The Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico upheld a one-year suspension for engineer Ángel Rodríguez Sánchez after he was found to have violated ethical standards in his profession. The decision, issued on June 26, 2026, affects Rodríguez's ability to practice engineering in Puerto Rico and emphasizes the importance of adhering to professional ethics.

This ruling comes after Rodríguez was sanctioned by the Professional Disciplinary and Ethics Tribunal of the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico. The court confirmed the tribunal's decision, which was based on allegations that Rodríguez had issued a permit in violation of established laws and regulations.

Background

The case began when Erasto García Pérez, the Executive Director of the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico, filed a complaint against Rodríguez on March 26, 2024. The complaint alleged that Rodríguez violated Canon 10 of the professional ethics guidelines. This was in relation to a court decision from November 30, 2022, which revoked a permit he had issued due to deficiencies in documentation and legality.

The Professional Disciplinary Tribunal conducted a hearing and found that Rodríguez had indeed failed to meet the legal requirements for issuing the permit. Following this, on September 5, 2025, the tribunal imposed a one-year suspension on Rodríguez and required him to complete an ethics course. Rodríguez disagreed with the decision and filed a motion for reconsideration, which was denied on September 29, 2025.

The Ruling

In the June 26 ruling, the Court of Appeals affirmed the tribunal's decision, stating, "The procedure followed by the administrative body complied rigorously with the constitutional guarantees of due process." The court emphasized that the tribunal's findings were based on substantial evidence and that Rodríguez's actions constituted a violation of ethical standards.

The ruling clarified that the ethical breach did not require proof of malicious intent or fraud on Rodríguez's part. Instead, the court noted that the mere failure to comply with legal and regulatory standards was sufficient for disciplinary action. The judges involved in the ruling were part of a special panel led by Judge Bonilla Ortiz.

Impact

This decision reinforces the strict adherence to ethical standards required of professionals in Puerto Rico, particularly in the engineering field. It serves as a warning to other engineers about the consequences of failing to comply with legal requirements in their work. The ruling also highlights the court's commitment to upholding the integrity of professional conduct within regulated industries.

Furthermore, the court's decision may set a precedent for future cases involving professional ethics violations, emphasizing that negligence and lack of diligence can lead to significant disciplinary measures, even in the absence of fraudulent intent.

What's Next

Rodríguez has the option to appeal this ruling to a higher court, but details regarding any potential appeal were not available in the court filing. There are currently no related cases pending that could impact this decision.