FIRST DIVISION
[G.R. No. 235996. April 2, 2018.]
ATTY. EDGARDO G. BANIAGA, petitioner,vs. OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT CORPORATE COUNSEL, respondent.
NOTICE
Sirs/Mesdames :
Please take notice that the Court, First Division, issued a Resolution datedApril 2, 2018which reads as follows: cAaDHT
"G.R. No. 235996 (Atty. Edgardo G. Baniaga v. Office of the Government Corporate Counsel). — The petitioner's motion for an extension of fifteen (15) days within which to file a petition for review on certiorari is GRANTED, counted from the expiration of the reglementary period.
After a review of the records, the Court resolves to DENY the petition for failure of petitioner to show any reversible error in the assailed ruling. The Court of Appeals affirmed the findings of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on petitioner's gross negligence in handling the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) case, including his failure to inform his client and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) of the joint manifestation he filed submitting the case for decision, the subsequent adverse judgment against CEZA and his failure to appeal the same. Taken together, all these circumstances show that petitioner committed Gross Neglect of Duty, Grave Misconduct, Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service and Violation of Reasonable Office Rules and Regulations and Less Serious Dishonesty. The factual findings of the CSC, supported by substantial evidence and affirmed by the Court of Appeals, as in this case, are accorded respect if not finality and are considered binding on this Court.
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the petition is DENIED. The assailed Resolutions dated August 23, 2017 and November 29, 2017 issued by the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 149278 are hereby AFFIRMED.
SO ORDERED."Sereno, C.J., on leave; De Castro, J., designated as Acting Chairperson of the First Division per Special Order No. 2540 dated February 28, 2018.
Very truly yours,
(SGD.) LIBRADA C. BUENADeputy Division Clerk of Court