A.C. No. 9218 [Formerly CBD Case No. 12-3487] - ENRICA BUCAG, REPRESENTED BY HER ATTORNEY-IN-FACT LOPE B. TIO, COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. BERNARD P. OLALIA.DECISION - Supreme Court E-Library

Ruling

WHEREFORE, it is respectfully recommended that apart from possible sanctions for the violation of the notarial law that may be imposed by the court concerned, that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for a period of six (6) months from notice, and for his notarial commission, if he holds one right now, be revoked, with recommendation for respondent to be ineligible for commission as notary public for a period of two (2) years after the period of suspension is served. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED. Pasig City, July 4, 2014. [3] In Resolution No. XXI-2015-016 dated January 20, 2015, the Board of Governors of the IBP adopted and approved the Report and Recommendation of the Investigating Commissioner, finding the case to be fully supported by the evidence on record and the applicable laws, and for violation of the Notarial Law, immediately revoked Atty. Olalia's notarial commission, if presently commissioned, disqualified him from being commissioned as notary public for two (2) years, and suspended him from the practice of law for six (6) months. Respondent filed a motion for reconsideration, which was denied by the IBP Governors in Resolution No. XXII-2016-621, dated November 29, 2016. Aggrieved, respondent filed a petition for review before the Court on May 26, 2017 essentially reiterating his arguments in his motion for reconsideration. The Court, however, does not find any merit in the same. As shown by the records, the recommendation of the IBP is fully supported by evidence and applicable laws. WHEREFORE , the Court RESOLVES to DENY the instant petition and AFFIRM the recommendation of the IBP. Respondent Atty. Bernard P. Olalia is hereby SUSPENDED from the practice of law for a period of six (6) months from notice, DISQUALIFIED from being commissioned as notary public for a period of two (2) years after the service of the period of suspension, and if he is presently commissioned, his notarial commission is immediately revoked. SO ORDERED.