Isaiah Pangan
Chiz Escudero's verified complaint against Jesus Falcis
Former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has asked the Supreme Court for a disbarment against Lawyer Jesus Nicardo Madarang Falcis III, for alleged violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), referring to several Facebook posts that he described as defamatory and inappropriate for a member of the Bar.
Filed on September 29, the verified complaint emphasized Falcis’ different posts from July to September 2025, calling Escudero ‘Makapal ang mukha’ (shameless), ‘The worst Senate President in History,’ and ‘Bulok na keso’ (rotten cheese), among other comments linked to the 2025 national budget and flood control projects.
Escudero stressed that the statements were not only ‘accusatory and malicious’ but also violated Canon II (Propriety) and Canon III (Fidelity) of the CPRA, which requires lawyers to act with civility, and uphold respect for the rule of law.
He pointed out that Falcis has crossed the line by using language intended to humiliate rather than contribute to public discourse, after he acknowledged that public officials must accept criticism.
“As a duly elected public official, as well as having been in public service for many years, complainant naturally respects the right of every citizen, including respondent as co-member of the Philippine Bar, to comment on matters of public interest,” Escudero said.
“And even granting without admitting that he may have had a point regarding these postings, still the nobility of the profession requires him to speak and comment in a dignified and non-insulting manner and with due respect to a member of the Philippine Bar.” he added.
Escudero asked the Court to impose the ultimate sanction of disbarment, stressing that suspension or reprimand would no longer be sufficient for a repeat offender.
Responding to the complaint, Falcis said Escudero himself may have violated court rules by disclosing the disbarment case.
“By disclosing and disseminating the fact of his filing of a disbarment complaint against me, Atty. Chiz Escudero himself has committed an act worthy of disbarment,” Falcis said.
He stood firmly that his remarks were fair criticism of a public official as he reiterated that Escudero was "Shameless and the worst Senate President in history.”
As Falcis responded to the complaint, he also challenged the senator to explain the allegations of ‘₱160 million in kickbacks’ and ‘₱142 billion worth of budget insertions’ in the 2025 national budget, instead of targeting lawyers who called him out.
“‘Wag niyang antaying itaas ko ang kilay ko! Matatalo siya sa laki at kapal ng kilay ko.” Falcis exclaimed in latest post.
