Celsius Resources (ASX, AIM: CLA) has announced that it, and other complainants have filed a verified disciplinary complaint seeking the disbarment of Attorney Julito “Sarge” R. Sarmiento (“Attorney Sarmiento”) and other respondent lawyers from Sarmiento Loriega Law for alleged violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability.
The other senior respondents from SL Law include:
- Attorney Maria Elizabeth “Beth” E. Peralta-Loriega (Founding Partner and the Co-Managing Partner);
- Attorney Recolito Ferdinand “Ricky” N. Cantre, Jr. (Senior Partner);
- Attorney Jose A. Linsangan (Senior Partner);
- Attorney Bryan A. San Juan (Senior Partner); and
- Attorney Christine C. Clemente (Partner).
In addition, several junior lawyers are also named in the disciplinary disbarment complaint. This follows the recent filing of a criminal complaint with the Philippines Department of Justice against Attorney Sarmiento around an alleged contravention under Section 2-A of the AntiDummy Law.
Given the requirements governing disciplinary proceedings in the Philippines, this announcement is strictly limited to confirming the fact that the complaint has been filed. The complaint concerns a matter of legitimate public and national interest in the Philippines. It arises in the context of the publicly disclosed governance of Makilala Mining Company, Inc. (“MMCI”) and the development of the MCB Copper-Gold Project which is being advanced under a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (“MPSA”) with the Philippine Government.
