ChanRobles Virtual law Library

[G.R. No. 134604.March 27, 2001]

PEOPLE vs. ERNESTO HUGO, et al.

EN BANC

Gentlemen:

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated MAR 27 2001.

G.R. No. 134604(People of the Philippines vs. Ernesto Hugo, Lorenzo Hugo and Rudy Hugo.)

The rolIo discloses that accused-appellant Lorenzo Hugo, represented by the Public Attorney's Office, filed his Appellant's Brief on 25 June 1999, and, in relation thereto, the Office of the Solicitor General filed the Appellee's Brief on 4 November 1999. Appellant Lorenzo Hugo subsequently filed his Reply Brief on 25 January 2000.

Upon the other hand, Atty. Arturo B. Cefra, counsel for accused-appellants Ernesto Hugo and Rudy Hugo, failed to file the Appellants' Brief for said accused-appellants despite the expiration of the extended period on 8 May 1999.

In the Resolution of 4 April 2000, Atty. Arturo B. Cefra was required to (a) show cause why no disciplinary action should be taken against him for his failure to file the Appellants' Brief for accused-appellant Ernesto Hugo and Rudy Hugo, and (b) comply with the filing of said Appellants' Brief within ten (10) days from notice.

Atty. Cefra did not comply with the Resolution of 4 April 2000.

In the Resolution of 5 September 2000, Atty. Cefra was fined in the amount of P2,000 payable within five (5) days from notice, or for him to suffer imprisonment of five (5) days if he failed to pay the fine within the said period, and to comply with the filing of the Appellants' Brief within ten (10) days from notice.

Atty. Cefra paid the fine of P2,000 on 18 October 2000, but did not file the Appellants Brief. In a pleading entitled Manifestation And Payment Of Fine filed on 18 October 2000, Atty. Cefra promised that the "required accused-appellants brief will follow right hereafter."

Until now, however, Atty. Cefra has not filed the Appellants' Brief for accused-appellants Ernesto and Rudy Hugo.

WHEREFORE, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is hereby ordered to arrest Atty. Arturo B. Cefra and to detain him at the detention cell of the main office of the NBI, at Taft Avenue, Manila, until such time when he will file the Appellants Brief for accused-appellants Ernesto Hugo and Rudy Hugo. Puno, J., is abroad on official business.

Very truly yours,

(Sgd.) MA. LUISA D. VILLARAMA

Acting Clerk of Court

Back to Home | Back to Main

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST SUPREME COURT JURISPRUDENCE