[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 60-2016, February 26, 2016 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 60-2016, February 26, 2016 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 60-2016, February 26, 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 ATTORf UY'S OFFICE AND THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUBJECT : SUSPENSION FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR SIX (6) MONTHS OF ATTY. WALLEN R. DE. VERA

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the Decision of the First Division dated 4 February 2015 in Administrative Case No. 10451, entitled "Spouses Willie and Amelia Umaguing vs. Atty. Wallen R. De Vera," to wit:

WHEREFORE , respondent Atty. Wallen R. De Vera (respondent) is found GUILTY of violating the Lawyer's Oath and Rule 10.01, Canon 10 of the C:de of Professional Responsibility. Accordingly, he is SUSPENDED for six (6) months from the practice of law, effective upon receipt of this Decision, with a stern warning that any repetition of the same or similar acts will be punished more severely.

Moreover, respondent is ORDERED to return to complainants Spouses Willie and Amelia Umaguing the amount of £60,000.00 which he admittedly received from the latter as fees intrinsically linked to his professional engagement within ninety (90) days from the finality of this Decision. Failure to comply with the foregoing directive will warrant the imposition of further administrative penalties.

In a Resolution dated 15 July 2015, the Court DENIED with FINALITY the respondent's motion for reconsideration thereof. Respondent received on 24 March 2015 the Decision dated 4 February 2015.

26 February 2016

(SGD.) RAUL BAUTISTA VILLANUEVA Deputy Court Administrator and Officer-in-Charge Office of the Court Administrator