[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 131-2018, June 20, 2018 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 131-2018, June 20, 2018 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 131-2018, June 20, 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 ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUBJECT : SUSPENSION OF ATTY. CHRISTIAN BANTA VALENCIA FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR SIX (6) MONTHS AND REVOCATION OF HIS NOTARIAL COMMISSION AND DISQUALIFICATION FROM REAPPOINTMENT AS NOTARY PUBLIC FOR TWO (2) YEARS

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Resolution dated 6 September 2017 of the Second Division in Administrative Case No. 9267, entitled "Rodolfo B. Agotilla, Marcelino R. Austero, and Arsenio Dela Cruz Kwok v. Atty. Christian Banta Valencia," to wit:

The Court RESOLVES to ADOPT and APPROVE the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in the attached Resolution [1] dated October 10, 2014. Accordingly, the Court finds respondent Atty. Christian Banta Valencia (respondent) GUILTY of violating the Notarial Law and is thus SUSPENDED from the practice of law for six (6) months, effective immediately upon his receipt of this Resolution. He is hereby DISQUALIFIED from being commissioned as a notary public for two (2) years, effective immediately, and his incumbent commission as a notary public, if existing, is immediately revoked. He is WARNED that a repetition of the same offense or similar acts shall be dealt with more severely.

Respondent is DIRECTED to immediately file a Manifestation indicating the date of his receipt of this Resolution to enable this Court to determine when his suspension shall take effect, copy furnished to all courts and quasi-judicial bodies where he has entered his appearance as counsel.

In a Resolution dated 7 March 2018, the Court DENIED WITH FINALITY respondent's motion for reconsideration of the Resolution dated 6 September 2017 for lack of substantial merit. Per Registry Return Receipt No. 12227, respondent received a copy of the Resolution dated 6 September 2017 on 6 December 2017.

20 June 2018

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator

[1] Rollo, p. 254. Signed by National Secretary Nasser A. Marohomsalie