[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 284-2016, December 22, 2016 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 284-2016, December 22, 2016 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 284-2016, December 22, 2016 ]

TO : THE COURT OF APPEALS, SANDIGANBAYAN, COURT OF TAX APPEALS, REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, SHARI'A DISTRICT COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS, SHARI'A CIRCUIT COURTS, THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF STATE PROSECUTOR, PUBLIC ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUBJECT : SUSPENSION OF ATTY. GERARDO B. BONGANAY FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR SIX (6) MONTHS

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Resolution dated 8 June 2016 of the Second Division in Administrative Case No. 11160, entitled "Herminigildo S. Costo and Leonor S. Costo v. Atty. Gerardo B. Bonganay," to wit:

WHEREFORE, finding respondent Atty. Gerardo B. Bonganay GUILTY of violating Rule 16.01, Rule 16.03 and Rule 16.04, Canon 16 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, the Court hereby SUSPENDS him from the practice of law for Six (6) Months effective upon the finality of this decision, with a STERN WARNING that a repetition of the same or similar act will be dealt with more severely. He is also ORDERED to return to complainants Herminigildo S. Costo and Leonor S. Costo China Banking Corporation Manager's Check No. 00000036338, dated January 18, 2005, or its monetary equivalent in the amount of P 104,364.25, which he had received for complainants in connection with the Judgment by Compromise in Civil Case No. Q-03-49418.

In a Resolution dated 19 September 2016, the Court DENIED with FINALITY respondent's motion for reconsideration, no substantial argument having been adduced to warrant the reconsideration sought. Respondent received the Resolution dated 19 September 2016 on 28 October 2016.

22 December 2016

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator