Case Digest: Virgilio J. Mapalad, Jr., Complainant, v. Atty. Anselmo S. Echanez, Respondent | A.C. No. 10911, 6 June 2017

Virgilio J. Mapalad, Jr., Complainant, v. Atty. Anselmo S. Echanez, Respondent
A.C. No. 10911, 6 June 2017

Facts:
    Complainant filed a disbarment case against the respondent for presenting falsified Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Number without indicating the date of issue. The respondent used the said falsified MCLE Number in several legal pleadings against the complainant.

    Upon inquiry with the MCLE Office, a certification was issued stating the respondent has yet complied his MCLE requirements. The complainant filed his complaint against the respondent at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) for act of deliberately and unlawfully misleading the courts, parties and counsels concerned into believing that he had complied with the MCLE requirements when in truth he had not, is a serious malpractice and grave misconduct. The complainant, thus, prayed for the IBP to recommend respondent’s disbarment.

    The respondent was given the chance to comment on the complaint twice but the respondent didn’t provide any response.

    Both the complainant and the respondent were called for a hearing by the IBP-CBD – both parties attend. The IBP-CBD then directed both parties to submit position papers. Only the complainant complied. The IBP-CBD recommend the respondent be disbarred and his name stricken from the Roll of Attorneys. The IBP-BOG adopted and approved the IBP-CBD’s report.

Issue:
    Whether or not the respondent be administratively disciplined based on allegations in the complaint?

Held:
    The Supreme Court find the respondent guilty of violating the Lawyer’s Oath; Rule 1.01, Canon 1; Rule 10.01, Canon 10; Canon 17; Canon 18 of the Code of Professional Responsibility (CPR).

    The Supreme Court disbarred the respondent and his name was ordered stricken off from the Roll of Attorneys.

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