Legal Ethics

Case Digest: REPORT on the JUDICIAL AUDIT CONDUCTED in the REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 136, MAKATI CITY

REPORT on the JUDICIAL AUDIT CONDUCTED in the REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 136, MAKATI CITY 442 SCRA 414 (2004) A judge is duty bound to render decision without undue delay. By directive of the Court Administrator, a judicial audit was conducted in the Regional Trial Court, Branch 136 of Makati City which was formerly presided […]

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Case Digest: RE: LETTER-COMPLAINT OF CONCERNED CITIZENS AGAINST SOLICITOR GENERAL AGNES VST. DEVANADERA, ATTY. FALLER, AND ATTY. VARELA.

RE: LETTER-COMPLAINT OF CONCERNED CITIZENS AGAINST SOLICITOR GENERAL AGNES VST. DEVANADERA, ATTY. ROLANDO FALLER, AND ATTY. SANTIAGO VARELA. 556 SCRA 522 (2008) An anonymous complaint is always received with great caution, originating as it does from an unknown author and must be substantiated and established by other competent evidence. The Office of the Chief Justice […]

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Case Digest: CHAM v. ATTY. PIZARRO

WILSON PO CHAM v. ATTY. EDILBERTO PIZARRO A.C. No. 5499, 16 August 2005 The misconduct of a lawyer, whether in his professional or private capacity, which shows him to be wanting in moral character, honesty, probity and good demeanor to thus render him unworthy of the privileges which his license and the law confer upon […]

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Case Digest: STATE PROSECUTOR RINGCAR B. PINOTE v. JUDGE AYCO

STATE PROSECUTOR RINGCAR B. PINOTE v. JUDGE ROBERTO L. AYCO 502 SCRA 446 (2006) The judge’s act of allowing the presentation of the defense witnesses in the absence of public prosecutor or a private prosecutor designated for the purpose is a clear transgression of the Rules. Judge Roberto L. Ayco of Regional Trial Court (RTC) […]

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Case Digest: PHILIPPINE AMUSEMENT AND GAMING CORPORATION v. SYHONGPAN

PHILIPPINE AMUSEMENT AND GAMING CORPORATION v. RICHARD SYHONGPAN 500 SCRA 198 (2006) A government officer or employee may be dismissed for dishonesty even if the latter was not committed in the performance of duty. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) Casino Filipino-Heritage, Manila opened its expanded VIP Gaming Area. Richard Syhongpan, the Branch Manager of […]

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Case Digest: OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR v. MABELIN

OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR v. EDGARDO A. MABELIN 399 SCRA 480 (2003) “Incompetence in the Performance of Duty” has been defined as the manifest lack of adequate ability and fitness for the satisfactory performance of official duties by reason of the officer’s vice or vicious habits. Edgardo A. Mabelin (Mabelin), who was entrusted with […]

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Case Digest: OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR v. JUDGE PARDO, Et Al.

OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR v. JUDGE MOISES M. PARDO AND CLERK OF COURT JESSIE W. TULDAGUE, RTC-CABARROGUIS, QUIRINO (FORMERLY LETTER-COMPLAINT OF JUDGE MOISES M. PARDO, EXEC. JUDGE, RTC-CABARROGUIS, QUIRINO AGAINST ATTY. JESSIE W. TULDAGUE, CLERK OF COURT, SAME COURT) 553 SCRA 40 (2008) An employee of the judiciary is expected to accord respect for […]

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Case Digest: JUDGE MARQUEZ v. PABLICO

JUDGE PLACIDO C. MARQUEZ v. MARIO M. PABLICO 556 SCRA 531 (2008) Though we find the respondent answerable to the charges aired by the complainant, a meticulous perusal of the documents presented by the Marquez reveals no single instance where Pablico’s neglect of duty resulted in the disruption of service to the public nor did […]

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Case Digest: MANONGGIRING v. Judge Ibrahim

MAIMONA MANONGGIRING v. Judge Amer R. Ibrahim 391 SCRA 673 (2002) A judge who grants bail without conducting the required hearing to a person charged with a capital offense is guilty of ignorance of the law and incompetence. An Information was filed charging six (6) persons of the crime of arson punishable by reclusion perpetua. […]

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Case Digest: MANANSALA III v. JUDGE ASDALA

MELENCIO P. MANANSALA III v. JUDGE FATIMA G. ASDALA 391 SCRA 673 (2005) In administrative cases, the quantum of proof necessary to hold a respondent liable for the charge is substantial evidence or such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind may accept as adequate to support a conclusion. Winfried Herbst was detained by the police […]

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