PLUS BUILDERS, INC. and EDGARDO GARCIA vs. Atty.

ANASACIO REVILLA
Facts:
The respondent herein is the counsel of the tenants/ farmers in cases regarding the properties owned by the
petitioners Plus Builders, Inc. The respondent allegedly resorted to unlawful strategies and machinations after the
Provincial Adjudicator of Cavite rendered a decision against the tenants regarding ownership of the subject
properties. Among these machinations and strategies include his involvement in the unauthorized practice of law by
allowing a group of non-lawyers to submit a pleading collectively representing themselves as law partners in KDC
Legal Services, Law Officers, and Associates and solicited fees for such. The respondent contends that he only did
such in good faith to exert utmost efforts to defend his clients, no matter how guilty he may appear to be. This
prompted the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Commission on Bar Discipline to review the matter and eventually
found the respondent guilt of unlawful practice of law because he was not able to deny that the allegations were true,
violation the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Issue:
Whether or not the respondent is guilty of violating the Code of Professional Responsibility specifically Canon 9.
Held:
He indeed violated Canon 9. The Canon states that " A lawyer shall not directly or indirectly assist in the
unauthorized practice of law.
'Rule 9.01 A lawyer shall not delegate to any unqualified person the performance of any task which by law may
only be performed by a member of the Bar in good standing.' In the present case, respondent claims good faith in
pursuing the cause of his clients. The records show, however, that his course of legal action was obviously a
stratagem to delay unduly the execution of the provincial adjudicator's Decision. The silence or failure of respondent
to challenge the allegation that he allowed non-lawyers to engage in the unauthorized practice of law may be
deemed an admission of the truth of the accusation. The lawyer's duty to prevent, or at the very least not to assist in,
the unauthorized practice of law is founded on public interest and policy. Public policy requires that the practice of
law be limited to those individuals found duly qualified in education and character.