Case Digest (A.C. No. 3249) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
The case involved Salvacion Delizo Cordova (the complainant) against her husband, Atty. Laurence D. Cordova (the respondent). The events unfolded after Salvacion submitted an unsworn letter-complaint on April 14, 1988, to Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee, accusing her husband of immorality and acts unbecoming a member of the Bar. The Supreme Court forwarded the complaint to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Commission on Bar Discipline for investigation. The IBP required Salvacion to formalize her complaint, which she did by submitting a verified and revised complaint on September 27, 1988. Following this, a default order against the respondent was issued on December 1, 1988, due to his failure to submit an answer.
On April 6, 1989, Salvacion informed the Commission via telegram that she had reconciled with her husband. However, the Commission required both parties to appear for clarification on their reconciliation and to file a formal motion to dismiss the complaint
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Case Digest (A.C. No. 3249) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Parties Involved:
- Complainant: Salvacion Delizo Cordova, wife of the respondent.
- Respondent: Atty. Laurence D. Cordova, a member of the Bar.
- Marriage and Family:
- Complainant and respondent were married on June 6, 1976, and had two children.
- In 1985, respondent abandoned his family and job as Branch Clerk of Court in Quirino Province to live with Fely G. Holgado, a married woman, in Bislig, Surigao del Sur.
- Adulterous Relationships:
- Respondent introduced Fely Holgado as his wife, and she used the name "Fely Cordova."
- Respondent provided financial support to Fely to establish a sari-sari store but neglected his legitimate family.
- In April 1986, respondent and complainant reconciled, but he continued to frequent beerhouses and neglect his family.
- In February 1987, respondent left complainant again to live with another mistress, Luisita Magallanes, and took their younger daughter, Melanie, with him.
- Legal Proceedings:
- Complainant filed a habeas corpus case to regain custody of her daughter, which was granted by the Regional Trial Court, Bislig.
- Complainant filed an unsworn letter-complaint on April 14, 1988, charging respondent with immorality and acts unbecoming a member of the Bar.
- The complaint was forwarded to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Commission on Bar Discipline.
- Default and Reconciliation:
- Respondent was declared in default for failing to file an answer to the complaint.
- Complainant failed to appear at scheduled hearings, and in April 1989, she sent a telegraphic message stating she and respondent had reconciled.
- Neither party responded to the Commission’s order to confirm the reconciliation or file a motion to dismiss.
- IBP Findings:
- The IBP Board of Governors found respondent guilty of immorality and recommended a reprimand, with a warning that further misconduct would be dealt with more severely.
Issues:
- Whether respondent Atty. Laurence D. Cordova’s conduct constitutes immorality and acts unbecoming a member of the Bar.
- Whether the reconciliation between complainant and respondent absolves respondent of his misconduct.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)