[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 144-2017, July 20, 2017 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 144-2017, July 20, 2017 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 144-2017, July 20, 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 : LIFTING OF SUSPENSION FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW OF ATTY. JAMES JOSEPH GUPANA

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Resolution dated 13 February 2017 of the Third Division in Administrative Case No. 6109, entitled "Erlinda Piala Vda. De Inot, et al. v. Atty. James Joseph Gupana," to wit:

The Court NOTES respondent's letter dated October 24, 2016 submitting certifications from the Office of the Executive Judge of the Courts where he practices his profession and from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines local chapter he is affiliated with, that he has stopped his law practice as ordered by the Court starting April 29, 2015;

Acting on the Office of the Bar Confidant's (OBC) Report and Recommendation dated January 5, 2017 submitting that based on records and documents submitted, respondent has already fully complied with and served the one (1) year suspension from the practice of law as mandated in the Resolution dated July 24, 2013, the Court upon the recommendation of the OBC, resolves to LIFT the order of suspension and ALLOW him to RESUME his law practice.

The said report and recommendation of the OBC is NOTED.

In view thereof, respondent's Manifestation with Urgent Ex-Parte Motion to Lift Order of Suspension dated January 10, 2017 is NOTED WITHOUT ACTION.

Case is considered CLOSED and TERMINATED.

20 July 2017

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator