Government lawyer disbarred for illicit affairs

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the disbarment of a government lawyer for his illicit affairs.

In a unanimous vote, the SC magistrates adopted the decision of the board of governors of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on the disbarment of Ian Raymond Pangalangan of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.

Lawyer Roy Ecraela filed the case in 2007, saying Pangalangan committed “illicit relations, chronic womanizing, abuse of authority as an educator, and other unscrupulous practices which caused undue embarrassment to the legal profession.”

Ecraela said Pangalangan, who was married, had a series of relationships with a number of married and unmarried women from 1990 to 2004. Ecraela’s wife was among them.

Pangalangan was found guilty of gross immorality and violation of Article XV Section 2 of the Constitution, which states “marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the state.” He also violated regulations pertaining to professional responsibility and the Lawyer’s Oath.

 The SC said its ruling should be entered into the records of the Office of the Bar Confidant and Pangalangan’s name stricken from the Roll of Attorneys. Copies of the decision will be disseminated to all IBP chapters and courts.

“The practice of law is a privilege given to those who possess and continue to possess the legal qualifications for the profession. Good moral character is not only required for admission to the Bar, but must also be retained in order to maintain one’s good standing in this exclusive and honored fraternity,” according to the SC ruling.

“Pangalangan displayed deplorable arrogance by making a mockery out of the institution of marriage and taking advantage of his legal skills by attacking the petition through technicalities and refusing to participate in the proceedings. His actions showed that he lacked the degree of morality required of him as a member of the bar, thus warranting the penalty of disbarment,” it added.