SC CIRCULAR NO. 38-2001, May 30, 2001

TO	:	THE COURT OF APPEALS, SANDIGANBAYAN, COURT OF TAX APPEALS, REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, SHARI’A DISTRICT COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS, SHARI’A CIRCUIT COURTS, THE OFFICE OF THE STATE PROSECUTOR, PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE AND THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES
SUBJECT	:	DISBARMENT OF ATTY. JOSE O. ALOVERA

For the information and guidance of all concerned, quoted hereunder
is the resolution of the Court En Banc in Administrative Case No. 2519
entitled “Victoria V. Radjaie vs. Atty. Jose O. Alovera” dated 4 August
2000, to wit:

“Atty. Jose O. Alovera, former Presiding Judge of the Regional
Trial Court of Roxas City, Branch 17, faces disbarment for having penned
a Decision^[1]
dated January 30, 1995 long after his retirement from the Judiciary on
January 31, 1995 which ultimately divested complainant Victoria V.
Radjaie of her property in Panay, Capiz.

xxx

This Court has nothing short of exacting in its demand for
integrity and good moral character from members of the Bar. By swearing
the lawyer’s oath, an attorney becomes the guardian of truth and the
rule of law, and an indispensable instrument in the fair and impartial
administration of justice – a vital function of a democracy a failure of
which is disastrous to society. Any departure from the path which a
lawyer must follow as demanded by the virtues of his profession shall
not be tolerated by this Court as the disciplining authority^[48]
for there is perhaps no profession after that of the the sacred
ministry in which a high-toned morality is more imperative than that of
law.^[49]

Despite the opportunities accorded to respondent to present
substantial defense to refute the charges against him. he failed neither
to do so nor to offer a valid explanation. When the integrity of a
member of the bar is challenged, it is not enough that he denies the
charges against him; he must meet the issue and overcome the evidence
against him. He must show proof that he still maintains that degree of
morality and integrity which at all times is expected of him.^[50]

Given the peculiar factual circumstances prevailing in this case,
the Court finds as appropnate the recommended penalty of the Office of
the Bar Confidant in its Report. Such gross misconduct of the respondent
brings intolerable dishonor to the legal profession and calls for the
severance of respondent’s privilege to practice law for life.

WHEREFORE, respondent JOSE O. ALOVERA is hereby DISBARRED.
The Office of the Clerk of Court is directed to strike out his name
from the Roll of Attorneys and to inform all courts of this Decision.”

The Court also issued resolutions: dated 24 October 2000, denying
with finality the Motion for Reconsideration tiled by respondent, and
dated 13 February 2001, noting without action the Second Motion for
Reconsideration and/or Motion to Re-Investigate the Case by the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

30 May 2001

	(Sgd.)ZENAIDA N. ELEPAÑO
	Acting Court Administrator

 

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^[1]In
Civil Case No. V-6186 entitled “The Heirs of the Late Faustina Borres
(except Victoria Villariez Radjaie) represented by Arturo V. Agudo, et
al. v. Victoria Villariez Radjaie” for Partition and Accounting.

^[48]Busiños v. Ricafort, 283 SCRA 407,414-415 [1997]

^[49]Tapucar v. Tapucar, 293 SCRA 331, 337 [1998]

^[50]Reyes v. Gaa, 246 SCRA 64, 67 [1995]