Former press secretary Rose Beatriz “Trixie” Cruz-Angeles has been handed a six-month suspension from practicing law by the Supreme Court (SC) due to her use of improper language during a legal proceeding.
The SC’s resolution, dated March 27, cited Angeles’ violation of Rule 8.01 Canon 8 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, which prohibits lawyers from using “abusive, offensive, or otherwise improper” language in their professional dealings.
Angeles, along with her co-counsel, lawyer Ahmed Paglinawan, was subject to the complaint filed by lawyer Roderick Manzano in 2016. The complaint accused them of using derogatory language in a pleading submitted on behalf of their client.
The offending statements, which included terms like “incorrigible liar,” “INC (Iglesia ni Cristo) patsy,” and “Eduardo Manalo’s pawn,” were deemed by the SC to be aimed at insulting, dishonoring, and humiliating the complainants in the unlawful detainer case, thus falling outside the bounds of privileged communication.
The SC emphasized that such language was grossly abusive and offensive, failing to uphold the dignity expected of legal professionals and justifying the imposition of disciplinary measures.
In response, Angeles denied being the author of the contentious pleading and stated her intention to pursue all legal avenues to be heard by the SC and seek justice in the matter.
Angeles had previously served as the press secretary of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. from June 30, 2022, to October 4, 2022, before resigning due to health reasons.
