YESTERDAY the Supreme Court website announced the disbarment of Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon – the President’s adviser on poverty alleviation.
That means that Gadon’s name has been stricken from the roll of attorneys. The practical effect is that he may no longer practice his profession as a lawyer.
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The case sprang from a well-circulated video clip of Gadon hurling expletives at journalist Raissa Robles.
The video was in defense of President BBM’s alleged non-payment of taxes, but was generously laced with curses and other un-printables.
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The Supreme Court recalled Gadon’s previous infractions: he vowed to pulverize Muslim communities and exterminate innocent children if they do not cooperate with the government in its anti-insurgency efforts.
Gadon called Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno’s supporters “bobo” while flashing his middle finger at them when the quo warranto petition against her was being heard in Baguio City.
Gadon also said that he did not care if he was disbarred, “I will still eat delicious food and live comfortably. I don’t depend on income from lawyering alone, unlike some IBP officials.”
He imputed in a radio program that former President Benigno C. Aquino III died of HIV.
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Gadon’s defense is that he was driven by passion and merely expressed his anger and disgust against Robles. The statements were directed at Robles as a journalist and not as a woman.
The Supreme Court, however, mentioned the approval of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability which became effective in April last year. Its provisions have retroactive application even though the video clip in question became viral in the context of the 2022 elections.
Canon II, section 2 of that Code provides that “a lawyer shall not engage in conduct that adversely reflects on one’s fitness to practice law, nor behave in a scandalous manner, whether in public or private life, to the discredit of the legal profession.”
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The Court rejected Gadon’s defense because even if it is granted that he was only defending President Marcos, “he was neither justified nor excused in using undignified, abusive and disrespectful language considering his membership in the Bar.”
This new code for lawyers has adjusted with the times. Lawyers are prohibited from committing “any form of physical, sexual, psychological or economic abuse or violence against another person.”
Also disallowed is “engaging in any gender-based harassment or discrimination.” A lawyer can only use dignified, gender-fair, and sensitive language in all personal and professional dealings.
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The Court also rejected Gadon’s defense that he did not intend the video to be made public as it was meant for Ms. Robles’ personal consumption. This is deduced from the fact that Ms. Robles got a copy of the video from someone other than Gadon. This means that he shared it with someone else.
The Court also recalled prior suspension from the practice of law when he was sanctioned by the court and told to refrain from using abusive and intemperate language which displays arrogance towards the legal system and his colleagues in the profession./PN
