Case Summary (A.C. No. 9090)
Background of the Case
This case arises from a petition for disbarment filed by Atty. Teodoro B. Cruz, Jr. against Atty. John G. Reyes, alleging various acts of professional misconduct including intentional misrepresentation, conflict of interest, and unethical behavior. The complaint details numerous incidents, including involvement in a political election protest case and the submission of allegedly false documents.
Allegations of Misconduct
The first notable incident involved Atty. Reyes representing Mayor Rosito Velarde in an election protest case against Raquel Reyes De Guzman. Reyes allegedly took on this representation while another attorney, Atty. Roque Bello, was initially counsel for De Guzman but later vacated his role without formally withdrawing. It was claimed that Reyes' participation constituted a conflict of interest, violating professional responsibility standards regarding representation of conflicting interests.
Specific Incidents Detailed
In the second incident, involving a petition to declare two additional candidates as nuisance candidates, it was reported that Atty. Reyes admitted to signing a Verified Answer on behalf of Marita Montefalcon Cruz-Gulles, who later denied ever hiring him. The allegations suggest that both respondents and Atty. Bello engaged in deceptive practices to mislead the election bodies, with Reyes claiming he was unaware of the specifics of the case and acted under the supposed urgency of Atty. Bello’s requests.
Investigatory Findings and Recommendations
Investigating Commissioner Edmund T. Espina found Atty. Reyes guilty of negligence which was termed as "negligence of contumacious proportions" and recommended a suspension of one month. The final recommendations included reprimanding Reyes for failing to perform due diligence before accepting the case.
Court's Original Resolution
On August 22, 2012, the Supreme Court adopted the recommendations of the IBP but increased the suspension period from one month to one year. It was also instructed to investigate further the roles of Atty. Bello and Atty. Rous-Gonzaga in the case.
Motion for Reconsideration
Atty. Reyes subsequently filed a motion for reconsideration of the suspension period, asserting that while he should have been more cautious, his negligence did not rise to the level of willful misconduct or intention to deceive.
Supreme Court's Ruling
The Supreme Court found merit in Atty. Reyes' motion, concluding that the evidence presented did not convincingly establis
...continue readingCase Syllabus (A.C. No. 9090)
Background of the Case
- The case involves a Motion for Reconsideration filed by Atty. John G. Reyes against the Resolution dated August 22, 2012, where he was found guilty of "negligence of contumacious proportions" and was suspended from practicing law for one year.
- The complaint originated from Atty. Teodoro B. Cruz, Jr., who accused Atty. Reyes of various professional misconducts including intentional misrepresentation, handling a case with a conflict of interest, and unethical conduct.
The Facts of the Case
- The complaint is based on two main incidents involving Atty. Reyes's representation in election-related cases.
- First Incident: Atty. Reyes allegedly misrepresented himself as the counsel for Mayor Rosito Velarde in an election protest case, which presented a conflict of interest due to political affiliations.
- Mayor Velarde was represented by Atty. Gualberto Manlagnit, while the protestant Raquel Reyes De Guzman was represented by Atty. Roque Bello.
- The political dynamics shifted when De Guzman changed her allegiance from the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) to the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), leading to a potential conflict as Atty. Bello had a long-standing representation of the Fuentebella family.
- Second Incident: In another matter, Atty. Reyes was involved in a petition to declare two candidates as nuisances, where he allegedly signed a pleading without proper authorization from his client, Marita Montefalcon Cruz-Gulles.
- Marita denied any connection with Atty. Reyes’s legal