Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Lawyer’s case referred to IBP committee on discipline
THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter is taking action—though not conducting a formal investigation—on the alleged involvement of a lawyer in a bribery attempt.
The IBP board decided last night to refer the case of lawyer Gines Abellana to the chapter’s discipline committee headed by IBP vice president Michael Yu.
Sun.Star Cebu tried to get Abellana’s side on the issue last night, but he was out of reach. In an interview last Saturday, Abellana expressed willingness to face the IBP board.
“Ako silang atubangon. (I will face them) I have no reason to be afraid,” he said.
Abellana has been identified by PO1 Blaire Quezon as the source of P50,000 handed over to some policemen.
Quezon was arrested in an entrapment after handling over the money to an operative of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (RAIDSOTF) 7.
It was allegedly intended to convince the operatives to downgrade the case that will be filed against a suspected drug dealer, so the latter could post bail.
That suspect is Cleofe Racaza, Abellana’s client, who was arrested in a buy-bust operation.
IBP president Briccio Boholst told Sun.Star Cebu that the decision was arrived at when the board realized that the incident has become a social issue.
“And also to protect the integrity of the legal profession,” said Boholst.
He clarified, however, that the move is not an investigation against Abellana because there is no verified complaint against him.
It will be handled with “outmost confidentiality.”
Yu, according to Boholst, will gather data regarding the incident and later forward his findings to the IBP national chapter.
The committee will also give Abellana a venue to air his side.
If there is basis, the IBP national chapter will recommend sanctions, but it’s up to the Supreme Court (SC) to enforce a penalty, if any is warranted.
Boholst explained that the process is much longer compared to the proceedings when there is a verified complaint, because in those cases, there is no need for the local discipline committee to convene.
Days after the arrest of Quezon, Abellana disclosed that the operatives of the RAIDSOTF 7 instigated the bribery. After his client’s arrest, the operatives offered a settlement, he said.
He then contacted Quezon, another client, to check on the offer but she was arrested by fellow officers, thinking that they were the ones subjected to an entrapment.
Abellana is set to file libel cases against RAIDSOTF for identifying him as the source of the bribe money in their sworn affidavits. He also said he will sue Sun.Star Cebu. (KNT)
