View full case

LAURENCE D. PUNLA v. ATTY. ELEONOR MARAVILLA-ONA

FACTS:

Complainants Laurence D. Punla and Marilyn Santos filed a complaint against respondent Atty. Eleonor Maravilla-Ona with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Commission on Bar Discipline (IBP-CBD). They charged the respondent with violation of the lawyer's oath for neglecting their interests.

According to the complainants, they engaged the services of the respondent to notarize a Deed of Sale and also requested her to represent them in two annulment cases. The respondent agreed to finish the annulment cases within six months from full payment, with a lawyer's fee of P350,000. The complainants made four payments totaling P350,000, but the respondent failed to finish the cases and ignored their follow-ups. The complainants eventually demanded a refund, but the respondent did not comply.

The IBP directed the respondent to file an answer, but she failed to do so. A mandatory conference/hearing was scheduled, but the respondent did not appear. As a result, the conference was terminated, and both parties were directed to submit position papers.

The Investigating Commissioner found the respondent guilty of violating Canons 17 and 18 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, particularly Rule 18.04. The commissioner also noted that the respondent had multiple active cases filed against her, indicating a pattern of violating her lawyer's oath.

Based on the Investigating Commissioner's findings, the IBP Board of Governors adopted the recommended penalty of disbarment.

ISSUES:

RULING:

PRINCIPLES:

  • A lawyer owes fidelity to the cause of his client and should be mindful of the trust and confidence reposed in him (Canon 17, Code of Professional Responsibility).

  • A lawyer shall serve his client with competence and diligence (Canon 18, Code of Professional Responsibility).

  • A lawyer is required to keep the client informed of the developments in his case and respond whenever the client requests for information (Rule 18.04, Canon 18, Code of Professional Responsibility).

  • Serial violations of the Canons of Professional Responsibility and the lawyer's oath may lead to disbarment.