Dupaya Vs Villacete
Dupaya Vs Villacete
Dupaya Vs Villacete
flbilippine11
~upreme <teourt
;fflanila
THIRD DIVISION
NOTICE
Sirs/Mesdames:
Please take notice that the Court, Third Division, issued a Resolution
dated September 2, 2015, whic_h reads as follows:
For·his part, Villacete asserts that he was already punished for the acts
complained of when he was removed as a judge. He also denies having an
adulterous relationship with Manglapus and any participation in the
completion of the supposedly falsified birth certificates.
JO>/
Resolution -2- A.C. No. 7425
September 2, 2015
The IBP found that there was no sufficient evidence to prove that
Villacete and Manglapus have been scandalously maintaining an adulterous
relationship. There is likewise no proof that Villacete caused the inclusion
of false entries in the birth certificates of his children with Manglapus.
Villacete, however, does admit having children with Manglapus when he is
still married to Irene Florendo.
The Court has previously held that siring a child with a woman other
than his wife is a conduct way below the standards of morality required of
every lawyer. Indeed, Villacete has failed to keep in mind that the
requirement of good moral character is not only a condition precedent for
admission to the Philippine Bar, but is also a continuing requirement to
maintain one's good standing in the legal profession. A member of the Bar
and officer of the court is not only required to refrain from adulterous
relationships or the keeping of mistresses, but must also behave himself as to
avoid scandalizing the public by appearing that he is treating those moral
standards with utmost disregard. 1
However, since Villacete had long ceased practicing law and has no
more intention to resume in the future, he is deemed to have already served
his suspension from the practice of law from the date of the IBP Resolution
or on August 28, 2010 up to February 28, 2011.
SO ORDERED.
(239)
AC-7425