I concur with the ponencia that respondent ATTY. VICTOR V.

DECIEMBRE be disbarred from the practice

of law and from the practice of law and his name be ordered stricken off from the Roll of Attorneys .
Law is a noble profession, and the privilege to practice it is bestowed only upon individuals who are
competent intellectually, academically and, equally important, morally. Because they are vanguards of
the law and the legal system, lawyers must at all time conduct themselves, especially in their dealings
with their clients and the public at large, with honesty and integrity in a manner beyond reproach.
In this case, evidence clearly proves that respondent has failed to live up to the standards required of
members of the legal profession. Respondent demands excessive payments from his borrowers, he
falsifies blank checks issued by his borrowers with fictitious amounts and then uses it as bases for filing
groundless claims and suits against them. He uses his expertise as a lawyer to harass people with lesser
inadequate knowledge of the law. He has violated the Code professional responsibilities of a lawyer, to
wit;
CANON 1 A lawyer shall uphold the constitution, obey the laws of the land and promote respect for
law and for legal processes.
Rule 1.01 A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct.
Rule 1.02 A lawyer shall not counsel or abet activities aimed at defiance of the law or at lessening
confidence in the legal system.
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 should he, whether in public or private life, behave in a scandalous manner to the discredit of the
legal profession.
The canons emphasize the high standard of honesty and fairness expected of a lawyer not only in the
practice of the legal profession but also in his personal dealings as well. A lawyer must conduct himself
with great propriety, and his behavior should be beyond reproach anywhere and at all times.
Indeed, the strength of the legal profession lies in the dignity and integrity of its members. As previously
explained in Sipin-Nabor v. Baterina:
A lawyer shall at all times uphold the integrity and dignity of the legal profession. The trust and
confidence necessarily reposed by clients requires in the attorney a high standard and appreciation of
his duty to his clients, his profession, the courts and the public. The bar must maintain a high standard of
legal proficiency as well as of honesty and fair dealing. Generally speaking, a lawyer can do honor to the
legal profession by faithfully performing his duties to society, to the bar, to the courts and to his clients.
I therefore submit that the disbarment of Atty. Victor M. Deciembre is correct and appropriate.
To this end, members of the legal fraternity can do nothing that might tend to lessen in any degree the
confidence of the public in the fidelity, honesty and integrity of the profession.
Thinking of a name for a princess.