A.C. No. 8085 - FELIPE LAYOS, COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. MARLITO I. VILLANUEVA.R E S O L U T I O N - Supreme Court E-Library

Ruling

accordingly, recommended that he be suspended from the practice of law for a period of six (6) months. [15] Citing the CA Decision dated November 6, 2008 in CA-G.R. SP No. 101274, the IBP Commissioner found that respondent failed in his duty as counsel to serve complainants interests with competence and diligence by neglecting the latters criminal case which was pending before the RTC. [16] In a Resolution [17] dated February 13, 2013, the IBP Board of Governors (IBP Board) unanimously adopted and approved the IBP Commissioners Report and Recommendation, and hence, upheld respondents recommended penalty of suspension from the practice of law for a period of six (6) months for negligence in the performance of his legal duty to complainant. Respondent moved for reconsideration [18] which was, however, denied by the IBP Board in a Resolution [19] dated May 2, 2014. Aggrieved, respondent filed a Notice of Appeal [20] as well as a Petition for Review on Certiorari [21] before the Court. The Issue Before the Court The essential issue in this case is whether or not respondent should be held administratively liable for the acts complained of. The Courts Ruling After a judicious perusal of the records, the Court concurs with the IBPs findings, subject to the modification of the recommended penalty to be imposed upon respondent. Under Canon 17 and Canon 18, Rules 18.03 and 18.04 of the CPR, it is the lawyers duty to serve his clients interest with utmost zeal, candor and diligence. As such, he must keep abreast of all the developments in his clients case and should inform the latter of the same, as it is crucial in maintaining the latters confidence, to wit: CANON 17 A LAWYER OWES FIDELITY TO THE CAUSE OF HIS CLIENT AND HE SHALL BE MINDFUL OF THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE REPOSED IN HIM. CANON 18 A LAWYER SHALL SERVE HIS CLIENT WITH COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE. x x x x Rule 18.03 A lawyer shall not neglect a legal matter entrusted to him, and his negligence in connection there with shall render him liable. Rule 18.04 A lawyer shall keep the client informed of the status of his case and shall respond within a reasonable time to clients request for information. As an officer of the court, it is the duty of an attorney to inform his client of whatever important information he may have acquired affecting his clients case. He should notify his client of any adverse decision to enable his client to decide whether to seek an appellate review thereof. Keeping the client informed of the developments of the case will minimize misunderstanding and loss of trust and confidence in the attorney. The lawyer should not leave the client in the dark on how the lawyer is defending the clients interests. In this connection, the lawyer must constantly keep in mind that his actions, omissions, or nonfeasance would be binding upon his client. As such, the lawyer is expected to be acquainted with the rudiments of law and legal procedure, and a client who deals with h