Escudero seeks disbarment of Jesus Falcis over ‘hateful’ posts

Sen. Francis Escudero —INQUIRER PHOTO/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Escudero on Monday filed a disbarment case before the Supreme Court against lawyer Jesus Falcis III, alleging violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility (CPRA) which governs the conduct of attorneys, including their online presence.

The case stems from Falcis’ social media posts regarding the controversial flood control projects, which Escudero described as “accusatory, defamatory, demeaning, speculative, and hateful.”

In his Facebook posts, Falcis called Escudero “shameless,” “the worst Senate President in History,” and called him “bulok na keso (rotten cheese).”

“Respondent’s irresponsible conduct and vitriolic language compel complainant to urgently bring the matter before this Honorable High Court for appropriate action,” Escudero said.

“Unfortunately, marked by ill-tempered and hateful language, respondent’s tirades in social media betray not only a lack of restraint and virtue expected of a lawyer, but also an inexplicable contempt for complainant,” read Escudero’s complaint.

He said Falcis disregarded the power of social media, which can be picked up by others and translated into other iterations.

Escudero said that while he recognizes that public officials must be open to criticism, lawyers, on the other hand are duty-bound to exercise their rights with dignity.

Escudero said Falcis violated Canon II (Propriety) by failing to act with courtesy and civility toward a fellow lawyer, and Canon III (Fidelity) by undermining respect for the rule of law when he aired accusations on social media rather than before the proper forum.

As a public official, he said he “naturally respects the right of every citizen, including respondent as co-member of the Philippine Bar, to comment on matters of public interest.”

“The premise of our republican democracy is that all power emanates from the people. Public officers must, at all times, be accountable to the people because public office is a public trust. To give effect to this mandate, a full discussion of public affairs is indispensable,” he pointed out.

However, he said Falcis “crossed the line. And even granting without admitting that he may have had a point with regard to these postings, still the nobility of the profession requires him to speak and comment in a dignified and non-insulting manner and with due respect to a member of the Philippine Bar.”

Meanwhile, Falcis, in a statement, said Escudero should be the one disbarred for violating Rule 139-B, Section 18 of the Rules of Court, which provides for the confidentiality of proceedings against a lawyer.

“By disclosing and disseminating the fact of his filing of a disbarment complaint against me, Atty. Chiz Escudero himself has committed an act worthy of disbarment,” Falcis said. /cb