[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 241-2016, November 18, 2016 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 241-2016, November 18, 2016 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 241-2016, November 18, 2016 ]

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. REYNALDO SONALAN FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR SIX (6) MONTHS

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Resolution dated 8 August 2016 of the First Division in Administrative Case No. 6340, entitled "Ofelia B. Palmares v. Atty. Reynaldo Sonalan," to wit:

The Court resolves to NOTE:

(1) the Notice of Resolution No. XX-2013-825 dated June 22, 2013 of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines' Board of Governors which adopted and approved the report and recommendation of the Investigating Commissioner dated August 5, 2012, and suspended respondent Atty. Reynaldo Sonalan from the practice of law for four (4) months considering the respondent's act as contumacious or revolting to good manners; and

(2) the Notice of Resolution No. XXI-2014-322 dated May 4, 2014 of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines' Board of Governors which affirmed with modification its Resolution No. XX-2013-825 dated June 22, 2013 by increasing the penalty of respondent from suspension from the practice of law for four (4) months to six (6) months, and denied the respondent's motion for reconsideration thereof, there being no cogent reason to reverse its findings and it being a mere reiteration of the matters which had already been threshed out and taken into consideration, transmitted by letter dated August 20, 2014 of Director Dominic CM. Solis, Integrated Bar of the Philippines' Commission on Bar Discipline, together with the records and compact disc containing the PDF file of the case.

The Court further 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- 322 dated May 4, 2014 (Annex "A") which affirmed with modification its Notice of Resolution No. XX-2013-825 dated June 22, 2013 (Annex "B"). Accordingly, respondent Atty. Reynaldo Sonalan is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law for six (6) months from notice considering the respondent's act as contumacious or revolting to good manners.

18 November 2016

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator