ANOTHER JURISPRUDENCE

8/11/2019 ANOTHER JURISPRUDENCE

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EN BANC

QUERY OF ATTY. KAREN M.

SILVERIO-BUFFE, FORMER

Clerk of Court BRANC !",

ROMBLON, ROMBLON ON

TE #ROIBITION FROM

EN$A$IN$ IN TE #RIVATE

#RACTICE OF LA%.

A.M. No. &!-'-()*-RTC

Present:

PUNO, C.J.,

*QUISUMBING,

*YNARES-SANTIAGO,

CARPIO,

CORONA,

CARPIO MORALES,

CHICO-NAZARIO,

VELASCO, JR,

NACHURA,

LEONAR!O-!E CASTRO,

BRION,

* On "##$%$&' 'e&(e

* On "##$%$&' 'e&(e


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PERALTA,

BERSAMIN,

!EL CASTILLO, &n)

ABA!,JJ

Pr"+'&te):

A++st ., /00.+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------- +

E C I S I O N

BRION, J.:

T1$s &)$n$str&t$(e &tter st&rte) &s & 'etter-2+er3 )&te) M&r%1 4, /005 "#

Att3 6&ren M S$'(er$"-B+##e 7Atty. Buffe8 &))resse) t" t1e O##$%e "# t1e C"+rt

A)$n$str&t"r, 91$%1 2+er3 t1e '&tter re#erre) t" t1e C"+rt #"r %"ns$)er&t$"n In t1e

%"+rse "# $ts &%t$"n "n t1e &tter, t1e C"+rt )$s%"(ere) t1&t t1e 2+er3 9&s e3"n)

;+re ;"'$%3 $nter;ret&t$"n &n) re#erre) t" t1e &%t+&' s$t+&t$"n "# Att3 B+##e, &n),

1en%e, 9&s & &tter t1&t re2+$re) %"n%rete &%t$"n "n t1e #&%t+&' s$t+&t$"n ;resente)


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T1e 2+er3, &s "r$$n&''3 #r&e), re'&te) t" Se%t$"n


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cannot, as is apparenty prohibited by the ast paragraph of $ec. %& Why is the

former ao!ed, !ho is sti occupying the very pubic position that he is iabe to

e'poit, but a non"incumbent i#e mysef !ho is no onger in a position of

possibe abusee'poitation cannot&*[1]

T1e 2+er3 &r"se e%&+se Att3 B+##e ;re($"+s'3 9"re) &s C'er "# C"+rt VI

"# t1e Re$"n&' Tr$&' C"+rt 7R+C8, Br&n%1 5 "# R"'"nD s1e res$ne) #r" 1er

;"s$t$"n e##e%t$(e er+&r3 , /005 T1ereter 7&n) 9$t1$n t1e "ne-3e&r ;er$") "#

;r"1$$t$"n ent$"ne) $n t1e &"(e-2+"te) ;r"($s$"n8, s1e en&e) $n t1e ;r$(&te;r&%t$%e "# '&9 3 &;;e&r$n &s ;r$(&te %"+nse' $n se(er&' %&ses e#"re RTC-

Br&n%1 5 "# R"'"n

Att3 B+##e &''ee) t1&t Se%t$"n


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Att3 B+##e #+rt1er &''ee) t1&t t1e $ntent$"n "# t1e &"(e ;r"1$$t$"n $s t"

re"(e t1e e?er%$se "# %'"+t, $n#'+en%e "r ;r$($t3 t" $ns$)er $n#"r&t$"n, 91$%1 t1e

$n%+ent ;+'$% e;'"3ee &3 +se $n t1e ;r$(&te ;r&%t$%e "# 1$s ;r"#ess$"n

H"9e(er, t1$s s$t+&t$"n )$) n"t "t&$n $n 1er %&se, s$n%e s1e 1&) &'re&)3 res$ne) &s

C'er "# C"+rt "# RTC-Br&n%1 5 "# R"'"n S1e &)(&n%e) t1e ($e9 t1&t s1e

%"+') en&e $n t1e ;r$(&te ;r&%t$%e "# '&9 e#"re RTC-Br&n%1 5 "# R"'"n, s"

'"n &s 1er &;;e&r&n%e &s 'e&' %"+nse' s1&'' n"t %"n#'$%t "r ten) t" %"n#'$%t 9$t1

1er #"rer )+t$es &s #"rer C'er "# C"+rt "# t1&t Br&n%1

T1en !e;+t3 C"+rt A)$n$str&t"r 7n"9 C"+rt A)$n$str&t"r8 J"se P Pere

&)e t1e #"''"9$n "ser(&t$"ns 91en t1e &tter 9&s re#erre) t" 1$:

T1e ener&' $ntent "# t1e '&9, &s )e#$ne) $n $ts t$t'e $s t" +;1"') t1e t$e-

1"n"re) ;r$n%$;'e "# ;+'$% "##$%e e$n & ;+'$% tr+st Se%t$"n 4 t1ere"# ;r"($)es

#"r t1e n"rs "# %"n)+%t "# ;+'$% "##$%$&'s &n) e;'"3ees, &"n "t1ers: 7&8%"$tent t" ;+'$% $nterestD 78 ;r"#ess$"n&'$sD &n) 7%8 +stness &n) s$n%er$t3

O# ;&rt$%+'&r s$n$#$%&n%e $s t1e st&teent +n)er ;r"#ess$"n&'$s t1&t Ft1e3F;+'$% "##$%$&'s &n) e;'"3ees s1&'' en)e&("r t" )$s%"+r&e 9r"n ;er%e;t$"ns

"# t1e$r r"'es &s )$s;ensers "r ;e))'ers "# +n)+e ;&tr"n&e

T1+s, $t &3 e 9e'' t" s&3 t1&t t1e ;r"1$$t$"n 9&s $nten)e) t" &("$) &n3

$;r";r$et3 "r t1e &;;e&r&n%e "# $;r";r$et3 91$%1 &3 "%%+r $n &n3 tr&ns&%t$"net9een t1e ret$re) "(ernent e;'"3ee &n) 1$s #"rer %"''e&+es, s+"r)$n&tes

"r s+;er$"rs r"+1t &"+t 3 #&$'$&r$t3, "r&' &s%en)&n%3 "r +n)+e $n#'+en%e,

&s t1e %&se &3 e/F/

/F/d., ; >


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S+se2+ent'3, $n & -inuteRes"'+t$"n )&te) J+'3 , /005, 9e res"'(e) t"

re#er t1$s %&se t" t1e O##$%e "# t1e C1$e# Att"rne3 7 CA+8 #"r e(&'+&t$"n, re;"rt

&n) re%"en)&t$"n>F> T1e OCAT t"" t1e ($e9 t1&t:

T1e ;re$se "# t1e 2+er3 $s err"ne"+s S1e $nter;rets Se%t$"n < 78 7/8 &s &

'&net &+t1"r$t3 #"r &n $n%+ent %'er "# %"+rt t" ;r&%t$%e '&9 C'e&r'3, t1ere $s

& $sre&)$n "# t1&t ;r"($s$"n "# '&94F4

&n) #+rt1er "ser(e):

T1e %"n#+s$"n &;;&rent'3 '$es $n t1e +se "# t1e ter s+%1 ;r&%t$%e ter

t1e ;1r&se ;r"($)e) t1&t It &3 $n)ee) e $s$nter;rete) &s ")$#3$n t1e;1r&se en&e $n t1e ;r$(&te ;r&%t$%e "# t1e$r ;r"#ess$"n s1"+') e ;re#&t"r3

senten%e t1&t ;+'$% "##$%$&'s )+r$n t1e$r $n%+en%3 s1&'' n"t e )$sre&r)e)

H"9e(er, re&) $n $ts ent$ret3, s+%1 ;r&%t$%e &3 "n'3 re#er t" ;r&%t$%e

&+t1"r$e) 3 t1e C"nst$t+t$"n "r '&9 "r t1e e?%e;t$"n t" t1e ;r"1$$t$"n &&$nstt1e ;r&%t$%e "# ;r"#ess$"n T1e ter '&9 9&s $nten)e) 3 t1e 'e$s'&t+re t"

$n%'+)e & e"r&n)+ "r & %$r%+'&r "r &n &)$n$str&t$(e "r)er $ss+e) ;+rs+&nt

t" t1e &+t1"r$t3 "# '&9

? ? ?

T1e $nter;ret&t$"n t1&t Se%t$"n < 78 7/8 generay ;r"1$$ts $n%+ent

;+'$% "##$%$&'s &n) e;'"3ees #r" en&$n $n t1e ;r&%t$%e "# '&9, 91$%1 $s

)e%'&re) t1ere$n & ;r"1$$te) &n) +n'&9#+' &%t, &%%"r)s 9$t1 t1e %"nst$t+t$"n&';"'$%3 "n &%%"+nt&$'$t3 "# ;+'$% "##$%ers st&te) $n Art$%'e KI "# t1e C"nst$t+t$"n

? ? ?

T1e ;"'$%3 t1+s re2+$res ;+'$% "##$%$&'s &n) e;'"3ees t" )e("te #+'' t$e;+'$% ser($%e s" t1&t $n %&se "# %"n#'$%t et9een ;ers"n&' &n) ;+'$% $nterest, t1e'&tter s1"+') t&e ;re%e)en%e "(er t1e #"rerFF""tn"tes "$tte)

>F>d, ; 5

4F4d, ; /

Fd, ;; /->


7/27

$t1 res;e%t t" '&93ers $n t1e +)$%$&r3, t1e OCAT ;"$nte) t" Se%t$"n ,

C&n"n > "# t1e C")e "# C"n)+%t #"r C"+rt Pers"nne' @ t1e r+'e t1&t )e&'s 9$t1

"+ts$)e e;'"3ent 3 &n $n%+ent +)$%$&' e;'"3ee &n) 91$%1 '$$ts s+%1

"+ts$)e e;'"3ent t" "ne t1&t )"es n"t re2+$re t1e ;r&%t$%e "# '&9 =F= T1e

;r"1$$t$"n t" ;r&%t$%e '&9 9$t1 res;e%t t" &n3 &tter 91ere t1e3 1&(e $nter(ene)

91$'e $n t1e "(ernent ser($%e $s re$ter&te) $n R+'e =0>, C&n"n = "# t1e C")e "#

Pr"#ess$"n&' Res;"ns$$'$t3, 91$%1 "(erns t1e %"n)+%t "# '&93ers $n t1e

"(ernent ser($%e


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/>, /005 7Anne? !8 @ & re%"+rse t&en


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9$t1 res;e%t t" t1e s+st&n%e &n) #"r 7&s t1e C"+rt )"es n"t $(e $nter;ret&t$(e

";$n$"ns.F. +t %&n $ss+e %$r%+'&rs &n) re+'&t$"ns re'&t$n t" ;'e&)$n, ;r&%t$%e

&n) ;r"%e)+re $n &'' %"+rts0F0 &n) $n t1e e?er%$se "# $ts &)$n$str&t$(e

s+;er($s$"n "(er &'' %"+rts &n) ;ers"nne' t1ere"#F8, +t &'s" 9$t1 t1e t&s "#

res;"n)$n t" &)$tte) ($"'&t$"ns "# Se%t$"n < 787/8 "# RA N" = &n) t"

+'t$;'e re%"+rses "n t1e s&e s+e%t

A#ter "+r )$re%t$(e t" t1e O##$%e "# t1e C"+rt A)$n$str&t"r t" $ss+e &

%$r%+'&r "n t1e s+e%t "# t1e 2+er3 #"r t1e +$)&n%e "# &'' ;ers"nne' $n t1eJ+)$%$&r3, 9e %"ns$)er t1$s &s;e%t "# t1e ;resent &)$n$str&t$(e &tter & #$n$s1e)

t&s, s+e%t "n'3 t" %"n#$r&t"r3 %'"s+re 91en t1e OCA re;"rts t1e %";'et$"n "#

t1e +n)ert&$n t" +s

Att3 B+##es &)$tte) &;;e&r&n%e, e#"re t1e (er3 s&e r&n%1 s1e ser(e)

&n) $e)$&te'3 ter 1er res$n&t$"n, $s & ($"'&t$"n t1&t 9e %&nn"t %'"se "+r e3es

t" &n) t1&t s1e %&nn"t r+n &9&3 #r" +n)er t1e %"(er "# t1e 'etter-2+er3 s1e #$'e)

&n) 1er ;et$t$"n #"r )e%'&r&t"r3 re'$e#, 91"se )$s$ss&' s1e &n$#este) s1e 9"+')

;+rs+e +; t" "+r 'e(e' e n"te t1&t &t t1e t$e s1e #$'e) 1er 'etter-2+er3 7"n

M&r%1 4, /0058, Att3 B+##e 1&) &'re&)3 &;;e&re) e#"re Br&n%1 5 $n &t 'e&st t1ree

7>8 %&ses T1e ters "# Se%t$"n < 787/8 "# RA N" = )$) n"t )eter 1er $n &n3

9&3 &n) 1er $s$($ns &"+t t1e #&$rness "# t1e '&9 %&nn"t e?%+se &n3 res+'t$n

.F.6rovince of 1orth Cotabato, etc. v. +he 7overnment of the Repubic of the 6hiippines

6eace 6ane on Ancestra 8omain (7R6), GR N" 5>., O%t"er 4, /005

0F0CONSTITUTION, Art$%'e VIII, Se%t$"n 78

Fd., Se%t$"n =


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($"'&t$"n s1e %"$tte) In "t1er 9"r)s, s1e t"" t1e r$s "# &;;e&r$n e#"re 1er

"9n Br&n%1 &n) s1"+') s+##er t1e %"nse2+en%es "# t1e r$s s1e t""

N"r %&n s1e 1$)e e1$n) t1e t9" )e%'&r&t"r3 re'$e# ;et$t$"ns s1e #$'e), "t1 "#

91$%1 9ere )$s$sse), &n) 1er $ntent t" e'e(&te t1e )$s$ss&' t" t1$s C"+rt #"r

res"'+t$"n T1efirst, #$'e) e#"re t1e RTC, Br&n%1 4, M&n$'&, 9&s )$s$sse) "n

J+'3 />, /005 e%&+se t1e %"+rt )e%'$ne) t" e?er%$se t1e ;"9er t" )e%'&re r$1ts &s

;r&3e) #"r $n t1e ;et$t$"n, &s &n3 )e%$s$"n t1&t &3 e ren)ere) 9$'' e $n+t$'e &n)

9$'' n"t ener&''3 ter$n&te t1e +n%ert&$nt3 "r %"ntr"(ers3/

F/ T1e second,#$'e) 9$t1 t1e RTC, Br&n%1 F> Un)er t1ese %$r%+st&n%es, 9e see n"t1$n t" )eter +s #r" r+'$n

"n Att3 B+##es &%t$"ns, &s n" &%t+&' %"+rt %&se "t1er t1&n t1e ;resent

&)$n$str&t$(e %&se, $s n"9 &%t+&''3 ;en)$n "n t1e $ss+e s1e r&$se) On t1e

%"ntr&r3, 9e see #r" Att3 B+##es re%"+rse t" t1$s C"+rt &n) t1e #$'$n "# t1e t9"

)e%'&r&t"r3 ;et$t$"ns t1e $ntent t" s1"; #"r & #&("r&'e &ns9er t" 1er 2+er3 e

s1&'' )+'3 %"ns$)er t1$s %$r%+st&n%e $n "+r &%t$"n "n t1e %&se

A '&st &tter t" %"ns$)er e#"re 9e ;r"%ee) t" t1e er$ts "# Att3 B+##es

&%t$"ns re'&tes t" ;"ss$'e "e%t$"ns "n ;r"%e)+r&' )+e ;r"%ess r"+n)s, &s 9e

1&(e n"t &)e &n3forma directivet" Att3 B+##e t" e?;'&$n 913 s1e s1"+') n"t e

;en&'$e) #"r 1er &;;e&r&n%e e#"re Br&n%1 5 s""n ter 1er res$n&t$"n #r" t1&t

/F/Roo, ;;


12/27

Br&n%1 T1e essen%e "# )+e ;r"%ess $s t1e r&nt "# t1e ";;"rt+n$t3 t" e 1e&r)D

91&t $t &1"rs $s t1e '&% "# t1e ";;"rt+n$t3 t" e 1e&r)4F4 T1e re%"r)s "# t1$s

%&se s1"9 t1&t Att3 B+##e 1&s een &;'3 1e&r) 9$t1 res;e%t t" 1er &%t$"ns S1e

9&s n"t$#$e), &n) s1e e(en res;"n)e) t" "+r N"(eer , /005 )$re%t$(e #"r t1e

E?e%+t$(e J+)e "# t1e RTC "# R"'"n t" re;"rt "n Att3 B+##es &;;e&r&n%es

e#"re Br&n%1 5D s1e e?;ress'3 &n$#este) t1&t t1ese &;;e&r&n%es 9ere ;&rt "# t1e

Br&n%1 re%"r)s Her 'e&' ;"s$t$"ns "n t1ese &;;e&r&n%es 1&(e &'s" een e?;resse)

e#"re t1$s C"+rtD first, $n 1er "r$$n&' 'etter-2+er3, &n) subse9uenty, $n 1er

M&n$#est&t$"n T1+s, n" )+e ;r"%ess %"ns$)er&t$"n nee)s t" )eter +s #r"

%"ns$)er$n t1e 'e&' %"nse2+en%es "# 1er &;;e&r&n%es $n 1er ;re($"+s Br&n%1

9$t1$n & 3e&r #r" 1er res$n&t$"n

T8e $o9er3/37 L1 Se0t/o3 : of R.A. No. ':"(

Se%t$"n < "# RA N" = ener&''3 ;r"($)es #"r t1e ;r"1$$te) &%ts &n)

tr&ns&%t$"ns "# ;+'$% "##$%$&'s &n) e;'"3ees S+se%t$"n 787/8 ;r"1$$ts t1e

#r" en&$n $n t1e ;r$(&te ;r&%t$%e "# t1e$r ;r"#ess$"n )+r$n t1e$r $n%+en%3

As &n e?%e;t$"n, & ;+'$% "##$%$&' "r e;'"3ee %&n en&e $n t1e ;r&%t$%e "# 1$s "r

1er ;r"#ess$"n +n)er t1e #"''"9$n %"n)$t$"ns: first, t1e ;r$(&te ;r&%t$%e $s

&+t1"r$e) 3 t1e C"nst$t+t$"n "r 3 t1e '&9D &n) second, t1e ;r&%t$%e 9$'' n"t

%"n#'$%t, "r ten) t" %"n#'$%t, 9$t1 1$s "r 1er "##$%$&' #+n%t$"ns

4F46rudentia Ban# v. Castro, AC N" /


13/27

T1e Se%t$"n < ;r"1$$t$"ns %"nt$n+e t" &;;'3 #"r & ;er$") "# "ne 3e&r ter

t1e ;+'$% "##$%$&' "r e;'"3ees res$n&t$"n, ret$reent, "r se;&r&t$"n #r" ;+'$%

"##$%e, e?%e;t #"r t1e ;r$(&te ;r&%t$%e "# ;r"#ess$"n +n)er s+se%t$"n 787/8, 91$%1

%&n &'re&)3 e +n)ert&en e(en 9$t1$n t1e "ne-3e&r ;r"1$$t$"n ;er$") As &n

e?%e;t$"n t" t1$s e?%e;t$"n, t1e "ne-3e&r ;r"1$$te) ;er$") &;;'$es 9$t1 res;e%t t"

&n3 &tter e#"re t1e "##$%e t1e ;+'$% "##$%er "r e;'"3ee +se) t" 9"r 9$t1

T1e Se%t$"n < ;r"1$$t$"ns &re ;re)$%&te) "n t1e ;r$n%$;'e t1&t ;+'$% "##$%e

$s & ;+'$% tr+stD &n) ser(e t" re"(e &n3 $;r";r$et3, re&' "r $&$ne), 91$%1 &3

"%%+r $n "(ernent tr&ns&%t$"ns et9een & #"rer "(ernent "##$%$&' "r

e;'"3ee &n) 1$s "r 1er #"rer %"''e&+es, s+"r)$n&tes "r s+;er$"rs T1e

;r"1$$t$"ns &'s" ;r""te t1e "ser(&n%e &n) t1e e##$%$ent +se "# e(er3 "ent "#

t1e ;res%r$e) "##$%e 1"+rs t" ser(e t1e ;+'$%F

P&rent1et$%&''3, $n t1e %&se "# %"+rt e;'"3ees, Se%t$"n


14/27

7&8 T1e "+ts$)e e;'"3ent $s n"t 9$t1 & ;ers"n "r ent$t3 t1&t ;r&%t$%es

'&9 e#"re t1e %"+rts "r %"n)+%ts +s$ness 9$t1 t1e J+)$%$&r3D

78 T1e "+ts$)e e;'"3ent %&n e ;er#"re) "+ts$)e "# n"r&' 9"r$n1"+rs &n) $s n"t $n%";&t$'e 9$t1 t1e ;er#"r&n%e "# t1e %"+rt

;ers"nne's )+t$es &n) res;"ns$$'$t$esD

7%8 T81t out2/4e e5lo65e3t 4oe2 3ot re?u/re t8e r10t/0e of l1< D

6rovided, ho!ever, t1&t %"+rt ;ers"nne' &3 ren)er ser($%es &s;r"#ess"r, 'e%t+rer, "r res"+r%e ;ers"n $n '&9 s%1""'s, re($e9 "r

%"nt$n+$n e)+%&t$"n %enters "r s$$'&r $nst$t+t$"nsD

7)8 T1e "+ts$)e e;'"3ent )"es n"t re2+$re "r $n)+%e t1e %"+rt

;ers"nne' t" )$s%'"se %"n#$)ent$&' $n#"r&t$"n &%2+$re) 91$'e;er#"r$n "##$%$&'s )+t$esD

7e8 T1e "+ts$)e e;'"3ent s1&'' n"t e 9$t1 t1e 'e$s'&t$(e "r e?e%+t$(e

r&n%1 "# "(ernent, +n'ess s;e%$#$%&''3 &+t1"r$e) 3 t1e S+;ree

C"+rt

1ere & %"n#'$%t "# $nterest e?$sts, &3 re&s"n&'3 &;;e&r t" e?$st, "r91ere t1e "+ts$)e e;'"3ent re#'e%ts &)(erse'3 "n t1e $nter$t3 "# t1e J+)$%$&r3,

t1e %"+rt ;ers"nne' s1&'' n"t &%%e;t "+ts$)e e;'"3ent FE;1&s$s s+;;'$e)

In "t1 t1e &"(e )$s%+sse) &s;e%t "# RA N" = &n) t1e 2+"te) C&n"n

>, t1e ;r&%t$%e "# '&9 $s %"(ere)D t1e ;r&%t$%e "# '&9 $s & ;r&%t$%e "# ;r"#ess$"n,

91$'e C&n"n > s;e%$#$%&''3 ent$"ns &n3 "+ts$)e e;'"3ent re2+$r$n t1e

;r&%t$%e "# '&9 In Cayetano v. -onsod,=F= 9e )e#$ne) t1e ;r&%t$%e "# '&9 &s &n3

&%t$($t3, $n &n) "+t "# %"+rt, t1&t re2+$res t1e &;;'$%&t$"n "# '&9, 'e&' ;r"%e)+re,

n"9'e)e, tr&$n$n &n) e?;er$en%e M"re"(er, 9e r+'e) t1&t t" en&e $n t1e

;r&%t$%e "# '&9 $s t" ;er#"r t1"se &%ts 91$%1 &re %1&r&%ter$st$%s "# t1e ;r"#ess$"nD

t" ;r&%t$%e '&9 $s t" $(e n"t$%e "r ren)er &n3 $n) "# ser($%e, 91$%1 )e($%e "r

ser($%e re2+$res t1e +se $n &n3 )eree "# 'e&' n"9'e)e "r s$''


15/27

&%2+$re) #r" 1$s e;'"3ent, "r +se 1$s "r 1er #&$'$&r$t3 9$t1 %"+rt ;ers"nne'

st$'' 9$t1 t1e ;re($"+s "##$%e

A#ter se;&r&t$"n #r" t1e ser($%e, Se%t$"n , C&n"n > "# t1e C")e "#

C"n)+%t #"r C"+rt Pers"nne' %e&ses t" &;;'3 &s $t &;;'$es s;e%$#$%&''3 t"

$n%+ents, +t Se%t$"n < &n) $ts s+se%t$"n 787/8 "# RA N" = %"nt$n+e t"

&;;'3 t" t1e e?tent )$s%+sse) &"(e Att3 B+##es s$t+&t$"n #&''s +n)er Se%t$"n


16/27

;r&%t$%e t1e$r ;r"#ess$"n B3 9&3 "# e?%e;t$"n, t1e3 %&n ;r&%t$%e t1e$r ;r"#ess$"n

$# t1e C"nst$t+t$"n "r t1e '&9 &''"9s t1e, +t n" %"n#'$%t "# $nterest +st e?$st

et9een t1e$r %+rrent )+t$es &n) t1e ;r&%t$%e "# t1e$r ;r"#ess$"n As 9e &'s"

ent$"ne) &"(e, n" %1&n%e e?$sts #"r '&93ers $n t1e J+)$%$&r3 t" ;r&%t$%e t1e$r

;r"#ess$"n, &s t1e3 &re $n #&%t e?;ress'3 ;r"1$$te) 3 Se%t$"n , C&n"n > "# t1e

C")e "# C"n)+%t #"r C"+rt Pers"nne' #r" )"$n s" Un)er "t1 t1e ener&' r+'e

&n) t1e e?%e;t$"ns, t1ere#"re, Att3 B+##es &s$% ;re$se $s $s;'&%e)

As 9e )$s%+sse) &"(e, & %'er "# %"+rt %&n &'re&)3 en&e $n t1e ;r&%t$%e "#

'&9 $e)$&te'3 ter 1er se;&r&t$"n #r" t1e ser($%e &n) 9$t1"+t &n3 ;er$")

'$$t&t$"n t1&t &;;'$es t" "t1er ;r"1$$t$"ns +n)er Se%t$"n < "# RA N" = T1e

%'er "# %"+rts '$$t&t$"n $s t1&t s1e %&nn"t ;r&%t$%e 1er ;r"#ess$"n 9$t1$n "ne 3e&r

e#"re t1e "##$%e 91ere 1e "r s1e +se) t" 9"r 9$t1 In & %";&r$s"n et9een &

res$ne), ret$re) "r se;&r&te) "##$%$&' "r e;'"3ee, "n t1e "ne 1&n), &n) &n

$n%+ent "##$%$&' "r e;'"3ee, "n t1e "t1er, t1e #"rer 1&s t1e &)(&nt&e e%&+se

t1e '$$t&t$"n $s "n'3 9$t1 res;e%t t" t1e "##$%e 1e "r s1e +se) t" 9"r 9$t1 &n)

"n'3 #"r & ;er$") "# "ne 3e&r T1e $n%+ent %&nn"t ;r&%t$%e &t &'', s&(e "n'3

91ere s;e%$#$%&''3 &''"9e) 3 t1e C"nst$t+t$"n &n) t1e '&9 &n) "n'3 $n &re&s 91ere

n" %"n#'$%t "# $nterests e?$sts T1$s &n&'3s$s &&$n )$s;r"(es Att3 B+##es &s$%

;re$ses

A 9"rr$s"e &s;e%t "# Att3 B+##es &;;r"&%1 t" Se%t$"n < 787/8 $s 1er

&9&reness "# t1e '&9 &n) 1er re&)$ness t" r$s $ts ($"'&t$"n e%&+se "# t1e

+n#&$rness s1e ;er%e$(es $n t1e '&9 e #$n) $t )$st+r$n t1&t s1e #$rst ($"'&te) t1e

'&9 e#"re &$n &n3 $n2+$r3 S1e &'s" +st$#$es 1er ;"s$t$"n 3 re#err$n t" t1e

;r&%t$%e "# "t1er "(ernent '&93ers n"9n t" 1er 91", ter se;&r&t$"n #r" t1e$r

+)$%$&' e;'"3ent, $e)$&te'3 en&e) $n t1e ;r$(&te ;r&%t$%e "# '&9 &n)


17/27

&;;e&re) &s ;r$(&te %"+nse's e#"re t1e RTC r&n%1es 91ere t1e3 9ere ;re($"+s'3

e;'"3e) A&$n 9e #$n) t1$s & %&(&'$er &tt$t+)e "n Att3 B+##es ;&rt &n), t" "+r

$n), "n'3 e;1&s$es 1er "9n 9$''#+' "r $ntent$"n&' )$sre&r) "# Se%t$"n < 787/8

"# RA N" =

B3 &%t$n $n & &nner t1&t RA N" = r&n)s &s >una!fu,?Att3 B+##e

%"ntr&(ene) R+'e 0 "# C&n"n "# t1e C")e "#


18/27

Pr"#ess$"n&' Res;"ns$$'$t3, 91$%1 ;r"($)es:

CANON @ A LAYER SHALL UPHOL! THE CONSTITUTION, OBEYTE LA%S O THE LAN! AN! #ROMOTE RES#ECT FOR LA%AN!

OR LEGAL PROCESSES

? ? ?

R+'e 0 @ A '&93er 281ll 3ot en&e $n u3l1


19/27

CANON F/>A;&'", Comments on the Code of 6rofessiona Responsibiity and Code of Judicia

Conduct7/004 e)$t$"n8, ;; 4


20/27

#+rt1er $n2+$r3 "r res"rt t" &n3 #"r&' $n(est$&t$"n 91ere t1e #&%ts "n re%"r)

s+##$%$ent'3 ;r"($)e) t1e &s$s #"r t1e )eter$n&t$"n "# t1e$r &)$n$str&t$(e

'$&$'$t3

In 6rudentia Ban# v. Castro,2[24] t1e C"+rt )$s&rre) & '&93er 9$t1"+t

nee) "# &n3 #+rt1er $n(est$&t$"n ter %"ns$)er$n 1$s &%t$"ns &se) "n re%"r)s

s1"9$n 1$s +net1$%&' $s%"n)+%tD t1e $s%"n)+%t n"t "n'3 %&st )$s1"n"r "n t1e

$&e "# "t1 t1e Ben%1 &n) t1e B&r, +t 9&s &'s" $n$$%&' t" ;+'$% $nterest &n)

9e'#&re In t1$s re&r), t1e C"+rt t"" +)$%$&' n"t$%e "# se(er&' %&ses 1&n)'e) 3t1e err&nt '&93er &n) 1$s %"1"rts t1&t re(e&'e) t1e$r modus operandi $n

%$r%+(ent$n t1e ;&3ent "# t1e ;r";er +)$%$&' #ees #"r t1e &str"n"$%&' s+s

t1e3 %'&$e) $n t1e$r %&ses/F/ T1e C"+rt 1e') t1&t t1"se %&ses s+##$%$ent'3

;r"($)e) t1e &s$s #"r t1e )eter$n&t$"n "# res;"n)ents &)$n$str&t$(e '$&$'$t3,

9$t1"+t nee) #"r #+rt1er $n2+$r3 $nt" t1e &tter +n)er t1e ;r$n%$;'e "# res ipsa

o9uitur/=F/=

A's" "n t1e &s$s "# t1$s ;r$n%$;'e, 9e r+'e) $nRichards v. Asoy,2%[27]t1&t n"

e($)ent$&r3 1e&r$n $s re2+$re) e#"re t1e res;"n)ent &3 e )$s%$;'$ne) #"r

;r"#ess$"n&' $s%"n)+%t &'re&)3 est&'$s1e) 3 t1e #&%ts "n re%"r)

/4F/4$upran"te 4

/F/d, ; =//

/=F/=d, ; =/>

/


21/27

e &;;'$e) t1e ;r$n%$;'e "# res ipsa o9uitur "n%e "re $nn re: Wencesao

;aureta25[28] 91ere 9e ;+n$s1e) & '&93er #"r r&(e ;r"#ess$"n&' $s%"n)+%t

s"'e'3 &se) "n 1$s &ns9er t" & s1"9-%&+se "r)er #"r %"nte;t &n) 9$t1"+t "$n

$nt" & tr$&'-t3;e 1e&r$n e r+'e) t1en t1&t )+e ;r"%ess $s s&t$s#$e) &s '"n &s t1e

";;"rt+n$t3 t" e 1e&r) $s $(en t" t1e ;ers"n t" e )$s%$;'$ne)/.F/.

L$e9$se $n0F>0$upran"te 4


22/27

)$s%$;'$n&r3 &%t$"n &&$nst 1$, &n) %"nt+&%$"+s %"n)+%t 9&rr&nt$n &;;'$%&t$"n

"# t1e %"nte;t ;"9er>F>

T1ese %&ses %'e&r'3 s1"9 t1&t t1e &sen%e "# &n3 #"r&' %1&re &&$nst

&n)"r #"r&' $n(est$&t$"n "# &n err&nt '&93er )" n"t ;re%'+)e t1e C"+rt #r"

$e)$&te'3 e?er%$s$n $ts )$s%$;'$n$n &+t1"r$t3, &s '"n &s t1e err&nt '&93er "r

+)e 1&s een $(en t1e ";;"rt+n$t3 t" e 1e&r) As 9e st&te) e&r'$er, Att3 B+##e

1&s een #"r)e) t1e ";;"rt+n$t3 t" e 1e&r) "n t1e ;resent &tter t1r"+1 1er

'etter-2+er3 &n) M&n$#est&t$"n #$'e) e#"re t1$s C"+rt

A eer "# t1e &r &3 e ;en&'$e), e(en )$s&rre) "r s+s;en)e) #r"

1$s "##$%e &s &n &tt"rne3, #"r ($"'&t$"n "# t1e '&93ers "&t1 &n)"r #"r re&%1 "# t1e

et1$%s "# t1e 'e&' ;r"#ess$"n &s e")$e) $n t1e C")e "# Pr"#ess$"n&'

Res;"ns$$'$t3>/F>/ T1e &;;r";r$&te ;en&'t3 "n &n err&nt '&93er )e;en)s "n t1e

e?er%$se "# s"+n) +)$%$&' )$s%ret$"n &se) "n t1e s+rr"+n)$n #&%ts>>F>>

In t1$s %&se, 9e %&nn"t )$s%ern &n3 $t$&t$n #&%t"rs 9e %&n &;;'3, s&(e

OCATs "ser(&t$"n t1&t Att3 B+##es 'etter-2+er3 &3 re&''3 re#'e%t &

$s&;;re1ens$"n "# t1e ;&r&eters "# t1e ;r"1$$t$"n "n t1e ;r&%t$%e "# t1e '&9

;r"#ess$"n +n)er Se%t$"n < 78 7/8 "# RA N" = In"r&n%e "# t1e '&9,

>F>d, ;; >>->>/

>/F>/Catu v. Reosa,supra n"te /0, ; //

33[33] Lim-Santiago v. Saguico, A.C. No. 6705, March 31, 2006, !6 SC"A 10.


23/27

1"9e(er, $s n" e?%+se, ;&rt$%+'&r'3 "n & &tter &s sens$t$(e &s ;r&%t$%e "# t1e 'e&'

;r"#ess$"n s""n ter "nes se;&r&t$"n #r" t1e ser($%e I# Att3 B+##e $s %"rre%t $n

t1e e?&;'es s1e %$te), $t $s t$e t" r$n t1e e'' &n) t" '"9 t1e 91$st'e s$n&'$n

t1&t 9e %&nn"t &''"9 t1$s ;r&%t$%e t" %"nt$n+e

As 9e "ser(e) e&r'$er,>4F>4 Att3 B+##e 1&) n" 2+&'s &"+t t1e

s$+'t&ne"+s +se "# (&r$"+s #"r& $n e?;ress$n 1er $s$($ns &"+t t1e ;er%e$(e)

+n#&$rness "# Se%t$"n < "# RA = S1e #"r&''3 '")e) & 2+er3 9$t1 t1e O##$%e

"# t1e C"+rt A)$n$str&t"r, &n) s""n ter #$'e) 1er s+%%ess$(e ;et$t$"ns #"r)e%'&r&t"r3 re'$e# E##e%t$(e'3, s1e e?;"se) t1ese #"r& t" t1e ;"ss$$'$t3 "#

e&rr&ssent &n) %"n#+s$"n t1r"+1 t1e$r ;"ss$'3 )$##er$n ($e9s "n t1e $ss+e

s1e ;"se) A't1"+1 t1$s $s n"t str$%t'3 t1e #"r+-s1";;$n t1&t t1e R+'es "# C"+rt

;r"1$$t, 91&t s1e 1&s )"ne $s s"et1$n t1&t 9e %&nn"t 1e'; +t %"ns$)er 9$t1

)$s#&("r e%&+se "# t1e ;"tent$&' )&&e &n) e&rr&ssent t" t1e J+)$%$&r3 t1&t $t

%"+') 1&(e s;&9ne) T1$s $s & ;"$nt &&$nst Att3 B+##e t1&t %&n%e's "+t t1e

'en$en%3 9e $1t 1&(e e?er%$se) e%&+se "# t1e OCATs "ser(&t$"n &"+t 1er

$n"r&n%e "# &n) $s$($ns "n t1e e?tent "# t1e ;r"1$$t$"n ter se;&r&t$"n #r"

t1e ser($%e

Un)er t1e %$r%+st&n%es, 9e #$n) t1&t 1er &%t$"ns er$t & ;en&'t3 "# #$ne "#

P0,00000, t"et1er 9$t1 & stern 9&rn$n t" )eter 1er #r" re;e&t$n 1er

tr&nsress$"n &n) %"$tt$n "t1er &%ts "# ;r"#ess$"n&' $s%"n)+%t >F> T8/2

>4F>4See /n) ;&r&r&;1 "# ;&e 5 "# t1$s !e%$s$"n

35[35] Ag#a$o, Comments on the Code of Professional Responsibility and the Code of

Judicial Conduct,supra not% 23, #. 0!& S%ction 12 'c(, "u$% 13) o* th% "u$%+ o* Court in


24/27

e31lt6 refle0t2 12


25/27

REYNATO S PUNO

C1$e# J+st$%e

7On "##$%$&' 'e&(e8

LEONAR!O A QUISUMBING

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e

ANTONIO T CARPIO

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e

CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e

7On "##$%$&' 'e&(e8

CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e

RENATO C CORONA

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e

MINITA V CHICO-NAZARIO

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e


26/27

PRESBITERO J VELASCO, JR

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e

TERESITA J LEONAR!O-!E CASTRO

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e

LUCAS P BERSAMIN

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e

ANTONIO E!UAR!O B NACHURA

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e

!IOS!A!O M PERALTA

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e

MARIANO C !EL CASTILLO

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e

ROBERTO A ABA!

Ass"%$&te J+st$%e


27/27

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