IN RE: PETITION TO TAKE THE LAWYER'S OATH BY ARTHUR M. CUEVAS, JR.

    B.M. No. 810 January 27, 1998

IN RE: PETITION TO TAKE THE LAWYER'S OATH BY ARTHUR M. CUEVAS, JR.

Facts:

Petitioner Arthur Cuevas Jr., passed the 1996 Bar exam.  His oath taking was held in abeyance in view of the Court's resolution which permitted him to take the Bar Exams subject to the condition that should he pass the same he shall not be allowed to take the lawyer's oath pending approval of the court.  This resolution was due to his previous conviction for Reckless Imprudence resulting in Homicide.  The conviction stemmed from Cuevas' participation in the hazing of his fraternity. Petitioner applied for and was granted probation.  He was later discharged from probation and his case considered closed and terminated.

Cuevas nowthat he be allowed to take the lawyer's oath at the court's most convenient time.

Issue:

W/n Cuevas should be allowed to take the lawyer’s oath...

Held:

YES.

His deliberate participation in the senseless beatings over a helpless neophyte shich resulted to the latter's untimely demise indicates absence of that moral fitness required for admission to the bar.  The court nonetheless is willing to give Cuevas a chance in the same manner that it recently allowed Al Caparros Argosino (case sa legprof), petitioner's co-accused below, to take the lawyer's oath.

His discharge from probation without any infraction of the attendant conditions therefor and the various certification attesting to his righteous peaceful and civic-oriented character prove that he has taken decisive steps to purge himself of his deficiency in moral character.