Larry Gadon disbarred by Supreme Court over profane remarks against veteran journalist
The Supreme Court has unanimously (15-0 vote) disbarred Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon for repeatedly cursing and making profane remarks against veteran reporter Raissa Robles, as seen in a viral video.
In a statement posted on Twitter on June 28, the SC’s Public Information Office said the Court found the clip as “as indisputably scandalous that it discredits the legal profession.” It stated that violated Canon II on Propriety of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, “which imposes the standard that “[a] lawyer shall, at all times, act with propriety and maintain the appearance of propriety in personal and professional dealings, observe honesty, respect, and courtesy, and uphold the dignity of the legal profession consistent with the highest standards of ethical behavior.”
“The Court pointed out that Gadon unfortunately failed to realize that lawyers are expected to avoid scandalous behavior, whether in their public or private life,” the PIO said.
According to the PIO, Gadon was convicted by the Court and suspended from practicing law for three months “for similarly using offensive and intemperate language.” He was also warned that committing the same offense “would merit a more severe sanction.”
There are other pending administrative cases against Gadon: six before the Office of the Bar Confidant and four before the Commission on Bar Discipline of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
“The court thus concluded: ‘Although these cases have yet to be decided, the volume of administrative complaints filed against Atty. Gadon indubitably speaks of his character,” the PIO said.
The PIO also reminded lawyers that the privilege to practice law “is bestowed only upon individuals who are competent, intellectually, academically, and equally important, morally.”
“There is no room in this noble profession for misogyny and sexism,” it added. “The Court will never tolerate abuse, in whatever form, especially when perpetrated by an officer of the court.”
Gadon has reacted to the move in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel on June 28. “The problem with the Supreme Court is they did not see the reason why I had that kind of outburst because Ms. Robles of Rappler was spreading lies against the President and it was done during the campaign period so it was really damaging on our part.”
He also stressed that the pending administrative cases mentioned by the SC were filed over a decade ago. “Every popular lawyer always has cases against them in the IBP. There are no rulings on those cases, they were just heightened by the Supreme Court, of course, to justify their actions,” he said.
When asked whether he regrets his previous remarks against Robles, Gadon said: “No, I have no regrets because my President won. If I did not counter those acts of Raissa Robles, then people might have believed her and my President might not have won but the thing is, my president won. President Bongbong Marcos won overwhelmingly and for the first time, with a majority vote among the electorates. So I have no regrets.”
Gadon has recently been appointed presidential adviser on poverty alleviation. He noted in the same interview that the SC’s move to disbar him will not affect his appointment in any way. “I can say that this has nothing to do with how I will do the job,” he said.