[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 73-2017, March 28, 2017 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 73-2017, March 28, 2017 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 73-2017, March 28, 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 ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUBJECT: SUSPENSION OF ATTY. FRANCISCO P. DURAN FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR SIX (6) MONTHS

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Decision dated 14 September 2016 of the First Division in Administrative Case No. 11323, entitled "Nicolas Robert Martin Egger v. Atty. Francisco P. Duran," to wit:

WHEREFORE, respondent Atty. Francisco P. Duran is found guilty of violating Rules 16.01 and 16.03, Canon 16 and Rule 18.03, Canon 18 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. Accordingly, he is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law for a period of six (6) months, effective upon the finality of this Decision, and STERNLY WARNED that a repetition of the same or similar acts shall be dealt with more severely.

Further, respondent is ORDERED to return to complainant Nicolas Robert Martin Egger the legal fees he received from the latter in the amount of P 100,000.00 within ninety (90) days from the finality of this Decision. Failure to comply with the foregoing directive will warrant the imposition of a more severe penalty.

Respondent failed to file a motion for reconsideration despite receipt of the aforesaid Decision on 11 November 2016.

28 March 2017

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator