February 2015 - Philippine Supreme Court Decisions/Resolutions
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A.C. No. 10558, February 23, 2015 - MICHAEL RUBY, Complainant, v. ATTY. ERLINDA B. ESPEJO AND ATTY. RUDOLPH DILLA BAYOT, Respondents.:
A.C. No. 10558, February 23, 2015 - MICHAEL RUBY, Complainant, v. ATTY. ERLINDA B. ESPEJO AND ATTY. RUDOLPH DILLA BAYOT, Respondents.
THIRD DIVISION
A.C. No. 10558, February 23, 2015
MICHAEL RUBY, Complainant, v. ATTY. ERLINDA B. ESPEJO AND ATTY. RUDOLPH DILLA BAYOT, Respondents.
R E S O L U T I O N
REYES, J.:
This is an administrative complaint1 filed by Michael Ruby (complainant) with the Commission on Bar Discipline (CBD) of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) against Atty. Erlinda B. Espejo (Atty. Espejo) and Atty. Rudolph Dilla Bayot (Atty. Bayot) (respondents) for violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility.
The Facts
The complainant alleged that he and his mother, Felicitas Ruby Bihla (Felicitas), engaged the services of the respondents in connection with a case for cancellation and nullification of deeds of donation. Pursuant to the retainer agreement2 dated August 29, 2009, the complainant and Felicitas would pay Atty. Espejo the amount of P100,000.00 as acceptance fee, P70,000.00 of which was actually paid upon the signing of the agreement and the remaining P30,000.00 to be paid after the hearing on the prayer for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO). The complainant and Felicitas likewise agreed to pay the amount of P5,000.00 as appearance fee for every hearing, which was apparently later reduced to P4,000.00.
On September 15, 2009, the complainant gave Atty. Espejo the amount of P50,000.00 as payment for filing fee.3 On September 16, 2009, Atty. Espejo filed the complaint for nullification and cancellation of deeds of donation with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City, Branch 219. However, the actual filing fee that was paid by her only amounted to P7,561.00;4 she failed to account for the excess amount given her despite several demand letters5 therefor.
On September 23, 2009, Atty. Espejo allegedly asked the complainant to give Atty. Bayot the amount of P30,000.00 � the remaining balance of the acceptance fee agreed upon � notwithstanding that the prayer for the issuance of a TRO has yet to be heard. The complainant asserted that the same was not yet due, but Atty. Espejo told him that Atty. Bayot was in dire need of money. The complainant gave Atty. Bayot the amount of P8,000.00 supposedly as partial payment for the balance of the acceptance fee and an additional P4,000.00 as appearance fee for the September 22, 2009 hearing.6cralawlawlibrary
On September 25, 2009, Atty. Espejo called the complainant informing him of the need to file a separate petition for the issuance of a TRO. She allegedly asked for P50,000.00 to be used as �representation fee.� The complainant was able to bargain with Atty. Espejo and gave her P20,000.00 instead.7cralawlawlibrary
Meanwhile, on September 24, 2009, the RTC issued an Order8 denying the complainant�s prayer for the issuance of a TRO. The complainant alleged that the respondents failed to apprise him of the denial of his prayer for the issuance of a TRO; that he only came to know of said denial on November 3, 2009 when he visited the RTC.9cralawlawlibrary
On October 23, 2009, the complainant deposited the amount of P4,000.00 to the bank account of Atty. Bayot as appearance fee for the hearing on the motion to serve summons through publications, which was set at 2:00 p.m. on even date. However, Atty. Bayot allegedly did not appear in court and instead met with the complainant at the lobby of the Quezon City Hall of Justice, telling them that he already talked to the clerk of court who assured him that the court would grant their motion.10cralawlawlibrary
Thereafter, the complainant alleged, the respondents failed to update him as to the status of his complaint. He further claimed that Atty. Bayot had suddenly denied that he was their counsel. Atty. Bayot asserted that it was Atty. Espejo alone who was the counsel of the complainant and that he was merely a collaborating counsel.
In its Order11 dated January 7, 2010, the IBP-CBD directed the respondents to submit their respective answers to the complaint.
In his Answer,12 Atty. Bayot claimed that he was not the counsel of the complainant; that he merely assisted him and Atty. Espejo. He averred that Atty. Espejo, with the complainant�s consent, sought his help for the sole purpose of drafting a complaint. He pointed out that it was Atty. Espejo who signed and filed the complaint in the RTC.13cralawlawlibrary
Atty. Bayot further pointed out that he had no part in the retainer agreement that was entered into by the complainant, Felicitas, and Atty. Espejo. He also denied having any knowledge as to the P50,000.00 that was paid to Atty. Espejo as filing fees.14cralawlawlibrary
As to the P12,000.00 that was given him, he claimed that he was entitled to P4,000.00 thereof since the said amount was his appearance fee. He pointed out that he appeared before the RTC�s hearing for the issuance of a TRO on September 22, 2009. On the other hand, the P8,000.00 was paid to him as part of the acceptance fee, which was then already due since the RTC had already heard their prayer for the issuance of a TRO.15cralawlawlibrary
He also denied any knowledge as to the P20,000.00 that was paid to Atty. Espejo purportedly for �representation fee� that would be used to file a new petition for the issuance of a TRO.16cralawlawlibrary
Atty. Bayot admitted that he was the one who drafted the motion to serve summons through publication, but pointed out that it was Atty. Espejo who signed and filed it in the RTC. He also admitted that he was the one who was supposed to attend the hearing of the said motion, but claimed that he was only requested to do so by Atty. Espejo since the latter had another commitment. He denied requesting from the complainant the amount of P4,000.00 as appearance fee, alleging that it was the latter who insisted on depositing the same in his bank account.17cralawlawlibrary
During the said hearing, Atty. Bayot claimed that when he checked the court�s calendar, he noticed that their motion was not included. Allegedly, the clerk of court told him that she would just tell the judge to consider their motion submitted for resolution.18cralawlawlibrary
On the other hand, Atty. Espejo, in her Answer,19 denied asking for P50,000.00 from the complainant as filing fees. She insisted that it was the complainant who voluntarily gave her the money to cover the filing fees. She further alleged that she was not able to account for the excess amount because her files were destroyed when her office was flooded due to a typhoon. She also denied having asked another P50,000.00 from the complainant as �representation fee,� asserting that the said amount was for the payment of the injunction bond once the prayer for the issuance of a TRO is issued.
Findings of the Investigating Commissioner
On May 3, 2011, after due proceedings, the Investigating Commissioner issued a Report and Recommendation,20 which recommended the penalty of censure against the respondents. The Investigating Commissioner pointed out that Atty. Bayot and the complainant had a lawyer-client relationship notwithstanding that the former was not the counsel of record in the case. That his admission that he was a collaborating counsel was sufficient to constitute a lawyer client relationship. Moreover, considering that Atty. Bayot initially received the amount of P12,000.00 from the complainant, the Investigating Commissioner opined that he can no longer deny that he was the lawyer of the complainant. The Investigating Commissioner further found that:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
Nevertheless, the Investigating Commissioner found that the complainant failed to prove that he indeed suffered injury as a result of the respondents� conduct and, accordingly, should only be meted the penalty of censure.
Findings of the IBP Board of Governors
On March 20, 2013, the IBP Board of Governors issued a Resolution,22 which adopted and approved the recommendation of the Investigating Commissioner, albeit with the modification that the penalty imposed upon Atty. Espejo and Atty. Bayot was increased from censure to suspension from the practice of law for a period of one year.
Atty. Bayot moved to reconsider the Resolution dated March 20, 2013 issued by the IBP Board of Governors.23 The complainant likewise filed a motion for reconsideration, asking the IBP Board of Governors to order the respondents to refund to him the amount he paid to the respondents.24 In the meantime, Atty. Espejo passed away.25cralawlawlibrary
On March 22, 2014, the IBP Board of Governors issued a Resolution,26 which dismissed the case insofar as Atty. Espejo in view of her demise. The IBP Board of Governors affirmed Atty. Bayot�s suspension from the practice of law for a period of one year.
On December 3, 2014, the Court issued a Resolution,27 which, inter alia, considered the case closed and terminated as to Atty. Espejo on account of her death. Accordingly, the Court�s disquisition in this case would only be limited to the liability of Atty. Bayot.
The Issue
The issue in this case is whether Atty. Bayot violated the Code of Professional Responsibility, which would warrant the imposition of disciplinary sanction.
Ruling of the Court
After a thorough perusal of the respective allegations of the parties and the circumstances of this case, the Court modifies the findings of the Investigating Commissioner and the IBP Board of Governors.
Atty. Bayot claimed that he is not the counsel of record of the complainant in the case before the RTC. He pointed out that he had no part in the retainer agreement entered into by the complainant and Atty. Espejo. Thus, Atty. Bayot claimed, the complainant had no cause of action against him.
The Court does not agree.
It is undisputed that Atty. Espejo was the counsel of record in the case that was filed in the RTC. Equally undisputed is the fact that it was only Atty. Espejo who signed the retainer agreement. However, the evidence on record, including Atty. Bayot�s admissions, points to the conclusion that a lawyer-client relationship existed between him and the complainant.
Atty. Bayot was the one who prepared the complaint that was filed with the RTC. He was likewise the one who prepared the motion to serve summons through publication. He likewise appeared as counsel for the complainant in the hearings of the case before the RTC. He likewise advised the complainant on the status of the case.
More importantly, Atty. Bayot admitted that he received P8,000.00, which is part of the acceptance fee indicated in the retainer agreement, from the complainant. It is true that it was Atty. Espejo who asked the complainant to give Atty. Bayot the said amount. However, Atty. Bayot admitted that he accepted from the complainant the said P8,000.00 without even explaining what the said amount was for.
The foregoing circumstances clearly established that a lawyer-client relationship existed between Atty. Bayot and the complainant. �Documentary formalism is not an essential element in the employment of an attorney; the contract may be express or implied. To establish the relation, it is sufficient that the advice and assistance of an attorney is sought and received in any matter pertinent to his profession.�28 Further, acceptance of money from a client establishes an attorney-client relationship.29 Accordingly, as regards the case before the RTC, the complainant had two counsels � Atty. Espejo and Atty. Bayot.
The Code of Professional Responsibility provides that:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
Accordingly, Atty. Bayot owes fidelity to the cause of the complainant and is obliged to keep the latter informed of the status of his case. He is likewise bound to account for all money or property collected or received from the complainant. He may be held administratively liable for any inaptitude or negligence he may have had committed in his dealing with the complainant.
In Del Mundo v. Capistrano,30 the Court emphasized that:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
Nevertheless, the administrative liability of a lawyer for any infractions of his duties attaches only to such circumstances, which he is personally accountable for. It would be plainly unjust if a lawyer would be held accountable for acts, which he did not commit.
The Investigating Commissioner�s findings, which was adopted by the IBP Board of Governors, did not make a distinction as to which specific acts or omissions the respondents are each personally responsible for. This is inequitable since either of the respondents may not be held personally liable for the infractions committed by the other.
Atty. Bayot may not be held liable for the failure to account for and return the excess of the P50,000.00 which was paid by the complainant for the filing fees. The evidence on record shows that it was Atty. Espejo alone who received the said amount and that she was the one who paid the filing fees when the complaint was filed with the RTC. That Atty. Bayot had no knowledge of the said amount paid by the complainant for the filing fees is even admitted by the complainant himself during the proceedings before the IBP-CBD, viz:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
Further, in her Answer, Atty. Espejo admitted that she was the one who failed to account for the filing fees, alleging that the files in her office were destroyed by flood. Likewise, the demand letters written by the complainant, which were seeking the accounting for the ?50,000.00 filing fee, were all solely addressed to Atty. Espejo. Clearly, Atty. Bayot may not be held administratively liable for the failure to account for the filing fees.
Atty. Bayot cannot also be held liable for the P20,000.00 which Atty. Espejo asked from the complainant for �representation fee.� The complainant failed to adduce any evidence that would establish that Atty. Bayot knew of and came into possession of the said amount paid by the complainant.
On the other hand, Atty. Bayot is legally entitled to the P8,000.00 he received from the complainant on September 23, 2009, the same being his share in the acceptance fee agreed to by the complainant in the retainer agreement. He is likewise legally entitled to the P4,000.00 from the complainant on even date as it is the payment for his appearance fee in the hearing for the issuance of a TRO on September 22, 2009.
However, Atty. Bayot is not entitled to the P4,000.00 which the complainant deposited to his bank account on October 23, 2009. Atty. Bayot admitted that there was no hearing scheduled on the said date; their motion to serve summons through publication was not included in the RTC�s calendar that day. Accordingly, Atty. Bayot is obliged to return the said amount to the complainant.
As regards the complainant�s charge of gross neglect against Atty. Bayot, the Court finds the same unsubstantiated. The Court has consistently held that in suspension or disbarment proceedings against lawyers, the lawyer enjoys the presumption of innocence, and the burden of proof rests upon the complainant to prove the allegations in his complaint.33cralawlawlibrary
A lawyer may be disbarred or suspended for gross misconduct or for transgressions defined by the rules as grounds to strip a lawyer of professional license. Considering, however, the serious consequences of either penalty, the Court will exercise its power to disbar or suspend only upon a clear, convincing, and satisfactory proof of misconduct that seriously affects the standing of a lawyer as an officer of the court and as member of the bar.
The complainant merely alleged that, after the hearing on the motion to serve summons through publication, the respondents had �made themselves scarce� and failed to update him on the status of the case before the RTC. However, other than his bare allegations, the complainant failed to present any evidence that would show that Atty. Bayot was indeed remiss in his duties to the complainant.
However, the complainant�s November 4, 2009 letter34 to Atty. Espejo tells a different story. In the said letter, the complainant asked Atty. Espejo to withdraw as being the counsel of record in the case before the RTC in favor of Atty. Bayot since he was the one who actually prepared the pleadings and attended the hearings of their motions. In any case, the charge of neglect against Atty. Bayot was premature, if not unfair, considering that, at that time, the case before the RTC was still in the early stages; the pre-trial and trial have not even started yet. That they lost their bid for the issuance of a TRO is not tantamount to neglect on the part of Atty. Bayot.
However, Atty. Bayot is not entirely without fault. This administrative complaint was brought about by his intervention when the complainant sought the legal services of Atty. Espejo. Atty. Bayot undertook to prepare the complaint to be filed with the RTC and the motion to serve summons through publication, attended the hearings, and advised the complainant as to the status of the case without formally entering his appearance as counsel of record. He was able to obtain remuneration for his legal services sans any direct responsibility as to the progress of the case. Atty. Bayot is reminded to be more circumspect in his dealings with clients.
WHEREFORE, Atty. Rudolph Dilla Bayot is hereby ADMONISHED to exercise more prudence and judiciousness in dealing with his clients. He is also ordered to return to Michael Ruby within fifteen (15) days from notice the amount of Four Thousand Pesos (P4,000.00) representing his appearance fee received from the latter on October 23, 2009 with a warning that failure on his part to do so will result in the imposition of stiffer disciplinary action.
SO ORDERED.
Velasco, (Chairperson), Peralta, Del Castillo,*and Villarama, Jr., JJ., concur.
The complainant alleged that he and his mother, Felicitas Ruby Bihla (Felicitas), engaged the services of the respondents in connection with a case for cancellation and nullification of deeds of donation. Pursuant to the retainer agreement2 dated August 29, 2009, the complainant and Felicitas would pay Atty. Espejo the amount of P100,000.00 as acceptance fee, P70,000.00 of which was actually paid upon the signing of the agreement and the remaining P30,000.00 to be paid after the hearing on the prayer for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO). The complainant and Felicitas likewise agreed to pay the amount of P5,000.00 as appearance fee for every hearing, which was apparently later reduced to P4,000.00.
On September 15, 2009, the complainant gave Atty. Espejo the amount of P50,000.00 as payment for filing fee.3 On September 16, 2009, Atty. Espejo filed the complaint for nullification and cancellation of deeds of donation with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City, Branch 219. However, the actual filing fee that was paid by her only amounted to P7,561.00;4 she failed to account for the excess amount given her despite several demand letters5 therefor.
On September 23, 2009, Atty. Espejo allegedly asked the complainant to give Atty. Bayot the amount of P30,000.00 � the remaining balance of the acceptance fee agreed upon � notwithstanding that the prayer for the issuance of a TRO has yet to be heard. The complainant asserted that the same was not yet due, but Atty. Espejo told him that Atty. Bayot was in dire need of money. The complainant gave Atty. Bayot the amount of P8,000.00 supposedly as partial payment for the balance of the acceptance fee and an additional P4,000.00 as appearance fee for the September 22, 2009 hearing.6cralawlawlibrary
On September 25, 2009, Atty. Espejo called the complainant informing him of the need to file a separate petition for the issuance of a TRO. She allegedly asked for P50,000.00 to be used as �representation fee.� The complainant was able to bargain with Atty. Espejo and gave her P20,000.00 instead.7cralawlawlibrary
Meanwhile, on September 24, 2009, the RTC issued an Order8 denying the complainant�s prayer for the issuance of a TRO. The complainant alleged that the respondents failed to apprise him of the denial of his prayer for the issuance of a TRO; that he only came to know of said denial on November 3, 2009 when he visited the RTC.9cralawlawlibrary
On October 23, 2009, the complainant deposited the amount of P4,000.00 to the bank account of Atty. Bayot as appearance fee for the hearing on the motion to serve summons through publications, which was set at 2:00 p.m. on even date. However, Atty. Bayot allegedly did not appear in court and instead met with the complainant at the lobby of the Quezon City Hall of Justice, telling them that he already talked to the clerk of court who assured him that the court would grant their motion.10cralawlawlibrary
Thereafter, the complainant alleged, the respondents failed to update him as to the status of his complaint. He further claimed that Atty. Bayot had suddenly denied that he was their counsel. Atty. Bayot asserted that it was Atty. Espejo alone who was the counsel of the complainant and that he was merely a collaborating counsel.
In its Order11 dated January 7, 2010, the IBP-CBD directed the respondents to submit their respective answers to the complaint.
In his Answer,12 Atty. Bayot claimed that he was not the counsel of the complainant; that he merely assisted him and Atty. Espejo. He averred that Atty. Espejo, with the complainant�s consent, sought his help for the sole purpose of drafting a complaint. He pointed out that it was Atty. Espejo who signed and filed the complaint in the RTC.13cralawlawlibrary
Atty. Bayot further pointed out that he had no part in the retainer agreement that was entered into by the complainant, Felicitas, and Atty. Espejo. He also denied having any knowledge as to the P50,000.00 that was paid to Atty. Espejo as filing fees.14cralawlawlibrary
As to the P12,000.00 that was given him, he claimed that he was entitled to P4,000.00 thereof since the said amount was his appearance fee. He pointed out that he appeared before the RTC�s hearing for the issuance of a TRO on September 22, 2009. On the other hand, the P8,000.00 was paid to him as part of the acceptance fee, which was then already due since the RTC had already heard their prayer for the issuance of a TRO.15cralawlawlibrary
He also denied any knowledge as to the P20,000.00 that was paid to Atty. Espejo purportedly for �representation fee� that would be used to file a new petition for the issuance of a TRO.16cralawlawlibrary
Atty. Bayot admitted that he was the one who drafted the motion to serve summons through publication, but pointed out that it was Atty. Espejo who signed and filed it in the RTC. He also admitted that he was the one who was supposed to attend the hearing of the said motion, but claimed that he was only requested to do so by Atty. Espejo since the latter had another commitment. He denied requesting from the complainant the amount of P4,000.00 as appearance fee, alleging that it was the latter who insisted on depositing the same in his bank account.17cralawlawlibrary
During the said hearing, Atty. Bayot claimed that when he checked the court�s calendar, he noticed that their motion was not included. Allegedly, the clerk of court told him that she would just tell the judge to consider their motion submitted for resolution.18cralawlawlibrary
On the other hand, Atty. Espejo, in her Answer,19 denied asking for P50,000.00 from the complainant as filing fees. She insisted that it was the complainant who voluntarily gave her the money to cover the filing fees. She further alleged that she was not able to account for the excess amount because her files were destroyed when her office was flooded due to a typhoon. She also denied having asked another P50,000.00 from the complainant as �representation fee,� asserting that the said amount was for the payment of the injunction bond once the prayer for the issuance of a TRO is issued.
On May 3, 2011, after due proceedings, the Investigating Commissioner issued a Report and Recommendation,20 which recommended the penalty of censure against the respondents. The Investigating Commissioner pointed out that Atty. Bayot and the complainant had a lawyer-client relationship notwithstanding that the former was not the counsel of record in the case. That his admission that he was a collaborating counsel was sufficient to constitute a lawyer client relationship. Moreover, considering that Atty. Bayot initially received the amount of P12,000.00 from the complainant, the Investigating Commissioner opined that he can no longer deny that he was the lawyer of the complainant. The Investigating Commissioner further found that:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
Parenthetically, Respondents had asked and demanded prompt payment of their attorney�s fees or appearance fees and even asked for amounts for dubious purposes yet they, just the same, performed their duties to their clients leisurely and lethargically. Worse, when the trusting Complainant had noticed that his case was headed for disaster and wanted Respondents to explain their obviously slothful and listless services, they disappeared or became evasive thus fortifying the conclusion that they indeed have performed and carried out their duties to Complainant way below the standards set by the Code of [P]rofessional Responsibility.21ChanRoblesVirtualawlibrary
Nevertheless, the Investigating Commissioner found that the complainant failed to prove that he indeed suffered injury as a result of the respondents� conduct and, accordingly, should only be meted the penalty of censure.
On March 20, 2013, the IBP Board of Governors issued a Resolution,22 which adopted and approved the recommendation of the Investigating Commissioner, albeit with the modification that the penalty imposed upon Atty. Espejo and Atty. Bayot was increased from censure to suspension from the practice of law for a period of one year.
Atty. Bayot moved to reconsider the Resolution dated March 20, 2013 issued by the IBP Board of Governors.23 The complainant likewise filed a motion for reconsideration, asking the IBP Board of Governors to order the respondents to refund to him the amount he paid to the respondents.24 In the meantime, Atty. Espejo passed away.25cralawlawlibrary
On March 22, 2014, the IBP Board of Governors issued a Resolution,26 which dismissed the case insofar as Atty. Espejo in view of her demise. The IBP Board of Governors affirmed Atty. Bayot�s suspension from the practice of law for a period of one year.
On December 3, 2014, the Court issued a Resolution,27 which, inter alia, considered the case closed and terminated as to Atty. Espejo on account of her death. Accordingly, the Court�s disquisition in this case would only be limited to the liability of Atty. Bayot.
The issue in this case is whether Atty. Bayot violated the Code of Professional Responsibility, which would warrant the imposition of disciplinary sanction.
After a thorough perusal of the respective allegations of the parties and the circumstances of this case, the Court modifies the findings of the Investigating Commissioner and the IBP Board of Governors.
Atty. Bayot claimed that he is not the counsel of record of the complainant in the case before the RTC. He pointed out that he had no part in the retainer agreement entered into by the complainant and Atty. Espejo. Thus, Atty. Bayot claimed, the complainant had no cause of action against him.
The Court does not agree.
It is undisputed that Atty. Espejo was the counsel of record in the case that was filed in the RTC. Equally undisputed is the fact that it was only Atty. Espejo who signed the retainer agreement. However, the evidence on record, including Atty. Bayot�s admissions, points to the conclusion that a lawyer-client relationship existed between him and the complainant.
Atty. Bayot was the one who prepared the complaint that was filed with the RTC. He was likewise the one who prepared the motion to serve summons through publication. He likewise appeared as counsel for the complainant in the hearings of the case before the RTC. He likewise advised the complainant on the status of the case.
More importantly, Atty. Bayot admitted that he received P8,000.00, which is part of the acceptance fee indicated in the retainer agreement, from the complainant. It is true that it was Atty. Espejo who asked the complainant to give Atty. Bayot the said amount. However, Atty. Bayot admitted that he accepted from the complainant the said P8,000.00 without even explaining what the said amount was for.
The foregoing circumstances clearly established that a lawyer-client relationship existed between Atty. Bayot and the complainant. �Documentary formalism is not an essential element in the employment of an attorney; the contract may be express or implied. To establish the relation, it is sufficient that the advice and assistance of an attorney is sought and received in any matter pertinent to his profession.�28 Further, acceptance of money from a client establishes an attorney-client relationship.29 Accordingly, as regards the case before the RTC, the complainant had two counsels � Atty. Espejo and Atty. Bayot.
The Code of Professional Responsibility provides that:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
CANON 16 � A LAWYER SHALL HOLD IN TRUST ALL MONEYS AND PROPERTIES OF HIS CLIENT THAT MAY COME INTO HIS POSSESSION.
Rule 16.01 � A lawyer shall account for all money or property collected or received for or from the client.
Rule 16.02 � A lawyer shall keep the funds of each client separate and apart from his own and those of others kept by him.cralawred
x x x x
CANON 18 � A LAWYER SHALL SERVE HIS CLIENT WITH COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE.
x x x x
Rule 18.03 � A lawyer shall not neglect a legal matter entrusted to him, and his negligence in connection therewith shall render him liable.
Rule 18.04 � A lawyer shall keep the client informed of the status of his case and shall respond within a reasonable time to the client�s request for information.
Accordingly, Atty. Bayot owes fidelity to the cause of the complainant and is obliged to keep the latter informed of the status of his case. He is likewise bound to account for all money or property collected or received from the complainant. He may be held administratively liable for any inaptitude or negligence he may have had committed in his dealing with the complainant.
In Del Mundo v. Capistrano,30 the Court emphasized that:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
Indeed, when a lawyer takes a client�s cause, he covenants that he will exercise due diligence in protecting the latter�s rights. Failure to exercise that degree of vigilance and attention expected of a good father of a family makes the lawyer unworthy of the trust reposed on him by his client and makes him answerable not just to his client but also to the legal profession, the courts and society. His workload does not justify neglect in handling one�s case because it is settled that a lawyer must only accept cases as much as he can efficiently handle.
Moreover, a lawyer is obliged to hold in trust money of his client that may come to his possession. As trustee of such funds, he is bound to keep them separate and apart from his own. Money entrusted to a lawyer for a specific purpose such as for the filing and processing of a case if not utilized, must be returned immediately upon demand. Failure to return gives rise to a presumption that he has misappropriated it in violation of the trust reposed on him. And the conversion of funds entrusted to him constitutes gross violation of professional ethics and betrayal of public confidence in the legal profession.31 (Citations omitted)
Nevertheless, the administrative liability of a lawyer for any infractions of his duties attaches only to such circumstances, which he is personally accountable for. It would be plainly unjust if a lawyer would be held accountable for acts, which he did not commit.
The Investigating Commissioner�s findings, which was adopted by the IBP Board of Governors, did not make a distinction as to which specific acts or omissions the respondents are each personally responsible for. This is inequitable since either of the respondents may not be held personally liable for the infractions committed by the other.
Atty. Bayot may not be held liable for the failure to account for and return the excess of the P50,000.00 which was paid by the complainant for the filing fees. The evidence on record shows that it was Atty. Espejo alone who received the said amount and that she was the one who paid the filing fees when the complaint was filed with the RTC. That Atty. Bayot had no knowledge of the said amount paid by the complainant for the filing fees is even admitted by the complainant himself during the proceedings before the IBP-CBD, viz:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
ATTY. BAYOT: So, Atty. Espejo ask you for P50,000[.00] as filing fee.ChanRoblesVirtualawlibrary
MR. RUBY: Admitted.
ATTY. BAYOT: That when he asked you about that, Atty. Bayot was not present.
MR. RUBY: Admitted.cralawred
x x x x
ATTY. BAYOT: That later on you gave Atty. Espejo the P50,000[.00].
MR. RUBY: Admitted.
ATTY. BAYOT: That Atty. Bayot was not also present at that time.
MR. RUBY: Admitted.cralawred
x x x x
ATTY. BAYOT: That never did Atty. Bayot ask you or followed-up from you the P50,000[.00] that Atty. Espejo was asking as filing fee?
MR. RUBY: Admitted.cralawred
x x x x
MR. RUBY: You have nothing to do with the P50,000[.00] that was Atty. Espejo.32
Further, in her Answer, Atty. Espejo admitted that she was the one who failed to account for the filing fees, alleging that the files in her office were destroyed by flood. Likewise, the demand letters written by the complainant, which were seeking the accounting for the ?50,000.00 filing fee, were all solely addressed to Atty. Espejo. Clearly, Atty. Bayot may not be held administratively liable for the failure to account for the filing fees.
Atty. Bayot cannot also be held liable for the P20,000.00 which Atty. Espejo asked from the complainant for �representation fee.� The complainant failed to adduce any evidence that would establish that Atty. Bayot knew of and came into possession of the said amount paid by the complainant.
On the other hand, Atty. Bayot is legally entitled to the P8,000.00 he received from the complainant on September 23, 2009, the same being his share in the acceptance fee agreed to by the complainant in the retainer agreement. He is likewise legally entitled to the P4,000.00 from the complainant on even date as it is the payment for his appearance fee in the hearing for the issuance of a TRO on September 22, 2009.
However, Atty. Bayot is not entitled to the P4,000.00 which the complainant deposited to his bank account on October 23, 2009. Atty. Bayot admitted that there was no hearing scheduled on the said date; their motion to serve summons through publication was not included in the RTC�s calendar that day. Accordingly, Atty. Bayot is obliged to return the said amount to the complainant.
As regards the complainant�s charge of gross neglect against Atty. Bayot, the Court finds the same unsubstantiated. The Court has consistently held that in suspension or disbarment proceedings against lawyers, the lawyer enjoys the presumption of innocence, and the burden of proof rests upon the complainant to prove the allegations in his complaint.33cralawlawlibrary
A lawyer may be disbarred or suspended for gross misconduct or for transgressions defined by the rules as grounds to strip a lawyer of professional license. Considering, however, the serious consequences of either penalty, the Court will exercise its power to disbar or suspend only upon a clear, convincing, and satisfactory proof of misconduct that seriously affects the standing of a lawyer as an officer of the court and as member of the bar.
The complainant merely alleged that, after the hearing on the motion to serve summons through publication, the respondents had �made themselves scarce� and failed to update him on the status of the case before the RTC. However, other than his bare allegations, the complainant failed to present any evidence that would show that Atty. Bayot was indeed remiss in his duties to the complainant.
However, the complainant�s November 4, 2009 letter34 to Atty. Espejo tells a different story. In the said letter, the complainant asked Atty. Espejo to withdraw as being the counsel of record in the case before the RTC in favor of Atty. Bayot since he was the one who actually prepared the pleadings and attended the hearings of their motions. In any case, the charge of neglect against Atty. Bayot was premature, if not unfair, considering that, at that time, the case before the RTC was still in the early stages; the pre-trial and trial have not even started yet. That they lost their bid for the issuance of a TRO is not tantamount to neglect on the part of Atty. Bayot.
However, Atty. Bayot is not entirely without fault. This administrative complaint was brought about by his intervention when the complainant sought the legal services of Atty. Espejo. Atty. Bayot undertook to prepare the complaint to be filed with the RTC and the motion to serve summons through publication, attended the hearings, and advised the complainant as to the status of the case without formally entering his appearance as counsel of record. He was able to obtain remuneration for his legal services sans any direct responsibility as to the progress of the case. Atty. Bayot is reminded to be more circumspect in his dealings with clients.
WHEREFORE, Atty. Rudolph Dilla Bayot is hereby ADMONISHED to exercise more prudence and judiciousness in dealing with his clients. He is also ordered to return to Michael Ruby within fifteen (15) days from notice the amount of Four Thousand Pesos (P4,000.00) representing his appearance fee received from the latter on October 23, 2009 with a warning that failure on his part to do so will result in the imposition of stiffer disciplinary action.
SO ORDERED.
Velasco, (Chairperson), Peralta, Del Castillo,*and Villarama, Jr., JJ., concur.
Endnotes:
* Acting Member per Special Order No. 1934 dated February 11, 2015 vice Associate Justice Francis H. Jardeleza.
1Rollo, Vol. I, pp. 1-9.
2 Id. at 10.
3 Id. at 11.
4 Id. at 12.
5 Id. at 13-14.
6 Id. at 1-2, 15.
7 Id. at 2, 16.
8Rollo, Vol. III, pp. 910-911.
9Rollo, Vol. I, p. 2.
10 Id. at 4, 18.
11 Id. at 48.
12 Id. at 56-89.
13 Id. at 62-63.
14 Id. at 63.
15 Id. at 67-69.
16 Id. at 69-70.
17 Id. at 71-72.
18 Id. at 72.
19 Id. at 358-362.
20Rollo, Vol. III, pp. 699-703.
21 Id. at 702.
22 Id. at 698.
23 Id. at 704-807.
24 Id. at 809-811.
25Rollo, Vol. I, p. 378.
26 Rollo, Vol. III, p. 1231.
27 Id. at 1239.
28Toledo v. Kallos, A.M. No. RTJ-05-1900, January 28, 2005, 449 SCRA 446, 457.
29 Amaya v. Atty. Tecson, 491 Phil. 111, 117 (2005).
30 A.C. No. 6903, April 16, 2012, 669 SCRA 462.
31 Id. at 468.
32Rollo, Vol. II, pp. 461-463.
33 Aba v. De Guzman, Jr., A.C. No. 7649, December 14, 2011, 662 SCRA 361, 373.
34Rollo, Vol. I, p. 22.
February-2015 Jurisprudence
A.C. No. 7973 and A.C. No. 10457, February 03, 2015 - MELVYN G. GARCIA, Complainant, v. ATTY. RAUL H. SESBRE�O, Respondent.
A.M. No. RTJ-13-2366 [Formerly OCA IPI No. 11-3740-RTJ], February 04, 2015 - JILL M. TORMIS, Complainant, v. JUDGE MEINRADO P. PAREDES, Respondent.
G.R. No. 192785, February 04, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOMER BUTIAL, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 172509, February 04, 2015 - CHINA BANKING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.
G.R. No. 174581, February 04, 2015 - ATTY. LEO N. CAUBANG, Petitioner, v. JESUS G. CRISOLOGO AND NANETTE B. CRISOLOGO, Respondents.
G.R. No. 209287, February 03, 2015 - MARIA CAROLINA P. ARAULLO, CHAIRPERSON, BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN; JUDY M. TAGUIWALO, PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES DILIMAN, CO-CHAIRPERSON, PAGBABAGO; HENRI KAHN, CONCERNED CITIZENS MOVEMENT; REP. LUZ ILAGAN, GABRIELA WOMEN�S PARTY REPRESENTATIVE; REP. TERRY L. RIDON, KABATAAN PARTYLIST REPRESENTATIVE; REP. CARLOS ISAGANI ZARATE, BAYAN MUNA PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE; RENATO M. REYES, JR., SECRETARY GENERAL OF BAYAN; MANUEL K. DAYRIT, CHAIRMAN, ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY; VENCER MARI E. CRISOSTOMO, CHAIRPERSON, ANAKBAYAN; VICTOR VILLANUEVA, CONVENOR, YOUTH ACT NOW, Petitioners, v. BENIGNO SIMEON C. AQUINO III, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES; PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR., EXECUTIVE SECRETARY; AND FLORENCIO B. ABAD, SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, Respondents.; G.R. No. 209135 - AUGUSTO L. SYJUCO JR., PH.D., Petitioner, v. FLORENCIO B. ABAD, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE SECRETARY OF DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT; AND HON. FRANKLIN MAGTUNAO DRILON, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE SENATE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES,Respondents.; G.R. No. 209136 - MANUELITO R. LUNA, Petitioner, v. SECRETARY FLORENCIO ABAD, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT; AND EXECUTIVE SECRETARY PAQUITO OCHOA, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS ALTER EGO OF THE PRESIDENT,Respondents.; G.R. No. 209155 - ATTY. JOSE MALVAR VILLEGAS, JR., Petitioner, v. THE HONORABLE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.; AND THE SECRETARY OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Respondents.; G.R. No. 209164 - PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION ASSOCIATION (PHILCONSA), REPRESENTED BY DEAN FROILAN M. BACUNGAN, BENJAMIN E. DIOKNO AND LEONOR M. BRIONES, Petitioners, v. DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT AND/OR HON. FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Respondents.; G.R. No. 209260 - INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES (IBP), Petitioner, v. SECRETARY FLORENCIO B. ABAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM), Respondents.; G.R. No. 209442 - GRECO ANTONIOUS BEDA B. BELGICA; BISHOP REUBEN M. ABANTE AND REV. JOSE L. GONZALEZ, Petitioners, v. PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON C. AQUINO III, THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY SENATE PRESIDENT FRANKLIN M. DRILON; THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, REPRESENTED BY SPEAKER FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR.; THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE, REPRESENTED BY EXECUTIVE SECRETARY PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.; THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY FLORENCIO ABAD; THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY CESAR V. PURISIMA; AND THE BUREAU OF TREASURY, REPRESENTED BY ROSALIA V. DE LEON, Respondents.; G.R. No. 209517 - CONFEDERATION FOR UNITY, RECOGNITION AND ADVANCEMENT OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (COURAGE), REPRESENTED BY ITS 1ST VICE PRESIDENT, SANTIAGO DASMARINAS, JR.; ROSALINDA NARTATES, FOR HERSELF AND AS NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE CONSOLIDATED UNION OF EMPLOYEES NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (CUE-NHA); MANUEL BACLAGON, FOR HIMSELF AND AS PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRAL OFFICE (SWEAP-DSWD CO); ANTONIA PASCUAL, FOR HERSELF AND AS NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (DAREA); ALBERT MAGALANG, FOR HIMSELF AND AS PRESIDENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND MANAGEMENT BUREAU EMPLOYEES UNION (EMBEU); AND MARCIAL ARABA, FOR HIMSELF AND AS PRESIDENT OF THE KAPISANAN PARA SA KAGALINGAN NG MGA KAWANI NG MMDA (KKK-MMDA), Petitioners, v. BENIGNO SIMEON C. AQUINO III, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES; PAQUITO OCHOA, JR., EXECUTIVE SECRETARY; AND HON. FLORENCIO B. ABAD, SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, Respondents.; G.R. No. 209569 - VOLUNTEERS AGAINST CRIME AND CORRUPTION (VACC), REPRESENTED BY DANTE L. JIMENEZ, Petitioner, v. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, AND FLORENCIO B. ABAD, SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, Respondents.
G.R. No. 203536, February 04, 2015 - CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, Petitioner, v. MARIA RIZA G. VERGEL DE DIOS, Respondent.
A.C. No. 10681, February 03, 2015 - SPOUSES HENRY A. CONCEPCION AND BLESILDA S. CONCEPCION, Complainants, v. ATTY. ELMER A. DELA ROSA, Respondent.
G.R. No. 206285, February 04, 2015 - VERITAS MARITIME CORPORATION AND/OR ERICKSON MARQUEZ, Petitioners, v. RAMON A. GEPANAGA, JR., Respondent.
A.M. No. P-15-3298 [Formerly A.M. No. 10-11-120-MTC], February 04, 2015 - RE: REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL AUDIT CONDUCTED AT THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, BALIUAG, BULACAN
G.R. No. 207257, February 03, 2015 - HON. RAMON JESUS P. PAJE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR), Petitioner, v. HON. TEODORO A. CASI�O, HON. RAYMOND V. PALATINO, HON. RAFAEL V. MARIANO, HON. EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS, CLEMENTE G. BAUTISTA, JR., HON. ROLEN C. PAULINO, HON. EDUARDO PIANO, HON. JAMES DE LOS REYES, HON. AQUILINO Y. CORTEZ, JR., HON. SARAH LUGERNA LIPUMANO-GARCIA, NORAIDA VELARMINO, BIANCA CHRISTINE GAMBOA ESPINOS, CHARO SIMONS, GREGORIO LLORCA MAGDARAOG, RUBELH PERALTA, ALEX CORPUS HERMOSO, RODOLFO SAMBAJON, REV. FR. GERARDO GREGORIO P. JORGE, CARLITO A. BALOY, OFELIA D. PABLO, MARIO ESQUILLO, ELLE LATINAZO, EVANGELINE Q. RODRIGUEZ, JOHN CARLO DELOS REYES, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 207257 - REDONDO PENINSULA ENERGY, INC., Petitioner, v. HON. TEODORO A. CASI�O, HON. RAYMOND V. PALATINO, HON. RAFAEL V. MARIANO, HON. EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS, CLEMENTE G. BAUTISTA, JR., HON. ROLEN C. PAULINO, HON. EDUARDO PIANO, HON. JAMES DE LOS REYES, HON. AQUILINO Y. CORTEZ, JR., HON. SARAH LUGERNA LIPUMANO-GARCIA, NORAIDA VELARMINO, BIANCA CHRISTINE GAMBOA ESPINOS, CHARO SIMONS, GREGORIO LLORCA MAGDARAOG, RUBELH PERALTA, ALEX CORPUS HERMOSO, RODOLFO SAMBAJON, REV. FR. GERARDO GREGORIO P. JORGE, CARLITO A. BALOY, OFELIA D. PABLO, MARIO ESQUILLO, ELLE LATINAZO, EVANGELINE Q. RODRIGUEZ, JOHN CARLO DELOS REYES, RAMON JESUS P. PAJE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 207276 - HON. TEODORO A. CASI�O, HON. RAYMOND V. PALATINO, HON. EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS, CLEMENTE G. BAUTISTA, JR., HON. RAFAEL V. MARIANO, HON. ROLEN C. PAULINO, HON. EDUARDO PIANO, HON. JAMES DE LOS REYES, HON. AQUILINO Y. CORTEZ, JR., HON. SARAH LUGERNA LIPUMANO-GARCIA, NORAIDA VELARMINO, BIANCA CHRISTINE GAMBOA ESPINOS, CHARO SIMONS, GREGORIO LLORCA MAGDARAOG, RUBELH PERALTA, ALEX CORPUS HERMOSA, RODOLFO SAMBAJON, ET AL., Petitioners; G.R. NO. 207282 - RAMON JESUS P. PAJE IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY, AND REDONDO PENINSULA ENERGY, INC., Respondents.; G.R. NO. 207366 - SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY, Petitioner, v. HON. TEODORO A. CASI�O, HON. RAYMOND V. PALATINO, HON. RAFAEL V. MARIANO, HON. EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS, CLEMENTE G. BAUTISTA, JR., HON. ROLEN C. PAULINO, HON EDUARDO PIANO, HON. JAMES DE LOS REYES, HON. AQUILINO Y. CORTEZ, JR., HON. SARAH LUGERNA LIPUMANO-GARCIA, NORAIDA VELARMINO, BIANCA CHRISTINE GAMBOA, GREGORIO LLORCA MAGDARAOG, RUBELH PERALTA, ALEX CORPUS HERMOSO, RODOLFO SAMBAJON, REV. FR. GERARDO GREGORIO P. JORGE, CARLITO A. BALOY, OFELIA D. PABLO, MARIO ESQUILLO, ELLE LATINAZO, EVANGELINE Q. RODRIGUEZ, JOHN CARLO DELOS REYES, HON. RAMON JESUS P. PAJE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND REDONDO PENINSULA ENERGY, INC., Respondents.
A.M. No. P-14-3241 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 11-3672-P), February 04, 2015 - MARY-ANN* S. TORDILLA, COURT STENOGRAPHER III, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR, BRANCH 27, Complainant, v. LORNA H. AMILANO, COURT STENOGRAPHER III, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR, BRANCH 61, Respondent.
G.R. No. 191060, February 02, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. TOMAS DIMACUHA, JR., EDGAR ALLEN ALVAREZ, RODEL CABALLERO, LUIS EVANGELISTA, RICKY BARRIAO, LITO GUALTER, TESS GUALTER, BOGS EVANGELISTA, ALIAS THEO, ALIAS NONONG, ALIAS JOHNY AND JOHN DOES, ACCUSED, EDGAR ALLEN ALVAREZ AND RODEL CABALLERO, Accused-Appellants.
G.R. No. 194999, February 09, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. GLORIA NEPOMUCENO Y PEDRAZA, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 212160, February 04, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DENNIS SUMILI, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 201100, February 04, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MHODS USMAN Y GOGO, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 212277, February 11, 2015 - ROBERT AND NENITA DE LEON, Petitioners, v. GILBERT AND ANALYN DELA LLANA, Respondents.
G.R. No. 176022, February 02, 2015 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. CECILIA GRACE L. ROASA, MARRIED TO GREG AMBROSE ROASA, AS HEREIN REPRESENTED BY HER ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT, BERNARDO M. NICOLAS, JR. AND ALVIN B. ACAYEN, Respondents.
G.R. No. 205308, February 11, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. OSCAR SANTOS Y ENCINAS, Appellant.
A.C. No. 8101, February 04, 2015 - MELANIO S. SALITA, Complainant, v. ATTY. REYNALDO T. SALVE, Respondent.
G.R. No. 202961, February 04, 2015 - EMER MILAN, RANDY MASANGKAY, WILFREDO JAVIER, RONALDO DAVID, BONIFACIO MATUNDAN, NORA MENDOZA, ET AL., Petitioners, v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, SOLID MILLS, INC., AND/OR PHILIP ANG, Respondents.
G.R. No. 205889, February 04, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. SANDER DACUMA Y LUNSOD, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 211351, February 04, 2015 - LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF JESUS ALSUA, REPRESENTED BY BIBIANO C. SABINO, Respondents.
G.R. No. 196418, February 10, 2015 - TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA), Petitioner, v. THE COMMISSION ON AUDIT; CHAIRMAN REYNALDO A. VILLAR; COMMISSIONER JUANITO G. ESPINO, JR.; AND COMMISSIONER EVELYN R. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Respondents.
G.R. No. 200336, February 11, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ROWENA TAPUGAY Y VENTURA, Accused-Appellant.
A.M. No. P-11-2930 (Formerly A.M. OCA IPI No. 10-3318-P), February 17, 2015 - LEAVE DIVISION � O.A.S., OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Petitioner, v. TYKE J. SARCENO, Respondents.
G.R. No. 171222, February 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. LTSG. DOMINADOR BAYABOS, LTJG. MANNY G. FERRER, LTJG. RONALD G. MAGSINO, LTJG. GERRY P. DOCTOR, ENS. DOMINADOR B. OPERIO, JR., AND THE HON. SANDIGANBAYAN, Respondents.; G.R. No. 174786 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. RADM VIRGINIO R. ARIS, LTJG. KRUZALDO G. MABBORANG, ENS. DENNIS S. VELASCO, AND THE HON. SANDIGANBAYAN, Respondents.
G.R. No. 209588, February 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ERIC ROSAURO Y BONGCAWIL, Accused-Appellant.
A.C. No. 10451, February 04, 2015 - SPOUSES WILLIE AND AMELIA UMAGUING, Complainants, v. ATTY. WALLEN R. DE VERA, Respondents.
G.R. No. 209295, February 11, 2015 - DIANA YAP-CO, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES WILLIAM T. UY AND ESTER GO-UY, Respondents.
G.R. No. 199445, February 04, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. PACITO ESPEJON Y LEBIOS, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 185115, February 18, 2015 - NORTHERN MINDANAO POWER CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondents.
G.R. No. 205735, February 04, 2015 - CONCEPCION A. VILLENA, Petitioner, v. BATANGAS II ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. AND GEORGE A. DIN, Respondents.
G.R. No. 195109, February 04, 2015 - ANDY D. BALITE, DELFIN M. ANZALDO AND MONALIZA DL. BIHASA, Petitioners, v. SS VENTURES INTERNATIONAL, INC., SUNG SIK LEE AND EVELYN RAYALA , Respondents.
A.M. No. RTJ-15-2406 [Formerly OCA IPI No. 11-3638-RTJ], February 18, 2015 - BENITO B. NATE, Complainant, v. JUDGE LELU P. CONTRERAS, BRANCH 43, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, VIRAC, CATANDUANES (THEN CLERK OF COURT, RTC-IRIGA CITY), Respondents.
G.R. No. 199990, February 04, 2015 - SPOUSES ROLANDO AND HERMINIA SALVADOR, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES ROGELIO AND ELIZABETH RABAJA AND ROSARIO GONZALES, Respondents.
G.R. No. 185666, February 04, 2015 - NIPPON EXPRESS (PHILIPPINES) CORP., Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondents.
G.R. No. 206229, February 04, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. AMY DASIGAN Y OLIVA, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 190348, February 09, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. NILO COLENTAVA, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 211362, February 24, 2015 - FIRST CLASS CADET ALDRIN JEFF P. CUDIA OF THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY, REPRESENTED BY HIS FATHER RENATO P. CUDIA, WHO ALSO ACTS ON HIS OWN BEHALF, AND BERTENI CATALU�A CAUSING, Petitioners, v. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY (PMA), THE HONOR COMMITTEE (HC) OF 2014 OF THE PMA AND HC MEMBERS, AND THE CADET REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD (CRAB), Respondents.; FILIPINA P. CUDIA, IN BEHALF OF CADET FIRST CLASS ALDRIN JEFF P. CUDIA, AND ON HER OWN BEHALF, Petitioner-Intervenor.
G.R. No. 200308, February 23, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MERA �JOY� ELEUTERIO NIELLES, @ MERA NIELLES DELOS REYES, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 195245, February 16, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JIMMY GABUYA Y ADLAWAN, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 197818, February 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALLAN DIAZ Y ROXAS, Accused-Appellant.
A.M. No. MTJ-15-1851, February 11, 2015 - CHUA KENG SIN, Petitioner, v. JUDGE JOB M. MANGENTE, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 54, NAVOTAS CITY, Respondents.
A.M. No. P-10-2872 [Formerly A.M. No. 10-10-118-MTC], February 24, 2015 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. CLERK OF COURT EMMANUELA A. REYES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, BANI, PANGASINAN, Respondent.
G.R. No. 189669, February 16, 2015 - PILIPINAS SHELL PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND PETRON CORPORATION, Petitioners, v. ROMARS INTERNATIONAL GASES CORPORATION, Respondent.
G.R. No. 174161, February 18, 2015 - R TRANSPORT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. LUISITO G. YU, Respondent.
G.R. No. 183652, February 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND AAA, Petitioners, v. COURT OF APPEALS, 21ST DIVISION, MINDANAO STATION, RAYMUND CARAMPATANA, JOEFHEL OPORTO, AND MOISES ALQUIZOLA, Respondents.
G.R. No. 206653, February 25, 2015 - YUK LING ONG, Petitioner, v. BENJAMIN T. CO, Respondent.
G.R. No. 204796, February 04, 2015 - REICON REALTY BUILDERS CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. DIAMOND DRAGON REALTY AND MANAGEMENT, INC., Respondent.
G.R. No. 173277, February 25, 2015 - OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Petitioner, v. PRUDENCIO C. QUIMBO, COURT OF APPEALS, 20TH DIVISION, CEBU CITY, Respondents.
G.R. No. 198223, February 18, 2015 - HEIRS OF TIMBANG DAROMIMBANG DIMAAMPAO, NAMELY: CABIB D. ALAWI, ACMAD D. ALAWI, KALIKO D. ALAWI, ABU ALI D. ALAWI, MOKHAYMA D. ABAB, AND MARIAM ABAB, REPRESENTED BY CABIB D. ALAWI, Petitioners, v. ATTY. ABDULLAH ALUG, HADJI BOGABONG BALT AND HEIRS OF HADJI ALI PETE PANGARUNGAN, NAMELY: HADJA SITTIE SALIMA PANGARUNGAN, AMINA P. ALANGADI, JAMELA P. SANI, ANSARY S. PANGARUNGAN, RAMLA P. PANGCAT, JACKLYN P. BANTO, ACMAD T. PANGARUNGAN, ACMELA P. MAMAROBA, AMERA P. LALANTO, ACLI T. PANGARUNGAN, ASMIA P. BANOCAG, ABDARI T. PANGARUNGAN, ASLIA T. PANGARUNGAN, HANIPA T. PANGARUNGAN, CALILI T. PANGARUNGAN, AND ANSANTO T. PANGARUNGAN, REPRESENTED BY HADJA SITTIE SALIMA PANGARUNGAN, Respondents.
G.R. No. 194606, February 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALFREDO REYES Y SANTOS, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 195774, February 23, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. LARRY BASILIO Y HERNANDEZ, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 193855, February 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. VIRGILIO LARGO PERONDO, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 205867, February 23, 2015 - MARIFLOR T. HORTIZUELA, REPRESENTED BY JOVIER TAGUFA, Petitioner, v. GREGORIA TAGUFA, ROBERTO TAGUFA AND ROGELIO LUMABAN, Respondents.
G.R. No. 192718, February 18, 2015 - ROBERT F. MALLILIN, Petitioner, v. LUZ G. JAMESOLAMIN AND THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.
G.R. No. 176973, February 25, 2015 - DAVID M. DAVID, Petitioner, v. FEDERICO M. PARAGAS, JR., Respondent.
G.R. No. 175417, February 09, 2015 - GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ SERVICES COOPERATIVE, INC. (GEMASCO), Petitioner, v. NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (NHA) AND GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ WATER DISTRICT (GMAWD), Respondents.; G.R. NO. 198923 - GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ WATER DISTRICT (GMAWD), Petitioner, v. AMINA CATANGAY, ELESITA MIRANDA, ROSITA RICARTE, ROSA FETIZANAN, ABSALON AGA, ELPIDIO SARMIENTO, FRANCISCO RICARDE, ROMEO CATACUTAN, RASALIO LORENZO, ARTEMIO RAFAEL, MYRN CEA, AND NORMA ESTIL; NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (NHA) AND GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ SERVICES COOPERATIVE, INC., REPRESENTED BY ERNESTO FLORES, Respondents.
G.R. No. 193225, February 09, 2015 - BBB,* Petitioner, v. AAA,* Respondent.
A.C. No. 10558, February 23, 2015 - MICHAEL RUBY, Complainant, v. ATTY. ERLINDA B. ESPEJO AND ATTY. RUDOLPH DILLA BAYOT, Respondents.
G.R. No. 211454, February 11, 2015 - MAUNLAD TRANS., INC./CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES, INC., AND MR. AMADO L. CASTRO, JR., Petitioners, v. RODOLFO M. CAMORAL, Respondent.
G.R. No. 188364, February 11, 2015 - K & G MINING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. ACOJE MINING COMPANY, INCORPORATED AND ZAMBALES CHROMITE MINING COMPANY, INCORPORATED, Respondents.
G.R. No. 184827, February 11, 2015 - FELIPE JHONNY A. FRIAS, JR. AND HEIRS OF ROGELIO B. VENERACION, Petitioners, v. THE HONORABLE EDWIN D. SORONGON, ASSISTING JUDGE, BRANCH 211, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, MANDALUYONG CITY; FIRST ASIA REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND/OR SM PRIME HOLDINGS, INC., AND ORTIGAS & COMPANY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, Respondents.
G.R. No. 201931, February 11, 2015 - DO�A ADELA1 EXPORT INTERNATIONAL, INC., Petitioner, v. TRADE AND INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (TIDCORP), AND THE BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS (BPI), Respondents.
G.R. No. 195412, February 04, 2015 - THE HON. SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM, Petitioner, v. NEMESIO DUMAGPI, REPRESENTED BY VICENTE DUMAGPI, Respondent.
G.R. Nos. 174365-66, February 04, 2015 - ROMEO BASAN, DANILO DIZON, JAIME L. TUMABIAO, JR., ROBERTO DELA RAMA, JR., RICKY S. NICOLAS, CRISPULO D. DONOR, GALO FALGUERA, AND NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, Petitioners, v. COCA-COLA BOTTLERS PHILIPPINES,* Respondent.
G.R. No. 214132, February 18, 2015 - SEALANES MARINE SERVICES, INC./ARKLOW SHIPPING NETHERLAND AND/OR CHRISTOPHER DUMATOL, Petitioners, v. ARNEL G. DELA TORRE, Respondent.
G.R. No. 207635, February 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DANTE DELA PE�A1 AND DENNIS DELIMA, Accused-Appellants.
A.M. No. RTJ-13-2363 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 13-4149-RTJ), February 25, 2015 - SAMAHAN NG MGA BABAE SA HUDIKATURA (SAMABAHU), Complainant, v. JUDGE CESAR O. UNTALAN, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 149, MAKATI CITY, Respondent.
A.C. No. 10583 [Formerly CBD 09-2555], February 18, 2015 - ROBERTO BERNARDINO, Complainant, v. ATTY. VICTOR REY SANTOS, Respondent.; A.C. NO. 10584 [FORMERLY CBD 10-2827] - ATTY. JOSE MANGASER CARINGAL, Complainant, v. ATTY. VICTOR REY SANTOS, Respondent.
G.R. No. 212565, February 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BENJAMIN CASAS Y VINTULAN, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 200800, February 09, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. OSCAR SEVILLANO Y RETANAL Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 212081, February 23, 2015 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR), Petitioner, v. UNITED PLANNERS CONSULTANTS, INC. (UPCI), Respondent.
G.R. No. 205952, February 11, 2015 - ATTY. SEGUNDO B. BONSUBRE, JR., Petitioner, v. ERWIN YERRO, ERICO YERRO AND RITCHIE YERRO, Respondents.
G.R. No. 207010, February 18, 2015 - MAERSK-FILIPINAS CREWING, INC., A.P. MOLLER SINGAPORE PTE. LIMITED, AND JESUS AGBAYANI, Petitioners, v. TORIBIO C. AVESTRUZ,* Respondent.
G.R. No. 187930, February 23, 2015 - NEW WORLD DEVELOPERS AND MANAGEMENT, INC., Petitioner, v. AMA COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER, INC., Respondent.; G.R. NO. 188250 - AMA COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER, INC., Petitioner, v. NEW WORLD DEVELOPERS AND MANAGEMENT, INC., Respondent.
G.R. No. 181293, February 23, 2015 - ANA THERESIA �RISA� HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL, DANIEL L. EDRALIN, VICTOR M. GONZALES, SR., JOSE APOLLO R. ADO, RENE D. SORIANO, ALLIANCE OF PROGRESSIVE LABOR, BUKLURAN NG MANGGAGAWANG PILIPINO, LAHING PILIPINO MULTI-PURPOSE TRANSPORT SERVICE COOPERATIVE, PNCC SKYWAY CORPORATION EMPLOYEES UNION (PSCEU), AND PNCC TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT & SECURITY DEPARTMENT WORKERS ORGANIZATION (PTMSDWO), Petitioners, v. TOLL REGULATORY BOARD, THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS (DOTC), PNCC SKYWAY CORPORATION, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION, SKYWAY O & M CORPORATION, AND CITRA METRO MANILA TOLLWAYS CORP., Respondents.
G.R. No. 195850, February 16, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ABOLA BIO Y PANAYANGAN, Accused-Appellant.
A.C. No. 10537, February 03, 2015 - REYNALDO G. RAMIREZ, Complainant, v. ATTY. MERCEDES BUHAYANG-MARGALLO, Respondent.
A.C. No. 5482, February 10, 2015 - JIMMY ANUDON AND JUANITA ANUDON, Complainants, v. ATTY. ARTURO B. CEFRA, Respondent.
G.R. No. 211666, February 25, 2015 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS, Petitioners, v. ARLENE R. SORIANO, Respondent.
G.R. No. 199554, February 18, 2015 - ZENAIDA PAZ, Petitioner, v. NORTHERN TOBACCO REDRYING CO., INC., AND/OR ANGELO ANG, Respondents.
G.R. No. 206004, February 24, 2015 - JOSEPH B. TIMBOL, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent.
A.C. No. 10567, February 25, 2015 - WILFREDO ANGLO, Complainant, v. ATTY. JOSE MA. V. VALENCIA, ATTY. JOSE MA. J. CIOCON, ATTY. PHILIP Z. DABAO, ATTY. LILY UY- VALENCIA, ATTY. JOEY P. DE LA PAZ, ATTY. CRIS G. DIONELA, ATTY. RAYMUNDO T. PANDAN, JR.,* ATTY. RODNEY K. RUBICA," AND ATTY. WILFRED RAMON M. PENALOSA, Respondents.
G.R. No. 212151, February 18, 2015 - THE PEOPLE OF PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JAY HINLO A.K.A. "INDAY KABANG" - (at large), Accused,; RICHARD PALMA Y VARCAS A.K.A. "INDAY ATET," RUVICO SENIDO Y HAMAYBAY A.K.A. "RUBY," AND EDGAR PEDROSO Y PALASOL A.K.A. "LIBAT," Accused-Appellants.
G.R. No. 203466, February 25, 2015 - CHERRY ANN M. BENABAYE, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.
G.R. No. 184789, February 23, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BEVERLY ALAGARME Y CITOY, Accused-Appellant.
A.M. No. P-15-3289, February 17, 2015 - CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, AS REPRESENTED BY DIRECTOR IV MARIA LETICIA G. REYNA, Complainant, v. JOVILYN B. DAWANG, COURT STENOGRAPHER I, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, TALUGTOG, NUEVA ECIJA, Respondent.
G.R. No. 184762, February 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DOMINGO GALLANO y JARANILLA, Accused-Appellant.
A.M. No. P-15-3296 [Formerly OCA IPI No. 14-4364-P], February 17, 2015 - ANONYMOUS LETTER-COMPLAINT AGAINST REYNALDO C. ALCANTARA, UTILITY WORKER I, BR. 70, AND JOSEPH C. JACINTO, ELECTRICIAN, HALL OF JUSTICE, BOTH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BURGOS, PANGASINAN
G.R. No. 206942, February 25, 2015 - VICENTE C. TATEL, Petitioner, v. JLFP INVESTIGATION SECURITY AGENCY, INC., JOSE LUIS F. PAMINTUAN, AND/OR PAOLO C. TURNO, Respondents.
G.R. No. 171672, February 02, 2015 - MARIETA DE CASTRO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.
G.R. No. 175863, February 18, 2015 - NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. LUCMAN M. IBRAHIM, ATTY. OMAR G. MARUHOM, ELIAS G. MARUHOM, BUCAY G. MARUHOM, MAMOD G. MARUHOM, FAROUK G. MARUHOM, HIDJARA G. MARUHOM, ROCANIA G. MARUHOM, POTRISAM G. MARUHOM, LUMBA G. MARUHOM, SINAB G. MARUHOM, ACMAD G. MARUHOM, SOLAYMAN G. MARUHOM, MOHAMAD M. IBRAHIM, CAIRONESA M. IBRAHIM AND MACAPANTON K. MANGONDATO, Respondents.
G.R. No. 204672, February 18, 2015 - SPOUSES RODOLFO AND MARCELINA GUEVARRA, Petitioners, v. THE COMMONER LENDING CORPORATION, INC., Respondent.
G.R. No. 203133, February 18, 2015 - YULIM INTERNATIONAL COMPANY LTD., JAMES YU, JONATHAN YU, AND ALMERICK TIENG LIM, Petitioners, v. INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE BANK (NOW UNION BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES), Respondent.
G.R. No. 154262, February 11, 2015 - HERMINIO M. DE GUZMAN, FOR HIMSELF AND AS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF: NILO M. DE GUZMAN, ANGELINO DE GUZMAN, JOSEFINO M. DE GUZMAN, ESTRELLA M. DE GUZMAN, TERESITA DE GUZMAN, ELSA MARGARITA M. DE GUZMAN, EVELYN M. DE GUZMAN, MA. NIMIA M. DE GUZMAN, ANTOLIN M. DE GUZMAN, AND FERDINAND M. DE GUZMAN, Petitioners, v. TABANGAO REALTY INCORPORATED, Respondent.
G.R. No. 210430, February 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RONALD NICAL Y ALMINARIO, Accused-Appellant.
G.R. No. 199752, February 17, 2015 - LUCENA D. DEMAALA, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRPERSON COMMISSIONER MA. GRACIA M. PULIDO TAN, Respondent.
G.R. No. 163662, February 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JULIE GRACE K. VILLANUEVA, Accused-Appellant.
A.M. No. P-09-2668, February 24, 2015 - ASTORGA AND REPOL LAW OFFICES, REPRESENTED BY ATTY. ARNOLD B. LUGARES, Complainant, v. ALEXANDER D. VILLANUEVA, SHERIFF IV, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 60, MAKATI CITY, Respondent.
G.R. No. 194488, February 11, 2015 - ALICIA B. REYES, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES VALENTIN RAMOS, FRANCISCO S. AND ANATALIA, Respondents.
G.R. No. 204644, February 11, 2015 - ANGELITA CRUZ BENITO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.
G.R. No. 169303, February 11, 2015 - PROTECTIVE MAXIMUM SECURITY AGENCY, INC., Petitioner, v. CELSO E. FUENTES, Respondent.