Efigenia Tenoso, complainant

Atty Anselmo Echanez, respondent

Facts:
Complainant Efigenia Tenoso filed a complaint against Atty Anselmo
Echanez, respondent alleging that the latter was engaged in notarial practice
without having been properly commissioned by RTC Santiago City, the court
having jurisdiction over Cordon, Isabela. The complainant support her
allegations by presenting documents issued by Executive Judge Efren
Cacatian bearing the names of commissioned notaries public for the years
2006 to 2008 which respondents name does not appear; documents
notarized by the respondent in year 2006, 2007 and 2008, and a copy of a
certification issued by Judge Cacatian stating respondents notarization could
not be authenticated. Respondent denied the allegations and added he never
committed any malpractice, nor deceit nor have violated the lawyers oath
and that such allegations is politically motivated and meant to harass or
intimidate him and guessed that the affidavit-complaint were tampered and
adulterated or that somebody might forged his signature.
Issue:
Whether or not Atty Echanezs contention is tenable.
Rulings:
No. The court empahasizes that the practice of law is imbued with public
interest and that a lawyer owes substantial duties not only to his client, but
also to this brethren in the profession, to the courts, and to the nation, and
takes part in one of the most important functions of the State-the
administration of justice-as an officer of the court. Accordingly, lawyers are
bound to maintain not only a high standard of legal proficiency, but also of
morality, honesty, integrity and fair dealing. In misrepresenting himself as a
notary public, respondent exposed party-ligitants, courts, other lawyers and
the general public to the perils of ordinary documents posing as public
instruments. Respondent committed act of deceit and falsehood in open
violation of the explicit pronouncement of the Code of Professional
Responsibility. Evidently, respondents conduct falls miserably short of the
high standards of morality, honesty, integrity and fair dealing required from
lawyers. It is proper that he be sanctioned.