Dongga-As V Cruz-Angeles

2/21/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED VOLUME 799

A.C. No. 11113. August 9, 2016.*

CLEO B. DONGGA-AS, complainant, vs. ATTY. ROSE
BEATRIX CRUZ-ANGELES, ATTY. WYLIE M. PALER,
and ATTY. ANGELES GRANDEA, of the ANGELES,
GRANDEA & PALER LAW OFFICE, respondents.
Attorneys; Once a lawyer takes up the cause of his client, he is

duty-bound to serve the latter with competence, and to attend to
such client’s cause with diligence, care, and devotion whether he
accepts it for a fee or for free.—Case law exhorts that, “once a
lawyer takes up the cause of his client, he is duty-bound to serve
the latter with
_______________
* EN BANC.

625
VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 625

Dongga-as vs. Cruz-Angeles
competence, and to attend to such client’s cause with

diligence, care, and devotion whether he accepts it for a fee or for
www.central.com.ph/sfsreader/session/00000170636cac3a2436096e003600fb002c009e/t/?o=False 1/16
free. He owes fidelity to such cause and must always be mindful of

the trust and confidence reposed upon him. Therefore, a lawyer’s
neglect of a legal matter entrusted to him by his client constitutes
inexcusable negligence for which he must be held
administratively liable.”
Same; The relationship between a lawyer and his client is
highly fiduciary and prescribes on a lawyer a great fidelity and
good faith.—It bears stressing that the relationship between a
lawyer and his client is highly fiduciary and prescribes on a
lawyer a great fidelity and good faith. The highly fiduciary nature
of this relationship imposes upon the lawyer the duty to account
for the money or property collected or received for or from his
client. Thus, a lawyer’s failure to return upon demand the funds
held by him on behalf of his client, as in this case, gives rise to the
presumption that he has appropriated the same for his own use in
violation of the trust reposed in him by his client.
Same; All lawyers should be bound not only to safeguard the
good name of the legal profession, but also to keep inviolable the
honor, prestige, and reputation of the judiciary.—It is every
lawyer’s duty to maintain the high regard to the profession by
staying true to his oath and keeping his actions beyond reproach.
It must be reiterated that as an officer of the court, it is a lawyer’s
sworn and moral duty to help build and not destroy unnecessarily
that high esteem and regard towards the courts so essential to the
proper administration of justice; as acts and/or omissions
emanating from lawyers which tend to undermine the judicial
edifice is disastrous to the continuity of the government and to the
attainment of the liberties of the people. Thus, all lawyers should
be bound not only to safeguard the good name of the legal
profession, but also to keep inviolable the honor, prestige, and
reputation of the judiciary.
Same; Suspension from Practice of Law; Where lawyers
neglected their client’s affairs, the penalty of suspension form
practice of law shall be imposed.—Anent the proper penalty for
Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler, jurisprudence provides that in
similar cases where lawyers neglected their client’s affairs, failed
to return the latter’s money and/or property despite demand, and
at the same time committed acts of misrepresentation and deceit
against their clients,

626
626 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

the Court imposed upon them the penalty of suspension from

the practice of law for a period of two (2) years.
ADMINISTRATIVE CASE in the Supreme Court. Violation

of Rule 1.01, Canon 1, Canon 7, Canon 11, Rule 18.03,
Canon 18, and Rules 16.01 and 16.03, Canon 16 of the
Code of Professional Responsibility.
The facts are stated in the opinion of the Court.
Alfafara Law Office for complainant.
Manuel R. Ravanera for respondents.
Ahmed C. Paglinawan cocounsel for respondent Cruz-
Angeles.

PERLAS-BERNABE, J.:

For the Court’s resolution is a Complaint-Affidavit1 filed
on February 11, 2005 by complainant Cleo B. Dongga-as
(complainant), before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-
Commission on Bar Discipline (IBP-CBD), against
respondents Atty. Rose Beatrix Cruz-Angeles (Atty. Cruz-
Angeles), Atty. Wylie M. Paler (Atty. Paler), and Atty.
Angeles Grandea (Atty. Grandea; collectively, respondents)
of the Angeles, Grandea & Paler Law Office (law firm),
charging them of various violations of the Code of
Professional Responsibility (CPR) for, inter alia, refusing to
return the money given by complainant in exchange for
legal services which respondents failed to perform.

The Facts

Complainant alleged that sometime in May 2004, he
engaged the law firm of respondents to handle the
annulment of
_______________
1 Dated February 10, 2005. Rollo, pp. 2-11.

627
VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 627

his marriage with his wife, Mutya Filipinas Puno-Dongga-

as (Mutya). In his meeting with Attys. Cruz-Angeles and
Paler, complainant was told that: (a) the case would cost
him P300,000.00, with the first P100,000.00 payable
immediately and the remaining P200,000.00 payable after
the final hearing of the case; (b) respondents will start
working on the case upon receipt of P100,000.00, which will
cover the acceptance fee, psychologist fee, and filing fees;
and (c) the time-frame for the resolution of the case will be
around three (3) to four (4) months from filing. Accordingly,
complainant paid respondents P100,000.00 which was duly
received by Atty. Cruz-Angeles.2
From then on, complainant constantly followed up his
case with Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler. However, despite
his constant prodding, Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler could
not present any petition and instead, offered excuses for
the delay, saying that: (a) they still had to look for a
psychologist to examine Mutya; (b) they were still looking
for a “friendly” court and public prosecutor; and (c) they
were still deliberating where to file the case.3 They
promised that the petition would be filed on or before the
end of June 2004, but such date passed without any
petition being filed. As an excuse, they reasoned out that
the petition could not be filed since they have yet to talk to
the judge who they insinuated will favorably resolve
complainant’s petition.4
Sometime in the third week of July 2004, Attys. Cruz-
Angeles and Paler asked for an additional payment of
P250,000.00 in order for them to continue working on the
case. Hoping that his petition would soon be filed,
complainant dutifully paid the said amount on July 23,
2004, which was again received by Atty. Cruz-Angeles.5
However, to com-
_______________
2 Id., at pp. 2-3. See Annex “A-1,” id., at p. 12.

3 Id., at p. 3.
4 Id., at p. 4.
5 Id. See Annex “A-2,” id., at p. 12.

628

plainant’s dismay, no appreciable progress took place.

When complainant inquired about the delay in the filing of
the case, Atty. Cruz-Angeles attempted to ease his worries
by saying that the draft petition was already submitted to
the judge for editing and that the petition will soon be
finalized.6
In the last week of September 2004, complainant
received a text message from Atty. Cruz-Angeles informing
him that the National Statistics Office bore no record of his
marriage. The latter explained then that this development
was favorable to complainant’s case because, instead of the
proposed petition for annulment of marriage, they would
just need to file a petition for declaration of nullity of
marriage. She also informed complainant that they would
send someone to verify the records of his marriage at the
Local Civil Registrar of La Trinidad, Benguet (Civil
Registrar) where his marriage was celebrated. However,
upon complainant’s independent verification through his
friend, he discovered that the records of his marriage in the
Civil Registrar were intact, and that the alleged absence of
the records of his marriage was a mere ruse to cover up the
delay in the filing of the petition.7
Utterly frustrated with the delay in the filing of his
petition for annulment, complainant went to respondents’
law office to terminate their engagement and to demand for
a refund of the aggregate amount of P350,000.00 he earlier
paid them. However, Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler
refused to return the said amount, and to complainant’s
surprise, sent him two (2) billing statements dated October
5, 20048 and October 10, 20049 in the amounts of
P258,000.00 and P324,000.00, respectively. Notably, the
October 5, 2004 billing statement included a fee for
“consultants (prosecutors)” amounting to P45,000.00.10 In
view of the foregoing, com-
_______________
6 Id.
7 Id., at p. 5.
8 Id., at pp. 13-14.
9 Id., at pp. 15-16.
10 Id., at pp. 5, 7, and 13.

629
VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 629

plainant filed the instant Complaint-Affidavit before the

IBP-CBD, docketed as CBD Case No. 05-1426.
In her defense,11 Atty. Cruz-Angeles admitted to have
received a total of P350,000.00 from complainant,12 but
denied that she was remiss in her duties, explaining that
the delay in the filing of the petition for annulment of
marriage was due to complainant’s failure to give the
current address of Mutya and provide sufficient evidence to
support the petition.13 Further, Atty. Cruz-Angeles alleged
that it was Atty. Paler who was tasked to draft and finalize
the petition.14 For his part,15 Atty. Paler moved for the
dismissal of the case for failure to state a cause of action,
arguing too that complainant filed the present
administrative complaint only to avoid payment of
attorney’s fees.16

The IBP’s Report and Recommendation

In a Report and Recommendation17 dated July 10, 2012,
the IBP Investigating Commissioner found Attys. Cruz-
Angeles and Paler administratively liable and, accordingly,
recommended that they be meted the penalty of suspension
from the practice of law for four (4) months. However, Atty.
Grandea was exonerated of any liability as his
participation in the charges has not been discussed, much
less proven.18
_______________
11 See Answer/Counter-Affidavit dated June 30, 2005; id., at

pp. 55-68.
12 Id., at pp. 58 and 61.
13 Id., at p. 66.
14 Id., at p. 62.
15 See Answer/Counter-Affidavit dated July 5, 2005; id., at
pp. 72-74.
16 Id., at p. 72.
17 Id., at pp. 203-207. Signed by Commissioner Oliver A. Cachapero.
18 Id., at p. 207.

630

The Investigating Commissioner found that complainant

indeed engaged the services of Attys. Cruz-Angeles and
Paler in order to annul his marriage with his wife, Mutya.
Despite receiving the aggregate amount of P350,000.00
from complainant, Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler neglected
the legal matter entrusted to them, as evidenced by their
failure to just even draft complainant’s petition for
annulment despite being engaged for already five (5) long
months.19 Moreover, as pointed out by the Investigating
Commissioner, despite their preliminary assessment that
complainant’s petition would not likely prosper, Attys.
Cruz-Angeles and Paler still proceeded to collect an
additional P250,000.00 from complainant. Worse, they even
billed him an exorbitant sum of P324,000.00.20 Thus, the
Investigating Commissioner opined that the amounts
respondents had already collected and would still want to
further collect from complainant can hardly be spent for
research in connection with the annulment case that was
not filed at all. Neither can they cover just fees for Attys.
Cruz-Angeles and Paler who did nothing to serve
complainant’s cause.21
In a Resolution22 dated September 28, 2013, the IBP-
Board of Governors adopted and approved the aforesaid
Report and Recommendation, with modification increasing
the recommended penalty to two (2) years suspension from
the practice
_______________
19 Id., at pp. 205-206.

20 Id., at p. 206.
21 Id., at p. 207.
22 See Notice of Resolution in Resolution No. XX-2013-105 signed by
National Secretary Nasser A. Marohomsalic; id., at p. 202 (including
dorsal portion).

631
VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 631

of law. Atty. Cruz-Angeles moved for reconsideration,23

which was, however, denied in a Resolution24 dated June 7,
2015.

The Issue Before the Court

The essential issue in this case is whether or not Attys.
Cruz-Angeles and Paler should be held administratively
liable for violating the CPR.

The Court’s Ruling

A judicious perusal of the records reveals that sometime
in May 2004, complainant secured the services of Attys.
Cruz-Angeles and Paler for the purpose of annulling his
marriage with Mutya, and in connection therewith, paid
Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler the aggregate sum of
P350,000.00 representing legal fees. However, despite the
passage of more than five (5) months from the engagement,
Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler failed to file the appropriate
pleading to initiate the case before the proper court; and
worse, could not even show a finished draft of such
pleading. Such neglect of the legal matter entrusted to
them by their client constitutes a flagrant violation of Rule
18.03, Canon 18 of the CPR, to wit:
CANON 18 – A LAWYER SHALL SERVE HIS CLIENT WITH

COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE.
Rule 18.03 – A lawyer shall not neglect a legal matter
entrusted to him, and his negligence in connection therewith shall
render him liable.
_______________
23 See motion for reconsideration dated February 11, 2014; id., at pp.
208-214.
24 See Notice of Resolution in Resolution No. XXI-2015-482 signed by
National Secretary Nasser A. Marohomsalic; id., at pp. 228-229.

632

Case law exhorts that, “once a lawyer takes up the cause

of his client, he is duty-bound to serve the latter with
competence, and to attend to such client’s cause with
diligence, care, and devotion whether he accepts it for a fee

or for free. He owes fidelity to such cause and must always
be mindful of the trust and confidence reposed upon him.
Therefore, a lawyer’s neglect of a legal matter entrusted to
him by his client constitutes inexcusable negligence for
which he must be held administratively liable,”25 as in this
case.
In this relation, Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler also
violated Rules 16.01 and 16.03, Canon 16 of the CPR when
they failed to return to complainant the amount of
P350,000.00 representing their legal fees, viz.:
CANON 16 – A LAWYER SHALL HOLD IN TRUST ALL

MONEYS AND PROPERTIES OF HIS CLIENT THAT MAY
COME INTO HIS POSSESSION.
Rule 16.01 – A lawyer shall account for all money or property
collected or received for or from the client.
Rule 16.03 – A lawyer shall deliver the funds and property of
his client when due or upon demand. x x x.

It bears stressing that “the relationship between a
lawyer and his client is highly fiduciary and prescribes on a
lawyer a great fidelity and good faith. The highly fiduciary
nature of this relationship imposes upon the lawyer the
duty to account for the money or property collected or
received for or from his client. Thus, a lawyer’s failure to
return upon demand the funds held by him on behalf of his
client, as in this case, gives rise to the presumption that he
has appropriated the same for his own use in violation of
the trust reposed in him by his client. Such act is a gross
violation of general morality, as well as of professional
ethics.”26
_______________
25 See Lopez v. Limos, A.C. No. 7618, February 2, 2016, 782 SCRA
609.
26 Id.

633
VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 633

Furthermore, Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler

misrepresented to complainant that the delay in the filing
of his petition for annulment was due to the fact that they
were still looking for a “friendly” court, judge, and public
prosecutor who will not be too much of a hindrance in
achieving success in the annulment case. In fact, in the two
(2) billing statements dated October 5, 200427 and October
10, 2004,28 Attys.
_______________
27 See Rollo, pp. 13-14. The breakdown of expenses is as follows:

Malaybalay:
Representation P45,000.00
Counsel 50,000.00
Antipolo:
Representation 5,000.00
Manila:
Cavite:
Bataan:
Pampanga:
Research: 10,000.00
Expenses:
Long distance/cell phones 7,500.00
Administrative 3,000.00
Fees:
Police 5,000.00
Witnesses (5) 5,000.00
Consultants (prosecutors) 45,000.00
Consultants (NBI) 2,500.00
Psychologists (initial) 5,000.00
Certifications 45,000.00
Address 5,000.00

634

Cruz-Angeles and Paler made it appear that they went to

various locations to look for a suitable venue in filing the
said petition, and even paid various amounts to prosecutors

and members of the National Bureau of Investigation to act
as their “consultants.” Such misrepresentations and deceits
on the part of Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler are violations
of Rule 1.01, Canon 1 of the CPR, viz.:
CANON 1 – A lawyer shall uphold the constitution, obey the

laws of the land and promote respect for law and legal processes.
Rule 1.01 – A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest,
immoral or deceitful conduct.

Rule 1.01, Canon 1 of the CPR instructs that “[a]s
officers of the court, lawyers are bound to maintain not
only a high standard of legal proficiency, but also of
morality, honesty,
_______________
TOTAL (approximate)P258,000.00
28 Id., at p. 15. the breakdown of expenses is as follows:
Acceptance fees for law office P200,000.00
Collaborating counsel (Malaybalay) 100,000.00
Conference with collaborating counsel
@ P2,500 per meeting 7,500.00
Two meetings in Fort Bonifacio (two 10,000.00
counsels)
Research in the following places:
Samar 300.00
Cebu 300.00
Bohol 300.00
Basilan 300.00
Sulu 300.00

Total P324,000.00

635
VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 635

integrity, and fair dealing.”29 Clearly, Attys. Cruz-Angeles

and Paler fell short of such standard when they committed
the aforedescribed acts of misrepresentation and deception
against complainant. Their acts are not only unacceptable,
disgraceful, and dishonorable to the legal profession; they
also reveal basic moral flaws that make Attys. Cruz-

Angeles and Paler unfit to practice law.30
As members of the Bar, Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler
should not perform acts that would tend to undermine
and/or denigrate the integrity of the courts, such as
insinuating that they can find a “friendly” court and judge
that will ensure a favorable ruling in complainant’s
annulment case. It is their sworn duty as lawyers and
officers of the court to uphold the dignity and authority of
the courts. Respect for the courts guarantees the stability
of the judicial institution. Without this guarantee, the
institution would be resting on very shaky foundations.31
This is the very thrust of Canon 11 of the CPR, which
provides that “[a] lawyer shall observe and maintain the
respect due to the courts and to judicial officers and should
insist on similar conduct by others.” Hence, lawyers who
are remiss in performing such sworn duty violate the
aforesaid Canon 11, and as such, should be held
administratively liable and penalized accordingly, as in
this case.32
Moreover, Canon 7 of the CPR commands every lawyer
to “at all times uphold the integrity and dignity of the legal
profession” for the strength of the legal profession lies in
the dignity and integrity of its members. It is every
lawyer’s duty to maintain the high regard to the profession
by staying true to his oath and keeping his actions beyond
reproach. It must
_______________
29 Supra note 25.

30 Id.
31 See PHILCOMSAT Holdings Corporation v. Lokin, Jr., A.C. No.
11139, April 19, 2016, 790 SCRA 173, citing Baculi v. Battung, 674 Phil. 1,
8-9; 658 SCRA 209, 217-218 (2011).
32 Id.

636

be reiterated that as an officer of the court, it is a lawyer’s

sworn and moral duty to help build and not destroy
unnecessarily that high esteem and regard towards the
courts so essential to the proper administration of justice;

as acts and/or omissions emanating from lawyers which
tend to undermine the judicial edifice is disastrous to the
continuity of the government and to the attainment of the
liberties of the people. Thus, all lawyers should be bound
not only to safeguard the good name of the legal profession,
but also to keep inviolable the honor, prestige, and
reputation of the judiciary.33 In this case, Attys. Cruz-
Angeles and Paler compromised the integrity not only of
the judiciary, but also of the national prosecutorial service,
by insinuating that they can influence a court, judge, and
prosecutor to cooperate with them to ensure the annulment
of complainant’s marriage. Indubitably, Attys. Cruz-
Angeles and Paler also violated Canon 7 of the CPR, and
hence, they should be held administratively liable therefor.
Anent the proper penalty for Attys. Cruz-Angeles and
Paler, jurisprudence provides that in similar cases where
lawyers neglected their client’s affairs, failed to return the
latter’s money and/or property despite demand, and at the
same time committed acts of misrepresentation and deceit
against their clients, the Court imposed upon them the
penalty of suspension from the practice of law for a period
of two (2) years. In Jinon v. Jiz,34 the Court suspended the
lawyer for a period of two (2) years for his failure to return
the amount his client gave him for his legal services which
he never performed. Also, in Agot v. Rivera,35 the Court
suspended the lawyer for a period of two (2) years for his
(a) failure to handle the legal matter entrusted to him and
to return the legal fees in connection therewith; and (b)
misrepresentation that he
_______________
33 Id., citing Francia v. Abdon, A.C. No. 10031, July 23, 2014, 730
SCRA 341, 354-355.
34 705 Phil. 321; 692 SCRA 348 (2013).
35 A.C. No. 8000, August 5, 2014, 732 SCRA 12.

637
VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 637

was an immigration lawyer, when in truth, he was not.

Finally, in Spouses Lopez v. Limos,36 the Court suspended
the erring lawyer for three (3) years for her failure to file a
petition for adoption on behalf of complainants, return the
money she received as legal fees, and for her commission of
deceitful acts in misrepresenting that she had already filed
such petition when nothing was actually filed, resulting in
undue prejudice to therein complainants. In this case, not
only did Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler fail to file
complainant’s petition for annulment of marriage and
return what the latter paid them as legal fees, they
likewise misrepresented that they can find a court, judge,
and prosecutor who they can easily influence to ensure a
favorable resolution of such petition, to the detriment of the
judiciary and the national prosecutorial service. Under
these circumstances, the Court individually imposes upon
Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler the penalty of suspension
from the practice of law for a period of three (3) years.
Finally, the Court sustains the IBP’s recommendation
ordering Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler to return the
amount of P350,000.00 they received from complainant as
legal fees. It is well to note that “while the Court has
previously held that disciplinary proceedings should only
revolve around the determination of the respondent-
lawyer’s administrative and not his civil liability, it must
be clarified that this rule remains applicable only to
claimed liabilities which are purely civil in nature — for
instance, when the claim involves moneys received by the
lawyer from his client in a transaction separate and
distinct and not intrinsically linked to his professional
engagement.”37 Hence, since Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler
received the aforesaid amount as part of their legal fees,
the Court finds the return thereof to be in order.
_______________
36 Supra note 25.

37 Id., citing Pitcher v. Gagate, 719 Phil. 82, 94; 707 SCRA 13, 25-26
(2013).

638

WHEREFORE, respondents Atty. Rose Beatrix Cruz-

Angeles and Atty. Wylie M. Paler are found GUILTY of
violating Rule 1.01, Canon 1, Canon 7, Canon 11, Rule

18.03, Canon 18, and Rules 16.01 and 16.03, Canon 16 of
the Code of Professional Responsibility. Accordingly, each
of them is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law
for a period of three (3) years, effective upon the finality of
this Decision, with a STERN WARNING that a repetition
of the same or similar acts will be dealt with more severely.
Likewise, respondents Atty. Rose Beatrix Cruz-Angeles
and Atty. Wylie M. Paler are ORDERED to return to
complainant Cleo B. Dongga-as the legal fees they received
from the latter in the aggregate amount of P350,000.00
within ninety (90) days from the finality of this Decision.
Failure to comply with the foregoing directive will warrant
the imposition of a more severe penalty.
Meanwhile, the complaint as against Atty. Angeles
Grandea is DISMISSED for lack of merit.
Let copies of this Decision be served on the Office of the
Bar Confidant, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and
all courts in the country for their information and guidance
and be attached to respondents’ personal records as
attorney.
SO ORDERED.
Sereno (CJ.), Carpio, Velasco, Jr., Leonardo-De Castro,

Peralta, Bersamin, Del Castillo, Perez, Reyes, Leonen,
Jardeleza and Caguioa, JJ., concur.
Brion, J., On Leave.
Mendoza, J., On Official Leave.

639
VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 639

Each of respondents Atty. Rose Beatrix Cruz-Angeles and

Atty. Wylie M. Paler suspended from practice of law for
three (3) years for violating Rule 1.01, Canon 1, Canon 7,
Canon 11, Rule 18.03, Canon 18, and Rules 16.01 and
16.03, Canon 16 of the Code of Professional Responsibility,
with stern warning against repetition of similar acts.
Complaint against Atty. Angeles Grandea dismissed for
lack of merit.
Note.—Any means, not honorable, fair and honest

which is resorted to by the lawyer, even in the pursuit of
his devotion to his client’s cause, is condemnable and

unethical. (Rural Bank of Calape, Inc. [RBCI] Bohol vs.
Florido, 621 SCRA 182 [2010])

——o0o——
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2/21/2020 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED VOLUME 799

A.C. No. 11113. August 9, 2016.*

Attorneys; Once a lawyer takes up the cause of his client, he is

VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 625

competence, and to attend to such client’s cause with

free. He owes fidelity to such cause and must always be mindful of

626 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

the Court imposed upon them the penalty of suspension from

ADMINISTRATIVE CASE in the Supreme Court. Violation

1 Dated February 10, 2005. Rollo, pp. 2-11.

VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 627

his marriage with his wife, Mutya Filipinas Puno-Dongga-

2 Id., at pp. 2-3. See Annex “A-1,” id., at p. 12.

628 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

plainant’s dismay, no appreciable progress took place.

VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 629

Dongga-as vs. Cruz-Angeles

plainant filed the instant Complaint-Affidavit before the

11 See Answer/Counter-Affidavit dated June 30, 2005; id., at

630 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Dongga-as vs. Cruz-Angeles

The Investigating Commissioner found that complainant

19 Id., at pp. 205-206.

VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 631

of law. Atty. Cruz-Angeles moved for reconsideration,23

CANON 18 – A LAWYER SHALL SERVE HIS CLIENT WITH

632 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Case law exhorts that, “once a lawyer takes up the cause

diligence, care, and devotion whether he accepts it for a fee

CANON 16 – A LAWYER SHALL HOLD IN TRUST ALL

VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 633

Furthermore, Attys. Cruz-Angeles and Paler

27 See Rollo, pp. 13-14. The breakdown of expenses is as follows:

634 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Cruz-Angeles and Paler made it appear that they went to

said petition, and even paid various amounts to prosecutors

CANON 1 – A lawyer shall uphold the constitution, obey the

VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 635

integrity, and fair dealing.”29 Clearly, Attys. Cruz-Angeles

also reveal basic moral flaws that make Attys. Cruz-

29 Supra note 25.

636 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

be reiterated that as an officer of the court, it is a lawyer’s

courts so essential to the proper administration of justice;

VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 637

was an immigration lawyer, when in truth, he was not.

36 Supra note 25.

638 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

WHEREFORE, respondents Atty. Rose Beatrix Cruz-

violating Rule 1.01, Canon 1, Canon 7, Canon 11, Rule

Sereno (CJ.), Carpio, Velasco, Jr., Leonardo-De Castro,

VOL. 799, AUGUST 9, 2016 639

Each of respondents Atty. Rose Beatrix Cruz-Angeles and

Note.—Any means, not honorable, fair and honest

his devotion to his client’s cause, is condemnable and

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