Lawyer disbarred for multiple extramarital affairs

Photo Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the disbarment of a lawyer for grossly immoral conduct in having extramarital affairs with multiple women.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Supreme Court said the lawyer was found guilty of four counts of grossly immoral conduct, in violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility (CPRA).

READ: Supreme Court Orders Lawyer to Be Deprived of the Right to Practice for Abandoning His Family

The CPRA defines grossly immoral conduct as “a serious offense and an act so dishonest or false as to constitute a criminal offense.”

According to the Supreme Court, the lawyer “openly engaged in extramarital relations with at least three women during the course of his marriage, in complete disregard of his marital vows.”

“Secondly, he entered into a bigamous marriage and had two illegitimate children,” the document reads.

“Thirdly and fourthly, he sexually harassed his domestic help and legal secretary by showing them pornographic materials. He also admitted to having conversations of a sexual nature with them,” the Supreme Court added.

After reviewing these facts, the court imposed a sentence of disqualification from practicing law for the first two charges and a suspended sentence for the remaining two.

However, the Supreme Court explained that, due to the fact that the lawyer had been deprived of the right to practice his profession, the latter penalties could no longer be imposed.

“He (the lawyer) was fined P400,001. In addition, the penalties for the second to fourth counts of gross immoral conduct will be seriously considered if he files a motion for reinstatement and pardon by the court,” it read.