SYNOPSIS

This is an administrative complaint filed by Patricia Figueroa way back in 1971, against respondent Simeon
Barranco Jr., a successful bar candidate in the 1970 Bar examination, praying thereto that herein
respondent be denied admission to the legal profession. In her petition, complainant averred that
respondent and she had been sweethearts, that a child out of wedlock was born to them and that
respondent failed to fulfill his promise to marry her after he passes the bar examinations. Hence,
complainant charged him of gross immorality.

The Supreme Court ruled that these facts do not constitute gross immorality warranting permanent
exclusion of herein respondent from the legal profession. His engaging in premarital sexual relations with
the complainant and promises to marry suggest a doubtful moral character on his part but the same does
not constitute gross immoral conduct. To justify suspension or disbarment, the act complained of must not
only be immoral but grossly immoral. Additionally, even assuming that his past indiscretions are ignoble, the
twenty-six years that respondent has been prevented from being a lawyer constitute sufficient punishment
therefor. Henceforth, the Court hereby dismissed the instant petition and herein respondent should be
allowed to take his lawyers oath.

SYLLABUS

REMEDIAL LAW; DISBARMENT OR SUSPENSION OF ATTORNEYS; GROSS IMMORALITY; NOT PRESENT IN

CASE AT BAR. Respondent was prevented from taking the lawyers oath because of charges of gross
immorality by complainant. Respondent bore an illegitimate child with his sweetheart who claims that he did
not fulfill his promise to marry her after he passes the bar examinations. These facts do not constitute gross
immorality warranting permanent exclusion of respondent from the legal profession. Engaging in premarital
sexual relations and promising to marry suggests a doubtful moral character but the same does not
constitute grossly immoral conduct. The Court has held that to justify suspension or disbarment the act
complained of must be grossly immoral. "A grossly immoral act is one that is so corrupt and false as to
constitute a criminal act or so unprincipled or disgraceful as to be reprehensible to a high degree." It is a
willful, flagrant, or shameless act which shows a moral indifference to the opinion of respectable members of
the community.