AC 10031; (July, 2014) (Digest)
G.R. No. A.C. No. 10031, July 23, 2014
RAUL M. FRANCIA, Complainant, vs. ATTY. REYNALDO V. ABDON, Respondent.
FACTS
Complainant Raul M. Francia sought the assistance of respondent Atty. Reynaldo V. Abdon, a Labor Arbiter, regarding a pending case (CA-G.R. SP No. 96096) before the Court of Appeals involving the labor union of Nueva Ecija III Electric Cooperative (NEECO III). The respondent assured the complainant that he could facilitate and expedite a favorable decision from the CA, particularly for the award of assets and management of NEECO III to the union, in exchange for ₱1,000,000.00, a portion of which was intended for the justices. In December 2006, the complainant handed ₱350,000.00 to the respondent as partial payment. The promised favorable decision was not issued; instead, the CA rendered an adverse decision on January 4, 2007. The respondent returned only ₱100,000.00, failing to return the remaining ₱250,000.00, prompting the complainant to file a disbarment complaint for violation of the lawyer’s oath and the Code of Professional Responsibility. The respondent denied the allegations, claiming he merely introduced the complainant to a certain Jaime “Jimmy” Vistan for assistance and did not receive any money.
ISSUE
Whether respondent Atty. Reynaldo V. Abdon should be held administratively liable for misconduct compromising the integrity of the judiciary.
RULING
Yes, the respondent is administratively liable. The Supreme Court found that while there was insufficient evidence to prove that the respondent directly received the money, his actions compromised the public’s trust in the justice system. By associating with an individual (Vistan) who purported to influence court decisions for money, the respondent failed to uphold the integrity of the legal profession and the judiciary. The Court emphasized that lawyers must avoid any act that might undermine public confidence in the courts. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines Board of Governors recommended a one-year suspension and restitution of ₱250,000.00, but the Supreme Court modified the penalty. Respondent Atty. Reynaldo V. Abdon is SUSPENDED from the practice of law for ONE (1) MONTH, with a stern warning that repetition of similar acts will be dealt with severely. The decision is based on the need to maintain the integrity of the legal profession and the judiciary, even in the absence of direct proof of monetary receipt, as the respondent’s conduct fell short of the ethical standards required of a lawyer.