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Lumbre vs. Atty. Belleza

LEO LUMBRE, LEOJOHN L. LUMBRE, AND RUFREX L. LUMBRE, COMPLAINANTS, VS. ATTY. ERWIN BELLEZA, RESPONDENT.

A.C. No. 12113 (Formerly CBD 08-2193) | 2019-03-06

D E C I S I O N
 
BERSAMIN, C.J.:
 
The complainants, minors Leojohn Lumbre (Leojohn) and Rufrex Lumbre (Rufrex), initiated this disbarment complaint against the respondent alleging that he had chased and threatened them with his gun. The Board of Governors of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) found the respondent guilty of grave misconduct, but only recommended his suspension from the practice of law for two months. We hold that the offense committed by the respondent was of a more serious character, and deserved a higher penalty.

But, first, let us review the antecedents.

On March 31, 2008, the Commission on Human Rights...