SC reinstates lawyer disbarred for polygamy
By MARC MERUEÑAS, GMA NEWS
Fifty-eight-year-old Edmundo Macarubbo may practice law once more despite having been disbarred in 2004 for immorality as he had married two other women while his first marriage was still valid.
In a six-page resolution penned by Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe the Supreme Court granted Macarubbo's petition for extraordinary mercy and had him reinstated in the Roll of Attorneys. The SC declared that Macarubbo had “sufficiently atoned for his transgressions.”
Macarubbo was disbarred in 2004 after it was discovered that he had entered into a bigamous marriage with Florence Teves, and then even entering into a third marriage with Josephine Constantino while his first marriage with Helen Esparza was still in the books.
These acts constituted gross immoral conduct, which violates Canon 1, Rule 1.01 and Canon 7, Rule 7.03 of the Code of Professional Responsibility.
The court said it decided in Macarubbo's favor because he has "shown remorse and acknowledged his indiscretion," and had even asked forgiveness from children by Teves.
The court learned that Macarubbo, after stripped off being a lawyer, returned to his hometown of Enrile, Cagayan to take care of his ailing mother until her death in 2008. Macarubbo even found time to tend an orchard while in his hometown, the court noted.
The court also said Macarubbo worked for the local government of Enrile, Cagayan, as well as taught part-time at the University of Cagayan Valley and F.L. Vargas College and took an active part in socio-civic activities.
The court also noted that his reinstatement request was duly endorsed by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Cagayan Chapter and his parish priest Rev. Fr. Camilo Castillejos, Jr, among others.
Records also revealed that Macarubbo had already "settled his previous marital squabbles" and financially supports all his children.
In its ruling, the High Tribunal said Macarubbo “still has productive years ahead of him that could significantly contribute to the upliftment of the law profession and the betterment of society.” — DVM, GMA News
Fifty-eight-year-old Edmundo Macarubbo may practice law once more despite having been disbarred in 2004 for immorality as he had married two other women while his first marriage was still valid.
In a six-page resolution penned by Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe the Supreme Court granted Macarubbo's petition for extraordinary mercy and had him reinstated in the Roll of Attorneys. The SC declared that Macarubbo had “sufficiently atoned for his transgressions.”
Macarubbo was disbarred in 2004 after it was discovered that he had entered into a bigamous marriage with Florence Teves, and then even entering into a third marriage with Josephine Constantino while his first marriage with Helen Esparza was still in the books.
These acts constituted gross immoral conduct, which violates Canon 1, Rule 1.01 and Canon 7, Rule 7.03 of the Code of Professional Responsibility.
The court said it decided in Macarubbo's favor because he has "shown remorse and acknowledged his indiscretion," and had even asked forgiveness from children by Teves.
The court learned that Macarubbo, after stripped off being a lawyer, returned to his hometown of Enrile, Cagayan to take care of his ailing mother until her death in 2008. Macarubbo even found time to tend an orchard while in his hometown, the court noted.
The court also said Macarubbo worked for the local government of Enrile, Cagayan, as well as taught part-time at the University of Cagayan Valley and F.L. Vargas College and took an active part in socio-civic activities.
The court also noted that his reinstatement request was duly endorsed by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Cagayan Chapter and his parish priest Rev. Fr. Camilo Castillejos, Jr, among others.
Records also revealed that Macarubbo had already "settled his previous marital squabbles" and financially supports all his children.
In its ruling, the High Tribunal said Macarubbo “still has productive years ahead of him that could significantly contribute to the upliftment of the law profession and the betterment of society.” — DVM, GMA News
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