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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