Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila THIRD DIVISION A.C. No.

8620 January 12, 2011

JESSIE R. DE LEON, Complainant, vs. ATTY. EDUARDO G. CASTELO, Respon ent. D!CISION ERSAMIN, J.: This a minist"ative case, #hich $essie R. De %eon initiate on &p"il '(, ')*), conce"ns "espon ent atto"ne+,s alle-e ishonest+ an falsification committe in the plea in-s he file in behalf of the efen ants in the civil action in #hich De %eon inte"vene . An!"#"$"n!% On $anua"+ ', '))., the /ove"nment b"ou-ht suit fo" the pu"pose of co""ectin- the t"ansfe" ce"tificates of title 0TCTs1 cove"in- t#o pa"cels of lan locate in Malabon Cit+ then "e-iste"e in the names of efen ants Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu ue to thei" enc"oachin- on a public calle2on an on a po"tion of the Malabon3Navotas Rive" sho"eline to the e4tent, "espectivel+, of an a"ea of 56 s7ua"e mete"s an of about .)) s7ua"e mete"s. The suit, entitle Republic of the Philippines, "ep"esente b+ the Re-ional !4ecutive Di"ecto", Depa"tment of !nvi"onment an Natu"al Resou"ces v. Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu, /o"-onia 8lo"es, an the Re-ist"a" of Dee s of Malabon Cit+, #as oc9ete as Civil Case No. 5.:5MN of the Re-ional T"ial Cou"t 0RTC1, ;"anch :5, in Malabon Cit+.* De %eon, havin- 2oine Civil Case No. 5.:5MN as a volunta"+ inte"veno" t#o +ea"s late" 0&p"il '*, '))<1, no# accuses the "espon ent, the counsel of "eco" of the efen ants in Civil Case No. 5.:5MN, #ith the se"ious a minist"ative offenses of ishonest+ an falsification #a""antin- his isba"ment o" suspension as an atto"ne+. The "espon ent,s sin #as alle-e l+ committe b+ his filin- fo" efen ants Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu of va"ious plea in-s 0that is, ans#e" #ith counte"claim an c"oss3claim in "elation to the main complaint= an ans#e" to the complaint in inte"vention #ith counte"claim an c"oss3claim1 espite sai spouses bein- al"ea + ecease at the time of filin-.' De %eon ave"s that the "espon ent committe ishonest+ an falsification as follo#s>

444 in causin- it 0to1 appea" that pe"sons 0spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu1 have pa"ticipate in an act o" p"ocee in- 0the ma9in- an filin- of the &ns#e"s1 #hen the+ i not in fact so pa"ticipate= in fact, the+ coul not have so pa"ticipate because the+ #e"e al"ea + ea as of that

time, #hich is punishable un e" &"ticle *:', in "elation to &"ticle *:*, pa"a-"aph ', of the Revise Penal Co e. Respon ent also committe the c"ime of ?se of 8alsifie Documents, b+ submittin- the sai falsifie &ns#e"s in the 2u icial p"ocee in-s, Civil Case No. 5.:5MN= Respon ent also ma e a moc9e"+ of the afo"esai 2u icial p"ocee in-s b+ "ep"esentin- ea pe"sons the"ein #ho, he falsel+ ma e to appea", as contestin- the complaints, counte"3suin- an c"oss3suin- the a ve"se pa"ties. *'. That, as a conse7uence of the above c"iminal acts, complainant "espectfull+ submits that "espon ent li9e#ise violate > 0a1 His %a#+e",s Oath> 444 0b1 The Co e of P"ofessional Responsibilit+>@ 444 On $une '@, ')*), the Cou"t i"ecte the "espon ent to comment on De %eon,s a minist"ative complaint.5 In ue cou"se, o" on &u-ust ', ')*),6 the "espon ent "en e"e the follo#in- e4planations in his comment, to #it> *. The pe"sons #ho ha en-a-e him as atto"ne+ to "ep"esent the %im famil+ in Civil Case No. 5.:5MN #e"e Ailliam an %eona" o %im, the chil "en of Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu= '. ?pon his 0&tt+. Castelo1 initial 7ue"ies "elevant to the mate"ial alle-ations of the /ove"nment,s complaint in Civil Case No. 5.:5MN, Ailliam %im, the "ep"esentative of the %im 8amil+, info"me him> a. That the %im famil+ ha ac7ui"e the p"ope"ties f"om /eo"-ina 8lo"es= b. That Ailliam an %eona" o %im #e"e al"ea + activel+ mana-in- the famil+ business, an no# co3o#ne the p"ope"ties b+ vi"tue of the ee of absolute sale thei" pa"ents, Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu, ha e4ecute in thei" favo"= an c. That because of the e4ecution of the ee of absolute sale, Ailliam an %eona" o %im ha since honestl+ assume that thei" pa"ents ha al"ea + cause the t"ansfe" of the TCTs to thei" names.

@. Consi e"in- that Ailliam an %eona" o %im themselves #e"e the ones #ho ha en-a-e his se"vices, he 0&tt+. Castelo1 conse7uentl+ t"uthfull+ state in the motion see9in- an e4tension to file "esponsive plea in- ate 8eb"ua"+ @, ')). the fact that it #as Bthe famil+ of the efen antsB that ha en-a-e him, an that he ha then a vise Bthe chil "en of the efen antsB to see9 the assistance as #ell of a license -eo etic su"ve+o" an en-inee"= 5. He 0&tt+. Castelo1 p"epa"e the initial plea in-s base on his honest belief that Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu #e"e then still livin-. Ha he 9no#n that the+ #e"e al"ea + ecease , he #oul have most #elcome the info"mation an #oul have move to substitute %eona" o an Ailliam %im as efen ants fo" that "eason= 6. He 0&tt+. Castelo1 ha no intention to commit eithe" a falsehoo o" a falsification, fo" he in fact submitte the eath ce"tificates of Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu in o" e" to app"ise the t"ial cou"t of that fact= an .. The Office of the P"osecuto" fo" Malabon Cit+ even ismisse the c"iminal complaint fo" falsification b"ou-ht a-ainst him 0&tt+. Castelo1 th"ou-h the "esolution ate 8eb"ua"+ **, ')*). The same office enie the complainant,s motion fo" "econsi e"ation on Ma+ *:, ')*). On Septembe" @, ')*), the complainant submitte a "epl+, . #he"eb+ he asse"te that the "espon ent,s claim in his comment that he ha "ep"esente the %im famil+ #as a eception, because the sub2ect of the complaint a-ainst the "espon ent #as his filin- of the ans#e"s in behalf of Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu espite thei" bein- al"ea + ecease at the time of the filin-. The complainant "e-a" e as baseless the 2ustifications of the Office of the Cit+ P"osecuto" fo" Malabon Cit+ in ismissin- the c"iminal complaint a-ainst the "espon ent an in en+in- his motion fo" "econsi e"ation. The Cou"t usuall+ fi"st "efe"s a minist"ative complaints a-ainst membe"s of the Philippine ;a" to the Inte-"ate ;a" of the Philippines 0I;P1 fo" investi-ation an app"op"iate "ecommen ations. 8o" the p"esent case, ho#eve", #e fo"e-o the p"io" "efe""al of the complaint to the I;P, in vie# of the facts bein- uncomplicate an base on the plea in-s in Civil Case No. 5.:5MN. Thus, #e eci e the complaint on its me"its. Ru&'n( Ae fin that the "espon ent, as atto"ne+, i not commit an+ falsehoo o" falsification in his plea in-s in Civil Case No. 5.:5MN. &cco" in-l+, #e ismiss the patentl+ f"ivolous complaint. I &tto"ne+,s Obli-ation to tell the t"uth &ll atto"ne+s in the Philippines, inclu in- the "espon ent, have s#o"n to the vo#s embo ie in follo#in- %a#+e",s Oath,: viC>

I, DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD, o solemnl+ s#ea" that I #ill maintain alle-iance to the Republic of the Philippines= I #ill suppo"t its Constitution an obe+ the la#s as #ell as the le-al o" e"s of the ul+ constitute autho"ities the"ein= I #ill o no falsehoo , no" consent to the oin- of an+ in cou"t= I #ill not #ittin-l+ o" #illin-l+ p"omote o" sue an+ -"oun less, false o" unla#ful suit, no" -ive ai no" consent to the same. I #ill ela+ no man fo" mone+ o" malice, an #ill con uct m+self as a la#+e" acco" in- to the best of m+ 9no#le -e an isc"etion #ith all -oo fi elit+ as #ell to the cou"ts as to m+ clients= an I impose upon m+self this volunta"+ obli-ation #ithout an+ mental "ese"vation o" pu"pose of evasion. So help me /o . The Co e of P"ofessional Responsibilit+ echoes the %a#+e",s Oath, p"ovi in->< C&NON * 3 & %&AE!R SH&%% ?PHO%D TH! CONSTIT?TION, O;!E TH! %&AS O8 TH! %&ND &ND PROMOT! R!SP!CT 8OR %&A &ND %!/&% PROC!SS!S. Rule *.)* 3 & la#+e" shall not en-a-e in unla#ful, ishonest, immo"al o" eceitful con uct. C&NON *) 3 & %&AE!R OA!S C&NDOR, 8&IRN!SS &ND /OOD 8&ITH TO TH! CO?RT. Rule *).)* 3 & la#+e" shall not o an+ falsehoo , no" consent to the oin- of an+ in Cou"t= no" shall he mislea , o" allo# the Cou"t to be misle b+ an+ a"tifice. The fo"e-oin- o" ain ethical no"ms that bin all atto"ne+s, as office"s of the Cou"t, to act #ith the hi-hest stan a" s of honest+, inte-"it+, an t"ust#o"thiness. &ll atto"ne+s a"e the"eb+ en2oine to obe+ the la#s of the lan , to "ef"ain f"om oin- an+ falsehoo in o" out of cou"t o" f"om consentin- to the oin- of an+ in cou"t, an to con uct themselves acco" in- to the best of thei" 9no#le -e an isc"etion #ith all -oo fi elit+ as #ell to the cou"ts as to thei" clients. ;ein- also se"vants of the %a#, atto"ne+s a"e e4pecte to obse"ve an maintain the "ule of la# an to ma9e themselves e4empla"s #o"th+ of emulation b+ othe"s. ( The least the+ can o in that "e-a" is to "ef"ain f"om en-a-in- in an+ fo"m o" manne" of unla#ful con uct 0#hich b"oa l+ inclu es an+ act o" omission cont"a"+ to la#, but oes not necessa"il+ impl+ the element of c"iminalit+ even if it is b"oa enou-h to inclu e such element1.*) To all atto"ne+s, t"uthfulness an honest+ have the hi-hest value, fo", as the Cou"t has sai in Eoun- v. ;atue-as>** & la#+e" must be a isciple of t"uth. He s#o"e upon his a mission to the ;a" that he #ill B o no falsehoo no" consent to the oin- of an+ in cou"tB an he shall Bcon uct himself as a la#+e" acco" in- to the best of his 9no#le -e an isc"etion #ith all -oo fi elit+ as #ell to the cou"ts as to his clients.B He shoul bea" in min that as an office" of the cou"t his hi-h vocation is to co""ectl+ info"m the cou"t upon the la# an the facts of the case an to ai it in oin- 2ustice an a""ivin- at co""ect conclusion. The cou"ts, on the othe" han , a"e entitle to e4pect onl+ complete honest+ f"om la#+e"s appea"in- an plea in- befo"e them. Ahile a la#+e" has the solemn ut+ to efen his client,s "i-hts an is e4pecte to ispla+ the utmost Ceal in efense of his client,s cause, his con uct must neve" be at the e4pense of t"uth.

Thei" bein- office"s of the Cou"t e4ten s to atto"ne+s not onl+ the p"esumption of "e-ula"it+ in the ischa"-e of thei" uties, but also the immunit+ f"om liabilit+ to othe"s fo" as lon- as the pe"fo"mance of thei" obli-ations to thei" clients oes not epa"t f"om thei" cha"acte" as se"vants of the %a# an as office"s of the Cou"t. In pa"ticula", the statements the+ ma9e in behalf of thei" clients that a"e "elevant, pe"tinent, o" mate"ial to the sub2ect of in7ui"+ a"e absolutel+ p"ivile-e "e-a" less of thei" efamato"+ teno". Such cloa9 of p"ivile-e is necessa"+ an essential in ensu"in- the unhin e"e se"vice to thei" clients, causes an in p"otectin- the clients, confi ences. Aith the cloa9 of p"ivile-e, the+ can f"eel+ an cou"a-eousl+ spea9 fo" thei" clients, ve"ball+ o" in #"itin-, in the cou"se of 2u icial an 7uasi32u icial p"ocee in-s, #ithout "unnin- the "is9 of incu""in- c"iminal p"osecution o" actions fo" ama-es.*' Nonetheless, even if the+ en2o+ a numbe" of p"ivile-es b+ "eason of thei" office an in "eco-nition of the vital "ole the+ pla+ in the a minist"ation of 2ustice, atto"ne+s hol the p"ivile-e an "i-ht to p"actice la# befo"e 2u icial, 7uasi32u icial, o" a minist"ative t"ibunals o" offices onl+ u"in- -oo behavio".*@ II Respon ent i not violate the %a#+e",s Oath an the Co e of P"ofessional Responsibilit+ On &p"il *:, '))., the "espon ent file an ans#e" #ith counte"claim an c"oss3claim in behalf of Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu, the pe"sons #hom the /ove"nment as plaintiff name as efen ants in Civil Case No. 5.:5MN.*5 He alle-e the"ein that> '. The alle-ations in pa"a-"aph ' of the complaint a"e &DMITT!D. Mo"eove", it is he"eb+ ma e 9no#n that efen ants spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu ha al"ea + sol the t#o 0'1 pa"cels of lan , to-ethe" #ith the buil in- an imp"ovements the"eon, cove"e b+ T"ansfe" Ce"tificate of Title No. 0*5<<)61 *@(<:. issue b+ the Re-iste" of Dee s of RiCal, to %eona" o C. %im an Ailliam C. %im, of Rms. 6)* F 6)' Dolo"es ;l -., PlaCa el Con e, ;inon o, Manila. Hence, %eona" o %im an Ailliam %im a"e thei" successo"s3in3inte"est an a"e the p"esent la#ful o#ne"s the"eof. In o" e" to p"ope"l+ an full+ p"otect thei" "i-hts, o#ne"ship an inte"ests, %eona" o C. %im an Ailliam C. %im shall he"eb+ "ep"esent the efen ants3spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu as substituteG"ep"esentative pa"ties in this action. In this manne", a complete an e4pe itious "esolution of the issues "aise in this case can be "eache #ithout un ue ela+. & photo cop+ of the Dee of &bsolute Sale ove" the sub2ect p"ope"t+, e4ecute b+ he"ein efen ants3spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu in favo" of sai %eona" o C. %im an Ailliam C. %im, is he"eto attache as &nne4 B*B he"eof. 444 '*. The"e is imp"ope" 2oin e" of pa"ties in the complaint. Conse7uentl+, ans#e"inefen ants a"e thus un ul+ compelle to liti-ate in a suit "e-a" in- matte"s an facts as to #hich the+ have no 9no#le -e of no" an+ involvement o" pa"ticipation in.

''. Plaintiff is ba""e b+ the p"inciple of estoppel in b"in-in- this suit, as it #as the one #ho, b+ its -ove"nmental autho"it+, issue the titles to the sub2ect p"ope"t+. This action is ba""e b+ the p"inciples of p"esc"iption an laches fo" plaintiff,s un"easonable ela+ in b"inin- this suit, pa"ticula"l+ a-ainst efen ant 8lo"es, f"om #hom he"ein ans#e"inefen ants ac7ui"e the sub2ect p"ope"t+ in -oo faith an fo" value. If t"ul+ plaintiff has a clea" an vali cause of action on the sub2ect p"ope"t+, it shoul not have #aite thi"t+ 0@)1 +ea"s to b"in- suit. T#o +ea"s late", o" on &p"il '*, '))<, De %eon file his complaint in inte"vention in Civil Case No. 5.:5MN.*6 He e4p"essl+ name the"ein as efen ants vis3H3vis his inte"vention not onl+ the Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu, the o"i-inal efen ants, but also thei" sons %eona" o %im, ma""ie to Sall+ Ihoo, an Ailliam %im, ma""ie to Sall+ %ee, the same pe"sons #hom the "espon ent ha al"ea + alle-e in the ans#e", sup"a, to be the t"ansfe"ees an cu""ent o#ne"s of the pa"cels of lan .*. The follo#in- po"tions of De %eon,s complaint in inte"vention in Civil Case No. 5.:5MN a"e "elevant, viC> '. Defen ant spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu, a"e 8ilipino citiCens #ith a "esses at 6)5 PlaCa el Con e, Manila an at 5. C. &"ellano St., San &-ustin, Malabon Cit+, #he"e the+ ma+ be se"ve #ith summons an othe" cou"t p"ocesses= @. Defen ant spouses %eona" o %im an Sall+ Ihoo an efen ant spouses Ailliam %im an Sall+ %ee a"e all of le-al a-e an #ith postal a "ess at Rms. 6)*36)' Dolo"es ;l -., PlaCa el Con e, ;inon o, Manila, alle-e pu"chase"s of the p"ope"t+ in 7uestion f"om efen ant spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu= 5. Defen ants Re-ist"a" of Dee s of Malabon Cit+ hol s office in Malabon Cit+, #he"e he ma+ be se"ve #ith summons an othe" cou"t p"ocesses. He is cha"-e #ith the ut+, amon- othe"s, of "e-iste"in- ec"ees of %an Re-ist"ation in Malabon Cit+ un e" the %an Re-ist"ation &ct= 444 :. That inte"veno" $essie e %eon, is the o#ne" of a pa"cel of lan locate in Malabon Cit+ esc"ibe in TCT no. M3*6*<@ of the Re-iste" of Dee s of Malabon Cit+, photocop+ of #hich is attache to this Complaint as &nne4 B/B, an cop+ of the location plan of the afo"ementione p"ope"t+ is attache to this complaint as &nne4 BHB an is ma e an inte-"al pa"t he"eof= <. That the"e a"e no# mo"e o" less at least 5) s7uatte"s on inte"veno",s p"ope"t+, most of them emplo+ees of efen ant spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu an efen ant spouses %eona" o %im an Sall+ Ihoo an efen ant spouses Ailliam %im an Sall+ %ee #ho ha -aine access to inte"veno",s p"ope"t+ an built thei" houses #ithout benefit of an+ buil in- pe"mits f"om the -ove"nment #ho ha ma e thei" access to inte"veno",s p"ope"t+

th"u a t#o panel metal -ate mo"e o" less *) mete"s #i e an #ith an a"me -ua" b+ the -ate an #ith pe"mission f"om efen ant spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu an Go" an efen ant spouses %eona" o %im an Sall+ Ihoo an efen ant spouses Ailliam %im an Sall+ %ee ille-all+ ente"e inte"veno",s p"ope"t+ th"u a #oo en la e" to -o ove" a *' foot #all no# sepa"atin- inte"veno",s p"ope"t+ f"om the fo"me" es7uinita #hich is no# pa"t of efen ant spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu,s an efen ant spouses %eona" o %im an Sall+ Ihoo,s an efen ant spouses Ailliam %im an Sall+ %ee,s p"ope"t+ an this ille-all+ allo#e his emplo+ees as #ell as thei" "elatives an f"ien s the"eof to ille-all+ ente" inte"veno",s p"ope"t+ th"ou-h the la e"s efen ant spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu installe in thei" #all an also allo#e sai emplo+ees an "elatives as #ell as f"ien s to buil houses an shac9s #ithout the benefit of an+ buil in- pe"mit as #ell as pe"mit to occup+ sai ille-al buil in-s= (. That the enla"-ement of the p"ope"ties of spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu ha "esulte in the closu"e of st"eet lot no. @ as esc"ibe in TCT no. *5@<'<, spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu havin- title the st"eet lot no. @ an place a #all at its openin- on C. &"ellano st"eet, thus closin- an+ e4it o" e-"ess o" ent"ance to inte"veno",s p"ope"t+ as coul be seen f"om &nne4 BHB he"eof an thus p"eventin- inte"veno" f"om ente"in- into his p"ope"t+ "esulte in p"eventin- inte"veno" f"om full+ en2o+in- all the beneficial benefits f"om his p"ope"t+= *). That efen ant spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu an late" on efen ant spouses %eona" o %im an Sall+ Ihoo an efen ant spouses Ailliam %im an Sall+ %ee a"e the onl+ people #ho coul -ive pe"mission to allo# thi" pa"ties to ente" inte"veno",s p"ope"t+ an thei" cont"ol ove" inte"veno",s p"ope"t+ is enfo"ce th"ou-h his a"me -ua" thus e4e"cisin- ille-al beneficial "i-hts ove" inte"veno",s p"ope"t+ at inte"veno",s loss an e4pense, thus ep"ivin- inte"veno" of le-itimate income f"om "ents as #ell as le-itimate access to inte"veno",s p"ope"t+ an the #o"st is p"eventin- the 8ilipino people f"om en2o+in- the Malabon Navotas Rive" an en2o+in- the "i-ht of access to the natu"al f"uits an p"o ucts of the Malabon Navotas Rive" an instea it is efen ant spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu an efen ant spouses %eona" o %im an Sall+ Ihoo an efen ant spouses Ailliam %im an Sall+ %ee usin- the public p"ope"t+ e4clusivel+ to en"ich thei" poc9ets= 444 *@. That efen ant spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu an efen ant spouses %eona" o %im an Sall+ Ihoo an efen ant spouses Ailliam %im an Sall+ %ee #e"e confe e"atin-, #o"9in- an helpin- one anothe" in thei" actions to inhibit inte"veno" $essie e %eon to -ain access an beneficial benefit f"om his p"ope"t+= On $ul+ *), '))<, the "espon ent, "ep"esentin- all the efen ants name in De %eon,s complaint in inte"vention, "espon e in an ans#e" to the complaint in inte"vention #ith counte"claim an c"oss3claim,*: statin- that Bspouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu 444 a"e no# both ecease ,B to #it>

444 '. The alle-ations in pa"a-"aphs ' an @ of the Complaint a"e &DMITT!D, #ith the 7ualification that efen ants3spouses %eona" o %im an Sall+ Ihoo %im, Ailliam %im an Sall+ %ee %im a"e the "e-iste"e an la#ful o#ne"s of the sub2ect p"ope"t+ cove"e b+ T"ansfe" Ce"tificate of Title No. M3@6('(, issue b+ the Re-iste" of Dee s fo" Malabon Cit+, havin- lona-o ac7ui"e the same f"om the efen ants3spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu, #ho a"e no# both ecease . Cop+ of the TCT No. M3@6('( is attache he"eto as &nne4es B*B an B*3&B. The same title has al"ea + been p"eviousl+ submitte to this Hono"able Cou"t on Decembe" *@, ')).. 444 The "espon ent subse7uentl+ submitte to the RTC a so3calle cla"ification an submission, *< in #hich he a-ain a ve"te to the eaths of Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu, as follo#s> *. On Ma"ch *(, '))(, he"ein movants3 efen ants %im file befo"e this Hono"able Cou"t a Motion fo" Substitution of Defen ants in the P"incipal Complaint of the plaintiff Republic of the Philippines, "ep"esente b+ the D!NR= '. The Motion fo" Substitution is -"oun e on the fact that the t#o 0'1 pa"cels of lan , #ith the imp"ovements the"eon, #hich a"e the sub2ect matte" of the instant case, ha lonbeen sol an t"ansfe""e b+ the p"incipal efen ants3spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu to he"ein complaint3in3inte"vention efen ants %eona" o C. %im an Ailliam C. %im, b+ #a+ of a Dee of &bsolute Sale, a cop+ of #hich is attache to sai Motion as &nne4 B*B the"eof. @. Juite plainl+, the o"i-inal p"incipal efen ants %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu, havin- sol an conve+e the sub2ect p"ope"t+, have totall+ lost an+ title, claim o" le-al inte"est on the p"ope"t+. It is on this factual -"oun that this Motion fo" Substitution is base an ce"tainl+ not on the #"on- position of Inte"veno" e %eon that the same is base on the eath of efen ants %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu. 5. ?n e" the fo"e-oin- ci"cumstances an facts, the emise of efen ants %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu no lon-e" has an+ si-nificant "elevance to the instant Motion. To, ho#eve", sho# the fact of thei" eath, photo cop+ of thei" "espective eath ce"tificates a"e attache he"eto as &nne4es B*B an B'B he"eof. 6. The Motion fo" substitution of Defen ants in the P"incipal Complaint ate Ma"ch *<, '))( sho#s in etail #h+ the"e is the clea", le-al an impe"ative nee to no# substitute he"ein movants3 efen ants %im fo" efen ants %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu in the sai p"incipal complaint. .. Simpl+ put, movants3 efen ants %im have become the in ispensable efen ants in the p"incipal complaint of plaintiff D!NR, bein- no# the "e-iste"e an la#ful o#ne"s of the sub2ect p"ope"t+ an the "eal pa"ties3in3inte"est in this case. Aithout them, no final ete"mination can be ha in the P"incipal complaint.

:. Si-nificantl+, the p"ope"t+ of inte"veno" $essie e %eon, #hich is the sub2ect of his complaint3in3inte"vention, is i enticall+, if not simila"l+, situate as that of he"ein movants3 efen ants %im, an li9e#ise, ma+ as #ell be a p"ope" sub2ect of the P"incipal Complaint of plaintiff D!NR. <. !ven the plaintiff D!NR, itself, conce es the fact that he"ein movants3 efen ants %im shoul be substitute as efen ants in the p"incipal complaint as containe in thei" Manifestation ate $une @, '))(, #hich has been file in this case. AH!R!8OR!, he"ein movants3 efen ants %im most "espectfull+ submit thei" Motion fo" substitution of Defen ants in the P"incipal Complaint an p"a+ that the same be -"ante . 444 Di the "espon ent violate the lette" an spi"it of the %a#+e",s Oath an the Co e of P"ofessional Responsibilit+ in ma9in- the ave"ments in the afo"e7uote plea in-s of the efen antsK & plain "ea in- in icates that the "espon ent i not mis"ep"esent that Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu #e"e still livin-. On the cont"a"+, the "espon ent i"ectl+ state in the ans#e" to the complaint in inte"vention #ith counte"claim an c"oss3claim, sup"a, an in the cla"ification an submission, sup"a, that the Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu #e"e al"ea + ecease . !ven -"antin-, fo" the sa9e of a"-ument, that an+ of the "espon ent,s plea in-s mi-ht have c"eate an+ imp"ession that the Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu #e"e still livin-, #e still cannot hol the "espon ent -uilt+ of an+ ishonest+ o" falsification. 8o" one, the "espon ent #as actin- in the inte"est of the actual o#ne"s of the p"ope"ties #hen he file the ans#e" #ith counte"claim an c"oss3claim on &p"il *:, ')).. &s such, his plea in-s #e"e p"ivile-e an #oul not occasion an+ action a-ainst him as an atto"ne+. Secon l+, havin- ma e clea" at the sta"t that the Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu #e"e no lon-e" the actual o#ne"s of the affecte p"ope"ties ue to the t"ansfe" of o#ne"ship even p"io" to the institution of the action, an that the actual o#ne"s 0i.e., %eona" o an Ailliam %im1 nee e to be substitute in lieu of sai spouses, #hethe" the Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu #e"e still livin- o" al"ea + ecease as of the filin- of the plea in-s became immate"ial. &n , lastl+, De %eon coul not isclaim 9no#le -e that the Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu #e"e no lon-e" livin-. His 2oinin- in the action as a volunta"+ inte"veno" cha"-e him #ith notice of all the othe" pe"sons inte"este in the liti-ation. He also ha an actual a#a"eness of such othe" pe"sons, as his o#n complaint in inte"vention, sup"a, bea" out in its specific alle-ations a-ainst %eona" o %im an Ailliam %im, an thei" "espective spouses. Thus, he coul not vali l+ insist that the "espon ent committe an+ ishonest+ o" falsification in "elation to him o" to an+ othe" pa"t+. III /oo faith must al#a+s motivate an+ complaint a-ainst a Membe" of the ;a"

&cco" in- to $ustice Ca" oCo,*( B444 the fai" fame of a la#+e", ho#eve" innocent of #"on-, is at the me"c+ of the ton-ue of i-no"ance o" malice. Reputation in such a callin- is a plant of ten e" -"o#th, an its bloom, once lost, is not easil+ "esto"e .B & la#+e",s "eputation is, in ee , a ve"+ f"a-ile ob2ect. The Cou"t, #hose office" eve"+ la#+e" is, must shiel such f"a-ilit+ f"om min less assault b+ the unsc"upulous an the malicious. It can o so, fi"stl+, b+ 7uic9l+ cuttin- o#n an+ patentl+ f"ivolous complaint a-ainst a la#+e"= an , secon l+, b+ eman in- -oo faith f"om #hoeve" b"in-s an+ accusation of unethical con uct. & ;a" that is insulate f"om intimi ation an ha"assment is encou"a-e to be cou"a-eous an fea"less, #hich can then best cont"ibute to the efficient elive"+ an p"ope" a minist"ation of 2ustice. The complainant initiate his complaint possibl+ fo" the sa9e of ha"assin- the "espon ent, eithe" to ve4 him fo" ta9in- the cu -els fo" his clients in connection #ith Civil Case No. 5.:5MN, o" to -et even fo" an ima-ine #"on- in "elation to the sub2ect matte" of the pen in- action, o" to accomplish some othe" a"9 pu"pose. The #o"thlessness of the accusation F appa"ent f"om the be-innin- F has impelle us into "esolvin- the complaint soone" than late". AH!R!8OR!, #e ismiss the complaint fo" ! ua" o /. Castelo fo" utte" lac9 of me"it. SO ORDERED. LUCAS P. ERSAMIN &ssociate $ustice )E CONCUR* CONC+ITA CARPIO MORALES &ssociate $ustice Chai"pe"son ARTURO D. RION &ssociate $ustice MARTIN S. ,ILLARAMA, JR. &ssociate $ustice isba"ment o" suspension file a-ainst &tt+.

MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENO &ssociate $ustice

-oo!no!"%
*

Rollo, pp. <3'*. Id., pp. *3:.

'

I ., pp. 536. I ., p. .'. Id., pp. .@3:.. Id., pp. *@:3*6@. 8o"m No. '<, attache to the Rules of Cou"t. Macias v. Sel a, &.C. No. .55', Octobe" '*, '))5, 55* SCR& .6.

<

&-palo, Comments on the Co e of P"ofessional Responsibilit+ an the Co e of $u icial Con uct, '))* ! ition.
*)

In Re>Repo"t on the 8inancial &u it Con ucte on the ;oo9s of &ccounts of &tt+. Ra7uel /. Iho, Cle"9 of Cou"t IV, Re-ional T"ial Cou"t, O"as, !aste"n Sama", &. M. No. P3).3'*::, &p"il *@, ')):, 6'* SCR& '6.
**

&.C. No. 6@:(, Ma+ (, '))@, 5)@ SCR& *'@. &-palo, %e-al an $u icial !thics, !i-hth ! ition 0'))(1, pp.<3(. I ., p. <.

*'

*@

*5

Rollo, pp. ''3@@ 0Note that the c"oss3claim #as a-ainst /eo"-ina 8lo"es, the t"ansfe"o"Gp"e ecesso"3in3inte"est of Spouses %im Hio an Dolo"es Chu1.
*6

I ., pp. @535'.

*.

The Re-ist"a" of Dee s of Malabon Cit+ #as also name b+ the complainant as a efen ant to his complaint in inte"vention. Rollo, pp. 5@365. I ., pp. 6.3.*.

*:

*<

*(

People of the State of Ne# Eo"9 e4 "el. &le4an e" Ia"lin v. Cha"les A. Cul9in, as She"iff of the Count+ of Ne# Eo"9, '5< N.E. 5.6, *.' N.!. 5<:, .) &.%.R. <6*.