[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 27-2013, February 20, 2013 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 27-2013, February 20, 2013 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 27-2013, February 20, 2013 ]

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 ONE (1) YEAR OF ATTY. LEOPOLDO STA. MARIA

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the portion of the Resolution of the Second Division dated 12 November 2012, in Administrative Case No. 9098, entitled "Virginia Yutadco vs. Atty. Leopoldo Sta. Maria," to wit:

"The Court RESOLVES to ADOPT and APPROVE the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of the Investigating Commissioner in the attached Report dated 2 October 2007 (Annex "A") as approved by the Board of Governors of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in IBP Notice of Resolution No. XVIII-2007-194 dated 19 October 2007 (Annex "B") and affirmed with modification as to the basis of the penalty by the Office of the Bar Confidant in its Memorandum dated 12 September 2012 (Annex "C"). Accordingly, the Court SUSPENDS respondent Atty. Leopoldo Sta. Maria from the practice of law for one (1) year with warning that a repetition of the same or similar act shall be dealt with more severely."

Respondent received the said Resolution on 8 January 2013, as shown in the Registry Return Receipt No 1042.

20 February 2013

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator