Kenny Jones T.
Bartolome
JD201A - Basic Legal and Judicial Ethics
IN RE: ATTY. LORENZO G. GADON'S VIRAL VIDEO AGAINST RAISSA ROBLES, A.C. No. 13521
ISSUE: Whether or not Atty. Lorenzo G. Gadon should be disbarred.
FACTS:
- The case was initiated by the court against Atty. Gadon under Section 27, Rule 138 of the Rules of
Court, following a viral video clip in which he used profane language and made derogatory remarks
against journalist Raissa Robles.
- The court noted that Atty. Gadon had displayed similar behavior in the past, including making threats
against Muslim communities, insulting supporters of former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and
committing acts of dishonesty, arrogance, and rudeness during the impeachment proceedings against
Sereno.
- As a result, Atty. Gadon was ordered to show cause why he should not be disbarred, and he was
placed on preventive suspension from the practice of law.
- In his response, Atty. Gadon argued that the preventive suspension imposed on him lacked due
process and was without a legal basis. According to him, the present case was influenced by
extraneous circumstances such as his political and personal connection to the Marcoses, and his
public criticisms of Associate Justices.
- He claimed that he uttered those words out of passion, in order to express his anger, disgust, and
displeasure (against Robles) because Robles' tweets were false and libelous.
RULING: YES, the Court finds that Atty. Gadon has shown himself to be unfit to be part of the legal profession.
At this point, it must be noted that the CPR, under which Atty. Gadon was charged with disbarment, has
been expressly repealed by the new Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA). Significantly,
the CPRA expressly provides that it shall have a retroactive application, that is, it shall be applied to all pending
cases, including this one. Atty. Gadon's act violated the lawyer's oath and the CPR, now the CPRA:
SECTION 14. Remedy for grievances; insinuation of improper motive.
SECTION 2. Dignified conduct.
SECTION 3. Safe environment; avoid all forms of abuse or harassment.
SECTION 4. Use of dignified, gender-fair, and child- and culturally sensitive language.
SECTION 36. Responsible use. — A lawyer shall have the duty to understand the benefits, risks, and
ethical implications associated with the use of social media.
The volume of administrative complaints filed against Atty. Gadon indubitably speaks of his character. The
privilege to practice law is bestowed only upon individuals who are competent intellectually, academically and,
equally important, morally. There is no room in this noble profession for misogyny and sexism. The Court will
never tolerate abuse, in whatever form, especially when perpetrated by an officer of the court.
WHEREFORE, the Court finds Atty. Lorenzo G. Gadon GUILTY of violating the Code of Professional Responsibility
and Accountability. He is DISBARRED from the practice of law. The Office of the Bar Confidant is DIRECTED to
remove the name of Lorenzo G. Gadon from the Roll of Attorneys.
Furthermore, Lorenzo G. Gadon is found GUILTY of direct contempt of court. He is FINED the amount of Two
Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00), to be paid within ten (10) days from receipt of this Decision.
