G.R. No. B052063
EN BANC

December 7, 1928
In re FELIPE DEL ROSARIO

FACTS

Felipe del Rosario failed the bar examinations in 1925 and 1926. In 1927, he filed a motion for the revision of his 1925 examination papers, alleging a mistake in the computation of his grades. The Supreme Court granted the motion and admitted him to the bar. Later, an investigation by the City Fiscal of Manila revealed irregularities in the bar examinations, leading to criminal charges against Juan Villaflor (a former court employee) and del Rosario. Villaflor pleaded guilty, while del Rosario was acquitted due to lack of evidence. The City Fiscal recommended that del Rosario surrender his attorney’s certificate and be permanently barred from taking the bar examination.

ISSUE

Whether Felipe del Rosario should be disbarred and prohibited from taking the bar examination despite his acquittal in the criminal case.

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court ordered Felipe del Rosario to surrender his attorney’s certificate and permanently barred him from taking the bar examination. The Court emphasized that the acquittal in the criminal case does not preclude disbarment proceedings, as the standards for the legal profession require integrity and moral fitness beyond mere avoidance of criminal liability. The Court found it implausible that del Rosario was unaware of the falsification of public documents that benefited him. The practice of law is a privilege, not a right, and the Court must uphold the integrity of the legal profession by excluding individuals of questionable character.