A.C. No. 14062 (Formerly CBD Case No. 08-2188) - MANUEL H. REYES, COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. DIOSDADO C. SEBRIO, JR..

Ruling

ACCORDINGLY, the Court finds respondent Atty. Diosdado C. Sebrio, Jr. GUILTY of two counts of Gross Misconduct, committed in violation of Canon I, Section 2; Canon II, Sections 1 and 15; Canon III, Sections 6 and 49; and Canon IV, Sections 2, 3, 4, and 6 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability. Consequently, the Court imposes the following penalties on him: 1. DISBARMENT for the first count of Gross Misconduct, effective upon receipt of this Decision. The Court, thus, ORDERS his name stricken off the Roll of Attorneys for the first count; and 2. A FINE of PHP 150,000.00 for the second count of Gross Misconduct. Considering that respondent Atty. Diosdado C. Sebrio, Jr. has been previously disbarred, the penalty of disbarment for the first count of gross misconduct may no longer be imposed, but should nonetheless be considered. Further, in view of his previous disbarment, this Court imposes the penalties of FINES in the amount of PHP 150,000.00 for the first count of gross misconduct and PHP 150,000.00 for the second count, or a total fine in the amount of PHP 300,000.00. Respondent is also ORDERED TO RETURN to complainant the amount of PHP 870,000.00, with legal interest of 6% per annum upon receipt of this Decision until full payment. Payment of the fine shall he made within 10 days from the receipt of this Decision and respondent is ORDERED to submit to the Court proof of compliance within 10 days from such payment. SO ORDERED.