Teodoro R. Rivera vs. Atty.

Sergio Angeles
A.C. No. 2519
August 29, 2000
FACTS:
Complainants filed a Complaint for Disbarment against Atty. Sergio
Angeles on the grounds of Deceit and Malpractice. Atty. Sergio Angeles was the
legal counsel of Teodoro Rivera and 2 others in a civil case. Rivera and his 2 coplaintiffs received a favorable decision. Atty. Angeles received PHP 42,999 from
one of the defendants in the case as partial fulfillment of the judgment against the
latter. Atty. Angeles, however, never told his clients of the amount he had
received and never remitted the same to him, leaving them to discover such fact
on their own. Rivera and his co-plaintiffs filed an administrative complaint for
disbarment against Atty. Angeles.
ISSUE:
Whether or not Atty. Angeles is guilty of deceit and malpractice
RULING:
Yes. Atty. Angeles was not disbarred but the Court ruled that his act
amounted to serious misconduct. The Court has repeatedly stressed the
importance of integrity and good moral character as part of a lawyers equipment
in the practice of his profession. Respondents act of deceit and malpractice
indubitably demonstrated his failure to live up to his sworn duties as a lawyer.
The Supreme Court repeatedly stressed the importance of integrity and good
moral character as part of a lawyers equipment in the practice of his profession.
For it cannot be denied that the respect of litigants for the profession is
inexorably diminished whenever a member of the Bar betrays their trust and
confidence. For it cannot be denied that the respect of litigants for the profession
is inexorably diminished whenever a member of the Bar betrays their trust and
confidence. For deceit in dealing with his client, Atty. Angeles was suspended
from the practice of law for 1 year.