Norma Flores vs William Delos Santos

A.C. No. 11495 – Legal Ethics – CPRA; Canon II; Propriety – Improper Claim of Influence – Bribing Judges and Justices

In 2015, Mark Sherwin Flores was convicted by the Manila RTC for violations of the Dangerous Drugs Act. Through his mother Norma Flores, he sought the services of Atty. William Delos Santos who charged them Php20k acceptance fee and Php5k fee for gathering of documents. Later, Delos Santos told Norma that the only way for Mark to be acquitted by the Court of Appeals is for them to bribe the three justices Php50k each; that Delos Santos has an insider who can facilitate the transaction for a fee of Php10k. Norma, being desperate, believed Delos Santos and so she made several deposits to the bank account of Delos Santos’ wife until she was able to complete Php160k as demanded by Delos Santos.

In 2016, Norma learned that the CA affirmed Mark’s conviction. She confronted Delos Santos but Delos Santos merely explained that he did not know what happened. As a result, Norma filed a disbarment case against Delos Santos. The IBP Investigating Committee required Delos Santos to comment on the disbarment complaint but he ignored the directive. In 2019, the IBP Board of Governors recommended the disbarment of Delos Santos. Delos Santos moved for reconsideration where he merely denied the allegations of Norma; he explained that the Php160k was his professional fee.

ISSUE: Whether or not Delos Santos should be disbarred.

HELD: Yes. The SC gave more credence to Norma’s allegations. A review of the evidence on record shows that the required degree of proof has been established by Norma. Norma’s affidavit, coupled with the bank deposit slips she submitted, amply support her allegations against Delos Santos. Meanwhile, Delos Santos’ failure to comply with the IBP’s notice lends credence to the averments of Norma and manifests his tacit admission of the same. Delos Santos blatantly took advantage of a mother’s sheer desperation over the plight of her son. By deliberately misleading and deceiving Norma that he can bribe and influence the Justices of the Court of Appeals to rule in her son’s favor, Delos Santos ineludibly cast doubt upon the integrity of the legal system, eroded public confidence in the Judiciary, and brought intolerable dishonor to the legal profession. Such gross disrespect of the judicial system shows that he is wanting in moral fiber and that he lacks integrity in his character.

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