Senator Escudero Files Petition to Disbar Lawyer Over Alleged Defamatory Social Media Posts

MANILA – Senator Francis Escudero has formally requested the Supreme Court to disbar attorney Jesus Nicardo Madarang Falcis III, accusing him of repeatedly posting defamatory and unfounded statements on social media platforms, constituting violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).

According to Escudero’s verified complaint, filed and forwarded to media outlets on Monday, lawyer Falcis published at least seven public Facebook posts between July and September 2025. These posts allegedly contained "abusive, demeaning, and malicious language" aimed at the senator, damaging his reputation and dishonoring the legal profession.

The complaint highlights specific instances where Falcis allegedly referred to Escudero as a "sinungaling" (liar), "bulok na keso" (rotten cheese), and "the worst Senate President in history." Furthermore, Falcis accused Escudero of orchestrating PHP142 billion in budget insertions in the 2025 national budget, linking these to alleged pork barrel allocations and associates within the political sphere.

Escudero attached screenshots of the posts to substantiate his petition, asserting that Falcis breached several CPRA provisions including the prohibition against the use of undignified language, making baseless accusations, and posting unverified or false information online.

In the complaint, Escudero emphasized, "The sheer nature and impact of the respondent’s posts and the irresponsible conduct that characterizes them sadly merit a specie of bar discipline beyond mere warning, reprimand, or even suspension."

He urged the Supreme Court to remove Falcis from the Roll of Attorneys, underscoring that the lawyer's conduct "compromise[s] the dignity of the legal profession" and subjects Escudero to undue public defamation within the cyberspace community.

Escudero also noted that Falcis had been previously cited by the Supreme Court for both direct and indirect contempt related to a prior case, suggesting a persistent disregard for ethical standards.

The complaint was formally filed with the Office of the Bar Confidant in Manila and supported by Escudero’s judicial affidavit.

The CPRA, implemented in 2022, mandates that lawyers maintain propriety, respect, and courtesy at all times, including on digital platforms. It explicitly prohibits the dissemination of false or unverifiable statements and the use of abusive language in all media forms.

This case underscores the growing scrutiny over the conduct of legal professionals in the digital age and reflects ongoing efforts to uphold standards of integrity within the judiciary and legal community.