THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines yesterday reminded lawyers to always observe propriety and decency in their personal and professional dealings.
The appeal of IBP president Burt Estrada came after justices of the Supreme Court, voting 15-0, disbarred Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon, newly appointed presidential poverty adviser on poverty alleviation, for uttering “misogynistic, sexist abusive and intemperate language” against investigative journalist Raissa Robles in December 2021.
“We cannot be engaging in scandalous conduct and act with impropriety because as a lawyer and an officer of the court, you have to maintain that propriety because it affects the people’s perception of the legal profession and our entire legal system,” Estrada told TV5’ One News.
Estrada said a lack of public trust due to a lawyer’s indiscretion would have a negative impact on the legal profession and the nation in general, considering the perception of many that the justice system is already broken.
“That is very dangerous for our democratic society if people lose trust in our legal system,” he added.
He said Gadon’s disbarment was the first to be decided by the SC based on the new Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability launched in April this year.
In barring Gadon from law practice, the SC said it had found a video clip, where he could be seen cursing and uttering profane remarks against Robles, as “indisputably scandalous that it discredits the legal profession.”
In particular, it cited Gadon for violating Canon II on Propriety of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) which imposes the standard that a “lawyer shall, at all times, act with propriety and maintain the appearance of propriety in professional and personal dealings, observe honesty, respect and courtesy, and uphold the dignity of the legal profession consistent with the highest standard of ethical behavior.”
Estrada said Gadon can still pursue remedies, including appealing the SC decision, something that the latter said he will do.
But Estrada said it will be difficult for Gadon considering that the decision to disbar him was unanimous.
