[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 68-2014, April 28, 2014 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 68-2014, April 28, 2014 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 68-2014, April 28, 2014 ]

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. JAMES JOSEPH GUPANA AND REVOCATION OF HIS NOTARIAL COMMISSION AND DISQUALIFICATION FROM REAPPOINTMENT AS NOTARY PUBLIC FOR TWO (2) YEARS.

For your information and guidance, quoted hereunder is the dispositive portion of the Decision of the First Division dated 05 February 2014 in Administrative Case No. 4545, entitled "Carlito Ang v. Atty. James Joseph Gupana," to wit:

WHEREFORE, respondent Atty. James Joseph Gupana is found administratively liable for misconduct and is SUSPENDED from the practice of law for one year. Further, his notarial commission, if any, is REVOKED and he is disqualified from reappointment as Notary Public for a period of two years, with a stern warning that a repetition of the same or conduct in the future will be dealt with more severely.

28 April 2014

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator