The Supreme Court has ordered the disbarment of Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña for accusations he had hurled against members of the High Court.

In a decision dated April 17, the SC ordered Peña’s name stricken from the roll of attorneys for “ violating Canons, 8, 10 and 11 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and for failing to give due respect to the courts and his fellow lawyers”.

“Peña is hereby disbarred from the practice of law, effective upon receipt of this decision…” the SC ruled.

Peña said yesterday said he will file a motion for reconsideration to the Supreme Court order.

“This is a small price for exposing shenanigans of some justices,” Peña said.

He said he will file a motion for reconsideration to point out mistakes made in the decision.

“Even if I am disbarred I can represent myself legally in court,” he added.

At the same time, he said that, anyway, as a public official he cannot practice his profession by taking on other cases.

In a complaint he filed in November last year before the SC committee on ethics and ethical standards, Peña accused Justice Antonio Carpio of falsifying a Nov. 13, 2002 ruling of the tribunal’s First Division to favor Urban Bank, and Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno of “protecting” Carpio by refusing to inhibit herself from the case.

The case stemmed from a case involving his collection for services he rendered to Urban Bank and for reimbursement of costs in connection with an ejectment case involving several commercial establishments along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

Peña claimed he should be paid P28.5 million, but the SC only granted P3 million as payment.

In its decision, the SC said that Peña’s “conduct, demeanor and language with respect to his cause of action…tends to undermine the integrity and reputation of the judiciary, as well as inflict unfounded accusations against fellow lawyers.”

The SC said Peña had an “uncanny ability” to obtain confidential and internal court records and to use them in his pleadings in furtherance of his cause.

In its order, the SC also directed the SC clerk of court to investigate how Peña obtained several confidential and internal court records, and make recommendations on the administrative and disciplinary liabilities, if any, of court personnel possibly involved.*CPG

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