[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 73-2019, May 03, 2019 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 73-2019, May 03, 2019 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 73-2019, May 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 ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUBJECT: SUSPENSION OF ATTY. ERIC G. SANTOS FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR TWO (2) MONTHS

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Resolution dated 7 January 2019 of the Second Division in Administrative Case No. 12203, entitled "Lordito S. Diaz vs. Atty. Eric G. Santos," to wit:

The Court RESOLVES to ADOPT and APPROVE the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in the attached Notice of Resolutions dated February 21, 2015 [1] and November 29, 2016. [2] Accordingly, the Court finds respondent Atty. Eric G. Santos (respondent), GUILTY of violating Canon 17 and Rules 18.03 and 18.04, Canon 18 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, and is thus, meted with the penalty of SUSPENSION from the practice of law for a period of two (2) months, with a STERN WARNING that a repetition of the same or similar infraction will be dealt with more severely.

The suspension in the practice of law, shall take effect immediately upon receipt of this Resolution by respondent. He is DIRECTED to immediately file a Manifestation to the Court that his suspension has started, copy furnished all courts and quasi-judicial bodies where he has entered his appearance as counsel.

Let copies of this Resolution be furnished to: (a) the Office of the Bar Confidant to be appended to respondent's personal record as an attorney; (b) the IBP for its information and guidance; and (c) the Office of the Court Administrator for circulation to all courts in the country.

SO ORDERED.

3 May 2019

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator

[1] Rollo, p 195, including its dorsal portion. Signed by National Secretary Nasser A. Marohomsalic.

[2] Id. at 223-224. Signed by Secretary for the Meeting Avelino V. Sales, Jr.