5/19/2021
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professional integrity and probity in his dealings with others. He should never forget
that his duty to serve his clients with unwavering loyalty and diligence carried with it
the corresponding responsibilities towards the Court, to the Bar, and to the public in
general.[40]
Here, the Commission issued a Notice of Mandatory Conference/Hearing[41] on
September 4, 2017, notifying the parties to appear on October 12, 2017. Further, on
said date, the parties were required to file their position papers. Both orders were
disobeyed by respondent. His weak excuse that he thought that his answer would
suffice as compliance utterly lacks credence. For his disobedience of the orders of the
IBP Commission, respondent must pay a fine of P10,000.00.[42]
WHEREFORE, Atty. Marlow L. Licudine is GUILTY of violating Canons 1 and 16, and
Rules 1.01, 16.01, 16.02, and 16.03 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and the
Lawyer's Oath. He is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law for two (2) years
with a STERN WARNING that the repetition of a similar violation will be dealt with
even more severely. He is DIRECTED to report the date of his receipt of this Decision
to enable this Court to determine when his suspension shall take effect.
Further, Atty. Marlow L. Licudine is hereby ORDERED to return to complainant Felicitas
H. Bondoc the amount of CAD$2,000.00, intended as payment for the legal fees in the
civil case for annulment of marriage, with interest at the legal rate of six percent (6%)
per annum from the date of demand until full payment, within ninety (90) days from
the finality of this Decision.
Atty. Marlow L. Licudine is also hereby meted a FINE in the amount of P10,000.00 for
disobedience of the orders of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines - Commission on Bar
Discipline. Failure to comply with the foregoing directives will warrant the imposition of
a more severe penalty.
Let a copy of this Decision be furnished to the Office of the Bar Confidant to be entered
into Atty. Marlow L. Licudine's records. Copies shall likewise be furnished to the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Office of the Court Administrator for
circulation to all courts concerned.
SO ORDERED.
Peralta, C.J., Perlas-Bernabe, Leonen, Caguioa, Reyes, Jr., J.C., Hernando, Carandang,
Lazaro-Javier, Inting, Zalameda, Lopez, Delos and Santos, JJ., concur.
Gaerlan, J., on leave.
NOTICE OF JUDGMENT
Sirs/Mesdames:
https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/66381
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