(Eagle News) — A third disbarment complaint was filed against lawyer Larry Gadon on Friday, April 20, over his demeanor toward pro-Sereno rallyists during oral arguments in Baguio on April 10.
Zena Bernardo, Natividad Dela Cruz Natividad, Jose Mari Tomines Callueng, Nona Andaya-Castillo, Evangeline Hernandez, Jennifer Aiza Santaolaya, Faith Angelie Catalan, and Mark Vincent Lim, who described themselves as “concerned citizens, activists, community workers, mothers” said Gadon’s cursing at the protesters–which was caught in a picture–was in violation Rule 7.03 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, which provides that a lawyer “shall not engage in conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law, nor shall he whether in public or private life, behave in a scandalous manner to the discredit of the legal profession,” and Rule 8.01 which states that a lawyer “shall not, in his professional dealings, use language which is abusive, offensive, or otherwise improper.”
They said it was also in violation of Section 20, Rule 138 of the Rules of Court which allegedly says that lawyers should “abstain from all offensive personality.”
“In full view of the public and the media, the respondent acted like a madman (apologies to actual madmen) unleashed for a public spectacle. In fact, reviewing the quality of his unsolicited pleadings, he appears to be more fit as a third-rate actor (apologies to actual third-rate actors) than a respectable member of the Bar,” they said.
In 2016, first disbarment complaint was filed against Gadon over his allegedly hateful remark against Muslims.
This was followed by a second complaint filed in March by lawyer Wilfredo Garrido Jr., who accused Gadon of making perjurious statements in hearings held in connection with the impeachment complaint filed against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
Gadon has said he does not mind being disbarred if Sereno was removed from her post.