LEGAL PROFESSION

A.Y. 1819– JUDGE CALDONA

- On April 6, 1986, Cordova and Salavacion had reconciled and Cordova

TOPIC Requirement of good moral character persists as promised that he would separate from Fely and he brought his legitimate
a continuing condition for membership in the Bar family to Bislig.
in good standing. - In Feb. 1987, upon returning from Manila, Salvacion found out that
Cordova was no longer living with her children in their conjugal home and
CASE NO. G.R. No. 3249 that Cordova was living with another mistress named Luisita Magallanes
and had taken their younger daughter Melanie along with them.
CASE NAME Cordova v. Cordova - Cordova and his mistress hid Melanie from Salvacion, thus, compelling
Salvacion to go to court to take back her daughter by habeas corpus. The
PONENTE Per Curiam court gave her custody of their children.
- Cordova continued to live with Luisita and continued to fail to give support
COMPLAINANT Salvacion Delizo Cordova to his legitimate family.
- An unsworn letter-complaint dated April 14, 1988 addressed to then Mr.
RESPONDENT Atty. Laurence D. Cordova Chief Justice Claudio Tehankee was filed by complainant, Salvacion Delizo
Cordova charging her husband, Atty. Laurence D. Cordova, with
TYPE OF CASE Admin Case immorality and acts unbecoming a member of the Bar.
- Finally, the IBP and Commission on Bar Discipline received a telegram
Member Charlene Fernandez message dated April 6, 1989 from Salvacion, stating that they have
reconciled with each other.
ISSUE
RATIO DECIDENDI

1. W/N Atty. Cordova should be suspended from the practice of law for
immorality and acts unbecoming a member of the Bar. 1. W/N Atty. Cordova should be suspended from the practice of law for
immorality and acts unbecoming a member of the Bar. YES.
RELEVANT FACTS
- The Court agreed with the findings of fact of the IBP Board. They
- Findings of the IBP Board of Governors: also agreed that the most recent reconciliation between the
- On June 6, 1976, Salvacion and Cordova got married and had 2 children complainant and respondent, assuming the same to be real, does
out of this marriage. not excuse and wipe away the misconduct and immoral behavior
- In 1985, Cordova left his family and his job as Branch Clerk of Court of the of the respondent carried out in public, and necessarily adversely
RTC, Cabaroguis, Quirino Province, and went to Mangongoy, Bislig, reflecting upon him as a member of the Bar and upon the PH Bar
Surigao del Sur with Fely G. Holgado, who was also married and left her itself. An applicant for admission to membership in the bar is
own husband and children. required to show that he is possessed of good moral character. That
- Cordova and Holgado lived together as husband and wife in Bislig, with requirement is not exhausted and dispensed with upon admission
Cordova introducing Fely to the public as his wife, and Fely using the name to membership of the bar. On the contrary, that requirement
Fely Cordova. persists as a continuing condition for membership in the Bar in
- Cordova gave funds to Fely to establish a sari-sari store in the public good standing.
market at Bislig, while at the same time failing to support his legitimate - In the instance case, respondent Cordova maintained for about 2
family. years an adulterous relationship with a married woman not his
wife, in full view of the general public, to the humiliation and

1
 LEGAL PROFESSION
A.Y. 1819– JUDGE CALDONA

detriment of his legitimate family which he, rubbing salt on the

wound, failed or refused to support. After a brief period of
“reform” respondent took up again with another woman not his
wife, cohabiting with her, and brining along his young daughter to
live with them. Clearly, respondent flaunted his disregard of the
fundamental institution of marriage and its elementary obligations
before his own daughter and community at large.

DISPOSITIVE POSITION

WHEREFORE, the Court Resolved to SUSPEND respondent from the practice of

law indefinitely and until further orders from this Court. The Court will consider
lifting his suspension when respondent Cordova submits proof satisfactory to the
Commission and this Court that he has and continues to provide for the support of
his legitimate family and that he has given up the immoral course of conduct that he
has clung to.