[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 97-2012, September 28, 2012 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 97-2012, September 28, 2012 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 97-2012, September 28, 2012 ]

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 FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR FOUR (4) YEARS OF ATTY. RODOLFO D. CASUGA AND REVOCATION OF HIS NOTARIAL COMMISSION AND DISQUALIFICATION FROM REAPPOINTMENT AS NOTARY PUBLIC FOR FOUR (4) YEARS

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the dispositive portion of the Decision of the Court En Banc dated 20 March 2012, in Administrative Case No. 7591, entitled "Corazon T. Nevada vs. Atty. Rodolfo D. Casuga," to wit:

"WHEREFORE, the Court finds Atty. Rodolfo D. Casuga GUILTY of gross misconduct for violation of Canon 16 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and the Notarial Rules. He is hereby SUSPENDED for a period of four (4) years from the practice of law. The notarial commission of Atty. Casuga, if still existing, is hereby REVOKED and he is DISQUALIFIED from being commissioned as Notary Public also for four (4) years. Additionally, he is ordered to return the amount of PhP 90,000, the pieces of jewelry subject of this case or their equivalent of PhP 300,000, and the Rolex watch valued at USD 12,000 or its equivalent in Philippine Peso to Corazon T. Nevada within thirty (30) days from finality of this Decision; otherwise, he shall be cited for contempt. Lastly, Atty. Casuga is warned that a repetition of the same or similar acts will be dealt with more severely."

In a Resolution dated 3 July 2012, the Court CONSIDERED as SERVED the Notice of Judgment dated 30 March 2012 addressed to Atty. Rodolfo D. Casuga at No. 222 Ferguson Road, Guisad, 26000 Baguio City, which Notice of Judgment was returned unserved with notation on the letter-envelope "RTS- Addressee Moved to USA".

28 September 2012

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator