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Advocates Philippines
Escudero Seeks Lawyer's Disbarment Over 'Abusive' Facebook Posts
Photo credit: Chiz Escudero
Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero has formally asked the Supreme Court to disbar a fellow lawyer, Atty. Jesus Nicardo Madarang Falcis III, arguing that a barrage of abusive posts on Facebook crossed the line from free speech to professional misconduct.
In a verified complaint filed on Monday, September 29, Escudero accused Falcis of "gross and serious violations" of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA). The senator, himself a member of the Philippine Bar, contends that while lawyers enjoy free speech, their profession demands they exercise this right with dignity, civility, and respect.
Posts Cited as 'Malicious and Hateful'
The complaint points to a series of Falcis' Facebook posts from July to September 2025 that allegedly maligned Escudero over the national budget and flood control programs. The senator’s pleading highlighted remarks that called him “shameless,” the “worst Senate President in history,” and repeatedly referred to him using the insult “bulok na keso” (rotten cheese).
Escudero argues these were “gratuitous instruments of contempt designed to publicly humiliate complainant.” The complaint asserts that Falcis violated Canon II (Propriety) for failing to act with courtesy toward a fellow lawyer, and Canon III (Fidelity) by undermining respect for the rule of law when he aired accusations on social media rather than before the proper legal forum.
Standard of Conduct for Lawyers
Escudero emphasized that public officials must accept criticism, but lawyers are duty-bound to exercise this right with dignity. "Frustratingly enough, respondent crossed the line," Escudero stated, stressing that the nobility of the legal profession requires members to speak in a dignified and non-insulting manner.
Escudero is asking for the most extreme penalty: disbarment, arguing that a mere suspension or reprimand won't suffice. The complaint cites that Falcis is a repeat offender, having been previously cited by the Supreme Court for direct and indirect contempt in another case, showing a "propensity to violate" the CPRA.
The pleading notes that social media posts reach not only devices in the Philippines but globally, and that the language used by Falcis “can hardly be considered as a form of free speech.”
The action follows Supreme Court precedents, including the 2022 disbarment of lawyer Berteni “Toto” Causing for posting a draft plunder complaint on Facebook and the 2023 stripping of license from lawyer Larry Gadon for a profane tirade. These cases, Escudero argued, demonstrate that a lawyer’s right to free speech isn't absolute when it undermines the dignity of the profession.
In a verified complaint filed on Monday, September 29, Escudero accused Falcis of "gross and serious violations" of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA). The senator, himself a member of the Philippine Bar, contends that while lawyers enjoy free speech, their profession demands they exercise this right with dignity, civility, and respect.
Posts Cited as 'Malicious and Hateful'
The complaint points to a series of Falcis' Facebook posts from July to September 2025 that allegedly maligned Escudero over the national budget and flood control programs. The senator’s pleading highlighted remarks that called him “shameless,” the “worst Senate President in history,” and repeatedly referred to him using the insult “bulok na keso” (rotten cheese).
Escudero argues these were “gratuitous instruments of contempt designed to publicly humiliate complainant.” The complaint asserts that Falcis violated Canon II (Propriety) for failing to act with courtesy toward a fellow lawyer, and Canon III (Fidelity) by undermining respect for the rule of law when he aired accusations on social media rather than before the proper legal forum.
Standard of Conduct for Lawyers
Escudero emphasized that public officials must accept criticism, but lawyers are duty-bound to exercise this right with dignity. "Frustratingly enough, respondent crossed the line," Escudero stated, stressing that the nobility of the legal profession requires members to speak in a dignified and non-insulting manner.
Escudero is asking for the most extreme penalty: disbarment, arguing that a mere suspension or reprimand won't suffice. The complaint cites that Falcis is a repeat offender, having been previously cited by the Supreme Court for direct and indirect contempt in another case, showing a "propensity to violate" the CPRA.
The pleading notes that social media posts reach not only devices in the Philippines but globally, and that the language used by Falcis “can hardly be considered as a form of free speech.”
The action follows Supreme Court precedents, including the 2022 disbarment of lawyer Berteni “Toto” Causing for posting a draft plunder complaint on Facebook and the 2023 stripping of license from lawyer Larry Gadon for a profane tirade. These cases, Escudero argued, demonstrate that a lawyer’s right to free speech isn't absolute when it undermines the dignity of the profession.
Sep 29, 2025
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