In a unanimous vote of 15-0, the Supreme Court disbars Larry Gadon over profane remarks he uttered against journalist Raissa Robles.
The Supreme Court en banc disbarred Larry Gadon for his utterance of “profane remarks” against journalist Raissa Robles, the court said in its statement published on its website earlier today, June 28, 2023.
The statement said,
By a unanimous vote of 15-0, the Supreme Court En Banc resolved to disbar Atty. Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon for the viral video clip where he repeatedly cursed and uttered profane remarks against journalist Raissa Robles. The Court had motu proprio taken cognizance of the video clip and issued an earlier order of preventive suspension from the practice of law against Gadon pending a judgment in the case.
2023, Statement of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Court also said that the viral video clip was “indisputably scandalous that it discredits the legal profession,” citing Gadon for a violation of the Canon II on Propriety, of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability. Gadon, the Court said, “Failed to realize that lawyers are expected to avoid scandalous behavior, whether in their public or private life.”
Previously, the Supreme Court has convicted Larry Gadon for using “offensive and intemperate language” suspending him for three months from the practice of law. Moreover, the court also warned Larry Gadon for a serious sanction should the same offense is repeated.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Bar Confidant has 6 other pending administrative cases against Larry Gadon and 4 before the Commission on Bar Discipline of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. The court further said that despite no decision yet for these cases filed against Larry Gadon, such amount of complaints, the court said, “indubitably speaks of his character.”
The Supreme Court unanimous ruling has a reminder to all lawyers. It said,
The privilege to practice law is bestowed only upon individuals who are competent intellectually, academically and, equally important, morally. xxx xxx xxx There is no room in this noble profession for misogyny and sexism. The Court will never tolerate abuse, in whatever form, especially when perpetrated by an officer of the court.
ibid
The Supreme Court decided the case against Atty. Larry Gadon on June 27, 2023. RQJ
Since 2011, Regel Javines has been writing online, sharing news and analysis on a range of noteworthy and urgent social issues. He completed his bachelor’s degree in office administration at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)—Taguig Campus, where he also served as editor-in-chief of the official school newspaper. See Regel’s published articles here.