Gadon disbarred by SC, but keeps anti-poverty post  

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential adviser on poverty alleviation Larry Gadon, known for his public outbursts, has been disbarred by the Supreme Court (SC) for hurling profanities and misogynistic slurs against a journalist.

By a unanimous vote of 15-0, the SC expelled Gadon on Tuesday from the country’s roll of lawyers for his “misogynist, sexist, abusive and repeated intemperate language” on multiple occasions, most notably for the case that ended his law career involving verbal abuse against investigative journalist Raissa Robles.

The SC took action in 2021 after it took cognizance of the viral videos of Gadon verbally attacking Robles. Gadon delivered his verbal assault in response to a tweet on a story she was working on about the tax conviction of then presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

For that attack against Robles, Gadon was indefinitely suspended by the SC and ordered to show cause as to why he should not be disbarred.

The SC had previously convicted Gadon of violating the lawyer’s code and suspended him from practicing law for three months for using similarly offensive and intemperate language, even warning him that a repetition would result in severe penalty.

In a briefer of the June 27 decision, the SC said it found the video clip of Gadon lambasting Robles “indisputably scandalous that it discredits the legal profession.”

The SC cited Gadon for violating the canon on propriety under the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), which states that a lawyer “shall, at all times, act with propriety and maintain the appearance of propriety in personal and professional dealings, observe honesty, respect and courtesy, and uphold the dignity of the legal profession consistent with the highest standards of ethical behavior.”

Justices also noted that while the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the Office of the Bar Confidant have yet to settle six other administrative cases against Gadon, the volume of complaints “indubitably speaks of his character.”

Gadon is one of the first lawyers to be disbarred under the new CPRA, which was only promulgated last April 13. It is a revised version of the 34-year-old Code of Professional Responsibility.

Former Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te said Gadon’s disbarment could be the first of its kind in that the SC initiated action on its own or “motu proprio,” without the need for aggrieved parties, including Robles, to file a complaint.

In the same decision, the SC also held Gadon in direct contempt of the court for his “baseless allegations of partiality and bias” against Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.

Gadon had earlier sought the two justices’ inhibition from acting on Robles’ case.

“The privilege to practice law is bestowed only upon individuals who are competent intellectually, academically and, equally important, morally,” the SC ruled.

“There is no room in this noble profession for misogyny and sexism. The Court will never tolerate abuse, in whatever form, especially when perpetrated by an officer of the court,” it added.

‘Too harsh’

Gadon described the high court’s decision as “too harsh” but gave assurance that it won’t affect the performance of his duty as the President’s adviser on poverty-related issues.

“My remedy and reaction to this is to file a motion for reconsideration on the ground that the penalty is too harsh for the alleged cause, which was my outburst against a reporter who was blatantly spreading lies against BBM (Bongbong Marcos) during the campaign period intended to fool the public on issues intended to cause damage to the candidacy of… Marcos, Jr.,” Gadon said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.

“I will treat this matter as a personal concern as it will not also affect my commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to help his administration achieve its goals and implement its programs to serve the public particularly on the aspect of poverty alleviation,” he added. But Gadon maintained that he did not regret his previous statements and actions that led to his disbarment.

“I have no regrets because my president won,” he said. “If I did not counter those acts of Raissa Robles, people might have believed her and my president might not have won... What is more important to me now is that President Bongbong Marcos won.”

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that Gadon would continue to perform his role as Marcos’ adviser.

“We were aware of Sec. Gadon’s cases before the Supreme Court but the President felt that his work as presidential adviser will not get affected by his status as a lawyer. This is a matter which he will have to personally attend to,” Bersamin said in a statement.

“He will continue on his new role as presidential adviser on poverty alleviation as there are urgent matters that need to be done in the President’s anti-poverty programs. The President believes he will do a good job,” he added.

Clap back

Speaking to ANC, Gadon described the SC as “very choosy.”

“I could say that this is a political decision rather than a meritorious decision,” he said.

Gadon questioned why the high court did not dish out the same punishment to Chel Diokno, whom he accused of making a “mockery” of the proceedings of the SC by filing a petition in behalf of fishermen who denied having authorized him.

He also cited former senator and justice secretary Leila de Lima, whom he said had openly defied the SC order allowing former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to travel abroad for medical treatment.

He also recalled how De Lima had admitted to having a relationship with her driver, who was married, and called it “illicit and illegal.”

“Is it just because that I filed an impeachment case against (SC Associate Justice) Marvic Leonen in 2019 and because I filed an impeachment case against Lourdes Sereno in 2017 which led to her ouster as chief justice?” he quipped.

Gadon revealed that President Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos had advised him to tone down his language during the campaign for the 2022 polls.

“I followed their advice and if you notice, I had been very silent on our media issuances and media statements and even in fact in my social media pages, I have been very silent on treating the opposition on our end,” Gadon told ANC.

“I can say that I have obeyed the President and the First Lady and it was a nice suggestion anyway,” he added. Gadon said he did not pay too much attention on the push to disbar him since he had stopped practicing law and appearing in courts since 2015 when he got involved in politics.

He said he has retired from the law practice but could not refuse the call for public service.

“It’s OK if the Supreme Court thinks that I am to be disbarred. Anyway, I have a new mandate now. I am here to serve as a secretary, not as a lawyer. I will just continue to serve the Filipino people,” the newly appointed anti-poverty adviser said.“My option to help the President and serve our people has a more noble appeal now,” he said.

For militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Marcos’ appointment of Gadon is alleged proof that he operates based on political patronage.

“What does this say of Marcos Jr.’s appointment of Gadon? Does Marcos make appointments based on competence or based on political debts?” Bayan president Renato Reyes said in a statement that criticized Gadon’s “scandalous behavior” and his being given a government post.

“The Gadon appointment as presidential adviser shows us everything wrong with the Marcos regime one year into its term,” he said. – Alexis Romero, Emmanuel Tupas