SC orders probe on 'fake' lawyer in Ombudsman office

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) granted the Office of the Ombudsman's request to investigate its employee who passed the Bar, but is not an actual lawyer.

In an en banc resolution of Clerk of Court Enriqueta Vidal, the high tribunal granted the release of confidential documents about Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Gilbert Bueno, whose post requires one to be a lawyer.

Assistant Ombudsman Joselito Fangon elevated the issue to the court in March directing the Office of the Bar Confidant to "furnish a certification under oath that  ... Bueno is not duly a member of the Philippine Bar."

"Considering that his (Fangon) petition to take the lawyer's oath was denied on Jan. 8, 2013, the court deems that the request for records can be granted," the SC said in the resolution.

The Ombudsman's Internal Affairs Board suspended Bueno while wait for the high court's decision to go on with the investigation.

According to preliminary reports to the court, Bueno passed the Bar examinations in 1984 but was not allowed to take the lawyer's oath following a complaint for immoral conduct.

Bueno's former live-in partner, Alicia Ruaza, filed the complaint alleging that they had two children who did not get any support from Bueno.

Ruaza also claimed that while they were living together, Bueno was having an affair with another woman, with whom he had one child.

Once proven guilty, Bueno will face an administrative charge for serious dishonesty. - Camille Diola