A. M. No. 139 March 28, 1983 – RE: ELMO S. ABAD, 1978 Successful Bar Examinee. ATTY. PROCOPIO S. BELTRAN, JR. President of the Philippine Trial Lawyers Association Inc. vs. ELMO S. ABAD

Fact:

Respondent passed the bar and about to sign his Lawyer’s Oath when he was called by the Chief Justice and advised him to submit first an answer from a complaint against. Respondent while waiting for the decision of the SC on his case, receive invitation from the IBP-QC, assessment of membership dues, PTR, etc. Hence assumed that the SC resolved the case in his favor.

Issue:

Whether the respondent can be considered as a Lawyer after passing the Bar?

Held:

No. Respondent should know that the circumstances which he has narrated do not constitute his admission to the Philippine Bar and the right to practice law thereafter. He should know that two essential requisites for becoming a lawyer still had to be performed, namely: his lawyer’s oath to be administered by SC and his signature in the Roll of Attorneys.