legal profession cases.doc

8/12/2019 legal profession cases.doc

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JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA,petitioner, vs.SANDIGANBAYAN (Third Division) andPEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, respondents.

D E C I S I O N

BELLOSILLO, J!

JOHN STUART MILL, in his essay On Liberty, unleashes the full fury of his pen in defenseof the rights of the individual fro the vast po!ers of the State and the inroads of so"ietalpressure# $ut even as he dra!s a sa"rosan"t line dear"ating the liits on individuality %eyond!hi"h the State "annot tread & asserting that 'individual spontaneity' ust %e allo!ed to flourish!ith very little regard to so"ial interferen"e & he verita%ly a"(no!ledges that the e)er"ise ofrights and li%erties is i%ued !ith a "ivi" o%ligation, !hi"h so"iety is *ustified in enfor"ing at all"ost, against those !ho !ould endeavor to !ithhold fulfillent# Thus he says &

The sole end for which mankind is warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with theliberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. The only purpose for which power can

be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to preventharm to others.

+arallel to individual li%erty is the natural and illiita%le right of the State to self&preservation# ith the end of aintaining the integrity and "ohesiveness of the %ody politi", it%ehooves the State to forulate a syste of la!s that !ould "opel o%eisan"e to its "olle"tive!isdo and infli"t punishent for non&o%servan"e#

The oveent fro Mill-s individual li%eralis to unsysteati" "olle"tivis !rought"hanges in the so"ial order, "arrying !ith it a ne! forulation of fundaental rights and dutiesore attuned to the iperatives of "onteporary so"io&politi"al ideologies# In the pro"ess, the!e% of rights and State ipositions %e"ae tangled and o%s"ured, eneshed in threads ofultiple shades and "olors, the s(ein irregular and %ro(en# Antagonis, often outright "ollision,

%et!een the la! as the e)pression of the !ill of the State, and the .ealous attepts %y itse%ers to preserve their individuality and dignity, inevita%ly follo!ed# It is !hen individualrights are pitted against State authority that *udi"ial "ons"ien"e is put to its severest test#

+etitioner Joseph /*er"ito /strada, the highest&ran(ing offi"ial to %e prose"uted under RA0121 3n ct !efining and "enalizing the #rime of "lunder4,567as aended %y RA 089:,5;7!ishes to ipress upon us that the assailed la! is so defe"tively fashioned that it "rosses thatthin %ut distin"t line !hi"h divides the valid fro the "onstitutionally infir# He therefore a(esa stringent "all for this !hi"h are reprodu"ed hereunder?

%ection &. x x x x 'd( )*ll-gotten wealth) means any asset, property, business, enterprise ormaterial possession of any person within the purview of %ection Two '+( hereof, acuired by
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him directly or indirectly through dummies, nominees, agents, subordinates andor businessassociates by any combination or series of the following means or similar schemes

'&( Through misappropriation, conversion, misuse, or malversation of public funds or raids onthe public treasury/

'+( 0y receiving, directly or indirectly, any commission, gift, share, percentage, kickbacks or anyother form of pecuniary benefit from any person andor entity in connection with anygovernment contract or pro1ect or by reason of the office or position of the public officeconcerned/

'2( 0y the illegal or fraudulent conveyance or disposition of assets belonging to the 3ational4overnment or any of its subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, or government owned orcontrolled corporations and their subsidiaries/

'5( 0y obtaining, receiving or accepting directly or indirectly any shares of stock, euity or anyother form of interest or participation including the promise of future employment in anybusiness enterprise or undertaking/

'6( 0y establishing agricultural, industrial or commercial monopolies or other combinationsandor implementation of decrees and orders intended to benefit particular persons or specialinterests/ or

'7( 0y taking advantage of official position, authority, relationship, connection or influence toun1ustly enrich himself or themselves at the expense and to the damage and pre1udice of the8ilipino people and the $epublic of the "hilippines.

%ection +. @efinition of the April ;116 the Offi"e of the O%udsan filed %efore the Sandigan%ayan eight 324separate Inforations, do"(eted as? 3a4


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par# 3a4, , par# 3a4, , par# 3e4 and , par# 3e4, of RA 16: 3nti-4raft and #orrupt "racticesct4, respe"tively= 3"4


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the provisions of a statute, "ourts ust first as"ertain !hether an interpretation is fairly possi%leto sidestep the Cuestion of "onstitutionality#

In La =nion #redit #ooperative, *nc. v. >aranon5>7!e held that aslong as there is soe %asis for the de"ision of the "ourt, the "onstitutionality of the"hallenged la! !ill not %e tou"hed and the "ase !ill %e de"ided on other availa%le grounds# Eet

the for"e of the presuption is not suffi"ient to "atapult a fundaentally defi"ient la! into thesafe environs of "onstitutionality# Of "ourse, !here the la! "learly and palpa%ly transgressesthe hallo!ed doain of the organi" la!, it ust %e stru"( do!n on sight lest the positive"oands of the fundaental la! %e unduly eroded#

Ferily, the onerous tas( of re%utting the presuption !eighs heavily on the party"hallenging the validity of the statute# He ust deonstrate %eyond any tinge of dou%t thatthere is indeed an infringeent of the "onstitution, for a%sent su"h a sho!ing, there "an %eno finding of un"onstitutionality# A dou%t, even if !ell&founded, !ill hardly suffi"e# As terselyput %y Justi"e Mal"ol, 'To do"#$ is $o s"s$ain'597And petitioner has isera%ly failed in theinstant "ase to dis"harge his %urden and over"oe the presuption of "onstitutionality of the+lunder La!#

As it is !ritten, the +lunder La! "ontains as"ertaina%le standards and !ell&definedparaeters !hi"h !ould ena%le the a""used to deterine the nature of his violation# Se"tion ;is suffi"iently e)pli"it in its des"ription of the a"ts, "ondu"t and "onditions reCuired orfor%idden, and pres"ri%es the eleents of the "rie !ith reasona%le "ertainty andparti"ularity# Thus &

&. That the offender is a public officer who acts by himself or in connivance with members of hisfamily, relatives by affinity or consanguinity, business associates, subordinates or other

persons/

+. That he amassed, accumulated or acuired ill-gotten wealth through a combination or seriesof the following overt or criminal acts 'a( through misappropriation,

conversion, misuse, or malversation of public funds or raids on the public treasury/ 'b( byreceiving, directly or indirectly, any commission, gift, share, percentage, kickback or any otherform of pecuniary benefits from any person andor entity in connection with any governmentcontract or pro1ect or by reason of the office or position of the public officer/ 'c( by the illegal orfraudulent conveyance or disposition of assets belonging to the 3ational 4overnment or any ofits subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities of 4overnment owned or controlled corporationsor their subsidiaries/ 'd( by obtaining, receiving or accepting directly or indirectly any shares ofstock, euity or any other form of interest or participation including the promise of futureemployment in any business enterprise or undertaking/ 'e( by establishing agricultural, industrialor commercial monopolies or other combinations andor implementation of decrees and ordersintended to benefit particular persons or special interests/ or 'f( by taking advantage of official

position, authority, relationship, connection or influence to un1ustly enrich himself or themselves

at the expense and to the damage and pre1udice of the 8ilipino people and the $epublic of the"hilippines/ and,

2. That the aggregate amount or total value of the ill-gotten wealth amassed, accumulated oracuired is at least "69,999,999.99.

As long as the la! affords soe "oprehensi%le guide or rule that !ould infor those !hoare su%*e"t to it !hat "ondu"t !ould render the lia%le to its penalties, its validity !ill %esustained# It ust suffi"iently guide the *udge in its appli"ation= the "ounsel, in defending one
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"harged !ith its violation= and ore iportantly, the a""used, in identifying the real of thepros"ri%ed "ondu"t# Indeed, it "an %e understood !ith little diffi"ulty that !hat the assailedstatute punishes is the a"t of a pu%li" offi"er in aassing or a""uulating ill&gotten !ealth of atleast +91,111,111#11 through a series or "o%ination of a"ts enuerated in Se"# 6, par# 3d4, ofthe +lunder La!#

In fa"t, the aended Inforation itself "losely tra"(s the language of the la!, indi"ating !ithreasona%le "ertainty the various eleents of the offense !hi"h petitioner is alleged to have"oitted?

'The undersigned O%udsan, +rose"utor and OI


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3"4 %y dire"ting, ordering and "opelling, FOR HIS PERSONAL GAIN AND BENEFIT, theDovernent Servi"e Insuran"e Syste 3DSIS4 TO P%RCHASE 9.:,;.,>0


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of the la!a(ers & !ho are, ordinarily, untrained philologists and le)i"ographers & touse statutory phraseology in su"h a anner is al!ays presued# Thus, e%ster-s Ne!


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ENRI@%E A ALDI&AR, petitioner,vs#THE HONORABLE SANDIGANBAYAN and HONORABLE RA%L GONALE, 6ai4in $o #5 and a$in asTanod#a3an-O4#"ds4an "nd5r $h5 :=;< Cons$i$"$ion, respondents#

GR No ;0.


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The a%ove stateent !as ade %y the


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# In his point @, respondent "ounsel urges that it is error 'for this


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The a"tual su%*e"tivities of the respondent are irrelevant %e"ause su"h su%*e"tivities 3understood as pys"hologi"alphenoena4 "annot %e as"ertained and rea"hed %y the pro"esses of this


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GR Nos =0-: and:2:>9:2:


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Th5 Co"r$ +"r$h5r R5so6v5d $o ISS%E a TEPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER, 5++5$iv5i445dia$563 and on$in"in "n$i6 +"r$h5r ord5rs +ro4 $his Co"r$, ord5rin r5sond5n$Sandian#a3an $o CEASE and DESIST +ro4 h5arin and $r3in Cri4ina6 Cas5s Nos :2:.=$o :2:>: and :2:>9 $o :2:

A$in on $h5 4ani+5s$a$ion i$h 4o$ion $o $r5a$ $h5 Sandian#a3an as ar$3-r5sond5n$,$h5 Co"r$ R5so6v5d $o (a) Consid5r IPLEADED $h5 Sandian#a3an as ar$3 r5sond5n$?and (#) In "rs"an5 o+ and s"6545n$in $h5 T54orar3 R5s$rainin Ord5r o+ Nov54#5r2/, :=;< ord5rin r5sond5n$ Hon Ra"6 Gona65 $o CEASE and DESIST +ro4 +"r$h5ra$in in TBP Cas5 No ;


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TANODBAYAN J"s$i5 Ra"6 Gona65 said 35s$5rda3 $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ ord5r s$oinhi4 +ro4 inv5s$ia$in ra+$ as5s invo6vin An$i"5 Gov Enri"5 a6divar an arava$5$h5 $ho"h$ $ha$ a++6"5n$ 5rsons1an prevent the progress of a trial.1

2hat I am afraid of 3with the issuance of the order4 is that it appears that while rich andinfluential persons get favorable actions from the &upreme )ourt, it is difficult for anordinary litigant to get his petition to be given due course.Gona65 $o6d $h5 Dai63 G6o#5 in

an 5K6"siv5 in$5rvi5

Gona65 said $h5 hih $ri#"na61s ord5r 51eightens the people5s apprehension over the6ustice system in this country, especially because the people have been thin7ing that onlythe small fly can get it while big fishes go scot-free.1

Gona65 as r5a$in $o an ord5r iss"5d #3 $h5 $ri#"na6 6as$ 557 a+$5r a6divar 5$i$ion5d$h5 o"r$ $o s$o $h5 Tanod#a3an +ro4 inv5s$ia$in ra+$ as5s +i65d aains$ hi4

a6divar had har5d $ha$ Gona65 as #ias5d in his inv5s$ia$ions #5a"s5 $h5 6a$$5ran$5d $o h56 ro4o$5 $h5 o6i$ia6 +or$"n5s o+ a +ri5nd +ro4 An$i"5, 6a35r Boni+aioA65n$aan

A$in on a6divar1s 5$i$ion, $h5 hih o"r$ s$o5d Gona65 +ro4 inv5s$ia$in a ra+$har5 aains$ $h5 ov5rnor, and +ro4 ins$i$"$in an3 o46ain$ i$h $h5 Sandian#a3an

2hile /resident "quino had been prodding me to prosecute graft cases even if they involvethe high and mighty, the &upreme )ourt had been restraining me.Gona65 said

In aordan5 i$h $h5 Pr5sid5n$1s ord5r, Gona65 said h5 had +i65d ra+$ as5s aains$ $ov5r3 o5r+"6 o++iia6s o+ $h5 A"ino ov5rn45n$-Co44ission5r @"in$in Doro4a6 o+ $h5Pr5sid5n$ia6 Co44ission on Good Gov5rn45n$ and S5r5$ar3 Jia4i6 I Dian6an o+ $h5O++i5 o+ "s6i4 A++airs and C"6$"ra6 Co44"ni$i5s

2hile I don5t wish to discuss the merits of the 0aldivar petition before the &upreme )ourt, Iam a little bit disturbed that 3the order4 can aggravate the thin7ing of some people thataffluent persons can prevent the progress of a trial,h5 said

H5 dis6os5d $ha$ h5 had a $a67 i$h $h5 Chi5+ EK5"$iv5 ov5r $h5 5575nd and $ha$ hi65sh5 s34ha$i5s i$h 6oa6 o++iia6s ho ar5 har5d in o"r$ d"rin 565$ion $i45, 1Sh5 said$ha$ i$ 4ih$ #5 a diss5rvi5 $o $h5 5o65 and $h5 vo$5rs ho ar5 5n$i$65d $o 7no $h5irandida$5s

Gona65 said $ha$ hi65 so45 as5s +i65d aains$ 6oa6 o++iia6s d"rin 565$ion $i45 o"6d#5 45r5 harass45n$ s"i$s, $h5 Cons$i$"$ion 4a75s i$ a rih$ o+ 5v5r3 i$i5n $o #5 in+or45do+ $h5 hara$5r o+ $i65 andida$5, ho sho"6d #5 s"#5$ $o sr"$in3 (E4hasis s"6i5d)

A$in on 5$i$ion5r1s o$ion $o Ci$5 in Con$54$, $h5 Co"r$ on :> F5#r"ar3 :=;; r5"ir5d r5sond5n$Gona65 $o COENT on a+or5said o$ion i$hin $5n (:0) da3s +ro4 no$i5 :2On 2< Ari6 :=;;, $h5 Co"r$r5nd5r5d i$s D5ision :93per curiam4in $h5 Conso6ida$5d P5$i$ions Th5 disosi$iv5 or$ion $h5r5o+ r5ad!

HEREFORE, 5 h5r5#3!

(:) GRANT $h5 onso6ida$5d 5$i$ions +i65d #3 5$i$ion5r a6divar and h5r5#3 N%LLIFY $h5ri4ina6 in+or4a$ions +i65d aains$ hi4 in $h5 Sandian#a3an? and

(2) ORDER r5sond5n$ Ra"6 Gona65 $o 5as5 and d5sis$ +ro4 ond"$in inv5s$ia$ionsand +i6in ri4ina6 as5s i$h $h5 Sandian#a3an or o$h5ris5 5K5risin $h5 o5rs and+"n$ions o+ $h5 O4#"ds4an


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SO ORDERED

A o$ion +or R5onsid5ra$ion :/as +i65d #3 r5sond5n$ Gona65 $h5 n5K$ da3, 2; Ari6 :=;; In his o$ion,r5sond5n$ Gona65, a+$5r havin ar"5d $h5 65a6 45ri$s o+ his osi$ion, 4ad5 $h5 +o66oin s$a$545n$s$o$a663 "nr56a$5d $o an3 65a6 iss"5 rais5d 5i$h5r in $h5 Co"r$1s D5ision or in his on o$ion!

: Tha$ h5 ha(d) #55n aroah5d twice#3 a 65adin 454#5r o+ $h5 o"r$ and h5 asas75d $o 1o s6o on a6divar and 1no$ $o #5 $oo hard on hi4?1

2 Tha$ h5 as aroah5d and as75d $o r5+rain +ro4 inv5s$ia$in $h5 COA r5or$ oni665a6 dis#"rs545n$s in $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ #5a"s5 1i$ i66 54#arass $h5 Co"r$? and

9 Tha$ (i)n s5v5ra6 ins$an5s, $h5 "nd5rsin5d r5sond5n$ as a665d ov5r $h5 hon5 #3 a65adin 454#5r o+ $h5 Co"r$ and as as75d $o dis4iss $h5 as5s aains$ ($o 54#5rs o+$h5 Co"r$)

R5sond5n$ Gona65 a6so a$$ah5d $hr55 (9) handri$$5n no$5s :.hih h5 6ai45d 5r5 s5n$ #3 so45454#5rs o+ $his Honora#65 Co"r$, in$5r55din +or as5s 5ndin #5+or5 $his o++i5 (i5, $h5 Tanod#a3an)H5 5i$h5r r565as5d his o$ion +or R5onsid5ra$ion i$h +asi4i65s o+ said no$5s $o $h5 r5ss or r55a$5d $o$h5 r5ss $h5 a#ov5 5K$ran5o"s s$a$545n$s! $h5 45$roo6i$an a5rs +or $h5 n5K$ s5v5ra6 da3s arri5d 6on

r5or$s on $hos5 s$a$545n$s and varia$ions and 54#566ish45n$s $h5r5o+ On 2 a3 :=;;, $h5 Co"r$ iss"5d $h5+o66oin R5so6"$ion in $h5 Conso6ida$5d P5$i$ions!

GR No =0-


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(5) Tha$ $h5 Co"r$ had dis4iss5d "d5s1 i$ho"$ rh345 or r5ason1 and dis#arr5d 6a35rs1i$ho"$ d"5 ro5ss

9 I$ +"r$h5r a5arin $ha$ $hr55 (9) a++idavi$s r56a$iv5 $o $h5 "ros5 o+ and ir"4s$an5sa$$5ndan$ "on $h5 no$5s ri$$5n $o said "#6i r5sond5n$ #3 $hr55 (9) 454#5rs o+ $h5Co"r$ hav5 sin5 #55n s"#4i$$5d $o $h5 Co"r$ and no +or4 ar$ o+ i$s o++iia6 r5ords, $h5Co"r$ +"r$h5r R5so6v5d $o r5"ir5 $h5 C65r7 o+ Co"r$ $o ATTACH $o $his R5so6"$ion oi5s o+

said sorn s$a$545n$s and $h5 ann5K5s $h5r5$o a5nd5d, and $o DIRECT r5sond5n$Gona65 a6so $o o445n$ $h5r5on i$hin $h5 sa45 5riod o+ $5n (:0) da3s

/ I$ +ina663 a5arin $ha$ no$i5 o+ $h5 R5so6"$ion o+ F5#r"ar3 :>, :=;; addr5ss5d $or5sond5n$ Gona65 as 4isd56iv5r5d and $h5r5+or5 no$ s5rv5d on hi4, $h5 Co"r$ R5so6v5d$o r5"ir5 $h5 C65r7 o+ Co"r$ $o CA%SE SER&ICE o+ said R5so6"$ion on $h5 r5sond5n$ and$o RE@%IRE $h5 6a$$5r $o o463 $h5r5i$h

R5sond5n$ Gona65 s"#s5"5n$63 +i65d i$h $his Co"r$ on = a3 :=;; an O4ni#"s o$ion +or EK$5nsionand Inhi#i$ion :>a665in, a4on o$h5r $hins! $ha$ $h5 a#ov5 "o$5d 2 a3 :=;; R5so6"$ion o+ $h5 Co"r$a5ars $o hav5 ov5r$"rn5d $ha$ r5s"4$ion o+ inno5n5M aains$ hi4! and $ha$ h5 rav563 do"#$sh5$h5r $ha$ 1o6d n5"$ra6i$3 o+ an i4ar$ia6 "d5M is s$i66 avai6a#65 $o hi4 $h5r5 #5in a6655d63 a$ 65as$ /454#5rs o+ $his Tri#"na6 ho i66 no$ #5 a#65 $o si$ in "d45n$ i$h s"#s$an$ia6 so#ri5$3 and n5"$ra6i$3R5sond5n$ Gona65 6os5d o"$ his 65adin i$h a ra35r $ha$ $h5 +o"r (/) 54#5rs o+ $h5 Co"r$ Id5n$i+i5d

and r5+5rr5d $o $h5r5 #3 hi4 inhi#i$ $h54s56v5s in $h5 d56i#5ra$ion and r5so6"$ion o+ $h5 o$ion $o Ci$5 inCon$54$

On := a3 :=;; : a3 :=;;?

/ %r5n$ E8-/arteO4ni#"s o$ion

(a) For EK$5nsion o+ Ti45

(#) For Inhi#i$ion and

() For Trans+5r o+ Ad4inis$ra$iv5 Pro55dins $o $h5 IBP, %nd5r R"65 :9=-B 29da$5d / J"n5 :=;; (i$h Ann5K A? 2/an anon34o"s 65$$5r da$5d 2< a3 :=;;

+ro4 $h5 a6655d Con5rn5d E46o355s o+ $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ and addr5ss5d $or5sond5n$)!

. EK-Par$5 ani+5s$a$ion 2.da$5d < J"n5 :=;;?

> %r5n$ E8-/arteo$ion +or R5onsid5ra$ion 2>:=;;? and


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In o46ian5 i$h $h5 2 a3 :=;; R5so6"$ion o+ $his Co"r$ "o$5d 5ar6i5r, r5sond5n$ Gona65 s"#4i$$5d

on :< J"n5 :=;; an Ans5r i$h EK6ana$ion and Co445n$ 2;o++5rin r5sond5n$1s 65a6 ar"45n$s andd5+5ns5s aains$ $h5 on$54$ and disi6inar3 har5s r5s5n$63 5ndin #5+or5 $his Co"r$ A$$ah5d $o$ha$ 65adin as Ann5K A $h5r5o+ as r5sond5n$1s on 5rsona6 EK6ana$ion'Co46ian5 2=s5ond5K6ana$ion a665d Co46ian5, 90i$h ann5K5s, as a6so s"#4i$$5d #3 r5sond5n$ on 22 J"63 :=;;

II

5 #5in #3 r5+5rrin $o $h5 a"$hori$3 o+ $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ $o disi6in5 o++i5rs o+ $h5 o"r$ and 454#5rso+ $h5 Bar Th5 S"r545 Co"r$, as r5"6a$or and "ardian o+ $h5 65a6 ro+5ssion, has 65nar3 disi6inar3a"$hori$3 ov5r a$$orn53s Th5 a"$hori$3 $o disi6in5 6a35rs s$54s +ro4 $h5 Co"r$1s ons$i$"$iona6 4anda$5$o r5"6a$5 ad4ission $o $h5 ra$i5 o+ 6a, hih in6"d5s as 566 a"$hori$3 $o r5"6a$5 $h5 ra$i5 i$s56+ o+6a 9:@"i$5 aar$ +ro4 $his ons$i$"$iona6 4anda$5, $h5 disi6inar3 a"$hori$3 o+ $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ ov5r454#5rs o+ $h5 Bar is an inh5r5n$ o5r inid5n$a6 $o $h5 ro5r ad4inis$ra$ion o+ "s$i5 and 5ss5n$ia6 $o an

ord5r63 dishar5 o+ "diia6 +"n$ions 92or5ov5r, $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ has inh5r5n$ o5r $o "nish +oron$54$, $o on$ro6 in $h5 +"r$h5ran5 o+ "s$i5 $h5 ond"$ o+ 4inis$5ria6 o++i5rs o+ $h5 Co"r$ in6"din6a35rs and a66 o$h5r 5rsons onn5$5d in an3 4ann5r i$h a as5 #5+or5 $h5 Co"r$ 99Th5 o5r $o "nish+or on$54$ is n55ssar3 +or i$s on ro$5$ion aains$ an i4ro5r in$5r+5r5n5 i$h $h5 d"5ad4inis$ra$ion o+ "s$i5, (i$) is no$ d55nd5n$ "on $h5 o46ain$ o+ an3 o+ $h5 ar$i5s 6i$ian$ 9/

Th5r5 ar5, in o$h5r ords, $o (2) r56a$5d o5rs hih o45 in$o 6a3 in as5s 6i75 $ha$ #5+or5 "s h5r5? $h5

Co"r$1s inh5r5n$ o5r $o disi6in5 a$$orn53s and $h5 on$54$ o5r Th5 disi6inar3 a"$hori$3 o+ $h5Co"r$ ov5r 454#5rs o+ $h5 Bar is #road5r $han $h5 o5r $o "nish +or on$54$ Con$54$ o+ o"r$ 4a3 #5o44i$$55 #o$h #3 6a35rs and non-6a35rs, #o$h in and o"$ o+ o"r$ Fr5"5n$63, h5r5 $h5 on$54nor is a6a35r, $h5 on$"4aio"s ond"$ a6so ons$i$"$5s ro+5ssiona6 4isond"$ hih a66s in$o 6a3 $h5

disi6inar3 a"$hori$3 o+ $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ 9.h5r5 $h5 r5sond5n$ is a 6a35r, ho5v5r, $h5 S"r545Co"r$1s disi6inar3 a"$hori$3 ov5r 6a35rs 4a3 o45 in$o 6a3 h5$h5r or no$ $h5 4isond"$ i$h hih $h5r5sond5n$ is har5d a6so ons$i$"$5s on$54$ o+ o"r$ Th5 o5r $o "nish +or on$54$ o+ o"r$ do5sno$ 5Kha"s$ $h5 so5 o+ disi6inar3 a"$hori$3 o+ $h5 Co"r$ ov5r 6a35rs 9>Th5 disi6inar3 a"$hori$3 o+ $h5Co"r$ ov5r 454#5rs o+ $h5 Bar is #"$ oro66ar3 $o $h5 Co"r$1s 5K6"siv5 o5r o+ ad4ission $o $h5 Bar A6a35r is no$ 45r563 a ro+5ssiona6 #"$ a6so an o++i5r o+ $h5 o"r$ and as s"h, h5 is a665d "on $o shar5 in$h5 $as7 and r5sonsi#i6i$3 o+ dis5nsin "s$i5 and r5so6vin dis"$5s in soi5$3 An3 a$ on his ar$ hihvisi#63 $5nds $o o#s$r"$, 5rv5r$, or i45d5 and d5rad5 $h5 ad4inis$ra$ion o+ "s$i5 ons$i$"$5s #o$hro+5ssiona6 4isond"$ a66in +or $h5 5K5ris5 o+ disi6inar3 a$ion aains$ hi4, and on$"4aio"sond"$ arran$in a6ia$ion o+ $h5 on$54$ o5r

I$ is so45$i45s ass5r$5d $ha$ in $h5 5K5ris5 o+ $h5 o5r $o "nish +or on$54$ or o+ $h5 disi6inar3a"$hori$3 o+ $h5 Co"r$ ov5r 454#5rs o+ $h5 Bar, $h5 Co"r$ is a$in as o++5nd5d ar$3, ros5"$or and ar#i$5ra$ on5 and $h5 sa45 $i45 Th"s, in $h5 r5s5n$ as5, r5sond5n$ Gona65 +irs$ so"h$ $o 5$ so45 454#5rso+ $h5 Co"r$ $o inhi#i$ $h54s56v5s in $h5 r5so6"$ion o+ $his as5 +or a6655d #ias and r5"di5 aains$ hi4 A6i$$65 6a$5r, h5 in 5++5$ as75d $h5 ho65 Co"r$ $o inhi#i$ i$s56+ +ro4 assin "on $h5 iss"5s invo6v5d in $hisro55din and $o ass on r5sonsi#i6i$3 +or $his 4a$$5r $o $h5 In$5ra$5d Bar o+ $h5 Phi6iin5s, "on $h5ro"nd $ha$ r5sond5n$ anno$ 5K5$ d"5 ro5ss +ro4 $his Co"r$, $ha$ $h5 Co"r$ has #5o45 inaa#65 o+

"din hi4 i4ar$ia663 and +air63 R5sond5n$ Gona65 4ison5iv5s $h5 na$"r5 o+ $h5 ro55din a$ #ar as566 as $h5 +"n$ion o+ $h5 454#5rs o+ $h5 Co"r$ in s"h ro55din

R5sond5n$1s on$5n$ion is sar563 an oriina6 on5 In In !e "lmacen,9


18/35

involve9a trial of an action or a suit, but is rather an investigation by the )ourt into theconduct of its officers. %ot being intended to inflict punishment, it is in no sense a criminal

prosecution. "ccordingly, there is neither a plaintiff nor a prosecutor therein. It may beinitiated by the )ourt motu proprio. /ublic interest is its primary ob6ective, and the realquestion for determination is whether or not the attorney is still a fit person to be allowedthe privileges as such. (ence, in the e8ercise of its disciplinary powers, the )ourt merelycalls upon a member of the ar to account for his actuations as an officer of the )ourt with

the end in view of preserving the purity of the legal profession and the property and honestadministration of 6ustice by purging the profession of members who by their misconducthave proved themselves no longer worthy to be entrusted with the duties andresponsibilities pertaining to the office of an attorney. In such posture, there can thus be nooccasion to spea7 of a complainant or a prosecutor.

+ndeniably, the members of the )ourt are, to a certain degree, aggrieved parties. "ny tiradeagainst the )ourt as a body is necessarily and ine8tricably as much so against theindividual members thereof ut in the e8ercise of its disciplinary powers, the )ourt acts asan entity separate and distinct from the individual personalities of itsmembers.Consis$5n$63 i$h $h5 in$rinsi na$"r5 o+ a o665ia$5 o"r$, $h5 individ"a6454#5rs a$ no$ as s"h individ"a6s #"$ on63 as a d"63 ons$i$"$5d o"r$ Th5 dis$in$individ"a6i$i5s ar5 6os$ in $h5 4a5s$3 o+ $h5ir o++i5 So $ha$,in a very real sense, if there beany complainant in the case at bar, it can only be the )ourt itself, not the individualmembers thereof9as well as the people themselveshos5 rih$s, +or$"n5s and ro5r$i5s,

na3, 5v5n 6iv5s, o"6d #5 6a5d a$ rav5 haard sho"6d $h5 ad4inis$ra$ion o+ "s$i5 #5$hr5a$5n5d #3 $h5 r5$5n$ion in $h5 Bar o+ 45n "n+i$ $o dishar5 $h5 so654n r5sonsi#i6i$i5so+ 454#5rshi in $h5 65a6 +ra$5rni$3

Fina663,the power to e8clude persons from the practice of law is but a necessary incident ofthe power to admit persons to said practice. y constitutional precept, this power is vestede8clusively in this )ourt. #his duty it cannot abdicate 6ust as much as it cannot unilaterallyrenounce 6urisdiction legally invested upon it So $ha$ 5v5n i+ i$ #5 on5d5d $ha$ $h5454#5rs o665$iv563 ar5 in a s5ns5 $h5 ari5v5d ar$i5s, $ha$ +a$ a6on5 do5s no$ andanno$ dis"a6i+3 $h54 +ro4 $h5 5K5ris5 o+ $h5 o5r #5a"s5 "#6i o6i3 d54ands $ha$$h53, a$in as a Co"r$, 5K5ris5 $h5 o5r in a66 as5s hih a66 +or disi6inar3 a$ion Th5r5s5n$ is s"h a as5 In the end, the imagined anomaly of the merger in one entity of the

personalities of complainant, prosecutor and 6udge is absolutely ine8istent.

KKK KKK KKK 9;

I$ sho"6d no$ #5 n55ssar3 +or $h5 454#5rs o+ $his Co"r$ 5Kr5ss63 $o dis6ai4 an3 #ias or r5"di5 aains$$h5 r5sond5n$ $ha$ o"6d r5v5n$ $h54 +ro4 a$in in aordan5 i$h $h5 5Ka$in r5"ir545n$s o+ $h5iroa$hs o+ o++i5 I$ a6so a5ars $o $h5 Co"r$ $ha$ +or a66 $h5 454#5rs $o inhi#i$ $h54s56v5s +ro4 si$$in on $hisas5 is $o a#dia$5 $h5 r5sonsi#i6i$3 i$h hih $h5 Cons$i$"$ion has #"rd5n5d $h54 R5+5r5n5 o+o46ain$s aains$ a$$orn53s 5i$h5r $o $h5 In$5ra$5d Bar o+ $h5 Phi6iin5s or $o $h5 So6ii$or G5n5ra6 is no$4anda$or3 "on $h5 S"r545 Co"r$? s"h r5+5r5n5 $o $h5 In$5ra$5d Bar o+ $h5 Phi6iin5s or $o $h5So6ii$or G5n5ra6 is 5r$ain63 no$ an 5K6"siv5 ro5d"r5 "nd5r $h5 $5r4s o+ R"65 :9=-B o+ $h5 R5vis5d R"65so+ Co"r$, 5s5ia663 h5r5 $h5 har5 onsis$s o+ a$s don5 #5+or5 $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ Th5r5 is no n55d +or+"r$h5r inv5s$ia$ion o+ +a$s in $h5 r5s5n$ as5 +or i$ is no$ s"#s$an$ia663 dis"$5d #3 r5sond5n$ Gona65$ha$ h5 "$$5r5d or ro$5 5r$ain s$a$545n$s a$$ri#"$5d $o hi4 In an3 as5, r5sond5n$ has had $h5 a465s$oor$"ni$3 $o r5s5n$ his d5+5ns5? his d5+5ns5 is no$ $ha$ h5 did no$ 4a75 $h5 s$a$545n$s asri#5d $o hi4#"$ $ha$ $hos5 s$a$545n$s iv5 ris5 $o no 6ia#i6i$3 on his ar$, havin #55n 4ad5 in $h5 5K5ris5 o+ his

+r55do4 o+ s55h Th5 iss"5s hih $h"s n55d $o #5 r5so6v5d h5r5 ar5 iss"5s o+ 6a and o+ #asi o6i3 and$h5 Co"r$, no$ an3 o$h5r a5n3, is o45665d $o r5so6v5 s"h iss"5s

III

I$ is n55ssar3 $o #5o45 v5r3 5K6ii$ as $o ha$ r5sond5n$ Gona65 as sa3in in his s$a$545n$s s5$ o"$a#ov5 R5sond5n$ has no$ d5ni5d 4a7in $h5 a#ov5 s$a$545n$s? ind55d, h5 a7no65d5s $ha$ $h5n5sa5r r5or$s o+ $h5 s$a$545n$s a$$ri#"$5d $o hi4 ar5 s"#s$an$ia663 orr5$ 9=


19/35

R5sond5n$ Gona65 as in 5++5$ sa3in, +irs$63, $ha$ $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ d56i#5ra$563 r5nd5r5d an5rron5o"s or ron d5ision h5n i$ r5nd5r5d i$s 5r "ria4 D5ision da$5d 2< Ari6 :=;; in GR Nos=0-


20/35

$h5ir sid5 and s"#4i$ 5vid5n5 in s"or$ $h5r5o+ /:H5 o"6d hav5 a6so +o"nd $ha$ $h5r5 5r5 #o$h s$ronr5asons +or and an insis$5n$ rh345 in $h5 disi6inar3 45as"r5s $h5r5 ad4inis$5r5d #3 $h5 Co"r$ in $h5on$in"in 5++or$ $o s$r5n$h5n $h5 "diiar3 and "rad5 $h5 454#5rshi o+ $h5 Bar I$ is aroria$5 $or5a66 in $his onn5$ion $ha$ d"5 ro5ss as a ons$i$"$iona6 r55$ do5s no$, a6a3s and in a66 si$"a$ions,

r5"ir5 $h5 $ria6-$35 ro55din, /2$ha$ $h5 5ss5n5 o+ d"5 ro5ss is $o #5 +o"nd in $h5 r5asona#65oor$"ni$3 $o #5 h5ard and $o s"#4i$ an3 5vid5n5 on5 4a3 hav5 in s"or$ o+ on51s d5+5ns5 /9To #5h5ard do5s no$ on63 45an v5r#a6 ar"45n$s in o"r$? on5 4a3 #5 h5ard a6so $hro"h 65adins h5r5

oor$"ni$3 $o #5 h5ard, 5i$h5r $hro"h ora6 ar"45n$s or 65adins, is aord5d, $h5r5 is no d5nia6 o+ro5d"ra6 d"5 ro5ss //

As no$5d 5ar6i5r, r5sond5n$ Gona65 as r5"ir5d #3 $h5 Co"r$ $o 5K6ain h3 h5 sho"6d no$ #5 "nish5d+or on$54$ and'or s"#5$5d $o ad4inis$ra$iv5 disi6in5 +or 4a7in $h5 s$a$545n$s adv5r$5d $o a#ov5 Inhis s"#s5"5n$ 65adins h5r5 h5 as75d $h5 +"66 Co"r$ $o inhi#i$ i$s56+ and $o $rans+5r $h5 ad4inis$ra$iv5ro55dins $o $h5 In$5ra$5d Bar o+ $h5 Phi6iin5s, r5sond5n$ 4ad5, a4on o$h5rs, $h5 +o66oina665a$ions!

(a) Tha$ $h5 54#5rs o+ $h5 Co"r$ sho"6d inhi#i$ $h54s56v5sM in $h5 on$54$ andad4inis$ra$iv5 har5s aains$ $h5 r5sond5n$, in $h5 6ih$ o+ $h5 4ani+5s$ r5"di5 andan5r $h53 ho6d aains$ r5sond5n$ as shon in $h5 6an"a5 o+ $h5 r5so6"$ion on $h5o$ion +or R5onsid5ra$ion?

(#) Tha$ $h5 5n$ir5 454#5rshi o+ $h5 o"r$ has a6r5ad3 6os$ $ha$ 1o6d n5"$ra6i$3 o+ ani4ar$ia6 "d51 $oM #5 a#65 $o a66o +airn5ss and d"5 ro5ss in $h5 on$54$ i$a$ion as566 as in $h5 ossi#65 ad4inis$ra$iv5 har5?

() Tha$ r5sond5n$ hon5s$63 +556s $ha$ $his o"r$ as anr3 and r5"di5d as i$ is,r5sond5n$ has no hina 4an1s han5 $o 5$ +air h5arin in $h5 on$54$ and ossi#65ad4inis$ra$iv5 har5s?

(d) Tha$ on5 4"s$ onsid5r $h5 4i6i5" #5+or5 $his Tri#"na6 i$h, 5rhas assion ando#+"sa$ion r"nnin rio$?

(5) Tha$ r5sond5n$, a+$5r havin #55n as$ia$5d i$h s"h venom#3 $h5 5n$ir5 Co"r$ ini$s d5ision d5n3in $h5 o$ion +or R5onsid5ra$ion, do5s no$ hav5 on+id5n5 in $h5

i4ar$ia6i$3 o+ $h5 5n$ir5 Co"r$ and $ha$ h5 +"nds i$ 5K$r54563 di++i"6$ $o #56i5v5 $ha$ $h5454#5rs o+ $his Tri#"na6 an s$i66 a$ i$h "n#ias5d d545anor $oards hi4? and

(+) Tha$ $h5 Tri#"na6 is d5$5r4in5d $o disbarr5sond5n$M i$ho"$ d"5 ro5ss and $ha$ as5i+i5d 54#5r o+ $h5 Co"r$ has #55n $as75d $o #5 $h5ponente, or a$ 65as$ r5ar5 $h5d5ision (%nd5rsorin in $h5 oriina6)

Th"s, ins$5ad o+ 5K6ainin or s557in $o 4i$ia$5 his s$a$545n$s 5ar6i5r 4ad5, r5sond5n$ so"h$ $o h5as$i66 4or5 oro#ri"4 "on $h5 Co"r$, a"sin i$ o+ #5in inaa#65 o+ "din his a$s and s$a$545n$s

"s$63 and aordin $o 6a On5 aain, h5 ain$s $his Co"r$ as a #od3 no$ on63 aa#65 o+ a$in i$ho"$r5ard $o d"5 ro5ss #"$ ind55d d5$5r4in5d so $o a$ A rand d5sin $o ho6d " $his Co"r$ $o "#6i sornand disr5s5$ as an "nor$h3 $ri#"na6, on5 o#+"sa$5d #3 assion and an5r a$ r5sond5n$, 545r5s on54or5 I$ is v5r3 di++i"6$ +or 454#5rs o+ $his Co"r$ $o "nd5rs$and ho r5sond5n$ Gona65 o"6d s"os5$ha$ "d5s on $h5 hih5s$ $ri#"na6 o+ $h5 6and o"6d #5 r5ad3 and i66in $o vio6a$5 $h5ir 4os$ so654n oa$h o+o++i5 45r563 $o ra$i+3 an3 i4ain5d riva$5 +556ins aro"s5d #3 r5sond5n$ Th5 "niv5rs5 o+ $h5 Co"r$r5vo6v5s aro"nd $h5 dai63 d54ands o+ 6a and "s$i5 and d"$3, no$ aro"nd r5sond5n$ nor an3 o$h5r 5rsonor ro" o+ 5rsons

h5$h5r or no$ $h5 s$a$545n$s 4ad5 #3 r5sond5n$ Gona65 4a3 r5asona#63 #5 r5ard5d #3 $his Co"r$ ason$"4aio"s or as arran$in 5K5ris5 o+ $h5 disi6inar3 a"$hori$3 o+ $his Co"r$ ov5r 454#5rs o+ $h5 Bar,4a3 #5s$ #5 assa35d #3 5Ka4inin sa465s o+ $h5 7inds o+ s$a$545n$s hih hav5 #55n h56d in o"r

"risdi$ion as ons$i$"$in on$54$ or o$h5ris5 arran$in $h5 5K5ris5 o+ $h5 Co"r$1s a"$hori$3


21/35

: In *ontecillo v. 0 SCRA a$ 2/2)

Th5 Co"r$ s"s5nd5d A$$3 d56 ar, "n$i6 +"r$h5r ord5rs, +ro4 $h5 ra$i5 o+ 6a sa3in!

R5sond5n$ is "$i6iin ha$ 5Kis$s in his 4ind as s$a$5 o+ ra+$, orr"$ion and in"s$i5a6655d63 ra4an$ in and o"$sid5 o+ $h5 ov5rn45n$ as "s$i+ia$ion +or his on$54$"o"ss$a$545n$s In o$h5r ords, h5 a6r5ad3 ass"45d #3 his on on$54$"o"s "$$5ran5s $ha$#5a"s5 $h5r5 is an a6655d 5Kis$5n5 o+ ra4an$ orr"$ion, ra+$ and in"s$i5 in and o"$o+ $h5 ov5rn45n$, 5, #3 O"r a$ in GR No L-9>;00, ar5 a4on $h5 orr"$, $h5 ra+$5rsand $hos5 a6655d63 o44i$$in in"s$i5 5 ar5 a$ a o465$5 6oss $o +o66o r5sond5n$ d56ar1s 6oi

KKK KKK KKK

To a5d #r5$hr5n o+ $h5 #ar i$ 4a3 a5ar #56a$5d $o r54ind $h54 $ha$ second only to theduty of maintaining allegiance to the !epublic of the /hilippines and to support the

)onstitution and obey the laws of the /hilippines, is the duty of all attorneys to observe andmaintain the respect due to the courts of 6ustice and 6udicial officers(S5 20 (#) R"65 :9;,R"65s o+ Co"r$) B"$ 5 do r54ind $h54 o+ said d"$3 $o 54hasi5 $o $h5ir 3o"n5r #r5$hr5ni$s ara4o"n$ i4or$an5 A 6a35r 4"s$ a6a3s r5454#5r $ha$ h5 is an o++i5r o+ $h5 o"r$5K5risin a hih rivi655 and s5rvin in $h5 no#65 4ission o+ ad4inis$5rin "s$i5

KKK KKK KKK

As a6r5ad3 s$a$5d, $h5 d5ision o+ $h5 Co"r$ o+ A5a6s in CA GR No />.0/-R as #as5don i$s 5va6"a$ion o+ $h5 5vid5n5 on on63 on5 s5i+i iss"5 5 in $"rn d5ni5d in GR No L-


22/35

9>;00 $h5 5$i$ion +or r5vi5 on 5r$iorari o+ $h5 d5ision #5a"s5 5 +o"nd no r5ason +ordis$"r#in $h5 a566a$5 o"r$1s +indin and on6"sion In #o$h ins$an5s, #o$h $h5 Co"r$ o+A5a6s and $his Co"r$ 5K5ris5d "diia6 disr5$ion in a as5 "nd5r $h5ir r5s5$iv5

"risdi$ion#he intemperate and imprudent act of respondent del *ar in resorting to veiledthreats to ma7e both )ourts reconsider their respective stand in the decision and theresolution that spelled disaster for his client cannot be anything but pure contumely for aidtribunals.

It is manifest that respondent del *ar has scant respect for the two highest )ourt of theland when on the flimsy ground of alleged error in deciding a case, he proceeded tochallenge the integrity of both )ourts by claiming that they 7nowingly rendered un6ust

6udgment. In short, his allegation is that they acted with intent and malice, if not with grossignorance of the law, in disposing of the case of his client.

KKK KKK KKK

#o those who are in the practice of law and those who in the future will choose to enterthis profession, 2e wish to point to this case as a reminder for them to imprint in theirhearts and minds that an attorney owes it to himself to respect the courts of 6ustice and itsofficers as a fealty for the stability of our democratic institutions.(>0 SCRA a$ 2/2-2/;)

5 N5v5r has an3 ivi6i5d d54ora$i $ri#"na6 r"65d $ha$ s"h a i44i7 (r5+5rrin $o $h5rih$ $o r55$ an3 and a66 #ids) an #5 "s5d #3 v"6$"ro"s 5K5"$iv5s $o ov5r " and5K"s5 6oss5s $o $h5 "#6i, a ov5rn45n$ a5n3 or "s$ 6ain +ra"d and i$ is $h"sdi++i"6$, in $h5 6ih$ o+ o"r "#rinin and shoo6in, 5v5n "nd5r 4an3 o+ $h5 in"4#5n$

"s$i5s, $ha$ $h5 Honora#65 S"r545 Co"r$ in$5nds $o r5a$5 a d5ision $ha$ in 5++5$ do5s

r5is563 $ha$ in a 4os$ a#so6"$5 4ann5r (S5ond s5n$5n5, ar ;) (9: SCRA a$ >)

Th53 5r5 a6so as75d $o 5K6ain $h5 s$a$545n$s 4ad5 in $h5ir o$ion $o Inhi#i$ +i65d on 2: S5$54#5r :=>;as7in

r Chi5+ J"s$i5 Ro#5r$o Con5ion and r J"s$i5 Fr5d R"i Cas$ro $o inhi#i$$h54s56v5s +ro4 onsid5rin, "din and r5so6vin $h5 as5 or an3 iss"5 or as5$ $h5r5o+r5$roa$iv5 $o Jan"ar3 ::, :=>; d5ision I$5n"45ra$5s inid5n$s hih, aordin $o $h5 4o$ion, #ro"h$ a#o"$ r5sond5n$aAr$h"r1s #56i5+ $ha$ "n"diia6 r5"di5 had #55n a"s5d i$ and $ha$ $h5r5 as1"n"diia6 +avori$is41 in +avor o+ 15$i$ion5rs, $h5ir aoin$in a"$hori$3 and a +avor5d ar$3dir5$63 #5n5+i$5d #3 $h5 said d5ision(9: SCRA a$ >-


23/35

Ano$h5r a$$orn53 5n$5r5d his a5aran5 as n5 o"ns56 +or aAr$h"r and +i65d a +o"r$h o$ion +orR5onsid5ra$ion i$ho"$ 65av5 o+ o"r$, hih o$ion on$ain5d $h5 +o66oin ararahs!

/ Th5 said d5ision is i665a6 #5a"s5 i$ as 5nn5d #3 $h5 Honora#65 Chi5+ J"s$i5 Ro#5r$oCon5ion h5n in +a$ h5 as o"$sid5 $h5 #ord5rs o+ $h5 R5"#6i o+ $h5 Phi6iin5s a$$h5 $i45 o+ $h5 Ora6 Ar"45n$ o+ $h5 a#ov5-5n$i$65d as5hih ondi$ion is rohi#i$5d #3$h5 N5 R"65s o+ Co"r$S5$ion :, R"65 .:, and 5 "o$5! J"s$i5s? ho 4a3 $a75 ar$

On63 $hos5 454#5rs r5s5n$ h5n an3 4a$$5r is s"#4i$$5d +or ora6 ar"45n$ i66 $a75 ar$in i$s onsid5ra$ion and ad"dia$ion This r5"ir545n$ is 5s5ia663 sini+ian$ in $h5r5s5n$ ins$an5 #5a"s5 $h5 454#5r ho 5nn5d $h5 d5ision as $h5 v5r3 454#5r hoas a#s5n$ +or aroKi4a$563 +o"r 4on$hs or 4or5 This rovision a6so a6i5s $o $h5Honora#65 J"s$i5s C6a"dio T55han755 and An$onio Barr5do

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> Tha$ i+ $h5 r5sond5n$ aAr$h"r In$5rna$iona6 in5ra6s Co4an3 a#andons i$s "5s$ +or"s$i5 in $h5 J"diiar3 o+ $h5 Phi6iin5 Gov5rn45n$, i$ i66 in5vi$a#63 5i$h5r rais5 $h5 ra+$and orr"$ion o+ Phi6iin5 Gov5rn45n$ o++iia6s in $h5 #iddin o+ a3 :2, :=>., r5"ir5d#3 $h5 Ni756 La $o d5$5r4in5 $h5 o5ra$or o+ $h5 S"riao ni756 d5osi$s, $o $h5 or6dCo"r$ on ro"nds o+ d5riva$ion o+ "s$i5 and on+isa$ion o+ ro5r$3 and'or $o $h5 %ni$5dS$a$5s Gov5rn45n$, 5i$h5r i$s 5K5"$iv5 or "diia6 #ranh5s or #o$h, on $h5 ro"nds o+

on+isa$ion o+ r5sond5n$1s rori5$ar3 v5s$5d rih$s #3 $h5 Phi6iin5 Gov5rn45n$ i$ho"$5i$h5r o45nsa$ion or d"5 ro5ss o+ 6a and invo7in $h5 Hi75n6oo5r A45nd45n$r5"irin $h5 "$$in o++ o+ a66 aid and #5n5+i$s $o $h5 Phi6iin5 Gov5rn45n$, in6"din $h5s"ar ri5 r54i"4, a4o"n$in $o 4or5 $han +i+$3 4i66ion do66ars ann"a663, "n$i6 r5s$i$"$ionor o45nsa$ion is 4ad5(9: SCRA a$ :0-::)

Findin $h5ir 5K6ana$ions "nsa$is+a$or3, $h5 Co"r$, s5a7in $hro"h r J"s$i5 Sanh5, h56d $hr55 (9)a$$orn53s "i6$3 o+ on$54$!

: 5 s$ar$ i$h $h5 as5 o+ A$$3 &i5n$5 L San$iao In his $hird 4o$ion +or r5onsid5ra$ion,5, ind55d, +ind 6an"a5 $ha$ is no$ $o #5 5K5$5d o+ an o++i5r o+ $h5 o"r$s H5 i$"r5s5$i$ion5rs as 1v"6$"ro"s 5K5"$iv5s1 H5 s5a7s o+ $his Co"r$ as a 1ivi6i5d, d54ora$i$ri#"na6,1 #"$ #3 inn"5ndo o"6d s"5s$ $ha$ i$ is no$

In his 4o$ion $o inhi#i$, his +irs$ ararah a$5ori5s o"r d5ision o+ J"63 9:, :=>; as1+a6s5, 5rron5o"s and i665a61 in a r5s"4$"o"s 4ann5r H5 $h5n har5s $ha$ $h5 5K ar$5r56i4inar3 in"n$ion 5 iss"5d in $his as5 r5"di5d and r5d5$5r4in5d $h5 as5 5v5n#5+or5 $h5 oinin o+ an iss"5 (e accuses in a rec7less manner two 6ustices of this )ourt+or#5in in$5r5s$5d in $h5 d5ision o+ $his as5! Assoia$5 J"s$i5 Fr5d R"i Cas$ro, #5a"s5his #ro$h5r is $h5 vi5 r5sid5n$ o+ $h5 +avor5d ar$3 ho is $h5 hi5+ #5n5+iiar3 o+ $h5d5ision, and Chi5+ J"s$i5 Ro#5r$o Con5ion, hos5 son as aoin$5d s5r5$ar3 o+ $h5n563-r5a$5d Board o+ Inv5s$45n$s, 1a sini+ian$ aoin$45n$ in $h5 Phi6iin5Gov5rn45n$ #3 $h5 Pr5sid5n$, a shor$ $i45 #5+or5 $h5 d5ision o+ J"63 9:, :=>; asr5nd5r5d1 In $his #a7dro, h5 ro55ds $o s$a$5 $ha$ 1i$ o"6d s554 $ha$ $h5 rini65s $h"s5s$a#6ish5d $h5 4ora6 and 5$hia6 "id56in5s +or inhi#i$ion o+ an3 "diia6 a"$hori$3 #3 $h5Honora#65 S"r545 Co"r$ sho"6d +irs$ a63 $o i$s56+1 H5 "$s +or$h $h5 6ai4 $ha$ 65ss5r and+"r$h5r r54ov5d ondi$ions hav5 #55n 7non $o r5a$5 +avori$is4, on63 $o on6"d5 $ha$

$h5r5 is no reason+or a #56i5+ $ha$ $h5 ondi$ions o#$ainin in $h5 as5 o+ $h5 Chi5+ J"s$i5and J"s$i5 Cas$ro o"6d #5 65ss 6i7563 $o 5n5nd5r +avori$is4 and r5"di5 +or or aains$ aar$i"6ar a"s5 or ar$31 I46ii$ in $his a$ 65as$ is $ha$ $h5 Chi5+ J"s$i5 and J"s$i5 Cas$roar5 ins5nsi#65 $o delicade=a, hih o"6d 4a75 $h5ir a$"a$ion s"s5$ H5 4a75s i$ 6ain in$h5 4o$ion $ha$ $h5 Chi5+ J"s$i5 and J"s$i5 Cas$ro no$ on63 5r5 no$ +r55 +ro4 $h5a5aran5 o+ i4rori5$3 #"$ did aro"s5 s"siion $ha$ $h5ir r56a$ionshi did a++5$ $h5ir

"d45n$ H5 oin$s o"$ $ha$ o"r$s 4"s$ #5 a#ov5 s"siion a$ a66 $i45s 6i75 C5asar1s i+5,arns $ha$ 6oss o+ on+id5n5 +or $h5 Tri#"na6 or a 454#5r $h5r5o+ sho"6d no$ #5 a66o5d $oha5n in o"r o"n$r3, 1a6$ho"h $h5 ro5ss has a6r5ad3 #5"n

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24/35

ha$ is dison5r$in is $ha$ A$$3 San$iao1s a"sa$ions hav5 no #asis in +a$ and in6a#he slur made is not limited to the )hief Justice and *r. Justice )astro. It sweepinglycasts aspersion on the whole court For, inhi#i$ion is a6so as75d i+, 5 r55a$5d an3 o$h5r

"s$i5s ho hav5 r55iv5d +avors or #5n5+i$s dir5$63 or indir5$63 +ro4 an3 o+ $h55$i$ion5rs or an3 454#5rs o+ an3 #oard-5$i$ion5r or $h5ir a5n$s or rinia6s, in6"din$h5 r5sid5n$1#he absurdity of this posture is at once apparent.For on5 $hin, $h5 "s$i5so+ $his Co"r$ ar5 aoin$5d #3 $h5 Pr5sid5n$ and in $ha$ s5ns5 4a3 #5 onsid5r5d $o hav5

5ah r55iv5d a +avor +ro4 $h5 Pr5sid5n$ Sho"6d $h5s5 "s$i5s inhi#i$ $h54s56v5s 5v5r3$i45 a as5 invo6vin $h5 Ad4inis$ra$ion ros " S"h a $ho"h$ 4a3 no$ 5r$ain63 #55n$5r$ain5d Th5 ons5"5n5 $h5r5o+ o"6d #5 $o ara635 $h5 4ahin5r3 o+ $his Co"r$ 5o"6d in +a$, #5 r5a7in havo on $h5 $riar$i$5 s3s$54 o+ ov5rn45n$ o5ra$in in $hiso"n$r3 Co"ns56 is r5s"45d $o 7no $his B"$ h3 $h5 "n+o"nd5d har5#here is thenot too-well concealed effort on the part of a losing litigant5s attorney to downgrade this)ourt.

#he mischief that stems from all of the foregoing gross disrespect is easy to discern. &uchdisrespect detracts much from the dignity of a court of 6ustice. Decidedly not an e8pressionof faith, counsel5s words are intended to create an atmosphere of distrust, of disbelief.

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Th5 r55$s, $h5 $5ahins, $h5 in"n$ions "s$ r5i$5d ar5 no$ "n+a4i6iar $o 6a35rs and35$, this )ourt finds in the language of "tty. &antiago a style that undermines and degradesthe administration of 6ustice. #he stricture in &ection > 3d4 of !ule of the !ules againstimproper conduct tending to degrade the administration of 6ustice is thus transgressed.

"tty. &antiago is guilty of contempt of court.

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#hird. #he motion contained an e8press threat to ta7e the case to the 2orld )ourt and?orthe +nited &tates government I$ 4"s$ #5 r5454#5r5d $ha$ r5sond5n$ aAr$h"r a$ $ha$$i45 as s$i66 $r3in $o ov5r$"rn $h5 d5ision o+ $his Co"r$ o+ J"63 9:, :=>; In doin so,"nn55ssar3 s$a$545n$s 5r5 in 55$5d or5 s5i+ia663, $h5 4o$ion anno"n5d $ha$Ar$h"r 1i66 in5vi$a#63 rais5 $h5 ra+$ and orr"$ion o+ $h5 Phi6iin5 ov5rn45n$o++iia6s in $h5 #iddin o+ a3 :2, :=>. $o $h5 or6d Co"r$1 and o"6d invo75 1$h5

Hi75n6oo5r A45nd45n$ r5"irin $h5 "$$in o++ o+ a66 aid and #5n5+i$s $o $h5 Phi6iin5Gov5rn45n$, in6"din $h5 s"ar ri5 r54i"4, a4o"n$ $o 4or5 $han +i+$3 4i66ion do66arsann"a663

#his is a clear attempt to influence or bend the blind of this )ourt to decide the case5 in i$s+avor A no$i5 o+ a5a6 $o $h5 or6d Co"r$ has 5v5n #55n 54#odi5d in 5ads r5$"rn Th5r5is a ross inonsis$5n3 #5$55n $h5 a5a6 and $h5 4ov5 $o r5onsid5r $h5 d5ision Ana5a6 +ro4 a d5ision r5s"os5s $ha$ a ar$3 has a6r5ad3 a#andon5d an3 4ov5 $or5onsid5r $ha$ d5ision And 35$, it would appear that the appeal to the 2orld )ourt isbeing dangled as a threat to effect a change of the decision of this )ourt. &uch act has noaboveboard e8planation.

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#he dignity of the )ourt, e8perience teaches, can never be protected where infraction ofethics meets with complacency rather than punishment. #he people should not be givencause to brea7 faith with the belief that a 6udge is the epitome of honor amongst men. #o

preserve its dignity, a court of 6ustice should not yield to the assaults of disrespect./unctilio of honor, we prefer to thin7, is a standard of behavior so desirable in a lawyer

pleading a cause before a court of 6ustice (9: SCRA a$ :9-29? 54hasis s"6i5d)

9 InIn re "lmacen, supra, A$$3 &i5n$5 Ra"6 A64a5n, in ro$5s$ aains$ ha$ h5 ass5r$5d as a r5a$in"s$i5 o44i$$5d aains$ his 6i5n$ #3 $h5 S"r545 Co"r$, +i65d a P5$i$ion $o S"rr5nd5r La35r1sC5r$i+ia$5 o+ Ti$65 H5 a6655d $ha$ his 6i5n$ as d5563 ari5v5d #3 $his Co"r$1s "n"s$ "d45n$, and had


25/35

#5o45 on5 o+ $h5 sari+iia6 vi$i4s #5+or5 $h5 a6$ar o+ h3oris3, sa3in $ha$ "s$i5 as ad4inis$5r5d #3$h5 r5s5n$ 454#5rs o+ $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ as) no$ on63 #6ind, #"$ a6so d5a+ and d"4# A$$3 A64a5nvo5d $o ar"5 $h5 a"s5 o+ his 6i5n$ in $h5 5o651s +or"4 so $ha$ $h5 5o65 4a3 7no o+ $his si65n$in"s$i5 o44i$$5d #3 $his Co"r$1 and $ha$ ha$5v5r 4is$a75s, rons and in"s$i5s $ha$ 5r5 o44i$$5d4a3M n5v5r #5 r55a$5d A$$3 A64a5n r565as5d $o $h5 r5ss $h5 on$5n$s o+ his P5$i$ion and on 2>S5$54#5r :=>


26/35

/ In /aragas @. )ru=,/> Phi6 :.:? D5 Jo3a vs Co"r$ o+ Firs$ Ins$an5 o+ Ria6, :, =? Sison vs Sand5as L- =2: Phi6


27/35

o465$5 r5orania$ion o+ $h5 S"r545 Co"r$"s it is now constituted, the &upreme )ourtof today constitutes a constant peril to liberty and democracy.I$ n55d #5 said 6o"d63, v5r36o"d63, so $ha$ 5v5n $h5 d5a+ 4a3 h5ar! Th5 S"r545 Co"r$ o+ $oda3 is a +ar r3 +ro4 $h5i4r5na#65 #"6ar7 o+ J"s$i5 o+ $hos5 454ora#65 $i45s o+ Ca35$ano Ar566ano, &i$orinoaa, an"56 Ara"66o and o$h5r 65arn5d "ris$s ho 5r5 $h5 honor and 6or3 o+ $h5Phi6iin5 J"diiar3 (;2 Phi6 a$ .=0:->02? 54hasiss"6i5d)

> In &alcedo v. (ernande=,/=A$$3 &i5n$5 Franiso +i65d a o$ion #5+or5 $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ hihon$ain5d $h5 +o66oin ararah (in $rans6a$ion)!

5 sho"6d 6i75 +ran763 and r5s5$+"663 $o 4a75 i$ o+ r5ord $ha$ the resolution of this court,d5n3in o"r 4o$ion +or r5onsid5ra$ion, is a#so6"$563 5rron5o"s and constitutes an outrage

to the rights of the petitioner 'elipe &alcedo and a moc7ery of the popular will e8pressed atthe pollsin $h5 4"niia6i$3 o+ Tiaon, Ta3a#as 5 ish $o 5Kha"s$ a66 $h5 45ans i$hino"r o5r in ord5r $ha$ $his 5rror 4a3 #5 orr5$5d #3 $h5 v5r3 o"r$ hih has o44i$$5di$, #5a"s5 5 sho"6d no$ an$ $ha$ so45 i$i5n, ar$i"6ar63 so45 vo$5r o+ $h5 4"niia6i$3o+ Tiaon, Ta3a#as, r5sor$ $o $h5 r5ss "#6i63 $o d5no"n5, as h5 has a rih$ $o do,$h56udicial outrageo+ hih $h5 h5r5in 5$i$ion5r has #55n $h5 vi$i4, and #5a"s5 i$ is o"r"$4os$ d5sir5 $o sa+5"ard $h5 r5s$i5 o+ $his honora#65 o"r$ and o+ 5ah and 5v5r3454#5r $h5r5o+ in $h5 535s o+ $h5 "#6i B"$, a$ $h5 sa45 $i45 we wish to state sincerelythat erroneous decisions li7e these, which the affected party and his thousands of voterswill necessarily consider un6ust, increase the proselytes of sa7dalism and ma7e the publiclose confidence in the administration of 6ustice.(>: Phi6 a$ ? 54hasis s"6i5d)

h5n r5"ir5d #3 $h5 Co"r$ $o sho a"s5 h3 h5 sho"6d no$ #5 d56ar5d in on$54$, A$$3 Franisor5sond5d #3 sa3in $ha$ i$ as no$ on$54$ $o $566 $h5 $r"$h EKa4inin $h5 s$a$545n$s 4ad5 a#ov5, $h5Co"r$ h56d!

$h53M dis6os5, in $h5 oinion o+ $his o"r$, an ine8cusable disrespect of the authority ofthe court and an intentional contempt of its dignity, because the court is thereby chargedwith no less than having proceeded in utter disregard of the laws, the rights of the parties,and of the untoward consequences, or with having abused its power and moc7ed andflouted the rightso+ A$$orn53 &i5n$5 J Franiso1s 6i5n$, #5a"s5 $h5 a$s o+ o"$rainand 4o7in +ro4 hih $h5 ords 1o"$ra51 and 4o75r31 "s5d $h5r5in ar5 d5riv5d, 45ans5Ka$63 $h5 sa45 as a66 $h5s5, aordin $o $h5 Di$ionar3 o+ $h5 Sanish Lan"a5"#6ish5d #3 $h5 Sanish Aad543 (Di$ionar3 o+ $h5 Sanish Lan"a5, :.$h 5d, a5s:92-.:9)


28/35

Th5 ins5r$ion o+ $h5 hras5s in "5s$ion in said 4o$ion o+ A$$orn53 &i5n$5 J Franiso, +or4an3 35ars a 454#5r o+ $h5 Phi6iin5 #ar, as n5i$h5r "s$i+i5d nor in $h5 65as$ n55ssar3,#5a"s5 in ord5r $o a66 $h5 a$$5n$ion o+ $h5 o"r$ in a s5ia6 a3 $o $h5 5ss5n$ia6 oin$sr56i5d "on in his ar"45n$ and $o 54hasi5 $h5 +or5 $h5r5o+, $h5 4an3 r5asons s$a$5d inhis said 4o$ion 5r5 s"++ii5n$ and $h5 hras5s in "5s$ion 5r5 s"5r+6"o"s In ord5r $oa5a6 $o r5ason and "s$i5, it is highly improper and amiss to ma7e trouble and resort tothreats, as "ttorney @icente J. 'rancisco has done, because both means are annoying and

good practice can ever sanction them by reason of their natural tendency to disturb andhinder the free e8ercise of a serene and impartial 6udgment, particularly in 6udicial matters,in the consideration of questions submitted for resolution.

Th5r5 is no "5s$ion $ha$ said ararah o+ A$$orn53 &i5n$5 J Franiso1s 4o$ion on$ainsa 4or5 or 65ss v5i65d $hr5a$ $o $h5 o"r$ #5a"s5 i$ is insin"a$5d $h5r5in, a+$5r $h5 a"$horshos $h5 o"rs5 hih $h5 vo$5rs o+ Tiaon sho"6d +o66o in as5 h5 +ai6s in his a$$54$,$ha$ $h53 i66 r5sor$ $o $h5 r5ss +or $h5 "ros5 o+ d5no"nin, ha$ h5 6ai4s $o #5 a

"diia6 o"$ra5 o+ hih his 6i5n$ has #55n $h5 vi$i4? and because he states in athreatening manner with the intention of predisposing the mind of the reader against thecourt, thus creating an atmosphere of pre6udices against it in order to ma7e it odious in the

public eye,$ha$ d5isions o+ $h5 na$"r5 o+ $ha$ r5+5rr5d $o in his 4o$ion $o ro4o$5 dis$r"s$in $h5 ad4inis$ra$ion o+ "s$i5 and inr5as5 $h5 ros563$5s o+ sa7dalisma 4ov545n$ i$hs5di$io"s and r5vo6"$ionar3 $5nd5ni5s $h5 a$ivi$i5s o+ hih, as is o+ "#6i 7no65d5,o"rr5d in $his o"n$r3 a +5 da3s ao #his cannot mean otherwise than contempt of the

dignity of the court and disrespect of the authority thereof on the part of "ttorney @icente J.'rancisco, because he presumes that the court is so devoid of the sense of 6ustice that, ifhe did not resort to intimidation, it would maintain its error notwithstanding the fact that itmay be proven, with good reasons, that it has acted erroneously.

"s a member of the bar and an officer of this court, "ttorney @icente J. 'rancisco, as anyattorney, is in duty bound to uphold its dignity and authority and to defend its integrity,no$on63 #5a"s5 i$ had on+5rr5d "on hi4 $h5 hih rivi655, no$ a rih$ (a6o64, L5a6E$his, :.; and :>0), o+ #5in ha$ h5 no is! a ri5s$ o+ "s$i5 ( In re #hatcher,;0 Ohio S$,R5, /=2, >>=), #"$ a6so #5a"s5 in so doin, h5 n5i$h5r r5a$5s nor ro4o$5s dis$r"s$ in $h5ad4inis$ra$ion o+ "s$i5, and r5v5n$s an3#od3 +ro4 har#orin and 5no"rain dison$5n$hih, in 4an3 as5s, is $h5 so"r5 o+ disord5r, $h"s "nd5r4inin $h5 +o"nda$ion "onhih r5s$s $ha$ #"6ar7 a665d "diia6 o5r $o hih $hos5 ho ar5 ari5v5d $"rn +orro$5$ion and r56i5+ (>: Phi6 a$ )?

>) /eople v. @enturan=a, et al.,=; Phi6 2:: (:=.>)?


29/35

=) /eople v. )arillon, (:=92)

Consid5rin $h5 7inds o+ s$a$545n$s o+ 6a35rs dis"ss5d a#ov5 hih $h5 Co"r$ has in $h5 as$ 5na6i5das on$54$"o"s or as arran$in a6ia$ion o+ disi6inar3 san$ions, $his Co"r$ is o45665d $o ho6d $ha$$h5 s$a$545n$s h5r5 4ad5 #3 r5sond5n$ Gona65 65ar63 ons$i$"$5 on$54$ and a66 +or $h5 5K5ris5 o+$h5 disi6inar3 a"$hori$3 o+ $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ R5sond5n$1s s$a$545n$s, 5s5ia663 $h5 har5 $ha$ $h5Co"r$ d56i#5ra$563 r5nd5r5d an 5rron5o"s and "n"s$ d5ision in $h5 Conso6ida$5d P5$i$ions, n55ssari63i463in $ha$ $h5 "s$i5s o+ $his Co"r$ #5$ra35d $h5ir oa$h o+ o++i5, 45r563 $o r5a7 v5n5an5 "on $h5r5sond5n$ h5r5, ons$i$"$5 $h5 ross5s$ 7ind o+ disr5s5$ +or $h5 Co"r$ S"h s$a$545n$s v5r3 65ar63d5#as5 and d5rad5 $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ and, $hro"h $h5 Co"r$, $h5 5n$ir5 s3s$54 o+ ad4inis$ra$ion o+ "s$i5in $h5 o"n$r3 Tha$ r5sond5n$1s #as565ss har5s hav5 had so45 i4a$ o"$sid5 $h5 in$5rna6 or6d o+s"#5$iv5 in$5n$, is 65ar63 d54ons$ra$5d #3 $h5 +i6in o+ a o46ain$ +or i45ah45n$ o+ $hir$55n (:9) o"$ o+$h5 $h5n +o"r$55n (:/) in"4#5n$ 454#5rs o+ $his Co"r$, a o46ain$ $h5 5n$5ri55 o+ hih is a r55$i$iono+ $h5 aa66in 6ai4 o+ r5sond5n$ $ha$ $his Co"r$ d56i#5ra$563 r5nd5r5d a ron d5ision as an a$ o+r5risa6 aains$ $h5 r5sond5n$

I&

Th5 rinia6 d5+5ns5 o+ r5sond5n$ Gona65 is $ha$ h5 as 45r563 5K5risin his ons$i$"$iona6 rih$ o+ +r55s55h H5 a6so invo75s $h5 r56a$5d do$rin5s o+ "a6i+i5d rivi655d o44"nia$ions and +air ri$iis4 in $h5"#6i in$5r5s$

R5sond5n$ Gona65 is 5n$i$65d $o $h5 ons$i$"$iona6 "aran$55 o+ +r55 s55h No on5 s557s $o d5n3 hi4$ha$ rih$, 65as$ o+ a66 $his Co"r$ ha$ r5sond5n$ s554s "naar5 o+ is $ha$ +r55do4 o+ s55h and o+5Kr5ssion, 6i75 a66 ons$i$"$iona6 +r55do4s, is no$ a#so6"$5 and $ha$ +r55do4 o+ 5Kr5ssion n55ds onoasion $o #5 ad"s$5d $o and ao44oda$5d i$h $h5 r5"ir545n$s o+ 5"a663 i4or$an$ "#6i in$5r5s$sOn5 o+ $h5s5 +"nda45n$a6 "#6i in$5r5s$s is $h5 4ain$5nan5 o+ $h5 in$5ri$3 and ord5r63 +"n$ionin o+ $h5ad4inis$ra$ion o+ "s$i5 Th5r5 is no an$ino43 #5$55n +r55 5Kr5ssion and $h5 in$5ri$3 o+ $h5 s3s$54 o+ad4inis$5rin "s$i5 For $h5 ro$5$ion and 4ain$5nan5 o+ +r55do4 o+ 5Kr5ssion i$s56+ an #5 s5"r5don63 i$hin $h5 on$5K$ o+ a +"n$ionin and ord5r63 s3s$54 o+ dis5nsin "s$i5, i$hin $h5 on$5K$, in o$h5r

ords, o+ via#65 ind55nd5n$ ins$i$"$ions +or d56iv5r3 o+ "s$i5 hih ar5 a5$5d #3 $h5 5n5ra6o44"ni$3 As r J"s$i5 Fran7+"r$5r "$ i$!

A +r55 r5ss is no$ $o #5 r5+5rr5d $o an ind55nd5n$ "diiar3, nor anind55nd5n$ "diiar3 $o a +r55 r5ss N5i$h5r has ri4a3 ov5r $h5 o$h5r? #o$h ar5indis5nsa#65 $o a +r55 soi5$3 Th5 +r55do4 o+ $h5 r5ss in i$s56+ r5s"os5s anind55nd5n$ "diiar3 $hro"h hih $ha$ +r55do4 4a3, i+ n55ssar3 #5 vindia$5dAnd on5 o+ $h5 o$5n$ 45ans +or ass"rin "d5s $h5ir ind55nd5n5 is a +r55r5ss .0

r J"s$i5 a6o64 o+ $his Co"r$ 5Kr5ss5d $h5 sa45 $ho"h$ in $h5 +o66oin $5r4s!

Th5 Orani A$ is563 "aran$55s freedom of speech and press. #hisconstitutional right must be protected in its fullest e8tent. #he )ourt hasheretofore given evidence of its tolerant regard for charges under the Libel Lawwhich come dangerously close to its violation.5 sha66 on$in"5 in $his hos5na$h Th5 6i#5r$3 o+ $h5 i$i5ns 4"s$ #5 r5s5rv5d in a66 o+ i$s o465$5n5ss utlicense or abuse of liberty of the press and of the citi=ens should not be confusedwith liberty ill its true sense. "s important as is the maintenance of an unmu==led

press and the free e8ercise of the rights of the citi=ens is the maintenance of theindependence of the Judiciary.R5s5$ +or $h5 J"diiar3 anno$ #5 had i+ 5rsonsar5 rivi655d $o sorn a r5so6"$ion o+ $h5 o"r$ ado$5d +or ood "ros5s, and i+


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s"h 5rsons ar5 $o #5 5r4i$$5d #3 s"#$5rran5an 45ans $o di++"s5 ina"ra$5ao"n$s o+ on+id5n$ia6 ro55dins $o $h5 54#arass45n$ o+ $h5 ar$i5s and $h5o"r$s .:(E4hasis s"6i5d)

On63 s6ih$63 (i+ a$ a66) 65ss i4or$an$ is $h5 "#6i in$5r5s$ in $h5 aai$3 o+ $h5 Co"r$ 5++5$iv563 $o r5v5n$and on$ro6 ro+5ssiona6 4isond"$ on $h5 ar$ o+ 6a35rs ho ar5, +irs$ and +or54os$, indis5nsa#65ar$iian$s in $h5 $as7 o+ r5nd5rin "s$i5 $o 5v5r3 4an So45 o"r$s hav5 h56d, 5rs"asiv563 i$ a5ars $o"s, $ha$ a 6a35r1s rih$ o+ +r55 5Kr5ssion 4a3 hav5 $o #5 4or5 6i4i$5d $han $ha$ o+ a 6a34an .2

I$ is 566 $o r5a66 $ha$ r5sond5n$ Gona65, aar$ +ro4 #5in a 6a35r and an o++i5r o+ $h5 o"r$, is a6so aS5ia6 Pros5"$or ho o5s d"$i5s o+ +id56i$3 and r5s5$ $o $h5 R5"#6i and $o $his Co"r$ as $h554#odi45n$ and $h5 r5osi$or3 o+ $h5 "diia6 o5r in $h5 ov5rn45n$ o+ $h5 R5"#6i Th5 r5sonsi#i6i$3 o+$h5 r5sond5n$ $o "ho6d $h5 dini$3 and a"$hori$3 o+ $his Co"r$1 and no$ $o ro4o$5 dis$r"s$ in $h5ad4inis$ra$ion o+ "s$i5 .9is h5avi5r $han $ha$ o+ a riva$5 ra$iin 6a35r

R5sond5n$ Gona65 6ai4s $o #5 and h5 is, o+ o"rs5, 5n$i$65d $o ri$ii5 $h5 r"6ins o+ $his Co"r$, $o oin$o"$ h5r5 h5 +556s $h5 Co"r$ 4a3 hav5 6as5d in$o 5rror On5 4or5, ho5v5r, $h5 rih$ o+ ri$iis4 is no$"n6i4i$5d I$s 6i4i$s 5r5 4ar75d o"$ #3 r J"s$i5 Cas$ro in In r5 A64a5n hih ar5 or$h no$in

B"$it is the cardinal condition of all such criticism that it shall be bonafide and shall not

spill over the walls of decency and propriety.A id5 has4 5Kis$s #5$55n +air ri$iis4, on$h5 on5 hand, and a#"s5 and s6and5r o+ o"r$s and $h5 "d5s $h5r5o+, on $h5o$h5rIntemperate and unfair criticism is a gross violation of the duty of respect to courts. Itis such a misconduct that sub6ects a lawyer to disciplinary action.

#he lawyer5s duty to render respectful subordination to the courts is essential to the orderlyadministration of 6ustice. H5n5, in $h5 ass5r$ion o+ $h5ir 6i5n$s1 rih$s, 6a35rs 5v5n $hos5i+$5d i$h s"5rior in$5665$ ar5 5noin5d $o r5in " $h5ir $545rs

KKK KKK KKK ./

(E4hasis s"6i5d)

Th5 ins$an$ ro55din is no$ addr5ss5d $o $h5 +a$ $ha$ r5sond5n$ has ri$ii5d $h5 Co"r$? i$ is addr5ss5dra$h5r $o $h5 na$"r5 o+ $ha$ ri$iis4 or o445n$ and $h5 4ann5r in hih i$ as arri5d o"$

R5sond5n$ Gona65 dis6ai4s an in$5n$ $o a$$a7 and d5nira$5 $h5 Co"r$ Th5 s"#5$ivi$i5s o+ $h5r5sond5n$ ar5 irr565van$ so +ar as hara$5ria$ion o+ his ond"$ or 4isond"$ is on5rn5d H5 i66 no$,ho5v5r, #5 a66o5d $o dis6ai4 $h5 na$"ra6 and 6ain i4or$ o+ his ords and a$s ..I$ is "on $h5 o$h5rhand, no$ irr565van$ $o oin$ o"$ $ha$ r5sond5n$ o++5r5d no ao6o3 in his $o (2) 5K6ana$ions and 5Khi#i$5dno r55n$an5 .>

R5sond5n$ Gona65 a6so d5+5nds hi4s56+ on$5ndin $ha$ no in"r3 $o $h5 "diiar3 has #55n shon, andoin$s $o $h5 +a$ $ha$ $his Co"r$ d5ni5d his o$ion +or R5onsid5ra$ion o+ i$sper curiamD5ision o+ 2< Ari6:=;; and r5i$5ra$5d and a46i+i5d $ha$ D5ision in i$s R5so6"$ion o+ := a3 :=;; In $h5 +irs$ 6a5, roo+ o+a$"a6 da4a5 s"s$ain5d #3 a o"r$ or $h5 "diiar3 in 5n5ra6 is no$ 5ss5n$ia6 +or a +indin o+ on$54$ or +or$h5 a6ia$ion o+ $h5 disi6inar3 a"$hori$3 o+ $h5 Co"r$ Inso+ar as $h5 Conso6ida$5d P5$i$ions ar5 on5rn5d,$his Co"r$ a+$5r ar5+"6 r5vi5 o+ $h5 #as5s o+ i$s 2< Ari6 :=;; D5ision, d5ni5d r5sond5n$1s o$ion +orR5onsid5ra$ion $h5r5o+ and r55$5d $h5 "#6i r5ss"r5s #ro"h$ $o #5ar "on $his Co"r$ #3 $h5r5sond5n$ $hro"h his 4"h "#6ii5d a$s and s$a$545n$s +or hih h5 is h5r5 #5in r5"ir5d $o ao"n$O#s$r"$in $h5 +r55 and "ndis$"r#5d r5so6"$ion o+ a ar$i"6ar as5 is no$ $h5 on63 s5i5s o+ in"r3 $ha$ $h5Co"r$ has a rih$ and a d"$3 $o r5v5n$ and r5dr5ss ha$ is a$ s$a75 in as5s o+ $his 7ind is $h5 in$5ri$3 o+$h5 "diia6 ins$i$"$ions o+ $h5 o"n$r3 in 5n5ra6 and o+ $h5 S"r545 Co"r$ in ar$i"6ar Da4a5 $o s"hins$i$"$ions 4ih$ no$ #5 "an$i+ia#65 a$ a iv5n 4o45n$ in $i45 #"$ da4a5 $h5r5 i66 s"r563 #5 i+ a$s 6i75$hos5 o+ r5sond5n$ Gona65 ar5 no$ 5++5$iv563 s$o5d and o"n$5r5d Th5 65v56 o+ $r"s$ and on+id5n5 o+$h5 5n5ra6 "#6i in $h5 o"r$s, in6"din $h5 o"r$ o+ 6as$ r5sor$, is no$ 5asi63 45as"r5d? #"$ +5 i66 dis"$5$ha$ a hih 65v56 o+ s"h $r"s$ and on+id5n5 is ri$ia6 +or $h5 s$a#i6i$3 o+ d54ora$i ov5rn45n$


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R5sond5n$ Gona65 6as$63 s"5s$s $ha$ "nish45n$ +or on$54$ is no$ $h5 ro5r r545d3 in $his as5and s"5s$s $ha$ $h5 454#5rs o+ $his Co"r$ hav5 r5o"rs5 $o 6i#56 s"i$s aains$ hi4 hi65 $h5 r545d3 o+6i#56 s"i$s #3 individ"a6 454#5rs o+ $his Co"r$ 4a3 566 #5 avai6a#65 aains$ r5sond5n$ Gona65, s"h is #3no 45ans an 5K6"siv5 r545d3 or5ov5r, h5r5, as in $h5 ins$an$ as5, i$ is no$ on63 $h5 individ"a6 454#5rso+ $h5 Co"r$ #"$ $h5 Co"r$ i$s56+ as an ins$i$"$ion $ha$ has #55n +a6s563 a$$a75d, 6i#56 s"i$s anno$ #5 anad5"a$5 r545d3 .

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