Duty To Client

LegalEthicsDigest - Amparo Bueno Vs. Atty. Ramon A. Rañeses , AC 8383 (December 11, 2012)

Before the Court is the Complaint for Disbarment against Atty. Ramon Rañeses filed on March 3,
1993 by Amparo Bueno with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Commission on Bar Discipline
(IBP-CBD).

Facts:
Complainant hired the services of the respondent to represent her in a civil case. Respondent
allegedly convinced her to give P10,000 and another P5,000 in order to bribe the judge and win
the case. Despite the complainant’s giving of the required money, however, she was shocked to
find out that the case turned out against her despite her counsel’s assurance of winning the case.
Worse, the respondent allegedly concealed all the development of the case from her, including
his failure to comment on the adverse party’s offer of evidence and to submit their memorandum
on the case.

The respondent has also failed to attend the hearings set by the IBP.

Issue:
Whether or not the acts of the respondent warrant disbarment from the practice of law

Ruling:
Yes. In this case, Atty. Rañeses committed a grave offense. As explained below, he committed a
fraudulent exaction, and at the same time maligned both the judge and the Judiciary. These are
exacerbated by his cavalier attitude towards the IBP during the investigation of his case; he
practically disregarded its processes and even lied to one of the Investigating Commissioners
regarding the notices given him about the case.

From these perspectives, Atty. Rañeses wronged his client, the judge allegedly on the “take,” the
Judiciary as an institution, and the IBP of which he is a member. The Court cannot and should not
allow offenses such as these to pass unredressed. Let this be a signal to one and all – to all lawyers,
their clients and the general public – that the Court will not hesitate to act decisively and with no
quarters given to defend the interest of the public, of our judicial system and the institutions
composing it, and to ensure that these are not compromised by unscrupulous or misguided
members of the Bar.

Adjudication:
Respondent Atty. Ramon A. Rañeses is hereby DISBARRED from the practice of law, effective upon
his receipt of this Decision.

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