Expelled INC minister's lawyer faces disbarment charges
MANILA, Philippines - The legal counsel of an expelled Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) minister is facing disbarment charges before the Supreme Court.
Trixie Angeles, the lawyer of expelled INC minister Lowell Menorca and his wife Jinky, allegedly violated her oath as a lawyer for "continuously detaining" her clients' househelp, Abegail Yanson.
Roselie Yanson, the mother of Abegail, filed a five-page complaint-affidavit against the lawyer, citing that she also violated the Code of Professional Responsibility.
"[A]ttorney Angeles knew that the Menorcas are detaining Abegail Yanson against her will for the purpose of using her testimony against INC," the complaint read.
The complaint noted that Angeles assisted the Menorcas in preventing the complainant from being with her daughter.
The elder Yanson narrated that incident inside the session hall of the Court of Appeals (CA) on Tuesday when the proceedings for the habeas corpus and amparo petitions had been suspended.
READ: Writs of amparo, habeas corpus filed vs INC leadership
The complainant said that her daughter showed obvious signs of intense fear upon entering the session hall with the Menorcas. Abegail was also tightly guarded by uniformed guards.
Rosalie said was able to hug her daughter but Angeles, the Menorcas and the guards, forcibly pulled her away.
Angeles allegedly lied before the CA when she narrated a different version of the said incident.
"It is but imperative that she be disbarred from the Roll of Attorneys. Her actuations and conduct clearly fall short of the high standard of moral and professional character required of lawyers," the complaint said.
Meanwhile, Angeles said that it is best for Abegail to respond to the said issue as she is the alleged victim.
"I'm fairly sure she will do so soon enough," Angeles said.
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