Supreme Court suspends lawyer Jesus Falcis over 2018 social media post

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court suspended lawyer Jesus Falcis III from practicing law for one year after finding him guilty of simple misconduct over a vulgar social media post.

In a decision promulgated on Nov. 18, 2025 and penned by Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez, the high court's Second Division imposed the one-year suspension, citing Falcis' lack of remorse and his prior administrative infractions.

The case stemmed from a 2018 Twitter post in which Falcis defended his brother, Nicko Falcis, against a qualified theft complaint filed by celebrity Kris Aquino.

In the post, Falcis used profanity and explicit slurs to attack Aquino's supporters, whom he called "biased na dilawan," and told them to check their cognitive biases.

The post prompted Jason Baltao, Aquino's former business partner, to file a complaint for conduct unbecoming of a lawyer.

Falcis, in his defense, argued that the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression. He also claimed that previous Supreme Court rulings acknowledged that some Filipino profanities are often used to express anger or frustration rather than to defame.

Court rejects free speech defense

The Supreme Court rejected Falcis' arguments, saying the lawyer's oath and ethical duties set limits on free speech.

The high court ruled that Falcis violated the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which requires lawyers to use dignified and culturally sensitive language in both professional and personal dealings, including on social media.

"As a lawyer, respondent must understand the consequences of uttering vulgar words in his Twitter account, its risks, and ethical implications, including the likelihood of it spreading indiscriminately, becoming available to anyone on social media, and the influence that it could have on lawyers and non-lawyers alike, not to mention the children who have been exposed to social media," the Supreme Court said.

"Evidently, respondent failed to take these implications and consequences into account, and in doing so, he likewise failed in upholding the directive to responsibly use social media," it added.

The high court said that while Falcis had the right to defend his brother, he should have done so by presenting rational legal arguments and citing news reports instead of resorting to profanity.

By launching personal attacks, the court said Falcis created the impression that lawyers are free to insult the public. It also said his use of politically charged terms fostered divisive animosity instead of constructive discussion.

Falcis accepts suspension

In response to the decision, Falcis said he would accept the Supreme Court's ruling, saying all lawyers are subject to the high court's disciplinary authority.

Falcis said he was trying to protect his family's safety and reputation, as well as his brother's life and liberty.

"I felt helpless and powerless except for my small voice on social media. We were nobodies and I was screaming against the void," Falcis said in a social media post.

"If being suspended is the price I have to pay for defending my family, then it is a price I will pay in any lifetime," he added.

Falcis also urged the high court to resolve pending disbarment cases against former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte.

"I beg the Honorable Court to resolve the pending disbarment cases of former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Vice President Sara Duterte, to show that indeed, no one is above the law," Falcis said.

"And to our dear Senator-Judges, if a lawyer like me can be suspended for cursing, then a Vice President like Sara Duterte should likewise be answerable not just for cursing but for threatening the life of the President and the First Lady," he added.