f'1D

l\epuhlic of tbe llbilippines

~upreme C!Court
manila

SECOND DIVISION

LIANG FUJI, A.C. No. 11043

Complainant,
Present:

CARPIO, J., Chairperson,

PERALTA,
MENDOZA,
-versus- LEONEN, and
JARDELEZA, JJ.

ATTY. GEMMA ARMI M. DELA ~~or~~~te1611

CRUZ, J~u&j.
x------------ -~~~~~~~~~=------------------------------~~--cs--~--x
RESOLUTION

LEONEN,J.:

Failure to exercise utmost prudence in reviewing the immigration

records of an alien, which resulted in the alien's wrongful detention, opens
the special prosecutor in the Bureau of Immigration to administrative
liability.

Before this Court is an administrative complaint 1 dated November 23,

2015 filed by Liang Fuji (Fuji) and his family, against Bureau of
Immigration Special Prosecutor Gemma Armi M. Dela Cruz (Special
Prosecutor Dela Cruz) for gross misconduct and gross ignorance of the law
in relation to her issuance of a Charge Sheet against Fuji for overstaying.

1
Rollo, p. 1.
I
Resolution 2 A.C. No. 11043

Through a letter2 dated December 8, 2015, Deputy Clerk of Court and

Bar Confidant Atty. Ma. Cristina B. Layusa directed the complainants to file
a verified complaint "with supporting documents duly authenticated and/or
affidavits of persons having personal knowledge of the facts alleged" 3 in the
complaint.

Complainants replied4 by furnishing this Court with copies of the

Verified Petition to Reopen S.D. 0. No. BOC-2015-357 (B.L.O. No. SBM-
15-420) and for Relief of Judgment with Urgent Prayer for Immediate
Consideration, and Administrative Complaint (Verified Petition and
Administrative Complaint), 5 which Fuji filed with the Board of
Commissioners of the Bureau of Immigration, and prayed that the same be
treated as their verified complaint. Complainants further informed this
Court that they had difficulty obtaining certified true copies of the
November 21, 2013 Order of the Board of Commissioners, which granted
Fuji's Section 9(g) visa, Summary Deportation Order dated June 17, 2015,
and Warrant of Deportation from the Bureau of Immigration personnel who
just gave them the "run[-]around."6 They alleged that the Bureau of
Immigration personnel were not particularly helpful, and did not treat Fuji's
"h urgency. 7
case wit

The facts of this case show that in a Summary Deportation Order8

dated June 17, 2015, Fuji, a Chinese national, was ordered deported for
overstaying. From the Order, it appears that Special Prosecutor Dela Cruz
was the special prosecutor who brought the formal charge against Fuji and
another person upon her finding that Fuji's work visa had expired on May 8,
2013, with extension expired on December 6, 2013. 9 Special Prosecutor
Dela Cruz found that Fuji had overstayed for one (1) year and six (6) months
in violation of Commonwealth Act No. 613, Section 37(a)(7). 10 Her
investigation was triggered by a complaint-affidavit dated April 30, 2015 of
a certain Virgilio Manalo alleging that Fuji and another person had
defrauded him. 11
)
Id. at 3.
Id.
4
Id. at 5--6.
Id. at 8-12.
6
Id. at 5.
7
Id.
Id. at 13-14. The Summary Deportation Order was signed by the Board of Commissioners
Chairperson Siegfred B. Mison, and Members Abdullah S. Mangotara, and Gilberto U. Repizo.
9
Id.
1
Com. Act No. 613, sec. 37 provides:
Section 37. (a) The following aliens shall be arrested upon the warrant of the Commissioner of
Immigration or of any other officer designated by him for the purpose and deported upon the warrant
of the Commissioner of Immigration after a determination by the Board of Commissioners of the
existence of the ground for deportation as charged against the alien:

(7) Any alien who remains in the Philippines in violation of any limitation or condition under which he
was admitted as a non-immigrant[.]
11
Id. at 13.
Resolution 3 A.C. No. 11043

On June 29, 2015, Fuji filed his Motion for Reconsideration. 12

On July 28, 2015, the Bureau of Immigration Intelligence Division

served Fuji's Warrant of Deportation, and thereafter arrested him at Brgy.
Maloma, San Felipe, Zambales with the assistance from local police. 13 Fuji
was brought to and detained at the Bureau of Immigration Detention
Facility, National Capital Region Police Office, Taguig City. 14

On October 9, 2015, the Board of Commissioners denied Fuji's

Mot10n 1or Recons1.deration.
. .f:'. . ls

On November 23, 2015, Fuji filed his Verified Petition and

Administrative Complaint. 16 Subsequently, on March 10, 2016, Fuji filed an
Omnibus Motion to Reopen and Lift S.D.O. BOC-2015-357, and Release on
Bail through counsel. 17

On March 22, 2016, the Board of Commissioners issued a Resolution

dismissing the deportation charge against Fuji on the ground that "[t]he
records show that Liang has a working visa valid until 30 April 2016 under
Jiang Tuo Mining Philippines, Inc. as Marketing Liason." 18 Fuji was
directed to be released from Bureau of Immigration-Warden's Facility on
March 23, 2016. 19

In his administrative complaint, Fuji alleged that his rights to due

process were violated since he was not afforded any hearing or summary
deportation proceedings before the deportation order was issued against
him. 2 Fuji further alleged that Special Prosecutor Dela Cruz failed
miserably in discharging her duties because a simple initial review of the
Bureau of Immigration records would have revealed that he was not
overstaying because his Section 9(g) work visa was valid until April 30,
2016. 21

In her August 25, 2016 Comment, 22 respondent Special Prosecutor

Dela Cruz denied that she committed any grave misconduct. 23 She claimed
that Fuji was accorded due process during the summary deportation

12
Id. at 26.
I
13 Id.
14
Id. at 32.
15
Id. at 26.
16
Id.at8-12.
17
Id. at 57.
ls Id.
19
Id. at 27.
20
Id.at9-10.
21
Id. at 9.
2
2 Id. at 25-31.
23
Id. at 29.
Resolution 4 A.C. No. 11043

proceedings. 24 He was directed, through an Order dated May 14, 2015 of the
Legal Division, to submit his Counter-Affidavit/Memorandum, which he
failed to do. 25 Fuji was also able to file his motion for reconsideration and
. . to reopen t h e case. 26
ven"fi1e d petition

Respondent further claimed that the Memorandum dated June 4, 2015

of the Bureau of Immigration - Management Information System (BI-MIS)
constituted a substantial evidence of Fuji's overstay in the country, hence,
27
her formal charge had legal basis.

Respondent added that as a civil servant, she enjoyed the presumption

28
of regularity in the performance of her duties. She had no intention to
violate any law and did not commit any flagrant disregard of the rules, or
unlawfully used her station to procure some benefit for herself or for other
persons. 29 Respondent pointed out that the Ombudsman had in fact
dismissed the complainant's charges against her. 30 She added that Fuji stated
in his March 29, 2016 Affidavit of Desistance that he had mistakenly signed
some documents including the administrative complaint. 31

We find respondent administratively liable for her negligence in

her failure to ascertain the facts before levying the formal charge
against Fuji for overstaying.

Generally, this Court defers from taking cognizance of disbarment

complaints against lawyers in government service arising from their
administrative duties, and refers the complaint first either to the proper
administrative body that has disciplinary authority over the erring public
official or employee or the Ombudsman. 32

33
For instance, in Spouses Buffe v. Gonzales, this Court dismissed the /

24
Id. at 27-28.
25
Id. at 28.
26 Id.
27
Id. at 29.
28
Id. at 31.
29
Id. at 30.
30
Id. at 31.
31
Id.at31-32.
32
Spouses Bujfe v. Gonzalez, A.C. No. 8168, October 12, 2016
<http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/2016/october2016/8168.pdt> [Per
Acting C.J. Carpio, Second Division]; Alicias, Jr. v. Macatangay, A.C. No. 7478, January I 1, 2017
<http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/2017/january2017/74 78.pdt> [Per
J. Carpio, Second Division].
33
A.C. No. 8168, October 12, 2016
<http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/2016/october2016/8168.pdt> [Per
Acting C.J. Carpio, Second Division].
Resolution 5 A.C. No. 11043

disbarment complaint against former Secretary of Justice Raul M. Gonzalez,

former Undersecretary of Justice Fidel J. Exconde, Jr., and former
Congressman Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona, holding that the respondents were
public officials being charged for actions involving their official functions
during their tenure, which should be resolved by the Office of the
Ombudsman. 34 In that case, one ( 1) of the respondents sought to dismiss the
complaint on the ground of forum-shopping because he allegedly received
an order from the Office of the Ombudsman directing him to file a counter-
affidavit based on the same administrative complaint filed before the Office
of the Bar Confidant. 35

Again, in the fairly recent case of Alicias, Jr. v. Macatangay, 36 the

Court dismissed the complaint against respondents - government lawyers in
the Civil Service Commission. The Court held that the acts or omissions
alleged in the complaint were "connected with their . . . official functions in
the [Civil Service Commission] and within the administrative disciplinary
jurisdiction of their superior or the Office of the Ombudsman." 37 It would
seem that the complainant directly instituted a disbarment complaint with
this Court instead of filing an administrative complaint before the proper
administrative body.

This case is an exception. Unlike the circumstances in Spouses Buffe

and Alicias, Jr., the records here show that the Office of the Ombudsman had
previously dismissed Fuji's administrative complaint due to the pendency of
his Verified Petition and Administrative Complaint before the Bureau of
Immigration, and considered the case closed. 38

The Bureau of Immigration subsequently granted Fuji's petition to

reopen his case and ordered his release. However, it was silent as to the
culpability of respondent on the charges levelled by Fuji.

Thus, with the termination of the administrative proceedings before

the Office of the Ombudsman and the apparent inaction of the Bureau of
Immigration on complainant's administrative complaint, this Court considers
it proper to take cognizance of this case, and to determine whether there is
sufficient ground to discipline respondent under its "plenary disciplinary '1
authority" 39 over members of the legal profession. 40 /'f
34
Id. at 6-7.
35
Id. at 4.
36
A.C.No.7478,Januaryll,2017
<http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/2017/january2017/7478.pdf.> [Per
J. Carpio, Second Division].
37
Id. at 5.
38
Rollo, pp. 53-54; Letter dated February 19, 2016 signed by Acting Director Julita M. Calderon of the
Public Assistance Bureau and noted by Assistant Ombudsman Evelyn A. Baliton.
39
Bernardino v. Santos, A.C. Nos. 10583 & 10584, February 18, 2015 <
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/20I5/february2015/105 83 .pdf.> 13
[Per J. Leonen, Second Division] citing Zaldivar v. Sandiganbayan, 248 Phil. 542 (1988) [Per Curiam,
Resolution 6 A.C. No. 11043

Contrary to respondent's stance, Fuji's purported Affidavit of

Desistance is not sufficient cause to dismiss this administrative complaint.
This Court has previously held that proceedings of this nature cannot be
"interrupted or terminated by reason of desistance, settlement, compromise,
restitution, withdrawal of the charges or failure of the complainant to
prosecute the same." 41 The primary object of disciplinary proceedings is to
determine the fitness of a member to remain in the Bar. It is conducted
solely for the public welfare, 42 and the desistance of the complainant is
irrelevant. What will be decisive are the facts borne out by the evidence
43
presented by the parties. In Rayos-Ombac v. Rayos:

A case of suspension or disbarment may proceed regardless of interest or

lack of interest of the complainant. What matters is whether, on the basis
of the facts borne out by the record, the charge of deceit and grossly
immoral conduct has been duly proven. This rule is premised on the
nature of disciplinary proceedings. A proceeding for suspension or
disbarment is not in any sense a civil action where the complainant is a
plaintiff and the respondent lawyer is a defendant. Disciplinary
proceedings involve no private interest and afford no redress for private
grievance. They are undertaken and prosecuted solely for the public
welfare. They are undertaken for the purpose of preserving courts of
justice from the official ministration of persons unfit to practice in them.
The attorney is called to answer to the court for his conduct as an officer
of the court. The complainant or the person who called the attention of the
court to the attorney's alleged misconduct is in no sense a party, and has
generally no interest in the outcome except as all good citizens may have
in the proper administration of justice.44

II

Respondent Dela Cruz claimed that she issued the formal charge
against Fuji for overstaying on the basis of the Memorandum dated June 4,
2015 of the BI-MIS. 45 A copy of the Memorandum with attachments was
attached to respondent's Comment. 46

However, nowhere in the Memorandum was it stated that Fuji

"overstayed" or that "Liang's working visa expired on 8 May 2013 and his
~
En Banc].
40
Bernardino v. Santos, A.C. Nos. 10583 & 10584, February 18, 2015 <
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/20l5/february2015/ 10583 .pdf> 13
[Per J. Leonen, Second Division].
41
Ali v. Atty. Bubong, 493 Phil. 172, 184 (2005) [Per Curiam, En Banc].
42
Bautista v. Atty. Bernabe, 517 Phil. 236, 241 (2006) [Per J. Ynares-Santiago, First Division]; De Vera
v. Commissioner Pineda, 288 Phil. 318, 328 (1992) [Per J. Padilla, En Banc].
43
349 Phil. 7 (1998) [Per J. Puno, En Banc].
44
Id. at 15.
45
Id. at 29.
46
Id. at 74-102.
Resolution 7 A.C. No. 11043

TVV expired on 6 December 2013" 47 as respondent claims. Relevant

portions of the Memorandum read:

For ATTY. GEMMAARMI M. DELA CRUZ

From ACTING CHIEF, MIS DIVISION
Re REQUEST FOR IMMIGRATION STATUS; VISA
EXTENSION PAYMENT, LATEST TRAVEL AND
DEROGATORY OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. MR.IMS. LIANG FUJI
2. MR./MS. CHEN XIANG HE
3. MR.IMS. JACKY CHANG HE
Date : 04 June 2015

Further to your request for verification of Immigration Status; Visa

Extension Payment and TRAVEL RECORD/S, please find the result/s as
follows:

Result/s : 1. LIANG FUJI

- Derogatory Record Not Found
- Latest Travel Record Found (Please see the
attached files for your ready reference. NOTE:
DOB: 18 October 1991)
- Immigration Status Found
- Latest Payment Record Found in BI-Main
(Please see the attached files for your ready
reference. NOTE: DOB: 18 October 1991)48

The Memorandum merely transmitted copies of immigration records

showing details of filing of applications, such as official receipts, - and
travel record of Fuji. It was respondent Dela Cruz who made the
determination that Fuji overstayed on the basis of thedocuments transmitted
to her by the BI-MIS.

Among the documents transmitted by the BI-MIS were computer

print-outs showing details of official receipts dated June 14, 2013, August 7,
2013, and November 19, 2013 for temporary visitor visa extension and
official receipt dated July 15, 2013 for an application for change of
immigration status. Also, the travel records of Fuji show the following
details:

Date & Time

Verifier
4 June 2015 3:05 PM
DIMARUCOT J
j
Database TRAVEL-ARRIVAL

7
4 Id. at 29.
8
4 Id. at 74.
Resolution 8 A.C. No. 11043

TRAVEL DATE TRAVEL FLIGHT IMMIG PORT OFFIC3ER ACTION REMARKS

TIME NO STATUS
10- 11:34PM CZ377 9G NAIAl MIJARES ALLOWED
FEBRUARY-
2014
06- 11:51PM CZ377 9A NAIAl PARANGUE ALLOWED
JANUARY-
2012
22- l 1:25PM CZ377 9A NAIAl NUNEZ ALLOWED
49
SEPTEMBER-
2011

Fuji's travel records as of June 4, 2015, show his arrival in the

Philippines on February 10, 2014 under a work visa immigration status. 50
Simple prudence dictates that respondent Atty. _,Dela Cruz should have
verified whether or not the July 15, 2013 application for change of status had
been approved by the Bureau of Immigration Commissioners, especially
since she had complete and easy access to the immigration records.

Respondent failed in the performance of her basic duties. Special

prosecutors in the Bureau of Immigration should exercise such degree of
vigilance and attention in reviewing the immigration records, whenever the
legal status and documentation of an alien are at issue. For while a
deportation proceeding does not partake of the nature of a criminal action, it
is however, a harsh and extraordinary administrative proceeding affecting
the freedom and liberty of a person. 51

Respondent was expected to be reasonably thorough in her review of

the documents transmitted to her by the BI-MIS, especially as it may
ultimately result in the deprivation of liberty of the prospective deportee.
She should not have simply relied on the handwritten note by a personnel
from the BI-MIS at the bottom portion of the receipt dated November 19,
2013 for 9A visa extension stating "Valid until: 06-Dec-2013." Had she
inquired further, she would have discovered that Fuji's application dated
July 15, 2013 for conversion from temporary visitor visa (9A) to work visa
(9G) was approved by the Board of Commissioners on November 21, 2013 -
or one (1) year and seven (7) months earlier - with validity until April 30,
2016. Thus, even if Fuji's temporary visitor (9A) visa had expired on
December 6, 2013 his stay in the country was still valid under the 9G work
VIS a.

Generally, a lawyer who holds a government office may not be

disciplined as a member of the Bar for misconduct in the discharge of her ~
duties as a government official. 52 However, if said misconduct as a
49
Id. at 83.
so Id.
51
Domingo v. Scheer, 466 Phil. 235, 271 (2004) [Per J. Callejo, Sr., Second Division] citing Lao Gi v.
Court ofAppeals, 259 Phil. 1247, 1254 (1989) [Per J. Gancayco, First Division].
52
Facturan v. Barcelona, Jr., A.C. No. 11069, June 8, 2016,
Resolution 9 A.C. No. 11043

government official also constitutes a violation of her oath as a lawyer and

the Code of Professional Responsibility, 53 then she may be subject to
disciplinary sanction by this Court.

Atty. Dela Cruz failed to observe Rule 18.03 of the Code of the
Professional Responsibility, which mandates that "a lawyer shall not neglect
a legal matter entrusted to him, and his negligence in connection therewith
shall render him liable." As a special prosecutor in the Bureau of
Immigration, she is the representative, not of any private party, but of the
State. Her task was to investigate and verify facts to determine whether a
ground for deportation exists, and if further administrative action - in the
form of a formal charge - should be taken against an alien.

Had respondent carefully reviewed the records of Fuji, she would

have found out about the approval of Fuji's application, which would negate
her finding of overstaying. Because of her negligence, Fuji was deprived of
his liberty for almost eight (8) months, until his release on March 23, 2016.

Simple neglect of duty is defined as a failure to, give attention to a task

due to carelessness or indifference. 54 In this case, respondent's negligence
shows her indifference to the fundamental right of every person, including
aliens, to due process and to the consequences of her actions.

Lawyers in government service should be more conscientious with

their professional obligations consistent with the time-honored principle of
public office being a public trust. 55 The ethical standards under the Code of
Professional Responsibility are rendered even more exacting as to
government lawyers because they have the added duty to abide by the policy
of the State to promote a high standard of ethics, competence, and
professionalism in public service. 56 In this case, respondent's negligence
evinces a failure to cope with the strict demands and high standards of public
service and the legal profession.

The appropriate sanction is discretionary upon this Court. 57 Under the

Civil Service Rules, 58 the penalty for simple neglect of duty is suspension ~

<http://scjudiciary.gov .ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/20l6/june2016/11069.pdf> 4 [Per

J. Perlas-Bernabe, First Division]; Vitriolo v. Dasig, A.C. No. 4984, April 1, 2003, 448 Phil.199, 207
(2003) [Per Curiam, En Banc].
53
Lim-Santiago v. Sagucio, 520 Phil. 538, 551-552 (2006) [Per J. Carpio, En Banc].
54
Atty. Salum bides v. Office of the Ombudsman, 633 Phil. 325, 339 (2010) [Per J. Carpio Morales, En
Banc].
55
Ramos v. Jmbang, 557 Phil. 507, 513 (2007) [Per Curiam, En Banc].
56
Far Eastern Shipping Co. v. Court of Appeals, 357 Phil. 703, 723 (1998) [Per J. Regalado, En Banc];
Rep. Act No. 6713 (1989) or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and
Employees, sec.4.
57
Uy v. Tansinsin, 610 Phil. 709, 716 (2009) [Per J. Nachura, Third Division].
58
csc Res. No. 11O1502 (2011) or the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, Rule
10, sec. 46(D) provides:
Section 46. Classification of Offenses. - Administrative offenses with corresponding penalties are
Resolution 10 A.C. No. 11043

for one (1) month and one (1) day to six (6) months. In previous cases, 59
this Court imposed the penalty of suspension of three (3) months to six (6)
months for erring lawyers, who were negligent in handling cases for their
clients. We find appropriate the penalty of suspension of three (3) months
considering the consequence of respondent's negligence. This suspension
includes her desistance from performing her functions as a special
prosecutor in the Bureau of Immigration.

WHEREFORE, respondent Atty. Gemma Armi M. Dela Cruz 1s

SUSPENDED from the practice of law for three (3) months.

The respondent, upon receipt of this Resolution, shall immediately

serve her suspension. She shall formally manifest to this Court that her
suspension has started, and copy furnish all courts and quasi-judicial bodies
where she has entered her appearance, within five (5) days upon receipt of
this Resolution. Respondent shall also serve copies of her manifestation on
all adverse parties in all the cases she entered her formal appearance.

Let a copy of this Resolution be furnished the Office of the Bar

Confidant to be attached to Atty. Gemma Armi M. Dela Cruz's personal
record. Copies of this Resolution should also be served on the Integrated
Bar of the Philippines for its proper disposition, and the Office of the Court
Administrator for circulation to all courts in the country.

SO ORDERED. \

Associate Justice

WE CONCUR:

Associate Justice
Chairperson

classified into grave, less grave or light, depending on their gravity or depravity and effects on the
government service.

D. The following less grave offenses are punishable by suspension of one (1) month and one (1) day
suspension to six (6) months for the first offense; and dismissal from the service for the second
offense:
1. Simple Neglect of Duty[.]
59
See Layos v. Villanueva, A.C. No. 8085, December 1, 2014, 743 SCRA 334 [Per J. Perlas-Bernabe,
First Division]; Penilla v. Alcid, Jr., 717 Phil. 210 (2013) [Per J. Villarama, Jr., First Division];
Ba/dado v. Mejica, 706 Phil. 1 (2013) [Per J. Villarama, Jr., First Division]; Vda. de Enriquez v. San
Jose, 545 Phil. 379 (2007) [Per J. Quisumbing, Second Division]; Perla Compania de Seguros, Inc. v.
Saquilabon, 337 Phil. 555 (1997) [Per J. Vitug, First Division].
Resolution 11 A.C. No. 11043

JOSEC ENDOZA

Associate Justice