A.C. No. 9923 - Palad vs. Patajo-Kapu

On December 14, 2012, the IBP Board of Governors in CBD Case No. 09-2498 recommended the suspension of Atty. Raymund P. Palad from the practice of law; he filed a motion for reconsideration.
On April 23, 2013, a newspaper article in Pilipino Star Ngayon reported his supposed one-year suspension; petitioner sought an investigation into the premature release of information.
On May 8, 2013, Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan, during a live DZMM Teleradyo interview, stated that “the lawyer of Katrina has been suspended by the Supreme Court,” allegedly breaching the confidentiality rule in Section 18, Rule 139-B, of the Rules of Court.

Petitioner’s allegations: that respondent’s public disclosure constituted indirect contempt for violating the confidentiality of pending disciplinary proceedings; he secured an audio transcript and filed the present petition.
Respondent’s comment and rejoinders: she claimed no malice, relied on circulating reports and a newspaper article, did not intend to identify petitioner, and was unaware the suspension was still pending; she filed and later had dismissed a grave slander complaint against petitioner.

Submission of respective memoranda by petitioner and respondent.
Elevation of the petition to the Supreme Court’s Second Division for resolution.

Whether Atty. Patajo-Kapunan committed indirect contempt of court by publicly disclosing a pending disciplinary proceeding in violation of Section 18, Rule 139-B of the Rules of Court.