Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 1961 > May 1961 Decisions > A.C. No. 138 May 31, 1961 - CONRADO S. ACUÑA v. ISIDRO DUNCA, ET AL. :




PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

EN BANC

[A.C. No. 138. May 31, 1961.]

CONRADO S. ACUÑA, Complainant, v. ISIDRO DUNCA and TIMOTEO DAVID, Respondents.

Conrado S. Acuña for and in his own behalf as complainant.

Isidro T. Dunca for and in his own behalf as Respondent.

Timoteo A. David for and in his own behalf as Respondent.

Solicitor General for investigator.


SYLLABUS


1. ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW; MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE; PREPARATION AND RATIFICATION OF IMMORAL AFFIDAVIT. — The preparation and ratification of an immoral affidavit are disgraceful acts which constitute gross misconduct in office and a violation of the attorney’s oath of office, for which attorneys may be disciplined by the courts. Where, however, the immoral acts were committed not for monetary considerations but only out of pure generosity, the lawyers who committed the same are entitled to a lenient treatment.


D E C I S I O N


NATIVIDAD, J.:


This is an administrative case instituted by the complainant, Conrado S. Acuña, to disbar the respondents, Timoteo David and Isidro Dunca, and to further secure the cancellation of the latter’s commission as notary public on the ground that the first had prepared and the second had notarized an affidavit, Annex A to the complaint, purporting to be that of complainant’s daughter, Adoracion Acuña, wherein she appears to have stated that she was determined to marry a man whom she knew to be already married to another woman.

We gave due course to the complaint and required the respondents to answer the same within ten days from notice. After respondents’ answer had been filed, we referred the matter to the Solicitor General for investigation and recommendation. While the case was pending in the Office of the Solicitor General, the complainant filed a motion asking that the charge be dismissed, on the ground that its filing was due to a mere misunderstanding between his daughter Adoracion Acuña and the respondents, and that he is no longer interested in the prosecution of the case. Based on this motion, the Solicitor General recommended dismissal of the charge. This Court, however, in a resolution dated January 29, 1957, denied the Solicitor General’s motion and ordered that the investigation of the charge proceed.

The case was properly investigated in the Office of the Solicitor General. Notice of the hearing was sent to all the parties concerned, and on the date set therefor the complainant and his daughter Adoracion Acuña and the respondents appeared. The complainant, however, confined himself to explaining why he filed the motion to withdraw his complaint, refused to make any further statement to substantiate its allegations and once more stated that he was no longer interested in the prosecution of the case. Adoracion Acuña, in turn, likewise refused to make any statement in substantiation of the allegations of her father’s complaint, stating that she was already satisfied with the result of the bigamy charge filed against her and her co-accused Alfonso Eugenio of which they were both acquitted.

From the testimony of the respondents, the following facts appear proven: In the year 1947, Alfonso Eugenio and the respondents Isidro Dunca and Timoteo David had separate offices at the Chaco Building, Manila. Complainant’s daughter Adoracion Acuña was at that time employed as secretary to respondent David. She fell in love with and became deeply intimate with Eugenio, who despite his marriage to Marta Cruz in 1932, was willing to marry Adoracion provided she subscribed to a written statement professing her knowledge of his marital status. Such an affidavit, he told her, would prevent her from charging him with bigamy. Desperately wanting a marriage certificate with which to appease her parents’ wrath over her misdeeds, Adoracion sought the help of her employer. Respondent David, at first, refused to prepare the requested statement, and explained to her that such an affidavit would be immoral and illegal. Because however of Adoracion’s insistent pleas and explanations that it was the only way by which she could be married to Eugenio and thus redeem her honor, finally respondent David acceded to Adoracion’s request and on May 31, 1947, he drafted the affidavit Annex A, which reads as follows:jgc:chanrobles.com.ph

"REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)

IN THE CITY OF MANILA) S.S.

A F F I D A V I T

"I, ADORACION S. ACUÑA, of age, single and residing at 1415 Miguelin, Manila, after having sworn to in accordance with law, depose and say:jgc:chanrobles.com.ph

"That I know personally the status of ALFONSO H. EUGENIO, he being married in lawful wedlock with one Marta Cruz of Pasig, Rizal, with three children begotten of said marriage;

"That I am to contract marriage with the said ALFONSO H. EUGENIO in spite of my personal knowledge of the above marriage so as to show to society of our good intentions and further to hide my misdeeds from my parents;

"That I am executing this foregoing statements free from any force, duress or any intimidation from any person whosoever and that the same is my voluntary acts and deed;

"IN TRUTH OF ALL THE FOREGOING, I have hereunto affixed my hand below on this 31st day of May, 1947, in the City of Manila, Philippines.

(Sgd.) A. S. Acuña

Affiant

"Subscribed and sworn to before me on this 4th day of June, 1947, in the City of Manila, the affiant exhibiting her residence certificate No. A-2727772 issued in Manila, on May 27, 1947.

(Sgd.) Isidro T. Dunca

Notary Public

Until Dec. 31, 1948

Doc. No. 315

Page. No. 64

Book No. II

Series of 1947."cralaw virtua1aw library

Adoracion signed this affidavit on that same date, and on that very day she and Eugenio were married. Four days thereafter, or on June 4, 1947, evidently upon the indication of Eugenio, Adoracion, accompanied by respondent David, approached respondent Dunca and asked him to notarize the affidavit. The latter acceded to the request.

Sometime in the year 1952, the complainant Conrado S. Acuña, evidently informed of the civil status of Alfonso Eugenio, filed a charge of bigamy against the latter. This sparked off a number of countercharges. Marta Cruz accused Adoracion Acuña and Alfonzo Eugenio of bigamy; Eugenio filed against Adoracion Acuña a complaint for perjury. It developed, however, that Eugenio had divorced his first wife Marta Cruz during the Japanese occupation. As a consequence, Eugenio and Adoracion Acuña were both acquitted of the charge of bigamy.

That the affidavit Annex A is immoral is not disputed; and it is admitted fact that it was prepared for the signature of Adoracion Acuña by respondent Timoteo David and notarized by respondent Isidro Dunca. Their only explanation is that they did not have the courage to deny help to Adoracion Acuña who was an employee of the former and a friend of the latter. It is, therefore, clear that the respondents, who are both members of the bar, have committed disgraceful acts which constitute gross misconduct in office and a violation of their oath of office as attorneys at law, for which they may be disciplined by this Court. Rule 127, sec. 25, Rules of Court; Panganiban v. Borromeo, 58 Phil., 367. Upon the facts, however, we agree with the Solicitor General that they are entitled to a lenient treatment. We have no doubt that they committed the immoral acts charged, not for monetary considerations, but only out of pure generosity.

WHEREFORE, following precedents (Panganiban v. Borromeo, supra), it is hereby decreed that the respondents, Attorneys Isidro Dunca and Timoteo David, be, as they are hereby, severely censured, with admonition that a repetition of the same or similar acts in the future will be dealt with more severely.

Bengzon, C.J., Padilla, Bautista Angelo, Labrador, Concepcion, Reyes, J.B.L., Paredes, Dizon and De Leon, JJ., concur.

Barrera, J., took no part.




Back to Home | Back to Main




















chanrobles.com





ChanRobles On-Line Bar Review

ChanRobles Internet Bar Review : www.chanroblesbar.com

ChanRobles MCLE On-line

ChanRobles Lawnet Inc. - ChanRobles MCLE On-line : www.chanroblesmcleonline.com






May-1961 Jurisprudence                 

  • G.R. No. L-11793 May 19, 1961 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. AMADOR CASTILLO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-11807 May 19, 1961 - COLLECTOR OF INTERNAL REVENUE v. CONVENTION OF PHILIPPINE BAPTIST CHURCHES, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15764 May 19, 1961 - IN RE: ROBERTO ONG v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. L-15919 May 19, 1961 - CALVIN K. LO v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. L-16871 May 19, 1961 - PHILIPPINE COTTON DEVELOPMENT CORP. v. WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION COMMISSION, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-12073 May 23, 1961 - RICARDO S. SANTOS v. MARIANO NABLE, ETC., ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-12777 May 23, 1961 - SEPTEMIO CEBEDO, ET AL. v. DIRECTOR OF LANDS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-14343 May 23, 1961 - IN RE: JEW CHONG v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. L-14702 May 23, 1961 - DIRECTOR OF LANDS v. LELITA JUGADO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-14937 May 23, 1961 - MAGDALENA AGUILOR v. FLORENCIO BALATICO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-14978 May 23, 1961 - IN RE: LILY BANTOTO COO, ET AL. v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. L-15740 May 23, 1961 - JUAN CRUZ, JR. v. CRISANTO DIAZ

  • G.R. No. L-15935 May 23, 1961 - SERREE INVESTMENT v. COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS

  • G.R. No. L-16002 May 23, 1961 - LUIS SARABIA, ET AL. v. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-16014 May 23, 1961 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. BIENVENIDO A. TAN

  • G.R. No. L-16584 May 23, 1961 - PACIANO M. MIRALLES, ET AL. v. FRANCISCO C. GARIANDO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-16778 May 23, 1961 - HAP HONG HARDWARE CO., INC. v. PHILIPPINE MILLING COMPANY

  • G.R. No. L-17113 May 23, 1961 - JUANITO SUAREZ v. DAMASO S. TENGCO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-13139 May 24, 1961 - IN RE: TAN CHU KENG v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. L-13407 May 24, 1961 - VICENTE TAN v. MARCELINO SARMIENTO

  • G.R. No. L-9686 May 30, 1961 - FELICISIMO C. JOSON v. EDUARDO JOSON, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-11210 May 30, 1961 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. CALIXTO MAMALAYAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-12203 May 30, 1961 - COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS v. FARM IMPLEMENT AND MACHINERY CO.

  • G.R. No. L-12347 May 30, 1961 - HERCULANO GRAPILON v. MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF CARIGARA, LEYTE, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-12449 May 30, 1961 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ESPIRIDION ALIDO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-12808 May 30, 1961 - INTERNATIONAL TOBACCO CO., INC. v. WANG WAN TAT, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-13031 May 30, 1961 - JAMES R. BURT, ET AL. v. LUZON SURETY CO., INC.

  • G.R. No. L-13664 May 30, 1961 - CONCEPCION NAVAL, ET AL. v. DOLORES JONSAY, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-13768 May 30, 1961 - FLORENCIO DEUDOR, ET AL. v. J.M. TUASON & CO., INC., ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-14142 May 30, 1961 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. J. AMADO ARANETA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-14152 May 30, 1961 - JUSTITA MANUEL, ET AL. v. FELIXBERTA MANUEL, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-14300 May 30, 1961 - CARLOS PELLICER v. LAUREANO RUIZ

  • G.R. No. L-14475 May 30, 1961 - SOUTHERN MOTORS, INC. v. ANGEL MOSCOSO

  • G.R. No. L-14618 May 30, 1961 - SANTOS LUMBER COMPANY, ET AL. v. CITY OF CEBU, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-14646 May 30, 1961 - M. BENITEZ, ET AL. v. HERMOGENES CONCEPCION, JR.

  • G.R. No. L-14683 May 30, 1961 - JOAQUIN QUIMSING v. ALFREDO LACHICA

  • G.R. No. L-14802 May 30, 1961 - IN RE: TAN TIAM v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. L-14852 May 30, 1961 - TEODOSIA NATIVIDAD, ET AL. v. MARCELIANO NADAL, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-14860 May 30, 1961 - IN RE: ZACARIAS G. TAN v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. L-15127 May 30, 1961 - EMETERIO CUI v. ARELLANO UNIVERSITY

  • G.R. No. L-15146 May 30, 1961 - MARY DE LA PEÑA v. PENG HUAN LIM

  • G.R. No. L-15173 May 30, 1961 - PARSONS HARDWARE CO., INC. v. DE LA RAMA STEAMSHIP CO., INC., ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15190 May 30, 1961 - PHILIPPINE PLYWOOD CORPORATION v. NATIONAL LABOR UNION

  • G.R. No. L-15307 May 30, 1961 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. CONSTANTINO DUEÑAS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15482 May 30, 1961 - GUILLERMO GONZALES v. JAIME HERNANDEZ, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15569 May 30, 1961 - EMILIO GALANG v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15635 May 30, 1961 - ISAAC PERAL BOWLING ALLEY v. UNITED EMPLOYEES WELFARE ASSOCIATION, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15755 May 30, 1961 - RAMONA REYES v. MARIA VILLAFLOR, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15824 May 30, 1961 - RICARDO M. GUTIERREZ v. ARSENIO SANTOS, ETC., ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15991 May 30, 1961 - IN RE: ADRIAN FONG v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. L-16122 May 30, 1961 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. EFREN MIRANDA

  • G.R. No. L-16196 May 30, 1961 - ROMAN LICUP v. MANILA RAILROAD COMPANY, ET AL.

  • G.R. Nos. L-16280 and L-16805 May 30, 1961 - ANACLETA RIVERA, ET AL. v. FELICIDAD TALAVERA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-17358 May 30, 1961 - MOHAMAD-ALI DIMAPORO v. MANUEL ESTIPONA, ET AL.

  • A.C. No. 138 May 31, 1961 - CONRADO S. ACUÑA v. ISIDRO DUNCA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-11329 May 31, 1961 - CIPRIANO B. MOTOS v. ROBERTO SOLER, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-12436 May 31, 1961 - LA CARLOTA SUGAR CENTRAL, ET AL. v. PEDRO JIMENEZ, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-12460 May 31, 1961 - MARCOS ABIG, ET AL. v. EUSEBIO CONSTANTINO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-12647 May 31, 1961 - AMERICAN MAIL LINE, ET AL. v. CITY OF BASILAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-12654 May 31, 1961 - SANTIAGO MERCADO v. ELIZALDE & COMPANY, INC., ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-12699 May 31, 1961 - BLUE BAR COCONUT COMPANY v. ISABELO S. HILARIO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-12883 May 31, 1961 - PEDRO BASES, ET AL. v. FLAVIANO PILARTA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-13016 May 31, 1961 - AMELIA C. YUTUK v. MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY

  • G.R. No. L-13135 May 31, 1961 - ERIBERTO DEL ESPIRITU v. DOMINGO Q. DAVID

  • G.R. No. L-13424 May 31, 1961 - BASILIA F. VDA. DE ZALDARRIAGA, ETC. v. PEDRO ZALDARRIAGA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-13438 May 31, 1961 - INTERNATIONAL OIL FACTORY v. DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-13685 May 31, 1961 - QUIRICO CAMUS v. CIVIL SERVICE BOARD OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-13726 May 31, 1961 - LORENZO E. MACANSANTOS, ET AL. v. WENCESLAO L. FERNAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-13786 May 31, 1961 - IN RE: LEE PA v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. L-13830 May 31, 1961 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. LEONIDO CADAG, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-14009 May 31, 1961 - IN RE: SEGUNDO SY CEZAR v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.

  • G.R. No. L-14522 May 31, 1961 - COLLECTOR OF INTERNAL REVENUE v. MANUEL B. PINEDA

  • G.R. No. L-14604 May 31, 1961 - PEDRO TABOADA v. MUNICIPALITY OF BADIAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-14810 May 31, 1961 - LAZARO BOOC v. SERGIO OSMEÑA, JR., ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-14862 May 31, 1961 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. APOLONIO ANDIA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-14863 May 31, 1961 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. SIXTO ARIOJA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-14893 May 31, 1961 - ANGELINA ARANETA VDA. DE LIBOON v. LUZON STEVEDORING CO., INC.

  • G.R. No. L-14917 May 31, 1961 - AURELIO P. REYES, ET AL. v. GUILLERMO ROMERO

  • G.R. No. L-14960 May 31, 1961 - LAND SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION v. CAROLINO MUNSAYAC

  • G.R. No. L-14996 May 31, 1961 - XERXES C. GARCIA v. PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK

  • G.R. No. L-15164 May 31, 1961 - FEARNLEY & EGER, ET AL. v. MANILA RAILROAD COMPANY, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15364 May 31, 1961 - VIRGINIA CLAREZA, ET AL. v. BENJAMIN A. ROSALES, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15370 May 31, 1961 - EMILIO DABLEO v. LUZON STEVEDORING CO., INC.

  • G.R. No. L-15521 May 31, 1961 - MANILA JOCKEY CLUB INC. v. N. BAENS DEL ROSARIO

  • G.R. No. L-15562 May 31, 1961 - COLLECTOR OF INTERNAL REVENUE v. ST. STEPHEN’S ASSOCIATION, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15589 May 31, 1961 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. SATURNINO R. ARICHETA

  • G.R. No. L-15692 May 31, 1961 - ENGRACIA ALARCON v. JUAN ALARCON

  • G.R. No. L-15719 May 31, 1961 - MARCELO SARMIENTO, ET AL. v. PEDRO BELDEROL, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15757 May 31, 1961 - ALBERTA DE PASION v. FLORENTINO DE PASION

  • G.R. Nos. L-15827 and 15828 May 31, 1961 - NATIONAL LABOR UNION v. ZIP VENETIAN BLIND, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15924 May 31, 1961 - UDE SOLIMAN v. ICDANG (BAGOBO), ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15958 May 31, 1961 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. LEON RAMOS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-15992 May 31, 1961 - PEDRO TY BELIZAR v. FLORENCIO BRAZAS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-16056 May 31, 1961 - LUZ BALLESTEROS, ET AL. v. OLIVA CAOILE, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-16097 May 31, 1961 - LUIS ALMEDA v. ANASTACIA MANRILLA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-16146 May 31, 1961 - ACTING DIRECTOR, ET AL. v. HERMOGENES CALUAG

  • G.R. Nos. L-16190 & L-16369 May 31, 1961 - LUCIO L. MAYOR, ET AL. v. RAYMUNDO VILLACETE, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-16222 May 31, 1961 - JOSE H. MENDOZA v. ANDRES ALANO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-16477 May 31, 1961 - MANILA TRADING & SUPPLY CO. v. MARIANO MEDINA

  • G.R. No. L-16507 May 31, 1961 - JESUS T. GESOLGON, ET AL. v. ARSENIO H. LACSON

  • G.R. No. L-16518 May 31, 1961 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-16542 & 16543 May 31, 1961 - SEBASTIAN S. TOMACRUZ v. COURT OF AGRARIAN RELATIONS, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-16598 May 31, 1961 - FRANCISCO JOSE v. JOSE C. ZULUETA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-16780 May 31, 1961 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. MAXIMINO GUMAYAN, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-16818 May 31, 1961 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. MARCIANO VILLEGAS

  • G.R. No. L-16927 May 31, 1961 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. GORGONIA VDA. DE CALIWAN

  • G.R. No. L-17049 May 31, 1961 - PAULA RECARO v. NESTOR EMBISAN

  • G.R. No. L-17050 May 31, 1961 - ATLANTIC MUTUAL INSURANCE CO. v. MACONDRAY & CO., INC., ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-17081 May 31, 1961 - JAIME HERNANDEZ v. DELFIN ALBANO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-17252 and L-17276 May 31, 1961 - GORGONIO MIRANDA, ET AL. v. CITY OF MANILA

  • G.R. No. L-17277 May 31, 1961 - LUCIANO VALENCIA, ET AL. v. JOSE T. SURTIDA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-17365 May 31, 1961 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. L. PASICOLAN