Gadon to remain presidential adviser despite disbarment —Bersamin

Newly-appointed Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon will keep his post despite his disbarment by the Supreme Court, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Wednesday.

According to Bersamin, Gadon’s work as a presidential advisor will not be affected by his status as a lawyer.

“He will continue on his new role as Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation as there are urgent matters that need to be done in the President's anti-poverty programs,” Bersamin said in a statement.

“The President believes he will do a good job,” he added, referring to Gadon.

Voting 15-0, the Supreme Court en banc disbarred Gadon in connection with viral video clip where he repeatedly cursed and uttered profane remarks against journalist Raissa Robles.

The announcement of Gadon's disbarment came two days after he was appointed as Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation.

Gadon said that he would file a motion for reconsideration "on the ground that the penalty is too harsh."

But in a Balitanghali interview on Wednesday, Gadon shrugged off the disbarment, noting that he has not been practicing as a lawyer for close to a decade already.

“Balewala 'yan kasi nag-retire na ako as a lawyer. Since 2015 hindi na ako nagpra-practice eh. I have not been appearing in court and I have not been practicing as a lawyer since 2015,” he said.

(It’s of no value because I already retired as a lawyer. I have not been practicing since 2015. I have not been appearing in court and I have not been practicing as a lawyer since 2015.) 

According to Supreme Court justices, they found the video of Gadon "indisputably scandalous that it discredits the legal profession."

The SC cited Gadon particularly for violating Canon II on Propriety, of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, "which imposes 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."

For the SC, Gadon "failed to realize that lawyers are expected to avoid scandalous behavior, whether in their public or private life."

In his statement in reaction to the SC decision, Gadon said this development will not affect his commitment to his new role in the government as Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation. —KBK, GMA Integrated News