Supreme Court disbars Larry Gadon, Marcos firm on his appointment

By Jennifer T. Santos

MANILA — A day after Malacanang announced his appointment as Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation, the Supreme Court unanimously disbarred losing senatorial candidate Lorenzo Larry Gadon over a viral video where he is seen hurling expletives against a veteran journalist.

In reaction to the disbarment ruling, Gadon will continue to take on his new role in government, Malacañang said .

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the SC decision has no bearing on Gadon’s designation as an adviser to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., triggering protests from certain groups.

In a statement issued on June 28, the High Court said the video showed Gadon’s “misogynistic, sexist, abusive, and repetitive intemperate language” against journalist Raissa Robles.

Bersamin said Marcos is confident that Gadon “will do a good job” in helping his administration combat poverty.

“We were aware of Sec. Gadon’s cases before the Supreme Court but the President felt that his work as presidential adviser will not get affected by his status as a lawyer,” he said.

“He will continue on his new role as Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation as there are urgent matters that need to be done in the President’s anti-poverty programs,” Bersamin added.

The court also said the video was “indisputably scandalous that it discredits the legal profession.”

The high court also cited Gadon in direct contempt of court for his “baseless” allegations of partiality and bias against Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.

The Supreme Court recalled that Gadon also faced suspension from practicing law for using “offensive and intemperate language.”

“The privilege to practice law is bestowed only upon individuals who are competent intellectually, academically and, equally important, morally. There is no room in this noble profession for misogyny and sexism. The Court will never tolerate abuse, in whatever form, especially when perpetrated by an officer of the court,” the High Tribunal stated in its ruling.

Reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision, Gadon said he would file a motion for reconsideration, branding the ruling as “too harsh for the alleged cause.”

Gadon also said his disbarment will not impact his new role under the Marcos administration.

Gadon admitted, meanwhile, that he stopped practicing law since 2015.