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[ G.R. No. 130068. April 20, 1999]

FAR EASTERN SHIPPING CO. vs. CA, et al.

EN BANC

Gentlemen:

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated APR 20, 1999.

G.R. No. 130068 (Far Eastern Shipping Co., vs. Court of Appeals and Philippine Authority.)

G.R. No. 130150 (Manila Pilots Association vs. Philippine Ports Authority and Far Eastern Shipping Co.)

Before this Court is a Motion for Partial Reconsideration (Re: Admonition, Warning and Spreading of copies of the Decision upon the personal record of ASG Roman G. Del Rosario in the Office of the Bar Confidant) of the Decision of this Court dated October 1, 1998 filed by Assistant Solicitor General Roman G. Del Rosario.

The decretal portion of the questioned decision reads as follows:

"WHEREFORE, in view of all the foregoing, the consolidated petitions for review are DENIED and the assailed decision of the Court of Appeals is AFFIRMED in toto.

"Counsel for FESC, the law firm of Del Rosario and Del Rosario, specifically its associate, Atty. Herbert A. Tria is REPRIMANDED and WARNED that a repetition of the same or similar acts of heedless disregard of its undertakings under the Rules shall be dealt with more severely.

"The original members of the legal team of the Office of the Solicitor General assigned to this case, namely, Assistant Solicitor Roman G. Del Rosario and Solicitor Luis F. Simon, are ADMONISHED and WARNED that a repetition of the same or similar acts of unduly delaying proceedings due to delayed filing of required pleadings shall also be dealt with more stringently.

"The Solicitor General is DIRECTED to look into the circumstances of this case and to adopt provident measures to avoid a repetition of this incident and which would ensure prompt compliance with orders of this Court regarding the timely filing of requisite pleadings, in the interest of just, speedy and orderly administration of justice.

"Let copies of this decision be spread upon the personal records of the lawyers named herein in the Office of the Bar Confidant.

"SO ORDERED." (Rollo, p. 63)

The movant prays that the decision be modified by deleting the first and last paragraphs of page 63 insofar as he is concerned.

As an officer of the Court, it is the sworn duty of a lawyer to assist in the speedy ad efficient administration of justice (Canon 12, Code of Professional Responsibility). The expeditious filing of the pleadings, memoranda or briefs, including comments, is one way by which a lawyer complies with this sworn duty.

We have pondered with unprejudiced minds the motion of ASG Del Rosario and in our munificence we have resolved to grant the same considering that he has expressed his abject apologies for the prolonged filing of the comment required by this Court. We do this with the highest hope and expectation that a repetition of the same will not happen again.

WHEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, the motion for partial reconsideration filed by ASG Del Rosario is hereby GRANTED and the dispositive portion of the decision dated October 1, 1998 is MODIFIED by deleting the name Assistant Solicitor General Roman G. Del Rosario in the third paragraph thereof.

Very truly yours,

LUZVIMINDA D. PUNO
Clerk of Court

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