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Elmer Canoy vs Atty. Jose Max Ortiz

ELMER CANOY, Complainant, versus ATTY. JOSE MAX ORTIZ, Respondent.

A.C. No. 5485 | 2005-03-16

D E C I S I O N 


Tinga, J.: 

     There are no good reasons that would justify a lawyer virtually abandoning the cause of the client in the midst of litigation without even informing the client of the fact or cause of desertion. That the lawyer forsook his legal practice on account of what might be perceived as a higher calling, election to public office, does not mitigate the dereliction of professional duty. Suspension from the practice is the usual penalty, and there is no reason to deviate from the norm in this case. 

      A Complaint[1] dated 10 April 2001 was filed with the Office of the...