AAA VS. ATTY.

DE LOS
REYES
A.C. No. 10021, September 18, 2018 
FACTS
  February 1997 - secretary to Atty. De Los Reyes, then Vice-President of the Legal and
Administrative Group of [National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation] NHMFC
 In 1997, respondent started his advances on her.
 Delos Reyes exploited AAA’s plight to turn her into a sex slave who was at his beck and call at
all times for all kinds of sexual services
 She could not even refuse him without risking physical, verbal and emotional abuse.
 In 2004, AAA filed a complaint before the IBP. Respondent denied all allegations and argued,
among others, that the alleged grounds for disbarment, if they were true, had already
prescribed
ISSUE
 Whether or not respondent Atty. De Los Reyes committed acts
amounting to sexual harassment and gross immoral conduct in
violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility which would
warrant his disbarment
 CODE OF PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY
CANON 1 – A lawyer shall uphold the Constitution, obey the laws of the land and promote respect for
law and legal processes.

Rule 1.01. – A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct.

CANON 7 – A lawyer shall at all times uphold the integrity and dignity of the legal profession and
support the activities of the integrated bar.

Rule 7.03. – A lawyer shall not engage in conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law,
nor shall he, whether in public or private life, behave in a scandalous manner to the discredit of the legal
profession.
RULING
 Possession of good moral character is both a condition precedent and a
continuing requirement to warrant admission to the Bar and to retain
membership in the legal profession.

 This proceeds from the lawyer's bounden duty to observe the highest degree
of morality in order to safeguard the Bar's integrity, and the legal profession
exacts from its members nothing less. 
 WHEREFORE, the Court finds respondent Atty. Antonio N. De Los Reyes GUILTY of
gross immoral conduct and violation of Rule 1.01, Canon 1, and Rule 7.03, Canon 7 of the
Code of Professional Responsibility, and is hereby DISBARRED from the practice of law.

 Respondent Atty. De Los Reyes is disbarred for his gross misbehavior, even if it pertains to his
private activities, as long as it shows him to be wanting in moral character, honesty, probity
or good demeanor. Possession of good moral character is not only a prerequisite to admission
to the bar but also a continuing requirement to the practice of law