A.M. No. 02-9-02-SC, September 17, 2002

EN BANC

[ A.M. No. 02-9-02-SC, September 17, 2002 ]

A.M. No. 02-9-02-SC Re:Automatic Conversion of Some Administrative Cases Against justices of the Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan; judges of Regular and Special Courts; and Court Officials Who are Lawyers as Disciplinary Proceedings Against Them Both as Such Officials and as Members of the Philippine Bar


Sirs/Mesdames:

Gentleman:

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated SEPTEMBER 17, 2002.A.M. No. 02-9-02-SC Re: Automatic Conversion of Some Administrative Cases Against justices of the Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan; Judges of Regular and Special Courts; and Court Officials Who are Lawyers as Disciplinary Proceedings Against Them Both as Such Officials and as Members of the Philippine Bar.

Some administrative cases against justices of the Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan Judges of regular and special courts; and court officials who are lawyers are based on grounds which are likewise grounds for the disciplinary action of members of the Bar for violation of the Lawyer's Oath, the Code of Professional Responsibility; and the Canons of Professional Ethics, or for such other forms of breaches of conduct that have been traditionally recognized as grounds for the discipline of lawyers.

In any of the foregoing instances, the administrative case shall also be considered a disciplinary action against the respondent justice, judge or court official concerned as a member of the Bar. The respondent may forthwith be required to comment on the complaint and show cause why he should not also be suspended, disbarred or otherwise disciplinary sanctioned as a member of the Bar. Judgment in both respects may be incorporated in one decision or resolution.

This Resolution shall supplement Rule 140 of the Rules of Court and shall take effect on the first day of October 2002. It shall apply to administrative cases already filed where the respondents have not yet been required to comment on the complaints.

This Resolution shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Very truly yours,

(SGD.) LUZVIMINDA D. PUNO

Clerk of Court