CANON 1 - A LA WYER SHALL UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION, OBEY THE LAWS OF THE LAND
AND PROMOTE RESPECT FOR LAW AND LEGAL PROCESSES
Rule 1.01 - A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct.
The gravity of the misconduct- determinative as it is of the errant lawyer's penalty- depends on the
factual circumstances of each case .
....
. . . Verily, members of the Bar are expected at all times to uphold the integrity and dignity of the
legal profession and refrain from any act or omission which might lessen the trust and confidence
reposed by the public in the fidelity, honesty, and integrity of the legal profession. By no insignificant
measure, respondent blemished not only his integrity as a member of the Bar, but also that of the
legal profession. In other words, his conduct fell short of the exacting standards expected of him as a
guardian of law and justice.43
When respondent filed the Petition as counsel for complainant when the truth was otherwise, she
committed a falsehood against the trial court and complainant.
II
Respondent violated Canon 7, Rule 7.03 and Canon 10, Rule 10.01 when she allowed the use of a
forged signature on a petition she prepared and notarized.44
Complainant alleged that her signature on the Petition was forged.45 Respondent merely denied
complainant's allegation.46
The Petition for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage was signed by a certain "CVasco."47 The records of
this case show that complainant has used two signatures. In her identification cards issued by the
University of the East, she used a signature that spelled out "CVasco."48 In her Complaint-Affidavit
against respondent, complainant used a signature that spelled out "CTamaray."49
A comparison of the signatures appearing on the Petition for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage and
on complainant's identification cards show a difference in the stroke of the letters "c" and "o."
Further, complainant's signatures in the documents50 attached to the records consistently appear to
be of the same height. On the other hand, her alleged signature on the Petition for Declaration of
Nullity of Marriage has a big letter "c."51 Hence, it seems that complainant's signature on the Petition
for Declaration ofNullity of Marriage was forged.
While there is no evidence to prove that respondent forged complainant's signature, the fact remains
that respondent allowed a forged signature to be used on a petition she prepared and notarized.52 In
doing so, respondent violated Canon 7, Rule 7.03 and Canon 10, Rule 10.01. These canons state:
CANON 7 - A lawyer shall at all times uphold the integrity and dignity of the legal profession, and
support the activities of the integrated bar.
RULE 7.03 - A lawyer shall not engage in conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice
law, nor shall he, whether in public or private life, behave in a scandalous manner to the discredit of
the legal profession.