[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 152-2018, July 12, 2018 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 152-2018, July 12, 2018 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 152-2018, July 12, 2018 ]

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. ATTY. ESTHER REALEZA FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR ONE (1) YEAR AND REVOCATION OF HER NOTARIAL COMMISSION AND DISQUALIFICATION FROM REAPPOINTMENT AS NOTARY PUBLIC FOR TWO (2) YEARS

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Resolution dated 19 January 2018 of the First Division in Administrative Case No. 10148, entitled "Loreta Acelajado Carias, Melodie Acelajado, Rommel Acelajado, Ever Acelajado and Marvin Acelajado v. Atty. Esther Realeza," to wit:

WHEREFORE, Atty. Esther Realeza is found GUILTY of violating the Notarial Law and the Code of Professional Responsibility. She is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law for one (1) year; and PROHIBITED from being commissioned as a notary public for two (2) years. Her present notarial commission, if any, is also REVOKED, effective immediately. Atty Realeza is also warned that repetition of the same or similar acts in the future shall be dealt with more severely.

Let copies of this Resolution be furnished to the Office of the Court Administrator for dissemination to all courts and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for their information and guidance. The Office of the Bar Confidant is DIRECTED to append a copy of this Resolution to Atty. Realeza's record as a member of the bar.

The copy of the Resolution dated February 3, 2014 which resolved to note the: (1) Notice of Resolution No. XVIII-2008-338 dated July 17, 2008 of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines' Board of Governors adopting and approving with modification the Report and Recommendation of the Investigating Commissioner, and suspending respondent from the practice of law for one (1) year, immediately revoking her notarial commission, if presently commissioned, and disqualifying her from reappointment as Notary Public for two (2) years; the (2) Notice of Resolution No. XX-2013-838 dated June 22, 2013 of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines' Board of Governors denying respondent's motion for reconsideration, thus affirming Resolution No. XVIII- 2008-338 dated July 17, 2008; and the (3) letter dated October 7, 2013 of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, transmitting the documents pertaining to the instant case, sent to complainants Loreta Acelajado Carias, et al. at their address at Velasquez St., Bangliad Taytay, 1920 Rizal, that was returned to this Court on September 26, 2014, unserved with postal notation "RTS-Unknown Addressee." is DEEMED SERVED.

Per Registry Return Receipt No. 30175, respondent received a copy of the Resolution dated 19 January 2018 on 12 April 2018.

12 July 2018

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator