[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 248-2018, November 28, 2018 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 248-2018, November 28, 2018 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 248-2018, November 28, 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. RAMON R. MENDEZ, JR. FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR ONE (l)YEAR

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Decision dated 04 July 2018 of the Second Division in Administrative Case No. 11185, entitled "Jaime S. De Borja vs. Atty. Ramon R. Mendez, Jr.," to wit:

WHEREFORE, premises considered, respondent ATTY. RAMON R. MENDEZ, JR. is found GUILTY of violating Rules 16.01 and 16.03 of Canon 16, and Rule 18.03 of Canon 18 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. He is SUSPENDED from the practice of law for a period of one (1) year, effective upon receipt of this Decision, with a stern warning that a repetition of the same or similar acts will be dealt with more severely.

Atty. Mendez is, likewise, ORDERED to RETURN to complainant Jaime S. De Borja the remaining balance of P160,000.00 with legal interest, if it is still unpaid, within ninety (90) days from the finality of this Decision. Failure to comply with this directive will merit the imposition of the more severe penalty, which this Court shall impose based on the complainant's motion with notice duly furnished to Atty. Mendez.

Let copies of this Decision be furnished the Office of the Bar Confidant, to be appended to the personal record of Atty. Mendez as a member of the Bar; the Integrated Bar of the Philippines; and the Office of the Court Administrator for circulation to all courts in the country for their information and guidance.

As per tracking No. 1267 2320 1020 of the LBC, a copy of the aforesaid Decision was delivered on 10 August 2018 to respondent at his address" on record.

28 November 2018

(SGD.) RAUL BAUSTISTA VILLANUEVA Deputy Court Administrator and Officer-in-Charge Office of the Court Administrator (Per Office Order No. 13-2018 dated 23 November 2018)