[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 59-2019, April 03, 2019 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 59-2019, April 03, 2019 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 59-2019, April 03, 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 ATTORNEYS OFFICE AND THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUBJECT: SUSPENSION OF ATTY. IRENEO M. DE LUMEN FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR SIX (6) MONTHS

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Resolution dated 17 August 2016 of the First Division in Administrative Case No. 8899, entitled "Belinda R. Ong vs. Atty. Ireneo M. De Lumen," to wit:

The Court resolves to ADOPT and APPROVE the recommendation of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines' Board of Governors in the Notice of Resolution No. XXI-2014-522 dated August 10, 2014 (Annex "A") which reversed and set aside the report and recommendation of the Investigating Commissioner dated November 13, 2013. Accordingly, respondent Atty. Ireneo M. De Lumen is SUSPENDED from the practice of law for six (6) months from notice hereof, for demanding the excessive amount of One Hundred Fifty One Thousand Pesos (P151,000.00) from complainant as payment of taxes and incidental expenses for the transfer of title of a condominium unit and for insisting to first deduct his additional legal expenses before turning over the amount entrusted for a specific purpose.

As per Registry Return Receipt No. 29803, respondent received a copy of the Resolution dated 17 August 2016 on 27 September 2016. In a Resolution dated 9 January 2017, the Court DENIED WITH FINALITY the respondent's motion for reconsideration.

3 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)