[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 60-2019, April 03, 2019 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 60-2019, April 03, 2019 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 60-2019, April 03, 2019 ]

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. MILAGROS ISABEL A. CRISTOBAL FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR SIX (6) MONTHS

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the dispositive portion of the Decision dated 10 October 2018 of the Second Division in Administrative Case No. 12146, entitled "Carlos V. Lopez vs. Atty. Milagros Isabel A. Cristobal," to wit:

WHEREFORE, the Court finds Atty. Milagros Isabel A. Cristobal LIABLE for violation of Canons 18 and 22 and Rules 18.03, 18.04 and 22.01 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and she is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law for six (6) months effective immediately upon receipt of this Decision. She is also ORDERED to RETURN to complainant Carlos V. Lopez the remaining balance of P25,000.00 from the P35.000.00 she received from the latter within ninety (90) days from receipt of this Decision. Respondent shall submit to the Court proof of restitution within ten (10) days from payment. Failure to comply with the foregoing directive will warrant the imposition of a more severe penalty.

Let all the courts, through the Office of the Court Administrator, as well as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Office of the Bar Confidant, be notified of this Decision and be entered into respondent's personal record.

3 April 2019

(SGD.) RAUL BAUTISTA VILLANUEVA Deputy Court Administrator and Officer-In-Charge Office of the Court Administrator (Per Office Order No. 07-2019 dated 29 March 2019)