SC disbars Ilocos Norte lawyer

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Laoag City—The Supreme Court en banc has disbarred a former provincial legal counsel of the Ilocos Norte government for “gross misconduct in the practice of law.”

In the 15-page decision signed by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno along with nine other members of the High Court, Atty. Jaime Agtang, 72, of Vintar, Ilocos Norte has been found guilty of violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.

As a result, Mr. Agtang may not be allowed to practice his profession until he has fully complied with his obligation and have his license reinstated.

On May 31, 2011, Mr. Agtang’s former client Erlinda Foster, also the chairperson of Barangay Pila here in Laoag City filed a disbarment case against him when the latter collected an amount of P150,000 as filing fee a case from the client but upon verification from the trial records, it was revealed that the filing fee costs only P22,410.

Also, the lawyer has demanded from the client P50,000 in exchange for a favorable ruling including a P2,500 pesos worth of wine reportedly given to the judge handling Ms. Foster’s case against Tierra Realty, developer of Tropical Villas subdivision in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

On December 10, 2014, the Supreme Court promulgated Administrative Case No. 10579 disbarring Mr. Agtang from his law practice.

The court likewise ordered Mr. Agtang to settle his obligation to Ms. Foster worth a total of P 180,090.

As of press time, Mr. Agtang has remained silent about the issue when reached for comment.

Based on his position letter, Mr. Agtang said that the complainant with the consent of her husband “willingly offered the amount to him for his patience in visiting them at home and for his services.”

Mr. Agtang also clarified that the transaction was declared as “no loan” and he was told not to worry about its payment.

As regards the amount of P150,000 he received for filing fees, respondent claimed that the said amount was suggested by the complainant herself who was persistent in covering the incidental expenses in the handling of the case. He also denied having said that the sheriffs of the court would need the money for their hotel accommodations.

The respondent also denied having asked for a loan of P50,000 and having received P22,000 from complainant. He also denied having told her that the case would be discussed with the judge who would rule in their favor at the very next hearing.

Mr. Agtang has been practicing law since March 1972. He also served as president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Ilocos Norte Chapter from 1998 to 1999.

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