The Supreme Court (SC) imposed a fine of P155,000 on Berteni Causing, a disbarred lawyer, for violating the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability.

The penalty stems from an incident in 2016 where Causing berated legal researcher Bernadette Oncines, a court employee, after she refused his request for a retraction.The SC ruled that Causing's actions violated his sworn duty to maintain respect for the courts.

The case was investigated by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), which found Causing repeatedly ignored directives to submit his position paper and attend mandatory conferences.

The court emphasized that while lawyers have the right to criticize judges, this right does not justify slanderous remarks or insults against court staff.

The ruling underscores the importance of professional conduct and respect for judicial institutions, highlighting the consequences of misconduct by legal professionals.