[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 203-2017, September 26, 2017 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 203-2017, September 26, 2017 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 203-2017, September 26, 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 : LIFTING OF SUSPENSION FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW OF ATTY. JAMES JOSEPH GUPANA

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Resolution dated 7 June 2017 of the Special First Division in Administrative Case No. 4S45, entitled "Carlito Ang v. Atty. James Joseph Gupana," to wit:

The Court resolves to NOTE

(1) the respondent's sworn statement dated June 6, 2016, stating that while he filed his motion for reconsideration of the Decision dated February 5, 2014, he voluntarily desisted on April 28, 2014 from the practice of law and has not appeared in court as counsel and had not reapplied for a notarial commission since then;

(2) the respondent's amended sworn statement dated November 25, 2016, praying for the lifting of the order of his suspension from the practice of law and disqualification from being commissioned as notary public, and submitting therewith certifications from different courts of Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Talisay City, Danao City, Toledo City, Surigao City, Dipolog City and Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu Chapter, all affirming that respondent has desisted from the practice of law and has not appeared in court as counsel from April 28, 2014 to April 29, 2016 and has not been commissioned as notary public from 2010 to present;

(3) the urgent ex-parte motion of respondent Atty. Gupana dated February 2, 2017 praying that an order be immediately issued lifting his one (1) year suspension from the practice of law and his two (2) years disqualification from re-appointment as notary public; and

(4) the Report and Recommendation dated January 12, 2017 of the Office of the Bar Confidant.

The Court further resolves to LIFT the suspension of respondent Atty. James Joseph Gupana from the practice of law and his disqualification from being commissioned as notary public and he is allowed to RESUME his practice of law and he can now FILE his petition for notarial commission before the commissioning court of jurisdiction effective from notice.

26 September 2017

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator