Secretary Larry Gadon, Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation, speaks during the Pandesal Forum in Quezon City on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. (File photo from INQUIRER.net/RYAN LEAGOGO)
MANILA CITY, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has found Presidential anti-poverty czar Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon guilty of gross misconduct for lying under oath.
The case stems from the instance when he filed an impeachment complaint against former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
He was fined and declared ineligible for judicial clemency.
In his complaint filed before the House of Representatives, Gadon accused Sereno of falsifying a Supreme Court temporary restraining order without any evidence.
The SC said Gadon knew that he had no personal knowledge or any authentic document to support his allegation against Sereno.
“Yet, he still included this in his verified impeachment complaint, attempting to lend a semblance of credibility to his unfounded accusation,” read the statement issued by SC’s Public Information Office.
“This not only deceived the HOR (House of Representatives), but also revealed an intent to inflict unnecessary harm to the reputation of a lawyer and former member of the Court,” the SC further stated.
It added: “All these confirm that Gadon was motivated by malicious intent to malign and defame Sereno.”
The SC added that Gadon’s actions showed his disrespect for the impeachment process, “using it to advance his personal agenda rather than air genuine and legitimate grievances.”
The SC said Gadon violated Canon II, Section 11 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which prohibits lawyers from making false statements and makes him liable for Gross Misconduct, a serious offense.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) recommended a three-year suspension, but the SC said gross misconduct is punishable by disbarment.
But since he was already disbarred, the SC imposed a P150,000 fine.
READ: Larry Gadon disbarred by SC for profane remarks
INQUIRER.net has reached out to Gadon for his side but he has yet to respond as of posting time.