G.R. No. L-9513. April 30, 1957.
IN RE CHARGES OF LILIAN F. VILLASANTA FOR IMMORALITY, vs. HILARION M. PERALTA, respondent.

FACTS

The case involves a complaint to disqualify Hilarion M. Peralta, a successful 1954 bar candidate, from being admitted to the bar on grounds of immorality. The facts are based on a prior criminal case (G.R. No. L-9513) where Peralta was convicted for violating Article 350 of the Revised Penal Code. The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction, and the Supreme Court dismissed Peralta’s appeal. The established facts are: Peralta was lawfully married to Rizalina E. Valdez on April 16, 1939. In 1951, he courted complainant Lilian F. Villasanta. To have carnal knowledge of her, he procured a fake marriage contract, had her sign the blank document on March 8, 1951, and later presented it to her as duly signed by a Justice of the Peace, the Civil Registrar, and witnesses. They lived together as husband and wife. On July 7, 1951, a religious ceremony was performed in Aparri after Peralta showed the fake civil marriage contract to the priest. Villasanta later discovered Peralta’s prior existing marriage, filed a criminal case for bigamy, and subsequently filed this complaint for immorality with the Supreme Court.

ISSUE

Whether the respondent, Hilarion M. Peralta, possesses the good moral character required for admission to the Philippine Bar.

RULING

The Supreme Court ruled that the respondent is immoral and lacks the required good moral character for bar admission. The Court found that he made a mockery of the sacred institution of marriage, and his criminal conviction for bigamy involves moral turpitude. His actions in contracting a second marriage and courting another woman while his first marriage was valid were deemed contrary to honesty, justice, decency, and morality. Consequently, the Court declared him disqualified from being admitted to the bar.