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ATTY. JULITO D. VITRIOLO v. ATTY. FELINA DASIG

FACTS:

Atty. Felina S. Dasig, an official of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), is facing an administrative case for disbarment. The complainants, who are high-ranking officers of the CHED, alleged that the respondent committed several acts that are grounds for disbarment. The acts include demanding money from individuals in exchange for facilitating their applications for correction of name, filing baseless suits before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, failing to pay just debts, instigating a crime against two individuals by encouraging her son to shoot them, and sending a libelous and unfair report to then President Joseph Estrada.

It was also alleged that the respondent failed to comply with orders from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to submit her answer to the complaint, resulting in her waiver of the right to file her comment or answer. The case was referred to the IBP for investigation, report, and recommendation, and the Commission on Bar Discipline ruled that respondent had waived her right and proceeded to resolve the case based on the documents submitted and those on record.

ISSUES:

  1. Whether Atty. Felina S. Dasig committed gross misconduct in violation of the Attorney's Oath by using her public office to secure financial spoils.

  2. Whether Atty. Felina S. Dasig violated her oath as attorney-at-law by filing baseless suits.

  3. Whether Atty. Felina S. Dasig willfully failed to pay just debts.

  4. Whether Atty. Felina S. Dasig instigated the commission of a crime by ordering her son to shoot someone.

  5. Whether Atty. Felina S. Dasig authored and sent a libelous report to the President.

RULING:

  1. Atty. Felina S. Dasig is guilty of the charges of gross misconduct, violation of oath as attorney-at-law, willful failure to pay just debts, instigating the commission of a crime, and authoring and sending a libelous report. She has been disbarred.

PRINCIPLES:

  • Attorneys are bound to maintain the respect due to courts of justice and judicial officers (Section 20, Rule 138, Rules of Court).

  • Attorneys shall not, for any corrupt motive or interest, encourage any suit or proceeding or delay anyone's cause (Section 27, Rule 138, Rules of Court).

  • Lawyers should not mislead or allow the court to be misled by an artifice (Canon 10, Code of Professional Responsibility).