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Selwyn Lao vs Atty Robert Medel

SELWYN F. LAO, complainant, vs. ATTY. ROBERT W. MEDEL, respondent.

A.C. No. 5916 | 2003-07-01

D E C I S I O N

PANGANIBAN, J.:

The deliberate failure to pay just debts and the issuance of worthless checks constitute gross misconduct, for which a lawyer may be sanctioned with one-year suspension from the practice of law.

The Case and the Facts

This administrative case stems from a Complaint-Affidavit[1] filed with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Commission on Bar Discipline (IBP-CBD) by Selwyn F. Lao. Atty. Robert W. Medel was charged therein with dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming an attorney.

The material averments of the Complaint are summarized by the IBP-CBD in this wise:

"The Complaint arose from...