A.C. NO. 7123 - MARIA DIVINA CRUZ-VILLANUEVA, COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. CARLOS P. RIVERA AND ATTY. ALEXANDER P. SIMEON, JR.. D E C I S I O N - Supreme Court E-Library

Ruling

WHEREFORE, we find respondent Atty. Carlos P. Rivera GUILTY of violation of the lawyer's oath, Rule 1.01, Canon 16, and Rule 16.01 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. Accordingly, we SUSPEND respondent Atty. Carlos P. Rivera from the practice of law for one year effective upon finality of this decision. Further, respondent Atty. Carlos P. Rivera is BARRED from being commissioned as notary public for one year and his present commission, if any, is REVOKED . Furthermore, respondent Atty. Carlos P. Rivera is ORDERED TO ACCOUNT to complainant, within 20 days from notice of this decision, for the P80,000 and the P13,000. We DISMISS the complaint against respondent Atty. Alexander P. Simeon, Jr. Let copies of this decision be furnished the Office of the Bar Confidant, to be appended to respondents' personal record as attorneys. Likewise, copies shall be furnished to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and all courts in the country for their information and guidance. SO ORDERED.