Vic Rodriguez disbarment sought over alleged confidentiality breach

A disbarment complaint has been filed against former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez for alleged breach of confidentiality over his supposed revelations about the 2022 campaign of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and the first months of the current administration. 

The complaint was filed with the Supreme Court by Jason Binay Suarez, as stated in his Facebook post. 

"Para sa akin, ang mga ibinunyag niya—totoo man o hindi—ay hindi basta kwento lang kundi maingat na hakbang na may kinalaman sa pansariling interes at ambisyong pulitikal," Suarez said in his statement.

(For me, what he revealed—regardless if it is true or not—are not just mere stories, but careful moves related to personal interests and political ambitions.)

"Ang ganitong gawain, na ipinagbabawal sa Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, ay maling paggamit ng tiwalang ibinibigay ng kliyente at sumisira sa tiwala ng publiko sa propesyon ng abogasya, lalo na kung ito'y ginagawa ng taong malapit sa pinakamataas na posisyon sa pamahalaan," he added.

(These actions, which are prohibited under the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, constitute a misuse of the trust given by the client to a lawyer and undermines the public's trust in the legal profession, especially if it is done by someone close to the highest position in government.)

The Supreme Court confirmed the filing of the complaint.

Sought for comment, Rodriguez brushed off the complaint, saying it has no basis.

"The disbarment case filed by a non-lawyer who is a non-party, has no basis and a non-issue as far as I am concerned. His personal views carry no weight, contain no substance nor relevance," he said.

Rodriguez also said the complaint was a "pathetic attempt" by an aspiring Bar member who "permitted himself to be used as a tool to suppress a legitimate dissenter."

Suarez, meanwhile, denied that he filed the complaint for political reasons, saying he is only seeking the High Court's guidance.

"[Ginawa ko ito] Para turuan ang mga kagaya kong magiging abogado balang araw sa mga pamantayan ng integridad, katapatan, at propesyonalismo na dapat naming sundin," he said.

([I did this] To teach people like me, who will become lawyers someday, about the standards of integrity, honesty, and professionalism that we must follow.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News