[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 18-2018, January 31, 2018 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 18-2018, January 31, 2018 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 18-2018, January 31, 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. RUFINO C. LIZARDO FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR ONE (1) YEAR

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Decision dated 31 January 2017 of the Court En Banc in Administrative Case No. 10533, entitled "Silvestra Medina and Santos Medina Loraya v. Atty. Rufino Lizardo," to wit:

WHEREFORE, the Court finds respondent Atty. Rufino C. Lizardo GUILTY of violating Canons 16 and 17, Rules 15.03 and 16.03 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. Accordingly, the Court SUSPENDS him from the practice of law for one year effective upon finality of this Decision, ORDERS him, under pain of contempt, to return TCTs No. 3900 and 13866 to complainant Silvestra Medina within 15 days from notice of this Decision, and WARNS him that a repetition of the same or similar offense shall be dealt with more severely.

In Registry Return Receipt No. 17921-A, respondent, thru Shen Saromines, received, (without indicating date of reciept) a copy of the aforesaid Decision. To date, respondent has not filed a motion for reconsideration.

31 January 2018

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator