Insulting Bar Confidant, justices disbar lawyer

The Supreme Court has disbarred a prosecutor for insulting justices and cursing a Bar Confidant during an outburst on her suspension in 2017.

In a unanimous per curiam (anonymous) decision posted on the SC's website, Atty. Perla D. Ramirez's name was removed from the Roll of Attorneys for violating the Lawyer's Oath, as well as Rule 7.03 of Canon 7, Rule 8.01 of Canon 8, and Rule 11.03 of Canon 11 within the Code of Professional Responsibility.

The disbarment arose from a complaint filed against Ramirez by employees of a Makati City condominium where she resided. The complaint cited her unruly and offensive behavior towards residents and employees spanning from 1990 to 2007.

The SC found Ramirez liable for violating Canon 7.03 of the CPR in a resolution dated 30 July 2014 and suspended her from the practice of law for six months. It also warned her that any recurrence of similar behavior would be met with even harsher consequences.

In an attempt to have her suspension lifted in 2016, Ramirez was advised by the Office of the Bar Confidant to file the required motion and provide a sworn statement asserting that she refrained from practicing law during her suspension period.

Ramirez contested the Bar Confidant's jurisdiction, arguing that the requirement did not apply to her.

Due to Ramirez's refusal to comply with the filing of a sworn statement, the OBC recommended denying her request and the SC concurred in its 1 August 2016 resolution, stipulating that her suspension would persist until she satisfied the conditions.

On 15 March 2017, Ramirez visited the OBC to inquire about the status of her suspension order.

During the visit, she directed offensive and derogatory language towards Atty. Ma. Cristina B. Layusa, the then Bar Confidant, as well as the justices of the SC.

"Bruha ka; Oo, bruha; p—– — mo; You are a disgrace to the legal profession; Konting brains naman; Clerk ka lang; You dont know your work; You dont know your job xxx," Ramirez told Layusa.

Ramirez also made foul and offensive remarks to the justices of the Court by saying, "Are those justices passers under RA 1080 [?]"
OBC personnel and a member of the SC Security Division witnessed the outburst.

The SC issued a resolution on 19 April 2017 instructing Ramirez to respond to the incident report submitted by the OBC.

Instead of complying, she submitted a letter requesting the lifting of her suspension.

The Court then referred the case to the OBC, which recommended disbarment in light of her behavior.

In its final judgment the SC upheld the OBC's recommendation, emphasizing that the practice of law is a privilege subject to the regulatory power of the Court.

The SC underscored the necessity for lawyers to maintain the highest standards of morality and integrity throughout their careers to preserve the legal profession's reputation.