[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 136-2015, July 06, 2015 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 136-2015, July 06, 2015 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 136-2015, July 06, 2015 ]

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 SIX (6) MONTHS OF ATTY. MARCELO B. SUERTE-FELIPE AND DISQUALIFICATION FROM REAPPOINTMENT AS NOTARY PUBLIC FOR ONE (1) YEAR AND REVOCATION OF HIS NOTARIAL COMMISSION

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the dispositive portion of the Resolution of the First Division dated 17 September 2014 in Administrative Case No. 7184 entitled "Atty. Felipe B. Almazan, Sr. vs. Atty. Marcelo B. Suerte-Felipe" to wit:

WHEREFORE, respondent Atty. Marcelo B. Suerte-Felipe is found GUILTY of malpractice as a notary public, and violating the lawyer's oath as well as Rule 1.01, Canon 1 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. Accordingly, he is SUSPENDED from the practice of law for a period of six (6) months, effective upon his receipt of this Resolution, with a STERN WARNING that a repetition of the same or similar acts will be dealt with more severely. He is likewise DISQUALIFIED from being commissioned as a notary for a period of one (1) year and his notarial commission, if currently existing, is hereby REVOKED.

In a Resolution dated 9 February 2015, the Court NOTED and TREATED the respondent's manifestation with prayer to lift the order of suspension dated 23 December 2014 as a motion for reconsideration of the Court's Resolution dated 17 September 2014 and DENIED the same for lack of merit.

06 July 2015

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator