Disbarment of Atty. Rodolfo Pajo

April 14, 1994

SUPREME COURT CIRCULAR NO. 28-94

 

Quoted hereunder, for the information and guidance of all concerned, are pertinent portions of the Resolution of the Court En Banc, rendered in Administrative Case No. 2410 "In re: Disbarment of Atty. Rodolfo Pajo," promulgated on October 23, 1982:

"Rodolfo Pajo and his co-accused Clodualdo Origenes were found guilty of having conspired in the execution of a deed of sale of a parcel of land by a vendor who had been deceased for almost eight (8) years. Nestoria Origenes who was supposed to have executed the deed of sale in favor of her nephew Clodualdo Origenes died July 6, 1968. The deed was executed on February 16, 1976. Atty. Pajo prepared and notarized the falsified deed of sale.

"xxx xxx xxx

"In this disbarment case, we are no longer called upon to review the judgment of conviction which has now become final. The review of the conviction no longer rests upon this Court. (In re Jaranillo, 101 Phil. 323) The crime of falsification of public document is clearly contrary to justice, honesty, and good morals and, therefore, involves moral turpitude. (De Jesus-Paras v. Vailoces, 111 Phil. 569.) The respondent's acts of taking advantage of his office as attorney to prepare a deed of sale purportedly by one who had been eight years dead amounted to deceit, malpractice, and misconduct in office as a lawyer. (Cf. In re Avanceña, 21 SCRA 1012). The case comes clearly under the grounds given in Section 27 of Rule 138. Disbarment follows as a consequence of the conviction for the crime.

"WHEREFORE, respondent Rodolfo Pajo is hereby disbarred from the practice of law and his name is ordered stricken off the roll of attorneys."

April 14, 1994.

(SGD.) ANDRES R. NARVASAChief Justice