Social media (facebook, twitter, tiktok, etc.) followers have most likely encountered, especially during the last national election campaign period, an infamous lawyer who always had something to say on every issue or scandals in the Philippines. He is none other than, Atty. Larry Gadon, or is it more proper if I say, former Atty. Larry Gadon?
Infamous for his video outbursts posted on many social media platforms, Larry Gadon, by a unanimous vote of 15-0, the Supreme Court En Banc resolved to disbar him. The reason for such disbarment was his constant nagging and profanity. Uploaded, and therefore, can be seen by the public, viral video clips where he repeatedly cursed and uttered profane remarks against journalist Raissa Robles.
The SC took action in 2021 after it had motu proprio taken cognizance of the video clip and issued an earlier order of preventive suspension from the practice of law against Gadon pending a judgment in the case. The Court found the subject video clip as “indisputably scandalous that it discredits the legal profession.” In particular, the Court cited Gadon for violating Canon II on Propriety, of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which imposes the standard 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.” The Court pointed out that Gadon unfortunately failed to realize that lawyers are expected to avoid scandalous behavior, whether in their public or private life.
It is to be noted that, Gadon has been previously convicted by the Court and suspended from the practice of law for 3 months for similarly using offensive and intemperate language, and was warned that a repetition of the same offense will merit a more severe sanction. There are 6 other administrative cases pending before the Office of the Bar Confidant against Gadon, and 4 before the Commission on Bar Discipline of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. The court thus concluded “Although these cases have yet to be decided, the volume of administrative complaints filed against Atty. Gadon indubitably speaks of his character.”
The Court, in the same decision, cited Gadon in direct contempt of court for his baseless allegations of partiality and bias against Senior Associate Justice Marvic MVF Leonen and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa. Gadon sought to inhibit the 2 Justices from acting on the case on grounds which the Court found to be purely conjecture.
The unanimous ruling ended with this reminder to all lawyers: “The privilege to practice law is bestowed only upon individuals who are competent intellectually, academically and, equally important, morally. 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.” (AJDB)
