Moral Turpitude

Settled is the rule that in the absence of satisfactory explanation, one found in possession of and who used a forged document is the forger and therefore guilty of falsification.

The crime of falsification of document is contrary to justice, honesty, and good morals and therefore, involves moral turpitude. Moral turpitude includes everything which is done contrary to justice, honesty, modesty or good morals. It involves an act of baseness, vileness or depravity in the private duties which a man owes his fellowmen, or society in general, contrary to the accepted and customary rule of right and duty between man and woman.

The Supreme Court exercises the power to disbar with great caution. Being the most severe form of disciplinary sanction, it is imposed only for the most imperative reasons and in clear cases of misconduct affecting the standing and moral character of the lawyer as an officer of the court and a member of the bar. Disbarment is the appropriate penalty for conviction by final judgment for a crime involving moral turpitude. Lawyers are reminded that they, of all classes and professions, are most sacredly bound to uphold the law. The privilege to practice law is bestowed only upon individuals who are competent intellectually, academically and, equally important, morally. As such, lawyers must at all times conduct themselves especially in their dealings with their clients and the public at large, with honesty and integrity in a manner beyond reproach (Per Curiam, A.C. No. 7940. April 24, 2012).