Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

The Supreme Court building in Manila. April 21, 2014. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News.

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178149465592820140421-supreme-court-JC-A01A8795.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Supreme Court building in Manila. April 21, 2014. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><em>Content warning: This story mentions expletives. </em></div><p>MANILA — The Supreme Court ordered the suspension of lawyer Jesus Nicardo Falcis III for one year over his 2018 tweet concerning the charges filed by actress Kris Aquino against his brother Nicko Falcis. </p><p>In the decision of the Second Division promulgated on November 18, 2025, the court barred Falcis from the practice of law after he was found guilty of simple misconduct.</p><p>Falcis also got a stern warning that a repetition of the same infraction would be dealt with more severely by the court.</p><p>The court noted in its decision the November 15, 2018 post of Falcis on his Twitter account: “Yung mga biased na dilawan dyan, halata kayo. Sa allegations ni Kris, paniwalang paniwala na kayo agad. Pero sa allegations namin na she threatened my brother, wala ako naririnig sa inyo? Pakyu kayo mga gaga haha check your cognitive biases.”</p><p>The suspension arose from the complaint filed by Jason Gene Baltao against Falcis before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for violation of Rule 7.03 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. </p><p>Baltao is a former business partner of Aquino, who at the time filed multiple counts of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/04/11/19/kris-aquino-withdraws-theft-complaint-vs-nicko-falcis-in-mandaluyong">qualified theft </a>against Nicko.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2019/1/9/fresh-scoops/kris-aquino-sheds-light-on-financial-issue-vs-nick-33500">Kris Aquino sheds light on financial issue vs Nicko Falcis</a></div><p>In his affidavit, Atty. Falcis argued that he cannot be held liable as he invoked prior decisions of the Supreme Court where it ruled that the phrase “putang ina” is not really meant to defame but an expression of anger or displeasure. </p><p>The IBP eventually issued a resolution ordering Falcis to pay a fine of P17,500 and reprimanding him, with a stern warning that repeating the same offense would be dealt with more severely.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2019/10/16/fresh-scoops/kris-aquino-ends-feud-with-nicko-jesus-falcis-re-40515">Kris Aquino ends feud with Nicko, Jesus Falcis; reveals both parties have settled all issues </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/01/09/19/kris-aquino-apologizes-to-abs-cbn-nadamay-kayo-sa-gulo">Kris Aquino apologizes to ABS-CBN: &#x27;Nadamay kayo sa gulo&#x27; </a></div><p>The high court however modified the penalty and imposed the one year suspension of Falcis, noting his past infraction.</p><p>The court stated that on September 3, 2019, Falcis was cited in direct and indirect contempt and ordered to pay a fine of P5,000. </p><p>“Here, this court resolves to increase the penalty imposable against respondent due to his previous administrative infractions of direct and indirect contempt and the gravity of his action in using profane and obscene words,” the court said in the decision penned by Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez. </p><p>In the court’s decision, Twitter’s public nature as a social networking site was emphasized.</p><p>“Certainly, Twitter&#x27;s public nature facilitates complex and unexpected interactions that breed viral events which can reach millions of users,” the court said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/03/13/19/in-case-you-miss-me-in-message-for-nicko-kris-posts-compilation-of-happier-times">‘In case you miss me’: In message for Nicko, Kris posts compilation of happier times</a></div><p>The court also noted that the word “dilawan” is a term used to describe members of the Liberal Party, including former President Noynoy Aquino and using the term only causes polarization between political groups instead of constructive engagement.</p><p>“The mandate to use social media responsibly among lawyers strengthens the trust of the public in the legal profession and must always be borne in mind by every lawyer,” the court said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/01/06/19/gretchen-barretto-sides-with-nicko-falcis-kris-aquino-reacts">Gretchen Barretto sides with Nicko Falcis; Kris Aquino reacts</a></div><p>While Falcis argued that he was only defending his brother, the court stated that he cannot exculpate himself and he should be reminded that high standards of conduct and morality are expected from the members of the bar. </p><p>“Finally, while freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Constitution, the lawyer&#x27;s oath and their duties and responsibilities ultimately serve as a limit thereto,” the court said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/6/5/kris-aquino-celebrates-son-joshua-s-31st-birthday-you-are-my-inspiration-0828">Kris Aquino celebrates son Joshua’s 31st birthday: &#x27;You are my inspiration’</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/3/24/look-kris-aquino-reunites-with-dingdong-dantes-1335">LOOK: Kris Aquino reunites with Dingdong Dantes </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/2/1/kris-aquino-shares-goals-for-video-podcast-and-gives-an-update-on-her-recovery-1246">Kris Aquino shares goals for video podcast and gives an update on her recovery </a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-eKv6LIqmCA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tOtgDeB9b6A?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1euUBolCAUU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Supreme Court announced Monday it has suspended lawyer Jesus Nicardo Falcis III from the practice of law for one year over his 2018 social media post defending his brother, who was then facing charges filed by actress Kris Aquino.</p>

The Supreme Court announced Monday it has suspended lawyer Jesus Nicardo Falcis III from the practice of law for one year over his 2018 social media post defending his brother, who was then facing charges filed by actress Kris Aquino.

Lawyer Jesus Falcis suspended by Supreme Court over tweets on sibling, Kris Aquino

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Lawyer Jesus Falcis suspended by Supreme Court over tweets on sibling, Kris Aquino

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 15, 2026 11:39 AM PHT

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Updated June 15, 2026 12:55 PM PHT

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