FACTS: The accused was charged with the crime of rape with homicide committed against a 9 year old minor. He entered the plea of guilty for the crime charged. When the prosecution rested its case, Atty. Saldavia of the PAO appointed as counsel de oficio for the accused manifested that since his client had already pleaded guilty he would no longer present any evidence. He only invoked the mitigating circumstances of plea of guilty.
ISSUE: Whether or not the counsel de officio of the accused acted properly as defense counsel.
HELD: No. Canon 18 of the Code of Professional Responsibility requires every lawyer to serve his client with utmost dedication, competence and diligence. He must not neglect a legal matters entrusted to him, and his negligence in this regard renders him administratively liable. In the instant case, the defense lawyer did not protect, much less uphold the fundamental rights of the accused. Instead, they haphazardly performed their function as counsel de officio to the detriment and prejudice of the accused.
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