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[G.R. No. 134815.October 1, 2002]

PEOPLE vs. DE JESUS, et al.

EN BANC

Gentlemen:

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated 01 OCT 2002.

G.R. No. 134815 (People of the Philippines vs. Eduardo de Jesus y Enrile, et al.)

After the Briefs for Accused-Appellant and the Appellee were filed, Atty. Prospero Crescini, counsel for Accused-Appellant was required by the Court via its Resolution, dated September 12, 2000, to file a REPLY BRIEF within thirty (30) days from notice.

However, Atty. Prospero Crescini failed to file Appellant's reply brief within the period which expired on November 2, 2000. The Court, in its Resolution, dated January 23, 2001, required Atty. Prospero Crescini to:"(1) SHOW CAUSE why no disciplinary action should be taken against him for such failure and (2) COMPLY with the Resolution of September 12, 2000 within ten (10) days from notice." (Rollo, p. 236). The rollo shows that the aforesaid resolution, dated January 23, 2001 was not served on said counsel for the reason that: "Party Transferred; No Forwarding Address Given." (Rollo, p. 240).

Trite to say, service of judicial processes and dispositions of cases are often caused by delays in the submission of required pleadings by counsel. This is aggravated by the fact that Notices and Resolutions of the Court do not reach the parties, through their counsel, for the reason that counsel changes his address without leaving any forwarding address or even notifying the court of such change. As an officer of the court, it is the avowed duty and responsibility of counsel to inform the court of any change of address where notices could be sent to avert unnecessary delays in the disposition of cases in the Court.

Although Atty. Crescini failed to inform the Court of his present address, nevertheless, the Court takes judicial notice that he is presently appearing before the Sandiganbayan as one of the counsels of former President Joseph E. Estrada.

IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, the Court DIRECTS the Clerk of Court to cause the service of a copy of the Resolution, dated January 23, 2001, on Atty. Prospero Crescini at the Sandiganbayan, Quezon City; and DIRECTS Atty. Prospero Crescini to comply with the said Resolution of the Court, within a non-extendible period of ten (10) days from service thereof.

Davide, C.J., Mendoza and Gutierrez, JJ., are on official leave.

Very truly yours,

LUZVIMINDA D. PUNO

Clerk of Court

(Sgd.) MA. LUISA D. VILLARAMA

Asst. Clerk of Court

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