G.R. No. A.C. No. 13753, February 06, 2024
JULIETA L. CO, COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. JORGE P. MONROY, RESPONDENT.

FACTS

Complainant Julieta L. Co filed a disbarment complaint against Atty. Jorge P. Monroy for violating the Code of Professional Responsibility. In July 2000, Atty. Monroy, then a Director III at the Bureau of Customs, offered to sell a confiscated Toyota Land Cruiser to Julieta for PHP 1.4 million, assuring her the transaction was legal. Relying on him as a trusted family friend, Julieta, along with her sister and brother-in-law (Spouses Que), inspected the vehicle and, upon Atty. Monroy’s instructions, gave him a PHP 150,000.00 check on July 18, 2000, and a cash payment of PHP 1,250,000.00 on July 21, 2000. The vehicle was not released, with Atty. Monroy citing missing signatures. On July 24, 2000, he admitted the money was taken by someone who could not be located. He and his nephew issued a receipt guaranteeing the money’s return, but repeated demands for repayment were ignored. Consequently, Informations for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and estafa were filed against Atty. Monroy. The Sandiganbayan found him guilty of both charges in a Decision promulgated in absentia on September 30, 2010, as he remained at-large. In the disbarment proceedings before the IBP-CBD, Atty. Monroy failed to file an answer, a mandatory conference brief, or appear at hearings despite notices sent to his last known addresses, all of which were returned unserved. The IBP-CBD and the IBP Board of Governors recommended his disbarment.

ISSUE

Whether Atty. Jorge P. Monroy should be disbarred based on his conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude and his violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility.

RULING

Yes, Atty. Jorge P. Monroy is DISBARRED. The Court adopted the findings and recommendation of the IBP. Atty. Monroy’s conviction for estafa, a crime involving moral turpitude, constitutes a sufficient ground for disbarment under Rule 138, Section 27 of the Rules of Court. His deceitful act of defrauding the complainant of PHP 1.4 million also violated Canon 1, Rule 1.01 and Canon 6, Rule 6.02 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, which require lawyers to uphold the law and avoid dishonest, deceitful, and immoral conduct. His failure to participate in the administrative proceedings, despite notice, constituted a waiver of his right to refute the allegations. Membership in the bar is a privilege requiring the highest standards of morality, honesty, and integrity, which Atty. Monroy failed to maintain. Accordingly, his name is ordered stricken from the Roll of Attorneys.