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PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

EN BANC

[September 9, 1933. ]

JOSE R. PAÑGANIBAN, Complainant, v. ELIAS BORROMEO, Respondent.

The Respondent in his own behalf.

Solicitor-General Hilado for the Government.

SYLLABUS


1. ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW; GROUNDS FOR DISBARMENT; MISCONDUCT AS NOTARY PUBLIC. — The court has the right to discipline an attorney for misconduct as a notary public, e.g., for taking an acknowledgment to a contract between a husband and a wife which sanctioned an illicit and immoral purpose.


D E C I S I O N


MALCOLM, J.:


These proceedings looking to the disbarment of the respondent attorney are before us on the representations of the Solicitor-General that the respondent appear and show cause, if any he has, why he should not be proceeded against for professional malpractice. The respondent admits that, in his capacity as notary public, he legalized the document which is the basis of the complaint against him, and that the document contains provisions contrary to law, morals, and good customs, but by way of defense disclaims any previous knowledge of the illegal character of the document.

On November 25, 1931, Alejandro Pabro and Juana Mappala, husband and wife, subscribed a contract before the notary public Elias Borromeo, who was at that time a regularly admitted member of the Philippine Bar. The contract in question had been prepared by the municipal secretary of Naguilian, Isabela. Attorney Borromeo co
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