MANILA - Lawyer Larry Gadon, a failed senatorial candidate and counsel representing Peter Joemel “Bikoy” Advincula in the sedition complaint against opposition figures, has started serving his 3-month suspension the Supreme Court had ordered in June.

In a letter dated October 24 and submitted to Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, chairman of the Supreme Court 2nd Division, Gadon said he only learned of his suspension from members of the media who asked for his comments.

Gadon said he would voluntarily serve his 3-month suspension from October 24, 2019 to January 25, 2020 even as he has not received official court notice.

Lawyer Lorenzo Gadon submits letter to SC Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio (Chair, Second Division) voluntarily suspending himself from the practice of law from Oct 24, 2019 to Jan 25, 2020 despite not having received yet SC's order suspending him for 3 mos. pic.twitter.com/ynWWBkXmbs

— Mike Navallo (@mikenavallo) October 24, 2019

The high court had ordered Gadon suspended in June over abusive language, but the resolution came to light only earlier this month.

• EXCLUSIVE: SC suspends 'bobo' heckler Gadon over ‘abusive’ language

"Thank you for your kind understanding and consideration as I hereby respectfully and sincerely apologize to the Honorable Supreme Court for whatever demeanor that I have committed leading to the suspension," Gadon wrote.

When asked how his suspension will affect his role as Advincula's legal counsel, Gadon said it would not have any direct effect since his role in the case is "corporate and business in nature."

"The suspension does not really matter because I have not really practiced law by appearing in court hearings for almost 5 years already. My kind of lawyering is consultancy on legal strategies, contract negotiation, drafting of agreements which are corporate and business in nature," he told reporters.

The Supreme Court suspended Gadon for 3 months over his use of “abusive and intemperate language” towards a doctor and a fellow lawyer, words that the high court said “lessen the confidence of the public in the Philippine judicial system.”

• EXCLUSIVE: SC suspends 'bobo' heckler Gadon over ‘abusive’ language

The case stemmed from a 2009 disbarment complaint filed by a dermatologist whom Gadon allegedly unilaterally suspended in March 2009 from a mall-based healthcare facility on the basis of a complaint from a patient.

When the dermatologist complained of reduced clinic hours, Gadon, as corporate secretary and vice president of the healthcare facility, responded by revoking her privilege to work with the clinic through a harshly-worded letter.

Gadon, known as the man behind the impeachment complaint against ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, drew public attention in 2018 for calling the then top magistrate's supporters "mga bobo" (stupid), and flashing the middle finger at them outside the high court compound in Baguio City.

During his failed electoral campaign, he styled himself as an "anti-bobo" crusader. He later claimed he lost because he was cheated.

• 'Sila yung nauna': Gadon says no regrets on cussing protesters

- with a report from Mike Navallo, ABS-CBN News