G.R. No. L-229 April 30, 1957
IN THE MATTER OF DISBARMENT PROCEEDINGS vs. NARCISO N. JARAMILLO, respondent.

FACTS

The respondent, Narciso N. Jaramillo, was prosecuted for and convicted of estafa in the Court of First Instance of Pangasinan. On appeal, the Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentenced him to an indeterminate penalty ranging from two months and one day of arresto mayor to one year and one day of prision correccional in a decision promulgated on April 17, 1954. While the respondent was serving his sentence for this conviction, the Solicitor General filed a complaint for his disbarment in the Supreme Court on August 5, 1955. In his answer, the respondent contended that his conviction was a judicial error, that the trial court unfortunately did not believe his explanation regarding the loss of the amount involved, and that his imprisonment and the resulting sufferings and mental anguish constituted more than sufficient punishment, making any further disbarment excessively inhuman, humiliating, and cruel.

ISSUE

Whether the respondent should be disbarred as a consequence of his final conviction for the crime of estafa.

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court ordered the disbarment of the respondent. The Court held that the crime of estafa involves moral turpitude. It emphasized that the review of the respondent’s conviction was no longer within its purview, as the judgment had become final and had been executed. The Court found no need for elaborate argument, stating that by his conviction, the respondent had proved himself unfit to protect the administration of justice. Consequently, the respondent was disbarred and ordered to surrender his lawyer’s certificate to the Court within fifteen days from notice.