Joseph Samala v. Antonuitti Palana April 15, 2005 Facts
Joseph Samala v. Antonuitti Palana April 15, 2005 Facts
Antonuitti Palana
respondent also failed to appear when the case was set for hearing. Respondent was
Facts:
Complainant Joseph Samala was looking for a company where he could
invest his dollar savings. He was introduced to Taino, a trader-employee of First
Imperial Resources. Taino introduced him to the FIRI manager Agustin, the chief
Ruling:
Respondent assured the complainant that FIRI would be directly putting his
lawyer shall at all times uphold the integrity and dignity of the legal profession.[3] To
investment with Eastern Vanguard Forex Limited, a company based in the Virgin
this end, nothing should be done by any member of the legal fraternity which might
Islands.
tend to lessen in any degree the confidence of the public in the fidelity, honesty and
company to invest his dollar savings with FIRI. Subsequently, complainant decided to
savings with FIRI, his investment was in a stable company, even if, as it was later
latter was surprised when he saw the documents involving complainant's investment.
Agustin delivered a check to the complainant but the same was dishonored as it was
professional expertise and reliable data analysis related to partnership and so on.
assured the complainant that the check would be replaced. Later on, the respondent
gave the complainant 250 thousand in cash and a check in the amounting of 329, 045.
and dignity of the legal profession and lessened the confidence of the public in the
09. The check was also dishonored. The check was signed by FIRI's president,
Desiderio.
Complainant charged Desiderio of Estafa and violation of BP 22. The MTC
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of Makati issued a warrant of arrest against Paul Desiderio. It was discovered that the
that respondents act of representing himself to be the legal officer of FIRI and his
assurance that the check he personally delivered to him was signed in his presence
Facts:
by FIRI Officer Paul Desiderio, when no such person appears to exist, is clearly
The Director for Bar Discipline required respondent to submit his answer to
Oriental giving authority to their mother to sell the subject real properties previously
the complaint filed by Samala but respondent did not submit an answer. The
registered in the name of the heirs of Vicente Paras wherein respondent was one of
the signatories therein.
Complainant alleged that on the basis of the SPA, Ledesma sold the property to
properties in issue despite his knowledge that the same had already been sold by his
Aurora Dy-Yap which was with respondent's full knowledge since he was residing at
mother to complainants sister. This fact, respondent even admitted in the comment
the house of Soledad Dy-Yap at that time and from that time.
that he filed before this Court when he alleged that the said properties were public
Complainant alleged that sometime in 1998 (sale was made on 1966), a free patent
land under the Forestal Zone when the mother of the respondent ceded to Aurora Yap
title to the aforesaid property was issued in respondents name. It is alleged that the
application was made without the complainant's knowledge and consent. Complainant
deceit and falsehood in his application for free patent over the said properties when he
alleged that respondent surreptitiously obtained a free patent title over real properties
manifested under oath that he had been in the actual possession and occupation of
which had been previously sold by his own mother to Aurora D. Yap and now still
the said lands despite the fact that these were continuously in the possession and
Respondent alleged that the complainant was not the owner of the properties and that
the free patent was applied for during their marital union and prior to its breakage.
Anent his argument questioning the status of complainant and her family as natural
Thus complainant was likewise an owner thereof and was also complaining against
born citizens, this Court holds that the instant case is not the proper forum to address
herself.
Respondent averred that the land was declared into public agricultural land by the
immaterial as to who instituted the complaint for as long as there was a violation of the
BOL and the latter made a public announcement that the land was available for private
Code of Professional Responsibility. Likewise, any other action which the parties
may make against each other has no material bearing in this case. For, it must be
Respondent alleged that none of the Yaps, including complainant was a native or
remembered that administrative cases against lawyers belong to a class of their own.
natural born Filipino as they were already American citizens. After due hearing, the
They are distinct from and may proceed independently of civil and criminal cases.
At this juncture, we take note that on 18 October 2000, in our Decision in A.C. No.
found guilty of committing deceit and falsehood in having applied for free patent of a
5333 formerly A.C. No. CBD-371, entitled Rosa Yap Paras v. Atty. Justo de Jesus
land over which he had no actual physical possession being aware that the same was
Paras, respondent was previously meted with suspension from the practice of law for
transferred in the name of Aurora Yap. The IBP Board of Governors adopted the
six (6) months on the charge of falsifying his wifes signature in bank documents and
recommendation.
other related loan instruments, and for one (1) year from the practice of law on the
charges of immorality and abandonment of his own family.
Ruling:
Considering the serious nature of the instant offense and in light of respondents prior
Lawyer guilty. In the instant case, it is clear to the Court that respondent violated his
misdemeanors for which he was penalized with a six (6) month and one (1) year
lawyers oath as well as the Code of Professional Responsibility which mandates upon
suspension from the practice of law, his deplorable behavior in the present case which
each lawyer, as his duty to society and to the courts, the obligation to obey the laws of
grossly degrades the legal profession warrants the imposition of a much graver
the land and to do no falsehood nor consent to the doing of any in court. Respondent
penalty.
has been deplorably lacking in the candor required of him as a member of the Bar and
an officer of the court in his acts of applying for the issuance of a free patent over the
Penalty: 1 yr suspension
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practice of law as KDC Legal Services, Law Officers and Associates which included
KDC as law partners in violation of the Rules on the practice of law with non-lawyers.
The RTC of Imus quashed the earlier issued TRO and dismissed the case for being
res judicata.
At a hearing scheduled by the commissioner of the IBP-CBD, the commiss. found the
Facts:
Complainant Plus Builders filed a case before the DAR/PARAD of Cavite against De
Allegedly, respondent had maliciously concealed the defeat of his clients in the case
Guzman etc (herein called tenants/farmers). The PARAD rendered a decision in favor
before the PARAD of Cavite and the higher courts, in order to secure a temporary
of complainant. The farmers filed several verified pleadings alleging that they were
restraining order from the RTC of Imus, Cavite. As a result, he was able to delay the
the registered owners at that time. Counsel for the farmers, Atty. Damian Vellaseca,
opined that the charge that respondent had been engaged in the unlawful practice of
filed a pro-forma Motion for Recon and Manifestation. PARAD did not give due course
law was neither satisfactorily explained nor specifically denied by the latter.
to the same.
failure of respondent to do so led to the presumption that the allegation was true.
The
Another counsel, Willy Roxas, who represented himself as counself for the farmers,
filed a manifestation stating that he is representing the farmers and alleged that they
Ruling:
Lawyer guilty. In the present case, respondent claims good faith in pursuing the cause
of his clients.
The respondent, knowing that there was a monetary judgment by way of Disturbance
obviously a stratagem. It was meant to delay unduly the execution of the provincial
Compensation granted to the farmers filed a Motion to allow correction of caption and
adjudicators Decision. It must be noted that when the Court of Appeals and this Court
upheld that Decision, respondent resorted to a different forum to pursue his clients
lost cause.
retainership was also attached to the motion to make KDC represented by the
tenants and acknowledged that complainants were the owners of the subject land. In
respondent. His motion failed to give him beneficial monetary gain so he filed a
the action to quiet title, however, he conveniently repudiated his previous admission by
Petition for Preliminary Injunction with prayer for issuance of a TRO and to quash alias
falsely alleging that his clients were adverse possessors claiming bona fide ownership.
writ of execution with demolition plus damages was filed by respondent before the
DARAB central office. A TRO was issued by the DARAB. By way of a Pet for certiorari
filed by the petitioners, the CA declared the DARAB order as null and void for having
Moreover, we agree with the finding of IBP Commissioner Espina that the silence or
been issued without jurisdiction. The respondent elevated the case to the SC, but said
engage in the unauthorized practice of law may be deemed an admission of the truth
Respondent filed a verified "Action to Quiet Title" before the RTC of Imus. The
respondent signed his pleading under a group of non-lawyers joining him in the
that respondent, who held himself out as a law partner of the KDC Legal Services,
The records show, however, that his course of legal action was
Law Offices and Associates, was rendering legal services together with persons not
licensed to practice law. His silence on this accusation is deemed an admission,
especially because he had every chance to deny it. (See Canon 9)
Penalty: Suspended for 2 yrs.
---------------------MANUEL G. VILLATUYA v. ATTY. BEDE S. TABALINGCOS A.C. No. 6622, July 10,
2012 Case Digest
FACTS:
Complainant, Manuel G. Villatuya filed a Complaint for Disbarment on December 06,
2004 against respondent, Atty. Bede S. Tabalingcos. In a resolution, the court required
the respondent to file a comment, which the respondent did. The complaint was then
referred to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for investigation.
In a mandatory conference called for by the Commission on Bar Discipline of the IBP,
complainant and his counsel, and the respondent appeared and submitted issues for
resolution. The commission ordered the parties to submit their verified position papers.
In the position paper submitted by the complainant on August 1, 2005, he averred that
he was employed by the respondent as financial consultant to assist the respondent in
a number of corporate rehabilitation cases. Complainant claimed that they had a
verbal agreement whereby he would be entitled to 50,000 for every Stay Order
issued by the court in the cases they would handle, in addition to ten percent (10%) of
the fees paid by their clients. Notwithstanding, 18 Stay Orders that was issued by the
courts as a result of his work and the respondent being able to rake in millions from
the cases that they were working on together, the latter did not pay the amount due to
him. He also alleged that respondent engaged in unlawful solicitation of cases by
setting up two financial consultancy firms as fronts for his legal services. On the third
charge of gross immorality, complainant accused respondent of committing two counts
of bigamy for having married two other women while his first marriage was subsisting.
In his defense, respondent denied charges against him and asserted that the
complainant was not an employee of his law firm but rather an employee of Jesi and
Jane Management, Inc., one of the financial consultancy firms. Respondent alleged
that complainant was unprofessional and incompetent in performing his job and that
there was no verbal agreement between them regarding the payment of fees and the
sharing of professional fees paid by his clients. He proffered documents showing that
the salary of complainant had been paid. Respondent also denied committing any
On June 26, 2011, the IBP Board of Governors denied the Motions for
Reconsideration and affirmed their Resolution dated April 15, 2008 recommending
respondents disbarment.
ISSUES:
1. Whether respondent violated the Code of Professional Responsibility by
nonpayment of fees to complainant;
2. Whether respondent violated the rule against unlawful solicitation; and
3. Whether respondent is guilty of gross immoral conduct for having married thrice.
Third charge: Bigamy.
RULING:
First charge: Dishonesty for non-payments of share in the fees.
Supreme Court affirmed the IBPs dismissal of the first charge against respondent, but
did not concur with the rationale behind it. The first charge, if proven to be true is
based on an agreement that is violative of Rule 9.02 of the Code of Professional
Responsibility. A lawyer is proscribed by the Code to divide or agree to divide the fees
for legal services rende-red with a person not licensed to practice law. In the case of
Tan Tek Beng v. David, Supreme Court held that an agreement between a lawyer and
a layperson to share the fees collected from clients secured by the layperson is null
and void, and that the lawyer involved may be disciplined for unethical conduct.
Considering that complainants allegations in this case had not been proven, the IBP
correctly dismissed the charge against respondent on this matter.
Second charge: Unlawful solicitation of clients.
In its Report, the IBP established the truth of these allegations and ruled that
respondent had violated the rule on the solicitation of clients, but it failed to point out
the specific provision that was breached. Based on the facts of the case, he violated
Rule 2.03 of the Code, which prohibits lawyers from soliciting cases for the purpose of
profit.
A lawyer is not prohibited from engaging in business or other lawful occupation.
Impropriety arises, though, when the business is of such a nature or is conducted in
such a manner as to be inconsistent with the lawyers duties as a member of the bar.
This inconsistency arises when the business is one that can readily lend itself to the
procurement of professional employment for the lawyer; or that can be used as a
cloak for indirect solicitation on the lawyers behalf; or is of a nature that, if handled by
a lawyer, would be regarded as the practice of law.
It is clear from the documentary evidence submitted by complainant that Jesi & Jane
Management, Inc., which purports to be a financial and legal consultant, was indeed a
The Supreme Court have consistently held that a disbarment case is sui generis. Its
focus is on the qualification and fitness of a lawyer to continue membership in the bar
and not the procedural technicalities in filing the case. Thus, in Garrido v. Garrido:
Laws dealing with double jeopardy or with procedure such as the verification of
pleadings and prejudicial questions, or in this case, prescription of offenses or the
filing of affidavits of desistance by the complainant do not apply in the
determination of a lawyer's qualifications and fitness for membership in the Bar. We
have so ruled in the past and we see no reason to depart from this ruling. First,
admission to the practice of law is a component of the administration of justice and is
a matter of public interest because it involves service to the public. The admission
qualifications are also qualifications for the continued enjoyment of the privilege to
practice law. Second, lack of qualifications or the violation of the standards for the
practice of law, like criminal cases, is a matter of public concern that the State may
inquire into through this Court.
In disbarment proceedings, the burden of proof rests upon the complainant. In this
case, complainant submitted NSO-certified true copies to prove that respondent
entered into two marriages while the latters first marriage was still subsisting. While
respondent denied entering into the second and the third marriages, he resorted to
vague assertions tantamount to a negative pregnant.
What has been clearly established here is the fact that respondent entered into
marriage twice while his first marriage was still subsisting. In Bustamante-Alejandro v.
Alejandro, 56 we held thus:
[W]e have in a number of cases disciplined members of the Bar whom we found guilty
of misconduct which demonstrated a lack of that good moral character required of
them not only as a condition precedent for their admission to the Bar but, likewise, for
their continued membership therein. No distinction has been made as to whether the
misconduct was committed in the lawyers professional capacity or in his private life.
This is because a lawyer may not divide his personality so as to be an attorney at one
time and a mere citizen at another. He is expected to be competent, honorable and
reliable at all times since he who cannot apply and abide by the laws in his private
affairs, can hardly be expected to do so in his professional dealings nor lead others in
doing so. Professional honesty and honor are not to be expected as the
accompaniment of dishonesty and dishonor in other relations. The administration of
justice, in which the lawyer plays an important role being an officer of the court,
demands a high degree of intellectual and moral competency on his part so that the
courts and clients may rightly repose confidence in him.
Respondent exhibited a deplorable lack of that degree of morality required of him as a
member of the bar. He made a mockery of marriage, a sacred institution demanding
respect and dignity.57 His acts of committing bigamy twice constituted grossly immoral
conduct and are grounds for disbarment under Section 27, Rule 138 of the Revised
Rules of Court.58
The Supreme Court adopted the recommendation of the IBP to disbar respondent and
ordered that his name be stricken from the Roll of Attorneys.