Lawyer who borrowed from client disbarred
MANILA, Philippines — Lawyers borrowing money from their clients have no place in the legal profession.
The Supreme Court has reiterated as it disbarred a lawyer who used a spurious land title as collateral for a P300,000 loan he had failed to settle with his client nearly 15 years ago.
In an 11-page decision, the high tribunal castigated Dany Gille for gross misconduct in violating the Lawyer’s Oath and the Code of Professional Responsibility that prohibited lawyers from securing loans from their clients.
The magistrates also admonished Gille for his refusal to comply with the orders of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, which suspended him from law practice for two years in 2012 based on a complaint filed by Michelle Buenaventura.
“The act of borrowing money from a client by a lawyer is highly uncalled for and therefore a ground for disciplinary action,” the 15-member tribunal ruled, citing similar decisions in the past.
