leg prof introduction cases

7/23/2019 Leg Prof Introduction Cases

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BAR MATTER NO. 702 May12, 1994

Gentlemen:

Quoted hereunder, for yourinformation, is a Resolution of the

Court En Banc dated May 12, 1994.

Bar Matter o. !"2 #$n the Matterof %etition to authori&e 'haria(h)istrict Court *ud+es to --oint'hari(a a/yers as otaries %u0lic,tty. Royo M. Gam-on+, -etitioner

%etitioner Royo M. Gam-on+, aBachelor of a/s #$B +raduate ofotre )ame ni3ersity /ho /as

admitted to the %hili--ine 'hari(aBar on cto0er !, 1991, 5led theinstant -etition -rayin+ that thisCourt, after due notice andhearin+, issue an order authori&in+all 'hari(a )istrict Court *ud+es toa--oint 'hari(a a/yers /ho-ossess the 6uali5cations and noneof the dis6uali5cations as notaries-u0lic /ithin their res-ecti3e

7urisdictions.

n the theory that 'hari(a )istrictCourts are co8e6ual /ith there+ular Re+ional rial Courts in thehierarchy of the %hili--ine *udicial'ystem, -etitioner claims that 0yanalo+y, 'hari(a )istrict Court

*ud+es may 0e authori&ed toa--oint the mem0ers of the%hili--ine 'hari(a Bar. %etitionerfurther ar+ues that, 0ein+ a s-ecial

mem0er of the %hili--ine Bar and a-racticin+ 'hari(a la/yer, notarial

/or is indis-ensa0le andim-erati3e in the e;ercise of his-rofession< therefore, he is6uali5ed to 0e a--ointed as notary-u0lic 0y 'hari(a )istrict *ud+e.%etitioner lie/ise claims that'hari(a la/yers cannot 0ea--ointed as notaries -u0lic intheir -laces of residence and incities and other -ilot centers /here'hari(a courts are esta0lished0ecause the RC E;ecuti3e *ud+esin Cota0ato and Ma+uindanaore6uire them to securecerti5cations from the $B%'ecretary that there are no-racticin+ la/yers in the -lace/here they are a--lyin+. hus,

'hari(a la/yers lose their chance to0e a--ointed as notaries -u0lic0ecause of the -olicy of the $B%cha-ters in Re+ion 12 to a--ointre+ular $B% mem0ers -ractically inall munici-alities and -ro3inces.

he -etition is denied.

he a--ointment, 6uali5cation,7urisdiction and -o/ers of notaries

-u0lic are +o3erned 0y the-ro3isions of the otarial a/em0odied in 'ections 2=1 to'ection 241, Cha-ter 11 of theRe3ised dministrati3e Code,'ection 2=2 of the Re3iseddministrati3e Code as amended0y E;ecuti3e rder o. 41, May 11,194> -ro3ides:

'ection 2=2.--ointment of

notaries -u0lic. ? *ud+es of Courtof @irst $nstance #no/ Re+ional rial

Court in the res-ecti3e maya--oint as many notaries -u0lic asthe -u0lic +ood re6uires, and thereshall 0e at least one for e3erymunici-ality in each -ro3ince.otaries -u0lic in the City of Manilashall 0e a--ointed 0y one of the

7ud+es of the Court of @irst $nstance#no/ Re+ional rial Court of Manilato 0e chosen 0y the 7ud+es of the0ranches of said courtA #ords in-arenthesis su--lied

'trictly s-eain+, 'hari(a )istrictCourts do not form -art of theinte+rated 7udicial system of the%hili--ines. 'ection 2 of the

*udiciary Reor+ani&ation cts of

19" #B.%. Bl+. 129 enumeratesthe courts co3ered 0y the ct,com-risin+ the inte+rated 7udicialsystem. 'hari(a Courts are notincluded in the enumerationnot/ithstandin+ that, /hen saidB.%. Bl+. 129 too eDect on u+ust14, 191, %.). o. 1"= #other/iseno/n as ACode of Muslim %ersonala/s of the %hili--inesA /asalready in force. he 'hari(a Courts

are mentioned in 'ection 4> of thect only for the -ur-ose ofincludin+ them Ain the fundin+a--ro-riations.A

he fact that 7ud+es thereof arere6uired 0y la/ to -ossess thesame 6uali5cations as those ofRe+ional rial Courts does notsi+nify that the 'hari(a Court is are+ular court lie the Re+ional rial

Court. he latter is a court of+eneral 7urisdiction, i.e., com-etent


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to decide all cases, ci3il andcriminal, /ithin its 7urisdiction. 'hari(a )istrict Court, created-ursuant to rticle 1=! of%residential )ecree o. 1"=, is acourt of limited 7urisdiction,e;ercisin+ ori+inal only o3er casess-eci5cally enumerated in rticle14= thereof. $n other /ords, a'hari(a )istrict Court is not are+ular court e;ercisin+ +eneral

7urisdiction /ithin the meanin+ of'ection 2=2 of the otarial a/.

he fact, too, that 'hari(a Courtsare called AcourtsA does not im-lythat they are on e6ual footin+ orare identical /ith re+ular courts, for

the /ord AcourtA may 0e a--lied totri0unals /hich are not actually7udicial in character, 0ut are 6uasi87udicial a+encies, lie the 'ecuritiesand E;chan+e Commission, andRe+istration uthority, 'ocial'ecurity Commission, Ci3ileronautics Boards, Bureau of%atents, rademar and

echnolo+y, Ener+y Re+ulatoryBoard, etc. 1

Moreo3er, decisions of the 'hari(a)istrict Courts are not ele3ated tothis Court 0y a--eal under Rule 41,or 0y -etition for re3ie/ under Rule4>, of the Rules of Court. heirdecisions are 5nal A/hether ona--eal from the 'hari(a CircuitCourt or notA 2 and hence, mayreach this Court only 0y /ay of as-ecial ci3il action under Rule > of

the Rules of Court, similar to thoseof the ational a0or Relations

Commission, or the Central Boardof ssessment --eals. =

@urthermore, the 6uali5cations fora--ointment as a 7ud+e of a 'hari(a)istrict Court are diDerent fromthose re6uired of a 7ud+e of aRe+ional rial Court under 'ection1> of Batas %am0ansa Bl+. 129/hich -ro3ides:

'ection 1>. Quali5cations ? o-erson shall 0e a--ointed Re+ionaltrial Court *ud+e unless he is anatural 0orn citi&en of the%hili--ines, at least thirty853eyears of a+e, and, for at least tenyears, has 0een en+a+ed in the

-ractice of la/ in the %hili--inesre6uirin+ admission to the -racticeof la/ as an indis-ensa0lere6uirement.

$n case of 'hari(a Court 7ud+es, onthe other hand, a '-ecial BarE;amination for 'hari(a Courts /asauthori&ed 0y the 'u-reme Court inits En Banc resolution dated'e-tem0er 2", 19=. hose /ho

-ass said e;amination are 6uali5edfor a--ointment for 'hari(a court7ud+es and for admission to s-ecialmem0ershi- in the %hili--ine Barto -ractice la/ in the 'hari(a courts-ursuant to rticle 1>2, in relationto rticles 14 and 1> of %.). o.1"=. 'aid rticle 1>2, %.). o.1"= -ro3ides, thus:

rt. 1>2. Quali5cations. ? o

-erson shall 0e a--ointed 7ud+e ofthe 'hari(a Circuit Court unless he

is a natural 0orn citi&en of the%hili--ines, at least t/enty853eyears of a+e, and has -assed ane;amination in the 'haria( and$slamic 7uris-rudence #56h to 0e+i3en 0y the 'u-reme Court foradmission to s-ecial mem0ershi-in the %hili--ine Bar to -ractice la/in the 'hari(a courts.

he authority thus conferred 0y theotarial a/ u-on 7ud+es of theCourt of @irst $nstance, no/ theRe+ional rial Court, in theirres-ecti3e -ro3inces to a--ointnotaries -u0lic cannot 0ee;-anded to cloth the 7ud+es of the'hari(a )istrict Court /ith the same

statutory authority. he authority toa--oint notaries -u0liccontem-lated under 'ection 2=2 ofthe otarial a/ and thecorres-ondin+ su-er3isin+authority o3er them authori&edunder 'ection 24 thereof re6uirethe 6uali5cations and e;-erience ofan RC *ud+e.

$t must 0e made clear in this

re+ard that since a -erson /ho has-assed the 'hari(a Bar E;aminationdoes not automatically 0ecome are+ular mem0er of the %hili--ineBar, he lacs the necessary6uali5cation to 0e a--ointed anotary -u0lic. 'ection 2== of theotarial a/ -ro3ides for the6uali5cations for a--ointment asnotary -u0lic, thus:

'ection 2==.Quali5cations for--ointment. ? o 0e eli+i0le for


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a--ointment as notary -u0lic, a-erson must 0e a citi&en of the%hili--ines #or of the nited 'tatesand o3er t/enty8one years of a+e.Fe must, furthermore, 0e a -erson/ho has 0een admitted to the-ractice of la/ or /ho hascom-leted and -assed in thestudies of la/ in a re-uta0leuni3ersity or school of la/, or has-assed the e;amination for theoce of the -eace or cler orde-uty cler of court, or 0e a-erson /ho had 6uali5ed for theoce of notary -u0lic under the'-anish so3erei+nty.

$n the chartered cities and in the

ca-itals of the -ro3inces, /herethere are t/o or more la/yersa--ointed as notaries -u0lic, no-erson other than a la/yer or a-erson /ho had 6uali5ed to holdthe oce of notary -u0lic underthe '-anish so3erei+nty shall holdsaid oce.

$n munici-alities or munici-aldistricts /here no -erson resides

ha3in+ the 6uali5cations herein0efore s-eci5ed or ha3in+ them,refuses to hold such oce, 7ud+esof 5rst instance may a--oint other-ersons tem-orarily to e;ercise theoce of notary -u0lic /ho ha3ethe re6uisite 6uali5cations or5tness and morality.

$n an En Banc resolution of theCourt dated u+ust >, 199=, in Bar

Matter o. 1 ARe: %etition tollo/ 'hari(a a/yers to e;ercise

their -rofession at the re+ularcourts,A this Court cate+oricallystated that a -erson /ho has-assed the 'hari(a Bar E;aminationis only a s-ecial mem0er of the%hili--ine Bar and not a full8Hed+edmem0er thereof e3en if he is aBachelor of a/s de+ree holder. ssuch, he is authori&ed to -racticeonly in the 'hari(a courts.

nly a -erson duly admitted asmem0ers of the %hili--ine Bar inaccordance /ith the Rules of Courtare entitled to -ractice la/ 0eforethe re+ular courts. 'ection 1, Rule1= of the Re3ised Rules of Court-ro3ides:

'ection 1. ho may -ractice la/. ?ny -erson heretofore dulyadmitted as a mem0er of the 0ar,or hereafter admitted as such inaccordance /ith the -ro3isions ofthis rule, and /ho is in +ood andre+ular standin+, is entitled to-ractice la/.

his Court further em-hasi&ed in its

resolution in Bar Matter 1, that:

$n order to 0e admitted as mem0erof the %hili--ine Bar, the candidatemust -ass an e;amination foradmission co3erin+ the follo/in+su07ects: %olitical and $nternationala/< a0or and 'ocial e+islation,199, lauya contended that it /ashe /ho had suDered Aundue in7ury,mental an+uish, slee-less ni+hts,/ounded feelin+s and untold5nancial suDerin+,A considerin+that in si; months, a total of%2,"2." had 0een deductedfrom his salary.K!L Fe declared thatthere /as no 0asis for thecom-laint< in communicatin+ /ithNillarosa O Co. he had merely actedin defense of his ri+hts. Fe deniedany a0use of the franin+ -ri3ile+e,sayin+ that he +a3e %2"."" -lustrans-ortation fare to a su0ordinate/hom he entrusted /ith the

mailin+ of certain letters< that the/ords: A@ree %osta+e %) 2,A /erety-e/ritten on the en3elo-e 0ysome other -erson, an a3ermentcorro0orated 0y the ada3it of0samen C. )omocao, Cler $N#su0scri0ed and s/orn to 0eforeres-ondent himself, and attachedto the comment as nne; *


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the com-laint for lac of merit, itconsistin+ of Afallacious, maliciousand 0aseless alle+ations,A andcom-lainant la/i ha3in+ come tothe Court /ith unclean hands, hercom-licity in the fraudulenthousin+ loan 0ein+ a--arent anddemonstra0le.

$t may 0e mentioned that incontrast to his t/o #2 letters tossistant Cler of Court Marasi+an#dated -ril 19, 199 and -ril 22,199, and his t/o #2 earlierletters 0oth dated )ecem0er 1>,199 88 all of /hich he si+ned asAtty. shary M. lauyaA 88 in hisComment of *une >, 199, he doesnot use the title 0ut refers tohimself as A) 'FR M..A

he Court referred the case to thece of the Court dministratorfor e3aluation, re-ort andrecommendation.K14L

he 5rst accusation a+ainst lauyais that in his aforesaid letters, he

made Amalicious and li0elouschar+es #a+ainst la/i /ith nosolid +rounds throu+h manifesti+norance and e3ident 0ad faith,Aresultin+ in Aundue in7ury to #herand 0lemishin+ her honor andesta0lished re-utation.A $n thoseletters, lauya had /ritten interalia that:

1 la/i o0tained his consent to

the contracts in 6uestion A0y +rossmisre-resentation, deceit, fraud,

dishonesty and a0use of con5dence


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and o0ser3e honesty and +oodfaith.AK19L Ri+hteous indi+nation,or 3indication of ri+ht cannot 7ustifyresort to 3itu-erati3e lan+ua+e, ordo/nri+ht name8callin+. s amem0er of the 'hari(a Bar and anocer of a Court, la/i is su07ectto a standard of conduct morestrin+ent than for most other+o3ernment /orers. s a man ofthe la/, he may not use lan+ua+e/hich is a0usi3e, oDensi3e,scandalous, menacin+, orother/ise im-ro-er.K2"L s a

7udicial em-loyee, it is e;-ectedthat he accord res-ect for the-erson and the ri+hts of others atall times, and that his e3ery actand /ord should 0e characteri&ed0y -rudence, restraint, courtesy,di+nity. Fis radical de3iation fromthese salutary norms mi+ht-erha-s 0e miti+ated, 0ut cannot0e e;cused, 0y his stron+ly heldcon3iction that he had 0een+rie3ously /ron+ed.

s re+ards lauya(s use of the titleof Attorney,A this Court has

already had occasion to declarethat -ersons /ho -ass the 'hari(aBar are not full8Hed+ed mem0ers ofthe %hili--ine Bar, hence may only-ractice la/ 0efore 'hari(a courts.K21L hile one /ho has 0eenadmitted to the 'hari(a Bar, andone /ho has 0een admitted to the%hili--ine Bar, may 0oth 0econsidered Acounsellors,A in thesense that they +i3e counsel or

ad3ice in a -rofessional ca-acity,only the latter is an Aattorney.A he

title of AattorneyA is reser3ed tothose /ho, ha3in+ o0tained thenecessary de+ree in the study ofla/ and successfully taen the BarE;aminations, ha3e 0een admittedto the $nte+rated Bar of the%hili--ines and remain mem0ersthereof in +ood standin+< and it isthey only /ho are authori&ed to-ractice la/ in this 7urisdiction.

lauya says he does not /ish touse the title, AcounsellorA orAcounsellor8at8la/,A 0ecause in hisre+ion, there are -e7orati3econnotations to the term, or it isconfusin+ly similar to that +i3en tolocal le+islators. he ratiocination,3alid or not, is of no moment. Fisdisinclination to use the title ofAcounsellorA does not /arrant hisuse of the title of attorney.

@inally, res-ectin+ lauya(s alle+edunauthori&ed use of the franin+-ri3ile+e, the record contains noe3idence ade6uately esta0lishin+the accusation.

FERE@RE, res-ondent shari M.lauya is here0y RE%R$M)E) forthe use of e;cessi3ely intem-erate,insultin+ or 3irulent lan+ua+e, i.e.,lan+ua+e un0ecomin+ a 7udicialocer, and for usur-in+ the title ofattorney< and he is /arned that anysimilar or other im-ro-riety ormisconduct in the future /ill 0edealt /ith more se3erely.

' R)ERE).

G.R. No. L-18727August 31, 1964

JE! MA. "!#, $%a&'t&(-a$$)%%)),*s.ANTON#O MA. "!#, +))'+a't-a$$)%%a't,ROM!LO "!#, #'t)*)'o-a$$)%%a't.

*ose . )iono for -laintiD8a--ellee.

*aime R. ue3as and Fector .Fo5lea for defendant8a--ellant.Romulo Cui in his o/n 0ehalf asinter3enor8a--ellants.

M$, *.:

his is a -ro3in+ in 6uo /arrantoori+inally 5led in the Court of @irst$nstance of Ce0u. he oce incontention is that of dministratorof the Fos-icio de 'an *ose deBarili. *ud+ment /as rendered on2! -ril 191 in fa3or of the-laintiD, *esus Ma. Cui, anda--ealed to us 0y the defendant,

ntonio Ma. Cui, and 0y theinter3enor, Romulo Cui.

he Fos-icio is a charita0leinstitution esta0lished 0y thes-ouses )on %edro Cui and )oaBeni+na Cui, no/ deceased, Aforthe care and su--ort, free ofchar+e, of indi+ent in3alids, andinca-acitated and hel-less-ersons.A $t ac6uired cor-orate

e;istence 0y le+islation #ct o.=2=9 of the %hili--ine e+islature


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-assed 2! o3em0er 192> andendo/ed /ith e;tensi3e -ro-erties0y the said s-ouses throu+h aseries of donations, -rinci-ally thedeed of donation e;ecuted on 2

*anuary 192.

'ection 2 of ct o. =2=9 +a3e theinitial mana+ement to the founders

7ointly and, in case of theirinca-acity or death, to Asuch-ersons as they may nominate ordesi+nate, in the order -rescri0edto them.A 'ection 2 of the deed ofdonation -ro3ides as follo/s:

Que en caso de nuestrofallecimiento o inca-acidad -araadministrar, nos sustituyan nuestrole+itime so0rino Mariano Cui, si altiem-o de nuestra muerte oinca-acidad se hallare residiendoen la caudad de Ce0u, y nuestroso0rino -olitico )ionisio

*aosalem.'i nuestro dicho so0rinoMariano Cui no estu3ieseresidiendo entonces en la caudadde Ce0u, desi+namos en su lu+ar anuestro otro so0rino le+itime

Mauricio Cui.m0os so0rinosadministraran con7untamente elF'%$C$ )E ' *'E )E BR$$. la muerte o inca-acidad de estosdos administradores, laadministracion del F'%$C$ )E' *'E )E BR$$ -asara a unasola -ersona 6ue sera el 3aron,mayor de edad, 6ue desciendale+itimainente de cual6uiera denuestros so0rinos le+itimos

Mariano Cui, Mauricio Cui, NicenteCui y Nictor Cui, y 6ue -osea titulo

de a0o+ado, o medico, o in+enieroci3il, o farmaceutico, o a falta deestos titulos, el 6ue -a+ue alEstado mayor im-uesto ocontri0ution. En i+ualdad decircumstancias, sera -referida el3aron de mas edad descendientede 6uien tenia ultimamente laadministracion. Cuandoa0solutamente faltare -ersona deestas cuali5caciones, laadministracion del F'%$C$ )E' *'E )E BR$$ -asara alsenor 0is-o de Ce0u o 6uien seael mayor di+natario de la $+lesiaCatolica, a-ostolica, Romana, 6uetu3iere asiento en la ca0ecera deesta %ro3incia de Ce0u, y en sudefecto, al Go0ierno %ro3incial deCe0u.

)on %edro Cui died in 192, and his/ido/ continued to administer theFos-icio until her death in 1929.

hereu-on the administration-assed to Mauricio Cui and )ionisio

*aosalem. he 5rst died on May19=1 and the second on 1 *uly19=1. n 2 *uly 19=1 )r. eodoro

Cui, only son of Mauricio Cui,0ecame the administrator.hereafter, 0e+innin+ in 19=2, aseries of contro3ersies and courtliti+ations ensued concernin+ the-osition of administrator, to /hich,in so far as they are -ertinent tothe -resent case, reference /ill 0emade later in this decision.

%laintiD *esus Ma.Cui and

defendant ntonio Ma. Cui are0rothers, 0ein+ the sons of Mariano

Cui, one of the ne-he/s of thes-ouses )on %edro Cui and )oaBeni+na Cui. n 2! @e0ruary 19"the then incum0ent administrator,)r. eodoro Cui, resi+ned in fa3or ofntonio Ma. Cui -ursuant to aAcon3enioA entered into 0et/eenthem and em0odied in a notarialdocument. he ne;t day, 2@e0ruary, ntonio Ma. Cui too hisoath of oce. *esus Ma. Cui,ho/e3er, had no -rior notice ofeither the Acon3enioA or of his0rother(s assum-tion of the-osition.

)r. eodoro Cui died on 2! u+ust19"< on > 'e-tem0er 19" the-laintiD /rote a letter to thedefendant demandin+ that theoce 0e turned o3er to him< andon 1= 'e-tem0er 19", thedemand not ha3in+ 0een com-lied/ith the -laintiD 5led the com-laintin this case. Romulo Cui later oninter3ened, claimin+ a ri+ht to thesame oce, 0ein+ a +randson ofNicente Cui, another one of thene-he/s mentioned 0y the

founders of the Fos-icio in theirdeed of donation.

s 0et/een *esus and ntonio themain issue turns u-on theirres-ecti3e 6uali5cations to the-osition of administrator. *esus isthe older of the t/o and thereforeunder e6ual circumstances /ould0e -referred -ursuant to section 2of the deed of donation. Fo/e3er,

0efore the test of a+e may 0e,a--lied the deed +i3es -reference


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to the one, amon+ the le+itimatedescendants of the ne-he/stherein named, A6ue -osea titulode a0o+ado, o medico, o in+enieroci3il, o farmaceutico, o a falta deestos titulos el 6ue -a+ue al estadomayor im-uesto o contri0ucion.A

he s-eci5c -oint in dis-ute is themealin+ of the term Atitulo dea0o+ado.A *esus Ma. Cui holds thede+ree of Bachelor of a/s fromthe ni3ersity of 'anto omas#Class 192 0ut is not a mem0erof the Bar, not ha3in+ -assed thee;aminations to 6ualify him as one.ntonio Ma. Cui, on the other hand,is a mem0er of the Bar andalthou+h dis0arred 0y this Court on29 March 19>! #administrati3ecase o. 141, /as reinstated 0yresolution -romul+ated on 1"@e0ruary 19", a0out t/o /ees0efore he assumed the -osition ofadministrator of the Fos-icio deBarili.

he Court a 6uo, in decidin+ this-oint in fa3or of the -laintiD, said

that the -hrase Atitulo dea0o+ado,A taen alone, means thatof a full8Hed+ed la/yer, 0ut thathas used in the deed of donationand considerin+ the function or-ur-ose of the administrator, itshould not 0e +i3en a strictinter-retation 0ut a li0eral one,Aand therefore means a la/ de+reeor di-loma of Bachelor of a/s.

his rulin+ is assailed as erroneous

0oth 0y the defendant and 0y theinter3enor.

e are of the o-inion, that /hethertaen alone or in conte;t the termAtitulo de a0o+adoA means notmere -ossession of the academicde+ree of Bachelor of a/s 0utmem0ershi- in the Bar after dueadmission thereto, 6ualifyin+ onefor the -ractice of la/. $n '-anishthe /ord AtituloA is de5ned asAtestimonies o instrumento dado-ara e7ercer un em-leo, di+nidad o-rofesionA #)iccionario de laen+ua Es-aola, Real cademiaEs-anola, 194! ed., -. 1224 andthe /ord Aa0o+ado,A as follo/s:A%erito en el derecho -ositi3o 6uese dedica a defender en 7uicio, -orescrito o de -ala0ra, los derechos ointereses de los liti+antes, ytam0ien a dar dictmen so0re lascuestiones o -untos le+ales 6ue sele consultan #$d., -.> Bachelor(sde+ree alone, conferred 0y a la/school u-on com-letion of certainacademic re6uirements, does notentitle its holder to e;ercise thele+al -rofession. he En+lishe6ui3alent of Aa0o+adoA is la/yer

or attorney8at8la/. his term has a5;ed and +eneral si+ni5cation, andhas reference to that class of-ersons /ho are 0y license ocersof the courts, em-o/ered toa--ear, -rosecute and defend, andu-on /hom -eculiar duties,res-onsi0ilities and lia0ilities arede3ol3ed 0y la/ as a conse6uence.

$n this 7urisdiction admission to the

Bar and to the -ractice of la/ isunder the authority of the 'u-reme

Court. ccordin+ to Rule 1= suchadmission re6uires -assin+ the Bare;aminations, tain+ the la/yer(soath and recei3in+ a certi5catefrom the Cler of Court, thiscerti5cate 0ein+ his license to-ractice the -rofession. heacademic de+ree of Bachelor ofa/s in itself has little to do /ithadmission to the Bar, e;ce-t ase3idence of com-liance /ith there6uirements that an a--licant tothe e;aminations has Asuccessfullycom-leted all the -rescri0edcourses, in a la/ school oruni3ersity, ocially a--ro3ed 0ythe 'ecretary of Education.A @orthis -ur-ose, ho/e3er, -ossessionof the de+ree itself is notindis-ensa0le: com-letion of the-rescri0ed courses may 0e sho/nin some other /ay. $ndeed thereare instances, -articularly underthe former Code of Ci3il %rocedure,/here -ersons /ho had not +onethrou+h any formal le+al educationin colle+e /ere allo/ed to tae theBar e;aminations and to 6ualify asla/yers. #'ection 14 of that code

re6uired -ossession of Athenecessary 6uali5cations of learnin+a0ility.A et certainly it /ould 0eincorrect to say that such -ersonsdo not -ossess the Atitulo dea0o+adoA 0ecause they lac theacademic de+ree of Bachelor ofa/s from some la/ school oruni3ersity.

he founders of the Fos-icio de

'an *ose de Barili must ha3eesta0lished the fore+oin+ test


11/49

ad3isely, and -ro3ided in the deedof donation that if not a la/yer, theadministrator should 0e a doctor ora ci3il en+ineer or a -harmacist, inthat order< or failin+ all these,should 0e the one /ho -ays thehi+hest ta;es amon+ thoseother/ise 6uali5ed. la/yer, 5rstof all, 0ecause under ct o. =2=9the mana+ers or trustees of theFos-icio shall Amae re+ulationsfor the +o3ernment of saidinstitution #'ec. =, 0< shallA-rescri0e the conditions su07ect to/hich in3alids and inca-acitatedand destitute -ersons may 0eadmitted to the instituteA #'ec. =,d< shall see to it that the rules andconditions -romul+ated foradmission are not in conHict /iththe -ro3isions of the ct< and shalladminister -ro-erties of considera0le 3alue ? for all of/hich /or, it is to 0e -resumed, a/orin+ no/led+e of the la/ anda license to -ractice the -rofession/ould 0e a distinct asset.

nder this -articular criterion /e

hold that the -laintiD is notentitled, as a+ainst the defendant,to the oce of administrator. But itis ar+ued that althou+h the latter isa mem0er of the Bar he isne3ertheless dis6uali5ed 0y 3irtueof -ara+ra-h = of the deed ofdonation, /hich -ro3ides that theadministrator may 0e remo3ed onthe +round, amon+ others, ofine-titude in the dischar+e of his

oce or lac of e3ident soundmoral character. Reference is made

to the fact that the defendant /asdis0arred 0y this Court on 29 March19>! for immorality andun-rofessional conduct. $t is also afact, ho/e3er, that he /asreinstated on 1" @e0ruary 19",0efore he assumed the oce ofadministrator. Fis reinstatement isa reco+nition of his moralreha0ilitation, u-on -roof no lessthan that re6uired for his admissionto the Bar in the 5rst -lace.

herefore, the -arties res-ectfully-ray that the fore+oin+ sti-ulationof facts 0e admitted and a--ro3ed0y this Fonora0le Court, /ithout-re7udice to the -arties adducin+other e3idence to -ro3e their casenot co3ered 0y this sti-ulation offacts. 1S/-hT1.Ut

hether or not the a--licant shall0e reinstated rests to a +reate;tent in the sound discretion ofthe court. he court action /illde-end, +enerally s-eain+, on/hether or not it decides that the-u0lic interest in the orderly and

im-artial administration of 7ustice/ill 0e conser3ed 0y the a--licant(s-artici-ation therein in the ca-acityof an attorney and counselor atla/. he a--licant must, lie acandidate for admission to the 0ar,satisfy the court that he is a -ersonof +ood moral character ? a 5t and-ro-er -erson to -ractice la/. hecourt /ill tae into considerationthe a--licant(s character and

standin+ -rior to the dis0arment,the nature and character of the

char+e for /hich he /as dis0arred,his conduct su0se6uent to thedis0arment, and the time that hasela-sed 0et/een the dis0armentand the a--lication forreinstatement. #> m. *ur., 'ec.="1, -. 44=

E3idence of reformation is re6uired0efore a--licant is entitled toreinstatement, not/ithstandin+ theattorney has recei3ed a -ardonfollo/in+ his con3iction, and there6uirements for reinstatementha3e 0een held to 0e the same asfor ori+inal admission to the 0ar,e;ce-t that the court may re6uire a+reater de+ree of -roof than in anori+inal admission. #! C.*.'.,ttorney O Client, 'ec. 41, -. 1>.

he decisi3e 6uestions on ana--lication for reinstatement are/hether a--licant is Aof +ood moralcharacterA in the sense in /hichthat -hrase is used /hen a--lied toattorneys8at8la/ and is a 5t and-ro-er -erson to 0e entrusted /iththe -ri3ile+es of the oce of an

attorney, and /hether his mental6uali5cations are such as to ena0lehim to dischar+e eciently his dutyto the -u0lic, and the moralattri0utes are to 0e re+arded as ase-arate and distinct from hismental 6uali5cations. #! C.*.'.,ttorney O Client, 'ec. 41, -. 1.

s far as moral character isconcerned, the standard re6uired

of one seein+ reinstatement tothe oce of attorney cannot 0e


12/49

less e;actin+ than that im-lied in-ara+ra-h = of the deed ofdonation as a re6uisite for theoce /hich is dis-uted in thiscase. hen the defendant /asrestored to the roll of la/yers therestrictions and disa0ilitiesresultin+ from his -re3iousdis0arment /ere /i-ed out.

his action must fail on one other+round: it is already 0arred 0yla-se of time amountin+ the-rescri-tion or laches. nder'ection 1 of Rule #formerly sec.1, Rule , taen from section 21of ct 19", this ind of action must0e 5led /ithin one #1 year afterthe ri+ht of -laintiD to hold theoce arose.

%laintiD *esus Ma. Cui 0elie3edhimself entitled to the oce in6uestion as lon+ a+o as 19=2. n

*anuary 2 of that year he 5led acom-laint in 6uo /arranto a+ainst)r. eodoro Cui, /ho assumed theadministration of the Fos-icio on 2

*uly 19=1. Mariano Cui, the

-laintiD(s father and ntonio Ma.Cui came in as inter3enors. hecase /as dismissed 0y the Court of@irst $nstance u-on a demurrer 0ythe defendant there to thecom-laint and com-laint ininter3ention. -on a--eal to the'u-reme Court from the order ofdismissal, the case /as remandedfor further -roceedin+s #Cui 3. Cui," %hil. =!, 4. he -laintiD,

ho/e3er, did not -rosecute thecase as indicated in the decision of

this Court, 0ut acceded to anarran+ement /here0y eodoro Cuicontinued as administrator,Mariano Cui /as named Ale+alad3iserA and -laintiD *esus Ma. Cuiacce-ted a -osition as assistantadministrator.

'u0se6uently the -laintiD tried to+et the -osition 0y a series ofe;tra87udicial maneu3ers. @irst heinformed the 'ocial elfareCommissioner, 0y letter dated 1@e0ruary 19>", that as of the-re3ious 1 *anuary he had AmadeclearA his intention of occu-yin+the oce of administrator of theFos-icio.A Fe follo/ed that u- /ithanother letter dated 4 @e0ruary,announcin+ that he had taen o3erthe administration as of 1 *anuary19>". ctually, ho/e3er, he toohis oath of oce 0efore a notary-u0lic only on 4 March 19>", afterrecei3in+ a re-ly of acno/led+ment, dated 2 March,from the 'ocial elfareCommissioner, /ho thou+ht thathe had already assumed the

-osition as stated in hiscommunication of 4 @e0ruary 19>".he rather muddled situation /asreferred 0y the Commissioner tothe 'ecretary of *ustice, /ho, in ano-inion dated = -ril 19>" #o-. o.4>, '. 19>", correctin+ anothero-inion -re3iously +i3en, in eDectruled that the -laintiD, not 0ein+sla/yer, /as not entitled to theadministration of the Fos-icio.

Mean/hile, the 6uestion a+ain0ecame the su07ect of a courtcontro3ersy. n 4 March 19>", theFos-icio commenced an actiona+ainst the %hili--ine ationalBan in the Court of @irst $nstanceof Ce0u #Ci3. o. R8121 0ecausethe Ban had fro&en the Fos-icio(sde-osits therein. he Ban then5led a third8-arty com-lainta+ainst herein -laintiD8a--ellee,

*esus Ma. Cui, /ho had, as stateda0o3e, taen oath as administrator.n 19 cto0er 19>", ha3in+ 0eende-ri3ed of reco+nition 0y theo-inion of the 'ecretary of *usticehe mo3ed to dismiss the third8-artycom-laint on the +round that he/as relin6uishin+ Atem-orarilyA hisclaim to the administration of theFos-icio. he motion /as denied inan order dated 2 cto0er 19>=. n @e0ruary 19>4 he /as a0le totae another oath of oce asadministrator 0efore %residentMa+saysay, and soon after/ard5led a second motion to dismiss inCi3il case o. R8121. %residentMa+saysay, 0e it said, u-on

learnin+ that a case /as -endin+ inCourt, stated in a tele+ram to hisE;ecuti3e 'ecretary that Aas far as#he /as concerned the court maydisre+ard the oathA thus taen. hemotion to dismiss /as +rantedne3ertheless and the other -artiesin the case 5led their notice ofa--eal from the order of dismissal.

he -laintiD then 5led an e;8-artemotion to 0e e;cluded as -arty in

the a--eal and the trial Court a+ain+ranted the motion. his /as on 24


13/49

o3em0er 19>4. --ellantsthereu-on instituted a mandamus-roceedin+ in the 'u-reme Court#G.R. o. 8>4", /hich /asdecided on 2 May 19>, to theeDect that *esus Ma. Cui should 0eincluded in the a--eal. hata--eal, ho/e3er, after it reached

this Court /as dismiss u-on motionof the -arties, /ho a+reed that Atheoce of administrator and trusteeof the Fos-icio ... should 0e3entilated in 6uo /arranto-roceedin+s to 0e initiated a+ainstthe incum0ent 0y /homsoe3er isnot occu-yin+ the oce 0ut0elie3es he has a ri+ht to itA #G.R.o. 891"=. he resolution ofdismissal /as issued =1 *uly 19>.t that time the incum0entadministrator /as )r. eodoro Cui,0ut no action in 6uo /arranto /as5led a+ainst him 0y -laintiD *esusMa. Cui as indicated in theaforesaid motion for dismissal.

n 1" @e0ruary 19", defendantntonio Ma. Cui /as reinstated 0ythis Court as mem0er of the Bar,

and on the follo/in+ 2! @e0ruary)r. eodoro Cui resi+ned asadministrator in his fa3or, -ursuantto the Acon3enioA 0et/een theme;ecuted on the same date. hene;t day ntonio Ma. Cui too hisoath of oce.

he failure of the -laintiD to-rosecute his claim 7udicially afterthis Court decided the 5rst case of

Cui 3. Cui in 19=4 #" %hil. =!9,remandin+ it to the trial court for

further -roceedin+s< hisacce-tance instead of the -ositionof assistant administrator, allo/in+)r. eodoro Cui to continue asadministrator and his failure to 5lean action in 6uo /arranto a+ainstsaid )r. Cui after =1 *uly 19>,/hen the a--eal in Ci3il Case o.

R8121 of the Ce0u Court /asdismissed u-on motion of the-arties -recisely so that theconHictin+ claims of the -artiescould 0e 3entilated in such anaction ? all these circumstancesmilitate a+ainst the -laintiD(s-resent claim in 3ie/ of the rulethat an action in 6uo /arrantomust 0e 5led /ithin one year afterthe ri+ht of the -laintiD to hold theoce arose. he e;cuse that the-laintiD did not 5le an actiona+ainst )r. eodoro Cui after =1 *uly19> 0ecause of the latter(s illnessdid not interru-t the runnin+ of thestatutory -eriod. nd the fact thatthis action /as 5led /ithin oneyear of the defendant(s assum-tionof oce in 'e-tem0er 19" doesnot mae the -laintiD(s -osition

any 0etter, for the 0asis of theaction is his o/n ri+ht to the oceand it is from the time such ri+htarose that the one8year limitationmust 0e counted, not from the datethe incum0ent 0e+an to dischar+ethe duties of said oce. Bautista 3.@a7ardo, = %hil. 24< im 3s. ulo,2 %hil. 11.

o/ for the claim of inter3enor and

a--ellant Romulo Cui. his -arty isalso a la/yer, +randson of Nicente

Cui, one of the ne-he/s of thefounders of the Fos-icio mentioned0y them in the deed of donation.Fe is further, in the line ofsuccession, than defendant ntonioMa. Cui, /ho is a son of MarianoCui, another one of the saidne-he/s. he deed of donation

-ro3ides: Aa la muerte oinca-acidad de estosadministradores #those a--ointedin the deed itself -asara a unasola -ersona 6ue sera el 3aron,mayor de edad, 6ue desciendale+itimamente de cual6uiera denuestros so0rinos le+itimosMariano Cui, Mauricio Cui, NicenteCui, Nictor Cui, y 6ue -osea titulode a0o+ado ... En i+ualdad decircumstancias, sera -referido el3aron de mas edad descendientede 6uien tenia ultimamente laadministration.A Besides 0ein+ anearer descendant than RomuloCui, ntonio Ma. Cui is older thanhe and therefore is -referred /henthe circumstances are other/isee6ual. he inter3enor contendsthat the intention of the founders

/as to confer the administration 0yline and successi3ely to thedescendants of the ne-he/snamed in the deed, in the orderthey are named. hus, he ar+ues,since the last administrator /as )r.

eodoro Cui, /ho 0elon+ed to theMauricio Cui line, the ne;tadministrator must come from theline of Nicente Cui, to /hom theinter3enor 0elon+s. his

inter-retation, ho/e3er, is not


14/49

7usti5ed 0y the terms of the deedof donation.

$ N$E @ FE @REG$GC'$)ER$', the 7ud+menta--ealed from is re3ersed and setaside, and the com-laint as /ell asthe com-laint in inter3ention are

dismissed, /ith costs e6uallya+ainst -laintiD8a--ellee andinter3enor8a--ellant.

ART#"LE ##

NAT#ONAL E"ONOM/ ANATR#MON/

)t&o' 14. T) susta&')++)*)%o$)'t o a )s)*o& o'at&o'a% ta%)'ts o's&st&'g o5&%&$&'o s&)'t&sts,)'t)$)')us, $o)ss&o'a%s,a'ag)s, &g-%)*)% t)'&a%a'$o) a'+ s&%%)+ o)sa'+ ats)' &' a%% )%+s sa%%) $oot)+ y t) tat). T)tat) sa%% )'ouag)a$$o$&at) t)'o%ogy a'+)gu%at) &ts ta's) o t)

'at&o'a% )')t.

T) $at&) o a%% $o)ss&o's&' t) &%&$$&')s sa%% )%&&t)+ to 5&%&$&'o &t&:)'s, sa*)&' as)s $)s&)+ y %a.

R)$u%& At No. 922;August 29, 2003

AN A"T MAEN ?=O A"@!#RE5ORE#GN "#T#>EN=#ERMANENT.AMEN#NG 5OR T=E !ROE"OMMON?EALT= A"T. NO. 63,A AMENE AN 5OR OT=ER!ROE

B) &t )'at)+ y t) )'at)a'+ =ous) o R)$)s)'tat&*)so t) &%&$$&')s &' "o'g)ssass)%)+

)t&o' 1. ot T&t%) t&s atsa%% ) 'o' as t)C"&t&:)'s&$ R)t)'t&o' a'+ R)-aDu&s&t&o' At o 2003.C

)t&o' 2. )%aat&o' o o%&y- #t &s ))y +)%a)+ t)$o%&y o t) tat) tat a%%&%&$$&') &t&:)'s o a'ot)ou'ty sa%% ) +)))+ 'ot toa*) %ost t)& &%&$$&')&t&:)'s&$ u'+) t)o'+&t&o's o t&s At.

)t&o' 3. R)t)'t&o' o &%&$$&') "&t&:)'s&$ - A'y

$o*&s&o' o %a to t) o'tay'ot&tsta'+&'g, 'atua%-o'&t&:)'s&$ y )aso' o t)&'atua%&:at&o' as &t&:)'s o ao)&g' ou'ty a) ))y+)))+ to a*) )-aDu&)+&%&$$&') &t&:)'s&$ u$o'ta&'g t) o%%o&'g oat oa%%)g&a') to t) R)$u%&

C# , so%)'y

s)a Fo a(& tat # &%%su$$ot a'+ +))'+ t)

"o'st&tut&o' o t) R)$u%& ot) &%&$$&')s a'+ o)y t)%as a'+ %)ga% o+)s$ou%gat)+ y t) +u%yo'st&tut)+ auto&t&)s o t)&%&$$&')sH a'+ # ))y+)%a) tat # )og'&:) a'+a)$t t) su$)) auto&tyo t) &%&$$&')s a'+ &%%a&'ta&' tu) a&t a'+a%%)g&a') t))toH a'+ tat #&$os)+ t&s o%&gat&o' u$o'ys)% *o%u'ta&%y &tout)'ta% )s)*at&o' o $u$os)o )*as&o'.C

Natua% o' &t&:)'s o t)&%&$$&')s o, at) t))()t&*&ty o t&s At, )o)&t&:)'s o a o)&g' ou'tysa%% )ta&' t)& &%&$$&')&t&:)'s&$ u$o' ta&'g t)ao)sa&+ oat.

)t&o' 4. )&*at&*)"&t&:)'s&$ - T) u'a&)+&%+, )t) %)g&t&at),&%%)g&t&at) o a+o$t)+, )%o)&gt))' F18 y)as o ag), o

tos) o )-aDu&) &%&$$&')&t&:)'s&$ u$o' )()t&*&ty ot&s At sa%% ) +)))+&t&:)'s&$ o t) &%&$$&')s.

)t&o' ;. "&*&% a'+ o%&t&a%R&gts a'+ L&a&%&t&)s - Tos)o )ta&' o )-aDu&)&%&$$&') &t&:)'s&$ u'+)t&s At sa%% )'Ioy u%% &*&%a'+ $o%&t&a% &gts a'+ )

suI)t to a%% att)'+a't%&a&%&t&)s a'+ )s$o's&&%&t&)s


15/49

u'+) )&st&'g %as o t)&%&$$&')s a'+ t) o%%o&'go'+&t&o's

F1 Tos) &'t)'+&'g to ))&s)t)& &gt o su(ag) ustM))t t) )Du&))'ts u'+))t&o' 1, At&%) K o t)

"o'st&tut&o', R)$u%& At No.9189, ot)&s) 'o' as CT)O*)s)as As)'t)) Kot&'g Ato 2003C a'+ ot) )&st&'g%asH

F2 Tos) s))&'g )%)t&*)$u%& &' t) &%&$$&')s sa%%))t t) Dua%&at&o' oo%+&'g su $u%& o) as)Du&)+ y t) "o'st&tut&o'a'+ )&st&'g %as a'+, at t)t&) o t) %&'g o t))t&at) o a'+&+ay, a) a$)so'a% a'+ so')'u'&at&o' o a'y a'+ a%%o)&g' &t&:)'s&$ )o) a'y$u%& o) auto&:)+ toa+&'&st) a' oatH

F3 Tos) a$$o&'t)+ to a'y

$u%& o) sa%% sus&)a'+ s)a to a' oat o a%%)g&a') to t) R)$u%& ot) &%&$$&')s a'+ &ts +u%yo'st&tut)+ auto&t&)s $&o tot)& assu$t&o' o o)o*&+)+, Tat t)y )'ou')t)& oat o a%%)g&a') to t)ou'ty )) t)y too tatoatH

F4 Tos) &'t)'+&'g to $at&)t)& $o)ss&o' &' t)

&%&$$&')s sa%% a$$%y &t t)$o$) auto&ty o a %&)'s)o $)&t to )'gag) &' su$at&)H a'+

F; Tat &gt to *ot) o ))%)t)+ o a$$o&'t)+ to a'y$u%& o) &' t) &%&$$&')s

a''ot ) ))&s)+ y, o)t)'+)+ to, tos) o

Fa a) a'+&+at)s o o a)ou$y&'g a'y $u%& o) &'t) ou'ty o & t)y a)'atua%&:)+ &t&:)'sH a'+o

F a) &' at&*) s)*&) aso&ss&o')+ o 'o'-o&ss&o')+ o)s &' t)a)+ o)s o t) ou'ty& t)y a) 'atua%&:)+&t&:)'s.

)t&o' 6. )$aa&%&ty "%aus) -# a'y s)t&o' o $o*&s&o' ot&s At &s )%+u'o'st&tut&o'a% o &'*a%&+, a'yot) s)t&o' o $o*&s&o' 'ota()t)+ t))y sa%% )a&'

*a%&+ a'+ )()t&*).

)t&o' 7. R)$)a%&'g "%aus) -A%% %as, +)))s, o+)s, u%)sa'+ )gu%at&o's &'o's&st)'t&t t) $o*&s&o's o t&s Ata) ))y )$)a%)+ oo+&)+ ao+&'g%y.

)t&o' 8. E()t&*&ty "%aus) T&s At sa%% ta) )()t at)

t))' F1; +ays o%%o&'g &ts$u%&at&o' &' t) O&a%

Ga:)tt) o to F2 ')s$a$)o g)')a% &u%at&o'.

A$$o*)+,

B.M. No. 1678))) 17, 2007

ET#T#ON 5OR LEAKE TORE!ME RA"T#"E O5 LA?,BENJAM#N M. A"ANA/,$)t&t&o').

R E ' $

CR, *.:

his 0ar matter concerns the-etition of -etitioner Ben7amin M.)acanay for lea3e to resume the-ractice of la/.

%etitioner /as admitted to the%hili--ine 0ar in March 19". Fe-racticed la/ until he mi+rated toCanada in )ecem0er 199 to seemedical attention for his ailments.Fe su0se6uently a--lied forCanadian citi&enshi- to a3ail ofCanadaVs free medical aid -ro+ram.Fis a--lication /as a--ro3ed andhe 0ecame a Canadian citi&en inMay 2""4.


16/49

n *uly 14, 2"", -ursuant toRe-u0lic ct #R 922> #Citi&enshi-Retention and Re8c6uisition ct of2""=, -etitioner reac6uired his%hili--ine citi&enshi-.1 n thatday, he too his oath of alle+ianceas a @ili-ino citi&en 0efore the%hili--ine Consulate General in

oronto, Canada. hereafter, hereturned to the %hili--ines and no/intends to resume his la/ -ractice.

here is a 6uestion, ho/e3er,/hether -etitioner Ben7amin M.)acanay lost his mem0ershi- inthe %hili--ine 0ar /hen he +a3e u-his %hili--ine citi&enshi- in May2""4. hus, this -etition.

$n a re-ort dated cto0er 1, 2""!,the ce of the Bar Con5dant cites'ection 2, Rule 1= #ttorneys anddmission to Bar of the Rules ofCourt:

'EC$ 2.Re6uirements for alla--licants for admission to the 0ar.W E3ery a--licant for admission asa mem0er of the 0ar must 0e aciti&en of the %hili--ines, at least

t/enty8one years of a+e, of +oodmoral character, and a resident ofthe %hili--ines< and must -roduce0efore the 'u-reme Courtsatisfactory e3idence of +oodmoral character, and that nochar+es a+ainst him, in3ol3in+moral tur-itude, ha3e 0een 5led orare -endin+ in any court in the%hili--ines.

--lyin+ the -ro3ision, the ce ofthe Bar Con5dant o-ines that, 0y

3irtue of his reac6uisition of%hili--ine citi&enshi-, in 2"",-etitioner has a+ain met all the6uali5cations and has none of thedis6uali5cations for mem0ershi- inthe 0ar. $t recommends that he 0eallo/ed to resume the -ractice ofla/ in the %hili--ines, conditioned

on his retain+ the la/yerVs oath toremind him of his duties andres-onsi0ilities as a mem0er of the%hili--ine 0ar.

e a--ro3e the recommendationof the ce of the Bar Con5dant/ith certain modi5cations.

he -ractice of la/ is a -ri3ile+e0urdened /ith conditions.2 $t is sodelicately aDected /ith -u0licinterest that it is 0oth a -o/er anda duty of the 'tate #throu+h thisCourt to control and re+ulate it inorder to -rotect and -romote the-u0lic /elfare.=

dherence to ri+id standards ofmental 5tness, maintenance of thehi+hest de+ree of morality, faithful

o0ser3ance of the rules of the le+al-rofession, com-liance /ith themandatory continuin+ le+aleducation re6uirement and-ayment of mem0ershi- fees tothe $nte+rated Bar of the%hili--ines #$B% are the conditionsre6uired for mem0ershi- in +oodstandin+ in the 0ar and for en7oyin+the -ri3ile+e to -ractice la/. ny0reach 0y a la/yer of any of these

conditions maes him un/orthy ofthe trust and con5dence /hich the

courts and clients re-ose in him forthe continued e;ercise of his-rofessional -ri3ile+e.4

'ection 1, Rule 1= of the Rules ofCourt -ro3ides:

'EC$ 1. ho may -ractice la/.

W ny -erson heretofore dulyadmitted as a mem0er of the 0ar,or thereafter admitted as such inaccordance /ith the -ro3isions ofthis Rule, and /ho is in +ood andre+ular standin+, is entitled to-ractice la/.

%ursuant thereto, any -ersonadmitted as a mem0er of the%hili--ine 0ar in accordance /iththe statutory re6uirements and/ho is in +ood and re+ular standin+is entitled to -ractice la/.

dmission to the 0ar re6uirescertain 6uali5cations. he Rules ofCourt mandates that an a--licantfor admission to the 0ar 0e aciti&en of the %hili--ines, at leastt/enty8one years of a+e, of +ood

moral character and a resident ofthe %hili--ines.> Fe must also-roduce 0efore this Courtsatisfactory e3idence of +oodmoral character and that nochar+es a+ainst him, in3ol3in+moral tur-itude, ha3e 0een 5led orare -endin+ in any court in the%hili--ines.

Moreo3er, admission to the 0ar

in3ol3es 3arious -hases such asfurnishin+ satisfactory -roof of


17/49

educational, moral and other6uali5cations


18/49

J!L#ETA B. NARAG,o$%a&'a't, *s. ATT/.OM#NAOR M. NARAG,)s$o'+)'t.

) E C $ ' $

%ER CR$M:

Good moral character is acontinuin+ 6uali5cation re6uired ofe3ery mem0er of the 0ar. hus,/hen a la/yer fails to meet thee;actin+ standard of moralinte+rity, the 'u-reme Court may/ithdra/ his or her -ri3ile+e to-ractice la/.

n o3em0er 1=, 199, Mrs. *ulietaB. ara+ 5led an administrati3ecom-laintK1L for dis0armenta+ainst her hus0and, tty.)ominador M. ara+, /hom sheaccused of ha3in+ 3iolated Canons1 and , Rule 1."1 of the Code ofEthics for a/yers.K2L

he com-lainant narrated:

he 't. ouis Colle+e of u+ue+araoen+a+ed the ser3ices of tty.)ominador M. ara+ in the earlyse3enties as a full8time colle+einstructor in the Colle+e of rts and'ciences and as a -rofessor in theGraduate 'chool. $n 194, Ms. GinaEs-ita, 1! years old and a 5rst yearcolle+e student, enrolled insu07ects handled 0y tty. ara+.E;ertin+ his inHuence as her

teacher, and as a -rominentmem0er of the le+al -rofession and

then mem0er of the 'an++unian+Bayan of u+ue+arao, tty. ara+courted Ms. Es-ita, +raduallylessenin+ her resistance until thestudent acceded to his /ishes.

hey then maintained an illicitrelationshi- no/n in 3arious

circles in the community, 0ut /hichthey mana+ed to ee- from me. $ttherefore came as a terri0leem0arKrLassment to me, /ithuns-eaa0le +rief and -ain /henmy hus0and a0andoned us, hisfamily, to li3e /ith Ms. Es-ita, inutterly scandalous circumstances.

$t a--ears that tty. ara+ used his-o/er and inHuence as a mem0erof the 'an++unian+ %anlala/i+an ofCa+ayan to cause the em-loymentof Ms. Es-ita at the )e-artment of

rade and $ndustry Central ce atMaati, Metro Manila. ut of+ratitude -erha-s, for this +esture,Ms. Es-ita a+reed to li3e /ith tty.ara+, her sense of ri+htKeLousnessand morals com-letely corru-ted0y a mem0er of the Bar.

$t is no/ a common no/led+e inthe community that tty.)ominador M. ara+ hasa0andoned us, his family, to li3e/ith a 228year8old /oman, /ho /ashis former student in the tertiaryle3elK.LK=L

his Court, in a Resolution dated)ecem0er 1, 199, referred the

case to the $nte+rated Bar of the

%hili--ines #$B% for in3esti+ation,re-ort and recommendation.K4L

n *une 2, 199", the oce of thenChief *ustice Marcelo B. @ernanrecei3ed from com-lainant anotherletter seein+ the dismissal of theadministrati3e com-laint. 'he

alle+ed therein that #1 shefa0ricated the alle+ations in hercom-laint to humiliate and s-iteher hus0and< #2 all the lo3e letters0et/een the res-ondent and GinaEs-ita /ere for+eries< and #= she/as suDerin+ from emotionalconfusion arisin+ from e;treme

7ealousy. he truth, she stated, /asthat her hus0and had remained afaithful and res-onsi0le familyman. 'he further asserted that hehad neither entered into anamorous relationshi- /ith one GinaEs-ita nor a0andoned his family.K>L'u--ortin+ her letter /ere anda3it of )esistanceKL and aMotion to )ismiss,K!L attached asnne;es and B, /hich she 5led0efore the $B% commission on 0ardisci-line.KL $n a )ecision datedcto0er , 1991, the $B% Board ofGo3ernors K9L dismissed thecom-laint of Mrs. ara+ for failureto -rosecute.K1"L

he case too an une;-ected turn/hen, on o3em0er 2>, 1991, thisCourtK11L recei3ed anotherletterK12L from the com-lainant,/ith her se3en childrenK1=L as co8si+natories, a+ain a--ealin+ for the

dis0arment of her hus0and. 'hee;-lained that she had earlier


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dro--ed the case a+ainst him0ecause of his continuous threatsa+ainst her.K14L

$n his Comment on thecom-lainants letter of o3em0er11, 1991, 5led in com-liance /iththis Courts Resolution issued on

*uly , 1992,K1>L res-ondent-rayed that the decision of theBoard of Go3ernors 0e armed.)enyin+ that he had threatened,harassed or intimidated his /ife, healle+ed that she had 3oluntarilye;ecuted her da3it of )esistanceK1L and Motion to)ismiss,K1!L e3en a--earin+ 0eforethe in3esti+atin+ ocer,Commissioner Racela, to testifyunder oath that she -re-ared theMotion to )ismiss and da3it of)esistance on her o/n free /ill andarmed the contents thereof.

$n addition, he -rofessed his lo3efor his /ife and his children anddenied a0andonin+ his family toli3e /ith his -aramour. Fo/e3er,he descri0ed his /ife as a -ersonemotionally distur0ed, 3i&.:

hat is -itia0le here is the factthat Com-lainant is an incura0ly

7ealous and -ossessi3e /oman, ande3ery time the strea of 7ealousyrears its head, she 5res oD lettersor com-laints a+ainst her hus0andin e3ery concei3a0le forum, all/ithout 0asis, and -urely onim-ulse, 7ust to satisfy the

consumin+ demands of her lo3in+7ealousy. hen, as is her nature, a

fe/ hours after/ards, /hen her7ealousy cools oD, she re-ents andfeels sorry for her acts a+ainst theRes-ondent. hus, /hen she /rotethe etter of o3em0er 11, 1991,she /as then in the +ri-s of one ofher 0outs of 7ealousy.K1L

n u+ust 24, 1992, this Courtissued another Resolution referrin+the Comment of res-ondent to the$B%.K19L $n the hearin+ 0efore $B%Commissioner %laridel C. *ose,res-ondent alle+ed the follo/in+:K2"L

2. our Res-ondent comes from3ery -oor -arents /ho ha3e lefthim not e3en a s6uare meter ofland, 0ut +a3e him the 0est le+acyin life: a -ur-oseful and meanin+fuleducation. Com-lainant comesfrom /hat she claims to 0e 3eryrich -arents /ho 3alue material-ossession more than educationand the hi+her and no0leras-irations in life. Com-lainanta0hors the -oor.

=. our Res-ondent has a lo3in+u-0rin+in+, nurtured in the +entle/ays of lo3e, for+i3eness, humility,and concern for the -oor.Com-lainant /as reared and raisedin an entirely diDerenten3ironment. Fer 3alue system isthe 3ery o--osite.

4. our Res-ondent lo3es his family3ery dearly, and has done all he

could in thirty8ei+ht #= years ofmarria+e to -rotect and -reser3e

his family. Fe +a3e his familysustenance, a comforta0le home,lo3e, education, com-anionshi-,and most of all, a +ood andres-ected name. Fe /as al/ays+entle and com-assionate to his/ife and children. E3en in the mosttryin+ times, he remained calm and

ne3er inHicted 3iolence on them.Fis children are all no/ full8Hed+ed-rofessionals, mature, and +ainfullyem-loyed. ; ; ;

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

our Res-ondent su0scri0es to thesanctity of marria+e as a socialinstitution.

n the other hand, consumed 0yinsane and un0eara0le 7ealousy,Com-lainant has 0eensystematically and unceasin+lydestroyin+ the 3ery foundations oftheir marria+e and their family.

heir marria+e has 0ecome atorture cham0er in /hich ourRes-ondent has 0een incessantlyBEE, BERE), BR$ZE),

RRE), B'E), andFM$$E), -hysically, mentally,and emotionally, 0y theCom-lainant, in -u0lic and athome. heir marria+e has 0ecomea ni+htmare.

@or thirty8ei+ht years, yourRes-ondent suDered in silence and0ore the -ain of his misfortune /ithdi+nity and /ith almost in5nite

-atience, if only to -reser3e theirfamily and their marria+e. But this


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is not to 0e. he Com-lainantne3er mello/ed and ne3er 0ecame+entlKeL, lo3in+, andunderstandin+. $n fact, she 0ecamemore 5erce and -redatory.

Fence, at this -oint in time, theli+ht at the tunnel for our

Res-ondent does not seem in si+ht.he darness continues to shroudthe marital and familial landsca-e.

our Res-ondent has to under+o acatharsis, a li0eration fromensla3ement. %ara-hrasin+)orfman in )eath and the Maiden,can the torturer and the torturedco8e;ist and li3e to+etherY

Fence, faced /ith an a0solutelyuncom-rehendin+ anduncom-romisin+ mind /hose onlyo0session no/ is to destroy,destroy, and destroy, ourRes-ondent, /ith -er-etual re+retand /ith +reat sorro/, 5led a%etition for nnulment of Marria+e,'-l. %roc. o. >, RC, Branch $$$,

u+ue+arao, Ca+ayan. ; ; ;.

>. Com-lainant is a 3iolenthus0and80eater, 3itriolic andun0endin+. But your Res-ondentne3er re3ealed these destructi3e6ualities to other -eo-le. Fe-reser3ed the +ood name anddi+nity of his /ife. his is incom-liance /ith the marital 3o/ tolo3e, honor or o0ey your s-ouse,for 0etter or for /orse, in sicness

and in health. . . E3en in this case,our Res-ondent ne3er re3ealed

anythin+ dero+atory to his /ife. $tis only no/ that he is constrainedto re3eal all these thin+s to defendhimself.

n the other hand, for no reason atall, e;ce-t a 7ealous ra+e,Com-lainant tells e3eryone,

e3ery/here, that her hus0and is/orthless, +ood8for8nothin+, e3iland immoral. 'he +oes to colle+esand uni3ersities, -rofessionalor+ani&ations, reli+ious societies,and all other sectors of thecommunity to tell them ho/ e3il,0ad and immoral her hus0and is.'he tells them not to hire him as-rofessor, as Counsel, or any otherca-acity 0ecause her hus0and ise3il, 0ad, and immoral. $s this lo3eY'ince /hen did lo3e 0ecome aninstrument to destroy a mansdearest -ossession in life 8 his +oodname, re-utation and di+nityY

Because of Com-lainants 3irulentdisinformation cam-ai+n a+ainsther hus0and, em-loyin+ e3eryunethical and immoral means toattain his ends, our Res-ondenthas 0een irre-ara0ly andirre3ersi0ly dis+raced, shamed, andhumiliated. our Res-ondent is nota scandalous man. $t is he /ho has0een mercilessly scandali&ed andcruci5ed 0y the Com-lainant.K21L

o -ro3e the alle+ed -ro-ensity ofhis /ife to 5le false char+es,res-ondent -resented as e3idence

the follo/in+ list of the com-laints

she had 5led a+ainst him and GinaEs-ita:

=.1 Com-laint for$mmoralityJe+lect of )uty ; ; ;

=.2 Com-laint for$mmoralityJe+lect of )uty, )$G,

dm. Case o. %8>89". ; ; ;

=.= Com-laint for Concu0ina+e.%ro3incial %rosecutors ce ofCa+ayan. $.' o. 98114. ; ; ;

=.4 Com-laint for nti8Graft andCorru-t %ractices and concu0ina+e.MB)'M Case o. 18928""=.; ; ;

=.> Com-laint for Ci3il 'u--ort.RC, u+ue+arao, Ci3il Case o.4"1. )$'M$''E).

=. Com-laint for Concu0ina+e.%ro3incial %rosecutors ce ofCa+ayan. $.'. o. 9281"9.)$'M$''E).#; ; ;. Com-lainant5led Motion for Reconsideration.)E$E).#; ; ;.

=.! Com-laint for )is0arment #; ;; /ith 'Ku-remeL CKourtL.ithdra/n #; ; ;. )$'M$''E) 0y$B% Board of Go3ernors #; ; ;. Re8instituted #; ; ;.

=. Com-laint for )is0arment,a+ain #; ; ;. dm. Case o. =4">.%endin+.

=.9 Com-laint for Concu0ina+e,a+ain #; ; ;. hird MCC,


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umauini, $sa0ela. %endin+. ; ;;K22L

$n his des-erate eDort to e;cul-atehimself, he a3erred:

$. hat all the alle+ed lo3e lettersand en3elo-es #; ; ;, -icture #; ;

; are inadmissi0le in e3idence asenunciated 0y the 'u-reme Courtin Cecilia Zulueta 3s. Court of--eals, et. al., G.R. o. 1"!==,@e0ruary 2", 199. #; ; ;.

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

$$. hat res-ondent is totallyinnocent of the char+es: Fe ne3ercourted Gina Es-ita in the 'aintouis Colle+e of u+ue+arao. Fene3er caused the em-loyment ofsaid /oman in the )$. Fe ne3erhad or is ha3in+ any illicitrelationshi- /ith her any/here, atany time. Fe ne3er li3ed /ith heras hus0and and /ife any/here atany time, 0e it in Centro umauinior any of its 0aran+ays, or in anyother -lace. Fe ne3er 0e+ot a childor children /ith her. @inally,res-ondent su0mits that all theother alle+ations of Mrs. ara+ arefalse and fa0ricated, ; ; ;

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

$$$. Res-ondent ne3er a0andonedhis familyK.L Mrs. ara+ and hert/o sons forci0ly dro3e res-ondentara+ out of the con7u+al home.

fter that, tty. ara+ tried toreturn to the con7u+al home many

times /ith the hel- of mutualfriends to sa3e the marria+e andthe family from colla-se. Fe triedse3eral times to reconcile /ith Mrs.ara+. $n fact, in one of thehearin+s of the dis0arment case,he oDered to return home and toreconcile /ith Mrs. ara+. But Mrs.

ara+ refused all these eDorts ofres-ondent ara+. ; ; ;

$N. Com-lainant *ulieta B. ara+ isan un0eara0ly 7ealous, 3iolent,3indicti3e, scandalous, 3irulent andmerciless /ife since the 0e+innin+of the marria+e, /ho incessantly0eat, 0attered, 0rutali&ed, tortured,a0useKdL, scandali&ed, andhumiliated res-ondent tty. ara+,-hysically, mentally, emotionally,and -sycholo+ically, ; ; ;.

N. Com-lainant *ulieta ara+s claimin her counter8manifestation datedMarch 2, 199, to the eDect thatthe ada3it of )ominador B.ara+, *r., dated @e0ruary 2!, 199/as o0tained throu+h force andintimidation, is not true.)ominador, *r., e;ecuted hisada3it freely, 3oluntarily, anda0solutely /ithout force orintimidation, as sho/n 0y thetranscri-t of steno+ra-hic notes ofthe testimonies of Res-ondent tty.ara+ and u+ue+arao MC *ud+e)ominador Garcia durin+ the trialof Criminal Case o. 124=9, %eo-le3s. )ominador M. ara+, et. al.,0efore the u+ue+arao MC on May

=, 199. ; ; ;.

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

N$. Res-ondent tty. ara+ is no/an old man 8 a senior citi&en of =years 8 sicly, a0andoned,dis+raced, /eaened andde0ilitated 0y -ro+ressi3elyde+enerati3e +out and arthritis,

and hardly a0le to earn his o/nee-. Fis 3ery -hysical, medical,-sycholo+ical, and economicconditions render him un5t anduna0le to do the thin+s attri0utedto him 0y the com-lainant. %leasesee the attached medicalcerti5cates, ; ; ;, amon+ manyother similar certi5cates touchin+on the same ailments. Res-ondentis also suDerin+ from hy-ertension.K2=L

n *uly 1, 199!, the in3esti+atin+ocer su0mitted his re-ort,K24Lrecommendin+ the inde5nitesus-ension of tty. ara+ from the-ractice of la/. he material-ortions of said re-ort read asfollo/s:

Culled from the 3oluminousdocumentary and testimoniale3idence su0mitted 0y thecontendin+ -arties, t/o #2 issuesare rele3ant for the dis-osition ofthe case, namely:

a hether there /as indeed acommission of alle+eda0andonment of res-ondents o/nfamily and K/hether he /asL li3in+

/ith his -aramour, Gina Es-ita 'CR 4!.

Nie/ed from all the e3idence-resented, /e 5nd the res-ondentsu07ect to disci-linary action as amem0er of the le+al -rofession.

K2>L

$n its ResolutionK2L issued onu+ust 2=, 199!, the $B% ado-tedand a--ro3ed the in3esti+atin+commissioners recommendationfor the inde5nite sus-ension of theres-ondent.K2!L 'u0se6uently, thecom-lainant sou+ht the dis0armentof her hus0and in a

ManifestationJComment she 5ledon cto0er 2", 199!. he $B%+ranted this stiDer -enalty and, inits Resolution dated o3em0er =",199!, denied res-ondents Motionfor Reconsideration.

fter a careful scrutiny of therecords of the -roceedin+s and thee3idence -resented 0y the -arties,/e 5nd that the conduct ofres-ondent /arrants the im-ositionof the -enalty of dis0arment.

he Code of %rofessionalRes-onsi0ility -ro3ides:

Rule 1."188 la/yer shall noten+a+e in unla/ful, dishonest,immoral or deceitful conduct.

C !88 la/yer shall at alltimes u-hold the inte+rity anddi+nity of the le+al -rofession, andsu--ort the acti3ities of the$nte+rated Bar.

Rule !."=88 la/yer shall noten+a+e in conduct that ad3erselyreHects on his 5tness to -racticela/, nor should he, /hether in-u0lic or -ri3ate life, 0eha3e in a

scandalous manner to the discreditof the le+al -rofession.

hus, +ood moral character is notonly a condition -recedentK2L tothe -ractice of la/, 0ut acontinuin+ 6uali5cation for allmem0ers of the 0ar. Fence, /hen ala/yer is found +uilty of +rossimmoral conduct, he may 0e

sus-ended or dis0arred.K29L

$mmoral conduct has 0een de5nedas that conduct /hich is so /illful,Ha+rant, or shameless as to sho/indiDerence to the o-inion of +oodand res-ecta0le mem0ers of thecommunity.K="L @urthermore, suchconduct must not only 0e immoral,0ut +rossly immoral. hat is, itmust 0e so corru-t as to constitutea criminal act or so un-rinci-led asto 0e re-rehensi0le to a hi+hde+reeK=1L or committed undersuch scandalous or re3oltin+circumstances as to shoc thecommon sense of decency.K=2L

e e;-lained in Barrientos 3s.)aarolK==L that, as ocers of thecourt, la/yers must not only in fact0e of +ood moral character 0utmust also 0e seen to 0e of +oodmoral character and leadin+ li3esin accordance /ith the hi+hestmoral standards of the community.More s-eci5cally, a mem0er of theBar and ocer of the court is notonly re6uired to refrain fromadulterous relationshi-s or theee-in+ of mistresses 0ut mustalso so 0eha3e himself as to a3oid

scandali&in+ the -u0lic 0y creatin+


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the 0elief that he is Houtin+ thosemoral standards.

Res-ondent ara+ is accused of+ross immorality for a0andonin+his family in order to li3e /ith GinaEs-ita. he 0urden of -roof restsu-on the com-lainant, and the

Court /ill e;ercise its disci-linary-o/er only if she esta0lishes hercase 0y clear, con3incin+ andsatisfactory e3idence.K=4L

%resented 0y com-lainant as/itnesses, aside from herself,K=>L/ere: Charlie Es-ita,K=LMa+dalena Bautista,K=!LBien3enido Eu+enio,K=L liceCara+,K=9L )r. *er3is B. ara+,K4"L

)ominador ara+, *r.,K41L andie3es @. Reyes.K42L

Charlie Es-ita, 0rother of thealle+ed -aramour Gina Es-ita,corro0orated com-lainants char+ea+ainst res-ondent in thesecate+orical statements he +a3e tothe in3esti+atin+ ocer:

Q Mr. itness, do you no/ tty.ara+Y

es, our Fonor, he is the li3e8in-artner of my sister, Gina Es-ita.

Q $f tty. ara+ is here, can you-oint KtoL himY

es, sir.

#itness -ointed to theres-ondent, tty. )ominadorara+

Q hy do you no/ tty. ara+Y

. RG:

lready ans/ered. Fe said $ am theli3e8in -artner.

C$$ @ FE )$REC

Because he is the li3e8in -artnerof my sister and that they are no/li3in+ to+ether as hus0and and /ifeand that they already ha3e t/ochildren, urelle )ominic and yle)ominador.

)urin+ cross8e;aminationconducted 0y the res-ondenthimself, Charlie Es-ita re-eated hisaccount that his sister Gina /asli3in+ /ith the res-ondent, /ith/hom she had t/o children:

Q Mr. Es-ita, you claim that tty.ara+ is no/ li3in+ /ith your sisteras hus0and and /ife. ou claimthatY

es, sir.

Q hy do you say thatY

Because at -resent you are li3in+to+ether as hus0and and /ife andyou ha3e already t/o children and $no/ that that is really an immoral

act /hich you cannot 7ust allo/ meto follo/ since my moral 3alues

dont allo/ me that my sister isli3in+ /ith a married man lie you.

Q Fo/ do you no/ that tty.ara+ is li3in+ /ith your sisterY )idyou see them in the houseY

es, siKrL.

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Q ou said also that tty. ara+ andyour sister ha3e t/o children,urelle )ominic and yle)ominador, is it notY

es, sir.

Q Fo/ do you no/ that they are

the children of tty. ara+Y

Because you are stayin+ to+etherin that house and you ha3e leftyour family.K44L

$n addition, Charlie Es-ita admitted#1 that it /as he /ho handed toMrs. ara+ the lo3e lettersres-ondent had sent to his sister,and #2 that tty. ara+ tried todissuade him from a--earin+ at thedis0arment -roceedin+s.K4>L

itness Bien3enido Eu+eniostren+thened the testimony ofCharlie Es-ita in this /ise:

Q Mr. itness, do you no/ theres-ondent in this caseY

$ no/ him 3ery /ell, sir.


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Q Could you -lease tell us /hy doyou no/ himY

Because he /as al/ays +oin+ tothe house of my son8in8la/ 0y thename of Charlie Es-ita.

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Q Mr. Eu+enio, do you no/ theresidence of tty. )ominador M.ara+Y

t that time, he K/asL residin+ inthe house of Reynaldo n+u0on+,sir.

Q nd this is located /hereY

Centro amauini, $sa0ela, sir.

Q nd you s-eci5cally,cate+orically state under oath thatthis is the residence of tty. ara+Y

es, sir.

Q nd under oath this is /heretty. ara+ and Gina Es-ita arealle+edly li3in+ as hus0and and/ife, is it notY

es, sir.K4L

itness ie3es Reyes, a nei+h0orand friend of the estran+ed cou-le,testi5ed that she learned from theara+ children 88 Randy, Bon+ andRo/ena 88 that their father left hisfamily, that she and her hus0and

-rodded the com-lainant to acce-tthe res-ondent 0ac, that the

ara+ cou-le a+ain se-arated/hen the res-ondent /ent 0ac tohis /oman, and that tty. ara+had maltreated his /ife.K4!L

n the stren+th of the testimony ofher /itnesses, the com-lainant /asa0le to esta0lish that res-ondent

a0andoned his family and li3ed/ith another /oman. 0sent anye3idence sho/in+ that these/itnesses had an ill moti3e totestify falsely a+ainst theres-ondent, their testimonies aredeemed /orthy of 0elief.

@urther, the com-lainant -resentedas e3idence the lo3e letters thatres-ondent had sent to Gina. $n

these letters, res-ondent clearlymanifested his lo3e for Gina andher t/o children, /hom heacno/led+ed as his o/n. $naddition, com-lainant alsosu0mitted as e3idence the cardsthat she herself had recei3ed fromhim. Guided 0y the rule thathand/ritin+ may 0e -ro3edthrou+h a com-arison of one set of/ritin+s /ith those admitted ortreated 0y the res-ondent as+enuine, /e arm that the t/osets of e3idence /ere /ritten 0yone and the same -erson.K4LBesides, res-ondent did not-resent any e3idence to -ro3e thatthe lo3e letters /ere not really/ritten 0y him< he merely deniedthat he /rote them.

hile the 0urden of -roof is u-onthe com-lainant, res-ondent has

the duty not only to himself 0utalso to the court to sho/ that he ismorally 5t to remain a mem0er ofthe 0ar. Mere denial does notsuce. hus, /hen his moralcharacter is assailed, such that hisri+ht to continue -racticin+ hischerished -rofession is im-eriled,

he must meet the char+es s6uarelyand -resent e3idence, to thesatisfaction of the in3esti+atin+0ody and this Court, that he ismorally 5t to ha3e his name in theRoll of ttorneys.K49L his he failedto do.

Res-ondent adamantly deniesa0andonin+ his family to li3e /ithGina Es-ita. t the same time, he

de-icts his /ife as a 3iolenthus0and80eater, 3itriolic andun0endin+, and as an insanely and-atholo+ically 7ealous /oman,/hose only o0session /as todestroy, destroy and destroy himas sho/n 0y her 5lin+ of a series ofalle+edly unfounded char+esa+ainst him #and Gina Es-ita. o-ro3e his alle+ation, he -resentedninety8ei+ht #9 -ieces ofdocumentary e3idenceK>"L and ten#1" /itnesses.K>1L

e note, ho/e3er, that thetestimonies of the /itnesses ofres-ondent did not esta0lish thefact that he maintained that moralinte+rity re6uired 0y the -rofessionthat /ould render him 5t tocontinue -racticin+ la/. either did

their testimonies destroy the fact,as -ro3en 0y the com-lainant, that


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he had a0andoned his family andli3ed /ith Gina Es-ita, /ith /homhe had t/o children. 'ome of themtesti5ed on matters /hich they hadno actual no/led+e of, 0ut merelyrelied on information from eitherres-ondent himself or other-eo-le, /hile others /ere

-resented to im-each the +oodcharacter of his /ife.

Res-ondent may ha3e -ro3ided/ell for his family 88 they en7oyed acomforta0le life and his children5nished their education. Fe mayha3e also esta0lished himself as asuccessful la/yer and a seasoned-olitician. But theseaccom-lishments are not sucient

to sho/ his moral 5tness tocontinue 0ein+ a mem0er of theno0le -rofession of la/.

e remind res-ondent that -arentsha3e not only ri+hts 0ut also dutiese.+., to su--ort, educate andinstruct their children accordin+ tori+ht -rece-ts and +ood e;am-le2L s a hus0and, he isalso o0li+ed to li3e /ith his /ife< too0ser3e mutual lo3e, res-ect and5delity< and to render hel- andsu--ort.K>=L

Res-ondent himself admitted thathis /or re6uired him to 0e oftena/ay from home. But the e3idence

sho/s that he /as a/ay not only0ecause of his /or< instead, he

a0andoned his family to li3e /ithhis -aramour, /ho 0ore him t/ochildren. $t /ould a--ear, then,that he /as hardly in a -osition to0e a +ood hus0and or a +oodfather. Fis children, /ho +re/ u-mostly under the care of theirmother, must ha3e scarcely felt the

/armth of their fathers lo3e.

Res-ondents son, *er3is B. ara+,sho/ed his resentment to/ards hisfathers moral frailties in histestimony:

Q My 6uestion is this, is there anysin so +rie3ous that it cannot 0efor+i3en, is there a fault that is soserious that it is inca-a0le of

for+i3enessY

hat de-ends u-on the sin orfault, sir, 0ut if the sin or fault is/ith the emotional -art of myself, $su--ose $ cannot for+i3e a -ersonalthou+h $ am a God8fearin+-erson, 0ut $ hKa3Le to +i3e the-erson a lesson in order for him orher to at least reali&e his mistaes,sir.

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

CMR. *'E:

$ thin it sounds lie this. ssumin+for the sae of ar+ument that yourfather is the /orst, hardenedcriminal on earth, /ould you sendhim to 7ail and ha3e him dis0arredY

hat is the 6uestion.

C$$.

ith the re-utation that he hadremo3ed from us, $ su--ose he hasto 0e +i3en a lesson. t this -ointin time, $ mi+ht 7ust for+i3e him ifhe /ill ha3e to e;-erience all the-ains that /e ha3e also suDered

for 6uite sometime.

Q )r. ara+, your father +a3e youlife, his 0lood runs in your 3eins,his Hesh is your Hesh, his 0ones areyour 0ones and you no/ diso/nhim 0ecause he is the /orst manon earth, is that /hat you aresayin+.

'ort of, sir.

Q ou are no/ tellin+ that as farKasL you are concerned 0ecauseyour father has sinned, you ha3eno more father, am $ correctY

on+ 0efore, sir, $ did not feelmuch from my father e3en /hen $/as still a id 0ecause my father isnot al/ays stayin+ /ith us athome. 'o, ho/ can you say thatY

es, he +a3e me life, /hy notY Butfor sure, sir, you did not +i3e melo3e.K>4L

nother son, )ominador ara+, *r.,narrated 0efore the in3esti+atin+ocer the trauma he /entthrou+h:

Q $n connection /ith that ada3it,

Mr. itness, /hich contains thefact that your father is maintainin+


26/49

a -aramour, could you -lease tellthis Fonora0le Commission theeDect on youY

his has a 3ery stron+ eDect onme and this includes my 0rothersand sisters, es-ecially my marriedlife, sir. nd it also aDected my

children so much, that $ and my/ife haK3eL -arted /ays. $t hurts tosay that $ and my /ife -arted /ays.

his is one reason that aDected us.

Q ill you -lease tell us s-eci5cally/hy you and your /ife -arted/aysY

Because my /ife /aKsL ashamedof /hat ha--ened to my family and

that she could not face the -eo-le,our community, es-ecially 0ecausemy /ife 0elon+s to a /ell8no/nfamily in our community.

Q Fo/ a0out the eDect on your0rothers and sistersY %lease tell us/hat are those.

ell, sir, this has also aDectedthe health of my elder sister0ecause she no/s so /ell that mymother suDered so much and shee-t on thinin+ a0out my mother.

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Q hy did your /ife lea3e youY

he truth is 0ecause of the thin+sthat had ha--ened in our family,

our Fonor.

Q $n your /ifes familyY

$n our family, sir.

Q nd /hat do you mean 0y thatY

hat $ meant 0y that is myfather had an illicit relationshi- and

that my father /ent to the e;tentof scoldin+ my /ife and callin+ my/ife a -uta in -ro3incial+o3ernment, /hich my mother8in8la/ hated him so much for this,/hich really aDected us. nd thenmy /ife ne/ for a fact that myfather has an illicit relationshi- /ithGina Es-ita, /hom he 0ore t/ochildren 0y the name of urelle)ominic and yle )ominador,

/hich $ could -ro3e and $ stand 5rmto this, our Fonor.K>>L

lthou+h res-ondent -iously claimsadherence to the sanctity ofmarria+e, his acts -ro3e other/ise. hus0and is not merely a man/ho has contracted marria+e.Rather, he is a -artner /ho hassolemnly s/orn to lo3e and res-ecthis /ife and remain faithful to heruntil death.

e reiterate our rulin+ in Cordo3a3s. Cordo3aK>L he moraldelin6uency that aDects the 5tnessof a mem0er of the 0ar to continueas such includes conduct thatoutra+es the +enerally acce-tedmoral standards of the community,conduct for instance, /hich maesa mocery of the in3iola0le socialinstitution of marria+e.

$n oledo 3s. oledo,K>!L theres-ondent /as dis0arred from the-ractice of la/, /hen hea0andoned his la/ful /ife andcoha0ited /ith another /oman /hohad 0orne him a child.

ie/ise, in 0usan 3s. 0usan,K>L the res-ondent /as dis0arredafter the com-lainant -ro3ed thathe had a0andoned her andmaintained an adulterousrelationshi- /ith a married /oman.

his Court declared thatres-ondent failed to maintain thehi+hest de+ree of moralitye;-ected and re6uired of amem0er of the 0ar.

$n the -resent case, thecom-lainant /as a0le to esta0lish,0y clear and con3incin+ e3idence,that res-ondent had 0reached thehi+h and e;actin+ moral standardsset for mem0ers of the la/-rofession. s held in Mali+sa 3s.Ca0antin+,K>9L a la/yer may 0edis0arred for any misconduct,/hether in his -rofessional or-ri3ate ca-acity, /hich sho/s himto 0e /antin+ in moral character, inhonesty, -ro0ity and +ooddemeanor or un/orthy to continueas an ocer of the court.

FERE@RE, )ominador M. ara+is here0y )$'BRRE) and his nameis R)ERE) 'R$CE from theRoll of ttorneys. et co-ies of this)ecision 0e in the -ersonal recordof Res-ondent ara+< and


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furnished to all courts of the land,the $nte+rated Bar of the%hili--ines, and the ce of theBar Con5dant.

' R)ERE).

KA"-;36;. A$&% 27, 200;

$ous)s 5RANJ99KL

ot/ithstandin+ the full -aymentof the loan, res-ondent 5lled u-four #of the 53e 0lan %B Checs#os. ""4241, ""4242, ""424=and ""4244 for the amount of%>",""" each, /ith diDerent datesof maturity 88 u+ust 1>, 1999,u+ust 2", 1999, cto0er 1>, 1999


28/49

and o3em0er 1>, 1999,res-ecti3ely.K9L

n cto0er 19, 1999, res-ondent5led 0efore the %ro3incial%rosecution ce of Ri&al anda3it8Com-laint a+ainst-etitioners for estafa and 3iolation

of Batas %am0ansa #B% 22. Fealle+ed therein that on *uly 1>,1999, around one8thirty in theafternoon at Cainta, Ri&al, they-ersonally a--roached him andre6uested that he immediatelye;chan+e /ith cash their -ostdated%B Chec os. ""4241 and""4242 totalin+ %1"",""".K1"L

'e3eral months after, or on *anuary

2", 2""", res-ondent 5led a+ainst-etitioners another da3it8Com-laint for estafa and 3iolationof B% 22. Fe stated, amon+ others,that on the same day, *uly 1>,1999, around t/o ocloc in theafternoon at Que&on City, theya+ain a--roached him andre6uested that he e;chan+e /ithcash %B Chec os. ""424= and""4244 totalin+ %1"",""".K11L

%etitioners insisted that on theafternoon of *uly 1>, 1999, theyne3er /ent either to Cainta, Ri&al,or to Que&on City to transact0usiness /ith res-ondent.lle+edly, they /ere in their oceat the time, as sho/n 0y their )aily

ime Records< so it /ould ha3e0een -hysically im-ossi0le forthem to transact 0usiness inCainta, Ri&al, and, after an inter3al

of only thirty minutes, in Que&onCity, es-ecially considerin+ thehea3y trac conditions in those-laces.K12L

%etitioners a3erred that many oftheir oce mates 88 amon+ them,

*uanita Manaois, Fonorata costa

and Eu+enia Mendo&a 88 hadsuDered the same fate in theirdealin+s /ith res-ondent.K1=L

$n his Comment,K14L res-ondentdenied -etitioners claims, /hich hecalled 0aseless and de3oid of anytruth and merit. lle+edly,-etitioners /ere the ones /ho haddecei3ed him 0y not honorin+ theircommitment re+ardin+ their *uly

1>, 1999 transactions. hosetransactions, totalin+ %2"",""",had alle+edly 0een co3ered 0ytheir four %B checs that /ere,ho/e3er, su0se6uently dishonoreddue to CC C'E). hus, he5led criminal cases a+ainst them.Fe claimed that the checs hadalready 0een fully 5lled u- /hen-etitioners si+ned them in his-resence. Fe further claimed thathe had +i3en them the amounts ofmoney indicated in the checs,0ecause his -re3ious satisfactorytransactions /ith them con3incedhim that they had the ca-acity to-ay.

Moreo3er, res-ondent said that theloans /ere his -ri3ate and -ersonaltransactions, /hich /ere not in any/ay connected /ith his -rofessionas a la/yer. he criminal cases

a+ainst -etitioners /ere alle+edly-ri3ate actions intended to3indicate his ri+hts a+ainst theirdece-tion and 3iolation of theiro0li+ations. Fe maintained that hisri+ht to liti+ate should not 0ecurtailed 0y this administrati3eaction.

Re-ort of the $n3esti+atin+Commissioner

$n his Re-ort and Recommendation,Commissioner )ulay recommendedthat res-ondent 0e sus-endedfrom the -ractice of la/ for t/oyears for 3iolatin+ Rule 1."1 of theCode of %rofessional Res-onsi0ility.

he commissioner said thatres-ondents 3ersion of the facts/as not credi0le. Commissioner)ulay rendered the follo/in+analysis and e3aluation of thee3idence -resented:

$n his ada3it8com-laint ; ; ;e;ecuted to su--ort his com-laint5led 0efore the %ro3incial%rosecution ce of Ri&alres-ondent stated that:

2. hat last *uly 1>, 1999, in the7urisdiction of Cainta, Ri&al, 0othR)E' E. BE' and @R$. BE' ; ; ;, -ersonally met andre6uested me to immediatelye;chan+e /ith cash, ri+ht thereand then, their -ostdated checstotalin+ %1"","""."" then, to 0eimmediately used 0y them in their0usiness 3enture.


29/49

+ain in his ada3it8com-lainte;ecuted to su--ort his com-laint5led /ith the ce of the City%rosecutor of Que&on Cityres-ondent stated that:

2. hat last *uly 1>, 1999, at

around 2%M, in the 7urisdiction ofQue&on City, M.M., 0oth R)E'E. BE' and @R$ . BE' ;; ;, -ersonally met and re6uestedme to immediately e;chan+e /ithcash, ri+ht there and then, their-ostdated checs totalin+%1"","""."" then, to 0eimmediately used 0y them in their0usiness 3enture.

he a0o3e statements e;ecuted 0yres-ondent under oath are in directcontrast to his testimony 0eforethis Commission on cross8e;amination durin+ the May 12,2""= hearin+, thus:

%Z: #continuin+

Q. Based on these four #4 checs/hich you claimed the com-lainantissued to you, you 5led t/ose-arate criminal cases a+ainstthem, one, in %asi+ City and theother in Que&on City, is thatcorrectY

. es, our Fonor, 0ecause thechecs /ere de-osited at diDerent0ans.

Q. hese four checs /ereaccordin+ly issued to you 0y the

com-lainants on *uly 1>, 1999, isthat correctY

. $ /ill consult my records, ouFonor, 0ecause its 6uite a lon+time. es, our Fonor, the 5rst t/ochecs is in the mornin+ and thene;t t/o checs is in the afternoon

#sic.

CMM. ):

hich are the 5rst t/o checsY

. )EC$EMBRE:

he 5rst t/o checs co3erin+ checos. 4241 and 4242 in themornin+. nd Chec o. 424= and

4244 in the afternoon, our Fonor.

. %Z:

Q. Could you recall /hat -articulartime in the mornin+ that these t/ochecs /ith num0er ""4241 and""4242 ;;; ha3e 0een issued toyouY

. $ could not remem0er e;actly0ut in the middle -art of themornin+ around 9:=" to 1":"".

Q. his /as issued to you in /hat-articular -laceY

. Fere in my oce at GarnetRoad, rti+as Center, %asi+ City.

Q. $s that your houseY

. o, its not my houseY

Q. hat is that, is that your la/oceY

. hat is my retainer client.

Q. hat is the name of thatretainer client of yoursY

. )EC$EMBRE:

our Fonor, may $ o07ect 0ecause/hat is the materiality of the6uestionY

. %Z:

hat is 3ery material. $ am tryin+ totest your credi0ility 0ecause

accordin+ to you these checsha3e 0een issued in %asi+ in the-lace of your client on a retainer.

hats /hy $ am asin+ your client

CMM. ):

he name of the client is notmaterial $ thin. $t is enou+h thathe said it /as issued here in %asi+.hat 0uildin+Y

. )EC$EMBRE:

$C Cor-orate Center, our Fonor.

CMM. ):

hat is the materiality of no/in+the name of his clients oceY

. %Z:


30/49

Because, our Fonor, themateriality is to 5nd out /hetherhe is tellin+ the truth. he -lace,

our Fonor, accordin+ to theres-ondent is his client. o/ $ amasin+ /ho is that clientY

CMM. ):

our ans/er.

. )EC$EMBRE:

. $t is $C Realty Cor-oration at$C Buildin+.

Q. nd the same date lie/ise, thecom-lainants in the afternoonissued %B Chec os. ""424=

and ""4244, is that correctY

. es.

Q. 'o /ould you /ant to tell thisFonora0le oce that there /erefour checs issued in the -lace ofyour client in %asi+ City, t/o in themornin+ and t/o in the afternoonY

. hat is correct, sir.

Res-ondent /as clearly not 0ein+truthful in his narration of thetransaction /ith the com-lainants.s 0et/een his 3ersion as to /henthe four checs /ere +i3en, /e 5ndthe story of com-lainantKsL morecredi0le. Res-ondent has 0latantlydistorted the truth, insofar as the-lace /here the transactionin3ol3in+ the four checs too-lace. 'uch distortion on a 3ery

material fact /ould seriously castdou0t on his 3ersion of thetransaction /ith com-lainants.

@urthermore res-ondentsstatements as to the time /hen thetransactions too -lace are alsoo03iously and +larin+ly

inconsistent and contradicts the/ritten statements made 0eforethe -u0lic -rosecutors. hus furtheraddin+ to the lac of credi0ility ofres-ondents 3ersion of thetransaction.

Com-lainants 3ersion that theyissued 0lan checs to res-ondentas security for the -ayment of aloan of %1","""."" -lus interest,

and that res-ondent 5lled u- thechecs in amounts not a+reed u-ona--ears to 0e more credi0le.Com-lainants herein are mereem-loyees of the Central %ostce in Manila /ho had a -re3iousloan of %1","""."" fromres-ondent and /hich has since0een -aid ; ; ;. Res-ondent doesnot deny the said transaction. hisa--ears to 0e the only -re3ioustransaction 0et/een the -arties. $nfact, com-lainants /ere e3en latein -ayin+ the loan /hen it fell duesuch that they had to -ay interest.

hat res-ondent /ould trust themonce more 0y +i3in+ them another%2"","""."" alle+edly to 0e usedfor a 0usiness and immediatelyrelease the amounts under thecircumstances descri0ed 0yres-ondent does not a--earcredi0le +i3en the 0ac+round of

the -re3ious transaction and-ersonal circumstances ofcom-lainants. hat res-ondent/ho is a la/yer /ould not e3en0other to as from com-lainants arecei-t for the money he has +i3en,nor 0other to 3erify and as them/hat 0usinesses they /ould use

the money for contri0utes furtherto the lac of credi0ility ofres-ondents 3ersion. hesecircumstances really cast dou0t asto the 3ersion of res-ondent /ithre+ard to the transaction. heresolution of the -u0lic -rosecutorsnot/ithstandin+ /e 0elie3eres-ondent is clearly lacin+ inhonesty in dealin+ /ith thecom-lainants. Com-lainant @ranlin

l0es had to 0e 7ailed as a result ofres-ondents 5lin+ of the criminalcases. %arenthetically, /e note thatres-ondent has also 5led similarcases a+ainst the co8em-loyees ofcom-lainants in the Central %ostce and res-ondent is facin+similar com-laints in the $B% for hisactions.K1>L

he Courts Rulin+

e a+ree /ith the 5ndin+s andconclusions of Commissioner)ulay, as a--ro3ed and ado-ted 0ythe $B% Board of Go3ernors.Fo/e3er, the -enalty should 0emore se3ere than /hat the $B%recommended.

Res-ondents dministrati3eia0ility


31/49

Mem0ershi- in the le+al -rofessionis a s-ecial -ri3ile+e 0urdened /ithconditions.K1L $t is 0esto/ed u-onindi3iduals /ho are not onlylearned in the la/, 0ut also no/nto -ossess +ood moral character.K1!L la/yer is an oath80oundser3ant of society /hose conduct is

clearly circumscri0ed 0y inHe;i0lenorms of la/ and ethics, and /hose-rimary duty is the ad3ancementof the 6uest for truth and 7ustice,for /hich he Kor sheL has s/orn to0e a fearless crusader.K1L

By tain+ the la/yers oath, anattorney 0ecomes a +uardian oftruth and the rule of la/, and anindis-ensa0le instrument in the fair

and im-artial administration of7ustice.K19L a/yers should act andcom-ort themsel3es /ith honestyand inte+rity in a manner 0eyondre-roach, in order to -romote the-u0lics faith in the le+al -rofession.K2"L

he Code of %rofessionalRes-onsi0ility s-eci5callymandates the follo/in+:

Canon 1. la/yer shall u-hold theconstitution, o0ey the la/s of theland and -romote res-ect for la/and le+al -rocesses.

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Canon !. la/yer shall at all timesu-hold the inte+rity and di+nity ofthe le+al -rofession and su--ortthe acti3ities of the $nte+rated Bar.

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Rule !."=. la/yer shall noten+a+e in conduct that ad3erselyreHects on his 5tness to -racticela/, nor should he, /hether in-u0lic or -ri3ate life, 0eha3e in a

scandalous manner to the discreditof the le+al -rofession.

hi+h standard of e;cellence andethics is e;-ected and re6uired ofmem0ers of the 0ar.K21L 'uchconduct of no0ility and u-ri+htnessshould remain /ith them, /hetherin their -u0lic or in their -ri3ateli3es. s ocers of the courts andee-ers of the -u0lics faith, they

are 0urdened /ith the hi+hestde+ree of social res-onsi0ility andare thus mandated to 0eha3e at alltimes in a manner consistent /ithtruth and honor.K22L

he oath that la/yers s/ear tolie/ise im-resses u-on them theduty of e;hi0itin+ the hi+hestde+ree of +ood faith, fairness andcandor in their relationshi-s /ithothers. he oath is a sacred trustthat must 0e u-held and e-tin3iola0le at all times. hus,la/yers may 0e disci-lined for anyconduct, /hether in their-rofessional or in their -ri3ateca-acity, if such conduct rendersthem un5t to continue to 0eocers of the court.K2=L

$n the -resent case, the $B%commissioner +a3e credence to the

story of -etitioners, /ho said thatthey had +i3en 53e 0lan -ersonalchecs to res-ondent at theCentral %ost ce in Manila assecurity for the %1",""" loan theyhad contracted. @ound untrue andun0elie3a0le /as res-ondentsassertion that they had 5lled u-

the checs and e;chan+ed these/ith his cash at Que&on City andCainta, Ri&al. fter a careful re3ie/of the records, /e 5nd no reason tode3iate from these 5ndin+s.

nder the circumstances, there isno need to stretch onesima+ination to arri3e at anine3ita0le conclusion. Res-ondentdoes not deny the %1",""" loan

o0tained from him 0y -etitioners.ccordin+ to @ranlin l0estestimony on cross8e;amination,they ased res-ondent for the0lan checs after the loan had0een -aid. n the -rete;t that he/as not a0le to 0rin+ the checs/ith him,K24L he /as not a0le toreturn them. Fe thus committeda0omina0le dishonesty 0y a0usin+the con5dence re-osed in him 0y-etitioners. $t /as their hi+h re+ardfor him as a mem0er of the 0arthat made them trust him /iththeir 0lan checs.K2>L

$t is also +larin+ly clear that theCode of %rofessional Res-onsi0ility/as seriously trans+ressed 0y hismale3olent act of 5llin+ u- the0lan checs 0y indicatin+ amountsthat had not 0een a+reed u-on atall and des-ite res-ondents full


32/49

no/led+e that the loan su--osedto 0e secured 0y the checs hadalready 0een -aid. Fis /as a0ra&en act of falsi5cation of acommercial document, resorted tofor his material +ain.

nd he did not sto- there. Because

the checs /ere dishonored u-on-resentment, res-ondent had thetemerity to initiate unfoundedcriminal suits a+ainst -etitioners,there0y e;hi0itin+ his 3ile intent toha3e them -unished and de-ri3edof li0erty for frustratin+ thecriminal du-licity he had /anted tofoist on them. s a matter of fact,one of the -etitioners #@ranlin/as detained for three monthsK2L

0ecause of the Com-laints.Res-on

leg prof introduction cases

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