‭EN BANC‬

‭A.C. No. 8208, January 10, 2018‬

‭RET. JUDGE VIRGILIO ALPAJORA‬‭,‬‭Complainant‬‭,‬‭v.‬‭ATTY.‬‭RONALDO ANTONIO V.‬

‭CALAYAN‬‭,‬‭Respondent‬‭.‬

‭D E C I S I O N‬

‭GESMUNDO,‬‭J.‬‭:‬

‭ efore‬ ‭the‬ ‭Court‬ ‭is‬ ‭a‬ ‭Counter-Complaint‬‭1‬ ‭filed‬ ‭by‬ ‭complainant‬ ‭(Ret.)‬ ‭Judge‬ ‭Virgilio‬
B
‭Alpajora‬ ‭(‬‭Complainant‬‭)‬ ‭against‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭Atty.‬ ‭Ronaldo‬ ‭Antonio‬ ‭V.‬ ‭Calayan‬
‭(‬‭Respondent‬‭),‬ ‭which‬ ‭originated‬ ‭from‬ ‭an‬ ‭administrative‬ ‭complaint‬ ‭filed‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬ ‭latter‬
‭against‬ ‭the‬ ‭former‬ ‭before‬‭the‬‭Office‬‭of‬‭the‬‭Court‬‭Administrator‬‭(‭O ‬ CA‬‭)‬‭for‬‭ignorance‬‭of‬
‭the‬ ‭law‬ ‭and/or‬ ‭issuance‬ ‭of‬ ‭undue‬ ‭order.‬ ‭The‬ ‭administrative‬ ‭complaint‬ ‭against‬ ‭Judge‬
‭Alpajora‬ ‭was‬ ‭dismissed‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬ ‭Court‬ ‭in‬ ‭a‬ ‭Resolution,‬‭2‬ ‭dated‬ ‭March‬ ‭2,‬ ‭2009,‬ ‭on‬ ‭the‬
‭ground that the matters raised therein were judicial in nature.‬

I‭ n‬ ‭his‬ ‭Comment/Opposition‬ ‭with‬ ‭Counter-Complaint‬ ‭to‬ ‭Discipline‬ ‭Complainant,‬‭3‬

‭complainant‬ ‭charged‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭with‬ ‭(a)‬ ‭filing‬ ‭a‬ ‭malicious‬ ‭and‬ ‭harassment‬
‭administrative‬‭case,‬‭(b)‬‭propensity‬‭for‬‭dishonesty‬‭in‬‭the‬‭allegations‬‭in‬‭his‬‭pleadings,‬‭(c)‬
‭misquoting‬ ‭provisions‬ ‭of‬ ‭law,‬ ‭and‬ ‭(d)‬ ‭misrepresentation‬ ‭of‬ ‭facts.‬ ‭Complainant‬ ‭prayed‬
‭for respondent's disbarment and cancellation of his license as a lawyer.‬

‭The Antecedents‬

‭ rior‬ ‭to‬ ‭this‬ ‭case,‬ ‭an‬ ‭intra-corporate‬ ‭case‬ ‭docketed‬ ‭as‬ ‭Civil‬ ‭Case‬ ‭No.‬ ‭2007-10‬ ‭and‬
P
‭entitled‬ ‭"‭C ‬ alayan‬ ‭Educational‬ ‭Foundation‬ ‭Inc.‬ ‭(CEFI),‬ ‭Dr.‬ ‭Arminda‬ ‭Calayan,‬ ‭Dr.‬
‭Bernardita‬ ‭Calayan-Brion‬ ‭and‬ ‭Dr.‬ ‭Manuel‬ ‭Calayan‬ ‭vs.‬ ‭Atty.‬ ‭Ronalda‬ ‭A.V.‬ ‭Calayan,‬
‭Susan‬‭S.‬‭Calayan‬‭and‬‭Deanna‬‭Rachelle‬‭S.‬‭Calayan‬‭,"‬‭was‬‭filed‬‭before‬‭the‬‭Regional‬‭Trial‬
‭Court‬ ‭(RTC)‬ ‭of‬ ‭Lucena‬ ‭City‬ ‭designated‬ ‭as‬ ‭commercial‬ ‭court‬ ‭and‬ ‭presided‬ ‭by‬ ‭Judge‬
‭Adolfo‬ ‭Encomienda.‬ ‭Respondent‬ ‭was‬ ‭President‬ ‭and‬ ‭Chairman‬‭of‬‭the‬‭Board‬‭of‬‭Trustees‬
‭of‬ ‭CEFI.‬ ‭He‬ ‭signed‬ ‭and‬ ‭filed‬ ‭pleadings‬ ‭as‬ ‭"Special‬ ‭Counsel‬ ‭pro‬ ‭se‬‭"‬ ‭for‬ ‭himself.‬ ‭Court‬
‭proceedings‬ ‭ensued‬ ‭despite‬ ‭several‬ ‭inhibitions‬ ‭by‬ ‭judges‬ ‭to‬ ‭whom‬ ‭the‬ ‭case‬ ‭was‬
‭re-raffled‬‭until‬‭it‬‭was‬‭finally‬‭re-raffled‬‭to‬‭complainant.‬‭Thereafter,‬‭complainant‬‭issued‬‭an‬
‭Omnibus‬‭Order,‬‭4‬ ‭dated‬‭July‬‭11,‬‭2008‬‭for‬‭the‬‭creation‬‭of‬‭a‬‭management‬‭committee‬‭and‬
‭the‬ ‭appointment‬ ‭of‬ ‭its‬ ‭members.‬ ‭That‬ ‭Order‬ ‭prompted‬‭the‬‭filing‬‭of‬‭the‬‭administrative‬
‭case against the Judge Alpajora.‬

‭ he‬ ‭administrative‬ ‭case‬ ‭against‬ ‭complainant‬ ‭was‬ ‭dismissed.‬ ‭The‬ ‭Court,‬ ‭however,‬
T
‭referred‬ ‭the‬ ‭comment/opposition‬ ‭with‬ ‭counter-complaint‬ ‭filed‬ ‭by‬ ‭complainant‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬
‭administrative‬‭case‬‭against‬‭him‬‭to‬‭the‬‭Office‬‭of‬‭the‬‭Bar‬‭Confidant‬‭(‬‭OBC‬‭)‬‭for‬‭appropriate‬
‭action.‬
‭ he‬ ‭OBC‬ ‭deemed‬ ‭it‬ ‭proper‬ ‭to‬ ‭re-docket‬ ‭the‬ ‭counter-complaint‬ ‭as‬ ‭a‬ ‭regular‬
T
‭administrative‬ ‭case‬ ‭against‬ ‭respondent.‬ ‭Thus,‬ ‭in‬ ‭a‬ ‭Resolution,‬‭5‬ ‭dated‬ ‭June‬ ‭3,‬ ‭2009,‬
‭upon‬ ‭recommendation‬ ‭of‬‭the‬‭OBC,‬‭the‬‭Court‬‭resolved‬‭to‬‭require‬‭respondent‬‭to‬‭submit‬
‭his comment on the counter-complaint.‬

I‭ n‬ ‭its‬ ‭Resolution,‬‭6‬ ‭dated‬ ‭September‬ ‭9,‬ ‭2009,‬ ‭the‬ ‭Court‬ ‭noted‬ ‭respondent's‬ ‭comment‬
‭and‬ ‭referred‬ ‭the‬ ‭administrative‬ ‭case‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭Integrated‬ ‭Bar‬‭of‬‭the‬‭Philippines‬‭(‭I‬ BP‬‭)‬‭for‬
‭investigation, report and recommendation.‬

‭ fter‬‭a‬‭mandatory‬‭conference‬‭before‬‭the‬‭IBP,‬‭both‬‭parties‬‭were‬‭directed‬‭to‬‭submit‬‭their‬
A
‭respective verified position papers.‬

‭Position of complainant‬

‭ omplainant‬ ‭alleged‬ ‭that‬ ‭he‬ ‭partially‬ ‭tried‬ ‭and‬ ‭heard‬ ‭Civil‬ ‭Case‬ ‭No.‬ ‭2007-10,‬ ‭an‬
C
‭intra-corporate‬‭case‬‭filed‬‭against‬‭respondent,‬‭when‬‭he‬‭later‬‭voluntarily‬‭inhibited‬‭himself‬
‭from it on account of the latter's filing of the administrative case against him.‬

‭ he‬ ‭intra-corporate‬ ‭case‬ ‭was‬ ‭previously‬ ‭tried‬ ‭by‬ ‭Presiding‬ ‭Judge‬ ‭Adolfo‬ ‭Encomienda‬
T
‭(‬‭Presiding‬ ‭Judge‬ ‭Encomienda‬‭)‬ ‭until‬ ‭he‬ ‭voluntarily‬ ‭inhibited‬ ‭after‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭filed‬ ‭an‬
‭Urgent‬‭Motion‬‭to‬‭Recuse‬‭and‬‭a‬‭Supplement‬‭to‬‭Defendant's‬‭Urgent‬‭Motion‬‭to‬‭Recuse‬‭on‬
‭the‬ ‭grounds‬ ‭of‬ ‭undue‬ ‭delay‬‭in‬‭disposing‬‭pending‬‭incidents,‬‭gross‬‭ignorance‬‭of‬‭the‬‭law‬
‭and‬ ‭gross‬ ‭inefficiency.‬‭7‬ ‭The‬‭motions‬‭came‬‭after‬‭Presiding‬‭Judge‬‭Encomienda‬‭issued‬‭an‬
‭order‬ ‭appointing‬ ‭one‬ ‭Atty.‬ ‭Antonio‬ ‭Acyatan‬ ‭(‭A‬ tty.‬ ‭Acyatan‬‭)‬ ‭as‬ ‭receiver,‬ ‭who‬ ‭was‬
‭directed to immediately take over the subject corporation.‬

‭ fter‬ ‭Presiding‬ ‭Judge‬ ‭Encomienda‬ ‭inhibited‬ ‭himself,‬ ‭the‬ ‭case‬ ‭was‬ ‭re�raffled‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬
A
‭sala‬‭of‬‭Executive‬‭Judge‬‭Norma‬‭Chionglo-Sia,‬‭who‬‭also‬‭inhibited‬‭herself‬‭because‬‭she‬‭was‬
‭about‬ ‭to‬ ‭retire.‬ ‭The‬ ‭case‬ ‭was‬ ‭referred‬ ‭to‬ ‭Executive‬ ‭Judge‬ ‭Eloida‬ ‭R.‬ ‭de‬ ‭Leon-Diaz‬ ‭for‬
‭proper disposition and re�raffle.‬‭8‬ ‭The case was‬‭finally raffled to complainant.‬‭9‬

‭ omplainant‬ ‭averred‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭administrative‬ ‭case‬ ‭against‬ ‭him‬ ‭by‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭was‬
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‭brought‬ ‭about‬ ‭by‬ ‭his‬ ‭issuance‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭omnibus‬ ‭order,‬ ‭dated‬ ‭July‬ ‭11,‬ ‭2008,‬ ‭where‬ ‭he‬
‭ordered‬ ‭the‬ ‭creation‬ ‭of‬ ‭a‬ ‭management‬ ‭committee‬ ‭and‬ ‭appointment‬ ‭of‬ ‭its‬ ‭members.‬
‭Meanwhile,‬ ‭the‬ ‭RTC‬ ‭resolved‬ ‭that‬ ‭Atty.‬ ‭Acyatan‬ ‭continue‬ ‭to‬ ‭discharge‬ ‭his‬ ‭duties‬ ‭and‬
‭responsibilities‬‭with‬‭such‬‭powers‬‭and‬‭authority‬‭as‬‭the‬‭court-appointed‬‭receiver.‬‭The‬‭trial‬
‭court‬‭also‬‭authorized‬‭the‬‭foundation‬‭to‬‭pay‬‭Atty.‬‭Acyatan‬‭reimbursement‬‭expenses‬‭and‬
‭professional‬ ‭charges.‬ ‭Complainant‬ ‭claimed‬ ‭that‬ ‭his‬ ‭order‬ ‭was‬ ‭not‬ ‭acceptable‬ ‭to‬
‭respondent‬ ‭because‬ ‭he‬ ‭knew‬ ‭the‬‭import‬‭and‬‭effect‬‭of‬‭the‬‭said‬‭order‬‭that‬‭he,‬‭together‬
‭with‬ ‭his‬ ‭wife‬ ‭and‬ ‭daughter,‬ ‭would‬ ‭lose‬ ‭their‬ ‭positions‬ ‭as‬ ‭Chairman,‬ ‭Treasurer‬ ‭and‬
‭Secretary, respectively, and as members of the Board ofTrustees of the CEFI.‬‭10‬

‭Complainant‬ ‭further‬ ‭claimed‬ ‭that‬ ‭before‬ ‭the‬ ‭records‬ ‭of‬ ‭Civil‬ ‭Case‬ ‭2007-10‬ ‭was‬
t‭ ransmitted‬ ‭to‬ ‭his‬ ‭sala‬ ‭and‬ ‭after‬ ‭he‬ ‭had‬ ‭inhibited‬ ‭from‬ ‭said‬ ‭case,‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭filed‬
‭thirteen‬‭(13)‬‭civil‬‭and‬‭special‬‭actions‬‭before‬‭the‬‭RTC‬‭of‬‭Lucena‬‭City.‬‭11‬ ‭Atty.‬‭Calayan‬‭also‬
‭filed‬ ‭two‬ ‭(2)‬ ‭related‬ ‭intra-corporate‬ ‭controversy‬ ‭cases‬ ‭-‬ ‭violating‬ ‭the‬ ‭rule‬‭on‬‭splitting‬
‭causes‬ ‭of‬ ‭actions‬ ‭-‬ ‭involving‬ ‭the‬ ‭management‬ ‭and‬ ‭operation‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭foundation.‬
‭According‬‭to‬‭complainant,‬‭these‬‭showed‬‭the‬‭propensity‬‭and‬‭penchant‬‭of‬‭respondent‬‭in‬
‭filing‬ ‭cases,‬ ‭whether‬ ‭or‬ ‭not‬ ‭they‬ ‭are‬ ‭baseless,‬ ‭frivolous‬ ‭or‬ ‭unfounded,‬ ‭with‬ ‭no‬ ‭other‬
‭intention‬ ‭but‬ ‭to‬ ‭harass,‬ ‭malign‬ ‭and‬ ‭molest‬‭his‬‭opposing‬‭parties,‬‭including‬‭the‬‭lawyers‬
‭and‬‭the‬‭handling‬‭judges.‬‭Complainant‬‭also‬‭revealed‬‭that‬‭respondent‬‭filed‬‭two‬‭(2)‬‭other‬
‭administrative‬ ‭cases‬ ‭against‬‭a‬‭judge‬‭and‬‭an‬‭assisting‬‭judge‬‭in‬‭the‬‭RTC‬‭of‬‭Lucena‬‭City,‬
‭which were dismissed because the issues raised were judicial in nature.‬‭12‬

‭ omplainant‬ ‭also‬ ‭disclosed‬ ‭that‬ ‭before‬ ‭his‬ ‭sala,‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭filed‬ ‭eighteen‬ ‭(18)‬
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‭repetitious‬ ‭and‬ ‭prohibited‬ ‭pleadings.‬‭13‬ ‭Respondent‬ ‭continuously‬ ‭filed‬ ‭pleadings‬ ‭after‬
‭pleadings‬ ‭as‬ ‭if‬ ‭to‬ ‭impress‬ ‭upon‬ ‭the‬ ‭court‬ ‭to‬ ‭finish‬ ‭the‬ ‭main‬‭intra-corporate‬‭case‬‭with‬
‭such‬‭speed.‬‭To‬‭complainant's‬‭mind,‬‭the‬‭ultimate‬‭and‬‭ulterior‬‭objective‬‭of‬‭respondent‬‭in‬
‭filing‬‭the‬‭numerous‬‭pleadings,‬‭motions,‬‭manifestation‬‭and‬‭explanations‬‭was‬‭to‬‭prevent‬
‭the‬‭takeover‬‭of‬‭the‬‭management‬‭of‬‭CEFI‬‭and‬‭to‬‭finally‬‭dismiss‬‭the‬‭case‬‭at‬‭the‬‭pre-trial‬
‭stage.‬

‭ omplainant‬ ‭further‬ ‭revealed‬ ‭that‬ ‭due‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭series‬ ‭of‬ ‭motions‬ ‭for‬ ‭recusation‬ ‭or‬
C
‭inhibition‬‭of‬‭judges,‬‭there‬‭is‬‭no‬‭presiding‬‭judge‬‭in‬‭Lucena‬‭City‬‭available‬‭to‬‭try‬‭and‬‭hear‬
‭the‬ ‭Calayan‬ ‭cases.‬ ‭Moreover,‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭filed‬ ‭nine‬ ‭(9)‬ ‭criminal‬ ‭charges‬ ‭against‬
‭opposing‬‭lawyers‬‭and‬‭their‬‭respective‬‭clients‬‭before‬‭the‬‭City‬‭Prosecutor‬‭of‬‭Lucena‬‭City.‬
‭In‬ ‭addition,‬ ‭there‬ ‭were‬ ‭four‬ ‭(4)‬ ‭administrative‬ ‭cases‬ ‭filed‬ ‭against‬ ‭opposing‬ ‭counsels‬
‭pending before the IBP Commission on Bar Discipline.‬‭14‬

‭ ased‬‭on‬‭the‬‭foregoing,‬‭complainant‬‭asserted‬‭that‬‭respondent‬‭committed‬‭the‬‭following:‬
B
‭(1)‬ ‭serious‬ ‭and‬ ‭gross‬ ‭misconduct‬ ‭in‬ ‭his‬ ‭duties‬ ‭as‬‭counsel‬‭for‬‭himself;‬‭(2)‬‭violated‬‭his‬
‭oath‬‭as‬‭lawyer‬‭for‬‭[a]‬‭his‬‭failure‬‭to‬‭observe‬‭and‬‭maintain‬‭respect‬‭to‬‭the‬‭courts‬‭(Section‬
‭20(b),‬ ‭Rule‬ ‭138,‬ ‭Rules‬‭of‬‭Court);‬‭[b]‬‭by‬‭his‬‭abuse‬‭of‬‭judicial‬‭process‬‭thru‬‭maintaining‬
‭actions‬ ‭or‬ ‭proceedings‬ ‭inconsistent‬ ‭with‬ ‭truth‬ ‭and‬ ‭honor‬ ‭and‬ ‭his‬ ‭acts‬ ‭to‬ ‭mislead‬ ‭the‬
‭judge‬ ‭by‬ ‭false‬ ‭statements‬‭(Section‬‭20(d),‬‭Rule‬‭138);‬‭(3)‬‭repeatedly‬‭violated‬‭the‬‭rules‬
‭of‬ ‭procedures‬ ‭governing‬ ‭intra-corporate‬ ‭cases‬ ‭and‬ ‭maliciously‬ ‭misused‬ ‭the‬ ‭same‬ ‭to‬
‭defeat‬ ‭the‬ ‭ends‬ ‭of‬ ‭justice;‬ ‭and‬ ‭(4)‬ ‭knowingly‬ ‭violated‬ ‭the‬ ‭rule‬ ‭against‬ ‭the‬ ‭filing‬ ‭of‬
‭multiple actions arising from the same cause of action.‬

‭Position of respondent‬

I‭ n‬ ‭his‬ ‭Position‬ ‭Paper,‬‭15‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭countered‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭subject‬ ‭case‬ ‭is‬ ‭barred‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬
‭doctrine of‬‭res judicata‬‭.‬

‭ ccording‬ ‭to‬ ‭him,‬ ‭the‬ ‭counter-complaint‬‭was‬‭integrated‬‭with‬‭the‬‭Comment/Opposition‬

A
‭of‬‭complainant‬‭in‬‭the‬‭administrative‬‭case‬‭docketed‬‭as‬‭A.M.‬‭OCA‬‭I.P.I.‬‭No.‬‭08-2968-RTJ‬
‭filed‬ ‭by‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭against‬ ‭the‬ ‭latter.‬ ‭He‬ ‭stressed‬ ‭that‬ ‭because‬ ‭no‬ ‭disciplinary‬
‭ easures‬‭were‬‭levelled‬‭on‬‭him‬‭by‬‭the‬‭OCA‬‭as‬‭an‬‭outcome‬‭of‬‭his‬‭complaint,‬‭charges‬‭for‬
m
‭malpractice,‬ ‭malice‬ ‭or‬ ‭bad‬ ‭faith‬ ‭were‬ ‭entirely‬ ‭ruled‬ ‭out;‬ ‭moreso,‬ ‭his‬ ‭disbarment‬ ‭was‬
‭decidedly‬ ‭eliminated.‬‭16‬ ‭Respondent‬ ‭argued‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭doctrine‬ ‭of‬ ‭res‬ ‭judicata‬ ‭was‬
‭embedded‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬ ‭OCA's‬ ‭finding‬ ‭that‬ ‭his‬‭complaint‬‭was‬‭judicial‬‭in‬‭nature.‬‭17‬ ‭He‬‭likewise‬
‭averred‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭conversion‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭administrative‬ ‭complaint‬ ‭against‬ ‭a‬ ‭judge‬ ‭into‬ ‭a‬
‭disbarment‬ ‭complaint‬ ‭against‬ ‭him,‬ ‭the‬ ‭complaining‬‭witness,‬‭was‬‭hideously‬‭adopted‬‭to‬
‭deflect‬ ‭the‬ ‭charges‬ ‭away‬ ‭from‬ ‭complainant.‬ ‭Respondent‬ ‭insisted‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬
‭counter-complaint‬ ‭was‬ ‭not‬ ‭sanctioned‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬ ‭Rules‬ ‭of‬ ‭Court‬ ‭on‬ ‭disbarment‬ ‭and‬ ‭the‬
‭Rules of Procedure of the Commission on Bar Discipline.‬‭18‬

‭ espondent‬ ‭also‬ ‭claimed‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭counter-complaint‬ ‭was‬ ‭unverified‬ ‭and‬ ‭thus,‬ ‭without‬
R
‭complainant's‬‭own‬‭personal‬‭knowledge;‬‭instead,‬‭it‬‭is‬‭incontrovertible‬‭proof‬‭of‬‭his‬‭lack‬‭of‬
‭courtesy and obedience toward proper authorities and fairness to a fellow lawyer.‬‭19‬

‭ urther,‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭maintained‬ ‭that‬ ‭complainant‬ ‭committed‬ ‭the‬ ‭following:‬ ‭1)‬ ‭grossly‬
F
‭unethical‬ ‭and‬ ‭immoral‬ ‭conduct‬ ‭by‬ ‭his‬ ‭impleading‬ ‭a‬ ‭non-party;‬‭20‬ ‭(2)‬ ‭betrayal‬ ‭of‬ ‭his‬
‭lawyer's‬ ‭oath‬ ‭and‬ ‭the‬ ‭Code‬ ‭of‬ ‭Professional‬ ‭Responsibility‬ ‭(‭C‬ PR‬‭);‬‭21‬ ‭(3)‬ ‭malicious‬ ‭and‬
‭intentional‬ ‭delay‬ ‭in‬ ‭not‬ ‭terminating‬ ‭the‬ ‭pre-trial,‬ ‭in‬ ‭violation‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Interim‬ ‭Rules‬
‭22‬

‭because‬ ‭he‬ ‭ignored‬ ‭the‬ ‭special‬ ‭summary‬ ‭nature‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭case;‬‭23‬ ‭and‬ ‭(4)‬ ‭misquoted‬
‭provisions of law and misrepresented the facts.‬‭24‬

‭ astly,‬ ‭it‬ ‭was‬ ‭respondent's‬ ‭submission‬‭that‬‭the‬‭counter-complaint‬‭failed‬‭to‬‭adduce‬‭the‬

L
‭requisite‬‭quantum‬‭of‬‭evidence‬‭to‬‭disbar‬‭him,‬‭even‬‭less,‬‭to‬‭cite‬‭him‬‭in‬‭contempt‬‭of‬‭court‬
‭assuming‬‭ex gratia‬‭the regularity of the referral‬‭of the case.‬‭25‬

‭Report and Recommendation of the IBP Commission on Bar Discipline‬

I‭ n‬ ‭its‬ ‭Report‬ ‭and‬ ‭Recommendation,‬‭26‬ ‭the‬ ‭Investigating‬ ‭Commissioner‬ ‭noted‬ ‭that,‬

‭instead‬ ‭of‬ ‭refuting‬ ‭the‬ ‭allegations‬ ‭and‬ ‭evidence‬ ‭against‬ ‭him,‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭merely‬
‭reiterated‬ ‭his‬ ‭charges‬ ‭against‬ ‭complainant.‬ ‭Instead‬ ‭of‬ ‭asserting‬ ‭his‬ ‭defense‬ ‭against‬
‭complainant's‬ ‭charges,‬ ‭the‬ ‭position‬ ‭paper‬ ‭for‬ ‭the‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭appeared‬ ‭more‬ ‭to‬ ‭be‬ ‭a‬
‭motion‬ ‭for‬ ‭reconsideration‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Resolution‬ ‭dated‬ ‭March‬ ‭2,‬ ‭2009‬ ‭rendered‬ ‭bf‬ ‭the‬
‭Supreme Court, dismissing the administrative case against complainant.‬‭27‬

I‭ n‬ ‭any‬ ‭case,‬ ‭based‬ ‭on‬ ‭the‬ ‭parties'‬ ‭position‬ ‭papers,‬ ‭the‬ ‭Investigating‬ ‭Commissioner‬
‭concluded‬ ‭that‬‭respondent‬‭violated‬‭Section‬‭20,‬‭Rule‬‭138‬‭of‬‭the‬‭Rules‬‭of‬‭Court,‬‭28‬ ‭Rules‬
‭8.01,‬ ‭10.01‬ ‭to‬ ‭10.03,‬ ‭11.03,‬ ‭11.04,‬ ‭12.02‬ ‭and‬ ‭12.04‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭CPR‬‭29‬ ‭and,‬ ‭thus,‬
‭recommended‬ ‭his‬ ‭suspension‬ ‭from‬ ‭the‬ ‭practice‬ ‭of‬ ‭law‬ ‭for‬ ‭two‬ ‭(2)‬ ‭years,‬‭30‬ ‭for‬ ‭the‬
‭following reasons:‬

‭ irst‬‭,‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭did‬ ‭not‬‭deny‬‭having‬‭filed‬‭four‬‭(4)‬‭cases‬‭against‬‭the‬‭counsel‬‭involved‬

F
‭in‬ ‭the‬ ‭intra-corporate‬ ‭case‬ ‭from‬‭which‬‭the‬‭subject‬‭administrative‬‭cases‬‭stemmed,‬‭and‬
‭nine‬ ‭(9)‬ ‭criminal‬ ‭cases‬ ‭against‬ ‭the‬ ‭opposing‬ ‭parties,‬ ‭their‬ ‭lawyers,‬ ‭and‬ ‭the‬ ‭receiver‬
‭before‬ ‭the‬ ‭Office‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Prosecutor‬ ‭of‬ ‭Lucena‬ ‭City‬‭all‬‭of‬‭which‬‭were‬‭subject‬‭of‬‭judicial‬
‭ otice.‬ ‭The‬ ‭Investigating‬ ‭Commissioner‬ ‭opined‬ ‭that‬ ‭such‬ ‭act‬ ‭manifested‬ ‭respondent's‬
n
‭malice‬ ‭in‬ ‭paralyzing‬ ‭these‬‭lawyers‬‭from‬‭exerting‬‭their‬‭utmost‬‭effort‬‭in‬‭protecting‬‭their‬
‭client's interest.‬‭31‬

‭ econd‬‭,‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭committed‬ ‭misrepresentation‬ ‭when‬ ‭he‬ ‭cited‬ ‭a‬ ‭quote‬ ‭from‬‭former‬
S
‭Chief‬ ‭Justice‬ ‭Hilario‬ ‭Davide,‬ ‭Jr.‬ ‭as‬ ‭a‬ ‭thesis‬ ‭when,‬ ‭in‬ ‭fact,‬ ‭it‬ ‭was‬ ‭a‬ ‭dissenting‬‭opinion.‬
‭The‬ ‭Investigating‬ ‭Commissioner‬ ‭further‬ ‭opined‬ ‭that‬ ‭describing‬ ‭the‬ ‭supposed‬
‭discussions‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬ ‭judge‬ ‭with‬ ‭respondent's‬ ‭adverse‬ ‭counsels‬ ‭as‬ ‭contemplated‬ ‭crimes‬
‭and frauds is not only grave but also unfounded and irrelevant to the present case.‬‭32‬

‭ hird‬‭,‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭grossly‬ ‭abused‬ ‭his‬ ‭right‬ ‭of‬ ‭recourse‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭courts‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬ ‭filing‬ ‭of‬
T
‭multiple‬ ‭actions‬ ‭concerning‬ ‭the‬ ‭same‬ ‭subject‬ ‭matter‬ ‭or‬‭seeking‬‭substantially‬‭identical‬
‭relief.‬‭33‬ ‭He‬ ‭admitted‬ ‭filing‬ ‭pleadings‬ ‭indiscriminately,‬ ‭but‬ ‭argued‬‭that‬‭it‬‭was‬‭within‬‭his‬
‭right‬ ‭to‬ ‭do‬ ‭so‬ ‭and‬ ‭it‬ ‭was‬ ‭merely‬ ‭for‬ ‭the‬ ‭purpose‬ ‭of‬ ‭saving‬ ‭CEFI‬ ‭from‬ ‭imminent‬
‭downfall.‬‭34‬ ‭The‬‭Investigating‬‭Commissioner‬‭opined‬‭that‬‭the‬‭filing‬‭of‬‭multiple‬‭actions‬‭not‬
‭only was contemptuous, but also a blatant violation of the lawyer's oath.‬‭35‬

‭ ourth‬‭,‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭violated‬ ‭Canon‬ ‭11‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭CPR‬ ‭by‬ ‭attributing‬ ‭to‬ ‭complainant‬
F
‭ill-motives‬‭that‬‭were‬‭not‬‭supported‬‭by‬‭the‬‭record‬‭or‬‭had‬‭no‬‭materiality‬‭to‬‭the‬‭case.‬‭36‬ ‭He‬
‭charged‬ ‭complainant‬ ‭with‬ ‭coaching‬ ‭adverse‬ ‭counsel‬ ‭on‬ ‭account‬ ‭of‬ ‭their‬ ‭alleged‬ ‭close‬
‭ties,‬ ‭inefficiency‬ ‭in‬ ‭dealing‬ ‭with‬ ‭his‬ ‭pleadings,‬ ‭acting‬ ‭with‬ ‭dispatch‬ ‭on‬ ‭the‬ ‭adverse‬
‭party's‬ ‭motions,‬ ‭partiality‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭plaintiffs‬ ‭because‬ ‭he‬ ‭was‬ ‭a‬ ‭townmate‬ ‭of‬ ‭Presiding‬
‭Judge‬ ‭Encomienda,‬ ‭and‬ ‭arriving‬ ‭at‬ ‭an‬ ‭order‬ ‭without‬ ‭predicating‬ ‭the‬ ‭same‬ ‭on‬ ‭legal‬
‭bases‬ ‭under‬ ‭the‬ ‭principle‬ ‭of‬ ‭stare‬ ‭decisis‬‭.‭3‬7‬ ‭According‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭Investigating‬
‭Commissioner,‬ ‭these‬ ‭charges‬ ‭are‬ ‭manifestly‬ ‭without‬ ‭any‬ ‭basis‬ ‭and‬ ‭also‬ ‭established‬
‭respondent's disrespect for the complainant.‬‭38‬

‭Based on the findings, the Investigating Commissioner ultimately concluded:‬

‭ s‬ ‭a‬ ‭party‬ ‭directly‬ ‭involved‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬ ‭subject‬‭intra-corporate‬‭controversy,‬‭it‬‭is‬

A
‭duly‬ ‭noted‬ ‭that‬ ‭Respondent‬ ‭was‬ ‭emotionally‬ ‭affected‬ ‭by‬‭the‬‭ongoing‬‭case.‬
‭His‬ ‭direct‬ ‭interest‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬ ‭proceedings‬ ‭apparently‬ ‭clouded‬ ‭his‬ ‭judgment,‬ ‭on‬
‭account‬‭of‬‭which‬‭he‬‭failed‬‭to‬‭act‬‭with‬‭circumspect‬‭in‬‭his‬‭choice‬‭of‬‭words‬‭and‬
‭legal‬‭remedies.‬‭Such‬‭facts‬‭and‬‭circumstances‬‭mitigate‬‭Respondent's‬‭liability.‬
‭Hence,‬ ‭it‬ ‭is‬ ‭hereby‬ ‭recommended‬ ‭that‬ ‭Respondent‬ ‭be‬ ‭suspended‬‭from‬‭the‬
‭practice of law for two (2) years.‬‭39‬
‭Consequently,‬‭the‬‭IBP‬‭Board‬‭of‬‭Governors‬‭issued‬‭a‬‭Resolution‬‭40‬ ‭adopting‬‭and‬‭approving‬
‭the‬ ‭report‬ ‭and‬ ‭recommendation‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Investigating‬ ‭Commissioner.‬ ‭It‬ ‭recommended‬
‭the suspension of respondent from the practice of law for two (2) years.‬

‭Aggrieved, respondent moved for reconsideration.‬

I‭ n‬ ‭a‬‭Resolution,‬‭41‬ ‭dated‬‭May‬‭4,‬‭2014,‬‭the‬‭IBP‬‭Board‬‭of‬‭Governors‬‭denied‬‭respondent's‬
‭motion‬‭for‬‭reconsideration‬‭as‬‭there‬‭was‬‭no‬‭cogent‬‭reason‬‭to‬‭reverse‬‭the‬‭findings‬‭of‬‭the‬
‭ ommission‬ ‭and‬ ‭the‬ ‭motion‬ ‭was‬ ‭a‬ ‭mere‬ ‭reiteration‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭matters‬‭which‬‭had‬‭already‬
C
‭been threshed out.‬

‭ ence,‬‭pursuant‬‭to‬‭Section‬‭12(b),‬‭Rule‬‭139-B‬‭of‬‭the‬‭Rules‬‭of‬‭Court,‬‭42‬ ‭the‬‭Resolution‬‭of‬
H
‭the‬ ‭IBP‬ ‭Board‬ ‭of‬ ‭Governors,‬ ‭together‬ ‭with‬ ‭the‬ ‭whole‬ ‭record‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭case,‬ ‭was‬
‭transmitted to the Court for final action.‬

‭Ruling of the Court‬

‭ he‬ ‭Court‬ ‭adopts‬ ‭the‬ ‭findings‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Investigating‬ ‭Commissioner‬ ‭and‬ ‭the‬
T
‭recommendation of the IBP Board of Governors.‬

I‭ t‬‭bears‬‭stressing‬‭that‬‭membership‬‭in‬‭the‬‭bar‬‭is‬‭a‬‭privilege‬‭burdened‬‭with‬‭conditions.‬‭It‬
‭is‬ ‭bestowed‬ ‭upon‬ ‭individuals‬ ‭who‬ ‭are‬ ‭not‬ ‭only‬ ‭learned‬ ‭in‬ ‭law,‬ ‭but‬ ‭also‬ ‭known‬ ‭to‬
‭possess‬ ‭good‬ ‭moral‬ ‭character.‬ ‭Lawyers‬ ‭should‬ ‭act‬ ‭and‬ ‭comport‬ ‭themselves‬ ‭with‬
‭honesty‬ ‭and‬ ‭integrity‬ ‭in‬ ‭a‬ ‭manner‬ ‭beyond‬ ‭reproach,‬ ‭in‬ ‭order‬ ‭to‬ ‭promote‬ ‭the‬ ‭public's‬
‭faith in the legal profession.‬‭43‬

‭ hen‬ ‭lawyers,‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬ ‭performance‬‭of‬‭their‬‭duties,‬‭act‬‭in‬‭a‬‭manner‬‭that‬‭prejudices‬‭not‬

W
‭only‬ ‭the‬ ‭rights‬ ‭of‬ ‭their‬ ‭client,‬ ‭but‬ ‭also‬ ‭of‬ ‭their‬ ‭colleagues‬ ‭and‬ ‭offends‬ ‭due‬
‭administration‬ ‭of‬ ‭justice,‬ ‭appropriate‬ ‭disciplinary‬ ‭measures‬ ‭and‬ ‭proceedings‬ ‭are‬
‭available‬ ‭such‬ ‭as‬ ‭reprimand,‬ ‭suspension‬ ‭or‬ ‭even‬ ‭disbarment‬ ‭to‬ ‭rectify‬ ‭their‬ ‭wrongful‬
‭acts.‬

‭ he‬‭Court,‬‭however,‬‭emphasizes‬‭that‬‭a‬‭case‬‭for‬‭disbarment‬‭or‬‭suspension‬‭is‬‭not‬‭meant‬
T
‭to‬‭grant‬‭relief‬‭to‬‭a‬‭complainant‬‭as‬‭in‬‭a‬‭civil‬‭case,‬‭but‬‭is‬‭intended‬‭to‬‭cleanse‬‭the‬‭ranks‬‭of‬
‭the‬ ‭legal‬ ‭profession‬ ‭of‬ ‭its‬ ‭undesirable‬ ‭members‬ ‭in‬ ‭order‬ ‭to‬‭protect‬‭the‬‭public‬‭and‬‭the‬
‭courts.‬‭44‬ ‭Proceedings‬ ‭to‬ ‭discipline‬ ‭erring‬ ‭members‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭bar‬ ‭are‬ ‭not‬ ‭instituted‬ ‭to‬
‭protect‬ ‭and‬ ‭promote‬ ‭the‬ ‭public‬ ‭good‬ ‭only,‬ ‭but‬ ‭also‬ ‭to‬ ‭maintain‬ ‭the‬ ‭dignity‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬
‭profession‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬ ‭weeding‬ ‭out‬ ‭of‬ ‭those‬ ‭who‬ ‭have‬ ‭proven‬ ‭themselves‬ ‭unworthy‬
‭thereof.‬‭45‬

I‭ n‬ ‭this‬ ‭case,‬ ‭perusal‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭records‬ ‭reveals‬ ‭that‬ ‭Atty.‬ ‭Calayan‬ ‭has‬ ‭displayed‬ ‭conduct‬
‭unbecoming of a worthy lawyer.‬

‭Harassing tactics against opposing counsel‬

‭ s‬‭noted‬‭by‬‭the‬‭IBP‬‭Investigating‬‭Commissioner,‬‭respondent‬‭did‬‭not‬‭deny‬‭filing‬‭several‬
A
‭cases,‬‭both‬‭civil‬‭and‬‭criminal,‬‭against‬‭opposing‬‭parties‬‭and‬‭their‬‭counsels.‬‭In‬‭his‬‭motion‬
‭for‬ ‭reconsideration‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭IBP‬ ‭Board‬ ‭of‬‭Governors'‬‭Resolution,‬‭he‬‭again‬‭admitted‬‭such‬
‭acts‬‭but‬‭expressed‬‭that‬‭it‬‭was‬‭not‬‭ill-willed.‬‭He‬‭explained‬‭that‬‭the‬‭placing‬‭of‬‭CEFI‬‭under‬
‭receivership‬ ‭and‬ ‭directing‬ ‭the‬ ‭creation‬ ‭of‬ ‭a‬ ‭management‬ ‭committee‬ ‭and‬ ‭the‬
‭continuation‬‭of‬‭the‬‭receiver's‬‭duties‬‭and‬‭responsibilities‬‭by‬‭virtue‬‭of‬‭the‬‭Omnibus‬‭Order‬
‭spurred‬ ‭his‬ ‭filing‬ ‭of‬ ‭various‬ ‭pleadings‬ ‭and/or‬ ‭motions.‬‭46‬ ‭It‬ ‭was‬‭in‬‭his‬‭desperation‬‭and‬
‭ arnest‬ ‭desire‬ ‭to‬ ‭save‬ ‭CEFI‬ ‭from‬ ‭further‬ ‭damage‬ ‭that‬ ‭he‬ ‭implored‬ ‭the‬ ‭aid‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬
e
‭courts.‬‭47‬

‭ he‬‭Court‬‭is‬‭mindful‬‭of‬‭the‬‭lawyer's‬‭duty‬‭to‬‭defend‬‭his‬‭client's‬‭cause‬‭with‬‭utmost‬‭zeal.‬
T
‭However,‬ ‭professional‬ ‭rules‬ ‭impose‬ ‭limits‬ ‭on‬ ‭a‬ ‭lawyer's‬ ‭zeal‬ ‭and‬ ‭hedge‬ ‭it‬ ‭with‬
‭necessary‬‭restrictions‬‭and‬‭qualifications.‬‭48‬ ‭The‬‭filing‬‭of‬‭cases‬‭by‬‭respondent‬‭against‬‭the‬
‭adverse‬ ‭parties‬ ‭and‬ ‭their‬ ‭counsels,‬ ‭as‬ ‭correctly‬ ‭observed‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬ ‭Investigating‬
‭Commissioner,‬‭manifests‬‭his‬‭malice‬‭in‬‭paralyzing‬‭the‬‭lawyers‬‭from‬‭exerting‬‭their‬‭utmost‬
‭effort‬‭in‬‭protecting‬‭their‬‭client's‬‭interest.‬‭49‬ ‭Even‬‭assuming‬‭arguendo‬‭that‬‭such‬‭acts‬‭were‬
‭done‬ ‭without‬ ‭malice,‬ ‭it‬ ‭showed‬ ‭respondent's‬ ‭gross‬ ‭indiscretion‬ ‭as‬ ‭a‬ ‭colleague‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬
‭legal profession.‬

‭Unsupported ill-motives attributed to a judge‬

‭ s‬ ‭officers‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭court,‬ ‭lawyers‬ ‭are‬ ‭duty-bound‬ ‭to‬ ‭observe‬ ‭and‬ ‭maintain‬ ‭the‬ ‭respect‬
A
‭due‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬‭courts‬‭and‬‭judicial‬‭officers.‬‭They‬‭are‬‭to‬‭abstain‬‭from‬‭offensive‬‭or‬‭menacing‬
‭language‬ ‭or‬ ‭behavior‬ ‭before‬ ‭the‬ ‭court‬ ‭and‬ ‭must‬ ‭refrain‬ ‭from‬ ‭attributing‬ ‭to‬ ‭a‬ ‭judge‬
‭motives that are not supported by the record or have no materiality to the case.‬‭50‬

‭ ere,‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭has‬ ‭consistently‬ ‭attributed‬ ‭unsupported‬ ‭imputations‬ ‭against‬ ‭the‬

H
‭complainant‬ ‭in‬ ‭his‬ ‭pleadings.‬ ‭He‬ ‭insisted‬ ‭that‬ ‭complainant‬‭antedated‬‭the‬‭order,‬‭dated‬
‭August‬ ‭15,‬ ‭2008,‬ ‭because‬ ‭the‬ ‭envelopes‬ ‭where‬ ‭the‬ ‭order‬ ‭came‬ ‭from‬ ‭were‬ ‭rubber‬
‭stamped‬ ‭as‬ ‭having‬ ‭been‬ ‭mailed‬ ‭only‬ ‭on‬ ‭August‬ ‭26,‬ ‭2008.‬‭51‬ ‭He‬ ‭also‬ ‭accused‬ ‭the‬
‭complainant‬ ‭judge‬ ‭of‬ ‭being‬ ‭in‬ ‭cahoots‬ ‭and‬ ‭of‬ ‭having‬ ‭deplorable‬ ‭close‬ ‭ties‬ ‭with‬ ‭the‬
‭adverse‬ ‭counsels;‬‭52‬ ‭and‬ ‭that‬ ‭complainant‬ ‭irrefutably‬ ‭coached‬ ‭said‬ ‭adverse‬‭counsels.‬‭53‬
‭However,‬ ‭these‬ ‭bare‬ ‭allegations‬ ‭are‬ ‭absolutely‬ ‭unsupported‬‭by‬‭any‬‭piece‬‭of‬‭evidence.‬
‭Respondent‬‭did‬‭not‬‭present‬‭any‬‭proof‬‭to‬‭establish‬‭complainant's‬‭alleged‬‭partiality‬‭or‬‭the‬
‭antedating.‬‭The‬‭date‬‭of‬‭mailing‬‭indicated‬‭on‬‭the‬‭envelope‬‭is‬‭not‬‭the‬‭date‬‭of‬‭issue‬‭of‬‭the‬
‭said order.‬

‭Canon 11 and Rule 11.04 of the CPR state that:‬

‭Canon‬ ‭11‬ ‭-‬ ‭A‬ ‭lawyer‬ ‭shall‬ ‭observe‬ ‭and‬ ‭maintain‬ ‭the‬ ‭respect‬ ‭due‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬
‭Courts and to judicial officers and should insist on similar conduct by others.‬

‭x x x‬

‭ ule‬‭11.04‬‭A‬‭lawyer‬‭shall‬‭not‬‭attribute‬‭to‬‭a‬‭Judge‬‭motives‬‭not‬‭supported‬‭by‬
R
‭the record or have no materiality to the case.‬
‭In‬ ‭light‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭foregoing,‬ ‭the‬ ‭Court‬ ‭finds‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭guilty‬ ‭of‬ ‭attributing‬‭unsupported‬
‭ill-motives‬‭to‬‭complainant.‬‭It‬‭must‬‭be‬‭remembered‬‭that‬‭all‬‭lawyers‬‭are‬‭bound‬‭to‬‭uphold‬
‭the‬ ‭dignity‬ ‭and‬ ‭authority‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭courts,‬ ‭and‬ ‭to‬ ‭promote‬ ‭confidence‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬ ‭fair‬
‭administration‬‭of‬‭justice.‬‭It‬‭is‬‭the‬‭respect‬‭for‬‭the‬‭courts‬‭that‬‭guarantees‬‭the‬‭stability‬‭of‬
‭the‬ ‭judicial‬ ‭institution;‬ ‭elsewise,‬ ‭the‬ ‭institution‬ ‭would‬ ‭be‬ ‭resting‬ ‭on‬ ‭a‬ ‭very‬ ‭shaky‬
‭foundation.‬‭54‬
‭ ence,‬ ‭no‬ ‭matter‬ ‭how‬ ‭passionate‬ ‭a‬ ‭lawyer‬ ‭is‬‭towards‬‭defending‬‭his‬‭client's‬‭cause,‬‭he‬
H
‭must‬ ‭not‬ ‭forget‬ ‭to‬ ‭display‬‭the‬‭appropriate‬‭decorum‬‭expected‬‭of‬‭him,‬‭being‬‭a‬‭member‬
‭of‬‭the‬‭legal‬‭profession,‬‭and‬‭to‬‭continue‬‭to‬‭afford‬‭proper‬‭and‬‭utmost‬‭respect‬‭due‬‭to‬‭the‬
‭courts.‬

‭ ailure‬ ‭to‬ ‭observe‬ ‭candor,‬ ‭fairness‬‭and‬‭good‬‭faith‬‭before‬‭the‬‭court;‬‭failure‬‭to‬‭assist‬‭in‬

F
‭the speedy and efficient administration of justice‬

I‭ t‬‭cannot‬‭be‬‭gainsaid‬‭that‬‭candidness,‬‭especially‬‭towards‬‭the‬‭courts,‬‭is‬‭essential‬‭for‬‭the‬
‭expeditious‬‭administration‬‭of‬‭justice.‬‭Courts‬‭are‬‭entitled‬‭to‬‭expect‬‭only‬‭complete‬‭candor‬
‭and‬ ‭honesty‬ ‭from‬ ‭the‬ ‭lawyers‬ ‭appearing‬ ‭and‬ ‭pleading‬ ‭before‬ ‭them.‬ ‭A‬ ‭lawyer,‬ ‭on‬ ‭the‬
‭other‬ ‭hand,‬ ‭has‬ ‭the‬ ‭fundamental‬ ‭duty‬ ‭to‬ ‭satisfy‬ ‭that‬ ‭expectation.‬ ‭Otherwise,‬ ‭the‬
‭administration of justice would gravely suffer if indeed it could proceed at all.‬‭55‬

I‭ n‬‭his‬‭Motion‬‭for‬‭Reconsideration‬‭56‬ ‭of‬‭the‬‭Resolution‬‭dated‬‭February‬‭10,‬‭2014‬‭of‬‭the‬‭IBP‬
‭Board of Governors, respondent wrote:‬
‭Anent,‬ ‭the‬ ‭Respondent's‬ ‭alleged‬ ‭commission‬ ‭of‬ ‭falsehood‬ ‭in‬ ‭his‬ ‭pleadings,‬
‭suffice‬ ‭it‬ ‭to‬ ‭state‬ ‭that‬ ‭if‬ ‭certain‬ ‭pleadings‬ ‭prepared‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬ ‭Respondent‬
‭contained‬‭some‬‭allegations‬‭that‬‭turned‬‭out‬‭to‬‭be‬‭inaccurate,‬‭the‬‭same‬‭were‬
‭nevertheless‬ ‭unintentional‬ ‭and‬ ‭only‬ ‭arose‬ ‭out‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Respondent's‬ ‭honest‬
‭misappreciation of certain facts;‬‭57‬
‭The‬‭records,‬‭however,‬‭showed‬‭that‬‭respondent's‬‭allegations‬‭were‬‭not‬‭brought‬‭about‬‭by‬
‭mere‬ ‭inaccuracy.‬ ‭For‬ ‭one‬ ‭of‬‭his‬‭arguments‬‭against‬‭the‬‭complainant,‬‭respondent‬‭relied‬
‭on‬ ‭Rule‬ ‭9‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Interim‬ ‭Rules‬ ‭of‬ ‭Procedure‬ ‭for‬ ‭Intra-Corporate‬ ‭Controversies‬ ‭which‬
‭provides:‬
‭SECTION‬ ‭1.‬ ‭Creation‬ ‭of‬ ‭a‬ ‭Management‬‭Committee‬‭.‬‭-‬‭As‬‭an‬‭incident‬‭to‬‭any‬
‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭cases‬ ‭filed‬ ‭under‬ ‭these‬ ‭Rules‬ ‭or‬ ‭the‬ ‭Interim‬ ‭Rules‬ ‭on‬ ‭Corporate‬
‭Rehabilitation,‬‭A‬‭PARTY‬‭MAY‬‭APPLY‬‭for‬‭the‬‭appointment‬‭of‬‭a‬‭management‬
‭committee‬ ‭for‬ ‭the‬ ‭corporation,‬ ‭partnership‬ ‭or‬ ‭association,‬ ‭when‬ ‭there‬ ‭is‬
‭imminent danger of: x x x [Emphasis supplied]‬
‭He‬ ‭stressed‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭courts‬ ‭cannot‬ ‭motu‬ ‭proprio‬ ‭legally‬ ‭direct‬ ‭the‬ ‭appointment‬ ‭of‬ ‭a‬
‭management‬ ‭committee‬ ‭when‬ ‭the‬ ‭Interim‬ ‭Rules‬ ‭predicate‬ ‭such‬ ‭appointment‬
‭exclusively‬‭upon the application of a party‬‭in the‬‭complaint‬‭a quo‬‭.‭5‬8‬

‭ y‬‭employing‬‭the‬‭term‬‭"exclusively"‬‭to‬‭describe‬‭the‬‭class‬‭of‬‭persons‬‭who‬‭can‬‭apply‬‭for‬
B
‭the‬‭appointment‬‭of‬‭a‬‭management‬‭committee,‬‭59‬ ‭respondent‬‭tried‬‭to‬‭mislead‬‭the‬‭Court.‬
‭Lawyers‬‭are‬‭well‬‭aware‬‭of‬‭the‬‭tenor‬‭of‬‭a‬‭provision‬‭of‬‭law‬‭when‬‭"may"‬‭is‬‭used.‬‭"May"‬‭is‬
‭construed‬ ‭as‬ ‭permissive‬ ‭and‬ ‭operating‬ ‭to‬ ‭confer‬ ‭discretion.‬‭60‬ ‭Thus,‬ ‭when‬ ‭the‬ ‭Interim‬
‭Rules‬‭stated‬‭that‬‭"‭a ‬ ‬‭party‬‭may‬‭apply‬‭x‬‭x‬‭x‬‭,"‬‭it‬‭did‬‭not‬‭connote‬‭exclusivity‬‭to‬‭a‬‭certain‬
‭class.‬ ‭It‬ ‭simply‬ ‭meant‬ ‭that‬ ‭should‬ ‭a‬ ‭party‬‭opt‬‭for‬‭the‬‭appointment‬‭of‬‭such,‬‭it‬‭may‬‭do‬
‭so.‬ ‭It‬ ‭does‬ ‭not,‬ ‭however,‬ ‭exclude‬ ‭the‬ ‭courts‬ ‭from‬ ‭ordering‬ ‭the‬ ‭appointment‬ ‭of‬ ‭a‬
‭management‬ ‭committee‬ ‭should‬ ‭the‬ ‭surrounding‬ ‭circumstances‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭case‬ ‭warrant‬
‭such.‬
‭ urther,‬ ‭as‬ ‭regards‬ ‭his‬ ‭alleged‬ ‭misquotation,‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭argues‬ ‭that‬ ‭he‬ ‭should‬ ‭have‬
F
‭been cited in contempt. He found justification in‬‭Cortes vs. Bangalan‬‭,‭6‬1‬ ‭to wit:‬
‭x‬ ‭x‬ ‭x.‬ ‭The‬ ‭alleged‬ ‭offensive‬ ‭and‬ ‭contemptuous‬ ‭language‬ ‭contained‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬
‭letter-complaint‬ ‭was‬ ‭not‬ ‭directed‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭court.‬ ‭As‬ ‭observed‬ ‭by‬
‭the‬ ‭Court‬ ‭Administrator,‬ ‭"what‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭should‬ ‭have‬ ‭done‬ ‭in‬ ‭this‬
‭particular‬ ‭case‬‭is‬‭that‬‭he‬‭should‬‭have‬‭given‬‭the‬‭Court‬‭(Supreme‬‭Court)‬‭the‬
‭opportunity‬ ‭to‬ ‭rule‬ ‭on‬ ‭the‬ ‭complaint‬ ‭and‬ ‭not‬ ‭simply‬ ‭acted‬ ‭precipitately‬ ‭in‬
‭citing‬‭complainant‬‭in‬‭contempt‬‭of‬‭court‬‭in‬‭a‬‭manner‬‭which‬‭obviously‬‭smacks‬
‭of retaliation rather than the upholding of a court's honor."‬

‭ ‬‭judge‬‭may‬‭not‬‭hold‬‭a‬‭party‬‭in‬‭contempt‬‭of‬‭court‬‭for‬‭expressing‬‭concern‬‭on‬
A
‭his‬‭impartiality‬‭even‬‭if‬‭the‬‭judge‬‭may‬‭have‬‭been‬‭insulted‬‭therein.‬‭While‬‭the‬
‭power‬‭to‬‭punish‬‭in‬‭contempt‬‭is‬‭inherent‬‭in‬‭all‬‭courts‬‭so‬‭as‬‭to‬‭preserve‬‭order‬
‭in‬ ‭judicial‬ ‭proceedings‬ ‭and‬ ‭to‬ ‭uphold‬ ‭the‬ ‭due‬ ‭administration‬ ‭of‬ ‭justice,‬
‭judges,‬ ‭however,‬ ‭should‬ ‭exercise‬ ‭their‬ ‭contempt‬ ‭powers‬ ‭judiciously‬ ‭and‬
‭sparingly,‬ ‭with‬ ‭utmost‬ ‭restraint,‬ ‭and‬ ‭with‬ ‭the‬ ‭end‬ ‭in‬ ‭view‬ ‭of‬ ‭utilizing‬ ‭their‬
‭contempt‬ ‭powers‬ ‭for‬ ‭correction‬ ‭and‬ ‭preservation‬ ‭not‬ ‭for‬ ‭retaliation‬ ‭or‬
‭vindication.‬‭62‬
‭As‬ ‭correctly‬ ‭pointed‬ ‭out‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬ ‭Investigating‬ ‭Commissioner,‬ ‭the‬ ‭jurisprudence‬ ‭quoted‬
‭precisely‬ ‭cautions‬ ‭a‬ ‭judge‬ ‭against‬ ‭citing‬ ‭a‬ ‭party‬ ‭in‬ ‭contempt,‬ ‭which‬ ‭is‬ ‭totally‬
‭contradictory‬‭to‬‭the‬‭position‬‭of‬‭respondent.‬‭He‬‭misrepresented‬‭the‬‭text‬‭of‬‭a‬‭decision,‬‭in‬
‭violation of the CPR.‬

‭ oreover,‬ ‭in‬ ‭defense‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭multiple‬‭pleadings‬‭he‬‭filed,‬‭respondent‬‭avers‬‭that‬‭there‬‭is‬

M
‭no‬ ‭law‬ ‭or‬‭rule‬‭that‬‭limits‬‭the‬‭number‬‭of‬‭motions,‬‭pleadings‬‭and‬‭even‬‭cases‬‭as‬‭long‬‭as‬
‭they‬ ‭are‬ ‭sufficient‬ ‭in‬ ‭form‬ ‭and‬ ‭substance‬ ‭and‬ ‭not‬ ‭violative‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭prohibition‬ ‭against‬
‭forum‬ ‭shopping.‬‭63‬ ‭He‬ ‭maintains‬ ‭that‬ ‭his‬‭pleadings‬‭were‬‭filed‬‭in‬‭utmost‬‭good‬‭faith‬‭and‬
‭for‬‭noble‬‭causes,‬‭and‬‭that‬‭he‬‭was‬‭merely‬‭exercising‬‭his‬‭constitutionally‬‭protected‬‭rights‬
‭to due process and speedy disposition of cases.‬‭64‬

I‭ ronically,‬ ‭Atty.‬ ‭Calayan's‬ ‭indiscriminate‬ ‭filing‬ ‭of‬ ‭pleadings,‬ ‭motions,‬ ‭civil‬ ‭and‬‭criminal‬
‭cases,‬ ‭and‬ ‭even‬ ‭administrative‬ ‭cases‬ ‭against‬ ‭different‬ ‭trial‬ ‭court‬ ‭judges‬ ‭relating‬ ‭to‬
‭controversies‬‭involving‬‭CEFI,‬‭in‬‭fact,‬‭runs‬‭counter‬‭to‬‭the‬‭speedy‬‭disposition‬‭of‬‭cases.‬‭It‬
‭frustrates‬ ‭the‬ ‭administration‬ ‭of‬ ‭justice.‬ ‭It‬ ‭degrades‬ ‭the‬ ‭dignity‬ ‭and‬ ‭integrity‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬
‭courts.‬

‭ ‬ ‭lawyer‬ ‭does‬ ‭not‬ ‭have‬ ‭an‬ ‭unbridled‬ ‭right‬ ‭to‬ ‭file‬ ‭pleadings,‬ ‭motions‬ ‭and‬ ‭cases‬‭as‬‭he‬
A
‭pleases. Limitations can be inferred from the following rules:‬
‭1. Rules of Court‬

‭1.‬ R
‭ ule 71, Section 3.‬‭Indirect Contempt to be Punished‬‭After Charge‬
‭and Hearing‬‭. - After charge in writing has been filed,‬‭and an‬
‭opportunity given to the respondent to comment thereon within such‬
 ‭ eriod as may be fixed by the court and to be heard by himself or‬
p
‭counsel, a person guilty of any of the following acts may be punished‬
‭for indirect contempt:‬

‭x x x‬

(‭ c) Any abuse of or any unlawful interference with the processes or‬

‭proceedings of a court not constituting direct contempt under Section‬
‭1 of this Rule;‬

(‭ d) Any improper conduct tending, directly or indirectly, to impede,‬

‭obstruct, or degrade the administration of justice;‬

‭x x x‬

‭2. Code of Professional Responsibility‬

‭1.‬ C
‭ anon 1 - A lawyer shall uphold the constitution, obey the laws of the‬
‭land and promote respect for law and for legal processes.‬

‭2.‬ C
‭ anon 10, Rule 10.03 - A lawyer shall observe the rules of procedure‬
‭and shall not misuse them to defeat the ends of justice.‬

‭3.‬ C
‭ anon 12 - A lawyer shall exert every effort and consider it his duty‬
‭to assist in the speedy and efficient administration of justice.‬

‭4.‬ C
‭ anon 12, Rule 12.04 - A lawyer shall not unduly delay a case,‬
‭impede the execution of a Judgment or misuse Court processes.‬

‭ espondent‬ ‭justifies‬ ‭his‬ ‭filing‬ ‭of‬ ‭administrative‬ ‭cases‬ ‭against‬‭certain‬‭judges,‬‭including‬

R
‭complainant,‬‭by‬‭relying‬‭on‬‭In‬‭Re:‬‭Almacen‬‭(Almacen)‬‭.‭6‬5‬ ‭He‬‭claims‬‭that‬‭the‬‭mandate‬‭of‬
‭the‬ ‭ruling‬ ‭laid‬ ‭down‬ ‭in‬ ‭Almacen‬ ‭was‬ ‭to‬ ‭encourage‬ ‭lawyers'‬ ‭criticism‬ ‭of‬ ‭erring‬
‭magistrates.‬‭66‬

I‭ n‬ ‭Almacen‬‭,‬ ‭however,‬ ‭it‬ ‭did‬ ‭not‬ ‭mandate‬ ‭but‬ ‭merely‬ ‭recognized‬‭the‬‭right‬‭of‬‭a‬‭lawyer,‬

‭both‬‭as‬‭an‬‭officer‬‭of‬‭the‬‭court‬‭and‬‭as‬‭a‬‭citizen,‬‭to‬‭criticize‬‭in‬‭properly‬‭respectful‬‭terms‬
‭and‬‭through‬‭legitimate‬‭channels‬‭the‬‭acts‬‭of‬‭courts‬‭and‬‭judges.‬‭67‬ ‭In‬‭addition,‬‭the‬‭Court‬
‭therein emphasized that these criticisms are subject to a condition, to wit:‬
‭But‬‭it‬‭is‬‭the‬‭cardinal‬‭condition‬‭of‬‭all‬‭such‬‭criticism‬‭that‬‭it‬‭shall‬‭be‬‭bona‬‭fide,‬
‭and‬ ‭shall‬ ‭not‬ ‭spill‬ ‭over‬ ‭the‬ ‭walls‬ ‭of‬ ‭decency‬ ‭and‬ ‭propriety‬‭.‬ ‭A‬ ‭wide‬
‭chasm‬‭exists‬‭between‬‭fair‬‭criticism,‬‭on‬‭the‬‭one‬‭hand,‬‭and‬‭abuse‬‭and‬‭slander‬
 ‭ f‬ ‭courts‬ ‭and‬ ‭the‬ ‭judges‬ ‭thereof,‬ ‭on‬ ‭the‬ ‭other.‬ ‭Intemperate‬ ‭and‬ ‭unfair‬
o
‭criticism‬ ‭is‬ ‭a‬ ‭gross‬ ‭violation‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭duty‬ ‭of‬ ‭respect‬ ‭to‬ ‭courts.‬ ‭It‬ ‭is‬ ‭such‬ ‭a‬
‭misconduct‬ ‭that‬ ‭subjects‬ ‭a‬ ‭lawyer‬ ‭to‬ ‭disciplinary‬ ‭action.‬‭68‬ ‭[Emphasis‬
‭supplied.]‬
‭Indubitably,‬‭the‬‭acts‬‭of‬‭respondent‬‭were‬‭in‬‭violation‬‭of‬‭his‬‭duty‬‭to‬‭observe‬‭and‬‭maintain‬
‭the‬‭respect‬‭due‬‭to‬‭the‬‭courts‬‭of‬‭justice‬‭and‬‭judicial‬‭officers‬‭and‬‭his‬‭duty‬‭to‬‭never‬‭seek‬
‭to mislead the judge or any judicial officer.‬‭69‬

I‭ n‬ ‭his‬ ‭last‬ ‭ditch‬ ‭attempt‬ ‭to‬ ‭escape‬ ‭liability,‬ ‭respondent‬ ‭apologized‬‭for‬‭not‬‭being‬‭more‬

‭circumspect‬ ‭with‬ ‭his‬‭remedies‬‭and‬‭choice‬‭of‬‭words.‬‭He‬‭admitted‬‭losing‬‭objectivity‬‭and‬
‭becoming‬ ‭emotional‬ ‭while‬ ‭pursuing‬ ‭the‬ ‭cases‬ ‭involving‬ ‭him‬ ‭and‬ ‭the‬ ‭CEFI.‬ ‭The‬‭Court,‬
‭however,‬ ‭reiterates‬ ‭that‬ ‭a‬ ‭lawyer's‬ ‭duty,‬ ‭is‬ ‭not‬ ‭to‬ ‭his‬ ‭client‬ ‭but‬ ‭primarily‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬
‭administration‬ ‭of‬ ‭justice.‬ ‭To‬ ‭that‬ ‭end,‬ ‭his‬ ‭client's‬ ‭success‬ ‭is‬ ‭wholly‬ ‭subordinate.‬ ‭His‬
‭conduct‬ ‭ought‬ ‭to,‬ ‭and‬ ‭must‬ ‭always,‬ ‭be‬ ‭scrupulously‬ ‭observant‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭law‬ ‭and‬‭ethics.‬
‭Any‬ ‭means,‬ ‭not‬ ‭honorable,‬‭fair‬‭and‬‭honest‬‭which‬‭is‬‭resorted‬‭to‬‭by‬‭the‬‭lawyer,‬‭even‬‭in‬
‭the pursuit of his devotion to his client's cause, is condemnable and unethical.‬‭70‬

‭ or‬ ‭having‬ ‭violated‬ ‭the‬ ‭CPR‬ ‭and‬ ‭the‬ ‭Lawyer's‬ ‭Oath,‬ ‭respondent's‬ ‭conduct‬ ‭should‬ ‭be‬
F
‭meted with a commensurate penalty.‬

‭ HEREFORE‬‭,‬ ‭the‬ ‭Court‬ ‭ADOPTS‬ ‭and‬ ‭APPROVES‬ ‭the‬ ‭Resolution‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Integrated‬
W
‭Bar‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Philippines‬ ‭-‬ ‭Board‬ ‭of‬ ‭Governors‬ ‭dated‬ ‭September‬ ‭28,‬ ‭2013.‬ ‭Accordingly,‬
‭Atty.‬ ‭Ronaldo‬ ‭Antonio‬ ‭V.‬ ‭Calayan‬ ‭is‬ ‭found‬‭GUILTY‬‭of‬‭violating‬‭The‬‭Lawyer's‬‭Oath‬‭and‬
‭The‬‭Code‬‭of‬‭Professional‬‭Responsibility‬‭and‬‭he‬‭is‬‭hereby‬‭ordered‬‭SUSPENDED‬‭from‬‭the‬
‭practice‬ ‭of‬ ‭law‬ ‭for‬ ‭two‬ ‭(2)‬ ‭years,‬ ‭with‬ ‭a‬ ‭STERN‬ ‭WARNING‬ ‭that‬ ‭a‬ ‭repetition‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬
‭same or a similar offense will warrant the imposition of a more severe penalty.‬

‭ et‬ ‭copies‬ ‭of‬ ‭this‬ ‭decision‬ ‭be‬ ‭furnished‬ ‭the:‬ ‭(a)‬ ‭Office‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Court‬ ‭Administrator‬ ‭for‬
L
‭dissemination‬ ‭to‬ ‭all‬ ‭courts‬ ‭throughout‬ ‭the‬ ‭country‬‭for‬‭their‬‭information‬‭and‬‭guidance;‬
‭(b)‬‭the‬‭Integrated‬‭Bar‬‭of‬‭the‬‭Philippines;‬‭and‬‭(c)‬‭the‬‭Office‬‭of‬‭the‬‭Bar‬‭Confidant.‬‭Let‬‭a‬
‭copy of this decision be attached to the personal records of the respondent.‬

‭SO ORDERED.‬

‭ ereno,‬ ‭C.J.,‬ ‭Carpio,‬‭Velasco,‬‭Jr.,‬‭Leonardo-De‬‭Castro,‬‭Peralta,‬‭Bersamin,‬‭Del‬‭Castillo,‬

S
‭Perlas-Bernabe,‬ ‭Leonen,‬ ‭Jardeleza,‬ ‭Caguioa,‬ ‭Martires,‬ ‭Tijam,‬ ‭and‬ ‭Reyes,‬ ‭Jr.,‬ ‭JJ.‬‭,‬
‭concur.‬

‭NOTICE OF JUDGMENT‬

‭Sirs/Mesdames:‬
‭ lease‬ ‭take‬ ‭notice‬ ‭that‬ ‭on‬ ‭January‬ ‭10,‬ ‭2018‬ ‭a‬ ‭Decision‬‭/Resolution,‬ ‭copy‬ ‭attached‬
P
‭herewith,‬‭was‬‭rendered‬‭by‬‭the‬‭Supreme‬‭Court‬‭in‬‭the‬‭above-entitled‬‭case,‬‭the‬‭original‬‭of‬
‭which was received by this Office on January 30, 2018 at 11:13 a.m.‬

‭Very truly yours,‬

‭(SGD)‬

‭FELIPA G. BORLONGAN-ANAMA‬

‭�‬ ‭Clerk of Court‬

‭Endnotes‬‭:‬