A.C. No. 13753 - Julieta L. Co vs. Atty. Jorge P. Monroy

Antecedents
In July 2000, respondent Atty. Jorge P. Monroy, then Director III of Financial Services at the Bureau of Customs (BOC), offered to sell a Toyota Land Cruiser confiscated by the BOC to complainant Julieta L. Co for ₱1.4 million, assuring her of legality and issuance of official receipts.
Julieta, accompanied by her sister Maria Victoria L. Que and brother-in-law Romeo Que (Spouses Que), inspected the vehicle at the BOC depot, relying on Monroy’s long-standing friendship and position.

Payment and misrepresentations
On July 18, 2000, Julieta and the Spouses Que prepared and handed Monroy a ₱150,000 check payable to cash; on July 21 they brought a manager’s check for the balance of ₱1,250,000 but acceded to Monroy’s insistence on cash, which he received personally.
During visits on July 21 and July 24, Monroy falsely claimed pending Department of Finance signatures prevented release; he later admitted that someone had absconded with the money and gave a receipt promising refund, but never returned the funds despite repeated demands.

Judicial and administrative actions
On January 24, 2003, Julieta filed two Informations in the Sandiganbayan for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft) and estafa under the RPC.
On September 30, 2010, the Sandiganbayan convicted Monroy in absentia of both charges, imposed prison terms and perpetual disqualification, ordered refund of ₱1.4 million, and denied his motion for reconsideration; a warrant of arrest remained unserved.
Julieta then filed a disbarment complaint with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines–Commission on Bar Discipline (IBP-CBD). Monroy failed to answer or appear; the IBP-CBD found him guilty of CPR violations, recommended disbarment and a ₱20,000 fine; the IBP Board adopted the recommendation in October 2022.
The Supreme Court noted return of all IBP notices due to Monroy’s failure to update addresses, deemed him to have waived his right to defend, and proceeded to adopt the IBP findings.

Whether respondent Atty. Monroy’s misrepresentations and misuse of his BOC position to defraud Julieta L. Co constitute violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) meriting disbarment.
Whether Monroy’s convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude and his failure to comply with IBP-CBD directives justify his disbarment and imposition of monetary penalties.