THE Sandiganbayan has ordered the counsel of former Quezon City administrator Aldrin Cuña to clarify if he is still appearing for the defendant in the latter’s graft cases after the prosecution complained that all communications sent to his former address have been sent back.
In a resolution issued February 8, 2024, the Seventh Division gave lawyer Angel Enrico E. Mira Jr. three days (72 hours) from notice to explain whether or not he remains as counsel for Cuña.
Since his former office address no longer accepts any of his correspondence, the lawyer was also told to submit in writing his current and correct official address so that proper service of pleadings and court process can be made.
The prosecution filed an Omnibus Motion last February 1 asking the court to compel Mira to withdraw his appearance and to file another entry of appearance for Cuña after getting “return-to-sender” notes on all documents and communications forwarded to his address on record at West Wing Tower, West Avenue in Quezon City.
At the same time, it noted that Mira jotted down a new address in San Lorenzo Place in San Lorenzo, Makati City in his most recent submission to the court dated January 31, 2024.
In its resolution, the Sandiganbayan noted the lawyer’s representation before was made through the Vergara Mira Law, a supposed partnership, with an address in Quezon City.
But in the January 31 pleading, the counsel indicated was the Law Office of Atty. Angel Enrico E. Mira Jr. with the Makati City address.
“A substitution of counsel apparently pervaded. From a purported partnership to one of solo practice,
this ostensibly flags a conflict in representation on who the counsel of record of accused Cuña is,” the court pointed out.
The Seventh Division took the opportunity to remind lawyers that they have the duty “to accurately and faithfully indicate their professional information in the pleadings they file.”
“It bears stressing that such information is not an empty formality, but necessary solemnities. This duty of attorneys to truthfully indicate their professional data stems from their broad ethical duty to commit no falsehood,” it added.
