Escudero wants lawyer disbarred over defamatory posts

FILE: Senate President Francis Escudero. (Photo by Avito Dalan)

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Senator Francis Escudero has asked the Supreme Court to disbar lawyer Jesus Nicardo Madarang Falcis III, accusing him of repeatedly making defamatory and baseless social media posts that violated the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).

In a copy of verified complaint sent to reporters Monday, Escudero cited at least seven public Facebook posts by Falcis from July to September 2025 that allegedly used “abusive, demeaning, and malicious language” against him.

He said the remarks not only damaged his reputation but also undermined the dignity of the legal profession.

Among the posts quoted in the complaint were Falcis’ remarks calling Escudero “sinungaling” (liar), “bulok na keso” (rotten cheese), and the “worst Senate President in history.”

Falcis also allegedly accused Escudero of orchestrating PHP142 billion worth of budget insertions in the 2025 national budget, linking these to alleged pork barrel allocations and to political allies.

Escudero, who attached copies of the posts as annexes to his petition, argued that Falcis violated multiple provisions of the CPRA, including the use of undignified language, imputing misconduct without basis, and posting unverified or false statements on social media.

“The sheer nature and impact of respondent’s posts and the irresponsible conduct that characterizes them sadly merit a specie of bar discipline beyond mere warning, reprimand, or even suspension,” he said.

Escudero asked the SC to remove Falcis from the Roll of Attorneys, stressing that his acts “compromise the dignity of the legal profession” and “virtually sentence complainant in the bar of public opinion that now exists in cyberspace.”

Escudero said Falcis had previously been cited for direct and indirect contempt by the SC in connection with an earlier case, which he said showed “a propensity to violate and continue to violate” ethical rules.

The complaint was filed with the Office of the Bar Confidant in Manila and supported by Escudero’s judicial affidavit.

The CPRA, adopted in 2022, requires lawyers to act with propriety, respect, and courtesy at all times, including in online platforms.

It specifically prohibits lawyers from posting false or unverified statements and from using abusive or intemperate language, whether in traditional or social media.