Case: STEPHAN BRUNET & VIRGINIA BRUNET. vs ATTY RONALD GUAREN l A.C.

10164
Date: March 10, 2014, l Ponente: Mendoza J
Subject:
Digested by: Shiela Maquiling

Facts:

On August 9, 2002, the couple brunet filed a case again Atty Guaren for the negligence of duty regarding the titling
of their acquired residential lot in Bonbon, Nueva Caseres last February 1997.

Atty guaren did the following:

 He asked for a fee of Php 10,000 including expenses relative to its proceeding- full payment of the fee shall
be made after the delivery of the title
 He asked for the advance fee of Php 1,000
 He took all the pertinent documents relative to the titling of their lot ctc of the tax declaration, original
copy of the deed of exchange, sketch plan, deed of donation, survey plan and original copy of waiver.
 Additional payment of Php 6,000 on March 10, 1997.

The couple was bothered with the slow progress of the case and demanded Atty Guaren to return the money they
paid however, Atty guaren told them that he could return the money as long he will be deducting Php5,000 for the
professional fees. IBP Board of Governors adopted and approved with modification of CBD, suspending Atty
Guaren from the practice of law for 3 months however, the court finds Atty Guaren’s conduct unethical founding
him guilty who violated the Canons 17 & 18 of Code of Professional Responsibility, charging him to suspend his
practice of law for 6 months effective from the receipt of the resolution.

ISSUE #1: Whether or not Atty Guaren is guilty of not doing his job as a lawyer.

Ruling: YES, as canon 17 & 18 stated on the Code of Professional Responsibility that once an attorney-client
relationship is established a lawyer owes fidelity to the cause of his client and he shall be mindful of the trust and
confidence reposed in him and shall serve them with competence and diligence. Therefore, he must do his duty as
lawyer in titling the lot acquired by the couple since he’s been receiving payments for the said case and must be
diligent enough to finish it with delaying.