The Supreme Court (SC) has imposed a six-month suspension on former Malacañang press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles for violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility for the use of inappropriate language in a legal proceeding.
In a resolution dated March 27 but was only uploaded on July 19, the SC Third Division found Cruz-Angeles and Atty. Ahmed Paglinawan guilty of violating Rule 8.01, Canon 8 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, which states that “a lawyer shall not, in his professional dealings, use language which is abusive, offensive or otherwise improper.”
Cruz-Angeles was suspended from the practice of law for six months, effective upon her receipt of the resolution, while Paglinawan was reprimanded.
"Atty. Cruz-Angeles did not file or sign the Motion for Reconsideration. She had also been previously suspended from the practice of law. Hence, the imposition of suspension from the practice of law for a period of six months is in order," the Court said.
"On the other hand, the Court finds reasonable the penalty of reprimand on Atty. Paglinawan, considering that this is his first infraction," it added.
The SC warned both that a repetition or a similar act would be dealt with more severely.
Both the camps of Cruz-Angeles and Paglinawan have yet to issue a comment on the matter.
In October 2022, the former press secretary stepped down from her post due to medical reasons.
