Mary Ann T. Mattus vs. Atty. Albert T.

Villaseca
A.C. No. 7922
October 1, 2013
PETITIONER'S CLAIM: Petitioner and her husband, German Bernardo D.
Mattus, engaged the services of Atty. Villaseca to represent them in a case
for estafa thru falsification of public document filed in the Regional Trial
Court (RTC), Branch 20, Imus, Cavite. Petitioner maintained that she and
German were convicted due to Atty. Villasecas gross and inexcusable
negligence in performing his duties as their counsel.
RULING: YES. Undoubtedly, Atty. Ricafort was required to hold in trust any
money and property of his clients that came into his possession, and he
needed to be always mindful of the trust and confidence his clients reposed
in him. Thus, having obtained the funds from the Tarogs in the course of
his professional employment, he had the obligation to deliver such funds to
his clients (a) when they became due, or (b) upon demand.