* ren)ere) (n1(st 1()&0ent. In s.ort, .is #lle&#tion is t.#t t.e* #cte) 'it. intent #n) 0#lice, i+ not 'it. &ross i&nor#nce o+ t.e l#', in )is-osin& o+ t.e c#se o+ .is client. /el M#r '#s t.en s(s-en)e) in)e+initel*

e. ... Never .#s #n* civiliFe), )e0ocr#tic trib(n#l r(le) t.#t s(c. # &i00ic2 Are+errin& to t.e Cri&.t to re1ect #n* #n) #ll bi)sCB c#n be (se) b* v(lt(ro(s e:ec(tives to cover (- #n) e:c(se losses to t.e -(blic, # &overn0ent #&enc* or 1(st -l#in +r#() ... #n) it is t.(s )i++ic(lt, in t.e li&.t o+ o(r (-brin&in& #n) sc.oolin&, even (n)er 0#n* o+ t.e inc(0bent 1(stices, t.#t t.e >onor#ble 9(-re0e Co(rt inten)s to cre#te # )ecision t.#t in e++ect )oes -recisel* t.#t in # 0ost #bsol(te 0#nner. "(rt.er, #+ter 1()&0ent .erein '#s ren)ere), # 0otion +or to in.ibit '#s +ile) #n) it en(0er#tes Cinci)entsC '.ic., #ccor)in& to t.e 0otion, t.#t C(n1()ici#l -re1()iceC .#) been c#(se) it #n) t.#t t.ere '#s C(n1()ici#l +#voritis0C in +#vor o+ C-etitioners, t.eir #--ointin& #(t.orit* #n) # +#vore) -#rt* )irectl* bene+ite) b* t.e s#i) )ecision.C 5.e 0otion c.#r&es C;t<.#t t.e brot.er o+ t.e >onor#ble Associ#te %(stice C#stro is # vice--resi)ent o+ t.e +#vore) -#rt* '.o is t.e c.ie+ bene+ici#r* o+ t.e +#lse, erroneo(s #n) ille&#l )ecision )#te) %#n(#r* 31, 1968C As to t.e C.ie+ %(stice, C;t<.#t t.e son o+ t.e >onor#ble C.ie+ %(stice Roberto Conce-cion '#s &iven # si&ni+ic#nt #--oint0ent in t.e 6.ili--ine Govern0ent b* t.e 6resi)ent # s.ort ti0e be+ore t.e )ecision o+ %(l* 31, 1968 '#s ren)ere) in t.is c#se.C GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG A secon) conte0-t -rocee)in& #rose '.en, res-on)ent M#cArt.(r, t.ro(&. ne' co(nsel, Att*. %(#nito M. C#lin&, lo)&e) # +o(rt. 0otion +or reconsi)er#tion 'it.o(t e:-ress le#ve o+ co(rt. 9#i) 0otion reiter#te) -revio(s &ro(n)s r#ise), #n) cont#ine) t.e +ollo'in& -#r#&r#-.s$ !. 5.e s#i) )ecision is ille&#l bec#(se it '#s -enne) b* t.e >onor#ble C.ie+ %(stice Roberto Conce-cion '.en in +#ct .e '#s o(tsi)e t.e bor)ers o+ t.e Re-(blic o+ t.e 6.ili--ines #t t.e ti0e o+ t.e Or#l Ar&(0ent o+ t.e #boveentitle) c#se H '.ic. con)ition is -ro.ibite) b* t.e Ne' R(les o+ Co(rt H 9ection 1, R(le I1, #n) 'e J(ote$ C%(sticesE '.o 0#* t#2e -#rt. H ... . onl* t.ose 0e0bers -resent '.en #n* 0#tter is s(b0itte) +or or#l #r&(0ent 'ill t#2e -#rt in its consi)er#tion #n) #)1()ic#tion ...C 5.is reJ(ire0ent is es-eci#ll* si&ni+ic#nt in t.e -resent inst#nce bec#(se t.e 0e0ber '.o -enne) t.e )ecision '#s t.e ver* 0e0ber '.o '#s #bsent +or #--ro:i0#tel* +o(r 0ont.s or 0ore. 5.is -rovision #lso #--lies to t.e >onor#ble %(stices Cl#()io 5ee.#n2ee #n) Antonio 7#rre)o. I99@8$ =.eter or not t.e l#'*ers #re &(ilt* o+ conte0-t o+ co(rt >8L/$ K89. As e:-licit is t.e +irst c#non o+ le&#l et.ics '.ic. -rono(nces t.#t D;i<t is t.e )(t* o+ t.e l#'*er to 0#int#in to'#r)s t.e Co(rts # res-ect+(l #ttit()e, not +or t.e s#2e o+ t.e te0-or#r* inc(0bent o+ t.e 1()ici#l o++ice, b(t +or t.e

0#inten#nce o+ its s(-re0e i0-ort#nce.D It -ec(li#rl* 0#2es inc(0bent (-on l#'*ers to s(--ort t.e co(rts #&#inst D(n1(st criticis0 #n) cl#0or.D An) 0ore. 5.e #ttorne*Ds o#t. sole0nl* bin)s .i0 to # con)(ct t.#t s.o(l) be D'it. #ll &oo) +i)elit* ... to t.e co(rts.D =ort. re0e0berin& is t.#t t.e )(t* o+ #n #ttorne* to t.e co(rts c#n onl* be 0#int#ine) b* ren)erin& no service involvin& #n* )isres-ect to t.e 1()ici#l o++ice '.ic. .e is bo(n) to (-.ol).D C A l#'*er is #n o++icer o+ t.e co(rtsE .e is, Cli2e t.e co(rt itsel+, #n instr(0ent or #&enc* to #)v#nce t.e en)s o+ 1(stice.C 3 >is )(t* is to (-.ol) t.e )i&nit* #n) #(t.orit* o+ t.e co(rts to '.ic. .e o'es +i)elit*, "not to promote distrust in the administration of justice."6 "#it. in t.e co(rts # l#'*er s.o(l) see2 to -reserve. "or, to (n)er0ine t.e 1()ici#l e)i+ice Cis )is#stro(s to t.e contin(it* o+ &overn0ent #n) to t.e #tt#in0ent o+ t.e liberties o+ t.e -eo-le.C7 5.(s .#s it been s#i) o+ # l#'*er t.#t C;#<s #n o++icer o+ t.e co(rt, it is .is s'orn #n) 0or#l )(t* to .el- b(il) #n) not )estro* (nnecess#ril* t.#t .i&. estee0 #n) re&#r) to'#r)s t.e co(rts so essenti#l to t.e -ro-er #)0inistr#tion o+ 1(stice.C8 It ill be.ooves 9#nti#&o to 1(sti+* .is l#n&(#&e 'it. t.e st#te0ent t.#t it '#s necess#r* +or t.e )e+ense o+ .is client. A clientDs c#(se )oes not -er0it #n #ttorne* to cross t.e line bet'een libert* #n) license. L#'*ers 0(st #l'#*s 2ee- in -ers-ective t.e t.o(&.t t.#t C;s<ince l#'*ers #re #)0inistr#tors o+ 1(stice, o#t.-bo(n) serv#nts o+ societ*, t.eir +irst )(t* is not to t.eir clients, #s 0#n* s(--ose, b(t to t.e #)0inistr#tion o+ 1(sticeE to t.is, t.eir clientsD s(ccess is '.oll* s(bor)in#teE #n) t.eir con)(ct o(&.t to #n) 0(st be scr(-(lo(sl* observ#nt o+ l#' #n) et.ics.C 9 A 1()&e +ro0 t.e ver* n#t(re o+ .is -osition, l#c2s t.e -o'er to )e+en) .i0sel+ #n) it is t.e #ttorne*, #n) no ot.er, '.o c#n better or 0ore #--ro-ri#tel* s(--ort t.e 1()ici#r* #n) t.e inc(0bent o+ t.e 1()ici#l -osition AM#lcol0B. CIt 'ill o+ co(rse be # tr*in& or)e#l +or #ttorne*s (n)er cert#in con)itions to 0#int#in res-ect+(l obe)ience to t.e co(rt. It 0#* .#--en t.#t co(nsel -ossesses &re#ter 2no'le)&e o+ t.e l#' t.#n t.e 1(stice o+ t.e -e#ce or 1()&e '.o -resi)es over t.e co(rt. It 0#* #lso .#--en t.#t since no co(rt cl#i0s in+#llibilit*, 1()&es 0#* &rossl* err in t.eir )ecisions. Nevert.eless, discipline and selfrestraint on t.e -#rt o+ t.e b#r even (n)er #)verse con)itions #re necess#r* +or t.e or)erl* #)0inistr#tion o+ 1(stice. 5o #)), Att*. 9#nti#&oLs l#n&(#&e is not #r&(#bl* -rotecte)E it is t.e s(r+#cin& o+ # +eelin& o+ conte0-t to'#r)s # liti&#ntE it o++en)s t.e co(rt be+ore '.ic. it is 0#)e. It is no e:c(se to s#* t.#t t.ese st#te0ents 'ere t#2en o(t o+ conte:t. 5.e* )o not in #n* 0#nner 1(sti+* t.e incl(sion o+ o++ensive l#n&(#&e in t.e -le#)in&s. It .#s been s#i) t.#t C;#< l#'*erDs l#n&(#&e s.o(l) be )i&ni+ie) in 2ee-in& 'it. t.e )i&nit* o+ t.e le&#l -ro+ession.C2 It is 9ottoDs )(t* #s # 0e0ber o+ t.e 7#r C;t<o #bst#in +ro0 #ll o++ensive -erson#lit* #n) to #)v#nce no +#ct -re1()ici#l to t.e .onor or

re-(t#tion o+ # -#rt* or 'itness, (nless reJ(ire) b* t.e 1(stice o+ t.e c#(se 'it. '.ic. .e is c.#r&e).C

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG 5.e +o(rt. 0otion +or reconsi)er#tion is, in)ee), #n #ct o+ cont(0#c*. "irst. It '#s +ile) 'it.o(t e:-ress le#ve o+ co(rt. No e:-l#n#tion .#s been 0#)e '.* t.is .#s been )one. 9econ). It li+te) 9ection 1. R(le I1, R(les o+ Co(rt, o(t o+ conte:t. 98C5ION 1. Justices; who may take part. H All 0#tters s(b0itte) to t.e co(rt +or its consi)er#tion #n) #)1()ic#tion 'ill be )ee0e) to be s(b0itte) +or consi)er#tion #n) #)1()ic#tion b* #n* #n) #ll o+ t.e %(stices '.o #re 0e0bers o+ t.e )ivision o+ t.e co(rt #t t.e ti0e '.en s(c. 0#tters #re t#2en (- +or consi)er#tion #n) #)1()ic#tion, '.et.er s(c. %(stices 'ere or 'ere not -resent #t t.e )#te o+ s(b0issionE .o'ever, onl* t.ose 0e0bers -resent '.en #n* 0#tter is s(b0itte) +or or#l #r&(0ent 'ill t#2e -#rt in its consi)er#tion #n) #)1()ic#tion, if the parties or either of them, express a desire to that effect in writing filed with the clerk at the date of submission. A )istorte) J(ot#tion c#0e #bo(t '.en t.e -ortion le+t o(t '#s #n*'#* 0#r2e) b* CM9C '.ic. is # co00on -r#ctice #0on& l#'*ers. C#non 22 o+ t.e C#nons o+ Le&#l 8t.ics re0in)s t.e l#'*er to c.#r#cteriFe .is con)(ct 'it. c#n)or #n) +#irness, #n) s-eci+ic#ll* st#tes t.#t Cit is not c#n)i) nor +#ir +or t.e l#'*er 2no'in&l* to 0isJ(ote.C
a) or !tty. "icente #. $antiago % &'$. ine of (),***.**.

9. D) Grac+a -,. War&)% o7 MaDa*+ G.R. L:;2032 /a%0ar5 9! "9 A FA TS: The imprisonment of fo#r months and one day of arresto mayor witho#t s#bsidiary imprisonment in case of insol%ency was imposed by J#dge Reynaldo .onrado #pon 5e *racia for the crime of serio#s physical in)#ry. The period of confinement was d#ly ser%ed by =o%ember 2E, 2EFC, since he had been #nder detention since J#ly 2G, 2EFC. =otwithstanding, he was not set free, the reason being that on =o%ember 2E, 2EFC, Assistant <ro%incial +arciano Sta. Ana filed with the same )#dge in the %ery same case a +otion to >rder the 1arden to .old the Release of +an#el 5e *racia alleging as a gro#nd that the father of the %ictim, *ilberto ?alenz#ela, died and for this reason the Fiscal will file an amended information. <etitioner filed an application for the iss#ance of a writ of habeas corp#s alleging that in spite of his ser%ice of sentence, he was not released from confinement. >n the date where the petition was reset for hearing, neither petitioner nor his co#nsel, Sal%ador !eltran was present. There was a manifestation tho#gh, that petitioner manifests that he has already been released from confinement, which renders the petition moot and academic. $SSI-: 1hether or not the petition is moot and academic. .-L5: D-S. $t appears that with the release of the petitioner, the petition was moot and academic. I% *h) ca,) a* 8ar! *h)r) 9a, a 4a(,) +% F0&+c+a4 (ro(r+)*5 85 ()*+*+o%)r, co0%,)4 9ho &+& %o* )-)% *aD) *h) *ro084) o7 a(()ar+%1 o7 *h) Co0r* o% *h) -)r5 &a5 h+, o9% ()*+*+o% 9a, r),)* 7or h)ar+%1! a 4a(,) )G(4+ca84)! +* 6a5 8) a,,06)&! 85 h+, co6(ara*+-) +%)G()r+)%c) a%& (a0c+*5 o7 (rac*+c) 8)7or) *h+,

or !tty. Jose +eltran $otto % &'$. ine of ()**.**. or !tty. ,raciano -. .egala and !ssociates % /0. 12ook no part) or !tty. 'rlito .. 3y % /0. 12ook no part) b) 14th 5otion) or !tty. "icente #. $antiago % &'$. !dditional fine of (),***.**

or !tty. Juanito 5. -aling % &'$. ine (6**.**. or 5r. 5orton . 5eads % &'$. ine of (),***.**.

Tr+80%a4. I* ,077+c), *o ca44 h+, a**)%*+o% *o ,0ch 7a+4+%1 85 9a5 o7 10+&a%c) 7or h+, 70*0r) ac*0a*+o%, a, a 6)68)r o7 *h) 8ar.

respondent )#dge is hereby imposed a penalty of a fine e'#i%alent to one 92; month salary and warned that a repetition of the same or similar offense shall be dealt with more se%erely. 36. peop&e vs. taneo

A F0&1) ,ho04& 8) co0r*)o0, *o 4a95)r *o 6)r+* r),()c*. #) ,ho04& 8) c+-+4! 7or +* +, 0%8)co6+%1 o7 a F0&1) *o 0**)r +%*)6()ra*) 4a%10a1) &0r+%1 *h) h)ar+%1 o7 a ca,). A.M. No. ;9":M/ Oc*o8)r 30! "980 "". PRIMITI@O SANTOS! ET A4.! ()*+*+o%)r,! -,. MUNICIPAL /UDGE ARTURO E. CRUE! r),(o%&)%*. Facts: omplainant<rimiti%oSantos charged +#nicipal J#dge Art#ro -. r#z of the +#nicipal o#rt of !#lacan with partiality and cond#ct #nbecoming a )#dge for ha%ing inter%ened with andNor pre%ented the complainant in filing cases in the +#nicipal o#rt of !#lacan. $n his comment, the respondent J#dge denied the charges. $ss#e: 1hether respondent )#dge is g#ilty of the charges of partiality and cond#ct #nbecoming a )#dge. .eld: =o, A caref#l re%iew of the records of this case shows that the in%estigating J#dge correctly fo#nd that the complainant was not able to pro%e the charges of partiality and cond#ct #nbecoming a )#dge. .owe%er, the transcript of the stenographic notes shows that d#ring the formal in%estigation cond#cted on Febr#ary E, 2EF4 A the respondent )#dge, while cross(e8amining the witness, Alberto T. ano, lost his temper and said: /Do# can go to hell $ don,t care or where do yo# want to go +r. ano/. This lang#age of the J#dge is #nbecoming of a m#nicipal )#dge and deser%es administrati%e penalty. 1.-R-F>R-, the respondent J#dge is hereby -O>=-RAT-5 of the charge of partiality b#t is fo#nd g#ilty of cond#ct #nbecoming a )#dge by #ttering intemperate lang#age d#ring the trial of the case. The

"AC59$ 5eo+ilo 5#neo '#s c.#r&e) #n) convicte) o+ r#-in& .er o'n )#(&.ter, Mencino 5#neo, 1 *rs ol), # b#rrio l#ss 'it. -.*sic#l vir&init*, b* t.e R5C o+ C87@ #n) '#s sentence) to s(++er )e#t. -en#lt*, I0,000 #s 0or#l )#0#&es #n) 2I,000 #s e:e0-l#r* )#0#&es. Mencino, n#rr#te) t.#t .er +#t.er #+ter ret(rnin& +ro0 c#r-entr* 'or2 #ro(n) 3-0, insiste) .er 0ot.er, to &et s#c2 o+ corn &rits +ro0 # store 120 #'#* +ro0 t.eir .o(se. In or)er to #voi) +(rt.er #lterc#tion, .er 0ot.er #&ree) #n) instr(cte) .er to '#tc. over .er b#b* sister. =.en Mencino -(t to slee- .er b#b* sister in # .#00oc2, s.e #lso 'ent to be). =.ile s.e '#s #slee-, 9.e '#s #'#2ene) b* t.e -#in in .er &enet#li# #n) '.en s.e o-ene) .er e*es, s.e s#' .er +#t.er 5eo+ilo 5#neo #lre#)* n#2e) +ro0 t.e '#ist )o'n #n) on to- o+ .er. 9.e #lso notice) t.#t t.e c*clin& -#nts #n) bl#c2 -#nt* s.e 'ore be+ore s.e 'ent to slee- 'ere #lre#)* re0ove), #n) le#vin& .er .#l+-n#2e). >er +#t.er 2e-t on insertin& .is +in&er into .er v#&in#E .is le+t #r0 -inne) .er )o'n '.ile .e '#s on to- o+ .er. 9.e trie) to +ree .ersel+, b(t to no #v#il #s -ersiste) in .is l(st+(l intention #n) over-o'ere) .er N t.re#tenin& .er 'it. # bolo #n) tol) .er not to s.o(t or else .er +#t.er 'o(l) 2ill .er #n) .er +#0il*. A+ter # &r(eso0e tri#l, t.e R5C r(le) t.#t MencinoLs testi0on* is s(++icient to convict t.e #cc(se) o+ r#-e. 5eo+iloLs co(nsel #cc(se) t.e tri#l co(rt +or .#vin& # -#rti#l #n) bi#se) -osition #n) .#vin& #)o-te) # bi#se) inter-ret#tion o+ t.e -.*sic#l evi)ence consi)erin& t.#t$ 1. t.e 0e)ic#l recor)s )i) not s.o' #n* si&ns o+ r#-e 2. 5.e co(rt onl* b#se) its 1()&0ent on t.e testi0on* o+ Mencino. I99@8$ =ON t.e co(nsel +or t.e #cc(se) #cte) 'it. -ro-riet* to'#r)s t.e Co(rtO

>8L/$ No. It is (n+ort(n#te t.#t co(sel +or #--ell#nt .#s 0#)e .#st* #cc(s#tion #&#inst t.e tri#l co(rt +or t.e #bove -rono(nce0ent #s 3t#2in& # -#rti#l #n) bi#se) -osition4 #n) .#vin& #)o-te) 3its o'n bi#se) inter-ret#tion o+ t.e -.*sic#l evi)ence.4 =e )o not +in) #n* co&ent #n) v#li) &ro(n) in t.e recor)s o+ t.is c#se '.ic. co(l) 1(sti+* s(c. # &r#ve i0-(t#tion (-on # 0e0ber o+ t.e benc. '.o 0erel* -er+or0e) .is +(nction #n) e:-resse) .is observ#tion on t.e con)(ct o+ t.e e:#0in#tion. Co(nsel s.o(l) be re0in)e) o+ .is )(t* to observe #n) 0#int#in t.e res-ect )(e t.e co(rts o+ 1(stice #n) 1()ici#l o++icers. Ar&(0ents, 'ritten or or#l, s.o(l) be &r#cio(s to bot. t.e co(rt #n) o--osin& co(nsel #n) be o+ s(c. 'or)s #s 0#* be -ro-erl* #))resse) b* one &entle0#n to #not.er. A--ell#ntLs #r&(0ent -rocee)s +ro0 # 0isconce-tion t.#t # 0e)ic#l certi+ic#te is #n in)es-ensible ele0ent in t.e -rosec(tion +or r#-e #n) r(ns ro(&.s.o) over t.e 'ell-settle) r(le t.#t t.e #bsence o+ 0e)ic#l +in)in&s b* # 0e)ico-le&#l o++icer )oes no )is-rove t.e occ(rrence o+ r#-e. 5.e +#ct t.#t t.e 0e)ic#l certi+ic#te s.o' no e:tern#l si&ns o+ -.*sic#l in1(ries #n) s-er0#toFo# on t.e victi0 )oes not ne&#te t.e co00ission o+ r#-e +or t.e sli&.tness -enetr#tion o+ t.e l#bi# cons(00#tes t.e o++ense. 5.e 0e)ic#l e:#0in#tion o+ t.e victi0, #s 'ell #s t.e 0e)ic#l certi+ic#te, is 0erel* corrobor#tive in c.#r#cter. =.#t is i0-ort#nt is t.#t t.e testi0on* o+ -riv#te co0-l#in#nt #bo(t t.e inci)ent is cle#r, (neJ(ivoc#l #n) cre)ible. 5.e Co(rt s(b1ecte) t.e testi0on* o+ t.e o++en)e) &irl 'it. -#inst#2in& scr(tin*, '.ic. '#s &iven in # str#i&.t-+or'#r) 0#nner, #n) +o(n) it (ni0-#ire) b* 0#teri#l )iscre-#ncies #n) contr#)ictions #n) consistent 'it. or)in#r* .(0#n e:-erience. >er testi0on* (n)o(bte)l* be#rs t.e i0-rint o+ tr(t. #n), t.ere+ore, 0(st be #cce-te). 3It is (nt.in2#ble #n) (nbeliev#ble +or Mencin# to e:-ose .ersel+ to e0b#rr#ss0ent b* tellin& ver* inti0#te 0#tters )(rin& # -(blic tri#l, #n) to )estro* t.e +(t(re o+ t.e '.ole +#0il*, 1(st to s-ite #n) &et even 'it. .er +#t.er +or # trivi#l re#son. 7esi)es, onl* # )#(&.ter '.o 0#* .#ve lost .er senses 'o(l) )#re c.#r&e +#lsel* .er o'n +#t.er o+ co00ittin& # .eino(s cri0e o+ r#-e. 6er.#-s #&#inst # str#n&er. 3A 'o0#n )oes not &o #ro(n) +l#(ntin& .er .#vin& been r#-e). 5.ere

is no evi)ence -resente) to s.o' t.#t Mencin# is so )es-er#te #n) b#se t.#t s.e 'o(l) s#cri+ice .er .onor #n) t.#t o+ .er +#t.er 1(st to s#tis+* # -erson#l (r&e +or # -ett* ven&e#nce. @n)er Article 33I o+ t.e Revise) 6en#l Co)e, #s #0en)e) b* Re-(blic Act No. 6I9, )e#t. -en#lt* s.#ll be i0-ose) i+ t.e cri0e o+ r#-e is co00itte) '.ere 3t.e victi0 is (n)er ei&.teen A18B *e#rs o+ #&e #n) t.e o++en)er is # -#rent, #scen)#nt, ste---#rent, &(#r)i#n, rel#tive b* cons#n&(init* or #++init* 'it.in t.e t.ir) civil )e&ree, or t.e co00on l#' s-o(se o+ t.e -#rent o+ t.e victi0.4 5.e i0-osition o+ t.e )e#t. -en#lt* in s(c. inst#nce is 0#n)#tor*. In t.e c#se #t benc., t.e victi0 #t t.e co00ission o+ t.e o++ense on M#* 23, 199!, '#s e:#ctl* seventeen A1 B *e#rs, eleven 0ont.s A11B #n) seventeen A1 B )#*s ol) .#vin& been born on %(ne 6, 19!6, #n) t.e o++en)er is t.e victi0Ls o'n +#t.er. 5.e #'#r) +or 0or#l #n) e:e0-l#r* )#0#&es #re #lso -ro-er in t.is c#se #s est#blis.e) b* 1(ris-r()ence.

"3.

Ur8+%a

-,

M)c)r)%

Atty. ?edasto !. *esm#ndo as so#ght in respondent,s comment,/ there were belatedly reported to the o#rt 9a; the %erified motion for s#spension filed by complainant *a#dencio S. Irbina on for allegedly ha%ing made thro#gh said complainant,s former co#nsel, Atty. +arcial -sg#erra, gra%e threats against complainant,s life if he 9complainant; did not withdraw his complaints against respondent. $n respondent,s comment of +arch G, 2EFB, he s#bmitted the ten( page dismissal by the acting pro%incial fiscal of Lag#na of complainant Irbina,s criminal complaint against respondent for /Hnowingly Rendering an In)#st J#dgment/ wherein the fiscal correctly r#led that that ass#ming that he as a mere fiscal co#ld pass in )#dgment #pon the )#stness or #n)#stness of respondent,s decision complained of as #n)#st by the losing party 9who has appealed the same to a higher co#rt;, there was no basis for concl#ding that the respondent )#dge "new that his )#dgment was #n)#st. =ot only does he belie%e that his )#dgment is )#st and correct6 his %iew that a

probate co#rt cannot decide '#estions in%ol%ing title or ownership of real properties. Respondent con%incingly denies the threats that ha%e been made.Respondent did admit that in a chance meeting in the co#rtho#se with Atty. -sg#erra, he re'#ested the latter sho#ld meet his former client 9Irbina; who alone filed the criminal complaint for /"nowingly rendering an #n)#st )#dgment/ to inform Irbina that /respondent bears no ill will against him and if he feels aggrie%ed by the decision why not limit his action to an ordinary appeal to the higher co#rts as he has already done./ Respondent categorically denied ha%ing made any threats whatsoe%er against Irbina.

The o#rt has consistently held that )#dges will not be held administrati%ely liable for mere errors of )#dgment in their r#lings or decisions absent a showing of malice or gross ignorance on their part. As stressed by the now hief J#stice in 5izon %s. de !or)a, 4F S RA B3, CA, /9T;o hold a )#dge administrati%ely acco#ntable for e%ery erroneo#s r#ling or decision he renders, ass#ming that he has erred, wo#ld be nothing short of harassment and wo#ld ma"e his position #nbearable./ +#ch less can a )#dge be so held acco#ntable where to all indications, as in this case, his %erdict complained of 9and now pending re%iew on appeal; is far from erroneo#s. A >R5$=*LD, complainant Irbina,s /)oint motion/ is denied.

.eld: The o#rt finds respondent,s comment to be satisfactory and will not s#b)ect respondent to f#rther needless harassment and distraction if it were to gi%e d#e co#rse to the complaint(motion, as insisted by complainant in his reply to comment. $t is appropriate to en)oin complainants and members of the bar who file administrati%e complaints against )#dges of inferior co#rts that they sho#ld do so after proper circ#mspection and witho#t the #se of disrespectf#l lang#age and offensi%e personalities, so as not to #nd#ly b#rden the o#rt in the discharge of its f#nction of administrati%e s#per%ision o%er inferior co#rt )#dges and co#rt personnel. The o#rt has meted the corresponding disciplinary meas#res against erring )#dges, incl#ding dismissal and s#spension where warranted, and welcomes the honest efforts of the bar to assist it in the tas". !#t lawyers sho#ld also bear in mind that they owe fidelity to the co#rts as well as to their clients and that the filing on behalf of disgr#ntled litigants of #nfo#nded or fri%olo#s charges against inferior co#rt )#dges and the #se of offensi%e and intemperate lang#age as a means of harassing )#dges whose decisions ha%e not been to their li"ing 9irrespecti%e of the law and )#rispr#dence on the matter; will s#b)ect them to appropriate disciplinary action as officers of the o#rt.

G.R. No. L:22?3A A010,* 3"! "9A "? DOMINGO @. AUSTRIA - #ON. ANTONIO C. MASAHUEL! /0&1) o7 C$I Pa%1a,+%a% $ACTS: <etitioner was one of the plaintiffs in a i%il ase against <edro !ra%o for the reco%ery of three parcels of land 7 2 at !ayambang and A in San arlos in <angasinan. After trial, the J#dge declared the plaintiffs as owners of the land and ordered !ra%o to %acate it and pay the plaintiffs damages only the land at !ayambang. The plaintiffs filed a motion for the immediate e8ec#tion of the )#dgment which was granted by the J#dge and they were placed in possession of the lands at San arlos. Then Atty. +ariano . Sicat, a former assistant of the J#dge when the latter was still in the practice of law before his appointment to the bench, entered his appearance as the new co#nsel for !ra%o. The defendant, filed a bond to stay the e8ec#tion of the )#dgment which was granted o%er the ob)ection of plaintiffs and ordered the sheriff to restore the possession of the lands in San arlos to the defendant. The petitioner also as"ed for the appointment of a recei%er o%er the land at !ayambang which was granted by the J#dge. .owe%er it was set aside by the filing of a bod by the defendant. +oreo%er, the motion for a new trial made by Atty. Sicat was granted by the )#dge. !efore the oepning of the co#rt,s session, Atty. +acaraeg, co#nsel for the petitioner and his co(palintiffs re'#ested the J#dge to inhibit himself from f#rther hearing the case on the gro#nd thar Atty. Sicat was his former associate. This was re)ected by the J#dge contending that it was not one of the gro#nds for dis'#alification of a )#dge pro%ided in the R#les of o#rt.

1hen the case was called for hearing, the J#dge called on the petitioner who was present, and in'#ired from the latter if it was tr#e that he as"ed his lawyer Atty. +acaraeg to approach the J#dge in chambers and to as" him to dis'#alify himself from trying this case beca#se defendant,s lawyer, Atty. Sicat was formerly associated with the J#dge. A#stria answered in the affirmati%e. 1hen he was also as"ed as to whether the said 5omingo A#stria has lost faith in the sense of fairness and )#stice of the <residing J#dge of this o#rt simply beca#se of his former association with the defendant,s lawyer, A#stria li"ewise answered in the affirmati%e. The )#dge declared the petitioner g#ilty in contempt of co#rt and made him liable for the penalty of <C:9which he paid #nder protest;. Atty. +acaraeg beg the co#rt,s ind#lgence in declaring his client in contempt reasoning that it was d#e to !ra%o,s insistence in the town that he will win the said case beca#se of his new lawyer. The o#rt s#stained the said order. .ence this petition of certiorari to ann#l the contempt order of the J#dge. ISSUE: 1hether the petitioner was g#ilty of misbeha%ior in the presence of the co#rt or )#dge, as to obstr#ct or interr#pt the proceedings before it or had committed an act of disrespect toward the co#rt or )#dge to warrant the order of contempt. RULING: The o#rt lifted the direct contempt order as well as the fine and hold that the ()*+*+o%)r 6a&) h+, r)20),* +% a 6a%%)r *ha* 9a, %o* &+,r),()c*704! 60ch 4),, +%,04*+%1 or o77)%,+-) *o *h) r),(o%&)%* /0&1) or *o *h) co0r*. The o#rt agreed with the J#dge that the circ#mstance in%o"ed by petitioner in as"ing him to inhibit himself from f#rther trying the case 7 that Atty. Sicat was his former associate in his practice of law 7 is not one of the gro#nds en#merated in the first paragraph of Section 2, R#le 24F of the new R#les of o#rt for dis'#alifying a )#dge. 1hile it is tr#e that respondent J#dge may not be compelled to dis'#alify himself, the fact that Atty. Sicat, admittedly his former associate, was co#nsel for a party in the case being tried by him, may constit#te a just or valid reason for him to %ol#ntarily inhibit himself from hearing the case on a retrial, if he so decides, p#rs#ant to Section 2 of R#le 24F. 1hile it is improper for a litigant or co#nsel to see a )#dge in chambers and tal" to him abo#t a matter related to the case pending in the co#rt of said )#dge, the o#rt did not consider it as an act of contempt of co#rt. $t is one thing to act not in accordance with the r#les and another thing to act in a manner which amo#nts to a disrespect or an affront to the dignity of the co#rt or )#dge. The o#rt

belie%es that the circ#mstances that led the J#dge to declare petitioner in direct contempt do not indicate any deliberate design on petitioner,s part to disrespect the J#dge or to cast aspersion against his integrity as a )#dge. Hence, while it may be conceded that in requesting the disqualification of a judge by reason of his relation with a party or counsel there is some implication of the probability of his being partial to one side, the request can not constitute contempt of court if done honestly and in a respectful manner, as was done by petitioner in the present case. <erhaps the fa#lt of petitioner, if at all, is his ha%ing as"ed his co#nsel to ma"e the re'#est to respondent J#dge inside the latter,s chamber. 888 the real gro#nd for the dis'#alification of a )#dge or )#dicial officer is the impossibility of rendering an impartial )#dgment #pon the matter before him. $t has been said, that d#e process of law re'#ires a h)ar+%1 8)7or) a% +6(ar*+a4 a%& &+,+%*)r),*)& *r+80%a4! and *ha* )-)r5 4+*+1a%* +, )%*+*4)& *o %o*h+%1 4),, *ha% *h) co4& %)0*ra4+*5 o7 a% +6(ar*+a4 F0&1). Moreover, second only to the duty of rendering a just decision, is the duty of doing it in a manner that will not arouse any suspicion as to its fairness and the integrity of the udge. onse'#ently, we ta"e it to be the tr#e intention of the law 7 stated in general terms 7 *ha* %o F0&1) ,ha44 (r),+&) +% a ca,) +% 9h+ch he is not wholly free, disinterested, impartial and independent. $n n#mero#s cases there ha%e been where )#dges, and e%en members of this o#rt, were as"ed to inhibit themsel%es from trying, or from participating in the consideration of, a case, b#t scarcely were the mo%ants p#nished for contempt e%en if the gro#nds #pon which they based their motions for dis'#alification are not among those pro%ided in the r#les. I* +, o%45 9h)% *h)r) 9a, &+r)c* +6(0*a*+o% o7 8+a, or (r)F0&+c)! or a ,*088or% +%,+,*)%c) *o &+,20a4+75 *h) F0&1)! &o%) +% a 6a4+c+o0,! arro1a%*! 8)44+1)r)%* a%& &+,r),()c*704 6a%%)r! *ha* 6o-a%*, 9)r) h)4& +% co%*)6(* o7 co0r*. And this liberal attit#de of the co#rts is in "eeping with the doctrine that /!he power to punish for contempt of court should be e"ercised on the preservative and not on the vindictive principle. >nly occasionally sho#ld the co#rt in%o"e its inherent power in order to retain that respect witho#t which the administration of )#stice m#st falter or fail./ The power to p#nish for contempt, being drastic and e8traordinary in its nat#re, sho#ld not be resorted to #nless necessary in the interest of )#stice

"A

MARTELINO @S ALE/ANDRO

This case presents another aspect of the co#rt(martial proceedings against the petitioner, +a)or -d#ardo +artelino, alias Abd#l Latif +artelino, of the Armed Forces of the <hilippines, and the officers and men #nder him, for %iolation of the EBth and EFth Articles of 1ar, as a res#lt of the alleged shooting on +arch 2G, 2E3G of some +#slim recr#its then #ndergoing commando training on the island of orregidor. $t appears that at the hearing on A#g#st 2A, 2E3E the petitioner +artelino so#ght the dis'#alification of the <resident of the general co#rt(martial, following the latter,s admission that he read newspaper stories of the orregidor incident. The petitioner contended that the case had recei%ed s#ch an amo#nt of p#blicity in the press and other news media and in fact was being e8ploited for political p#rposes in connection with the presidential election on =o%ember 22, 2E3E as to imperil his right to a fair trial. After deliberating, the military co#rt denied the challenge.$n their answer the respondents assert that despite the p#blicity which the case had recei%ed, no proof has been presented showing that the co#rt( martial,s president,s fairness and impartiality ha%e been impaired. >n the contrary, they claim, the petitioner,s own co#nsel e8pressed confidence in the /integrity, e8perience and bac"gro#nd/ of the members of the co#rt. $SSI-: whether the p#blicity gi%en to the case against the petitioners was s#ch as to pre)#dice their right to a fair trial. .-L5: $n contrast the spate of p#blicity in this case before #s did not foc#s on the g#ilt of the petitioners b#t rather on the responsibility of the *o%ernment for what was claimed to be a /massacre/ of +#slim trainees. $f there was a /trial by newspaper/ at all, it was not of the petitioners b#t of the *o%ernment. Absent here is a showing of fail#re of the co#rt(martial to protect the acc#sed from massi%e p#blicity enco#raged by those connected with the cond#ct of the trial. At all e%ents, e%en granting the e8istence of /massi%e/ and /pre)#dicial/ p#blicity, since the petitioners here do not contend that the respondents ha%e been #nd#ly infl#enced b#t simply that they might be by the /barrage/ of p#blicity, we thin" that the s#spension of the co#rt(martial proceedings has accomplished the p#rpose so#ght by the petitioners, challenge for ca#se, by postponing the trial of the

petitioner #ntil calmer times ha%e ret#rned. The atmosphere has since been cleared and the p#blicity s#rro#nding the orregidor incident has so far abated that we belie%e the trial may now be res#med in tran'#ility.
Case 14: VENANCIO CASTANEDA and NICETAS HENSON, petitioners, vs. PASTOR D. AGO, O!RDES "! AGO and THE CO!RT O# APPEA S, respondents. #ACTS: In 1$%%, petitioners Casta&eda and Henson 'i(ed a rep(evin s)it a*ainst Pastor A*o to re+over +ertain ,a+-ineries. In 1$%., /)d*,ent 0as rendered in 'avor o' t-e p(ainti''s, orderin* A*o to ret)rn t-e ,a+-ineries or pa1 de'inite s),s o' ,one1. A*o appea(ed, and in 1$21 t-e Co)rt, a''ir,ed t-e /)d*,ent. A'ter a re,and, t-e tria( +o)rt iss)ed a 0rit o' e3e+)tion. A*o ,oved 'or a sta1 o' e3e+)tion 4)t -is ,otion 0as denied, and (ev1 0as ,ade on A*o5s -o)se and (ots. T-e s-eri'' t-en advertised t-e, 'or a)+tion sa(e. A*o ,oved to stop t-e a)+tion sa(e, 'ai(in* in 0-i+- -e 'i(ed a petition 'or +ertiorari 0it- t-e Co)rt o' Appea(s. T-e appe((ate +o)rt dis,issed t-e petition and A*o appea(ed. A*o t-ri+e atte,pted to o4tain a 0rit o' pre(i,inar1 in/)n+tion to restrain t-e s-eri'' 'ro, en'or+in* t-e 0rit o' e3e+)tion, -o0ever, -is ,otions 0ere denied, and t-e s-eri'' so(d t-e -o)se and (ots to t-e -i*-est 4idders, t-e petitioners. A*o 'ai(ed to redee,, and in 1$24 t-e s-eri'' e3e+)ted t-e 'ina( deed o' sa(e. 6oined 41 -is 0i'e, o)rdes ") A*o, as -is +o7p(ainti'', Pastor 'i(ed a +o,p(aint to ann)( t-e s-eri''5s sa(e on t-e *ro)nd t-at -is o4(i*ation, )pon 0-i+- /)d*,ent 0as rendered a*ainst -i, in t-e rep(evin s)it 0as -is persona( o4(i*ation, and t-at o)rdes ") A*o5s one7-a(' s-are in t-eir +on/)*a( residentia( -o)se and (ots 0-i+0ere (evied )pon and so(d 41 t-e s-eri'' +o)(d not (e*a((1 4e rea+-ed 'or t-e satis'a+tion o' t-e /)d*,ent. T-e 4att(e on t-e ,atter o' t-e (i'tin* and restorin* o' t-e restrainin* order +ontin)ed. In 1$22, t-e A*os 'i(ed a petition 'or +ertiorari and pro-i4ition. A'ter it 0as denied, t-e respondents t-en 'i(ed a si,i(ar petition 'or +ertiorari and pro-i4ition 0it- t-e Co)rt o' Appea(s, pra1in* 'or t-e sa,e pre(i,inar1 in/)n+tion. T-e Co)rt o' Appea(s a(so dis,issed t-e petition. T-e respondents t-en appea(ed to t-e S)pre,e Co)rt. T-e said +o)rt *ave d)e +o)rse to t-e petition and *ranted pre(i,inar1 in/)n+tion. ISS!E: 8-et-er or not t-e respondents5 (a01er 6ose 9. )ison, -ave ,is)sed (e*a( re,edies and prostit)ted t-e /)di+ia( pro+ess to t-0art t-e satis'a+tion o' t-e /)d*,ent, to t-e e3tended pre/)di+e o' t-e petitioners HE D: "es. T-e respondents, 0it- t-e assistan+e o' +o)nse(, ,ane)vered 'or 'o)rteen :14; 1ears to do**ed(1 resist e3e+)tion o' t-e /)d*,ent t-r) ,ani'o(d ta+ti+s in and 'ro, one +o)rt to anot-er :% ti,es in t-e S)pre,e Co)rt;. #or*ettin* -is sa+red ,ission as a s0orn p)4(i+ servant and -is e3a(ted position as an o''i+er o' t-e +o)rt, Att1. )ison -as a((o0ed -i,se(' to 4e+o,e an insti*ator o' +ontrovers1 and a predator o' +on'(i+t instead o' a ,ediator 'or +on+ord and a +on+i(iator 'or +o,pro,ise, a virt)oso o' te+-ni+a(it1 in t-e +ond)+t o' (iti*ation instead o' a tr)e e3ponent o' t-e pri,a+1 o' tr)t- and ,ora( /)sti+e. : A +o)nse(5s assertiveness in espo)sin* 0it- +ando)r and -onest1 -is +(ient5s +a)se ,)st 4e en+o)ra*ed and is to 4e +o,,ended< 0-at 0e do not and +annot +o)ntenan+e is a (a01er5s insisten+e despite t-e patent ')ti(it1 o' -is +(ient5s position, as in t-e +ase at 4ar. It is t-e d)t1 o' a +o)nse( to advise -is +(ient, ordinari(1 a (a1,an to t-e intri+a+ies and va*aries o' t-e (a0, on t-e ,erit or (a+= o' ,erit o' -is +ase. I' -e 'inds t-at -is +(ient5s +a)se is de'ense(ess, t-en it is -is 4o)nden d)t1 to advise t-e (atter to

a+>)ies+e and s)4,it, rat-er t-an traverse t-e in+ontroverti4(e. A (a01er ,)st resist t-e 0-i,s and +apri+es o' -is +(ient, and te,per -is +(ients propensit1 to (iti*ate. A (a01er5s oat- to )p-o(d t-e +a)se o' /)sti+e is s)perior to -is d)t1 to -is +(ient< its pri,a+1 is indisp)ta4(e. ;

CHAVE? V VIO A #a+ts: Co,p(ainant Teodoro I. C-ave@ pra1ed 'or t-e dis4ar,ent o' or ot-er appropriate pena(t1 )pon respondent Es+o(asti+o R. Vio(a, a ,e,4er o' t-e P-i(ippine Aar, 'or *ross ,is+ond)+t or ,a(pra+ti+e. Respondent Vio(a 0as en*a*ed 41 #e(i+idad A(vendia, 6es)s A(vendia and 6es)s A(vendia, 6r. as t-eir +o)nse( in +onne+tion 0it- Civi( Case a*ainst Teodoro C-ave@ :-erein +o,p(ainant;, )+ia de(a Cr)@, A(pon de(a Cr)@ and E)*enio de(a Cr)@. In t-e +o,p(aint, respondent a((e*ed, on 4e-a(' o' t-e A(vendias :p(ainti''s t-erein;, t-at #e(i+idad A(vendia and 6es)s A(vendia 0ere t-e -o(ders o' #ores-ore ease App(i+ations +overin* portions o' p)4(i+ (and sit)ated in Aarrio Aa()arte, 9)ni+ipa(it1 o' A)(a+an, Provin+e o' A)(a+an, and t-at (ease +ontra+ts -ad 4een e3e+)ted in t-eir 'avor 41 t-e Se+retar1 o' A*ri+)(t)re and Nat)ra( Reso)r+es. Respondent pra1ed in t-e +o,p(aint t-at -is +(ients :t-e A(vendias; 4e de+(ared B4ona 'ide (essees o' t-e (and in +ontrovers1 . . . .B T-e C#I dis,issed t-e +o,p(aint. Respondent 'i(ed, on 4e-a(' o' t-e A(vendias, A,ended App(i+ation 'or Ori*ina( Re*istration o' Tit(e C in and Re*istration Case :B RCB;. Respondent a((e*ed in t-e A,ended App(i+ation t-at t-e app(i+ant A(vendias 0ere t-e o0ners o' t-e (and, t-e1 -avin* a+>)ired t-e sa,e 'ro, one Teresita Vistan 41 sa(e so,eti,e in 1$D$. It is petitionerEs +ontention t-at respondent, in 'i(in* t-e A,ended App(i+ation 'or Ori*ina( Re*istration o' Tit(e, -ad 0i((in*(1 aided in and +onsented to t-e p)rs)it, pro,otion and prose+)tion o' a 'a(se and )n(a0')( app(i+ation 'or (and re*istration, in vio(ation o' -is oat- o' o''i+e as a ,e,4er o' t-e Aar. In -is Ans0er, respondent a((e*ed t-at t-e App(i+ation 'or Ori*ina( Re*istration o' Tit(e 0as ori*ina((1 instit)ted 41 one Att1. 9ontes+(aro, and 0-en said (a01er 0it-dre0 -is appearan+e t-erein, respondent 'i(ed t-e A,ended App(i+ation 'or Ori*ina( Re*istration o' Tit(e< Iss)e: 8-et-er respondent is *)i(t1 o' *ross ,is+ond)+t or ,a(pra+ti+e R)(in*: Co)rts are entit(ed to e3pe+t on(1 +o,p(ete +andor and -onest1 'ro, t-e (a01ers appearin* and p(eadin* 4e'ore t-e,. A (a01er, on t-e

ot-er -and, -as t-e ')nda,enta( d)t1 to satis'1 t-at e3pe+tation. Ot-er0ise, t-e ad,inistration o' /)sti+e 0o)(d *rave(1 s)''er i' indeed it +o)(d pro+eed at a((. It is essentia( t-at (a01ers 4ear in ,ind at a(( ti,es t-at t-eir 'irst d)t1 is not to t-eir +(ients 4)t rat-er to t-e +o)rts, t-at t-e1 are a4ove a(( o''i+ers o' +o)rt s0orn to assist t-e +o)rts in renderin* /)sti+e to a(( and s)ndr1, and on(1 se+ondari(1 are t-e1 advo+ates o' t-e e3+()sive interests o' t-eir +(ients. #or t-is reason, -e is re>)ired to s0ear to do no 'a(se-ood, nor +onsent to t-e doin* o' an1 in +o)rt. 12 In t-e instant +ase, respondent Vio(a a((e*ed in an ear(ier p(eadin* t-at -is +(ients 0ere ,ere(1 (essees o' t-e propert1 invo(ved. In -is (ater p(eadin*, -e stated t-at t-e ver1 sa,e +(ients 0ere o0ners o' t-e sa,e propert1. One o' t-ese p(eadin*s ,)st -ave 4een 'a(se< it ,atters not 0-i+- one. 8-at does ,atter is t-at respondent, 0-o, as a ,e,4er o' t-e an+ient and (earned pro'ession o' t-e (a0, -ad s0orn to do no 'a(se-ood 4e'ore t-e +o)rts, did +o,,it one. It 0as in+),4ent )pon respondent to e3p(ain -o0 or 0-1 -e +o,,itted no 'a(se-ood in p(eadin* t0o :D; in+o,pati4(e t-in*s< -e o''ered no e3p(anation, ot-er t-an t-at -e -ad not ori*inated 4)t ,ere(1 +ontin)ed t-e re*istration pro+eedin*s 0-en -e 'i(ed t-e A,ended App(i+ation, and t-at -e rea((1 4e(ieved -is +(ients 0ere entit(ed to app(1 'or re*istration o' t-eir ri*-ts. It is +(ear to t-e Co)rt t-at respondent Vio(a vio(ated -is (a01erEs oatand as 0e(( Canon DD o' t-e Canons o' Pro'essiona( Et-i+s 0-i+- stated t-atB FtG-e +ond)+t o' t-e (a01er 4e'ore t-e +o)rt and 0it- ot-er (a01ers s-o)(d 4e +-ara+teri@ed 41 +andor and 'airnessB :no0 Canon 1H o' t-e Code o' Pro'essiona( Responsi4i(it1 pres+ri4in* t-atB FaG (a01er o0es +andor, 'airness and *ood 'ait- to t-e +o)rtsB;. He -as 4een dep(ora4(1 (a+=in* in t-e +andor re>)ired o' -i, as a ,e,4er o' t-e Aar and an o''i+er o' t-e +o)rt. In -is apparent @ea( to se+)re t-e tit(e to t-e propert1 invo(ved 'or -is +(ients, -e disre*arded -is overridin* d)t1 to t-e +o)rt and to t-e (a0 itse('. 8HERE#ORE, 'indin* respondent Es+o(asti+o R. Vio(a *)i(t1 o' +o,,ittin* a 'a(se-ood in vio(ation o' -is (a01erEs oat- and o' t-e Canons o' Pro'essiona( Et-i+s :no0 t-e Code o' Pro'essiona( Responsi4i(it1;, t-e Co)rt Reso(ved to S!SPEND respondent 'ro, t-e pra+ti+e o' (a0 'or a period o' 'ive :%; ,ont-s, 0it- a 8ARNING t-at +o,,ission o' t-e sa,e or si,i(ar o''ense in t-e ')t)re 0i(( res)(t in t-e i,position o' a ,ore severe pena(t1.