Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27) — The Supreme Court has dismissed the administrative complaint filed against Atty. Manases Carpio, the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, and another lawyer before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Commission on Bar Discipline (IBP-CBD)
Carpio and Atty. Edgar Dennis Padernal were accused of acting in bad faith after filing multiple lawsuits against the complainants, Alfredo and Lumenaria Honegger.
But the complaint lacked merit, the high court said in a resolution issued last month but made public on Thursday. The ruling adopts the findings and recommendation of the IBP-CBD, the court added.
\”Indeed, the mere filing and prosecution by the Attys. Padernal and Carpio of multiple suits against Alfredo and Lumenaria do not, by themselves, constitute unethical conduct deserving of administrative sanction,\” the SC first division’s ruling read.
Various cases were filed against the Honeggers from 2014 to 2018. These includes collection case, estafa, cyber libel, violation of the Anti-Dummy Law, and a deportation case.
Padernal and Carpio were the counsels of the complainants who filed the cases against the Honegger couple.
The Honeggers alleged that the numerous cases against them were all frivolous and were only filed to harass them.
However, the SC said that the Honegger couple \”failed to adduce any evidence to support their claim that the cases filed against them were merely intended to vex and harass.\”
\”To be sure, Attys. Padernal and Carpio are allowed to resort to any and all legal means, including the institution of appropriate cases, to protect the interests of their clients or seek redress on their behalf,\” said SC.
