SC junks disbarment case vs 3 Valenzuela prosecutors

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed for lack of jurisdiction and merit a disbarment case filed against three Valenzuela City prosecutors, saying the complaint was a tactic to harass the government lawyers over adverse rulings against the complainants.

In a 16-page ruling dated June 5, the SC’s Third Division cleared Senior Associate City Prosecutor Randy Caingal, Deputy City Prosecutor Honesto Noche and City Prosecutor Lemuel Nobleza of the charges of gross ignorance of the law and violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.

The complaint was filed in 2016 by Clarita and Clarisse Mendoza, who accused the prosecutors of filing falsified cases of unjust vexation and violation of the anti-child abuse law.

The SC adopted the recommendation of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to dismiss the disbarment complaint since it was filed to punish the prosecutors for handing down adverse resolutions.

The SC said the complainants failed to present substantial evidence and even “lied in their complaint to make it appear that respondents had committed unethical conducts.”

The High Court said there should be caution in deciding to push through with disciplinary proceedings when complaints are filed against government lawyers so that the process would not be exploited.