A bigamous, philandering, sexually abusive, and grossly immoral lawyer has been disbarred by the Supreme Court (SC) on a complaint filed by his wife, also a lawyer.

Their names were redacted by the SC in its press briefer on A.C. No. 13496 that was promulgated on June 4, 2024 and uploaded on the SC’s website – sc.judiciary.gov.ph – last August 14.

The SC said the husband-lawyer was disbarred for grossly immoral conduct in violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).

It said that under Canon VI, Section 33(f) of the CPRA, grossly immoral conduct, a serious offense, is an “act that is so corrupt or false as to constitute a criminal act.”

The press briefer stated:

• “First, based on his own admissions, he openly engaged in extramarital relations with at least three women during his marriage, completely disregarding his marital vows.
• “Second, he entered into a bigamous marriage and fathered two illegitimate children.
• “Third and fourth, he sexually harassed his house helper and law secretary by showing them pornographic materials. He also admitted to engaging in sexually charged conversations with them.

The SC said in its decision: 

“All told, the Court finds it proper to impose against respondent (husband-lawyer) the penalties of disbarment and fines in the total amount of P400,001 for his transgressions. His behavior shows a manifest disregard of the Constitution and the Philippine laws on marriage and sexual harassment.

“The evidence and the parties' submission, taken together, substantially demonstrate respondent's lack of moral uprightness to continue in the legal profession as a member of the Bar and an officer of the court.

“Accordingly, the Court finds respondent … guilty of four counts of Grossly Immoral Conduct committed in violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, Canon II, Sections 1 and 2, and Canon III, Section 2. 

“The Court imposes the following penalties against him –disbarment for the first count of Grossly Immoral Conduct, effective upon receipt of this decision. The Court thus orders his name stricken off th e Roll of Attorneys for the first count; disbarment for the second count of Grossly Immoral Conduct; suspension from the practice of law for a period of three years for the third count of Grossly Immoral Conduct; and suspension from the practice of law for a period of three years for the fourth count of Grossly Immoral Conduct.

“Considering that respondent is already disbarred for the first count of Grossly Immoral Conduct, the penalties for the second, third, and fourth counts of Grossly Immoral Conduct may no longer be imposed but should nonetheless be considered in the event that respondent applies for reinstatement or judicial clemency. 

“Further, in view of his disbarment for the first count, the Court imposes the penalties of fines in the amount of P100,001 for the second count, P150,000 for the third count, and P150,000 for the fourth count or total aggregate fines in the amount of P400,001.

“Let copies of this Decision be furnished to the Office of the Bar Confidant for immediate implementation, the Office of the Court Administrator for dissemination to all courts of the country, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for its information and guidance. So ordered. ”