Legal Ethics

HDI HOLDINGS v. ATTY. EMMANUEL CRUZ A.C. No. 11724 (Formerly CBD No. 14-4109), July 31, 2018 Disbarred Lawyer

FACTS: HDI retained the services of Atty. Cruz as its in-house corporate counsel and corporate secretary. HDI’s directors and officers were pleased with Atty. Cruz’s performance, thus, in time, he earned their trust and confidence that he was eventually tasked to handle the corporation’s important and confidential matters. However, HDI averred that through Atty. Cruz’s… Read More HDI HOLDINGS v. ATTY. EMMANUEL CRUZ A.C. No. 11724 (Formerly CBD No. 14-4109), July 31, 2018 Disbarred Lawyer

Legal Ethics

Macarubbo v. Macarubbo, RE: PETITION (FOR EXTRAORDINARY MERCY) OF EDMUNDO L. MACARUBBO. Adm. Case No. 6148, January 22, 2013

FACTS: In the Decision1 dated February 27, 2004, the Court disbarred respondent from the practice of law for having contracted a bigamous marriage with complainant Florence Teves and a third marriage with one Josephine Constantino while his first marriage to Helen Esparza was still subsisting, which acts constituted gross immoral conduct in violation of Canon… Read More Macarubbo v. Macarubbo, RE: PETITION (FOR EXTRAORDINARY MERCY) OF EDMUNDO L. MACARUBBO. Adm. Case No. 6148, January 22, 2013

Legal Ethics

RE: Complaint-affidavit of Elvira N. Enalbes, Rebecca H. Angeles and Estelita B. Ocampo Against former Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-de Castro [RET.] J. Leonen, A.M. No. 18-11-09-SC, January 22, 2019

FACTS: A complaint was filed by Elvira N. Enalbes, Rebecca H. Angeles, and Estelita B. Ocampo against former Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro, charging her with gross ignorance of the law, gross inefficiency, gross misconduct, gross dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. In their Complaint-Affidavit, complainants state that Spouses… Read More RE: Complaint-affidavit of Elvira N. Enalbes, Rebecca H. Angeles and Estelita B. Ocampo Against former Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-de Castro [RET.] J. Leonen, A.M. No. 18-11-09-SC, January 22, 2019

Legal Ethics

ANG v. BELARO, A.C. No. 12408, December 11, 2019 Code of Professional Responsibility, The 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice

FACTS: The late Peregrina Dela Rosa (Peregrina) owned a parcel of land with a building erected thereon which is covered by TCT No. 528991 situated in Quezon City. In 1982, she appointed complainant Venson Ang as administrator of the subject property. Upon Peregrina’s demise on November 24, 2002, the property was inherited by Venson and… Read More ANG v. BELARO, A.C. No. 12408, December 11, 2019 Code of Professional Responsibility, The 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice

Legal Ethics

Atty. Mane v. Judge Belen A.M. No. RTJ-08-2119 June 30, 2008 Legal and Judicial Ethics

FACTS: Atty. Melvin D.C. Mane (complainant) charged Judge Medel Arnaldo B. Belen (respondent), Presiding Judge of Branch 36, RTC Calamba City, of “demean[ing], humiliat[ing] and berat[ing]” him during the hearing of Civil Case No. 3514-2003-C, in which he was counsel for the plaintiff. To prove his claim, complainant cited the remarks made by respondent in… Read More Atty. Mane v. Judge Belen A.M. No. RTJ-08-2119 June 30, 2008 Legal and Judicial Ethics

Legal Ethics, Remedial Law

Philippine Lawyers Association v. Agrava G.R. No. L-12426, February 16, 1959 Practice of Law

FACTS: Respondent Director Celedonio Agrava of the Philippines Patent Office (PPO) issued a circular announcing that he had scheduled for an examination for the purpose of determining who are qualified to practice as patent attorneys before the PPO.  The said examination to cover patent law and jurisprudence and the rules of practice before said office.… Read More Philippine Lawyers Association v. Agrava G.R. No. L-12426, February 16, 1959 Practice of Law

Legal Ethics

Mabini v. Atty. Kintanar A.C. No. 9512, February 5, 2018 The 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice

FACTS: Complainant Roberto P. Mabini, and his wife, Mercedes, bought the property of Regina Alamares, identified as Lot No. 1959, (OCT No. 251) located in Daraga, Albay.  Regina made known to complainant and Mercedes that said title was lost but its duplicate certificate may be secured from the Register of Deeds. Later, the RD of… Read More Mabini v. Atty. Kintanar A.C. No. 9512, February 5, 2018 The 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice

Legal Ethics

IN RE: OMB-C-C-13-0104 ATTY. SOCRATES G. MARANAN v. FRANCISCO DOMAGOSO,” ATTY. SOCRATES G. MARANAN A.C. No. 12877 2004 Notarial Rules

FACTS: Atty. Maranan filed a criminal complaint before  the Ombudsman against then Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno”  Domagoso of the City of Manila, charging him with Falsification  of Public Documents and violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act No. 3019  for having signed, in behalf of the Manila City Government, consultancy  contracts with persons… Read More IN RE: OMB-C-C-13-0104 ATTY. SOCRATES G. MARANAN v. FRANCISCO DOMAGOSO,” ATTY. SOCRATES G. MARANAN A.C. No. 12877 2004 Notarial Rules

Civil Law, Legal Ethics

Espinosa v. Atty. Omaña A.C. No. 9081 October 12, 2011 Extrajudicial Dissolution of Conjugal Partnership, Code of Professional Responsibility

FACTS: On 17 November 1997, Rodolfo A. Espinosa and his wife Elena Marantal (Marantal) sought Atty. Julieta A. Omaña’s legal advice on whether they could legally live separately and dissolve their marriage solemnized on 23 July 1983. Omaña then prepared a document entitled “Kasunduan Ng Paghihiwalay” (contract).  Marantal and Espinosa, fully convinced of the validity… Read More Espinosa v. Atty. Omaña A.C. No. 9081 October 12, 2011 Extrajudicial Dissolution of Conjugal Partnership, Code of Professional Responsibility

Legal Ethics

GONZALES v. BAÑARES A.C. No. 11396, June 20, 2018 2004 NOTARIAL RULES, Canon 1 Code of Professional Responsibility

FACTS: Franco Gonzales contended that on September 23, 2010, a Deed of Absolute Sale covering three parcels of land was executed between his mother, Lilia, as the seller, and Flordeliza Soriano, as the buyer. Surprisingly, the name and signature of his father, Rodolfo, were found in the document despite the fact that he was in… Read More GONZALES v. BAÑARES A.C. No. 11396, June 20, 2018 2004 NOTARIAL RULES, Canon 1 Code of Professional Responsibility