[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 91-2017, April 10, 2017 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 91-2017, April 10, 2017 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 91-2017, April 10, 2017 ]

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 ATTORNEYS OFFICE AND THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUBJECT: SUSPENSION OF ATTY. LUIS K. LOKIN JR. FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR THREE (3) YEARS AND ATTY. SIKINI C. LABASTILLA FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR ONE (1) YEAR

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Decision dated 19 April 2016 of the Court En Banc in Administrative Case No. 11139, entitled "PHILCOMSAT Holdings Corporation, duly represented by Erlinda I. Bildner v. Atty. Luis K. Lokin, Jr. and Atty. Sikini C. Labastilla," to wit:

WHEREFORE , respondents Atty. Luis K. Lokin, Jr. and Atty. Sikini C. Labastilla are found GUILTY of violating Canons 7 and 11 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. Accordingly, Atty. Luis K. Lokin, Jr. is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law for a period of three (3) years, while Atty. Sikini C. Labastilla is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law for a period of one (1) year, effective upon the receipt of this Decision, with stern a warning that a repetition of the same or similar acts will be dealt with more severely.

In a Resolution dated 30 August 2016, the Court DENIED WITH FINALITY the motion for reconsideration dated 12 July 2016 filed by respondent Atty. Labastilla, thru counsel, there being no substantial matters raised to warrant the reversal of the questioned Decision, In a Resolution dated 13 September 2016, the Court DENIED WITH FINALITY the motion for reconsideration dated 15 July 2016 filed by respondent Atty. Lokin, Jr. there being no substantial matters raised to warrant the reversal of the questioned Decision. Respondent Atty. Labastilla received the Decision dated 19 April 2016 on 28 June 2016. As stated in his motion for reconsideration, respondent Atty. Lokin, Jr. received the said Decision dated 19 April 2016 on 1 July 2016.

10 April 2017

(SGD.) RAUL BAUTISTA VILLANUEVA Deputy Court Administrator and Officer-in-Charge Office of the Court Administrator