‘Negligent’ lawyer suspended by Supreme Court

CEBU, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has suspended a lawyer from the practice of law for one year over his “continuous negligence” in handling legal matters.

Lawyer Florito Pozon was found guilty of violating Code of Professional Responsibility.

"In the present case, respondent failed to safeguard complainant's interests after the retainer commenced. Respondent's mere acceptance of the money from the client without fulfilling his duties as a lawyer is indicative of lack of integrity and propriety. Respondent's actions constitute a clear violation of the trust reposed in him by complainant," read the decision.

The suspension stemmed from the complaint filed by Pozon’s client, Jocelyn Sorensen.

Sorensen said she availed of the legal services of Pozon in 1995 for the reconstitution of the title of Lot No. 6662 in Pangan-an, Lapu-lapu City for the sum of P10,000.

She hired Pozon anew in 2003 to secure the title of Lot No. 2393-M in Yati, Liloan, Cebu for the sum of P24,000.

But Sorensen said Pozon neglected her cases or failed to least inform her of the progress of the cases, violating Rules 18.03 and 18.04 of the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Pozon attributed the delay to Sorensen's refusal to shoulder his travel expenses to the Land Registration Office in Quezon City.

In another case, Sorensen allegedly failed to present any witness to prove the circumstances of loss of the owner's copy of the title.

Pozon also attributed this to Sorensen for the latter’s failure to present any witness to show that she or her predecessors-in-interest possessed the lot since 1940 or prior thereto.

With the foregoing, the SC ruled in favor of Sorensen and sternly warned Pozon that a repetition of the same or similar acts shall be dealt with more severely. (FREEMAN)