[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 187-2018, September 07, 2018 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 187-2018, September 07, 2018 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 187-2018, September 07, 2018 ]

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. SOCRATES R. RIVERA FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR ONE (1) YEAR

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Decision dated 20 June 2018 of the Second Division in Administrative Case No. 12156, entitled "Paulino Lim v. Atty. Socrates R. Rivera," to wit:

WHEREFORE, respondent Atty. Socrates R. Rivera is found GUILTY of violating Rule 1.01, Canon 1 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, as well as the Lawyer's Oath, and . is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law for one (1) year to commence immediately from the receipt of this Decision, with a WARNING that a repetition of the same or similar offense will warrant a more severe penalty.

He is DIRECTED to immediately file a Manifestation to the Court that his suspension has started, copy furnished all courts and quasi-judicial bodies where he has entered his appearance as counsel.

Let copies of this Resolution be furnished to: the Office of the Bar Confidant to be appended to respondent's personal record as an attorney; the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for its information and guidance; and the Office of the Court Administrator for circulation to all courts in the country.

7 September 2018

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator