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PCGG vs. Sandiganbayan, Lucio Tan, et al [ SEPARATE OPINION, TINGA, J. ]

PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON GOOD GOVERNMENT (PCGG), Petitioner, versus SANDIGANBAYAN (Fifth Division), LUCIO C. TAN, CARMEN KHAO TAN, FLORENCIO T. SANTOS, NATIVIDAD P. SANTOS, DOMINGO CHUA, TAN HUI NEE, MARIANO TAN ENG LIAN, ESTATE OF BENITO TAN KEE HIONG (represented by TARCIANA C. TAN), FLORENCIO N. SANTOS, JR., HARRY C. TAN, TAN ENG CHAN, CHUNG POE KEE, MARIANO KHOO, MANUEL KHOO, MIGUEL KHOO, JAIME KHOO, ELIZABETH KHOO, CELSO RANOLA, WILLIAM T. WONG, ERNESTO B. LIM, BENJAMIN T. ALBACITA, WILLY CO, ALLIED BANKING CORP., ALLIED LEASING AND FINANCE CORPORATION, ASIA BREWERY, INC., BASIC HOLDINGS CORP., FOREMOST FARMS, INC., FORTUNE TOBACCO CORP., GRANSPAN DEVELOPMENT CORP., HIMMEL INDUSTRIES, IRIS HOLDINGS AND DEVELOPMENT CORP., JEWEL HOLDINGS, INC., MANUFACTURING SERVICES AND TRADE CORP., MARANAW HOTELS & RESORT CORP., NORTHERN TOBACCO REDRYING PLANT, PROGRESSIVE FARMS, INC., SHAREHOLDINGS, INC., SIPALAY TRADING CORP., VIRGO HOLDINGS & DEVELOPMENT CORP., and ATTY. ESTELITO P. MENDOZA, Respondents.

G.R. Nos. 151809-12 | 2005-04-12

SEPARATE OPINION 


Tinga, J.: 

My vote to grant the petition hinges on the reasons stated hereunder. They pertain to a significant and material dimension to this case which deserves greater illumination. 

To sustain the view that Atty. Estelito Mendoza (Atty. Mendoza) should be disqualified as counsel in Civil Case No. 0096, as the dissenters are wont to hold, there should be a clear legal basis that would mandate such disqualification. The dissenters would hold Atty. Mendoza liable for violating Section 6.03 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, while the ponencia disputes the assertion that the provision was indeed...