Case Summary (A.C. No. 5835, 6051, 6441, 6955)
Background of Administrative Cases
Atty. Vitan was subjected to four separate administrative cases, each resulting in a suspension from the practice of law due to various offenses, including failure to render legal services and non-payment of debts. In A.C. No. 6441, he was suspended for six months and ordered to return P30,000 for services not rendered. In A.C. No. 5835, he faced another six-month suspension along with a financial penalty. The third case, A.C. No. 6955, led to a two-year suspension, which was subsequently reduced to six months due to partial payment of a debt. The fourth case, A.C. No. 6051, resulted in a one-year suspension.
Aggregated Penalties and Consequences
The cumulative effect of these suspensions equated to an aggregate period exceeding 30 months. According to jurisprudence, specifically A.M. No. RTJ-04-1857, suspensions are to be served successively. Atty. Vitan was obligated to demonstrate that he had complied with each of these penalties to be considered for reinstatement.
Petition for Reinstatement
After serving part of his penalties, Atty. Vitan sought reinstatement with a petition filed in July 2009, asserting that he had fulfilled his suspension periods and had reformed his conduct. Central to this petition was the requirement to prove that he had refrained from practicing law during all suspension periods. The Court emphasized adherence to the guidelines established in Ligaya Maniago v. Atty. Lourdes I. De Dios, regarding conditions necessary for lifting the suspensions.
Court’s Resolution and Conditions for Reinstatement
The Court resolved to allow Atty. Vitan's petition with stipulations that he submit a sworn statement verifying the completion of his aggregate suspension period and confirming non-engagement in legal practice during that time. Vitan was also required to present proof of repayment to complainants as mandated by the respective decisions in his administrative cases. Specifica
...continue readingCase Syllabus (A.C. No. 5835, 6051, 6441, 6955)
Background of the Case
- The case involves a petition filed by Atty. Jeremias R. Vitan, requesting reinstatement as a member in good standing of the Philippine Bar after serving his suspension.
- Atty. Vitan claims to have reformed and fulfilled the penalties imposed on him by the Supreme Court.
- Four administrative cases had been filed against him, resulting in multiple suspensions from the practice of law.
Summary of Administrative Cases
A.C. No. 6441 (Violeta R. Tahaw v. Atty. Jeremias R. Vitan):
- Promulgated on October 21, 2004.
- Atty. Vitan was suspended for six months and ordered to return P30,000 for unrendered legal services.
- Suspension period: November 12, 2004, to May 12, 2005.
A.C. No. 5835 (Carlos B. Reyes v. Atty. Jeremias R. Vitan):
- Promulgated on April 15, 2005.
- Another six-month suspension and ordered to pay P17,000 with 12% interest until full payment.
- Suspension period: May 13, 2005, to November 13, 2005.
A.C. No. 6955 (Mar Yuson v. Atty. Jeremias R. Vitan):
- Promulgated on July 27, 2006.
- Initially suspended for two years for failing to pay a just debt of P100,000, but penalty was modified to six months with a warning.
- The suspension was effective upon receipt of the decision.
A.C. No. 6051 (Celia Arro