A.C. No. 5732 – 760 Phil. 14 – Legal Ethics – Lawyer must control handling of case Alfredo Olvida sought the services of Atty. Arnel Gonzales in the filing of a DARAB case against a negligent tenant. The DARAB required the parties in that case to file their respective position […]
Legal Ethics
A.C. No. 7325 – 751 Phil. 1 – Legal Ethics – Appearance of Counsel – Duty to Inform Death of Client Efren Babela filed a petition for the cancellation of title against the wife of Domiciano Villahermosa, Jr. The DARAB issued a favorable decision. In 2002, Atty. Isidro Caracol entered […]
A.C. No. 12447 – Legal Ethics – Appearance of Counsel; Appearance Without Authority Marivic Alacar and several others lost money and valuables when their place of work were taken over by the Manila Bay Development Corporation (MBDC). Their employer then introduced them to Atty. Socrates Rivera for legal assistance. Atty. […]
A.M. No. MTJ-95-1063 – 323 Phil. 438 – 329 Phil. 270 – Legal Ethics – Merit-Based Practice; Avoid Frivolous or Harassment Suits Alfonso Choa is a Chinese seeking Filipino naturalization. He filed a petition for naturalization with the assistance of Atty. Raymundo Quiroz. In his petition, he alleged, among others, […]
G.R. No. 216756 – 838 Phil. 461 – Legal Ethics – Appearance of Counsel – Collaborating Counsel – Appearance of Second Counsel Does Not Automatically Withdraw Appearance of First Counsel In 2002, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) filed a collections case against Mannequin International Corporation (MIC) and several other individuals […]
G.R. No. L-4659 – 91 Phil. 596 – Legal Ethics – Authority to Bind Client In August 1946, Dominga Salazar filed an ejectment case against Fausto Jarabe. Dominga was represented by Atty. Lourdes Paredes-Santiago. During trial, Atty. Paredes-Santiago moved for the approval of a compromise agreement signed by her for […]
G.R. No. 128646 – 447 Phil. 159 – 399 SCRA 83 – Legal Ethics – Appearance of Counsel – Presumption: Counsel in Lower Court is Counsel on Appeal In November 1994, Danilo Omega obtained a favorable judgment for the annulment of his marriage with Criselda Jose. Criselda was represented by […]
G.R. No. 167886 – 510 Phil. 839 – 474 SCRA 344 – Legal Ethics – Appearance of Counsel – Counsel May Appear Without Written Authority Land Bank and Pamintuan Development Co were parties in a case for determination of just compensation before the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB). […]
G.R. No. 134583 – 478 Phil. 446 – 434 SCRA 342 – Legal Ethics – Diligence – Duty of Counsel to Represent Client Despite Personal Differences In 1997, Freddie Murillo was arraigned for the murder of Paz Abiera. With the assistance of Atty. Dante Garin, Murillo pleaded guilty of committing […]
A.C. No. 9259 – 693 Phil. 174 – 679 SCRA 1 – Legal Ethics – Duty of Counsel to Protect the Defenseless and the Oppressed; When not applicable Jasper Junno Rodica lost a civil case in Boracay. Rodica, through her counsel of record Atty. Joan Tabanar-Ibutnande, filed a motion for […]
A.C. No. 3923 – 220 SCRA 512 – Legal Ethics – Merit-Based Practice; A lawyer must be honest Concordia Garcia filed a civil case against Sotero Lee by reason of Lee’s refusal to vacate Garcia’s property. Atty. Crisanto Francisco was Lee’s lawyer. In 1992, Garcia filed a disbarment case against […]
A.C. No. 9018 – 785 Phil. 303 – Legal Ethics – Conflict of Interest – Government lawyers may not represent government officials Atty. Nicanor Alvarez was a legal officer at the National Center for Mental Health under the Department of Health. He was authorized by the NCMH head to engage […]
A.C. No. 5738 – 569 Phil. 539 – 546 SCRA 209 – Legal Ethics – Conflict of Interest; A Punongbarangay must obtain written authority to practice law from the DILG Secretary Atty. Vicente Rellosa was the Punongbarangay of Barangay 723, City of Manila. He presided over a conciliation proceeding under […]
A.C. No. 13219 – Legal Ethics – Conflict of Interest – Unauthorized Practice of Law ; Legal officers cannot represent government officials Since 2011, Atty. Richard Enojo has been the provincial legal officer of Negros Oriental. In 2013, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo was sued before the Ombudsman for malversation. […]
A.C. No. 7121 – Legal Ethics – Integrity; Honesty – A lawyer shall not do any falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in Court; nor shall he mislead or allow the Court to be misled by any artifice – Misleading pleadings Atty. Evelyn is the stepmother of Emiliani […]
A.M. No. 93-2-037-SC – 313 Phil. 119 – 243 SCRA 299 – Legal Ethics – Duty to the Courts – Use of Respectful Language Atty. Emiliano Jurado labels himself as a columnist who incidentally happens to be a lawyer. He writes for the Manila Standard. From 1992 to 1993, he […]