Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2017 > April 2017 Decisions > A.C. No. 8658, April 24, 2017 - FRANCIS C. ARSENIO, Complainant, v. ATTY. JOHAN A. TABUZO, Respondents.:




A.C. No. 8658, April 24, 2017 - FRANCIS C. ARSENIO, Complainant, v. ATTY. JOHAN A. TABUZO, Respondents.

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

THIRD DIVISION

A.C. No. 8658, April 24, 2017

FRANCIS C. ARSENIO, Complainant, v. ATTY. JOHAN A. TABUZO, Respondents.

D E C I S I O N

TIJAM, J.:

Before this Court is a Complaint-Affidavit1 dated June 18, 2010 filed by Francis C. Arsenio (Arsenio), seeking the disbarment of Atty. Johan A. Tabuzo (Atty. Tabuzo) for conduct unbecoming of a member of the Bar.

The Facts

This case stemmed from an administrative complaint filed by Arsenio before the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) against JS Contractor, a recruitment agency.2 During a scheduled hearing on May 10, 2000, Atty. Tabuzo, the Overseas Employment Adjudicator who was assigned to hear the case, asked him to sign three blank sheets of paper to which Arsenio complied.

A week after the scheduled hearing, Arsenio asked Atty. Tabuzo the reason why he was made to sign blank sheets of paper. Atty. Tabuzo angrily said, "Bwiset! Napakakulit mo, doon mo malaman mamaya pagdating ng kalaban mo!" Thereafter, Arsenio called up the office of Senator Rene Cayetano who advised him to make a clarification regarding the signed sheets of blank paper. Arsenio then approached Atty. Tabuzo but the latter again shouted at him saying, "Bwiset! Goddamit! Alam mo ba na maraming abogado dito sa POEA na nagbebenta ng kaso?" Atty. Tabuzo further said, "Sabihin mo sa Cayetano mo at abogado mo na baka masampal ko sa mga mukha nila ang pinirmahan mong blanko! Sabihin mo na ang pangalan ko ay Atty. Romeo Tabuzo at kung hindi ka bumalik bukas ay mawawala ang kaso mo!''3

Arsenio later on discovered that his case against JS Contractor was dismissed. Hence, he filed a complaint against Atty. Romeo Tabuzo before the Office of the Ombudsman for violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 3019 or the "Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. "

In a Resolution4 dated February 1, 2002, Graft Investigation Officer II Wilfred Pascasio ordered that an Information be filed against Atty. Romeo Tabuzo upon finding of probable cause against him.

Atty. Tabuzo filed a Motion for Reconsideration alleging, among others, that there is no Atty. Romeo Tabuso in the POEA and that he was never handed any copy of summons. He claimed that he was merely taking the initiative in filing the said motion to clear his name as he believed he was the person referred to in the earlier Order of the Office of the Ombudsman. Nonetheless, such motion was subsequently denied in an Order dated July 16, 2002.

Meanwhile, in a Decision dated December 6, 2011, the Regional Trial Court, Branch 213 of Mandaluyong City acquitted Atty. Tabuzo for violation of RA No. 3019.

Subsequently, Arsenio filed the present Complaint-Affidavit before this Court. In a Resolution5 dated November 24, 2010, this Court referred the case to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) for investigation, report and recommendation. The IBP Commission on Bar Discipline (IBP-CBD) docketed the case as CBD Case No. 11-2912, entitled "Francis C. Arsenio v. Atty. Johan Tabuzo".

In his Omnibus Comment with Motion to Dismiss,6 Atty. Tabuzo denied the accusations against him, claiming that the alleged unethical acts are baseless. He averred that he had never acted in any conduct unbecoming of a public officer or uttered invectives and other alleged acts. To support his claim, he attached the Affidavits7 of two (2) Overseas Employment Adjudicators (OEA) who occupied the tables immediately adjacent to him in the Recruitment Regulations Branch. In said Affidavits, the OEAs attested to the effect that no such incident or any untoward event that called for attention transpired. Atty. Tabuzo also said that his constitutional right to due process was violated since he was not notified of the case against him before the Office of the Ombudsman as he was never served nor had personally received Orders from such Office.

The Resolutions of the IBP Commissioner and Board of
Governors

In his Report and Recommendation,8 Investigating Commissioner Atty. Eldrid Antiquierra recommended that reprimand be imposed upon Atty. Tabuzo. The Investigating Commissioner ruled in such wise on the basis of the sworn affidavit of Arsenio and the Resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a Resolution dated March 20, 2013, the IBP Board of Governors resolved to adopt and approve with modification the said Report and Recommendation of the Investigating Commissioner upon finding that Atty. Tabuzo violated the Lawyer's Oath and Rule 8.019 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. Hence, the IBP Board of Governors suspended Atty. Tabuzo from the practice of law for three months.

Atty. Tabuzo filed a Motion for Reconsideration but it was denied.10

The Issue

Whether or not the instant disbarment complaint constitutes a sufficient basis to disbar Atty. Tabuzo.

The Court's Ruling

After examining the records of this case, the Court resolves to dismiss the instant disbarment complaint.

A case of suspension or disbarment is sui generis and not meant to grant relief to a complainant as in a civil case, but is intended to cleanse the ranks of the legal profession of its undesirable members in order to protect the public and the courts.11

Jurisprudence is replete with cases reiterating that in disbarment proceedings, the burden of proof rests upon the complainant.12 In the recent case of Reyes v. Nieva,13 this Court had the occasion to clarify that the proper evidentiary threshold in disbarment cases is substantial evidence.

In this case, noteworthy is the fact that the reason advanced by the IBP-CBD in recommending reprimand against Atty. Tabuzo is its consideration of the: (1) Resolution issued by the Office of the Ombudsman, which states that there was probable cause against Atty. Tabuzo for violating RA 3019; and (2) Complaint-Affidavit of Arsenio, which alleges that Atty. Tabuzo made offensive statements.

However, a careful scrutiny of the evidence presented reveals that the degree of proof indispensable in a disbarment case was not met.

Firstly, the Resolution issued by the Office of the Ombudsman is predicated on the fact that the allegations of Arsenio were uncontroverted; hence, the Office of the Ombudsman concluded that such allegations were true. However, there was a seeming discrepancy as to the name of Atty. Tabuzo when a case against him was filed before the Office of the Ombudsman. Undisputedly, the case before said Office was filed against a certain Atty. Romeo Tabuso, when the name of herein respondent is Atty. Johan Tabuzo. As such, the respondent claimed that he failed to controvert Arsenio's claims because he never received any notice or order from the Office of the Ombudsman. In fact, the said Resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman was made on the basis of the complaint of Arsenio alone since Atty. Tabuzo failed to file his answer.14 However, a reading of the RTC Decision reveals that Arsenio was able to verify the identity of Atty. Johan Tabuzo, not as Atty. Romeo Tabuso, even before he filed his complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman. It is confusing, therefore, why there was discrepancy as to the name of herein respondent when a clarification was already made. Nevertheless, Atty. Tabuzo was acquitted15 in a criminal case filed against him on the basis of the Resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman.

Despite such acquittal, a well-settled finding of guilt in a criminal case will not necessarily result in a finding of liability in the administrative case. Conversely, the acquittal does not necessarily exculpate one administratively.16 Thus, it is proper to deal with the other evidence presented by Arsenio.

The Court, thus, finds that the Complaint-Affidavit of Arsenio failed to discharge the necessary burden of proof. In his Sworn Affidavit, Arsenio merely narrated that Atty. Tabuzo uttered offensive statements and no other evidence was presented to substantiate his claim. Emphatically, such Complaint-Affidavit is self-serving.

Summarily, the Resolution issued by the Office of the Ombudsman together with the Affidavit of Arsenio cannot be considered as substantial evidence. For one, the Resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman was decided on the basis of the failure of Atty. Tabuzo to controvert the allegations of Arsenio. Also, the Complaint-Affidavit was not sufficient as no evidence was further offered to prove the allegations contained therein.

While the quantum of evidence required in disbarment cases is substantial evidence, this Court is not persuaded to exercise its disciplinary authority over Atty. Tabuzo.

WHEREFORE, premises considered, the Court resolved to DISMISS the disbarment complaint against Atty. Johan A. Tabuzo.

SO ORDERED.

Velasco, Jr., (Chairperson), Bersamin, Reyes, and Jardeleza, JJ., concur.

Endnotes:


1Rollo, pp. 1-2.

2 Id.

3Rollo, at pp. 1-2.

4Rollo, at pp. 57-60.

5Rollo, at p. 287.

6Rollo, at pp. 30-47.

7Rollo, at pp. 86-87.

8Rollo, at pp. 247-249.

9 Rule 8.01. A lawyer shall not, in his professional dealings, use language which are abusive, offensive or otherwise improper.

10Rollo, at p. 294.

11Cristobal v. Renta, A.C. No. 9925, September 17, 2014.

12Concepcion v. Fandino, Jr., A.C. No. 3677, June 21, 2000.

13 A.C. No. 8560, September 6, 2016.

14Rollo, at p. 59.

15Rollo, at pp. 233-243.

16 Spouses Saunders v. Pagano-Calde, A.C. No. 8708, August 12, 2015.



Back to Home | Back to Main




















chanrobles.com





ChanRobles On-Line Bar Review

ChanRobles Internet Bar Review : www.chanroblesbar.com

ChanRobles MCLE On-line

ChanRobles Lawnet Inc. - ChanRobles MCLE On-line : www.chanroblesmcleonline.com






April-2017 Jurisprudence                 

  • G.R. No. 199894, April 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. CARLITO CLARO Y MAHINAY, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 210251, April 17, 2017 - SECRETARY OF FINANCE CESAR V. PURISIMA AND COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE KIM S. JACINTO-HENARES, Petitioners, v. PHILIPPINE TOBACCO INSTITUTE, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 197358, April 05, 2017 - BUTUAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (BDC), Petitioner, v. THE TWENTY-FIRST DIVISION OF THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS (MINDANAO STATION), MAX ARRIOLA, JR., DE ORO RESOURCES, INC. (DORI) AND LOUIE A. LIBARIOS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 186603, April 05, 2017 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE REGIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DENR, REGION VI, ILOILO CITY, Petitioner, v. VALENTINA ESPINOSA, REGISTER OF DEEDS OF THE PROVINCE OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, LEONILA CALISTON, AND SPOUSES DIOSCORO & ESTRELLA ESCARDA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 217617, April 05, 2017 - CARMELITA T. BORLONGAN, Petitioner, v. BANCO DE ORO (FORMERLY EQUITABLE PCI BANK), Respondent.; G.R. No. 218540 - ELISEO C. BORLONGAN, JR., Petitioner, v. BDO UNIBANK, INC. (FORMERLY EQUITABLE PCI BANK), Respondent.

  • G.R. NO. 185320, April 19, 2017 - ROSENDO DE BORJA, Petitioner, v. PINALAKAS NA UGNAYAN NG MALILIIT NA MANGINGISDA NG LUZON, MINDANAO AT VISAYAS ("PUMALU-MV"), PAMBANSANG KATIPUNAN NG MGA SAMAHAN SA KANAYUNAN ("PKSK") AND TAMBUYOG DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC. ("TDCI"), Respondents; REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Oppositor.; G.R. NO. 185348 - TAMBUYOG DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC., REPRESENTED BY DINNA L. UMENGAN, Petitioner, v. ROSENDO DE BORJA, PINALAKAS NA UGNAYAN NG MALILIIT NA MANGINGISDA NG LUZON, MINDANAO AT VISAYAS ("PUMALU-MV"), REPRESENTED BY CESAR A. HAWAK, AND PAMBANSANG KATIPUNAN NG MGA SAMAHAN SA KANAYUNAN ("PKSK"), REPRESENTED BY RUPERTO B. ALEROZA, Respondents; REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Oppositor.

  • G.R. No. 187342, April 05, 2017 - ROBERT C. MARTINEZ, Petitioner, v. NOELS. BUEN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 222743, April 05, 2017 - MEDICARD PHILIPPINES, INC., Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 202573, April 19, 2017 - BANKARD, INC., Petitioner, v. LUZ P. ALARTE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 197571, April 03, 2017 - CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, Petitioner, v. CRISOSTOMO M. PLOPINIO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 194533, April 19, 2017 - PHILIPPINE STEEL COATING CORP., Petitioner, v. EDUARD QUI�ONES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 201530, April 19, 2017 - ASIATRUST DEVELOPMENT BANK, INC., Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.; G.R. Nos. 201680-81 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. ASIATRUST DEVELOPMENT BANK, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 186717, April 17, 2017 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COUNCIL, Petitioner, v. JOCELYN I. BOLANTE, OWEN VINCENT D. BOLANTE, MA. CAROL D. BOLANTE, ALEJO LAMERA, CARMEN LAMERA, EDNA CONSTANTINO, ARIEL C. PANGANIBAN, KATHERINE G. BOMBEO, SAMUEL S. BOMBEO, MOLUGAN FOUNDATION, SAMUEL G. BOMBEO, JR., AND NATIONAL LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (FORMERLY LIVELIHOOD CORPORATION), Respondents.; G.R. No. 190357 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COUNCIL, Petitioner, v. HON. WINLOVE M. DUMAYAS, PRESIDING JUDGE OF BRANCH 59, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN MAKATI CITY, JOCELYN I. BOLANTE, ARIEL C. PANGANIBAN, DONNIE RAY G. PANGANIBAN, EARL WALTER G. PANGANIBAN, DARRYL G. PANGANIBAN, GAVINA G. PANGANIBAN, JAYPEE G. PANGANIBAN, SAMUEL S. BOMBEO, KATHERINE G. BOMBEO, SAMUEL G. BOMBEO, JR., NATIONAL LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (FORMERLY LIVELIHOOD CORPORATION), MOLUGAN FOUNDATION, ASSEMBLY OF GRACIOUS SAMARITANS FOUNDATION, INC., ONE ACCORD CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY ENDEAVOR FOR SALVATION & SUCCESS THROUGH POVERTY ALLEVIATION, INC., SOCIETY'S MULTI-PURPOSE FOUNDATION, INC., ALLIANCE FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ENVIRONMENT OF PANGASINAN, INC., AND STA. LUCIA EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BULACAN, INC., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 208936, April 17, 2017 - HERMA SHIPYARD, INC., AND MR. HERMINIO ESGUERRA, Petitioners, v. DANILO OLIVEROS, JOJIT BESA, ARNEL SABAL, CAMILO OLIVEROS, ROBERT NARIO, FREDERICK CATIG, RICARDO ONTALAN, RUDEN DELGADO, SEGUNDO LABOSTA, EXEQUIEL OLIVERIA, OSCAR TIROL AND ROMEO TRINIDAD, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 212778, April 26, 2017 - TEDDY CASTRO AND LAURO SEBASTIAN, Petitioners, v. PABLITO V. MENDOZA, SR., ON HIS BEHALF AND AS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF RICARDO C. SANTOS, ARLENE C. MENDOZA, MARGIE AC DE LEON, NANCY S. REYES, MARITA PAGLINAWAN, NATIVIDAD C. MUNDA, MARILOU DE GUZMAN RAMOS, LEONCIA PRINCIPIO, CECILIA DINIO, ANGEL DELA CRUZ, ZENAIDA SANTOS, LOURDES S. LUZ, MARIFE F. CRUZ, ANTONIO H. SANTOS, CONSTANCIA SANTOS, MARCELINA SP. DAMEG, PLACIDO DE LEON, LILIAN SANTOS, (COLLECTIVELY ORGANIZED AS BUSTOS PUBLIC MARKET II VENDORS AND STALL OWNERS ASSOCIATION) AND MUNICIPALITY OF BUSTOS, BULACAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 182582, April 17, 2017 - METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST COMPANY, Petitioner, v. THE COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 221153, April 17, 2017 - CONCEPCION C. DAPLAS, CITY TREASURER, PASAY CITY, AND CONCURRENT OIC, REGIONAL DIRECTOR BUREAU OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE (BLGF) REGION VII, Petitioner, v. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, REPRESENTED BY TROY FRANCIS C. PIZARRO, JOSELITO F. FERNANDEZ, REYNALDO L. LAZARO, MELCHOR B. PIOL, AND ISMAEL S. LEONOR, AND THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 9209, April 18, 2017 - NENITA DE GUZMAN FERGUSON, Complainant, v. ATTY. SALVADOR P. RAMOS, Respondent.

  • A.M. OCA.IPI No. 10-21-SB-J, April 04, 2017 - IN RE: ALLEGED IMMORALITY AND UNEXPLAINED WEALTH OF SANDIGANBAYAN ASSOCIATE JUSTICE ROLAND B. JURADO AND CLERK OF COURT IV MONA LISA A. BUENCAMINO, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, CALOOCAN CITY

  • G.R. No. 200612, April 05, 2017 - RAFAEL C. UY (CABANGBANG STORE), Petitioner, v. ESTATE OF VIPA FERNANDEZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 189881, April 19, 2017 - BACLARAN MARKETING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. FERNANDO C. NIEVA AND MAMERTO SIBULO, JR., Respondents.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-09-2212 (Formerly A.M. No. 09-11-446-RTC), April 18, 2017 - THE OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. JUDGE JUSTINO G. AVENTURADO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 206023, April 03, 2017 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. LORENA OMAPAS SALI, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 190432, April 25, 2017 - ASIA BREWERY, INC. AND CHARLIE S. GO, Petitioners, v. EQUITABLE PCI BANK (NOW BANCO DE ORO-EPCI, INC.), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 218040, April 17, 2017 - JUANITO VICTOR C. REMULLA, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN (SECOND DIVISION) AND ERINEO S. MALIKSI, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 200204, April 25, 2017 - SPOUSES ELVIRA ALCANTARA AND EDWIN ALCANTARA, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES FLORANTE BELEN AND ZENAIDA ANANIAS, THE PROVINCIAL ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, STA. CRUZ, LAGUNA, AND THE CITY ASSESSOR OF SAN PABLO CITY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 216538, April 18, 2017 - DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, Respondent.; G.R. No. 216954, April 18, 2017 - ALFREDO C. ANTONIO, RUBEN O. FRUTO AND CESAR M. DRILON, JR., Petitioners, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 185024, April 24, 2017 - JOSELITO HERNAND M. BUSTOS, Petitioner, v. MILLIANS SHOE, INC., SPOUSES FERNANDO AND AMELIA CRUZ, AND THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF MARIKINA CITY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 202454, April 25, 2017 - CALIFORNIA MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC., Petitioner, v. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 164795, April 19, 2017 - TGN REALTY CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. VILLA TERESA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 207246, April 18, 2017 - JOSE M. ROY III, Petitioner, v. CHAIRPERSON TERESITA HERBOSA,THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, AND PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY, Respondents.; WILSON C. GAMBOA, JR., DANIEL V. CARTAGENA, JOHN WARREN P. GABINETE, ANTONIO V. PESINA, JR., MODESTO MARTIN Y. MAMON III, AND GERARDO C. EREBAREN, Petitioners-In-Intervention, PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE, INC., Respondent-In-Intervention, SHAREHOLDERS' ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC., Respondent-In-Intervention.

  • G.R. No. 220598, April 18, 2017 - GLORIA MACAPAGAL�ARROYO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE SANDIGANBAYAN, (FIRST DIVISION), Respondents.; G.R. No. 220953 - BENIGNO B. AGUAS, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN (FIRST DIVISION), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 207776, April 26, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. GEORGE GACUSAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 214497, April 18, 2017 - EDUARDO QUIMVEL Y BRAGA, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 210032, April 25, 2017 - DUTCH MOVERS, INC. CESAR LEE AND YOLANDA LEE, Petitioners, v. EDILBERTO LEQUIN, CHRISTOPHER R. SALVADOR, REYNALDO L. SINGSING, AND RAFFY B. MASCARDO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 186421, April 17, 2017 - ROBERTO P. FUENTES, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 202189, April 25, 2017 - RODANTE F. GUYAMIN, LUCINIA F. GUYAMIN, AND EILEEN G. GATARIN, Petitioners, v. JACINTO G. FLORES AND MAXIMO G. FLORES, REPRESENTED BY RAMON G. FLORES, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. 17-03-33-MCTC, April 17, 2017 - RE: DROPPING FROM THE ROLLS OF ROWIE A. QUIMNO, UTILITY WORKER I, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURT OF IPIL - TUNGAWAN - ROSELLER T. LIM, LPIL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY. R E S O L U T I O N

  • G.R. No. 205998, April 24, 2017 - WILLIAM ANGHIAN SIY, Petitioner, v. ALVIN TOMLIN, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 8658, April 24, 2017 - FRANCIS C. ARSENIO, Complainant, v. ATTY. JOHAN A. TABUZO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 207667, April 17, 2017 - SPOUSES PROCESO O. PONTILLAS, JR. AND HELEN S. PONTILLAS, Petitioners, v. CARMEN OLIVARES VDA. DE PONTILLAS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205279, April 26, 2017 - VISAYAS GEOTHERMAL POWER COMPANY, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 217872, April 26, 2017 - ALLIANCE FOR THE FAMILY FOUNDATION, PHILIPPINES, INC. (ALFI) AND ATTY. MARIA CONCEPCION S. NOCHE, IN HER OWN BEHALF AND AS PRESIDENT OF ALFI, JOSE S. SANDEJAS, ROSIE B. LUISTRO, ELENITA S.A. SANDEJAS, EMILY R. LAWS, EILEEN Z. ARANETA, SALVACION C. MONTEIRO, MARIETTA C. GORREZ, ROLANDO M. BAUTISTA, RUBEN T. UMALI, AND MILDRED C. CASTOR, Petitioners, v. HON. JANETTE L. GARIN, SECRETARY-DESIGNATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; NICOLAS B. LUTERO III, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF HEALTH, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION; AND MARIA LOURDES C. SANTIAGO, OFFICER�-IN-CHARGE, CENTER FOR DRUG REGULATION AND RESEARCH, Respondents.; G.R. No. 221866 - MARIA CONCEPCION S. NOCHE, IN HER OWN BEHALF AND AS COUNSEL OF PETITIONERS, JOSE S. SANDEJAS, ROSIE B. LUISTRO, ELENITA S.A. SANDEJAS, EMILY R. LAWS, EILEEN Z. ARANETA, SALVACION C. MONTEIRO, MARIETTA C. GORREZ, ROLANDO M. BAUTISTA, RUBEN T. UMALI, AND MILDRED C. CASTOR, Petitioners, v. HON. JANETTE L. GARIN, SECRETARY-DESIGNATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; NICOLAS B. LUTERO III, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF HEALTH, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION; AND MARIA LOURDES C. SANTIAGO, OFFICER-�IN-CHARGE, CENTER FOR DRUG REGULATION AND RESEARCH, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 191353, April 17, 2017 - ULTRA MAR AQUA RESOURCE, INC., REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT VICTOR B. PRIETO, Petitioner, v. FERMIDA CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, REPRESENTED BY ITS GENERAL MANAGER MYRNA T. RAMOS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 211287, April 17, 2017 - LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. WEST BAY COLLEGES, INC., PBR MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND BCP TRADING CO., INC., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 199669, April 25, 2017 - SOUTHERN LUZON DRUG CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT, THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE OF DISABLED PERSONS, THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, AND THE BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 203287, April 05, 2017 - RENATO S.D. DOMINGO ON HIS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF HIS CO-HEIRS OF THE LATE SPOUSES FELICIDAD DE DOMINGO AND MACARIO C. DOMINGO, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES ENGRACIA D. SINGSON AND MANUEL F. SINGSON, Respondents.; G.R. No. 207936 - HEIRS OF SPOUSES FELICIDAD S.D. DOMINGO AND MACARIO DOMINGO NAMELY, CONSOLACION D. ROMERO, RAFAEL S.D. DOMINGO, RAMON S.D. DOMINGO, JOSEFINA D. BORJA, ROSARIO S.D. DOMINGO, AND RENATO RAMIRO S.D. DOMINGO, Petitioners, v. ENGRACIA D. SINGSON, ESTELITA I. CABALLES, AND THE REGISTER OF DEEDS, SAN JUAN CITY, METRO MANILA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 178467, April 26, 2017 - SPS. CRISTINO & EDNA CARBONELL, Petitioners, v. METROPOLITAN BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 203492, April 24, 2017 - PABLO AND PABLINA MARCELO-MENDOZA, Petitioners, v. PEROXIDE PHILS., INC., HEREIN REPRESENTED BY ROBERT R. NAVERA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 189950, April 24, 2017 - BERNADETTE S. BILAG, ERLINDA BILAG-SANTILLAN, DIXON BILAG, REYNALDO B. SUELLO, HEIRS OF LOURDES S. BILAG, HEIRS OF LETICIA BILAG-HANAOKA, AND HEIRS OF NELLIE BILAG, Petitioners, v. ESTELA AY-AY, ANDRES ACOP, JR., FELICITAS AP-AP, SERGIO AP-AP, JOHN NAPOLEON A. RAMIREZ, JR., AND MA. TERESA A. RAMIREZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 227158, April 18, 2017 - JOSEPH C. DIMAPILIS, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-17-1894 [Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 11-2355-MTJ], April 04, 2017 - ROGER RAPSING, Complainant, v. JUDGE CARIDAD M. WALSE-LUTERO, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, BR. 34, QUEZON CITY [NOW PRESIDING JUDGE, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BR. 223, QUEZON CITY] AND CELESTINA D. ROTA, CLERK OF COURT III, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, BR. 34, QUEZON CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 181284, April 18, 2017 - LOLOY UNDURAN, BARANGAY CAPTAIN ROMEO PACANA, NESTOR MACAPAYAG, RUPERTO DOGIA, JIMMY TALINO, ERMELITO ANGEL, PETOY BESTO, VICTORINO ANGEL, RUEL BOLING, JERMY ANGEL, BERTING SULOD, RIO BESTO, BENDIJO SIMBALAN, AND MARK BRAZIL, Petitioners, v. RAMON ABERASTURI, CRISTINA C. LOPEZ, CESAR LOPEZ JR., DIONISIO A. LOPEZ, MERCEDES L. GASTON, AGNES H. LOPEZ, EUSEBIO S. LOPEZ, JOSE MARIA S. LOPEZ, ANTON B. ABERASTURI, MA. RAISSA A. VELEZ, ZOILO ANTONIO A. VELEZ, CRISTINA ABERASTURI, EDUARDO LOPEZ, JR., ROSARIO S. LOPEZ, JUAN S. LOPEZ, CESAR ANTHONY R. LOPEZ, VENANCIO L. GASTON, ROSEMARIE S. LOPEZ, JAY A. ASUNCION, NICOLO ABERASTURI, LISA A. ASUNCION, INEZ A. VERAY, HERNAN A. ASUNCION, ASUNCION LOPEZ, THOMAS A. VELEZ, LUIS ENRIQUE VELEZ, ANTONIO H. LOPEZ, CHARLES H. LOPEZ, ANA L. ZAYCO, PILAR L. QUIROS, CRISTINA L. PICAZO, RENATO SANTOS, GERALDINE AGUIRRE, MARIA CARMENCITA T. LOPEZ, AND AS REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEY-IN-FACT RAMON ABERASTURI, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 188269, April 17, 2017 - SUMIFRU (PHILIPPINES) CORPORATION (SURVIVING ENTITY IN A MERGER WITH DAVAO FRUITS CORPORATION AND OTHER COMPANIES), Petitioner, v. BERNABE BAYA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 224764, April 24, 2017 - BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER ALFREDO V. MISAJON, GROUP SUPERVISOR ROLANDO M. BALBIDO, AND EXAMINER REYNANTE DP. MARTIREZ, Petitioners, v. LEPANTO CERAMICS, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 184262, April 24, 2017 - UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (UST), Petitioner, v. SAMAHANG MANGGAGAWA NG UST, FERNANDO PONTESOR, RODRIGO CLACER, SANTIAGO BUISA, JR., AND JIMMY NAZARETH, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 217004, April 17, 2017 - RAMON R. VILLARAMA, Petitioner, v. ATTY. CLODUALDO C. DE JESUS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 181149, April 17, 2017 - CITY OF DAVAO, REPRESENTED BY RODRIGO R. DUTERTE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CITY MAYOR, RIZALINA JUSTOL, IN HER CAPACITY AS THE CITY ACCOUNTANT, AND ATTY. WINDEL E. AVISADO, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CITY ADMINISTRATOR, Petitioner, v. ROBERT E. OLANOLAN, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-16-1876 (Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 14-2668-MTJ), April 26, 2017 - JOCELYN MCLAREN, JUNARIO VILLAMAYOR, RESTITUTO BARLES, JANG JONG DAE, AMANDA TALIBONG, NOMER A. TALIBONG AND EMELYN FREJOLES, Complainant, v. HONORABLE JACINTO C. GONZALES, PRESIDING JUDGE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES, BRANCH 2, OLONGAPO CITY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 208215, April 19, 2017 - C.F. SHARP CREW MANAGEMENT, INC., NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE, LTD. AND/OR MR. JUAN JOSE ROCHA, Petitioners, v. RHUDEL A. CASTILLO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 206168, April 26, 2017 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY RAW-AN POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES DOLORES AND ABE LASMARIAS; AND COOPERATIVE BANK OF LANAO DEL NORTE, REPRESENTED BY THE BRANCH MANAGER, LAARNI ZALSOS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 191320, April 25, 2017 - JONA BUMATAY, Petitioner, v. LOLITA BUMATAY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 215595, April 26, 2017 - CAREER PHILIPPINES SHIP MANAGEMENT, INC./VERLOU R. CARMELINO, Petitioners, v. NATHANIEL M. ACUB, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 185565, April 26, 2017 - LOADSTAR SHIPPING COMPANY, INCORPORATED AND LOADSTAR INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COMPANY, INCORPORATED, Petitioners, v. MALAYAN INSURANCE COMPANY, INCORPORATED, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 214925, April 26, 2017 - JOHN LABSKY P. MAXIMO AND ROBERT M. PANGANIBAN, Petitioners, v. FRANCISCO Z. VILLAPANDO, JR., Respondents.; G.R. No. 214965, April 26, 2017 - FRANCISCO Z. VILLAPANDO, JR., Petitioners, v. MAKATI CITY PROSECUTION OFFICE, JOHN LABSKY P. MAXIMO AND ROBERT M. PANGANIBAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 218666, April 26, 2017 - HEIRS OF LEONILO P. NU�EZ, SR., NAMELY, VALENTINA A. NU�EZ, FELIX A. NU�EZ, FELIXITA A. NU�EZ, LEONILO A. NU�EZ, JR., MA. ELIZA A. NU�EZ, EMMANUEL A. NU�EZ, ROSE ANNA A. NU�EZ-DE VERA, AND MA. DIVINA A. NU�EZ-SERNADILLA, REPRESENTED BY THEIR CO-HEIR AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, ROSE ANNA A. NU�EZ-DE VERA, Petitioners, v. HEIRS OF GABINO T. VILLANOZA, REPRESENTED BY BONIFACIO A. VILLANOZA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 190389, April 19, 2017 - MANGGAGAWA NG KOMUNIKASYON SA PILIPINAS, Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY INCORPORATED, Respondent.; G.R. No. 190390 - MANGGAGAWA NG KOMUNIKASYON SA PILIPINAS, Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY INCORPORATED, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 181489, April 19, 2017 - STEVEN R. PAVLOW, Petitioner, v. CHERRY L. MENDENILLA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 213486, April 26, 2017 - EDITHA M. CATOTOCAN, Petitioner, v. LOURDES SCHOOL OF QUEZON CITY, INC./LOURDES SCHOOL, INC. AND REV. FR. CESAR F. ACUIN, OFM CAP, RECTOR, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 217189, April 18, 2017 - NINI A. LANTO, IN HER CAPACITY AS THEN DIRECTOR II OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH, NOW DIRECTOR IV OF THE PRE-EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OFFICE OF THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION (POEA), Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, NOW REPRESENTED BY CHAIRPERSON REYNALDO A. VILLAR, COMMISSIONER JUANITO G. ESPINO, JR., AND ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER DIVINIA M. ALAGON, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 213948, April 25, 2017 - KNIGHTS OF RIZAL, Petitioner, v. DMCI HOMES, INC., DMCI PROJECT DEVELOPERS, INC., CITY OF MANILA, NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS, NATIONAL MUSEUM, AND NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.