[ SC CIRCULAR NO. 1, January 06, 1988 ]

[ SC CIRCULAR NO. 1, January 06, 1988 ]

[ SC CIRCULAR NO. 1, January 06, 1988 ]

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERVISION OF COURTS

TO :

THE COURT OF APPEALS, SANDIGANBAYAN, COURT OF TAX APPEALS, REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS, SHARI'A DISTRICT COURT AND SHARI'A CIRCUIT COURTS.

SUBJECT:

Suspension of Atty. SANTIAGO F. MARCOS from the practice of law.

For the information and guidance of all concerned, quoted hereunder is the pertinent portion of the Decision of the First Division of this Court, promulgated on December 29, 1987, in Administrative Case No. 922, entitled "IN RE: ATTY. SANTIAGO F. MARCOS":

"An attorney is bound to protect his client's interest to the best of his ability and with the utmost diligence. (Del Rosario vs. Court of Appeals, 114 SCRA 159) A failure to file brief for his client certainly constitutes inexcusable negligence on his part. (People vs. Villar, 46 SCRA 107) The respondent has indeed committed a serious lapse in the duly owed by him to his client as well as to the Court not to delay litigation and to aid in the speedy administration of justice. (Canons 21 and 22, Canons of Professional Ethics; People vs. Daban, 43 SCRA 185; People vs. Estocada, 43 SCRA 515)

"WHEREFORE, Atty. Santiago F. Marcos is severely reprimanded and suspended from the practice of law for three (3) months effective for the date of his receipt hereof. He is further admonished to henceforth exercise greater care and diligence in the performance of his duties towards his clients and the court. This decision is immediately executory and no motion for extension of time to file a motion for reconsideration will be entertained. Let copies of this decision be attached to Atty. Marcos' personal record and circulated among the different courts."

January 6, 1988.

(Sgd.) CLAUDIO TEEHANKEE

Chief Justice