1. bautista v. gonzales, a.m. 16-25- february 12, 1990

8/20/2019 1. Bautista v. Gonzales, A.m. 16-25- February 12, 1990

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1. ANGEL L. BAUTISTA VS. ATTY RAMON A. GONZALES

FACTS:

This is a case where a lawer !i"la#e$ #he lawer%s "a#h &"r ha!i'( )ee' e'(a(e$ i' *al+rac#ice

where) #he res+"'$e'# A##. Ra*"' A G"',ales *isre+rese'#e$ ) &alsi&i'( "& +-r+"r#e$$"c-*e'#s re+rese'#i'( as c"'!ea'ce "& #he hal& area "& #he la'$ i' li#i(a#i"' as his a##"r'e

&ees )ei'( #he c"-'sel "& #he F"r#-'a$" &a*il. I# a++ears i' #he a(ree*e'# "& #heir c"'#rac# "&

e'(a(e*e'# #ha# res+"'$e'# will )e #he "'e #" sh"-l$er all #he li#i(a#i"' e/+e'ses i' rela#i"' #"

#he li#i(a#e$ +iece "& la'$ a'$ as his c"*+e'sa#i"' he will )e e'#i#le &"r "'e hal& "& #he area "&

#he sai$ +r"+er# i' li#i(a#i"'.

ISSUE:

0he#her "r '"# res+"'$e'# A##. Ra*"' A. G"',ales is e'#i#le$ #" #he "'e hal& area "& #he

li#i(a#e$ +arcel "& la'$ "& #he F"r#-'a$" &a*il

2EL3:

N".

A lawer c"-l$ '"# )- a +iece "& la'$ which is #he s-)4ec# #" #he li#i(a#i"' where) he is #he

c"-'sel )eca-se #he sa*e is a )reach "& +r"&essi"'al e#hics a'$ c"'s#i#-#e *al+rac#ice "& a

lawer. The c"'#e'#i"' "& res+"'$e'# #ha# Ca'"' 15 "& #he "l$ Ca'"'s "& 6r"&essi"'al E#hics

which s#a#es #ha# #he lawer sh"-l$ '"# +-rchase a' i'#eres#s i' #he s-)4ec# *a##er "& #he

li#i(a#i"' which he is c"'$-c#i'( $"es '"# a++ear a'*"re i' #he 'ew C"$e "& 6r"&essi"'al

Res+"'si)ili#. 2e #here&"re c"'cl-$es #ha# while a +-rchase ) a lawer "& +r"+er# i' li#i(a#i"'

is !"i$ -'$er Ar#. 1781 "& #he Ci!il c"$e s-ch +-rchase is '" l"'(er a (r"-'$ &"r $isci+li'ar

ac#i"' -'$er #he 'ew C"$e "& 6r"&essi"'al Res+"'si)ili#. The S-+re*e C"-r# $eclare$ #ha# #he

c"'#e'#i"' "& res+"'$e'# is -'#e'a)le.

The #ra's(ressi"' "& a' +r"!isi"' "& law ) a lawer is a re+-lsi!e a'$ re+rehe'si)le ac# which

#he C"-r# will '"# c"-'#e'a'ce. I' #he i's#a'# case res+"'$e'# ha!i'( !i"la#e$ Ar#. 1781 "& #he

Ci!il C"$e *-s# )e hel$ acc"-'#a)le )"#h #" his clie'# a'$ #" s"cie#.

02EREFORE &i'$i'( #ha# res+"'$e'# A##"r'e Ra*"' A. G"',ales c"**i##e$ seri"-s

*isc"'$-c# #he C"-r# Res"l!e$ #" SUS6EN3 res+"'$e'# &r"* #he +rac#ice "& law &"r SI9 ;<

*"'#hs e&&ec#i!e &r"* #he $a#e "& his recei+# "& #his Res"l-#i"'


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Re+-)lic "& #he 6hili++i'es

SUPREME COURT

Ma'ila

EN BANC

A.M. No. 1625 February 12, 1990

ANGEL L. BAUTSTA, c"*+lai'a'#

!s.

ATT!. RAMON A. GON"ALES, res+"'$e'#.

R E S O L U T O N

PER CURAM#

I' a !eri&ie$ c"*+lai'# &ile$ ) A'(el L. Ba-#is#a "' Ma 18 18=; res+"'$e'# Ra*"' A.

G"',ales was char(e$ wi#h *al+rac#ice $ecei# (r"ss *isc"'$-c# a'$ !i"la#i"' "& lawer>s "a#h.

Re?-ire$ ) #his C"-r# #" a'swer #he char(es a(ai's# hi* res+"'$e'# &ile$ "' @-'e 18 18=; a

*"#i"' &"r a )ill "& +ar#ic-lars asi'( #his C"-r# #" "r$er c"*+lai'a'# #" a*e'$ his c"*+lai'# )

*ai'( his char(es *"re $e&i'i#e. I' a res"l-#i"' $a#e$ @-'e 18=; #he C"-r# (ra'#e$

res+"'$e'#>s *"#i"' a'$ re?-ire$ c"*+lai'a'# #" &ile a' a*e'$e$ c"*+lai'#. O' @-l 1D 18=;

c"*+lai'a'# s-)*i##e$ a' a*e'$e$ c"*+lai'# &"r $is)ar*e'# alle(i'( #ha# res+"'$e'#

c"**i##e$ #he &"ll"wi'( ac#s:

1. Acce+#i'( a case wherei' he a(ree$ wi#h his clie'#s 'a*el

Al&ar" F"r#-'a$" Nes#"r F"r#-'a$" a'$ E$i#ha F"r#-'a$"

herei'aer re&erre$ #" as #he F"r#-'a$"s #" +a all e/+e'ses

i'cl-$i'( c"-r# &ees &"r a c"'#i'(e'# &ee "& &i +erce'# D5< "&

#he !al-e "& #he +r"+er# i' li#i(a#i"'.

. Ac#i'( as c"-'sel &"r #he F"r#-'a$"s i' Ci!il Case N". H1D17J wherei' E-se)i" L"+e, @r. is "'e "& #he $e&e'$a'#s a'$

wi#h"-# sai$ case )ei'( #er*i'a#e$ ac#i'( as c"-'sel &"r E-se)i"

L"+e, @r. i' Ci!il Case N". H1D785K

J. Tra's&erri'( #" hi*sel& "'ehal& "& #he +r"+er#ies "& #he

F"r#-'a$"s which +r"+er#ies are #he s-)4ec# "& #he li#i(a#i"' i'

Ci!il Case N". H1D17J while #he case was s#ill +e'$i'(K


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7. I'$-ci'( c"*+lai'a'# wh" was his &"r*er clie'# #" e'#er i'#" a

c"'#rac# wi#h hi* "' A-(-s# J5 18=1 &"r #he $e!el"+*e'# i'#" a

resi$e'#ial s-)$i!isi"' "& #he la'$ i'!"l!e$ i' Ci!il Case N". H

1D17J c"!ere$ ) TCT N". T188 clai*i'( #ha# he ac?-ire$ &i

+erce'# D5< i'#eres# #here"& as a##"r'e>s &ees &r"* #he

F"r#-'a$"s while '"wi'( &-ll well #ha# #he sai$ +r"+er# wasalrea$ s"l$ a# a +-)lic a-c#i"' "' @-'e J5 18=1 ) #he

6r"!i'cial Sheri&& "& La'a" $el N"r#e a'$ re(is#ere$ wi#h #he

Re(is#er "& 3ee$s "& Ili(a' Ci#K

D. S-)*i##i'( #" #he C"-r# "& Firs# I's#a'ce "& H-e,"' Ci# &alsi&ie$

$"c-*e'#s +-r+"r#i'( #" )e #r-e c"+ies "& A$$e'$-* #" #he La'$

3e!el"+*e'# A(ree*e'# $a#e$ A-(-s# J5 18=1 a'$ s-)*i##i'(

#he sa*e $"c-*e'# #" #he Fiscal>s O&&ice "& H-e,"' Ci# i'

c"''ec#i"' wi#h #he c"*+lai'# &"r es#a&a &ile$ ) res+"'$e'#

a(ai's# c"*+lai'a'# $esi('a#e$ as I.S. N". =D18J;K

;. C"**i##i'( ac#s "& #reacher a'$ $isl"al# #" c"*+lai'a'# wh"

was his clie'#K

=. 2arassi'( #he c"*+lai'a'# ) &ili'( se!eral c"*+lai'#s wi#h"-#

le(al )asis )e&"re #he C"-r# "& Firs# I's#a'ce a'$ #he Fiscal>s

O&&ice "& H-e,"' Ci#K

. 3eli)era#el *islea$i'( #he C"-r# "& Firs# I's#a'ce a'$ #he

Fiscal>s O&&ice ) *ai'( &alse asser#i"' "& &ac#s i' his +lea$i'(sK

8. Fili'( +e#i#i"'s cle!erl +re+are$ s"< #ha# while he $"es '"#

i'#e'#i"'all #ell a he he $"es '"# #ell #he #r-#h ei#her.

Res+"'$e'# &ile$ a' a'swer "' Se+#e*)er 8 18=; a'$ a' a*e'$e$ a'swer "' N"!e*)er 1

18=; $e'i'( #he acc-sa#i"'s a(ai's# hi*. C"*+lai'a'# &ile$ a re+l #" res+"'$e'#>s a'swer "'

3ece*)er 8 18=; a'$ "' March 7 18== res+"'$e'# &ile$ a re4"i'$er.

I' a res"l-#i"' $a#e$ March 1; 18J #he C"-r# re&erre$ #he case #" #he O&&ice "& #he S"lici#"r

Ge'eral &"r i'!es#i(a#i"' re+"r# a'$ rec"**e'$a#i"'. I' #he i'!es#i(a#i"' c"'$-c#e$ ) #he

S"lici#"r Ge'eral c"*+lai'a'# +rese'#e$ hi*sel& as a wi#'ess a'$ s-)*i##e$ E/hi)i#s A #"

66 while res+"'$e'# a++eare$ )"#h as wi#'ess a'$ c"-'sel a'$ s-)*i##e$ E/hi)i#s 1 #"11. The +ar#ies were re?-ire$ #" s-)*i# #heir res+ec#i!e *e*"ra'$a.

O' Ma 1; 18 res+"'$e'# &ile$ a *"#i"' #" $is*iss #he c"*+lai'# a(ai's# hi* clai*i'( #ha#

#he l"'( $ela i' #he res"l-#i"' "& #he c"*+lai'# a(ai's# hi* c"'s#i#-#es a !i"la#i"' "& his

c"'s#i#-#i"'al ri(h# #" $-e +r"cess a'$ s+ee$ $is+"si#i"' "& cases. U+"' "r$er "& #he C"-r# #he

S"lici#"r Ge'eral &ile$ a c"**e'# #" #he *"#i"' #" $is*iss "' A-(-s# 18 e/+lai'i'( #ha# #he

$ela i' #he i'!es#i(a#i"' "& #he case was $-e #" #he '-*er"-s re?-es#s &"r +"s#+"'e*e'# "&


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sche$-le$ heari'(s &ile$ ) )"#h +ar#ies a'$ #he *"#i"'s &"r e/#e'si"' "& #i*e #" &ile #heir

res+ec#i!e *e*"ra'$a. C"**e'# "& #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral +. K Rec"r$ +. J;D. Res+"'$e'#

&ile$ a re+l #" #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral>s c"**e'# "' Oc#")er ; 18. I' a res"l-#i"' $a#e$

@a'-ar 1; 188 #he C"-r# re?-ire$ #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral #" s-)*i# his re+"r# a'$

rec"**e'$a#i"' wi#hi' #hir# J5< $as &r"* '"#ice.

O' A+ril 11 188 #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral s-)*i##e$ his re+"r# wi#h #he rec"**e'$a#i"' #ha# A##.

Ra*"' A. G"',ales )e s-s+e'$e$ &"r si/ ;< *"'#hs. The S"lici#"r Ge'eral &"-'$ #ha#

res+"'$e'# c"**i##e$ #he &"ll"wi'( ac#s "& *isc"'$-c#:

a. #ra's&erri'( #" hi*sel& "'ehal& "& #he +r"+er#ies "& his clie'#s $-ri'( #he

+e'$e'c "& #he case where #he +r"+er#ies were i'!"l!e$K

). c"'ceali'( &r"* c"*+lai'a'# #he &ac# #ha# #he +r"+er# s-)4ec# "& #heir la'$

$e!el"+*e'# a(ree*e'# ha$ alrea$ )ee' s"l$ a# a +-)lic a-c#i"' +ri"r #" #he

e/ec-#i"' "& sai$ a(ree*e'#K a'$

c. *islea$i'( #he c"-r# ) s-)*i##i'( alle(e$ #r-e c"+ies "& a $"c-*e'# where

#w" si('a#"ries wh" ha$ '"# si('e$ #he "ri(i'al "r e!e' #he /er"/ c"+< were

*a$e #" a++ear as ha!i'( &i/e$ #heir si('a#-res Re+"r# a'$ Rec"**e'$a#i"' "&

#he S"lici#"r Ge'eral ++. 1=1K R"ll" ++. 75J757.

Res+"'$e'# #he' &ile$ "' A+ril 17 188 a *"#i"' #" re&er #he case #" #he I'#e(ra#e$ Bar "& #he

6hili++i'es IB6< &"r i'!es#i(a#i"' a'$ $is+"si#i"' +-rs-a'# #" R-le 1J8B "& #he Re!ise$ R-les

"& C"-r#. Res+"'$e'# *a'i&es#e$ #ha# he i'#e'$s #" s-)*i# *"re e!i$e'ce )e&"re #he IB6.

Fi'all "' N"!e*)er = 188 res+"'$e'# &ile$ a s-++le*e'#al *"#i"' #" re&er #his case #" #he

IB6 c"'#ai'i'( a$$i#i"'al ar(-*e'#s #" )"ls#er his c"'#e'#i"'s i' his +re!i"-s +lea$i'(s.

I.

6reli*i'aril #he C"-r# will $is+"se "& #he +r"ce$-ral iss-e raise$ ) res+"'$e'#. I# is

res+"'$e'#>s c"'#e'#i"' #ha# #he +reli*i'ar i'!es#i(a#i"' c"'$-c#e$ ) #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral

was li*i#e$ #" #he $e#er*i'a#i"' "& whe#her "r '"# #here is s-&&icie'# (r"-'$ #" +r"cee$ wi#h #he

case a'$ #ha# -'$er R-le 1J8 #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral s#ill has #" &ile a' a$*i'is#ra#i!e c"*+lai'#

a(ai's# hi*. Res+"'$e'# clai*s #ha# #he case sh"-l$ )e re&erre$ #" #he IB6 si'ce Sec#i"' 5 "&

R-le 1J8B +r"!i$es #ha#:

This R-le shall #ae e&&ec# "' @-'e 1 18 a'$ shall s-+erse$e #he +rese'# R-le1J8 e'#i#le$ 3ISBARMENT OR SUS6ENSION OF ATTORNEYS. All cases

+e'$i'( i'!es#i(a#i"' ) #he O&&ice "& #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral shall )e #ra's&erre$ #"

#he I'#e(ra#e$ Bar "& #he 6hili++i'es B"ar$ "& G"!er'"rs &"r i'!es#i(a#i"' a'$

$is+"si#i"' as +r"!i$e$ i' #his R-le e/ce+# #h"se cases where #he i'!es#i(a#i"'

has )ee' s-)s#a'#iall c"*+le#e$.


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The a)"!e c"'#e'#i"' "& res+"'$e'# is -'#e'a)le. I' #he &irs# +lace c"'#rar #" res+"'$e'#>s

clai* re&ere'ce #" #he IB6 "& c"*+lai'#s a(ai's# lawers is '"# *a'$a#"r -+"' #he C"-r#

Zal$i!ar !. Sa'$i(a')aa' G.R. N"s. =8;85=5=K Zal$i!ar !. G"',ales G.R. N". 5D=

Oc#")er = 18. Re&ere'ce "& c"*+lai'#s #" #he IB6 is '"# a' e/cl-si!e +r"ce$-re -'$er #he

#er*s "& R-le 1J8B "& #he Re!ise$ R-les "& C"-r# Ibid . U'$er Sec#i"'s 1J a'$ 17 "& R-le 1J8

B #he S-+re*e C"-r# *a c"'$-c# $isci+li'ar +r"cee$i'(s wi#h"-# #he i'#er!e'#i"' "& #he IB6) re&erri'( cases &"r i'!es#i(a#i"' #" #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral "r #" a' "&&icer "& #he S-+re*e

C"-r# "r 4-$(e "& a l"wer c"-r#. I' s-ch a case #he re+"r# a'$ rec"**e'$a#i"' "& #he

i'!es#i(a#i'( "&&icial shall )e re!iewe$ $irec#l ) #he S-+re*e C"-r#. The C"-r# shall )ase i#s

&i'al ac#i"' "' #he case "' #he re+"r# a'$ rec"**e'$a#i"' s-)*i##e$ ) #he i'!es#i(a#i'( "&&icial

a'$ #he e!i$e'ce +rese'#e$ ) #he +ar#ies $-ri'( #he i'!es#i(a#i"'.

Sec"'$l #here is '" 'ee$ #" re&er #he case #" #he IB6 si'ce a# #he #i*e "& #he e&&ec#i!i# "& R-le

1J8B @-'e 1 18 #he i'!es#i(a#i"' c"'$-c#e$ ) #he O&&ice "& #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral ha$ )ee'

s-)s#a'#iall c"*+le#e$. Sec#i"' 5 "& R-le 1J8B +r"!i$es #ha# "'l +e'$i'( cases #he

i'!es#i(a#i"' "& which has '"# )ee' s-)s#a'#iall c"*+le#e$ ) #he O&&ice "& #he S"lici#"r

Ge'eral shall )e #ra's&erre$ #" #he IB6. I' #his case #he i'!es#i(a#i"' ) #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral

was #er*i'a#e$ e!e' )e&"re #he e&&ec#i!i# "& R-le 1J8B. Res+"'$e'# hi*sel& a$*i##e$ i' his

*"#i"' #" $is*iss #ha# #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral #er*i'a#e$ #he i'!es#i(a#i"' "' N"!e*)er ; 18;

#he $a#e whe' res+"'$e'# s-)*i##e$ his re+l *e*"ra'$-* M"#i"' #" 3is*iss +. 1K Rec"r$ +.

JDJ.

Thir$l #here is '" 'ee$ &"r &-r#her i'!es#i(a#i"' si'ce #he O&&ice "& #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral alrea$

*a$e a #h"r"-(h a'$ c"*+rehe'si!e i'!es#i(a#i"' "& #he case. T" re&er #he case #" #he IB6 as

+rae$ &"r ) #he res+"'$e'# will res-l# '"# "'l i' $-+lica#i"' "& #he +r"cee$i'(s c"'$-c#e$ )

#he S"lici#"r Ge'eral )-# als" #" &-r#her $ela i' #he $is+"si#i"' "& #he +rese'# case which has

las#e$ &"r *"re #ha' #hir#ee' 1J< ears.

Res+"'$e'#>s asser#i"' #ha# he s#ill has s"*e e!i$e'ce #" +rese'# $"es '"# warra'# #he re&erral

"& #he case #" #he IB6. C"'si$eri'( #ha# i' #he i'!es#i(a#i"' c"'$-c#e$ ) #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral

res+"'$e'# was (i!e' a*+le "++"r#-'i# #" +rese'# e!i$e'ce his &ail-re #" a$$-ce a$$i#i"'al

e!i$e'ce is e'#irel his "w' &a-l#. There was #here&"re '" $e'ial "& +r"ce$-ral $-e +r"cess. The

rec"r$ sh"ws #ha# res+"'$e'# a++eare$ as wi#'ess &"r hi*sel& a'$ +rese'#e$ '" less #ha'

ele!e' 11< $"c-*e'#s #" s-++"r# his c"'#e'#i"'s. 2e was als" all"we$ #" cr"sse/a*i'e #he

c"*+lai'a'# wh" a++eare$ as a wi#'ess a(ai's# hi*.

II.

The C"-r# will '"w a$$ress #he s-)s#a'#i!e iss-e "& whe#her "r '"# res+"'$e'# c"**i##e$ #he

ac#s "& *isc"'$-c# alle(e$ ) c"*+lai'a'# Ba-#is#a.

Aer a care&-l re!iew "& #he rec"r$ "& #he case a'$ #he re+"r# a'$ rec"**e'$a#i"' "& #he

S"lici#"r Ge'eral #he C"-r# &i'$s #ha# res+"'$e'# c"**i##e$ ac#s "& *isc"'$-c# which warra'#

#he e/ercise ) #his C"-r# "& i#s $isci+li'ar +"wer.


6/10

The rec"r$ sh"ws #ha# res+"'$e'# +re+are$ a $"c-*e'# e'#i#le$ Tra's&er "& Ri(h#s which was

si('e$ ) #he F"r#-'a$"s "' A-(-s# J1 18=1. The $"c-*e'# assi('e$ #" res+"'$e'# "'ehal&

1< "& #he +r"+er#ies "& #he F"r#-'a$"s c"!ere$ ) TCT N". T188 wi#h a' area "& J8.;D5

s?. **. a'$ TCT N". TJ571 wi#h a' area "& =.85= s?. *. &"r a'$ i' c"'si$era#i"' "& his

le(al ser!ices #" #he la##er. A# #he #i*e #he $"c-*e'# was e/ec-#e$ res+"'$e'# 'ew #ha# #he

a)"!e*e'#i"'e$ +r"+er#ies were #he s-)4ec# "& a ci!il case Ci!il Case N". H1D17J +e'$i'()e&"re #he C"-r# "& Firs# I's#a'ce "& H-e,"' Ci# si'ce he was ac#i'( as c"-'sel &"r #he

F"r#-'a$"s i' sai$ case See A''e/ B "& Ori(i'al C"*+lai'# +. 1K R"ll" +. 1;. I' e/ec-#i'(

#he $"c-*e'# #ra's&erri'( "'ehal& 1< "& #he s-)4ec# +r"+er#ies #" hi*sel& res+"'$e'# !i"la#e$

#he law e/+ressl +r"hi)i#i'( a lawer &r"* ac?-iri'( his clie'#>s +r"+er# "r i'#eres# i'!"l!e$ i'

a' li#i(a#i"' i' which he *a #ae +ar# ) !ir#-e "& his +r"&essi"' Ar#icle 1781 New Ci!il

C"$e. This C"-r# has hel$ #ha# #he +-rchase ) a lawer "& his clie'#>s +r"+er# "r i'#eres# i'

li#i(a#i"' is a )reach "& +r"&essi"'al e#hics a'$ c"'s#i#-#es *al+rac#ice 2er'a'$e, !. Villa'-e!a

75 6hil. ==7 185


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+re!aili'( 4-ris+r-$e'ce h"l$s #ha# #he +-rchase ) a lawer "& his clie'#>s +r"+er# i' li#i(a#i"'

c"'s#i#-#es a )reach "& +r"&essi"'al e#hics &"r which a $isci+li'ar ac#i"' *a )e )r"-(h#

a(ai's# hi*.

Res+"'$e'#>s 'e/# c"'#e'#i"' #ha# #he #ra's&er "& #he +r"+er#ies was '"# reall i*+le*e'#e$

)eca-se #he la'$ $e!el"+*e'# a(ree*e'# "' which #he #ra's&er $e+e'$e$ was la#er resci'$e$is -'#e'a)le. N"where is i# +r"!i$e$ i' #he Tra's&er "& Ri(h#s #ha# #he assi('*e'# "& #he

+r"+er#ies "& #he F"r#-'a$"s #" res+"'$e'# was s-)4ec# #" #he i*+le*e'#a#i"' "& #he la'$

$e!el"+*e'# a(ree*e'#. The las# +ara(ra+h "& #he Tra's&er "& Ri(h#s +r"!i$es #ha#:

... &"r a'$ i' c"'si$era#i"' "& #he le(al ser!ices "& ATTY. RAMON A. GONZALES

Fili+i'" *arrie$ #" Lilia Y-sa a'$ a resi$e'# "& J S-'rise 2ill New Ma'ila

H-e,"' Ci# re'$ere$ #" "-r e'#ire sa#is&ac#i"' we here) ) #hese

+rese'#s do transfer and convey to the said ATTY. RAMON A. GONA!"#$ his

heirs$ s%ccessor$ and assigns$ "'ehal& 1< "& "-r ri(h#s a'$ i'#eres#s i' #he

a)"!e$escri)e$ +r"+er# #"(e#her wi#h all #he i*+r"!e*e'#s &"-'$ #herei'

A''e/ 3 "& #he C"*+lai'# Rec"r$ +. K E*+hasis s-++lie$.

I# is clear &r"* #he &"re("i'( #ha# #he +ar#ies i'#e'$e$ #he #ra's&er "& #he +r"+er#ies #"

res+"'$e'# #" )e a)s"l-#e a'$ -'c"'$i#i"'al a'$ irres+ec#i!e "& whe#her "r '"# #he la'$

$e!el"+*e'# a(ree*e'# was i*+le*e'#e$.

A'"#her *isc"'$-c# c"**i##e$ ) res+"'$e'# was his &ail-re #" $iscl"se #" c"*+lai'a'# a# #he

#i*e #he la'$ $e!el"+*e'# a(ree*e'# was e'#ere$ i'#" #ha# #he la'$ c"!ere$ ) TCT N". T

188 ha$ alrea$ )ee' s"l$ a# a +-)lic a-c#i"'. The la'$ $e!el"+*e'# a(ree*e'# was

e/ec-#e$ "' A-(-s# J1 18== while #he +-)lic a-c#i"' was hel$ "' @-'e J5 18=1.

Res+"'$e'# $e'ies #ha# c"*+lai'a'# was his &"r*er clie'# clai*i'( #ha# his a++eara'ce &"r #he

c"*+lai'a'# i' a' a'#i(ra case &ile$ ) #he la##er a(ai's# a cer#ai' Gil)er# Te"$"r" was -+"'

#he re?-es# "& c"*+lai'a'# a'$ was -'$ers#""$ #" )e "'l +r"!isi"'al. Res+"'$e'# clai*s #ha#

si'ce c"*+lai'a'# was '"# his clie'# he ha$ '" $-# #" war' c"*+lai'a'# "& #he &ac# #ha# #he

la'$ i'!"l!e$ i' #heir la'$ $e!el"+*e'# a(ree*e'# ha$ )ee' s"l$ a# a +-)lic a-c#i"'. M"re"!er

#he sale was $-l a''"#a#e$ a# #he )ac "& TCT N". T188 a'$ #his res+"'$e'# ar(-es ser!es

as c"'s#r-c#i!e '"#ice #" c"*+lai'a'# s" #ha# #here was '" c"'ceal*e'# "' his +ar#.

The a)"!e c"'#e'#i"'s are -'*eri#"ri"-s. E!e' ass-*i'( #ha# #he cer#i&ica#e "& sale was

a''"#a#e$ a# #he )ac "& TCT N". T188 #he &ac# re*ai's #ha# res+"'$e'# &aile$ #" i'&"r* #he

c"*+lai'a'# "& #he sale "& #he la'$ #" Sa*a-'a $-ri'( #he 'e("#ia#i"'s &"r #he la'$$e!el"+*e'# a(ree*e'#. I' s" $"i'( res+"'$e'# &aile$ #" li!e -+ #" #he ri("r"-s s#a'$ar$s "&

e#hics "& #he law +r"&essi"' which +lace a +re*i-* "' h"'es# a'$ c"'$e*' $-+lici#"-s

c"'$-c#. The &ac# #ha# c"*+lai'a'# was '"# a &"r*er clie'# "& res+"'$e'# $"es '"# e/e*+#

res+"'$e'# &r"* his $-# #" i'&"r* c"*+lai'a'# "& a' i*+"r#a'# &ac# +er#ai'i'( #" #he la'$ which

is s-)4ec# "& #heir 'e("#ia#i"'. Si'ce he was a +ar# #" #he la'$ $e!el"+*e'# a(ree*e'#

res+"'$e'# sh"-l$ ha!e war'e$ #he c"*+lai'a'# "& #he sale "& #he la'$ a# a +-)lic a-c#i"' s"

#ha# #he la##er c"-l$ *ae a +r"+er assess*e'# "& #he !ia)ili# "& #he +r"4ec# #he were 4"i'#l


8/10

-'$er#ai'(. This C"-r# has hel$ #ha# a lawer sh"-l$ ")ser!e h"'es# a'$ &air'ess e!e' i' his

+ri!a#e $eali'(s a'$ &ail-re #" $" s" is a (r"-'$ &"r $isci+li'ar ac#i"' a(ai's# hi* C-s#"$i" !.

Es#" A$*. Case N". 111J Fe)r-ar 18= 1 SCRA D1=.

C"*+lai'a'# als" char(es res+"'$e'# wi#h s-)*i##i'( #" #he c"-r# &alsi&ie$ $"c-*e'#s

+-r+"r#i'( #" )e #r-e c"+ies "& a' a$$e'$-* #" #he la'$ $e!el"+*e'# a(ree*e'#.

Base$ "' e!i$e'ce s-)*i##e$ ) #he +ar#ies #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral &"-'$ #ha# i' #he $"c-*e'#

&ile$ ) res+"'$e'# wi#h #he C"-r# "& Firs# I's#a'ce "& H-e,"' Ci# #he si('a#"ries #" #he

a$$e'$-* #" #he la'$ $e!el"+*e'# a(ree*e'# 'a*el Ra*"' A. G"',ales Al&ar" T.

F"r#-'a$" E$i#ha T. F"r#-'a$" Nes#"r T. F"r#-'a$" a'$ A'(el L. Ba-#is#awere *a$e #"

a++ear as ha!i'( si('e$ #he "ri(i'al $"c-*e'# "' 3ece*)er 8 18= as i'$ica#e$ ) #he le##ers

SG3.< )e&"re each "& #heir 'a*es. 2"we!er i# was "'l res+"'$e'# Al&ar" F"r#-'a$" a'$

c"*+lai'a'# wh" si('e$ #he "ri(i'al a'$ $-+lica#e "ri(i'al E/h. < a'$ #he #w" "#her +ar#ies

E$i#h F"r#-'a$" a'$ Nes#"r F"r#-'a$" 'e!er $i$. E!e' res+"'$e'# hi*sel& a$*i##e$ #ha# E$i#h

a'$ Nes#"r F"r#-'a$" "'l si('e$ #he /er"/ c"+ E/h. A< aer res+"'$e'# wr"#e #he* "'

Ma 7 18=J asi'( #he* #" si(' #he sai$ &ero& copy a##ache$ #" #he le##er a'$ #" se'$ i# )ac

#" hi* aer si('i'( Re4"i'$er #" C"*+lai'a'#>s Re+l ++. 7;K R"ll" ++. J=J8. M"re"!er

res+"'$e'# ac'"wle$(e$ #ha# E$i#h a'$ Nes#"r F"r#-'a$" ha$ *erel a(ree$ ) +h"'e #"

si(' )-# ha$ '"# ac#-all si('e$ #he alle(e$ #r-e c"+ "& #he a$$e'$-* as "& Ma J 18=J

Res+"'$e'#>s S-++le*e'#al M"#i"' #" Re&er #his Case #" #he I'#e(ra#e$ Bar "& #he 6hili++i'es

+. 1;. Th-s whe' res+"'$e'# s-)*i##e$ #he alle(e$ #r-e c"+ "& #he a$$e'$-* "' Ma J

18=J as A''e/ A "& his Ma'i&es#a#i"' &ile$ wi#h #he C"-r# "& Firs# I's#a'ce "& H-e,"' Ci# he

'"wi'(l *isle$ #he C"-r# i'#" )elie!i'( #ha# #he "ri(i'al a$$e'$-* was si('e$ ) E$i#h

F"r#-'a$" a'$ Nes#"r F"r#-'a$". S-ch c"'$-c# c"'s#i#-#es will&-l $isre(ar$ "& his s"le*' $-#

as a lawer #" ac# a# all #i*es i' a *a''er c"'sis#e'# wi#h #he #r-#h. A lawer sh"-l$ 'e!er see

#" *islea$ #he c"-r# ) a' ar#i&ice "r &alse s#a#e*e'# "& &ac# "r law Sec#i"' 5 $


9/10

C"$e "& 6r"&essi"'al Res+"'si)ili#. Al#h"-(h a lawer *a i' (""$ &ai#h a$!a'ce #he

e/+e'ses "& li#i(a#i"' #he sa*e sh"-l$ )e s-)4ec# #" rei*)-rse*e'#. The a(ree*e'# )e#wee'

res+"'$e'# a'$ #he F"r#-'a$"s h"we!er $"es '"# +r"!i$e &"r rei*)-rse*e'# #" res+"'$e'# "&

li#i(a#i"' e/+e'ses +ai$ ) hi*. A' a(ree*e'# where) a' a##"r'e a(rees #" +a e/+e'ses "&

+r"cee$i'(s #" e'&"rce #he clie'#>s ri(h#s is cha*+er#"-s @B6 2"l$i'( C"r+. !. U.S. 1;; F.

S-++. J7 18Ds O&&ice "& H-e,"' Ci# &"r #he s"le +-r+"se "& harassi'( hi*.

The rec"r$ sh"ws #ha# a# #he #i*e "& #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral>s i'!es#i(a#i"' "& #his case Ci!il CaseN". H15;5 was s#ill +e'$i'( )e&"re #he C"-r# "& Firs# I's#a'ce "& H-e,"' Ci# while #he

c"*+lai'#s &"r li)el I.S. N". =;D81< a'$ +er4-r I.S. N". D81J< were alrea$ $is*isse$ ) #he

Ci# Fiscal &"r i's-&&icie'c "& e!i$e'ce a'$ lac "& i'#eres# res+ec#i!el Re+"r# a'$

Rec"**e'$a#i"' ++. 1;1=K R"ll" ++. 7575J. The S"lici#"r Ge'eral &"-'$ '" )asis &"r

h"l$i'( #ha# #he c"*+lai'#s &"r li)el a'$ +er4-r were -se$ ) res+"'$e'# #" harass c"*+lai'a'#.

As #" Ci!il Case N". H15;5 c"'si$eri'( #ha# i# was s#ill +e'$i'( res"l-#i"' #he S"lici#"r

Ge'eral *a$e '" &i'$i'( "' c"*+lai'a'#s clai* #ha# i# was a *ere +l" ) res+"'$e'# #" harass

hi*. The $e#er*i'a#i"' "& #he !ali$i# "& #he c"*+lai'# i' Ci!il Case N". H15;5 was le #" #he

C"-r# "& Firs# I's#a'ce "& H-e,"' Ci# where #he case was +e'$i'( res"l-#i"'.

The C"-r# a(rees wi#h #he a)"!e &i'$i'(s "& #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral a'$ acc"r$i'(l h"l$s #ha##here is '" )asis &"r h"l$i'( #ha# #he res+"'$e'#>s s"le +-r+"se i' &ili'( #he a&"re*e'#i"'e$

cases was #" harass c"*+lai'a'#.

Gr"-'$s ; a'$ 8 alle(e$ i' #he c"*+lai'# 'ee$ '"# )e $isc-sse$ se+ara#el si'ce #he a)"!e

$isc-ssi"' "' #he "#her (r"-'$s s-&&icie'#l c"!er #hese re*ai'i'( (r"-'$s.


10/10

The C"-r# &i'$s clearl es#a)lishe$ i' #his case #ha# "' &"-r c"-'#s #he res+"'$e'# !i"la#e$ #he

law a'$ #he r-les ("!er'i'( #he c"'$-c# "& a *e*)er "& #he le(al +r"&essi"'. Sw"r' #" assis# i'

#he a$*i'is#ra#i"' "& 4-s#ice a'$ #" -+h"l$ #he r-le "& law he has *isera)l &aile$ #" li!e -+ #"

#he s#a'$ar$s e/+ec#e$ "& a *e*)er "& #he Bar. Ar#ia(a !. Villa'-e!a A$*. Ma##er N". 18

@-l 8 18 1;J SCRA ;J ;7=. The C"-r# a(rees wi#h #he S"lici#"r Ge'eral #ha#

c"'si$eri'( #he 'a#-re "& #he "&&e'ses c"**i##e$ ) res+"'$e'# a'$ #he &ac#s a'$circ-*s#a'ces "& #he case res+"'$e'# lawer sh"-l$ )e s-s+e'$e$ &r"* #he +rac#ice "& law &"r

a +eri"$ "& si/ ;< *"'#hs.

02EREFORE &i'$i'( #ha# res+"'$e'# A##"r'e Ra*"' A. G"',ales c"**i##e$ seri"-s

*isc"'$-c# #he C"-r# Res"l!e$ #" SUS6EN3 res+"'$e'# &r"* #he +rac#ice "& law &"r SI9 ;<

*"'#hs e&&ec#i!e &r"* #he $a#e "& his recei+# "& #his Res"l-#i"'. Le# c"+ies "& #his Res"l-#i"' )e

circ-la#e$ #" all c"-r#s "& #he c"-'#r &"r #heir i'&"r*a#i"' a'$ (-i$a'ce a'$ s+rea$ i' #he

+ers"'al rec"r$ "& A##. G"',ales.

SO OR3ERE3.

'ernan$ (.).$ Narvasa$ Melencio*+errera$ (r%,$ -aras$ 'eliciano$ Gancayco$ -adilla$ idin and

(ortes$ )).$ conc%r.

G%tierre,$ )r.$ #armiento$ Gri/o*A0%ino$ Medialdea$ Regalado$ )).$ too1 no part.

a

1. bautista v. gonzales, a.m. 16-25- february 12, 1990

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