Digest.ph

This case involves a dispute between squatter families and their former lawyer, Atty. Santiago R. Robinol. The squatter families formed an organization called "Samahang Pagkakaisa ng Barrio Bathala" (Samahan) and negotiated with the original landowner, the Colegio de San Jose, for the purchase of the land on which their homes were built. However, their leader, Bernabe Martin, conspired with a realtor named Maximo Rivera to purchase the land exclusively for themselves. The land was ultimately sold to Rivera, and the squatter families filed a civil case to claim ownership of the land. Atty. Santiago R. Robinol was hired as their counsel and was paid a fee of P2,000.00. The Court of Appeals eventually ruled in favor of the squatter families, ordering the defendants to execute a deed of conveyance in their favor. However, after receiving the funds from the squatter families, Atty. Robinol refused to deliver the money to them, claiming that he was entitled to a larger portion of the land as his attorney's fees. The squatter families terminated his services and hired a new lawyer, Atty. Anacleto R. Montemayor. Atty. Robinol refused to return the funds, leading to the filing of an administrative complaint against him. In response, Atty. Robinol filed a complaint for disbarment against Atty. Montemayor. The Solicitor General recommended that Atty. Robinol be suspended for three months and ordered to return the funds to the squatter families, while the case against Atty. Montemayor should be dismissed.

Lawyers have a fiduciary duty to their clients and must act in their best interests. They are not entitled to unilaterally appropriate their clients' funds or change the terms of their agreed-upon compensation. Clients have the right to terminate their lawyer's services and hire a new lawyer at any time.