DISBARMENT | Gadon faces disbarment complaint from HIV advocates

December 2, 2021 , 05:12 PM

By Clarist Zablan

(December 2, 2021) – A group of HIV advocates filed a disbarment case against a pro-administration lawyer and senatorial aspirant for allegations of gross misconduct after giving a defamation statement against a former president.

In a 35-page administrative complaint, two human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) advocates petitioned the Supreme Court to revoke the license of Larry Gadon for violating laws against discriminating on people living with HIV (PLHIV), tarnishing the noble practice of law with his words and conduct.

“Stigma kills, and a member of the Philippine Bar is tainting the noble practice of law with the blood of prejudice,” complainants Elena Felix and Gem Cabreros said in the preface of the complaint.

Gadon, seeking a seat in the Senate under the banner of the late dictator’s son, has found himself at the center of a controversy when he said in a radio show that former president Benigno Aquino II died from HIV infection in June.

Aquino passed away from complications from diabetes, his family has said.

The complainants said that he wilfully and deliberately broke rules under the Code of Professional Responsibility mandating lawyers to obey the law, uphold the integrity of the profession, and refrain from speaking in improper language. He also violated his oath to do no falsehood and conduct himself as a lawyer.

Felix and Cabreros called on the court to act quickly on their complaint to “preserve the integrity and dignity of the legal profession,” asserting that an officer of the court should not be allowed to perpetuate stigma and discriminatory acts, particularly to people living with HIV.

“What Atty. Gadon did was not just a feeble attempt to tarnish the former president’s reputation and to disrespect his family, friends, loved ones, and followers, but more importantly it hurt Philippine society’s decades’ long fight against HIV and those living with HIV,” the complainants said.

Gadon is currently facing four more disbarment complaints over foul language. Different complainants have called out the lawyer for vowing to kill Muslims during his 2016 senatorial run, making false allegations against ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno in 2018, and for calling a group of Sereno’s supporters as “bobo.”

He was also previously suspended for three months in 2019 speaking in “offensive” language towards a doctor a decade ago.

“That he shows no remorse in actions and continues to brazenly show very little respect for others, indifference to people’s health and privacy, and complete disregard for human dignity, justifies the imposition of the most severe form of disciplinary action,” the complainants said.

(MM)

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