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January 9, 1973IN THE MATTER OF THE INTEGRATION OFTHE BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES.

PER CURIAM:

On December 1, 1972, the Commission on Bar

Integration 1 sbmitte! its Re"ort !ate!#o$ember %&, 1972, 'ith the (earnestrecommen!ation( ) on the basis o* the sai!Re"ort an! the "rocee!ings ha! in A!ministrati$eCase #o+ 2- 2 o* the Cort, an! (consistent./'ith the $ie's an! conse. recei$e! *rom its 0theCommissions Boar! o* Cons.tants, as 'e.. asthe o$er'he.ming nation'i!e sentiment o* thePhi.i""ine Bench an! Bar( ) that (this 3onorab.eCort or!ain the integration o* the Phi.i""ine Baras soon as "ossib.e throgh the a!o"tion an!"rom.gation o* an a""ro"riate Cort R.e+(

4he "etition in A!m+ Case #o+ 2- *orma../ "ra/sthe Cort to or!er the integration o* the Phi.i""ine

Bar, a*ter !e hearing, gi$ing recognition as *aras "ossib.e an! "racticab.e to e5isting "ro$incia.an! other .oca. Bar associations+ On Agst 1-,19-2, argments in *a$or o* as 'e.. as ino""osition to the "etition 'ere ora../ e5"on!e!be*ore the Cort+ 6ritten o""ositions 'erea!mitte!, % an! a.. "arties 'ere therea*tergrante! .ea$e to *i.e 'ritten memoran!a+

8ince then, the Cort has c.ose./ obser$e! an!*o..o'e! signi*icant !e$e.o"ments re.ati$e to thematter o* the integration o* the Bar in thisris!iction+

In 197&, con$ince! *rom "re.iminar/ sr$e/s that

there ha! gro'n a strong nation'i!e sentiment in*a$or o* Bar integration, the Cort create! theCommission on Bar Integration *or the "r"ose o*ascertaining the a!$isabi.it/ o* ni*/ing thePhi.i""ine Bar+

In 8e"tember, 1971, Congress "asse! 3ose Bi..#o+ %277 entit.e! (An Act Pro$i!ing *or theIntegration o* the Phi.i""ine Bar, an!A""ro"riating n!s 4here*or+( 4he measre 'assigne! b/ Presi!ent er!inan! E+ Marcos on8e"tember 17, 1971 an! too; e**ect on the same!a/ as Re"+ Act -%97+ 4his .a' "ro$i!es as*o..o's:

8EC4IO# 1+ 6ithin t'o /ears *rom thea""ro$a. o* this Act, the 8"reme Cort ma/a!o"t r.es o* cort to e**ect the integration o* thePhi.i""ine Bar n!er sch con!itions as it sha..see *it in or!er to raise the stan!ar!s o* the .ega."ro*ession, im"ro$e the a!ministration o* stice,an! enab.e the Bar to !ischarge its "b.icres"onsibi.it/ more e**ecti$e./+

8EC+ 2+ 4he sm o* *i$e hn!re! thosan!"esos is hereb/ a""ro"riate!, ot o* an/ *n!s inthe #ationa. 4reasr/ not other'ise a""ro"riate!,to carr/ ot the "r"oses o* this Act+ 4herea*ter,sch sms as ma/ be necessar/ *or the same"r"ose sha.. be inc.!e! in the anna.a""ro"riations *or the 8"reme Cort+

8EC+ %+ 4his Act sha.. ta;e e**ect "on itsa""ro$a.+

4he Re"ort o* the Commission abon!s 'ithargment on the constittiona.it/ o* Barintegration an! contains a.. necessar/ *acta.!ata bearing on the a!$isabi.it/


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organiation o* the .ega. "ro*ession base! on therecognition o* the .a'/er as an o**icer o* thecort+

Designe! to im"ro$e the "osition o* the Bar as aninstrmenta.it/ o* stice an! the R.e o* a',integration *osters cohesion among .a'/ers, an!

ensres, throgh their o'n organie! action an!"artici"ation, the "romotion o* the obecti$es o*the .ega. "ro*ession, "rsant to the "rinci".e o*ma5imm Bar atonom/ 'ith minimms"er$ision an! reg.ation b/ the 8"remeCort+

4he "r"oses o* an integrate! Bar, in genera.,are:


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!ischarge its "b.ic res"onsibi.it/ moree**ecti$e./+(

Reso.tion o* the secon! isse ) 'hether theni*ication o* the Bar 'o.! be constittiona. )hinges on the e**ects o* Bar integration on the.a'/ers constittiona. rights o* *ree!om o*

association an! *ree!om o* s"eech, an! on thenatre o* the !es e5acte! *rom him+

4he Cort a""ro$ing./ ?otes the *o..o'ing"ertinent !iscssion ma!e b/ the Commission onBar Integration "ages to 9 o* its Re"ort:

Constittiona.it/ o* Bar Integration

H!icia. Prononcements+

In a.. cases 'here the $a.i!it/ o* Bar integrationmeasres has been "t in isse, the Corts ha$e"he.! their constittiona.it/+

4he !icia. "rononcements s""ort thisreasoning:

) Corts ha$e inherent "o'er to s"er$ise an!reg.ate the "ractice o* .a'+

) 4he "ractice o* .a' is not a $este! right bt a"ri$i.ege a "ri$i.ege, moreo$er, c.othe! 'ith"b.ic interest, becase a .a'/er o'es !ties noton./ to his c.ient, bt a.so to his brethren in the"ro*ession, to the corts, an! to the nation an!ta;es "art in one o* the most im"ortant *nctionso* the 8tate, the a!ministration o* stice, as ano**icer o* the cort+

) Becase the "ractice o* .a' is "ri$i.egec.othe! 'ith "b.ic interest, it is *ar an! st thatthe e5ercise o* that "ri$i.ege be reg.ate! toassre com".iance 'ith the .a'/ers "b.icres"onsibi.ities+

) 4hese "b.ic res"onsibi.ities can best be!ischarge! throgh co..ecti$e action bt therecan be no co..ecti$e action 'ithot an organie!bo!/ no organie! bo!/ can o"erate e**ecti$e./'ithot incrring e5"enses there*ore, it is *airan! st that a.. attorne/s be re?ire! tocontribte to the s""ort o* sch organie! bo!/an!, gi$en e5isting Bar con!itions, the moste**icient means o* !oing so is b/ integrating theBar throgh a r.e o* cort that re?ires a...a'/ers to "a/ anna. !es to the Integrate! Bar+

1+ ree!om o* Association+

4o com"e. a .a'/er to be a member o* anintegrate! Bar is not $io.ati$e o* his constittiona.*ree!om to associate


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im"ose an nconstittiona. br!en+ 4he "b.icinterest "romote! b/ the integration o* the Bar *arot'eighs the inconse?entia. incon$enience toa member that might res.t *rom his re?ire!"a/ment o* anna. !es+

%+ ree!om o* 8"eech+

A .a'/er is *ree, as he has a.'a/s been, to $oicehis $ie's on an/ sbect in an/ manner he'ishes, e$en thogh sch $ie's be o""ose! to"ositions ta;en b/ the Uni*ie! Bar+

or the Integrate! Bar to se a members !e to"romote measres to 'hich sai! member iso""ose!, 'o.! not n..i*/ or a!$erse./ a**ect his*ree!om o* s"eech+

8ince a 8tate ma/ constittiona../ con!ition theright to "ractice .a' "on membershi" in theIntegrate! Bar, it is !i**ic.t to n!erstan! 'h/ itsho.! become nconstittiona. *or the Bar to se

the members !es to *.*i.. the $er/ "r"oses *or'hich it 'as estab.ishe!+

4he obection 'o.! ma;e e$er/ @o$ernmenta.e5action the materia. o* a (*ree s"eech( isse+E$en the income ta5 'o.! be ss"ect+ 4heobection 'o.! carr/ s to .engths that ha$ene$er been !reame! o*+ 4he conscientiosobector, i* his .iberties 'ere to be ths e5ten!e!,might re*se to contribte ta5es in *rtherance o*'ar or o* an/ other en! con!emne! b/ hisconscience as irre.igios or immora.+ 4he right o*"ri$ate !gment has ne$er /et been e5a.te!abo$e the "o'ers an! the com".sion o* theagencies o* @o$ernment+

+ air to A.. a'/ers+

Bar integration is not n*air to .a'/ers a.rea!/"ractising becase a.thogh the re?irement to"a/ anna. !es is a ne' reg.ation, it 'i.. gi$ethe members o* the Bar a ne' s/stem 'hich the/hitherto ha$e not ha! an! throgh 'hich, b/"ro"er 'or;, the/ 'i.. recei$e bene*its the/ ha$enot hereto*ore eno/e!, an! !ischarge their "b.icres"onsibi.ities in a more e**ecti$e manner thanthe/ ha$e been ab.e to !o in the "ast+ Becasethe re?irement to "a/ !es is a $a.i! e5ercise o*reg.ator/ "o'er b/ the Cort, becase it 'i..a""./ e?a../ to a.. .a'/ers, /ong an! o.!, at thetime Bar integration ta;es e**ect, an! becase itis a ne' reg.ation in e5change *or ne' bene*its,it is not retroacti$e, it is not ne?a., it is notn*air+

4o reso.$e the thir! an! * ina. isse ) 'hether theCort sho.! or!ain the integration o* the Bar atthis time ) re?ires a care*. o$er$ie' o* the"racticabi.it/ an! necessit/ as 'e.. as the

a!$antages an! !isa!$antages o* Barintegration+

In man/ other ris!ictions, notab./ in Eng.an!,Cana!a an! the Unite! 8tates, Bar integrationhas /ie.!e! the *o..o'ing bene*its:


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the Commission, 12, Does thisnot a**or! s**icient reason *or the Cort en bancto go into these matters b/ its conce!e! "o'er to.timate./ !eci!e the matter o* a!mission to thebar>(


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In his s'orn statement !ate! A"ri. 12, 1972, sai!Bar Con*i!ant a!mitte! ha$ing broght the *i$ee5amination noteboo;s o* Ramon E+ @a.ang,a.ias Ramon E+ @a.ang, bac; to the res"ecti$ee5aminers *or reFe$a.ation an!or reFchec;ing,stating the circmstances n!er 'hich the same'as !one an! his reasons *or !oing the same+

Each o* the *i$e


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At the oint in$estigation, a.. res"on!ents, e5ce"tres"on!ent Pab.o, 'ho o**ere! as e$i!ence on./his ora. testimon/, sbmitte! as their !irecte$i!ence on./ his ora. testimon/, sbmitte! astheir !irect e$i!ence the a**i!a$its an! ans'ersear.ier sbmitte! b/ them to the Cort+ 4he samebecame the basis *or their crossFe5amination+

In their in!i$i!a. s'orn statements an! ans'er,'hich the/ o**ere! as their !irect testimon/ in thein$estigation con!cte! b/ the Cort, theres"on!entFe5aminers reconte! thecircmstances n!er 'hich the/ reFe$a.ate!an!or reFchec;e! the e5amination noteboo;s in?estion+

In 3is a**i!a$it !ate! A"ri. 11, 1972, res"on!entH!ge


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Pb.ic Internationa. a', con*irme! in his a**i!a$ito* A"ri. , 1972 that:

On a !a/ or t'o a*ter the Bar Con*i!ant 'ent tom/ resi!ence to obtain *rom me the .ast bag o*t'o hn!re! noteboo;s


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in the "osition to ;no' an! that there 'as nothingirreg.ar in that:

+ In "o.itica. an! internationa. .a', theorigina. gra!e obtaine! b/ the e5aminee 'ithnoteboo; co!e nmbere! --1 'as 7K+ A*terre$ie', it 'as increase! b/ 9 "oints, res.ting in a

*ina. gra!e o* --K+ 8ti.., the e5aminee !i! not"ass the sbect, an!, as hereto*ore state!, m/aim 'as not to ma;e the e5aminee "ass,not'ithstan!ing the re"resentation that he ha!"asse! the other sbects+ +++

9+ I ?ite reca.. that !ring the *irst meetingo* the Bar E5aminers Committee consenss 'asthat 'here an e5aminee *ai.e! in on./ one sbectan! "asse! the rest, the e5aminer in sai! sbect'o.! re$ie' the noteboo;+ #obo!/ obecte! to itas irreg.ar+ At the time o* the Committees *irstmeeting, 'e sti.. !i! not ;no' the names o* thecan!i!ates+

1&+ In *ine, I 'as a $ictim o* !ece"tion, not a"art/ to it+ It ha! abso.te./ no ;no'.e!ge o* themoti$es o* the Bar Con*i!ant or his ma.*easancein o**ice, an! !i! not ;no' the e5amineeconcerne! nor ha! I an/ ;in! o* contract 'ith himbe*ore or rather the re$ie' an! e$en " to the"resent


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555 555 555

+ In agreeing to reFe$a.ate the noteboo;,'ith res.te! in increasing the tota. gra!e o* thee5amineeFconcerne! in Reme!ia. a' *rom-%+7K to 7+K, herein res"on!ent acte! ingoo! *aith+ It ma/ 'e.. be that he co.! be *a.te!

*or not ha$ing $eri*ie! *rom the Chairman o* theCommittee o* Bar E5aminers the .egitimac/ o* there?est ma!e b/ Mr+ ane$o+ 3ereinres"on!ent, ho'e$er, ".ea!s in attenation o*sch omission, that )

a= 3a$ing been a""ointe! an E5aminer *orthe *irst time, he 'as not a'are, not ha$ing beena""rise! other'ise, that it 'as not 'ithin theathorit/ o* the Bar Con*i!ant o* the 8"remeCort to re?est or sggest that the gra!e o* a"artic.ar e5amination noteboo; be re$ise! orreconsi!ere!+ 3e ha! e$er/ right to "resme,o'ing to the high./ *i!ciar/ natre o* the "ositiono* the Bar Con*i!ant, that the re?est 'as

.egitimate+

555 555 555

c= In re$ising the gra!e o* the "artic.are5aminee concerne!, herein res"on!ent care*../e$a.ate! each an! e$er/ ans'er 'ritten in thenoteboo;+ 4esting the ans'ers b/ the criteria .ai!!o'n b/ the Cort, an! gi$ing the sai! e5amineethe bene*it o* !obt in $ie' o* Mr+ ane$osre"resentation that it 'as on./ in that "artic.arsbect that the sai! e5amine *ai.e!, hereinres"on!ent became con$ince! that the sai!e5aminee !eser$e! a higher gra!e than that"re$ios./ gi$en to him, bt that he !i! not

!eser$e, in herein res"on!ents honest a""raisa.,to be gi$en the "assing gra!e o* 7K+ It sho.!a.so be mentione! that, in rea""raising theans'ers, herein res"on!ent !o'ngra!e! a"re$ios rating o* an ans'er 'ritten b/ thee5aminee, *rom 9+2K to 9K


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It is or e5"erience in the Bar Di$ision thatimme!iate./ a*ter the re.ease o* the res.ts o* thee5aminations, 'e are sa../ s'arme! 'ithre?ests o* the e5aminees that the/ be sho'ntheir noteboo;s+ Man/ o* them 'o.! co"/ theirans'ers an! ha$e them chec;e! b/ their"ro*essors+ E$enta../ some o* them 'o.! *i.e

motions or re?ests *or reFcorrection an!or reFe$a.ation+ Right no', 'e ha$e some 19 o* schmotions or re?ests 'hich 'e are rea!ing *orsbmission to the 3onorab.e Cort+

O*ten 'e *ee. that a *e' o* them are meritorios,bt st the same the/ ha$e to be !enie!becase the res.t o* the e5aminations 'henre.ease! is *ina. an! irre$ocab.e+

It 'as to at .east minimie the occrrence o* schinstances that moti$ate! me to bring thosenoteboo;s bac; to the res"ecti$e e5aminers *orreFe$a.ation(


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(227( at the beginning o* the .ist, as E5h+ -FaFane$o 197& Master ist as E5h+ 7Fane$oan! the *igre (227( at the beginning o* the .ist asE5h+ 7FaFane$o an! the 1971 Master ist asE5h+ Fane$o an! the *igre (227( at the en! o*the .ist as E5h+ FaFane$o=+

4he signi*icance to me o* this nmber


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1+ 4hat herein res"on!ent is notac?ainte! 'ith *ormer BarCon*i!ant Gictorioane$o an! ne$er met him be*ore e5ce"t once'hen, as re?ire! b/ the .atter res"on!entsbmitte! certain "a"ers necessar/ *or ta;ing thebar e5aminations+

555 555 555

+ 4hat it has been the consistent "o.ic/ o*the 8"reme Cort not to reconsi!er (*ai.re(cases a*ter the o**icia. re.ease thereo* 'h/sho.! it no' reconsi!er a ("assing( case,es"ecia../ in a sitation 'here the res"on!entan! the bar con*i!ant !o not ;no' each otheran!, in!ee!, met on./ once in the or!inar/ corseo* o**icia. bsiness>

It is not ine$itab.e, then, to conc.!e that theentire sitation c.ear./ mani*ests a reasonab.e!obt to 'hich res"on!ent is rich./ entit.e!>

+ 4hat res"on!ent, be*ore rea!ing a co"/o* this 3onorab.e Corts reso.tion !ate! March, 197%, ha! no ;no'.e!ge 'hatsoe$er o* *ormerBar Con*i!ant Gictorio ane$os actations'hich are state! in "artic.ar in the reso.tion+ In*act, the res"on!ent ne$er ;ne' this manintimate./ nor, ha! the herein res"on!ent ti.ie!an/one to contact the Bar Con*i!ant ane$o inhis beha.*+

Bt, assming as tre, the sai! actations o* BarCon*i!ant ane$o as state! in the Reso.tion,'hich are e$i!ent./ "r"orte! to sho' as ha$ingre!on!e! to the bene*it o* herein res"on!ent,these ?estions arise: irst, 'as the reF

e$a.ation o* Res"on!ents e5amination "a"ersb/ the Bar E5amination Committee !one on./ ores"ecia../ *or him an! not !one genera../ asregar!s the "a"er o* the other bar can!i!ates'ho are s""ose! to ha$e *ai.e!> I* the reFe$a.ation o* Res"on!ents gra!es 'as !oneamong those o* others, then it mst ha$e been!one as a matter o* "o.ic/ o* the Committee toincrease the "ercentage o* "assing in that /earse5amination an!, there*ore, the insination thaton./ res"on!ents "a"ers 'ere reFe$a.ate! "onthe in*.ence o* Bar Con*i!ant ane$o 'o.! bensti*iab.e, i* not *ar *etche!+ 8econ!./, is the*act that BarCon*i!ant ane$os actationsres.te! in herein Res"on!ents bene*it ane$i!ence "er se o* Res"on!ents ha$ing case!actations o* Bar con*i!ant ane$o to be !onein *ormers beha.*> 4o assme this co.! be!isastros in e**ect becase that 'o.! be"resming a.. the members o* the BarE5amination Committee as !e$oi! o* integrit/,n*it *or the bar themse.$es an! the res.t o* their'or; that /ear, as a.so n'orth/ o* an/thing+ A..o* these in*erences are !e!ctib.e *rom thenarration o* *acts in the reso.tion, an! 'hich on./

goes to sho' sai! narration o* *acts an n'orth/o* cre!ence, or consi!eration+

555 555 555

7+ 4his 3onorab.e 4ribna.s Reso.tion o*March , 197% 'o.! ma;e this Res"on!ent

Accont or ans'er *or the actations o* BarCon*i!ant ane$o as 'e.. as *or the actationso* the Bar E5aminers im"./ing the e5istence o*some cons"irac/ bet'een them an! theRes"on!ent+ 4he e$i!ent im"tation is !enie!an! it is conten!e! that the Bar E5aminers 'erein the "er*ormance o* their !ties an! that the/sho.! be regar!e! as sch in the consi!erationo* this case+

555 555 555


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Cort an! in his *rther be.ie* that he 'as stmani*esting coo"eration in !oing so, he reFe$a.ate! the "a"er an! reconsi!ere! thee5aminees gra!e in sai! sbect to 7K *rom-K+ 4he "artic.ar noteboo; be.onge! to ane5aminee 'ith E5aminers Co!e #mber 9 an!'ith O**ice Co!e #mber 9+ 4his e5aminee is

Ramon E+ @a.ang, a.ias Roman E+ @a.ang+Res"on!ent Pamatian !i! not ;no' the i!entit/o* the e5aminee at the time he reFe$a.ate! thesai! boo;.et


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in Po.itica. a' an! Pb.ic Internationa. a', ashe ha! a.rea!/ *inishe! correcting thee5amination noteboo;s in his assigne! sbect )Crimina. a' ) that the e5aminee 'ho o'ns that"artic.ar noteboo; ha! misse! the "assinggra!e b/ on./ a *raction o* a "ercent an! that i*his gra!e in Crimina. a' 'o.! be raise! a *e'

"oints to 7K, then the e5aminee 'o.! ma;ethe "assing gra!e+ Acce"ting the 'or!s o*res"on!ent ane$o, an! seeing the sti*icationan! becase he !i! not 'ant to be the onecasing the *ai.re o* the e5aminee, res"on!ent4omacr raise! the gra!e *rom -K to 7K an!therea*ter, he initia.e! the re$ise! mar; an! a.sore$ise! the mar; in the genera. .ist an! .i;e'iseinitia.e! the same+ 4he e5aminees E5aminerCo!e #mber is 7- 'hi.e his O**ice Co!e#mber is 9+ 4his e5aminee is Ramon [email protected], a.ias Roman E+ @a.ang


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Re: A!ministrati$e Case #o+ 11-2, Gictorio D+ane$o, res"on!ent+

A

U#AU43ORINED REFEGAUA4IO# O 43EA#86ER8 O EAMI#E RAMO# E+ @AA#@,

a.ias ROMA# E+ @AA#@, I# A IGE


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Internationa. a' *or Lita.eg an! Mercanti.ea' *or 4/ !e.a Cr+

4he O**ice o* the Bar Con*i!ant, it mst bestresse!, has abso.te./ nothing to !o in the reFe$a.ation or reconsi!eration o* the gra!es o*e5aminees 'ho *ai. to ma;e the "assing mar;

be*ore or a*ter their noteboo;s are sbmitte! to itb/ the E5aminers+ A*ter the correcte! noteboo;sare sbmitte! to him b/ the E5aminers, his on./*nction is to ta../ the in!i$i!a. gra!es o* e$er/e5aminee in a.. sbects ta;en an! therea*tercom"te the genera. a$erage+ 4hat !one, he 'i..then "re"are a com"arati$e !ata sho'ing the"ercentage o* "assing an! *ai.ing in re.ation to acertain a$erage to be sbmitte! to the Committeean! to the Cort an! on the basis o* 'hich theCort 'i.. !etermine the "assing a$erage,'hether 7 or 7 or 7%, etc+ 4he Bar Con*i!anthas no bsiness e$a.ating the ans'ers o* thee5aminees an! cannot assme the *nctions o*"assing "on the a""raisa. ma!e b/ the

E5aminers concerne!+ 3e is not the o$erFa..E5aminer+ 3e cannot "resme to ;no' betterthan the e5aminer+ An/ re?est *or reFe$a.ationsho.! be !one b/ the e5aminee an! the samesho.! be a!!resse! to the Cort, 'hich a.onecan $a.i!./ act thereon+ A Bar Con*i!ant 'hota;es sch initiati$e, e5"oses himse.* to ss"icionan! thereb/ com"romises his "osition as 'e.. asthe image o* the Cort+

Res"on!ent ane$os c.aim that he 'as mere./!oing stice to @a.ang 'ithot an/ intention o*betra/ing the trst an! con*i!ence re"ose! in himb/ the Cort as Bar Con*i!ant, can har!./ in$itebe.ie* in the *act o* the incontro$ertib.e *act that

he sing.e! ot @a.angs "a"ers *or reFe$a.ation,.ea$ing ot the "a"ers o* more than ninet/


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4/ !e.a Cr


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Bar e5aminations an! n!ermining "b.ic *aith inthe 8"reme Cort+ 3e sho.! be !isbarre!+

As to 'hether Ernesto Lita.eg an! A.*re!o 4/!e.a Cr sho.! be !isbarre! or their namesstric;en *rom the Ro.. o* Attorne/s, it is be.ie$e!that the/ sho.! be re?ire! to sho' case an!

the corres"on!ing in$estigation con!cte!+

III

Re: A!ministrati$e Case #o+ 11-%, Ramon [email protected], a.ias Roman E+ @a.ang, res"on!ent+

A

4he name o* res"on!ent Ramon E+ @a.ang, a.iasRoman E+ @a.ang, sho.! .i;e'ise be stric;en o**the Ro.. o* Attorne/s+ 4his is a necessar/conse?ence o* the nFathorie! reFe$a.ationo* his ans'ers in *i$e


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to sho' satis*actor/ e$i!ence or "roo* o* goo!mora. character is his ob.igation to re$ea. to theCort a.. his in$o.$ement in an/ crimina. case sothat the Cort can consi!er them in theascertainment an! !etermination o* his mora.character+ An! n!eniab./, 'ith the a"".icantscrimina. recor!s be*ore it, the Cort 'i.. be in a

better "osition to consi!er the a"".icants mora.character *or it co.! not be gainsai! that ana"".icants in$o.$ement in an/ crimina. case,'hether "en!ing or terminate! b/ its !ismissa. ora"".icants ac?itta. or con$iction, has a bearing"on his character or *itness *or a!mission to theBar+ In 19-% an! 19-, 'hen res"on!ent @a.angtoo; the Bar *or the secon! an! thir! time,res"ecti$e./, the a"".ication *orm "ro$i!e! b/ theCort *or se o* a"".icants a.rea!/ re?ire! thea"".icant to !ec.are n!er oath that (he has notbeen accse! o*, in!icte! *or or con$icte! b/ an/cort or tribna. o* an/ o**ense in$o.$ing mora.tr"it!e an! that there is no "en!ing case o*that natre against him+( B/ 19--, 'hen @a.ang

too; the Bar e5aminations *or the *orth time, thea"".ication *orm "re"are! b/ the Cort *or se o*a"".icants re?ire! the a"".icant to re$ea. a.. hiscrimina. cases 'hether in$o.$ing mora. tr"it!eor not+ In "aragra"h o* that *orm, the a"".icantis re?ire! n!er oath to !ec.are that (he has notbeen charge! 'ith an/ o**ense be*ore a isca.,Mnici"a. H!ge, or other o**icer or accse! o*,in!icte! *or or con$icte! b/ an/ cort or tribna.o* an/ crime in$o.$ing mora. tr"it!e nor isthere a "en!ing case against him(


21/72

'as, as ear./ as Agst, 197%, a""rise! o* hisomission to re$ea. to the Cort his "en!ingcrimina. case+ et he !i! not o**er an/e5".anation *or sch omission+

Un!er the circmstances in 'hich res"on!entRamon E+ @a.ang, a.ias Roman E+ @a.ang, 'as

a..o'e! to ta;e the Bar e5aminations an! thehigh./ irreg.ar manner in 'hich he "asse! theBar, 6E ha$e no other a.ternati$e bt to or!erthe srren!er o* his attorne/s certi*icate an! thestri;ing ot o* his name *rom the Ro.. o*Attorne/s+ or as 6E sai! in Re e.i"e !e.Rosario:

4he "ractice o* the .a' is not an abso.te right tobe grante! e$er/ one 'ho !eman!s it, bt is a"ri$i.ege to be e5ten!e! or 'ithhe.! in thee5ercise o* son! !iscretion+ 4he stan!ar!s o*the .ega. "ro*ession are not satis*ie! b/ con!ct'hich mere./ enab.es one to esca"e the"ena.ties o* the crimina. .a'+ It 'o.! be a

!isgrace to the H!iciar/ to recei$e one 'hoseintegrit/ is ?estionab.e as an o**icer o* the cort,to c.othe him 'ith a.. the "restige o* itscon*i!ence, an! then to "ermit him to ho.!himse.* as a !./ athorie! member o* the bar


22/72

res"on!ent Pab.o: (+++ he to.! me that this"artic.ar e5aminee seems to ha$e "asse! ina..ot her sbect e5ce"t this sbect an! that i* Ican reFe$a.ate this e5amination noteboo; an!increase the mar; to at .east 7, this "artic.are5aminee 'i.. "ass the bar e5aminations so Ibe.ie$e I as;e! him Is this being !one> an! he

sai! es, that is the "ractice se! to be !onebe*ore to he." ot e5aminees 'ho are *ai.ing inst one sbect so I rea!i./ acce!e! to hisre?est an! sai! Hst .ea$e it 'ith me an! I 'i..tr/ to reFe$a.ate an! he .e*t it 'ith me an! 'hat i!i! 'as to go o$er the boo; an! trie! to be as.enient as I co.!+ 6hi.e I !i! not mar; correct theans'ers 'hich 'ere 'rong, 'hat I !i! 'as to bemore .enient an! i* the ans'ers 'as correcta.thogh it 'as not com".ete I raise the gra!e soI ha! a tota. o* 7 instea! o* - an! 'hat I !i!'as to correct the gra!ing sheet accor!ing./ an!initia. the changes(

A #o, /or 3onor, becase I ha$esbmitte! m/ re"ort at that time(


23/72

actations in connection 'ith the reFe$a.ation o*the ans'ers o* @a.ang in *i$e


24/72

In sai! 1971 statement, res"on!ent ane$o.iste! n!er Assets a ban; !e"osit in the amonto* on./ P2,&&&+&&+ In his 1972 statement, hisban; !e"osit .iste! n!er Assets 'as in theamont o* P1,&11+&&, 'hich sho's there*ore thato* the P2,&&&+&& ban; !e"osit .iste! in his 1971

statement n!er Assets, on./ the amont o*P99+&& 'as se! or 'ith!ra'n+ 4he amont o*P1,&&&+&& recei$ab.e .iste! n!er Assets in his1971 statement 'as not rea.ie! becase thetransaction therein in$o.$e! !i! not "sh throgh


25/72

Crimina. "rocee!ings ma/ be institte! againstres"on!ent ane$o n!er 8ection %


26/72

@a.ang an! has ne$er met him


27/72

3e reiterate! an! !isc.ose! to the "ress thecontents o* the a*orementione! "etition+ 4hs, on8e"tember 2-, 19-7, the Mani.a 4imes "b.ishe!statements attribte! to him, as *o..o's:

Gicente Ra. A.macen, in an n"rece!ente!"etition, sai! he !i! it to e5"ose the tribna.s

(nconstittiona. an! obno5ios( "ractice o*arbitrari./ !en/ing "etitions or a""ea.s 'ithotan/ reason+

Becase o* the tribna.s (shortFct stice,(A.macen !e".ore!, his c.ient 'as con!emne! to"a/ P12&,&&&, 'ithot ;no'ing 'h/ he .ost thecase+

555 555 555

4here is no se contining his .a' "ractice,A.macen sai! in this "etition, ('here or8"reme Cort is com"ose! o* men 'ho areca..ose! to or ".eas *or stice, 'ho ignore

'ithot reason their o'n a"".icab.e !ecisionsan! commit c."ab.e $io.ations o* the Constittion'ith im"nit/+

555 555 555

3e e5"resse! the ho"e that b/ !i$esting himse.*o* his tit.e b/ 'hich he earns his .i$ing, the"resent members o* the 8"reme Cort ('i..become res"onsi$e to a.. cases broght to itsattention 'ithot !iscrimination, an! 'i.. "rgeitse.* o* those nconstittiona. an! obno5ios(.ac; o* merit( or (!enie! reso.tions+


28/72

19-, re.ie! "on b/ this Cort in its reso.tion o*Ma/ , 19-7+ A""e..ant *rther states that in the.atest case, Re"b.ic $s+ Gentrana, F2&17,Ma/ %&, 19--, !eci!e! b/ the 8"reme Cortconcerning the ?estion raise! b/ a""e..antsmotion, the r.ing is contrar/ to the !octrine .ai!!o'n in the Mani.a 8ret/ i!e.it/ Co+, Inc+

case+

4here is no sbstantia. !istinction bet'een thiscase an! that o* Mani.a 8ret/ i!e.it/ Co+

In the case o* Re"b.ic $s+ Gentrana, thereso.tion !en/ing the motion to !ismiss thea""ea., base! on gron!s simi.ar to those raise!herein 'as isse! on #o$ember 2-, 19-2, 'hich'as mch ear.ier than the !ate o* "rom.gation o*the !ecision in the Mani.a 8ret/ Case, 'hich'as Hne 2, 19-+ rther, the reso.tion in theGentrana case 'as inter.octor/ an! the8"reme Cort isse! it ('ithot "re!ice toa""e..ees restoring the "oint in the brie*+( In the

main !ecision in sai! case


29/72

555 555 555

or res"on!ent has no intention o* !isa$o'ingthe statements mentione! in his "etition+ On thecontrar/, he re*irms the trth o* 'hat he state!,com"atib.e 'ith his .a'/ers oath that he 'i.. !ono *a.sehoo!, nor consent to the !oing o* an/ in

cort+ Bt he $igoros./ DE# n!er oath thatthe n!erscore! statements containe! in theC3AR@E are inso.ent, contem"tos, gross./!isres"ect*. an! !erogator/ to the in!i$i!a.members o* the Cort that the/ ten! to bring theentire Cort, 'ithot sti*ication, into !isre"tean! constitte con!ct nbecoming o* a membero* the nob.e "ro*ession o* .a'+

555 555 555

Res"on!ent stan!s *orFs?are that hisstatement is borne b/ 4RU43 an! has beenasserte! 'ith #O MAICE BEORE A#D A4ER43OU@34 bt main./ moti$ate! 'ith the highest

interest o* stice that in the "artic.ar case o* orc.ient, the members ha$e sho'n ca..osness toor $arios ".eas *or HU84ICE, or ".ea!ings 'i..bear s on this matter, +++

555 555 555

4o a.. these beggings, s"".ications, 'or!s o*hmi.it/, a""ea.s *or charit/, generosit/, *airness,n!erstan!ing, s/m"ath/ an! abo$e a.. in thehighest interest o* HU84ICE, ) 'hat !i! 'e get*rom this COUR4> One 'or!, DE#IED, 'ith a..its har!iness an! insensibi.it/+ 4hat 'as then*ee.ing o* the Cort to'ar!s or ".eas an!"ra/ers, in sim".e 'or!, it is ".ain ca..osness

to'ar!s or "artic.ar case+

555 555 555

#o' that /or res"on!ent has the gts to te.. themembers o* the Cort that not'ithstan!ing the$io.ation o* the Constittion, /o remaine!n"nishe!, this Cort in the re$erse or!er o*natra. things, is no' in the attem"t to in*.ict"nishment on /or res"on!ent *or acts he sai!in goo! *aith+

Di! 3is 3onors care to .isten to or ".ea!ingsan! s"".ications *or HU84ICE, C3ARI4,@E#ERO8I4 an! AIR#E88> Di! 3is 3onorsattem"t to sti*/ their stbborn !enia. 'ith an/semb.ance o* reason, #EGER+ #o' that /orres"on!ent is gi$en the o""ortnit/ to *ace /o,he reiterates the same statement 'ith em"hasis,DID OU> 8ir+ Is this+ the 'a/ o* .i*e in thePhi.i""ines to!a/, that e$en or o'n Presi!ent,sai!: ) (the stor/ is crrent, thogh neb.os ,isto its trth, it is sti.. being circ.ate! that stice inthe Phi.i""ines to!a/ is not 'hat it is se! to bebe*ore the 'ar+ 4here are those 'ho ha$e to.!

me *ran;./ an! brta../ that stice is acommo!it/, a mar;etab.e commo!it/ in thePhi.i""ines+(

555 555 555

6e con!emn the 8I#, not the 8I##ER+ 6e

!etest the AC48, not the AC4OR+ 6e attac; the!ecision o* this Cort, not the members+ +++ 6e'ere "ro$o;e!+ 6e 'ere com"e..e! b/ *orce o*necessit/+ 6e 'ere angr/ bt 'e 'aite! *or the*ina.it/ o* the !ecision+ 6e 'aite! nti. this Corthas "er*orme! its !ties+ 6e ne$er inter*ere! norobstrct in the "er*ormance o* their !ties+ Bt inthe en!, a*ter seeing that the Constittion has".ace! *ina.it/ on /or !gment against or c.ientan! sensing that /o ha$e not "er*orme! /or!ties 'ith (circms"ection, care*.ness,con*i!ence an! 'is!om(, /or Res"on!ent rise toc.aim his @o! gi$en right to s"ea; the trth an!his Constittiona. right o* *ree s"eech+

555 555 555

4he I#HU84ICE8 'hich 'e ha$e attribte! tothis Cort an! the *rther $io.ations 'e soght tobe "re$ente! is im".ie!./ share! b/ orPresi!ent+ +++ +

555 555 555

6hat has been abhore! an! con!emne!, are the$er/ things that 'ere a"".ie! to s+ Reca..ingMa!am Ro.an!s *amos a"ostro"he !ring therench re$o.tion, (O ibert/, 'hat crimes arecommitte! in th/ name(, 'e ma/ !are sa/, (OHU84ICE, 'hat technica.ities are committe! in

th/ name or more a""ro"riate./, O HU84ICE,'hat instices are committe! in th/ name+(

555 555 555

6e mst a!mit that this Cort is not *ree *romcommission o* an/ abses, bt 'ho 'o.!correct sch abses consi!ering that /ors is acort o* .ast resort+ A strong "b.ic o"inion mstbe generate! so as to crtai. these abses+

555 555 555

4he "hrase, Hstice is b.in! is s/mbo.ie in"aintings that can be *on! in a.. corts an!go$ernment o**ices+ 6e ha$e a!!e! on./ t'omore s/mbo.s, that it is a.so !ea* an! !mb+ Dea*in the sense that no members o* this Cort hase$er hear! or cries *or charit/, generosit/,*airness, n!erstan!ing s/m"ath/ an! *or stice!mb in the sense, that ins"ite o* or beggings,s"".ications, an! ".ea!ings to gi$e s reasons'h/ or a""ea. has been DE#IED, not one 'or!'as s"o;en or gi$en +++ 6e re*er to no hman!e*ect or ai.ment in the abo$e statement+ 6e on./


30/72

!escribe the+ im"ersona. state o* things an!nothing more+

555 555 555

As 'e ha$e state!, 'e ha$e .ost or *aith an!con*i!ence in the members o* this Cort an! *or

'hich reason 'e o**ere! to srren!er or.a'/ers certi*icate, I# 4RU84 O#+ Becase'hat has been .ost to!a/ ma/ be regaine!tomorro'+ As the o**er 'as inten!e! as or se.*Fim"ose! sacri*ice, then 'e a.one ma/ !eci!e asto 'hen 'e mst en! or se.*Fsacri*ice+ I* 'eha$e to choose bet'een *orcing orse.$es toha$e *aith an! con*i!ence in the members o* theCort bt !isregar! or Constittion an! to"ho.! the Constittion an! be con!emne! b/the members o* this Cort, there is no choice, 'emst "ho.! the .atter+

Bt o$er.oo;ing, *or the nonce, the $it"erati$echa** 'hich he c.aims is not inten!e! as a st!ie!

!isres"ect to this Cort, .et s e5amine the graino* his grie$ances+

3e cha*es at the minte reso.tion !enia. o* his"etition *or re$ie'+ 6e are ?ite a'are o* thecriticisms2 e5"resse! against this Corts"ractice o* reecting "etitions b/ mintereso.tions+ 6e ha$e been as;e! to !o a'a/ 'ithit, to state the *acts an! the .a', an! to s"e.. otthe reasons *or !enia.+ 6e ha$e gi$en thissggestion $er/ care*. thoght+ or 'e ;no' theabect *rstration o* a .a'/er 'ho te!ios./co..ates the *acts an! *or man/ 'ear/ horsmetic.os./ marsha..s his argments, on./ toha$e his e**orts reb**e! 'ith a terse na!orne!

!enia.+ 4rth to te.., ho'e$er, most "etitionsreecte! b/ this Cort are tter./ *ri$o.os an!oght ne$er to ha$e been .o!ge! at a..+% 4he rest!o e5hibit a *irstFim"ression cogenc/, bt *ai. to,'ithstan! critica. scrtin/+ B/ an! .arge, this Corthas been generos in gi$ing !e corse to"etitions *or certiorari+

Be this as it ma/, 'ere 'e to acce"t e$er/ caseor 'rite a *.. o"inion *or e$er/ "etition 'e reect,'e 'o.! be nab.e to carr/ ot e**ecti$e./ thebr!en ".ace! "on s b/ the Constittion+ 4he"ro"er ro.e o* the 8"reme Cort, as Mr+ Chie*Hstice Ginson o* the U+8+ 8"reme Cort has!e*ine! it, is to !eci!e (on./ those cases 'hich"resent ?estions 'hose reso.tions 'i.. ha$eimme!iate im"ortance be/on! the "artic.ar *actsan! "arties in$o.$e!+( Pertinent here is theobser$ation o* Mr+ Hstice ran;*rter in Mar/.an!$s+ Ba.timore Ra!io 8ho', 9 + e! -2, --:

A $ariet/ o* consi!erations n!er.ie !enia.s o* the'rit, an! as to the same "etition !i**erent reasonsma/ rea! !i**erent stices to the same res.t +++ +

8ince there are these con*.icting, an!, to thenin*orme!, e$en con*sing reasons *or !en/ing"etitions *or certiorari, it has been sggeste! *romtime to time that the Cort in!icate its reasons *or!enia.+ Practica. consi!erations "rec.!e+ In or!erthat the Cort ma/ be enab.e! to !ischarge itsin!is"ensab.e !ties, Congress has ".ace! the

contro. o* the Corts bsiness, in e**ect, 'ithinthe Corts !iscretion+ Dring the .ast three termsthe Cort !is"ose! o* 2-&, 217, 22 cases,res"ecti$e./, on their merits+ or the same threeterms the Cort !enie!, res"ecti$e./, 1,2-&,1,1&,1,19 "etitions ca..ing *or !iscretionar/re$ie'+ I* the Cort is to !o its 'or; it 'o.! notbe *easib.e to gi$e reasons, ho'e$er brie*, *orre*sing to ta;e these cases+ 4he tne that 'o.!be re?ire! is "rohibiti$e+ A"art *rom the *act thatas a.rea!/ in!icate! !i**erent reasons notin*re?ent./ mo$e !i**erent members o* the Cortin conc.!ing that a "artic.ar case at a "artic.artime ma;es re$ie' n!esirab.e+

8i5 /ears ago, in #o$ino, et a.+, $s+ Cort o*A""ea.s, et a.+, 1,21&9, Ma/ %1, 19-%


31/72

a5iom is im".ie! in sec+ o* R.e o* the R.eso* Cort 'hich recites:

Re$ie' o* Cort o* A""ea.s !ecision!iscretionar/+)A re$ie' is not a matter o* rightbt o* son! !icia. !iscretion, an! 'i.. begrante! on./ 'hen there are s"ecia. an!

im"ortant reasons there*or+ 4he *o..o'ing, 'hi.eneither contro..ing nor *../ measring the corts!iscretion, in!icate the character o* reasons'hich 'i.. be consi!ere!:


32/72

Corts ths treat 'ith *orbearance an! restraint a.a'/er 'ho $igoros./ assai.s their actations+ 1&or corageos an! *ear.ess a!$ocates are thestran!s that 'ea$e !rabi.it/ into the ta"estr/ o*stice+ 3ence, as citien an! o**icer o* the cort,e$er/ .a'/er is e5"ecte! not on./ to e5ercise theright, bt a.so to consi!er it his !t/ to e5"ose the

shortcomings an! in!iscretions o* corts an!!ges+ 11

Corts an! !ges are not sacrosanct+ 12 4he/sho.! an! e5"ect critica. e$a.ation o* their"er*ormance+ 1% or .i;e the e5ecti$e an! the.egis.ati$e branches, the !iciar/ is roote! in thesoi. o* !emocratic societ/, norishe! b/ the"erio!ic a""raisa. o* the citiens 'hom it ise5"ecte! to ser$e+

6e..Frecognie! there*ore is the right o* a .a'/er,both as an o**icer o* the cort an! as a citien, tocriticie in "ro"er./ res"ect*. terms an! throgh.egitimate channe.s the acts o* corts an! !ges+

4he reason is that

An attorne/ !oes not srren!er, in assming theim"ortant ".ace accor!e! to him in thea!ministration o* stice, his right as a citien tocriticie the !ecisions o* the corts in a *air an!res"ect*. manner, an! the in!e"en!ence o* thebar, as 'e.. as o* the !iciar/, has a.'a/s beenencorage! b/ the corts+


33/72

ot o* cort *rom a.. ins.ting .angage an!o**ensi$e con!ct to'ar! !ges "ersona../ *ortheir !icia. acts+ >> I#O4UM6A,( 'hich accse! a mnici"a. !ge o*ha$ing committe! !icia. error, o* being so"re!ice! as to !en/ his c.ients a *air tria. ona""ea. an! o* being sbect to the contro. o* agro" o* cit/ o**icia.s+ As a "re*ator/ statement he'rote: (4he/ sa/ that Hstice is BI#D, bt it too;Mnici"a. H!ge 6i..ar! to "ro$e that it is a.soDEA an! DUMBQ( 4he cort !i! not hesitate to*in! that the .ea*.et 'ent mch *rther than theaccse!, as a .a'/er, ha! a right to !o+

4he entire "b.ication e$i!ences a !esire on the

"art O* the accse! to be.itt.e an! besmirch thecort an! to bring it into !isre"te 'ith thegenera. "b.ic+

%+ In In Re 3m"hre/, 1-% Pac+ -&, the8"reme Cort o* Ca.i*ornia a**irme! the t'oF/ear ss"ension o* an attorne/ 'ho "b.ishe! acirc.ar assai.ing a !ge 'ho at that time 'as acan!i!ate *or reFe.ection to a !icia. o**ice+ 4hecirc.ar 'hich re*erre! to t'o !ecisions o* the!ge conc.!e! 'ith a statement that the !ge(se! his !icia. o**ice to enab.e Fsai! ban; to;ee" that mone/+( 8ai! the cort:

6e are a'are that there is a .ine o* athorities

'hich ".ace no .imit to the criticism members o*the bar ma/ ma;e regar!ing the ca"acit/,im"artia.it/, or integrit/ o* the corts, e$en thoghit e5ten!s to the !e.iberate "b.ication b/ theattorne/ ca"ab.e o* correct reasoning o* base.essinsinations against the inte..igence an! integrit/o* the highest corts+ 8ee 8tate Boar!, etc+ $+3art+ 11- #+6+ 212, 17 RA


34/72

es"ecia../ in their criticism o* the corts, to theen! that the "b.ic con*i!ence in the !ea!ministration o* stice be "he.!, an! the!ignit/ an! se*.ness o* the corts bemaintaine!+ In re Co..ins, 1 Pac+ 22&+

+ In Peo".e e5 re. Chicago Bar Asso+ $+

Meten, 12% #+E+ 7%, an attorne/, re"resentinga 'oman 'ho ha! been grante! a !i$orce,attac;e! the !ge 'ho set asi!e the !ecree onbi.. o* re$ie'+ 3e 'rote the !ge a threatening.etter an! ga$e the "ress the stor/ o* a "ro"ose!.ibe. sit against the !ge an! others+ 4he .etterbegan:

Un.ess the recor! in In re Petersen $+ Petersen isc.eare! " so that m/ name is "rotecte! *rom the.ibe., .ies, an! "err/ committe! in the casesin$o.$e!, I sha.. be com"e..e! to resort to sch!rastic action as the .a' a..o's an! the case'arrants+

rther, he sai!: (3o'e$er .et me assre /o I !onot inten! to a..o' sch !astar!./ 'or; to goncha..enge!,( an! sai! that he 'as engage! in!ea.ing 'ith men an! not irres"onsib.e "o.itica.mani;ins or a""earances o* men+ Or!ering theattorne/s !isbarment, the 8"reme Cort o*I..inois !ec.are!:

+++ H!ges are not e5em"t *rom st criticism, an!'hene$er there is "ro"er gron! *or serioscom".aint against a !ge, it is the right an! !t/o* a .a'/er to sbmit his grie$ances to the "ro"erathorities, bt the "b.ic interest an! thea!ministration o* the .a' !eman! that the cortssho.! ha$e the con*i!ence an! res"ect o* the

"eo".e+ Unst criticism, ins.ting .angage, an!o**ensi$e con!ct to'ar! the !ges "ersona../b/ attorne/s, 'ho are o**icers o* the cort, 'hichten! to bring the corts an! the .a' into !isre"tean! to !estro/ "b.ic con*i!ence in their integrit/,cannot be "ermitte!+ 4he .etter 'ritten to the!ge 'as ".ain./ an attem"t to intimi!ate an!in*.ence him in the !ischarge o* !icia.*nctions, an! the bringing o* the nathorie!sit, together 'ith the 'riteF" in the 8n!a/"a"ers, 'as inten!e! an! ca.c.ate! to bring thecort into !isre"te 'ith the "b.ic+

+ In a "b.ic s"eech, a Rho!e Is.an!.a'/er accse! the corts o* the state o* beingin*.ence! b/ corr"tion an! gree!, sa/ing thatthe seats o* the 8"reme Cort 'ere bartere!+ It!oes not a""ear that the attorne/ ha! criticie!an/ o* the o"inions or !ecisions o* the Cort+ 4he.a'/er 'as charge! 'ith n"ro*essiona. con!ct,an! 'as or!ere! ss"en!e! *or a "erio! o* t'o/ears+ 4he Cort sai!:

A ca.mn/ o* that character, i* be.ie$e!, 'o.!ten! to 'ea;en the athorit/ o* the cort against

'hose members it 'as ma!e, bring its !gmentsinto contem"t, n!ermine its in*.ence as annbiase! arbiter o* the "eo".es right, an!inter*ere 'ith the a!ministration o* stice+ +++

Becase a man is a member o* the bar the cort'i.. not, n!er the gise o* !isci".inar/

"rocee!ings, !e"ri$e him o* an/ "art o* that*ree!om o* s"eech 'hich he "ossesses as acitien+ 4he acts an! !ecisions o* the corts o*this state, in cases that ha$e reache! *ina.!etermination, are not e5em"t *rom *air an!honest comment an! criticism+ It is on./ 'hen anattorne/ transcen!s the .imits o* .egitimatecriticism that he 'i.. be he.! res"onsib.e *or anabse o* his .ibert/ o* s"eech+ 6e 'e..n!erstan! that an in!e"en!ent bar, as 'e.. asin!e"en!ent cort, is a.'a/s a $igi.ant !e*en!ero* ci$i. rights+ In Re 4ro/, 111 At.+ 72%+ 72+

-+ In In Re Roc;more, 111 #8 79, anattorne/ 'as ss"en!e! *or si5 months *or

sbmitting to an a""e..ate cort an a**i!a$itre*.ecting "on the !icia. integrit/ o* the cort*rom 'hich the a""ea. 'as ta;en+ 8ch action,the Cort sai!, constittes n"ro*essiona.con!ct sti*/ing ss"ension *rom "ractice,not'ithstan!ing that he *../ retracte! an!'ith!re' the statements, an! asserte! that thea**i!a$it 'as the res.t o* an im".se case! b/'hat he consi!ere! gra$e instice+ 4he Cortsai!:

6e cannot sht or e/es to the *act that there isa gro'ing habit in the "ro*ession o* criticising themoti$es an! integrit/ o* !icia. o**icers in the!ischarge o* their !ties, an! thereb/ re*.ecting

on the a!ministration o* stice an! creating theim"ression that !icia. action is in*.ence! b/corr"t or im"ro"er moti$es+ E$er/ attorne/ o*this cort, as 'e.. as e$er/ other citien, has theright an! it is his !t/, to sbmit charges to theathorities in 'hom is $este! the "o'er toremo$e !icia. o**icers *or an/ con!ct or act o*a !icia. o**icer that ten!s to sho' a $io.ation o*his !ties, or 'o.! sti*/ an in*erence that he is*a.se to his trst, or has im"ro"er./ a!ministere!the !ties !e$o.$e! "on him an! sch chargesto the tribna., i* base! "on reasonab.ein*erences, 'i.. be encorage!, an! the "ersonma;ing them"rotecte!+ +++ 6hi.e 'e recognie the inherentright o* an attorne/ in a case !eci!e! againsthim, or the right o* the Pb.ic genera../, to criticisethe !ecisions o* the corts, or the reasonsannonce! *or them, the habit o* criticising themoti$es o* !icia. o**icers in the "er*ormance o*their o**icia. !ties, 'hen the "rocee!ing is notagainst the o**icers 'hose acts or moti$es arecriticise!, ten!s to sb$ert the con*i!ence o* thecommnit/ in the corts o* stice an! in thea!ministration o* stice an! 'hen sch charges


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are ma!e b/ o**icers o* the corts, 'ho arebon! b/ their !t/ to "rotect the a!ministrationo* stice, the attorne/ ma;ing sch charges isgi.t/ o* "ro*essiona. miscon!ct+

7+ In In Re Mitche.., 71 8o+ -7, a .a'/er"b.ishe! this statement:

I acce"te! the !ecision in this case, ho'e$er,'ith "atience, barring "ossib.e tem"orar/obser$ations more or .ess $it"erati$e an! *ina../conc.!e!, that, as m/ c.ients 'ere *oreigners, itmight ha$e been e5"ecting too mch to .oo; *or a!ecision in their *a$or against a 'i!o' resi!inghere+

4he 8"reme Cort o* A.abama !ec.are! that:

+++ the e5"ressions abo$e set ot, not on./transcen! the bon!s o* "ro"riet/ an! "ri$i.ege!criticism, bt are an n'arrante! attac;, !irect, orb/ insination an! innen!o, "on the moti$es

an! integrit/ o* this cort, an! ma;e ot a "rima*acie case o* im"ro"er con!ct "on the "art o* a.a'/er 'ho ho.!s a .icense *rom this cort an!'ho is n!er oath to !emean himse.* 'ith a..goo! *i!e.it/ to the cort as 'e.. as to his c.ient+

4he charges, ho'e$er, 'ere !ismisse! a*ter theattorne/ a"o.ogie! to the Cort+

+ In 8tate e5 re.+ Dabne/ $+ Brec;enri!ge,2 Pac+ 77, an attorne/ "b.ishe! in ane's"a"er an artic.e in 'hich he im"gne! themoti$es o* the cort an! its members to tr/ acase, charging the cort o* ha$ing arbitrari./ an!*or a sinister "r"ose n!erta;en to ss"en! the

'rit o* habeas cor"s+ 4he Cort ss"en!e! theres"on!ent *or %& !a/s, sa/ing that:

4he "ri$i.eges 'hich the .a' gi$es to members o*the bar is one most sb$ersi$e o* the "b.icgoo!, i* the con!ct o* sch members !oes notmeasre " to the re?irements o* the .a' itse.*,as 'e.. as to the ethics o* the "ro*ession+ +++

4he right o* *ree s"eech an! *ree !iscssion as to!icia. !etermination is o* "rime im"ortancen!er or s/stem an! i!ea.s o* go$ernment+ #oright thin;ing man 'o.! conce!e *or a momentthat the best interest to "ri$ate citiens, as 'e..as to "b.ic o**icia.s, 'hether he .abors in a!icia. ca"acit/ or other'ise, 'o.! be ser$e! b/!en/ing this right o* *ree s"eech to an/ in!i$i!a.+Bt sch right !oes not ha$e as its coro..ar/ thatmembers o* the bar 'ho are s'orn to acthonest./ an! honorab./ both 'ith their c.ient an!'ith the corts 'here stice is a!ministere!, i*a!ministere! at a.., co.! e$er "ro"er./ ser$etheir c.ient or the "b.ic goo! b/ !esigne!./misstating *acts or care.ess./ asserting the .a'+4rth an! honest/ o* "r"ose b/ members o* the

bar in sch !iscssion is necessar/+ 4he hea.th o*a mnici"a.it/ is none the .ess im"aire! b/ a"o..te! 'ater s""./ than is the hea.th o* thethoght o* a commnit/ to'ar! the !iciar/ b/the *i.th/ 'anton, an! ma.ignant misse o*members o* the bar o* the con*i!ence the "b.ic,throgh its !./ estab.ishe! corts, has re"ose!

in them to !ea. 'ith the a**airs o* the "ri$atein!i$i!a., the "rotection o* 'hose rights he .en!shis strength an! mone/ to maintain the !iciar/+or sch con!ct on the "art o* the members o*the bar the .a' itse.* !eman!s retribtion ) notthe cort+

9+ In Bar Assn o* 8an rancisco $+Phi.broo;, 17& Pac+ &, the *i.ing o* an a**i!a$itb/ an attorne/ in a "en!ing action sing inres"ect to the se$era. !ges the terms crimina.corr"t, an! 'ic;e! cons"iracies,,( (crimina.con*e!erates,( (co.ossa. an! con*i!entinso.ence,( (crimina. "rosection,( (ca.c.ate!brta.it/,( (a corr"t !ea!*a..,( an! simi.ar

"hrases, 'as consi!ere! con!ct nbecoming o*a member o* the bar, an! the name o* the erring.a'/er 'as or!ere! stric;en *rom the ro.. o*attorne/s+

1&+ In 8tate Boar! o* E5aminers $+ 3art, 11-#+6+ 21, the erring attorne/ c.aime! that greater.atit!e sho.! be a..o'e! in case o* criticism o*cases *ina../ a!!icate! than in those "en!ing+4his .a'/er 'rote a "ersona. .etter to the Chie*Hstice o* the 8"reme Cort o* Minnesotaim"gning both the inte..igence an! the integrit/o* the sai! Chie* Hstice an! his associates in the!ecisions o* certain a""ea.s in 'hich he ha!been attorne/ *or the !e*eate! .itigants+ 4he

.etters 'ere "b.ishe! in a ne's"a"er+ One o* the

.etters containe! this "aragra"h:

o assigne! it I* the state bar association, or a committeechosen *rom its ran;, or the *ac.t/ o* theUni$ersit/ a' 8choo., ai!e! b/ the researcheso* its hn!re!s o* bright, acti$e st!ents, or i* an/member o* the cort, or an/ other "erson, can*orm.ate a statement o* a correct moti$e *or the!ecision, 'hich sha.. not re?ire *migationbe*ore it is state!, an! ?arantine a*ter it is ma!e,it 'i.. grati*/ e$er/ rightFmin!e! citien o* thestate to rea! it+


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4he 8"reme Cort o* Minnesota, in or!ering thess"ension o* the attorne/ *or si5 months,!e.i$ere! its o"inion as *o..o's:

4he ?estion remains 'hether the accse! 'asgi.t/ o* "ro*essiona. miscon!ct in sen!ing tothe Chie* Hstice the .etter a!!resse! to him+ 4his

'as !one, as 'e ha$e *on!, *or the $er/"r"ose o* ins.ting him an! the other stices o*this cort an! the ins.t 'as so !irecte! to theChie* Hstice "ersona../ becase o* acts !one b/him an! his associates in their o**icia. ca"acit/+8ch a commnication, so ma!e, co.! ne$ersbser$e an/ goo! "r"ose+ Its on./ e**ect in an/case 'o.! be to grati*/ the s"ite o* an angr/attorne/ an! hmi.iate the o**icers so assai.e!+ It'o.! not an! co.! not e$er en.ighten the "b.icin regar! to their !icia. ca"acit/ or integrit/+ #or'as it an e5ercise b/ the accse! o* an/constittiona. right, or o* an/ "ri$i.ege 'hich an/re"tab.e attorne/, nin*.ence! b/ "assion,co.! e$er ha$e an/ occasion or !esire to assert+

#o !icia. o**icer, 'ith !e regar! to his "osition,can resent sch an ins.t other'ise than b/metho!s sanctione! b/ .a' an! *or an/ 'or!s,ora. or 'ritten, ho'e$er absi$e, $i.e, or in!ecent,a!!resse! secret./ to the !ge a.one, he canha$e no re!ress in an/ action triab.e b/ a r/+(4he sen!ing o* a .ibe.os commnication or.ibe.os matter to the "erson !e*ame! !oes notconstitte an actionab.e "b.ication+( 1 Am+ Eng+ Enc+ a'


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.a', 'rote an! mai.e! a .etter to the circit !ge,'hich the .atter recei$e! b/ !e corse o* mai., athis home, 'hi.e not ho.!ing cort, an! 'hichre*erre! in ins.ting terms to the con!ct o* the!ge in a case 'herein the accse! ha! beenone o* the attorne/s+ or this it 'as he.! that theattorne/ 'as right./ !isbarre! in ha$ing ('i..*../

*ai.e! to maintain res"ect !e to him 0the !geas a !icia. o**icer, an! thereb/ breache! hisoath as an attorne/+( As recogniing the same"rinci".e, an! in s""ort o* its a"".ication to the*acts o* this case, 'e cite the *o..o'ing: E5 "arteBra!.e/, 7 6a..


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2+ In In re 8otto, 2 Phi.+ 9, conse., asenator an! the athor o* the Press ree!oma', reaching to, the im"risonment *or contem"to* one Ange. Parao, 'ho, in$o;ing sai! .a',re*se! to !i$.ge the sorce o* a ne's itemcarrie! in his "a"er, case! to be "b.ishe! in i.oca. ne's"a"er a statement e5"ressing his

regret (that or 3igh 4ribna. has not on./erroneos./ inter"rete! sai! .a', bt it is oncemore "tting in e$i!ence the incom"etenc/ ornarro' min!e!ness o* the maorit/ o* itsmembers,( an! his be.ie* that (In the 'a;e o* soman/ b.n!ers an! instices !e.iberate./committe! !ring these .ast /ears, +++ the on./reme!/ to "t an en! to go mch e$i., is tochange the members o* the 8"reme Cort,('hich tribna. he !enonce! as (a constant "eri.to .ibert/ an! !emocrac/( an! (a *ar cr/ *rom theim"regnab.e b.'ar; o* stice o* thosememorab.e times o* Ca/etano Are..ano, GictorinoMa"a, Mane. Ara..o an! other .earne! rists'ho 'ere the honor an! g.or/ o* the Phi.i""ine

H!iciar/+( 3e there a.so annonce! that one o*the *irst measres he 'o.! intro!ce in then*orthcoming session o* Congress 'o.! ha$e *orits obect the com".ete reorganiation o* the8"reme Cort+ in!ing him in contem"t, !es"itehis a$o'a.s o* goo! *aith an! his in$ocation o*the garantee o* *ree s"eech, this Cort!ec.are!:

Bt in the abo$eF?ote! 'ritten statement 'hichhe case! to be "b.ishe! in the "ress, theres"on!ent !oes not mere./ criticie or commenton the !ecision o* the Parao case, 'hich 'asthen an! sti.. is "en!ing consi!eration b/ thisCort "on "etition o* Ange. Parao+ 3e not on./

inten!s to intimi!ate the members o* this Cort'ith the "resentation o* a bi.. in the ne5tCongress, o* 'hich he is one o* the members,reorganiing the 8"reme Cort an! re!cing thenmber o* Hstices *rom e.e$en, so as to changethe members o* this Cort 'hich !eci!e! theParao case, 'ho accor!ing to his statement, areincom"etent an! narro' min!e!, in or!er toin*.ence the *ina. !ecision o* sai! case b/ thisCort, an! ths embarrass or obstrct thea!ministration o* stice+ Bt the res"on!ent a.soattac;s the honest/ an! integrit/ o* this Cort *orthe a""arent "r"ose o* bringing the Hstices o*this Cort into !isre"te an! !egra!ing thea!ministration+ o* stice +++ +

4o hr. the *a.se charge that this Cort has been*or the .ast /ears committing !e.iberate./ so man/b.n!ers an! instices, that is to sa/, that it hasbeen !eci!ing in *a$or o* Le "art/ ;no'ing thatthe .a' an! stice is on the "art o* the a!$erse"art/ an! not on the one in 'hose *a$or the!ecision 'as ren!ere!, in man/ cases !eci!e!!ring the .ast /ears, 'o.! ten! necessari./ ton!ermine the con*i!ence o* the "eo".e in the

honest/ an! integrit/ o* the members o* thisCort, an! conse?ent./ to .o'er ,or !egra!e thea!ministration o* stice b/ this Cort+ 4he8"reme Cort o* the Phi.i""ines is, n!er theConstittion, the .ast b.'ar; to 'hich the i.i"ino"eo".e ma/ re"air to obtain re.ie* *or theirgrie$ances or "rotection o* their rights 'hen

these are tram".e! "on, an! i* the "eo".e .osetheir con*i!ence in the honest/ an! integrit/ o*the members o* this Cort an! be.ie$e that the/cannot e5"ect stice there*rom, the/ might be!ri$en to ta;e the .a' into their o'n han!s, an!!isor!er an! "erha"s chaos might be the res.t+As a member o* the bar an! an o**icer o* thecorts, Att/+ Gicente 8otto, .i;e an/ other, is in!t/ bon! to "ho.! the !ignit/ an! athorit/ o*this Cort, to 'hich he o'es *i!e.it/ accor!ing tothe oath he has ta;en as sch attorne/, an! notto "romote !istrst in the a!ministration o*stice+ Res"ect to the corts garantees thestabi.it/ o* other instittions, 'hich 'ithot schgarant/ 'o.! be resting on a $er/ sha;/

*on!ation+

8igni*icant./, too, the Cort therein hastene! toem"hasie that

+++ an attorne/ as an o**icer o* the cort is n!ers"ecia. ob.igation to be res"ect*. in his con!ctan! commnication to the corts he ma/ beremo$e! *rom o**ice or stric;en *rom the ro.. o*attorne/s as being gi.t/ o* *.agrant miscon!ct


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continos./ re"eate! that error to the "oint o*"er"etation+ It "ictres this Cort as one 'hichre*ses to he' to the .ine !ra'n b/ the .a' onris!ictiona. bon!aries+ Im".icit in the ?ote!statements is that the "rononcements o* thisCort on the ris!iction o* the in!stria. cort arenot entit.e! to res"ect+ 4hose statements !etract

mch *rom the !ignit/ o* an! res"ect !e thisCort+ 4he/ bring into ?estion the ca"abi.it/ o*the members ) an! some *ormer members o*this Cort to ren!er stice+ 4he secon!"aragra"h ?ote! /ie.!s a tone o* sarcasm 'hichconse. .abe..e! as (so ca..e!( the (r.e againsts".itting o* ris!iction+(

8imi.ar thoghts an! sentiments ha$e beene5"resse! in other cases 1 'hich, in the interesto* bre$it/, nee! not no' be re$ie'e! in !etai.+

O* corse, a common !enominator n!er.ies thea*orecite! cases ) a.. o* them in$o.$e!contmacios statements ma!e in ".ea!ings *i.e!

"en!ing .itigation+ 8o that, in .ine 'ith the!octrina. r.e that the "rotecti$e mant.e o*contem"t ma/ or!inari./ be in$o;e! on./ againstscrri.os remar;s or ma.icios innen!oes 'hi.ea cort m..s o$er a "en!ing case an! not a*terthe conc.sion thereo*, 19 Att/+ A.macen 'o.!no' see; to si!este" the thrst o* a contem"tcharge b/ his st!ie! em"hasis that the remar;s*or 'hich he is no' ca..e! "on to accont 'erema!e on./ a*ter this Cort ha! 'ritten *inis to hisa""ea.+ 4his is o* no moment+

4he r.e that bars contem"t a*ter a !icia."rocee!ing has terminate!, has .ost mch o* its$ita.it/+ or sometime, this 'as the "re$ai.ing

$ie' in this ris!iction+ 4he *irst stir *or amo!i*ication thereo*, ho'e$er, came 'hen, inPeo".e $s+ A.arcon, 2& the then Chie* HsticeMane. G+ Moran !issente! 'ith the ho.!ing o*the maorit/, s"ea;ing thr Hstice Hose P+ are.,'hich "he.! the r.e abo$eFa!$erte! to+ Acom".ete !isengagement *rom the sett.e! r.e'as .ater to be ma!e in In re Bri..antes, 21 acontem"t "rocee!ing, 'here the e!itor o* theMani.a @ar!ian 'as a!!ge! in contem"t *or"b.ishing an e!itoria. 'hich asserte! that the19 Bar E5aminations 'ere con!cte! in a*arcica. manner a*ter the ?estion o* the $a.i!it/o* the sai! e5aminations ha! been reso.$e! an!the case c.ose!+ Girta../, this 'as an a!o"tion o*the $ie' e5"resse! b/ Chie* Hstice Moran in his!issent in A.arcon to the e**ect that them ma/ sti..be contem"t b/ "b.ication e$en a*ter a case hasbeen terminate!+ 8ai! Chie* Hstice Moran inA.arcon:

A "b.ication 'hich ten!s to im"e!e, obstrct,embarrass or in*.ence the corts ina!ministering stice in a "en!ing sit or"rocee!ing, constittes crimina. contem"t 'hich

is smmari./ "nishab.e b/ corts+ A "b.ication'hich ten!s to !egra!e the corts an! to !estro/"b.ic con*i!ence in them or that 'hich ten!s tobring them in an/ 'a/ into !isre"te, constittes.i;e'ise crimina. contem"t, an! is e?a../"nishab.e b/ corts+ 6hat is soght, in the *irst;in! o* contem"t, to be shie.!e! against the

in*.ence o* ne's"a"er comments, is the a..Fim"ortant !t/ o* the corts to a!minister sticein the !ecision o* a "en!ing case+ In the secon!;in! o* contem"t, the "niti$e han! o* stice ise5ten!e! to $in!icate the corts *rom an/ act orcon!ct ca.c.ate! to bring them into !is*a$or orto !estro/ "b.ic con*i!ence in them+ In the *irstthere is no contem"t 'here there is no action"en!ing, as there is no !ecision 'hich might inan/ 'a/ be in*.ence! b/ the ne's"a"er"b.ication+ In the secon!, the contem"t e5ists,'ith or 'ithot a "en!ing case, as 'hat is soghtto be "rotecte! is the cort itse.* an! its !ignit/+Corts 'o.! .ose their ti.it/ i* "b.ic con*i!encein them is !estro/e!+

Accor!ing./, no com*ort is a**or!e! Att/+ A.macenb/ the circmstance that his statements an!actations no' n!er consi!eration 'ere ma!eon./ a*ter the !gment in his c.ients a""ea. ha!attaine! *ina.it/+ 3e co.! as mch be .iab.e *orcontem"t there*or as i* it ha! been "er"etrate!!ring the "en!enc/ o* the sai! a""ea.+

More than this, ho'e$er, consi!eration o*'hether or not he co.! be he.! .iab.e *orcontem"t *or sch "ost .itigation tterances an!actations, is here immateria.+ B/ the tenor o* orReso.tion o* #o$ember 17, 19-7, 'e ha$econ*ronte! the sitation here "resente! so.e./ in

so *ar as it concerns Att/+ A.macens "ro*essiona.i!entit/, his s'orn !t/ as a .a'/er an! his*itness as an o**icer o* this Cort, in the e5erciseo* the !isci".inar/ "o'er the mora.s inherent inor athorit/ an! !t/ to sa*egar! an! ethics o*the .ega. "ro*ession an! to "reser$e its ran;s*rom the intrsions o* n"rinci".e! an! n'orth/!isci".es o* the nob.est o* ca..ings+ In this in?ir/,the "en!enc/ or nonF"en!enc/ o* a case in cortis a.together o* no conse?ence+ 4he so.eobecti$e o* this "rocee!ing is to "reser$e the"rit/ o* the .ega. "ro*ession, b/ remo$ing orss"en!ing a member 'hose miscon!ct has"ro$e! himse.* n*it to contine to be entrste!'ith the !ties an! res"onsibi.ities be.onging tothe o**ice o* an attorne/+

Un!obte!./, this is 'e.. 'ithin or athorit/ to!o+ B/ constittiona. man!ate, 22 or is theso.emn !t/, amongst others, to !etermine ther.es *or a!mission to the "ractice o* .a'+Inherent in this "rerogati$e is the corres"on!ingathorit/ to !isci".ine an! e5c.!e *rom the"ractice o* .a' those 'ho ha$e "ro$e!


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themse.$es n'orth/ o* contine! membershi" inthe Bar+ 4hs )

4he "o'er to !isci".ine attorne/s, 'ho areo**icers o* the cort, is an inherent an! inci!enta."o'er in corts o* recor!, an! one 'hich isessentia. to an or!er./ !ischarge o* !icia.

*nctions+ 4o !en/ its e5istence is e?i$a.ent to a!ec.aration that the con!ct o* attorne/s to'ar!scorts an! c.ients is not sbect to restraint+ 8cha $ie' is 'ithot s""ort in an/ res"ectab.eathorit/, an! cannot be to.erate!+ An/ cortha$ing the right to a!mit attorne/s to "ractice an!in this state that "o'er is $este! in this cortFhasthe inherent right, in the e5ercise o* a son!!icia. !iscretion to e5c.!e them *rom "ractice+2%

4his, becase the a!mission o* a .a'/er to the"ractice o* .a' is a re"resentation to a.. that he is'orth/ o* their con*i!ence an! res"ect+ 8o mchso that )

+++ 'hene$er it is ma!e to a""ear to the cort thatan attorne/ is no .onger 'orth/ o* the trst an!con*i!ence o* the "b.ic an! o* the corts, itbecomes, not on./ the right, bt the !t/, o* thecort 'hich ma!e him one o* its o**icers, an!ga$e him the "ri$i.ege o* ministering 'ithin itsbar, to 'ith!ra' the "ri$i.ege+ 4here*ore it isa.most ni$ersa../ he.! that both the a!missionan! !isbarment o* attorne/s are !icia. acts, an!that one is a!mitte! to the bar an! e5ercises his*nctions as an attorne/, not as a matter o* right,bt as a "ri$i.ege con!itione! on his o'nbeha$ior an! the e5ercise o* a st an! son!!icia. !iscretion+ 2

In!ee!, in this ris!iction, that "o'er to remo$eor ss"en! has risen abo$e being a mereinherent or inci!enta. "o'er+ It has been e.e$ate!to an e5"ress man!ate b/ the R.es o* Cort+ 2

Or athorit/ an! !t/ in the "remises beingnmista;ab.e, 'e no' "rocee! to ma;e anassessment o* 'hether or not the tterances an!actations o* Att/+ A.macen here in ?estion are"ro"er./ the obect o* !isci".inar/ sanctions+

4he "ro**ere! srren!er o* his .a'/ers certi*icateis, o* corse, "re./ "otestati$e on Att/+A.macens "art+ Unortho!o5 thogh it ma/ seem,no statte, no .a' stan!s in its 'a/+ Be/on!ma;ing the mere o**er, ho'e$er, he 'ent *arther+In haght/ an! coarse .angage, he acta../a$ai.e! o* the sai! mo$e as a $ehic.e *or his$icios tira!e against this Cort+ 4he integrate!entiret/ o* his "etition brist.es 'ith $i.e ins.ts a..ca.c.ate! to !ri$e home his contem"t *or an!!isres"ect to the Cort an! its members+Pictring his c.ient as (a sacri*icia. $ictim at thea.tar o* h/"ocris/,( he categorica../ !enonces

the stice a!ministere! b/ this Cort to be noton./ b.in! (bt a.so !ea* an! !mb+( 6ithnmitigate! acerbit/, he $irta../ ma;es thisCort an! its members 'ith $erba. ta.ons,im"ting to the Cort the "er"etration o* (si.entinstices( an! (shortFct stice( 'hi.e at thesame time bran!ing its members as (ca..ose! to

".eas o* stice+( An!, tre to his annonce!threat to arge the case o* his c.ient (in the"eo".es *orm,( he case! the "b.ication in the"a"ers o* an accont o* his actations, in aca.c.ate! e**ort to start.e the "b.ic, stir ""b.ic in!ignation an! !isres"ect to'ar! theCort+ Ca..e! "on to ma;e an e5".anation, hee5"resse! no regret, o**ere! no a"o.og/+ Instea!,'ith characteristic arrogance, he rehashe! an!reiterate! his $it"erati$e attac;s an!, a..!ing tothe 8cri"tres, $irta../ tarre! an! *eathere! theCort an! its members as in$eterate h/"ocritesinca"ab.e o* a!ministering stice an! n'orth/to im"ose !isci".inar/ sanctions "on him+

4he $ir.ence so b.atant./ e$i!ent in Att/+A.macens "etition, ans'er an! ora.argmentation s"ea;s *or itse.*+ 4he $icios.angage se! an! the scrri.os innen!oesthe/ carrie! *ar transcen! the "ermissib.e bon!so* .egitimate criticism+ 4he/ co.! ne$er ser$ean/ "r"ose bt to grati*/ the s"ite o* an irateattorne/, attract "b.ic attention to himse.* an!,more im"ortant o* a.., bring this Cort an! itsmembers into !isre"te an! !estro/ "b.iccon*i!ence in them to the !etriment o* the or!er./a!ministration o* stice+ O!im o* this characteran! te5tre "resents no re!eeming *eatre, an!com".ete./ negates an/ "retense o* "assionatecommitment to the trth+ It is not a 'hit .ess than

a c.assic e5am".e o* gross miscon!ct, gross$io.ation o* the .a'/ers oath an! grosstransgression o* the Canons o* ega. Ethics+ Assch, it cannot be a..o'e! to go nreb;e!+ 4he'a/ *or the e5ertion o* or !isci".inar/ "o'ers isths .ai! c.ear, an! the nee! there*or isna$oi!ab.e+

6e mst once more stress or e5".icit !isc.aimero* immnit/ *rom criticism+ i;e an/ other@o$ernment entit/ in a $iab.e !emocrac/, theCort is not, an! sho.! not be, abo$e criticism+Bt a criti?e o* the Cort mst be inte..igent an!!iscriminating, *itting to its high *nction as thecort o* .ast resort+ An! more than this, $a.i! an!hea.th/ criticism is b/ no means s/non/mos toob.o?/, an! re?ires !etachment an!!isintereste!ness, rea. ?a.ities a""roache! on./throgh constant stri$ing to attain them+ An/criticism o* the Cort mst, "ossess the ?a.it/ o*!iciosness an! mst be in*orme! Fb/"ers"ecti$e an! in*se! b/ "hi.oso"h/+ 2-

It is not accrate to sa/, nor is it an obstac.e tothe e5ercise o* or athorit/ in the "remises,


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that, as Att/+ A.macen 'o.! ha$e a""ear, themembers o* the Cort are the (com".ainants,"rosectors an! !ges( a.. ro..e! " into one inthis instance+ 4his is an tter misa""rehension, i*not a tota. !istortion, not on./ o* the natre o* the"rocee!ing at han! bt a.so o* or ro.e therein+

Accent sho.! be .ai! on the *act that !isci".inar/"rocee!ings .i;e the "resent are si generis+#either "re./ ci$i. nor "re./ crimina., this"rocee!ing is not ) an! !oes not in$o.$e ) atria. o* an action or a sit, bt is rather anin$estigation b/ the Cort into the con!ct o* itso**icers+ 27 #ot being inten!e! to+ in*.ict"nishment, it is in no sense a crimina."rosection+ Accor!ing./, there is neither a".ainti** nor a "rosector therein It ma/ beinitiate! b/ the Cort mot "ro"rio+ 2 Pb.icinterest is its "rimar/ obecti$e, an! the rea.?estion *or !etermination is 'hether or not theattorne/ is sti.. a *it "erson to be a..o'e! the"ri$i.eges as sch+ 3ence, in the e5ercise o* its

!isci".inar/ "o'ers, the Cort mere./ ca..s "ona member o* the Bar to accont *or his actationsas an o**icer o* the Cort 'ith the en! in $ie' o*"reser$ing the "rit/ o* the .ega. "ro*ession an!the "ro"er an! honest a!ministration o* stice b/"rging the "ro*ession o* members 'ho b/ theirmiscon!ct ha$e "ro$e! themse.$es no .onger'orth/ to be entrste! 'ith the !ties an!res"onsibi.ities "ertaining to the o**ice o* anattorne/+ 29 In sch "ostre, there can ths beno occasion to s"ea; o* a com".ainant or a"rosector+

Un!eniab./, the members o* the Cort are, to acertain !egree, aggrie$e! "arties+ An/ tira!e

against the Cort as a bo!/ is necessari./ an!ine5tricab./ as mch so against the in!i$i!a.members thereo*+ Bt in the e5ercise o* its!isci".inar/ "o'ers, the Cort acts as an entit/se"arate an! !istinct *rom the in!i$i!a."ersona.ities o* its members+ Consistent./ 'iththe intrinsic natre o* a co..egiate cort, thein!i$i!a. members act not as sch in!i$i!a.sbt+ on./ as a !./ constitte! cort+ 4heir !istinctin!i$i!a.ities are .ost in the maest/ o* theiro**ice+ %& 8o that, in a $er/ rea. sense, i* there bean/ com".ainant in the case at bar, it can on./ bethe Cort itse.*, not the in!i$i!a. membersthereo* ) as 'e.. as the "eo".e themse.$es'hose rights, *ortnes an! "ro"erties, na/, e$en.i$es, 'o.! be ".ace! at gra$e haar! sho.! thea!ministration o* stice be threatene! b/ theretention in the Bar o* men n*it to !ischarge theso.emn res"onsibi.ities o* membershi" in the.ega. *raternit/+

ina../, the "o'er to e5c.!e "ersons *rom the"ractice o* .a' is bt a necessar/ inci!ent o* the"o'er to a!mit "ersons to sai! "ractice+ B/constittiona. "rece"t, this "o'er is $este!

e5c.si$e./ in this Cort+ 4his !t/ it cannotab!icate st as mch as it cannot ni.atera../renonce ris!iction .ega../ in$este! "on it+ %18o that e$en i* it be conce!e! that the membersco..ecti$e./ are in a sense the aggrie$e! "arties,that *act a.one !oes not an! cannot !is?a.i*/them *rom the e5ercise o* that "o'er becase

"b.ic "o.ic/ !eman!s that the/+, acting as aCort, e5ercise the "o'er in a.. cases 'hich ca..*or !isci".inar/ action+ 4he "resent is sch acase+ In the en!, the imagine! anoma./ o* themerger in one entit/ o* the "ersona.ities o*com".ainant, "rosector an! !ge is abso.te./ine5istent+

ast to engage or attention is the natre an!e5tent o* the sanctions that ma/ be $isite! "onAtt/+ A.macen *or his transgressions+ As mar;e!ot b/ the R.es o* Cort, these ma/ range *rommere ss"ension to tota. remo$a. or !isbarment+%2 4he !iscretion to assess n!er thecircmstances the im"osab.e sanction is, o*

corse, "rimari./ a!!resse! to the son!!iscretion o* the Cort 'hich, being neitherarbitrar/ an! !es"otic nor moti$ate! b/ "ersona.animosit/ or "re!ice, sho.! e$er be contro..e!b/ the im"erati$e nee! that the "rit/ an!in!e"en!ence o* the Bar be scr".os./gar!e! an! the !ignit/ o* an! res"ect !e to theCort be ea.os./ maintaine!+

4hat the miscon!ct committe! b/ Att/+ A.macenis o* consi!erab.e gra$it/ cannot beo$erem"hasie!+ 3o'e$er, hee!ing the sterninnction that !isbarment sho.! ne$er be!ecree! 'here a .esser sanction 'o.!accom".ish the en! !esire!, an! be.ie$ing that it

ma/ not "erha"s be *ti.e to ho"e that in thesober .ight o* some *tre !a/, Att/+ A.macen 'i..rea.ie that abrasi$e .angage ne$er *ai.s to !o!isser$ice to an a!$ocate an! that in e$er/e**er$escence o* can!or there is am".e room *orthe a!!e! g.o' o* res"ect, it is or $ie' thatss"ension 'i.. s**ice n!er the circmstances+3is !emonstrate! "ersistence in his miscon!ctb/ neither mani*esting re"entance nor o**eringa"o.og/ there*or .ea$e s no 'a/ o* !eterminingho' .ong that ss"ension sho.! .ast an!,accor!ing./, 'e are im"e..e! to !ecree that thesame sho.! be in!e*inite+ 4his, 'e areem"o'ere! to !o not a.one becaseris"r!ence grants s !iscretion on the matter%% bt a.so becase, e$en 'ithot the com*ortings""ort o* "rece!ent, it is ob$ios that i* 'e ha$eathorit/ to com".ete./ e5c.!e a "erson *rom the"ractice o* .a', there is no reason 'h/ in!e*initess"ension, 'hich is .esser in !egree an! e**ect,can be regar!e! as *a..ing otsi!e o* thecom"ass o* that athorit/+ 4he merit o* this choiceis best sho'n b/ the *act that it 'i.. then be .e*t toAtt/+ A.macen to !etermine *or himse.* ho' .ongor ho' short that ss"ension sha.. .ast+ or, at


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an/ time a*ter the ss"ension becomes e**ecti$ehe ma/ "ro$e to this Cort that he is once again*it to resme the "ractice o* .a'+

ACCORDI#@, I4 I8 43E 8E#8E o* the Cortthat Att/+ Gicente Ra. A.macen be, as he ishereb/, ss"en!e! *rom the "ractice o* .a' nti.

*rther or!ers, the ss"ension to ta;e e**ectimme!iate./+

R+!o/u"on Mar:; 1, 19#In ";+ Ma""+r o) ";+ P+""on! )or A-*!!on "o";+ Bar o) (n!u::+!!)u/ &an--a"+! o) 196"o 19#3a)or r+!on-+n".

DIOJ#O, H+:

In recent /ears *e' contro$ersia. isses ha$earose! so mch "b.ic interest an! concern asRe"b.ic Act #o+ 972, "o".ar./ ;no'n as the(Bar .n;ers Act o* 19%+( Un!er the R.es o*Cort go$erning a!mission to the bar, (in or!erthat a can!i!ate


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A*ter its a""ro$a., man/ o* the nsccess*."ost'ar can!i!ates *i.e! "etitions *or a!missionto the bar in$o;ing its "ro$isions, 'hi.e others'hose motions *or the re$ision o* theire5amination "a"ers 'ere sti.. "en!ing a.soin$o;e! the a*oresai! .a' as an a!!itiona. gron!*or a!mission+ 4here are a.so others 'ho ha$e

soght sim"./ the reconsi!eration o* their gra!es'ithot, ho'e$er, in$o;ing the .a' in ?estion+ 4oa$oi! instice to in!i$i!a. "etitioners, the cort*irst re$ie'e! the motions *or reconsi!eration,irres"ecti$e o* 'hether or not the/ ha! in$o;e!Re"b.ic Act #o+ 972+ Un*ortnate./, the corthas *on! no reason to re$ise their gra!es+ I*the/ are to be a!mitte! to the bar, it mst be"rsant to Re"b.ic Act #o+ 972 'hich, i*!ec.are! $a.i!, sho.! be a"".ie! e?a../ to a..concerne! 'hether the/ ha$e *i.e! "etitions ornot+ A com".ete .ist o* the "etitioners, "ro"er./c.assi*ie!, a**ecte! b/ this !ecision, as 'e.. as amore !etai.e! accont o* the histor/ o* Re"b.icAct #o+ 972, are a""en!e! to this !ecision as

Anne5es I an! II+ An! to rea.ie more rea!i./ thee**ects o* the .a', the *o..o'ing statistica. !ata areset *orth:


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o* rea!ing materia.s( an! o* (ina!e?ac/ o*"re"aration+(

B/ its !ec.are! obecti$e, the .a' is contrar/ to"b.ic interest becase it ?a.i*ies 1,&9 .a'gra!ates 'ho con*esse!./ ha! ina!e?ate"re"aration *or the "ractice o* the "ro*ession, as

'as e5act./ *on! b/ this 4ribna. in thea*oresai! e5aminations+ 4he "b.ic interest!eman!s o* .ega. "ro*ession a!e?ate"re"aration an! e**icienc/, "recise./ more so as.ega. "rob.em e$o.$e! b/ the times become more!i**ic.t+ An a!e?ate .ega. "re"aration is one o*the $ita. re?isites *or the "ractice o* .a' thatsho.! be !e$e.o"e! constant./ an! maintaine!*irm./+ 4o the .ega. "ro*ession is entrste! the"rotection o* "ro"ert/, .i*e, honor an! ci$i..iberties+ 4o a""ro$e o**icia../ o* thoseina!e?ate./ "re"are! in!i$i!a.s to !e!icatethemse.$es to sch a !e.icate mission is to createa serios socia. !anger+ Moreo$er, the statementthat there 'as an ins**icienc/ o* .ega. rea!ing

materia.s is gross./ e5aggerate!+ 4here 'ereabn!ant materia.s+ Decisions o* this cort a.onein mimeogra"he! co"ies 'ere ma!e a$ai.ab.e tothe "b.ic !ring those /ears an! "ri$ateenter"rises ha! a.so "b.ishe! them in month./magaines an! anna. !igests+ 4he O**icia.@aette ha! been "b.ishe! continos./+ Boo;san! magaines "b.ishe! abroa! ha$e entere!'ithot restriction since 19+ Man/ .a' boo;s,some e$en 'ith re$ise! an! en.arge! e!itionsha$e been "rinte! .oca../ !ring those "erio!s+ Ane' set o* Phi.i""ine Re"orts began to be"b.ishe! since 19-, 'hich contine! to bes"".emente! b/ the a!!ition o* ne' $o.mes+4hose are *acts o* "b.ic ;no'.e!ge+

#ot'ithstan!ing a.. these, i* the .a' in ?estion is$a.i!, it has to be en*orce!+

4he ?estion is not ne' in its *n!amenta. as"ector *rom the "oint o* $ie' o* a"".icab.e "rinci".es,bt the reso.tion o* the ?estion 'o.! ha$ebeen easier ha! an i!entica. case o* simi.arbac;gron! been "ic;e! ot *rom theris"r!ence 'e !ai./ cons.t+ Is there an/"rece!ent in the .ong Ang.oF8a5on .ega. histor/,*rom 'hich has been !irect./ !eri$e! the !icia.s/stem estab.ishe! here 'ith its .o*t/ i!ea.s b/the Congress o* the Unite! 8tates, an! 'hich 'eha$e "reser$e! an! attem"te! to im"ro$e, or inor contem"oraneos !icia. histor/ o* morethan ha.* a centr/> rom the citations o* those!e*en!ing the .a', 'e can not *in! a case in'hich the $a.i!it/ o* a simi.ar .a' ha! beensstaine!, 'hi.e those against its $a.i!it/ cite,among others, the cases o* Da/


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be b/ the cort that to a!mit means to grant.ea$e, an! that the "o'er o* granting necessari./im".ies the "o'er o* re*sing, an! o* corse theright o* !etermining 'hether the a"".icant"ossesses the re?isite ?a.i*ications to entit.ehim to a!mission+

4hese "ositions ma/ a.. be conce!e!, 'ithota**ecting the $a.i!it/ o* the act+


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6e ha$e sai! that in the !icia. s/stem *rom'hich ors has been !eri$e!, the act o*a!mitting, ss"en!ing, !isbarring an! reinstatingattorne/s at .a' in the "ractice o* the "ro*essionis conce!e!./ !icia.+ A com"rehensi$e an!conscientios st!/ o* this matter ha! beenn!erta;en in the case o* 8tate $s+ Cannon


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mere./ to its genera. an! n?estione! "o'er to"rotect the "b.ic interest+ 6hen it !oes .egis.atea *i5ing a stan!ar! o* ?a.i*ications re?ire! o*attorne/s at .a' in or!er that "b.ic interests ma/be "rotecte!, sch ?a.i*ications !o not constitteon./ a minimm stan!ar! an! .imit the c.ass *rom'hich the cort mst ma;e its se.ection+ 8ch

.egis.ati$e ?a.i*ications !o not constitte the.timate ?a.i*ications be/on! 'hich the cortcannot go in *i5ing a!!itiona. ?a.i*ications!eeme! necessar/ b/ the corse o* the "ro"era!ministration o* !icia. *nctions+ 4here is no.egis.ati$e "o'er to com"e. corts to a!mit totheir bars "ersons !eeme! b/ them n*it toe5ercise the "rerogati$es o* an attorne/ at .a'+


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o* conse. mo$ing their a!mission s**iciente$i!ence that their "ri$ate an! "ro*essiona.character is *air+ 4he or!er o* a!mission is the!gment o* the cort that the "arties "ossess there?isite ?a.i*ications as attorne/s an!conse.ors, an! are entit.e! to a""ear as schan! con!ct cases therein+ rom its entr/ the

"arties become o**icers o* the cort, an! areres"onsib.e to it *or "ro*essiona. miscon!ct+4he/ ho.! their o**ice !ring goo! beha$ior, an!can on./ be !e"ri$e! o* it *or miscon!ctascertaine! an! !ec.are! b/ the !gment o* thecort a*ter o""ortnit/ to be hear! has beena**or!e!+ E5 "arte 3o/*ron, a!mission or theire5c.sion is not the e5ercise o* a mere ministeria."o'er+ It is the e5ercise o* !icia. "o'er, an! hasbeen so he.! in nmeros cases+ It 'as so he.!b/ the cort o* a""ea.s o* #e' or; in the mattero* the a"".ication o* Coo"er *or a!mission+ ReCoo"er 22 #+ + 1+ (Attorne/s an! Conse.ors(,sai! that cort, (are not on./ o**icers o* the cort,bt o**icers 'hose !ties re.ate a.most

e5c.si$e./ to "rocee!ings o* a !icia. natrean! hence their a""ointment ma/, 'ith "ro"riet/,be entrste! to the cort, an! the .atter, in"er*orming his !t/, ma/ $er/ st./ consi!ere!as engage! in the e5ercise o* their a""ro"riate!icia. *nctions+(


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"ractice o* .a'+ the "rimar/ "o'er an!res"onsibi.it/ 'hich the Constittion recogniescontine to resi!e in this Cort+ 3a! Congress*on! that this Cort has not "rom.gate! an/r.e on the matter, it 'o.! ha$e nothing o$er'hich to e5ercise the "o'er grante! to it+Congress ma/ re"ea., a.ter an! s"".ement the

r.es "rom.gate! b/ this Cort, bt the athorit/an! res"onsibi.it/ o$er the a!mission,ss"ension, !isbarment an! reinstatement o*attorne/s at .a' an! their s"er$ision remain$este! in the 8"reme Cort+ 4he "o'er tore"ea., a.ter an! s"".ement the r.es !oes notsigni*/ nor "ermit that Congress sbstitte orta;e the ".ace o* this 4ribna. in the e5ercise o*its "rimar/ "o'er on the matter+ 4he Constittion!oes not sa/ nor mean that Congress ma/ a!mit,ss"en!, !isbar or reinstate !irect./ attorne/s at.a', or a !eterminate gro" o* in!i$i!a.s to the"ractice o* .a'+ Its "o'er is .imite! to re"ea.,mo!i*/ or s"".ement the e5isting r.es on thematter, i* accor!ing to its !gment the nee! *or a

better ser$ice o* the .ega. "ro*ession re?ires it+Bt this "o'er !oes not re.ie$e this Cort o* itsres"onsibi.it/ to a!mit, ss"en!, !isbar an!reinstate attorne/s at .a' an! s"er$ise the"ractice o* the .ega. "ro*ession+

Being coor!inate an! in!e"en!ent branches, the"o'er to "rom.gate an! en*orce r.es *or thea!mission to the "ractice o* .a' an! theconcrrent "o'er to re"ea., a.ter an! s"".ementthem ma/ an! sho.! be e5ercise! 'ith theres"ect that each o'es to the other, gi$ingcare*. consi!eration to the res"onsibi.it/ 'hichthe natre o* each !e"artment re?ires+ 4hese"o'ers ha$e e5iste! together *or centries

'ithot !imintion on each "art the harmonios!e.imitation being *on! in that the .egis.atrema/ an! sho.! e5amine i* the e5isting r.es onthe a!mission to the Bar res"on! to the !eman!s'hich "b.ic interest re?ires o* a Bar en!o'e!'ith high $irtes, c.tre, training an!res"onsibi.it/+ 4he .egis.atre ma/, b/ means o*a""ea., amen!ment or s"".ementa. r.es, *i.. "an/ !e*icienc/ that it ma/ *in!, an! the !icia."o'er, 'hich has the inherent res"onsibi.it/ *or agoo! an! e**icient a!ministration o* stice an!the s"er$ision o* the "ractice o* the .ega."ro*ession, sho.! consi!er these re*orms as theminimm stan!ar!s *or the e.e$ation o* the"ro*ession, an! see to it that 'ith these re*ormsthe .o*t/ obecti$e that is !esire! in the e5erciseo* its tra!itiona. !t/ o* a!mitting, ss"en!ing,!isbarring an! reinstating attorne/s at .a' isrea.ie!+ 4he/ are "o'ers 'hich, e5ercise 'ithintheir "ro"er constittiona. .imits, are notre"gnant, bt rather com".ementar/ to eachother in attaining the estab.ishment o* a Bar that'o.! res"on! to the increasing an! e5actingnecessities o* the a!ministration o* stice+

4he case o* @aria


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!t/ to the "b.ic an! to the bar, i*, in the *ace o*this a**irmati$e in!ication o* the !e*icienc/ o* thea"".icant in the re?ire! ?a.i*ications o* .earningin the .a' at the time 'hen he "resente! his*ormer a"".ication *or a!mission to the bar, 'esho.! grant him .icense to "ractice .a' in thecorts o* these Is.an!s, 'ithot *irst satis*/ing

orse.$es that !es"ite his *ai.re to "ass thee5amination on that occasion, he no'("ossesses the necessar/ ?a.i*ications o*.earning an! abi.it/+(

Bt it is contente! that n!er the "ro$isions o* theabo$eFcite! statte the a"".icant is entit.e! as o*right to be a!mitte! to the bar 'ithot ta;ing the"rescribe! e5amination ("on motion be*ore the8"reme Cort( accom"anie! b/ satis*actor/"roo* that he has he.! an! no' ho.!s the o**ice o*"ro$incia. *isca. o* the Pro$ince o* Batanes+ It isrge! that ha$ing in min! the obect 'hich the.egis.ator a""arent./ soght to attain in enactingthe abo$eFcite! amen!ment to the ear.ier statte,

an! in $ie' o* the conte5t genera../ an!es"ecia../ o* the *act that the amen!ment 'asinserte! as a "ro$iso in that section o* the origina.Act 'hich s"eci*ica../ "ro$i!es *or the a!missiono* certain can!i!ates 'ithot e5amination+ It iscontente! that this man!ator/ constrction isim"erati$e./ re?ire! in or!er to gi$e e**ect to thea""arent intention o* the .egis.ator, an! to thecan!i!ates c.aim !e re to ha$e the "o'ere5ercise!+

An! a*ter co"/ing artic.e 9 o* Act o* H./ 1, 19&2o* the Congress o* the Unite! 8tates, artic.es 2,1- an! 17 o* Act #o+ 1%-, an! artic.es 1% to 1- o*Act 19&, the Cort contine!:

Mani*est./, the ris!iction ths con*erre! "onthis cort b/ the commission an! con*irme! to itb/ the Act o* Congress 'o.! be .imite! an!restricte!, an! in a case sch as that n!erconsi!eration 'ho../ !estro/e!, b/ gi$ing the'or! (ma/,( as se! in the abo$e citation *romAct o* Congress o* H./ 1, 19&2, or o* an/ Act o*Congress "rescribing, !e*ining or .imiting the"o'er con*erre! "on the commission is to thate5tent in$a.i! an! $oi!, as transcen!ing itsright*. .imits an! athorit/+

8"ea;ing on the a"".ication o* the .a' to those'ho 'ere a""ointe! to the "ositions enmerate!,an! 'ith "artic.ar em"hasis in the case o*@aria, the Cort he.!:

In the $arios cases 'herein a"".ications *or thea!mission to the bar n!er the "ro$isions o* thisstatte ha$e been consi!ere! hereto*ore, 'eha$e acce"te! the *act that sch a""ointmentsha! been ma!e as satis*actor/ e$i!ence o* the?a.i*ications o* the a"".icant+ Bt in a.. o* thosecases 'e ha! reason to be.ie$e that the

a"".icants ha! been "racticing attorne/s "rior tothe !ate o* their a""ointment+

In the case n!er consi!eration, ho'e$er, ita**irmati$e./ a""ears that the a"".icant 'as notan! ne$er ha! been "racticing attorne/ in this oran/ other ris!iction "rior to the !ate o* his

a""ointment as "ro$incia. *isca., an! it *rthera**irmati$e./ a""ears that he 'as !e*icient in there?ire! ?a.i*ications at the time 'hen he .asta"".ie! *or a!mission to the bar+

In the .ight o* this a**irmati$e "roo* o* his!e*iecienc/ on that occasion, 'e !o not thin; thathis a""ointment to the o**ice o* "ro$incia. *isca. isin itse.* satis*actor/ "roo* i* his "ossession o* thenecessar/ ?a.i*ications o* .earning an! abi.it/+6e conc.!e there*ore that this a"".ication *or.icense to "ractice in the corts o* the Phi.i""ines,sho.! be !enie!+

In $ie', ho'e$er, o* the *act that 'hen he too;

the e5amination he *e.. on./ *or "oints short o*the necessar/ gra!e to entit.e him to a .icense to"ractice an! in $ie' a.so o* the *act that sincethat time he has he.! the res"onsib.e o**ice o* thego$ernor o* the Pro$ince o* 8orsogon an!"resmab./ ga$e e$i!ence o* sch mar;e! abi.it/in the "er*ormance o* the !ties o* that o**ice thatthe Chie* E5ecti$e, 'ith the consent an!a""ro$a. o* the Phi.i""ine Commission, soght toretain him in the @o$ernment ser$ice b/a""ointing him to the o**ice o* "ro$incia. *isca., 'ethin; 'e 'o.! be sti*ie! n!er the abo$eFcite!"ro$isions o* Act #o+ 197 in 'ai$ing in his casethe or!inar/ e5amination "rescribe! b/ genera.r.e, "ro$i!e! he o**ers satis*actor/ e$i!ence o*

his "ro*icienc/ in a s"ecia. e5amination 'hich 'i..be gi$en him b/ a committee o* the cort "onhis a"".ication there*or, 'ithot "re!ice to hisright, i* he !esires so to !o, to "resent himse.* atan/ o* the or!inar/ e5aminations "rescribe! b/genera. r.e+ )


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st!ie! *or t'o /ears an! "resente! a !i".omaisse! b/ a schoo. o* .a', or to those 'ho ha!st!ie! in a .a' o**ice an! 'o.! "ass ane5amination, or to those 'ho ha! st!ie! *orthree /ears i* the/ commence! their st!ies a*terthe a*orementione! !ate+ 4he 8"reme Cort!ec.are! that this .a' 'as nconstittiona. being,

among others, a c.ass .egis.ation+ 4he Cort sai!:

4his is an a"".ication to this cort *or a!missionto the bar o* this state b/ $irte o* !i".omas *rom.a' schoo.s isse! to the a"".icants+ 4he act o*the genera. assemb./ "asse! in 199, n!er'hich the a"".ication is ma!e, is entit.e! (An actto amen! section 1 o* an act entit.e! (An act tore$ise the .a' in re.ation to attorne/s an!conse.ors,( a""ro$e! March 2, 1, in *orceH./ 1, 17+( 4he amen!ment, so *ar as ita""ears in the enacting c.ase, consists in thea!!ition to the section o* the *o..o'ing: (An!e$er/ a"".ication *or a .icense 'ho sha.. com"./'ith the r.es o* the s"reme cort in regar! to

a!mission to the bar in *orce at the time scha"".icant commen! the st!/ o* .a', either in a.a' or o**ice or a .a' schoo. or co..ege, sha.. begrante! a .icense n!er this act not'ithstan!ingan/ sbse?ent changes in sai! r.es(+ ) In reDa/ et a., #++, "+ --+

+ + + A*ter sai! "ro$ision there is a !ob.e "ro$iso,one branch o* 'hich is that " to December %1,199, this cort sha.. grant a .icense o*a!mittance to the bar to the ho.!er o* e$er/!i".oma reg.ar./ isse! b/ an/ .a' schoo.reg.ar./ organie! n!er the .a's o* this state,'hose reg.ar corse o* .a' st!ies is t'o /ears,an! re?iring an atten!ance b/ the st!ent o* at

.east %- 'ee;s in each o* sch /ears, an!sho'ing that the st!ent began the st!/ o* .a'"rior to #o$ember , 197, an! accom"anie!'ith the sa. "roo*s o* goo! mora. character+4he other branch o* the "ro$iso is that an/st!ent 'ho has st!ie! .a' *or t'o /ears in a.a' o**ice, or "art o* sch time in a .a' o**ice,(an! "art in the a*oresai! .a' schoo.,( an! 'hosecorse o* st!/ began "rior to #o$ember ,197, sha.. be a!mitte! "on a satis*actor/e5amination b/ the e5amining boar! in thebranches no' re?ire! b/ the r.es o* this cort+I* the right to a!mission e5ists at a.., it is b/ $irteo* the "ro$iso, 'hich, it is c.aime!, con*erssbstantia. rights an! "ri$i.eges "on the "ersonsname! therein, an! estab.ishes r.es o*.egis.ati$e creation *or their a!mission to the bar+


52/72

#o$ember th co.! ?a.i*/ themse.$es to"ractice in t'o /ears as 'e.. as those 'ho beganon the %r!+ 4he c.asses name! in the "ro$isonee! s"en! on./ t'o /ears in st!/, 'hi.e those'ho commence! the ne5t !a/ mst s"en! three/ears, a.thogh the/ 'o.! com".ete t'o /earsbe*ore the time .imit+ 4he one 'ho commence!

on the %r!+ I* "ossesse! o* a !i".oma, is to bea!mitte! 'ithot e5amination be*ore December%1, 199, an! 'ithot an/ "rescribe! corse o*st!/, 'hi.e as to the other the "rescribe! corsemst be "rse!, an! the !i".oma is tter./se.ess+ 8ch c.assi*ication cannot rest "on an/natra. reason, or bear an/ st re.ation to thesbect soght, an! none is sggeste!+ 4he"ro$iso is *or the so.e "r"ose o* besto'ing"ri$i.eges "on certain !e*ine! "ersons+


53/72

c.ass an! the sitation an! circmstances o* a..other members o* the state in re.ation to thesbects o* the !iscriminator/ .egis.ation as"resents a st an! natra. case *or the!i**erence ma!e in their .iabi.ities an! br!ensan! in their rights an! "ri$i.eges+ A .a' is notgenera. becase it o"erates on a.. 'ithin a c.ase

n.ess there is a sbstantia. reason 'h/ it isma!e to o"erate on that c.ass on./, an! notgenera../ on a..+ On./ *rom 19- to 199 'ere therecases in 'hich the 4ribna. "ermitte! a!missionto the bar o* can!i!ates 'ho !i! not obtain thegenera. a$erage o* 7 "er cent: in 19- those'ho obtaine! on./ 72 "er cent in the 197 an!those 'ho ha! -9 "er cent or more in 19, 7&"er cent an! in 199, 7 "er cent an! in 19& to19%, those 'ho obtaine! 7 "er cent, 'hich 'asconsi!ere! b/ the Cort as e?i$a.ent to 7 "ercent as "rescribe! b/ the R.es, b/ reason o*circmstances !eeme! to be s**icient./sti*iab.e+ 4hese changes in the "assinga$erages !ring those /ears 'ere a.. that co.!be obecte! to or criticie!+ #o', it is !esire! ton!o 'hat ha! been !one ) cance. the .icense

that 'as isse! to those 'ho !i! not obtain the"rescribe! 7 "er cent > Certain./ not+ 4he!is"te! .a' c.ear./ !oes not "ro"ose to !o so+Conce!e!./, it a""ro$es 'hat has been !one b/this 4ribna.+ 6hat Congress .amente! is that theCort !i! not consi!er -9+ "er cent obtaine! b/those can!i!ates 'ho *ai.e! in 19- to 192 as

s**icient to ?a.i*/ them to "ractice .a'+ 3ence, itis the .ac; o* 'i.. or !e*ect o* !