Lawyers revive disbarment complaint vs Larry Gadon at SC

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Lawyers revive disbarment complaint vs Larry Gadon at SC

Rappler

Gadon dismisses the complaint as a nuisance case

MANILA, Philippines – Lawyers who earlier filed a disbarment complaint against Larry Gadon went to the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, October 3, to follow up their case before the High Court.

Gadon was the one who filed an impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno before the House of Representatives.

Lawyers Algamar Latiph and Musa Malayang filed the disbarment complaint against Gadon in April 2016 for improper conduct.

“To date we have not received any comment from the respondent. Or whether the case is submitted for resolution in view of respondent’s failure to file a comment assuming that he was duly served with a copy of the complaint,” the lawyers’ letter read.

The letter was sent to Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio who heads the second division which handles the complaint.

‘Hateful’ remarks? 

“I’m sure it’s just a nuisance case. At any rate I am a friend of the Muslims now. I even got more votes than the other Muslim candidates in Mindanao,” Gadon said.

The 2016 disbarment complaint stems from Gadon’s pre-election interview with GMA News TV in March 2016 where he said he opposed the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and made other remarks seen as “hateful” to Muslims.

Sampung beses akong luluhod sa (Moro Islamic Liberation Front para huwag nang manggulo), iiyak ako ng bato at dugo, kapag labing-isang pagkakataon at tumanggi pa rin sila, lulusubin ko sila doon at dadalhin ko ang buong sandatahang Pilipinas at papatayin ko silang lahat, susunugin ko ang bahay nila. Burahin ang lahi nila, kahit masunog ang kaluluwa ko sa impiyerno gagawin ko ‘yan,” Gadon said then.

(I will kneel before the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to beg them not to launch attacks, I will cry stones and blood, and on the 11th time and they still refuse, I will attack them and bring the entire Philippine army there and kill them all. I will burn their houses and eradicate their clans, even if my soul burns in hell later.)

Disbarment complaint

In their disbarment complaint, the lawyers said Gadon violated Canon 1, Rule 1.01, Canon 7 and Rule 7.03 of the Code of Professional Responsibility (CPR).

The provisions say:

  • Canon 1 requires all lawyers to “uphold the Constitution, obey the laws of the land and promote respect for law and legal process”
  • Rule 1.01 prohibits lawyers from engaging in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct
  • Canon 7 mandates lawyers to uphold at all times the integrity and the dignity of the legal profession and support activities of the integrated bar
  • Rule 7.03 prohibits lawyers from engaging in conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law, nor behave in a scandalous manner to the discredit of the legal profession whether in public or private life

“Based on the news accounts, there were other two cases filed against the respondent for the same above facts. We respectfully pray for the Honorable Court to favorably act on the complaint,” the lawyers said.

Gadon was a former legal counsel to former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He ran and lost in the 2016 senatorial elections under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL); he was also an adopted candidate of Lakas-CMD. – Rappler.com

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