A.C. No. 11316, July 12, 2016 - PATRICK A. CARONAN v. RICHARD A. CARONAN A.K.A. "ATTY. PATRICK A.

CARONAN,"

DECISION

PER CURIAM:

For the Court's resolution is the Complaint-Affidavit1 filed by complainant Patrick A. Caronan
(complainant), before the Commission on Bar Discipline (CBD) of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines
(IBP), against respondent "Atty. Patrick A. Caronan," whose real name is allegedly Richard A. Caronan
(respondent), for purportedly assuming complainant's identity and falsely representing that the former
has the required educational qualifications to take the Bar Examinations and be admitted to the practice
of law.

The Facts

Complainant and respondent are siblings born to Porferio2 R. Caronan, Jr. and Norma A. Caronan.
Respondent is the older of the two, having been born on February 7, 1975, while complainant was born
on August 5, 1976.3 Both of them completed their secondary education at the Makati High School
where complainant graduated in 19934 and respondent in 1991.5 Upon his graduation, complainant
enrolled at the University of Makati where he obtained a degree in Business Administration in 1997.6 He
started working thereafter as a Sales Associate for Philippine Seven Corporation (PSC), the operator of 7-
11 Convenience Stores.7 In 2001, he married Myrna G. Tagpis with whom he has two (2) daughters.8
Through the years, complainant rose from the ranks until, in 2009, he was promoted as a Store Manager
of the 7-11 Store in Muntinlupa.9chanrobleslaw

Meanwhile, upon graduating from high school, respondent enrolled at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng
Maynila (PLM), where he stayed for one (1) year before transferring to the Philippine Military Academy
(PMA) in 1992.10 In 1993, he was discharged from the PMA and focused on helping their father in the
family's car rental business. In 1997, he moved to Nueva Vizcaya with his wife, Rosana, and their three
(3) children.11 Since then, respondent never went back to school to earn a college
degree.12chanrobleslaw
In 1999, during a visit to his family in Metro Manila, respondent told complainant that the former had
enrolled in a law school in Nueva Vizcaya.13 Subsequently, in 2004, their mother informed complainant
that respondent passed the Bar Examinations and that he used complainant's name and college records
from the University of Makati to enroll at St. Mary's University's College of Law in Bayombong, Nueva
Vizcaya and take the Bar Examinations.14 Complainant brushed these aside as he did not anticipate any
adverse consequences to him.15chanrobleslaw

In 2006, complainant was able to confirm respondent's use of his name and identity when he saw the
name "Patrick A. Caronan" on the Certificate of Admission to the Bar displayed at the latter's office in
Taguig City.16 Nevertheless, complainant did not confront respondent about it since he was pre-
occupied with his job and had a family to support.17chanrobleslaw

Sometime in May 2009, however, after his promotion as Store Manager, complainant was ordered to
report to the head office of PSC in Mandaluyong City where, upon arrival, he was informed that the
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was requesting his presence at its office in Taft Avenue, Manila, in
relation to an investigation involving respondent who, at that point, was using the najne "Atty. Patrick A.
Caronan."18 Accordingly, on May 18, 2009, complainant appeared before the Anti-Fraud and Computer
Crimes Division of the NBI where he was interviewed and asked to identify documents including: (1) his
and respondent's high school records; (2) his transcript of records from the University of Makati; (3)
Land Transportation Office's records showing his and respondent's driver's licenses; (4) records from St.
Mary's University showing that complainant's transcript of records from the University of Makati and his
Birth Certificate were submitted to St. Mary's University's College of Law; and (5) Alumni Book of St.
Mary's University showing respondent's photograph under the name "Patrick A. Caronan."19
Complainant later learned that the reason why he was invited by the NBI was because of respondent's
involvement in a case for qualified theft and estafa filed by Mr. Joseph G. Agtarap (Agtarap), who was
one of the principal sponsors at respondent's wedding.20chanrobleslaw

Realizing that respondent had been using his name to perpetrate crimes and commit unlawful activities,
complainant took it upon himself to inform other people that he is the real "Patrick A. Caronan" and that
respondent's real name is Richard A. Caronan.21 However, problems relating to respondent's use of the
name "Atty. Patrick A. Caronan" continued to hound him. In July 2013, PSC received a letter from
Quasha Ancheta Pena & Nolasco Law Offices requesting that they be furnished with complainant's
contact details or, in the alternative, schedule a meeting with him to discuss certain matters concerning
respondent.22 On the other hand, a fellow church-member had also told him that respondent who,
using the name "Atty. Patrick A. Caronan," almost victimized his (church-member's) relatives.23
Complainant also received a phone call from a certain Mrs. Loyda L. Reyes (Reyes), who narrated how
respondent tricked her into believing that he was authorized to sell a parcel of land in Taguig City when
in fact, he was not.24 Further, he learned that respondent was arrested for gun-running activities, illegal
possession of explosives, and violation of Batas Pambansa Bilang (BP) 22.25cralawredchanrobleslaw

Due to the controversies involving respondent's use of the name "Patrick A. Caronan," complainant
developed a fear for his own safety and security.26 He also became the subject of conversations among
his colleagues, which eventually forced him to resign from his job at PSC.27 Hence, complainant filed the
present Complaint-Affidavit to stop respondent's alleged use of the former's name and identity, and
illegal practice of law.28chanrobleslaw

In his Answer,29 respondent denied all the allegations against him arid invoked res judicata as a
defense. He maintained that his identity can no longer be raised as an issue as it had already been
resolved in CBD Case No. 09-2362 where the IBP Board of Governors dismissed30 the administrative
case31 filed by Agtarap against him, and which case had already been declared closed and terminated
by this Court in A.C. No. 10074.32 Moreover, according to him, complainant is being used by Reyes and
her spouse, Brigadier General Joselito M. Reyes, to humiliate, disgrace, malign, discredit, and harass him
because he filed several administrative and criminal complaints against them before the
Ombudsman.33chanrobleslaw

On March 9, 2015, the IBP-CBD conducted the scheduled mandatory conference where both parties
failed to appear.34 Instead, respondent moved to reset the same on April 20, 2015.35 On such date,
however, both parties again failed to appear, thereby prompting the IBP-CBD to issue an Order36
directing them to file their respective position papers. However, neither of the parties submitted
any.37chanrobleslaw

The IBP's Report and Recommendation

On June 15, 2015, IBP Investigating Commissioner Jose Villanueva Cabrera (Investigating Commissioner)
issued his Report and Recommendation,38 finding respondent guilty of illegally and falsely assuming
complainant's name, identity, and academic records.39 He observed that respondent failed to
controvert all the allegations against him and did not present any proof to prove his identity.40 On the
other hand, complainant presented clear and overwhelming evidence that he is the real "Patrick A.
Caronan."41chanrobleslaw
Further, he noted that respondent admitted that he and complainant are siblings when he disclosed
upon his arrest on August 31, 2012 that: (a) his parents are Porferio Ramos Caronan and Norma Atillo;
and (b) he is married to Rosana Halili-Caronan.42 However, based on the Marriage Certificate issued by
the National Statistics Office (NSO), "Patrick A. Caronan" is married to a certain "Myrna G. Tagpis," not
to Rosana Halili-Caronan.43chanrobleslaw

The Investigating Commissioner also drew attention to the fact that .the photograph taken of
respondent when he was arrested as "Richard A. Caronan" on August 16, 2012 shows the same person
as the one in the photograph in the IBP records of "Atty. Patrick A. Caronan."44 These, according to the
Investigating Commissioner, show that respondent indeed assumed complainant's identity to study law
and take the Bar Examinations.45 Since respondent falsely assumed the name, identity, and academic
records of complainant and the real "Patrick A. Caronan" neither obtained the bachelor of laws degree
nor took the Bar Exams, the Investigating Commissioner recommended that the name "Patrick A.
Caronan" with Roll of Attorneys No. 49069 be dropped and stricken off the Roll of Attorneys.46 He also
recommended that respondent and the name "Richard A. Caronan" be barred from being admitted as a
member of the Bar; and finally, for making a mockery of the judicial institution, the IBP was directed to
institute appropriate actions against respondent.47chanrobleslaw

On June 30, 2015, the IBP Board of Governors issued Resolution No. XXI-2015-607,48 adopting the
Investigating Commissioner's recommendation.

The Issues Before the Court

The issues in this case are whether or not the IBP erred in ordering that: (a) the name "Patrick A.
Caronan" be stricken off the Roll of Attorneys; and (b) the name "Richard A. Caronan" be barred from
being admitted to the Bar.

The Court's Ruling

After a thorough evaluation of the records, the Court finds no cogent reason to disturb the findings and
recommendations of the IBP.
As correctly observed by the IBP, complainant has established by clear and overwhelming evidence that
he is the real "Patrick A. Caronan" and that respondent, whose real name is Richard A. Caronan, merely
assumed the latter's name, identity, and academic records to enroll at the St. Mary's University's College
of Law, obtain a law degree, and take the Bar Examinations.

As pointed out by the IBP, respondent admitted that he and complainant are siblings when he disclosed
upon his arrest on August 31, 2012 that his parents are Porferio Ramos Caronan and Norma Atillo.49
Respondent himself also stated that he is married to Rosana Halili-Caronan.50 This diverges from the
official NSO records showing that "Patrick A. Caronan" is married to Myrna G. Tagpis, not to Rosana
Halili-Caronan.51 Moreover, the photograph taken of respondent when he was arrested as "Richard A.
Caronan" on August 16, 2012 shows the same person as the one in the photograph in the IBP records of
"Atty. Patrick A. Caronan."52 Meanwhile, complainant submitted numerous documents showing that he
is the real "Patrick A. Caronan," among which are: (a) his transcript of records from the University of
Makati bearing his photograph;53 (b) a copy of his high school yearbook with his photograph and the
name "Patrick A. Caronan" under it;54 and (c) NBI clearances obtained in 2010 and
2013.55chanrobleslaw

To the Court's mind, the foregoing indubitably confirm that respondent falsely used complainant's
name, identity, and school records to gain admission to the Bar. Since complainant - the real "Patrick A.
Caronan" - never took the Bar Examinations, the IBP correctly recommended that the name "Patrick A.
Caronan" be stricken off the Roll of Attorneys.

The IBP was also correct in ordering that respondent, whose real name is "Richard A. Caronan," 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, viz.:

Section 6. Pre-Law. - No applicant for admission to the bar examination shall be admitted unless he
presents a certificate that he has satisfied the Secretary of Education that, before he began the study of
law, he had pursued and satisfactorily completed in an authorized and recognized university or college,
requiring for admission thereto the completion of a four-year high school course, the course of study
prescribed therein for a bachelor's degree in arts or sciences with any of the following subject as major
or field of concentration: political science, logic, english, Spanish, history, and economics. (Emphases
supplied)
In the case at hand, respondent never completed his college degree. While he enrolled at the PLM in
1991, he left a year later and entered the PMA where he was discharged in 1993 without graduating.56
Clearly, respondent has not completed the requisite pre-law degree.

The Court does not discount the possibility that respondent may later on complete his college education
and earn a law degree under his real name. However, his false assumption of his brother's name,
identity, and educational records renders him unfit for admission to the Bar. The practice of law, after
all, is not a natural, absolute or constitutional right to be granted to everyone who demands it.57
Rather, it is a privilege limited to citizens of good moral character.58 In In the Matter of the
Disqualification of Bar Examinee Haron S. Meling in the 2002 Bar Examinations and for Disciplinary
Action as Member of the Philippine Shari'a Bar, Atty. Froilan R. Melendrez,59 the Court explained the
essence of good moral character:

Good moral character is what a person really is, as distinguished from good reputation or from the
opinion generally entertained of him, the estimate in which . he is held by the public in the place where
he is known. Moral character is not a subjective term but one which corresponds to objective reality.
The standard of personal and professional integrity is not satisfied by such conduct as it merely enables
a person to escape the penalty of criminal law. Good moral character includes at least common
honesty.[60] (Emphasis supplied)

Here, respondent exhibited his dishonesty and utter lack of moral fitness to be a member of the Bar
when he assumed the name, identity, and school records of his own brother and dragged the latter into
controversies which eventually caused him to fear for his safety and to resign from PSC where he had
been working for years. Good moral character is essential in those who would be lawyers.61 This is
imperative in the nature of the office of a lawyer, the trust relation which exists between him and his
client, as well as between him and the court.62chanrobleslaw

Finally, respondent made a mockery of the legal profession by pretending to have the necessary
qualifications to be a lawyer. He also tarnished the image of lawyers with his alleged unscrupulous
activities, which resulted in the filing of several criminal cases against him. Certainly, respondent and his
acts do not have a place in the legal profession where one of the primary duties of its members is to
uphold its integrity and dignity.63chanrobleslaw
WHEREFORE, 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. Accordingly, without prejudice to
the filing of appropriate civil and/or criminal cases, the Court hereby resolves that:

(1) the name "Patrick A. Caronan" with Roll of Attorneys No. 49069 is ordered 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 Identification Cards issued by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to respondent under the
name "Atty. Patrick A. Caronan" and the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Certificates issued in
such name are CANCELLED and/or REVOKED; and cralawlawlibrary

(5) the Office 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."

Let a copy of this Decision be furnished the Office of the Bar Confidant, the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines, and the Office of the Court Administrator.

SO ORDERED.
Sereno C.J. Carpio,Velasco, Jr.,Leonardo-De Castro, Brion, Peralta, Bersamin, Del Castillo, Perez, Perlas-
Bernabe, Leonen, Jardeleza, and Caguioa, JJ., concur.

Mendoza, and Reyes, JJ., on official leave.