Okada wants former lawyer disbarred

MANILA, Philippines — A lawyer of a casino firm is facing disbarment charges for handling cases against a former client.

The complaint against Joemer Perez, counsel of Okada Manila operator Tiger Resorts Leisure and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI), was filed before the Supreme Court on Friday by the camp of his former boss, Japanese gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada.

Two associates of Perez were included in the complaint, Okada’s camp said.

The Japanese billionaire – who was ousted as director and chairman of TRLEI, which operates Okada Manila – asked the Supreme Court to discipline the three lawyers for conflict of interest and betrayal of trust and confidence.

Okada alleged in the disbarment complaint that Perez and company violated the Code of Professional Responsibility for lawyers.

Perez and the two others used to handle several of Okada’s cases when he was still TRLEI chairman.

Okada said he entrusted Perez with confidential information about his business interests in the Philippines. Okada later hired Perez to join TRLEI.

But when the businessman was ousted from his post by executives of TRLEI, Perez reportedly shifted his loyalty to Okada’s rivals and now even handles the criminal cases filed against his former boss, including estafa and perjury charges that were dismissed by the prosecutor’s office.

No further details were divulged as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines’ commission on Bar discipline has a strict confidentiality rule about divulging details about disbarment cases.