SC suspends ex-press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles for violation of lawyer’s code

The Supreme Court has suspended former Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles for violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility for the use of inappropriate language in a legal proceeding.

In a resolution dated March 27, the Supreme Court Third Division ordered Cruz-Angeles to be suspended from the practice of law for six months, effective upon her receipt of the resolution, while it reprimanded Atty. Ahmed Paglinawan.

The Court found both Cruz-Angeles and Paglinawan guilty of violating Rule 8.01, Canon 8 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, which states that “a lawyer shall not, in his professional dealings, use language which is abusive, offensive or otherwise improper.” 

“Atty. Cruz-Angeles did not file or sign the Motion for Reconsideration. She had also been previously suspended from the practice of law. Hence, the imposition of suspension from the practice of law for a period of six months is in order,” the Court said.

“On the other hand, the Court finds reasonable the penalty of reprimand on Atty. Paglinawan, considering that this is his first infraction,” it added.

In a video message, Cruz-Angeles denied penning the pleading, adding she would resort to legal remedies to be heard by the high court.

The SC warned both that a repetition or a similar act would be dealt with more severely.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Atty. Roderick Manzano in 2016 against Cruz-Angeles and Paglinawan for their alleged use of grossly abusive, offensive, and improper language in a pleading they filed on behalf of a client.

According to the Court, the respondents never disputed that they made such statements.

“It is clear that respondents employed language, which are grossly abusive and offensive, which is not befitting the dignity of the legal profession. Hence, the imposition of disciplinary liability is warranted,” it said.

Further, the Court agreed with the extended resolution of the Integrated Board of the Philippines-Commission on Integrity and Bar Discipline that though the statements were made in judicial proceedings, they were not relevant to the case and could not be considered privileged communication. 

Cruz-Angeles denies writing pleading

Cruz-Angeles denied writing the questioned pleading and said she would exhaust all legal remedies to circumvent the court decision.

“Hindi po ako ang nagsulat ng pleading na 'yun at 'yan po ang depensa namin,” said the lawyer in a video message.

(I did not write the pleading and that’s our defense.)

“Gagamitin po namin lahat ng mga available na remedies upang madinig kami ng buong-buo ng Korte Suprema. Gagamitin at uubusin namin lahat ng mga proseso nang makakamit ng hustisya sa kasong ito,” she said.

(We’ll use all available remedies to resolve this case and bring justice.)

Cruz-Angeles also thanked her followers for their support but asked them to refrain from disrespecting the High Court.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat ng sumusuporta. Lahat nang nagpadala ng magagandang mensahe, lahat ng nagsasabing they stand with me. Maraming-maraming salamat po because these things truly touched me and will help us through during these times,” she said.

(I thank everyone for our messages of support. These things truly touched me and will help us through these times.)

“Gayunpaman may hiling ako, let us not disrespect the court. Huwag po tayong gumamit ng masamang salita sa ating mga mahistrado ng Korte Suprema. Itutuloy namin 'yung mga remedies namin but we ask that we respect the rule of law and we respect the processes of the court,” she added.

(However, let us not disrespect the court. We will exhaust all processes but we ask that we respect the rule of law and we respect the processes of the court.)—VAL/LDF, GMA Integrated News