PB member Bolo raps "fake" lawyer

CEBU - Cebu Provincial Board Member Juan Bolo has filed indirect contempt charges against a man who allegedly pretended to be a lawyer of a person whom the legislator charged for perjury.

Bolo said Francisco Pada appeared in court on two occasions assuming to be the lawyer of Felicisima Cañon, who is the respondent of the perjury case that Bolo filed before the Regional Trial Court.

The PB member said that Pada, who was aware that he is not a lawyer and member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, has filed pleadings at the Branch 4 of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities.

He said Pada has even filed a manifestation and motion, and the motion for voluntary inhibition of the judge due to unique reason and peculiarity of the situation in the perjury case against Cañon.

Bolo said that Pada misled the court by making them believe he is allowed to practice and act as counsel for Cañon by showing up during the pleadings a paper bearing his signature that he has been allowed by the Supreme Court to appear as counsel for the accused.

The complainant said that the document that Pada had shown the court to prove that he has been allowed to appear as counsel was that of another case, in which Pada and his wife were the respondents. In that case Pada has allegedly been allowed by the Supreme Court to act as the counsel for himself.

Using that Supreme Court resolution, Pada showed on court proceedings of Cañon, acting as her legal counsel.

During the hearings, Bolo said Pada argued on his motions even if the court would not allow him to do so.

He said that the actions of Pada is a clear violation of Rule 71, Section 3 of the rules of Court of which, Bolo said, Pada is guilty for assuming to be an attorney or an officer of a court without authority.

Bolo asked the Court to declare Pada as liable for indirect contempt and be fined of P5,000 or imprisonment of one month. — Jasmin R. Uy/WAB (THE FREEMAN)