[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 15-2017, January 18, 2017 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 15-2017, January 18, 2017 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 15-2017, January 18, 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 ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUBJECT : SUSPENSION OF ATTY. BENIGNO PUNO FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR ONE (1) YEAR

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Decision dated 18 April 2016 of the Second Division in Administrative Case No. 10677, entitled "Rudenia L. Tiburdo v. Atty. Benigno M. Puno," to wit:

WHEREFORE, we find Atty. Benigno M. Puno GUILTY of gross misconduct. Accordingly, we SUSPEND him from the practice of law for one (1) year. He is STERNLY WARNED that a repetition of the same or similar act in the future shall merit a more severe sanction.

This Decision shall take effect immediately upon receipt by Atty. Benigno M. Puno of a copy of this Decision. Atty. Puno shall inform this Court and the Office of the Bar Confidant in writing of the date he received a copy of this Decision. Copies of this Decision shall be furnished the Office of the Bar Confidant, to be appended to respondent's personal record, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

In a Resolution dated 1 August 2016, the Court DEEMED as SERVED by substituted service the returned and unserved copy of the Decision dated 18 April 2016 sent to respondent at Room 104, MN Square Building 678 corner Shaw Boulevard, Capitol Drive, Pasig City, with notation, "RTS, Moved Out."

18 January 2017

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator