MANILA - The Supreme Court (SC) has suspended a legal officer of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from the practice of law for immorality, spokesperson Atty. Theodore Te said Tuesday.

In a press briefing, Te said the high court found Atty. Leonardo Advincula guilty of immorality and suspended him from law practice for a period of three months.

Te said the case stems from a complaint filed by Advincula's wife, Cecilia, "for alleged immorality arising from an extra-marital affair which was entered into before he became a lawyer."

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) recommended a penalty of one-month suspension, but the SC ruled that he will be suspended for three months.

The high court warned that a "more severe penalty" will be imposed if Advincula commits the same or a similar offense.

The high court ordered the chief of the NBI's Personnel Division to implement the suspension from office of Advincula.