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Fajardo vs. Alvarez

TERESITA P. FAJARDO, COMPLAINANT, VS. ATTY. NICANOR C. ALVAREZ, RESPONDENT

A.C. No. 9018 | 2016-04-20

DECISION
 
LEONEN, J.:
 
This administrative case involves the determination of whether a lawyer working in the Legal Section of the National Center for Mental Health under the Department of Health is authorized to privately practice law, and consequently, whether the amount charged by respondent for attorney's fees is reasonable under the principle of quantum meruit.

Complainant Teresita P. Fajardo (Teresita) was the Municipal Treasurer of San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. She hired respondent Atty. Nicanor C. Alvarez (Atty. Alvarez) to defend her in criminal and administrative cases before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The parties...