SOPHIA ALAWI v. ASHARY M.

ALAUYA
A.M. No. SDC-97-2-P February 24, 1997

FACTS: Ashary Alauya transacted with Sophia Alawi to avail of a contract for the
purchase of one housing unit from EB Villarosa & Partner Co. Ltd., a real estate and
housing company. Shortly thereafter Alauya wrote to the company expressing his intent
to render the contract void ab initio.
Several correspondences ensued, all of which were signed by Alauya as ATTY.
ASHARY M. ALAUYA. Alauya is a member of the Sharia Bar and for that matter he is a
counselor-at-law. Alauya claims that he does not use the title of counselor-at-law for fear
of being mistaken as a local legislator, i.e., councilor. Hence, he affixed the title of
attorney before his name.
Alawi filed a verified complaint against Alauya, alleging, among others, that Alawi
usurped the title of an attorney which is reserved only for the members of the Philippine
Bar.
ISSUE: Whether or not Alauya's membership in the Sharia Bar endows him the title of
an attorney
RULING: No. Alauya is hereby reprimanded for usurping the title of an attorney
reserved for those who, having obtained the necessary degree in the study of law and
had successfully passed the bar examinations, have been admitted ti the Integrated Bar
of the Philippines and remain members thereof in good standing.
Persons who passed the Sharia Bar are not full-fledged members of the Bar and may
only practice law before a Sharia Court, Alauya's disinclination to use the title of
counselor-at-law does not warrant his use of the title of an
--
Righteous indignation, or vindication of right cannot justify resort to vituperative
language, or downright name-calling. As a member of the Shari'a Bar and an officer of a
Court, Alawi is subject to a standard of conduct more stringent than for most other
government workers. As a man of the law, he may not use language which is abusive,
offensive, scandalous, menacing, or otherwise improper. 20 As a judicial employee, it is
expected that he accord respect for the person and the rights of others at all times, and
that his every act and word should be characterized by prudence, restraint, courtesy,
dignity.