SC finds Gadon guilty of gross misconduct

sc finds gadon guilty of gross misconduct

At a media forum in Quezon City on Friday, May 11, 2018, lawyer Larry Gadon, who filed an impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, welcomed the Supreme Court decision favoring the petition challenging Sereno's appointment as the country's top magistrate. GMA News

The Supreme Court En Banc has found disbarred lawyer Larry Gadon guilty of gross misconduct “for committing perjury and making accusations based on hearsay.”

According to the SC public information office Thursday, a complaint was filed with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) seeking Gadon’s disbarment for “falsehoods” regarding an impeachment complaint he previously filed against former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno before the House of Representatives.

Gadon, who currently serves as Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation, was also accused of filing baseless criminal cases against several Supreme Court officials, the High Court said.

“After investigation, the IBP – Committee on Bar Discipline recommended that Gadon be suspended for two years after it found that Gadon lied under oath when he claimed that then de facto Chief Justice Sereno falsified a Supreme Court temporary restraining order,” the SC said.

“It, however, dismissed for lack of evidence the allegation of baseless cases against Court officials.”

The SC said that IBP’s Board of Governors (IBP-BOG) changed the recommended period of Gadon’s suspension to three years. It also adopted the findings of the IBP-BOG, but modified the penalty.

“The Court ruled that Gadon was guilty of gross misconduct punishable by disbarment. However, since he had already been previously disbarred, the penalty of disbarment will no longer be imposed but nevertheless recorded in his personal file,” the SC said.

Gadon was also fined P150,000 and adjudged ineligible for judicial clemency.

Furthermore, the SC found that he committed perjury for making allegations in his impeachment complaint “not based on his personal knowledge or on any authentic records, contrary to his sworn guarantee in the Verification attached to his complaint.”

“Gadon knew that he never had any personal knowledge nor any authentic document to support the accusation that Sereno falsified a TRO of the Court. Yet, he still included this in his verified impeachment complaint, attempting to lend a semblance of credibility to his unfounded accusation,” the SC said.

“This not only deceived the HOR, but also revealed an intent to inflict unnecessary harm to the reputation of a lawyer and former member of the Court. All these confirm that Gadon was motivated by a malicious intent to malign and defame Sereno,” it added.

The High Court also noted that the subsequent 2018 case of Republic v. Sereno, which nullified Sereno’s appointment as Chief Justice, as well as the preliminary findings of the House Committee on Justice “do not absolve” Gadon.

“His disregard for the verification requirement in impeachment complaints shows disrespect for the impeachment process, using it to advance his personal agenda rather than air genuine and legitimate grievances,” it said.

The SC ruled that Gadon violated Canon II, Section 11 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which prohibits lawyers from making false statements and makes him liable for Gross Misconduct, a serious offense.

Sought for comment, Gadon said he has yet to receive a copy of the SC En Banc decision.—Giselle Ombay/AOL, GMA Integrated News

This article SC finds Gadon guilty of gross misconduct was originally published in GMA News Online.

OTHER NEWS

4 hrs ago

P2 fuel price increase expected next week

4 hrs ago

PVL draft quality takes hit with Belen, Solomon out but quantity is promising

4 hrs ago

Jenny Slate Uses Comedy as a 'Human Calling Card' in 'Seasoned Professional'

4 hrs ago

Your pictures on the theme of 'on top of the world'

4 hrs ago

If Google is doubling down on risky AI features, experts say it needs to be clear about what can go wrong

4 hrs ago

Underdog SF Competitor Laura Ozyilmaz Fights for a Final Three Spot on ‘Top Chef’

4 hrs ago

Should the Red Sox consider signing released Astros 1B Jose Abreu?

4 hrs ago

Hot Red Sox infielder not in lineup for middle game vs. Yankees

4 hrs ago

Boy grapples with tradition in Spanish bullfighting town

4 hrs ago

Russian inflation rose once again in May

4 hrs ago

What worked against Ginebra is working again for Meralco vs. San Miguel

4 hrs ago

Rockies 1B, former NL MVP diagnosed with internal oblique strain

4 hrs ago

Takeaways from Day 3 of the U.S. Open

4 hrs ago

German VNL player wants to play in PVL

4 hrs ago

The Mets haven't lost a game since McDonald's Grimace threw out a first pitch at Citi Field

4 hrs ago

Nationals hurler DJ Herz makes impressive history in third career start

4 hrs ago

Reese Witherspoon Debuts Jaw-Dropping Nicole Kidman Impression

4 hrs ago

With iOS 18, I Can't Wait to Stop Talking to Siri and Start Typing

4 hrs ago

How to find and manage all online accounts linked to your email

4 hrs ago

Luis Rengifo's go-ahead RBI single lifts Angels past Giants 4-3

4 hrs ago

Trillo: ‘Nobody remembers second place’

4 hrs ago

Trump challenges Biden to a cognitive test but confuses the name of the doctor who tested him

4 hrs ago

Columbia Pictures Settles Copyright Lawsuit Over Rights to ‘Bad Boys' Story

4 hrs ago

Ramsay shaken after 'really bad' cycling accident

5 hrs ago

PH to open labor office in Budapest

5 hrs ago

Baseball's top prospect shut down with shoulder injury

5 hrs ago

Catherine Laga’aia lands lead role in ‘Moana’ live action

5 hrs ago

Just being ‘gentlemanly’ — Chiz on Liza Marcos taking his wine

5 hrs ago

Biden strikes gold in California, one week after Trump's massive haul in the blue bastion

5 hrs ago

PBA Finals: History on the side of Meralco Bolts after Game 5 win

5 hrs ago

Gallent assures Game 7

5 hrs ago

Red Sox were just gifted an easy flier to bide time until Triston Casas returns

5 hrs ago

Trump courts Black voters in Michigan church event

5 hrs ago

Simone Ashley Shares Advice for “Bridgerton ”Newcomer Masali Baduza After Her Big Character Reveal (Exclusive)

5 hrs ago

CNN rules for first US presidential debate: no props, muted microphones

5 hrs ago

Why 800 people fled a sun-kissed Mediterranean village

5 hrs ago

This Mind-Blowing Miniature Motorcycle Is Made Entirely From Paper

5 hrs ago

Are the Los Angeles Rams going 'all in' for 2024?

5 hrs ago

DOH: Dengue cases 'plateauing,' but may rise amid rainy season

5 hrs ago

G7 leaders concerned, oppose China actions in West PH Sea