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Arsenia T. Bergonia vs Atty. Arsenio A. Merrera

ARSENIA T. BERGONIA, complainant, vs. Atty. ARSENIO A. MERRERA, respondent.

A.C. No. 5024 | 2003-02-20

D E C I S I O N

PANGANIBAN, J.:

A motion for extension to file an appellant's brief carries with it the presumption that the applicant-lawyer will file the pleading within the period granted. Failure to so file the brief without any reasonable excuse is a violation of the Canons of Professional Responsibility. For such violation, a lawyer may be administratively sanctioned, especially if it results in damage to the client.

The Case

This administrative case stems from an Affidavit-Complaint[1] filed by Arsenia T. Bergonia on March 2, 1999, seeking the disbarment of Atty. Arsenio A. Merrera for violating Canons 12 and 18 of the Code of...