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Adm. Case No.

2474 September 15, 2004


EDUARDO M. COJUANGCO, JR., Complainant, vs ATTY. LEO J. PALMA, Respondent

FACTS:
Complainant hired respondent as his personal counsel. Thereafter, respondent’s
relationship with complainant’s family became intimate. He frequented their house and
even tutored complainant’s 22-year old daughter Maria Luisa Cojuangco (Lisa).

Without the knowledge of complainant’s family, respondent married Lisa in


Hongkong. Complainant came to know of such fact and that: (1) respondent
misrepresented himself as bachelor before the Hong Kong authorities to facilitate his
marriage with Lisa; and (2) respondent was married to Elizabeth Hermosisima and has
three children.

Thus, complainant filed this complaint for disbarment against Atty. Leo J. Palma
on the ground of grossly immoral conduct, inter alia.

ISSUE: WON ATTY. PALMA is liable for grossly immoral conduct

HELD: YES. Undoubtedly, respondent’s act constitutes grossly immoral conduct. He


exhibited a deplorable lack of that degree of morality required of him as a member of
the Bar. In particular, he made a mockery of marriage which is a sacred institution
demanding respect and dignity. His act of contracting a second marriage is contrary to
honesty, justice, decency and morality.

Immoral conduct is that conduct which is willful, flagrant, or shameless, and


which shows a moral indifference to the opinion of the good and respectable
members of the community. Measured against this definition,
respondent’s act is manifestly immoral. First, he abandoned his lawful wife and three
children. Second, he lured an innocent young woman into marrying him. And third, he
misrepresented himself as a bachelor so he could contract marriage in a foreign land.

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