CIRCULAR NO. 22, January 06, 1998

For the information and guidance of all concerned, quoted
hereunder is the pertinent portion of the Decision of the First Division
of this Court, promulgated in December 29, 1987, in Administrative Case
No. 922, entitled “IN RE: ATTY. SANTIAGO F. MARCOS.”

“An attorney is bound to protect his client’ s interest to the
best of his ability and with the utmost diligence. (DEl Rosario vs.
Court of Appeals, 114 SCRA 159). A failute to file brief for his client
certainly constitutes inexclusable negligence on his part. (People vs.
Pillar, 46 Villar, 107) The respondent has indeed committed a seious
lapse in the duty owed by him to his client as well as to the Court not
to delay litigation and to aid in the speedy administration of justice.
(Cannons 21 and 22, Canons of Professional Ethics; People vs. Dabam, 43
SCRA 185; People vs. Estocada, 43 SCRA 515)

“WHEREFORE, Atty. Santaigo F. Marcos is severly reprimanded and
suspended from the practice of law for three (3) months effective from
date of his receipt. He is further admonished to henceforth exercise
greater care and diligence in the performance of the duties towards his
client and the court. This decision is immediately executory and no
motion for extension of time to file a motion for reconsideraion will be
entertained. Let copies of this decision be attached to Atty. Marcos’
personal record and circulated among the differant courts.”

January 6, 1998.