PROCEDURE FOR THE DISBARMENT, SUSPENSION AND DISCIPLINE OF LAWYERS LAWYERS What ofces are authorized to investigate disbarment cases? (OSI) 1. Ofce o the Solicitor General 2. Supreme Court 3. Integrated Bar o the Philippines (IBP) through its Commission on Bar iscipline or authori!ed in"estigators
How are disbarment cases instituted? 1. B# the Supreme Court motu propio or $hen the interest interest o %ustice so re&uires' or 2. B# the IBP IBP upon "eri "eried ed complaint complaint o an# person person (Par. 1 Sec. 1 *ule 13+,B)
Can the IBP Booard o governors initiate charges? -es. -es. he IBP Board o go"ernors ma# initiate and prosecute proper charges against erring attorne#s including those in the go"ernment. Provided! /ll charges against 0ustices o the C/ and Sandigana#an and 0udges o the C/ and lo$er courts e"en i la$#ers are %ointl# charged $ith them shall e led $ith the Supreme Court. Provided urther! charges led against 0ustices and 0udges eore the IBP IBP sh shal alll imme immedi diat atel el# # e or$ or$ar arde ded d to the the Supr Suprem eme e Cour Courtt or or disposition and ad%udication. What are the orma" re#uisites o a com$"aint or disbarment% sus$ension or disci$"ine o "aw&ers? ('*+) 1. Veried 2. Facts complained o must e stated clearl# 3. Supp Suppor orte ted d # Afda"its o persons ha"ing personal no$ledge o the act therein alleged or # such Docum ocumen ents ts as ma# ma# sustantiate it' . Si4 (6) copies shall e led $ith the Secretar# o the IBP or o an# o its Chapters $ho shall orth$ith transmit the same to the IBP Board o Go"ernors or assignment to an a n in"estigator. in"estigator.
What may b !"# by th $#%&t$'at$#' $#%&t$'at$#' C"mm$&&$"# 1. ismiss ismiss the the complain complaintt $ithout $ithout dela# dela#'' or 2. Procee Proceed d $ith $ith the the in"est in"estigatio igation n
Wh# &ha** th $#%&t$'at" +"! -$th th $#%&t$'at$"# ". th a& 1. I the complaint appears to e meritorious' or 2. 5pon %oinder o the issues $hen the ans$er sho$s that the complaint is indeed meritorious 3. I respondent ails to ans$er Wh# &ha** th $#%&t$'at" "mm#! th !$&m$&&a* ". th a& 1. I the complaint lacs merit' or 2. I the asn$er sho$s to the satisaction o the in"estigator that the complaint is not meritorious
How is an investigator a$$ointed? he Board o Go"ernors shall appoint rom among IBP memers an In"estigator or $hen special circumstances so $arrant a panel o three(3) in"estigators to in"estigate the complaint. /ll In"estigators shall tae an oath o ofce in the orm prescried # the Board o Go"ernors. / cop# o the In"estigator6s appointment and oath shall e transmitted to the Supreme Court. (Sec 2., Rule 139-B)
What are the grounds or dis#ua"i,cation o an investigator? 1. *elationship $ithin the ourth degree o consanguinit# or afnit# to an# o the parties or their counsel 2. Pecuniar# interest 3. Personal ias . 7is ha"ing acted as counsel or either part#
/PN0 8hen the parties sign and enter upon the record their written consent to his acting as such In"estigator.
How can an investigator be removed? /n# In"estigator ma# e remo"ed or cause ater due hearing # the "ote o at least six (6) members o the IBP Board Go"ernors. he decision o the Board o Go"ernors in all cases o dis&ualication or remo"al shall e nal. (Sec. 2 *ule 13+,B)
What are the duties o investigators? he 9ational Grie"ance In"estigators shall in"estigate all complaint against memers o the Integrated Bar reerred to them # the IBP Board o Go"ernors. (Sec. 3, Rule 139-B)
9o in"estigation shall e interrupted or terminated # reason o the desistance settlement compromise restitution $ithdra$al o the charges or ailure o the complainant to prosecute the same. (Sec. 5, Rule 139-B)
When can there be e-.$arte investigation? I upon reasonale notice the respondent ails to appear the in"estigation shall proceed ex parte. How "ong shou"d the investigation "ast? he In"estigator shall terminate the in"estigation $ithin tree (3) monts rom the date o its commencement unless e4tended or good cause # the Board o Go"ernors upon prior application . (Sec. !, Rule 139-B) When can there $roceedings?
be
indirect
contem$t
in
dsici$"inar&
8hen there is $illull ailure or reusal to oe# a supoena or an# other la$ul order issued # the In"estigator. (Sec. !, Rule 139-B)
How are contem$t $roceedings done? he corresponding charge shall e led # the In"estigator eore the IBP Board o Go"ernors
Contemnor to sho$ cause $ithin ten (1:) da#s rom notice.
IBP Board o Go"ernors ma# conduct hearings i necessar# $hich shall e terminated $ithin 1; da#s
IBP Board o Go"ernors shall $ithin lie period teen (1;) da#s issue a resolution setting orth its ndings and
*esolution shall e transmitted to the Supreme Court or nal action and i $arranted the
Can de$ositions be ta/en in disci$"inar& $roceedings? -es. epositions ma# e taen in accordance $ith the *ules o Court $ith lea"e o the in"estigator(s).
How are de$ositions ta/en? "# witin te $ilippines, depositions ma# e taen eore< 1. /n# memer o the Board o Go"ernors 2. he President o an# Chapter' or 3. /n# ofcer authori!ed # la$ to administer oaths. "# outsi%e te $ilippines, depositions ma# etaen eore< 1. / diplomatic or consular representati"e o the Philippine Go"ernment' or 2. /n# person agreed upon # the parties or designated # the Board o Go"ernors.
Can the $arties ,"e a motion or reconsideration beore the IBP? -es. /lthough *ule 13+,B Sec. 12(c) maes no mention o a motion or reconsideration nothing in its te4t or in its histor# suggests that such motion is prohiited. he ling o such motion should e encouraged to a=ord the agenc# renderingthe %udgment an opportunit& to correct an# error it ma# ha"e committed through a misapprehension o acts or misappreciation o e"idence. (7alimao ". >illanue"a /.C. 9o. 3?2; @eruar# 1 1++A) 7o$e"er i the complainants motion or reconsideration $as led ater the IBP had or$arded the records o this case to the Supreme Court it $ould e more e4pedient to treat it as a complainants petition or re"ie$ $ithin the contemplation o *usle 13+,B Sec. 12(c).
*oes the decision o the IBP become ,na" and e-ecutor& automatica""& ater the "a$se o the 01.da& $eriod?
9o. 9o decision o the IBP ma# ecome nal and e4ecutor# simpl# $ith the lapse o the 1;,da# period. Such decision taes e=ect onl# upon the afrmation or modication o the Court or as ordained # the Court. his is so ecause the inherent po$er to discipline memers o the ar elongs to the Court not the IBP. (aronilla "s. 0orda et. al. /.C. 9o. A+D3 arch 12 2::D)
What is the $rocedure or *isbarment in the Su$reme Court? 1. Supreme Court ma# reer the case or in"estigation to the Solicitor General or an# ofcer o the Supreme Court or %udge o a lo$er court. 2. I reerred the in"estigator shall proceed $ith the in"estigation and sumit a report containing his ndings o act and recommendation or the nal action %irectl& to te Supreme 'ourt.
What are the ru"es on im$osition o $ena"ties? -PE F@ P59IS7E9 Suspension @ine Both Suspension and @ine
PE9/I>ISIF9 F"er 1 #ear or less P1:::: or less
E9 B/9C E4ceeds 1 #ear ore than P1:::: I Suspension e4ceeds 1 #ear or ne e4ceeds P1::::
Can an investigating 2udge dismiss a case? 9o. he in"estigating %udges authorit# is onl# to in"estigate mae a report and recommendation on the case to e sumitted to the SC or nal determination. (Graciano ". Seastian /.. 0,??,1A: arch 3: 1++)
*oes the *octrine o 3es I$sa 4o#uitur $$"& in *isbarment cases? -es. 8here the acts sufcientl# pro"ide the asis or the determination o a la$#ers administrati"e liailit# he ma# e disciplined or disarred # the Supreme Court $ithout urteher in&uir# or in"estigation into the matter under the principle o res ipsa lo&uitur. he re&uirement o due process is satised or $hat due process ahors is the asolute lac o an opportunit# to e heard.
he e4tent o disciplinar# action depends on the attendance o mitigating or aggra"ating circumstances
5itigating Circumstances! 1. /sence o prior disciplinar# record 2. /sence o ishinest or selsh moti"e 3. Personal or emotional prolems . imel# good aith e=ort to mae restitution or to recti# conse&uences o misconduct ;. @ull and ree disclosure to disciplinar# oard or cooperati"e attitude to$ard the proceedings A. Ine4perience in the practice o la$ D. Character or reputation ?. Ph#sical or mental disailit# or impairment +. ela# in disciplinar# proceedings 1:. Interim rehailitation 11. Imposition o other penalties or sanctions 12. *emorse 13. *emoteness o prior o=enses
ggravating Circumstances! 1. 2. 3. . ;.
Prior isciplinar# o=enses ishonest or selsh moti"es / pattern o misconduct ultiple o=enses Bad aith ostruction o the disciplinar# proceeding # intentionall# ailing to compl# $ith rules or orders o the disciplinar# agenc# A. Sumission o alse e"idence alse statements or other decepti"e practices during the disciplinar# process. D. *eusal to acno$ledge $rongul nature o conduct ?. >ulnerailit# o "ictim +. Sustantial e4perience in practice o la$ 1:. Indi=erence to maing restitution
What is the e6ect o *isbarment or Sus$ension in a oreign countr&? / oreign courts %udgment ordering the suspension o a @ilipino la$#er rom the practice o la$ in that oreign counrt# does not automaticall# result in his suspension or disarment in the Philippines. he %udgment in the said oreign court onl# constitutes prima acie e"idence o the
la$#ers unethical acts as a la$#er. ue process demands that he e gi"en the opportunit# to deend himsel and to present e"idence in an in"estigation conducted in accordance $ith *ule 13+,B o the *e"ised *ules o Court (In *e< Suspension rom the practice o la$ in the territor o Guam o /tt#. a&uera /.. 9o. D+3 0ul# 3: 2::)
What is the e6ect o bso"ute Pardon? It depends< 1. I granted ater the disarment case the disarred la$#er due to con"iction or a crime is 9F automaticall# reinstated. /n appropriate petition to the Supreme Court is necessar#. 2. I granted prior to the disarment case the pardon operates to $ipe out the con"iction and is a ar to an# proceeding or the disarment o the la$#er.
What is the e6ect o Conditiona" Pardon? Conditional Pardon or the remission o the une4pired protion $ill not result to the dismissal o the disarment case on the asis thereo. he disciplinar# action $ill e %udged upon the act o con"iction $ithout regard to the conditional pardon e4tended to the respondent.
What is the e6ect o the withdarwa" o the the "aw&er?
charges against
he desistance o the complaint or his $ithdra$al o the charges against a la$#er does not depri"e the court o the authorit# to proceed or determine the matter. 9or does it result in the dismissal o the complaint. E4cept $hen as a conse&uence o $ithdra$al or desistance no e"idence is adduced to pro"e the charges. (Banaag ". Salindog /.C. 9o. 1;A3 @eruar# 2: 1+?)
What is the e6ect o com$romise agreements? It does not necessaril# $arrant the dismissal o the case. he Courts disciplinar# authorit# is not dependent on or cannot e rustrated # the pri"ate arrangements entered into # the parties. Pulic interest is at stae in the conduct and actuations o the ofcials and emplo#ees o the 0udiciar#. he Courts interest in the a=airs o the %udiciar# is a paramount concern that o$s to no limits (*eas ". *elacion /.. 9o. P, :;,2:+; @eruar# + 2:11)
/PN0 8hen as a conse&uence o the $ithdra$al or desistance no e"idence is adduced to pro"e the charges. (Bannag ". Salindog /.C. 9o. 1;A3 @eruar# 2: 1+?)
What is the e6ect o the death o the "aw&er during the $endnc& o the $roceedings? It renders the action moot and academic ut the court ma# still resol"e the case on its merit in order to clear pulicl# the name o the la$#er. (-ap ". Somera /.C. 9o. 2:+3 0une 22 1+?)
What is 37I8S9975789? It is the readmission to memership in the Bar and the restoration to a disarred la$#er o the pri"ilege to practice la$.
Who has the authorit& to reinstate a mamber o the bar? he Supreme Court has the e4clusi"e authorit# to reinstate a disarred or indenitel# suspended la$#er to the ofce o attorne#,at,la$. It stems orm its constitutional prerogati"e to issue rules and regulations concerning the admission o la$#ers to the practice o la$.
What is the $ur$ose o the court u$on the a$$"ication o reinstatement? o determine $hether the applicant has satised and con"inced the Court # positi"e e"idence that the e=ort he has made to$ard the rehailitation o his character has een successul and thereore he is entitled to e re,admitted to a proession $hich is intrinsicall# an ofce o trust. (In *e< *usiana /.C. 9o. 2D: arch 2+ 1+D)
What is the :$ositive evidence; re#uired in reinstatement a$$"ications? It reers to proos o honest# integrit# and good moral character through $ritten testimonials o credile institutions and personalities.
Can the Su$reme Court re#uire s$ecia" conditions in addition to rehabi"itation? -es. he Supreme Court ma# also re&uire special conditions to e ullled # the applicant in addition to the latters re&uired rehailitation. Such special conditions ma# include enrolling in and passing the re&uired ourth #ear re"ie$ classes in a recogni!ed school.
12R20 Prior to actual reinstatement the applicant $ill e re&uired to tae ane$ the la$#ers oath and sign once again the roll o attorne#s ater pa#ing the re&uisite ees.
What is the nature o the $roceedings in disci$"inar& cases? /ll disciplinar# proceedings are condential until the nal disosition on the matter. 7o$e"er condentialit# ma# e $ai"ed # the la$#er himsel. he purpose o condentialit# is Hnot onl# to enale the court to mae its in"estigations ree rom an# e4traneous inuence or intererence ut also to protect the personal and proessional reputation o attorne#s and %udges rom the aseless charges o disgruntled "indicti"e and irresponsile clients and litigants.
FLOWCHART OF DISBARMENT PROCEEDIN1S BEFORE THE IBP @iling o >eried Complaint $ith IBP
8ithin t$o (2) da#s rom the receipt o the "eried complaint IBP $ill cause the issuance o summons to respondent (*ule III Sec. 3)
@iling o "eried ans$er $ithin teen (1;) da#s # respondent rom receipt o summons (*ule III Sec. 3) 5pon agreement o the parties or I 9ecessac# IC Issuance o an upon motions ased/ssignment on eritorious $ill set hearing or report and order o the in"estigating commissioner Sumission grounds upon endorsement o the date sumitting the (IC) # raJe (*ule I> Sec.or 2) recommendation o ICposition to the Board E"idence or$arded # Chapter Sumission o "eried papers Board o Go"ernors IC ma# reer claricator# case rom or $ithin thirt# (3:) calendar da#s President to IC or e"aluation and $ith a non,e4tendile period o ten (1:) andator# Conerence immediatel# to the Chapter President &uestioning decision (*ule date o order sumitting case or *e"ie$ or decision # the Boardo consideration in the preparation da#s receipt rom notice o termination o the upon ans$er (*ule concerned the reception o (*ule decorum ; Seco3)"eried ; Sec. A) > (*ule > Sec. D) his report or recommendaion mandator# conerence. (*ule > Sec. A) Sec. 1) e"idence. (*ule I> Sec. )
