The first division of the Supreme Court has imposed a one-year suspension on a Bacolod lawyer and ordered his disqualification from reappointment as Notary Public for two years for violations of the notarial laws.

The SC’s decision came after a resolution by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines’ Board of governors dated Nov. 12, 2005 on the administrative charges filed against lawyer Osmundo Pomperada by his distant relatives Jose and Lina Villarosa.

In its resolution, the IBP board of governors said documentary evidence on record clearly showed that Pomperada failed to controvert the certification issued by the Records Management Office.

They also noted that Pomperada did not offer any explanation why his notarial register entered as Doc. No. 59, Page 13, of Book No. VIII is a different document from the Deed of Absolute Sale of Property, which he claimed was signed in his presence.

During the hearing of the case before IBP’s Commission on BAR discipline, Pomperada claimed he notarized the deed of Absolute Sale of the complainants’ father on April 19, 1993 and the certification of the Records and Management do not tally.

He also said that the issue of falsification remains unresolved before the court and therefore the administrative case was filed prematurely.

Pomperada yesterday told the DAILY STAR he has not received the copy of the Supreme Court’s resolution yet, but he said that once he has it, he will file a motion for reconsideration.

Pomperada, who used to be a policeman before he became a lawyer, said he is unfazed by the suspension imposed on him by the Supreme Court.*APN

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