[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 61-2019, April 08, 2019 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 61-2019, April 08, 2019 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 61-2019, April 08, 2019 ]

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. FLORITO T. POZON FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR ONE (1) YEAR

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the dispositive portion of the Decision dated 7 January 2019 of the Second Division in Administrative Case Nos. 11334 and 11335, entitled "Jocelyn Sorensen vs. Atty. Florito T. Pozon," to wit:

WHEREFORE, the Court finds respondent Atty. Florito T. Pozon GUILTY of violating Rules 18.03 and 18.04, Canon 18 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. Accordingly, the Court SUSPENDS him from the practice of law for one (1) year effective immediately upon receipt of this Decision. He is STERNLY WARNED that a repetition of the same or similar acts shall be dealt with more severely in the future. Respondent is ORDERED to return to complainant Jocelyn Sorensen the amount of PhP 21,000.00 with interest at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum from the finality of this Decision until fully paid for the unresolved legal matters involving Lot No. 6651 in Pangan-an, Lapu-lapu City and Lot No. 2393-M in Liloan, Cebu. Respondent shall submit to the Court proof of restitution within ten (10) days from payment.

Let all courts, through the Office of the Court Administrator, as well as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Office of the Bar Confidant, be notified of this Decision. Let a copy of this Decision be entered in the records of respondent.

As per LBC return of service, respondent thru authorized agent Ian Leonado, received a copy of the aforesaid Decision on 24 January 2019.

8 April 2019

(SGD.) RAUL BAUTISTA VILLANUEVA Deputy Court Administrator and Officer-In-Charge Office of the Court Administrator (Per Office Order No. 07-2019 dated 29 March 2019)