Disbarment issue not for public consumption yet

I refer to the Inquirer articles dated Aug. 23, 2011 and Nov. 17, 2012 (“Ongpin seeks disbarment of bank spokesperson” and “Ongpin to appeal CA ruling”). Both articles, written by Daxim Lucas, reported on the disbarment case filed against me by Roberto Ongpin. Please be informed that, under Section 10, Rule 139 of the Rules of Court, disbarment proceedings are confidential in nature. The rationale behind this is that a lawyer’s reputation, upon which rests his career, should not be unduly tarnished by the public announcement of disbarment cases until a final judgment is obtained.

May I, therefore, request the Inquirer to kindly refrain from reporting about the disbarment case which was filed against me before a final judgment is obtained from the Supreme Court, since its previous publications have already caused grave and irreparable damage to my reputation. Otherwise, I will be constrained to file the corresponding legal action against the responsible persons to protect my interest.

If the Inquirer will be mentioning my name in its future articles, may I also request that I be given equal opportunity to air my side of the controversy, in the interest of balanced and fair reporting. I may be contacted through telephone number 8191624 or 0922-8132517.

—ATTY. ZENAIDA ONGKIKO-ACORDA,
Ongkiko Manhit Custodio & Acorda
Law Offices, Makati City