SC suspends lawyer Trixie Angeles for three years 

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday suspended for three years lawyer Trixie Angeles, who once fought for renegade soldiers during the Arroyo administration, and her law partner for being remiss in their duty as legal counsels in an annulment case.

The SC found Angeles and law partner Wylie Paler guilty of violating Rule 1.01 of the Code of Professional Responsibility in relation to the complaint filed by Cleo Dongga-as, a former military officer who took part in the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny against then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Dongga-as also served as general manager of state-run People's Television Network under former President Benigno Aquino III.

In his complaint, Dongga-as said Angeles and Paler failed to deliver in his annulment case.

"Despite constant follow-ups, respondents (Angeles and Paler) were unable to produce a petition for annulment, with various reasons being given by respondents for their failure to do so, including that there was no record of marriage (which was a false statement verified by the complainant Dongga-as)," the SC Public Information Office said.

Dongga-as asked the two lawyers to refund the P350,000 in legal fees but Angeles and Paler refused.

The two lawyers even sent him two billing statements amounting to P45,000 as payment for "consultants," prompting Dongga-as to file a complaint with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

In her defense, Angeles admitted to having received P350,000 but denied that she was remiss in her duties.

Angeles said there was only a delay in the filing of the annulment petition in court as she accused Dongga-as of failure to give the address of his estranged wife and to provide sufficient evidence.

She also said it was Paler who was tasked to draft and finalize the petition.

Paler urged the IBP to dismiss the case which he believed was filed only to avoid payment of attorney's fees.

The IBP Investigating Committee found that Angeles and Paler were liable administratively and recommended a four-month suspension from the practice of law.

The IBP Board of Governors raised the penalty to two years suspension before the high court decided to extend it to three years.

Angeles and Paler were also directed to return to the P350,000 to Dongga-as within 90 days from the finality of the decision.

"Failure to comply will warrant the imposition of a heavier penalty," the high court said.

Not accorded due process?

In a Facebook post, Angeles said she will not argue the merits of the case although she “strongly” believes she was not accorded due process.

“However, I am an officer of the court and subject to its disciplines. I am also subject to the legal system. And I believe in that system. Even if it fails individuals, I do not believe that it fails society. Though it can stand improvement, there is no better way yet,” she said.

She also does not want to cast aspersions on any member of the judiciary or the high court regarding the decision.

For the meantime, Angeles said she will devote her attention to other things such as writing, teaching, and doing her best for the country.

Defender of Nicanor Faeldon, Vhon Tanto

Angeles rose to prominence when she defended Oakwood mutineer, former Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, currently the commissioner of the Bureau of Customs.

She also represented syndicated estafa suspect and former Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co and dismissed Iglesia ni Cristo minister Isaias Samson Jr., who accused the religious group's leadership last year of detaining him and his family after he was suspected of exposing the alleged corrupt practices of the INC's council of elders.

Angeles also recently represented road rage suspect Vhon Tanto who admitted having shot and killed cyclist Mark Vincent Garalde in Quiapo, Manila last July. — VVP, GMA News