Legal Profession

A.Y. 2020-2021, S2
Case Title CORONARO vs CORONARO
Citation/Date A.C. No. 11316 [12 July 2016]
Relevant Topic Requirements for Admission to the Practice of Law, Legal Education

Facts
 Richard Coronaro is the older brother of Patrick Coronaro. They both completed their secondary education in
Makati HS
 Patrick:
o Graduated HS in 1993
o Enrolled in University of Makati, degree in Business Administration in 1997
o Worked as Sales Associate for Philippine Seven Corporation (operator of 7-11)
o Promoted as Store Manager of 7-11 Muntinlupa
 Richard:
o Graduated HS in 1991
o Stayed in PLM for 1 year before transferring to PMA
o Discharged from PMA and never went back to school to earn a college degree
 Their mother informed Patrick that Richard passed the Bar Examinations using Patrick’s name and college
records to enroll in St. Mary’s University’s College of Law in Nueva Vizcaya. Patrick saw the name "Patrick
A. Caronan" on the Certificate of Admission the Bar displayed in Richard’s office
 NBI requested Patrick’s presence to identify certain documents of the brothers. He later learned that Richard was
involved in a case for qualified theft and estafa
 After receiving several complaints of unlawful behaviour of Richard, Patrick filed a Complaint to stop Richard
from using his name and identity and illegal practice of law
 Defense: res judicata, already resolved by IBP an Court
 IBP Report and Recommendation: guilty of illegally and falsely assuming complainant's name, identity, and
academic records.
o Name "Patrick A. Caronan" be dropped and stricken off the Roll of Attorneys
o name "Richard A. Caronan" be barred from being admitted as a member of the Bar

Issue/s and Ruling/s

W/N IBP erred in ordering that: (a) the name "Patrick A. No.
Caronan" be stricken off the Roll of Attorneys; and (b)
the name "Richard A. Caronan" be barred from being
admitted to the Bar.
 Complainant has established by clear and
overwhelming evidence that he is the real Patrick
and respondent Richard merely assumed his
name, identity and academic record to enroll in
St. Mary’s University’s Colelge of Law
o Admitted they were siblings in arrest in a
previous case
o Stated the name of his wife, which is
contrary to the NSO records of Patrick
o Photo of Richard during hi arrest is the
same person under Patrick’s name in
IBP records
o Patrick presented documents proving his
identity
 IBP was also correct in ordering Richard be
barred from admission to the Bar. Under
Section 6, Rule 138 of the Rules of Court, no
applicant for admission to the Bar
Examination shall be admitted unless he had
pursued and satisfactorily completed a pre-
law course
 ITCAB, Richard never completed his college
degree. Thus, not completing his requisite pre-
law degree
 Although Richard may later complete his college
education and earn a law degree his false
assumption of his brother’s name renders him
unfit for admission. It should be limited to
citizens of good moral character
o What a person really is vs good
reputation
o Not subjective but corresponds to
objective reality
o Includes at least common honesty
o ITCAB, he exhibited dishonesty and
utter lack of moral fitness
 Legal Profession
A.Y. 2020-2021, S2
Disposition: The respondent Richard A. Caronan a.k.a. "Atty. Patrick A. Caronan" (respondent) is found GUILTY of
falsely assuming the name, identity, and academic records of complainant Patrick A. Caronan (complainant) to obtain a
law degree and take the Bar Examinations
DROPPED and STRICKEN OFF the Roll of Attorneys;
(2) respondent is PROHIBITED from engaging in the practice of law or making any representations as a lawyer;
(3) respondent is BARRED from being admitted as a member of the Philippine Bar in the future;
(4) the Identi cation Cards issued by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to respondent under the name "Atty. Patrick A.
Caronan" and the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Certi cates issued in such name are CANCELLED and/or
REVOKED; and
(5) the Of ce of the Court Administrator is ordered to CIRCULATE notices and POST in the bulletin boards of all courts
of the country a photograph of respondent with his real name, "Richard A. Caronan," with a warning that he is not a
member of the Philippine Bar and a statement of his false assumption of the name and identity of "Patrick A. Caronan."