8/19/2019 Dir. of Religious Affairs vs. Bayot

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THE DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS vs. Estanislao Bayot

A.C. No. L1117

Mar! "#$ 1%&&

FACTS' Estanislao Bayot, an attorney-at-law, is being charged withmalpractice for publishing an advertisement in the Sunday Tribune oering legal

services.

“arriage license promptly secured thru our assistance ! the annoyance of 

delay or publicity avoided if desired, and marriage arranged to wishes of parties.

"onsultation on any matter free for the poor. Everything con#dential.

$egal assistance service

%& Escolta, anila, 'oom, %()

 Tel. &*%+(.

 Thru his attorney, he admitted having caused its publication and

prayed for the indulgence and mercy of the "ourt, promising not to repeat such

professional misconduct in the future and to abide himself to the strict ethical rules

of the law profession.

ISSUE' hether or not an attorney may be charged with malpractice for

advertising legal services.

RULING' $aw is a profession, not a trade. The lawyer degrades himself and his

profession who stoops to and adopts the practices of mercantilism by advertising

his services or oering them to the public. s a member of the bar, he de#les the

temple of /ustice with mercenary activities as the money changers of old de#led the

temple of 0ehovah. The most worth and eective advertisement possible, even fora young lawyer, . . . is the establishment of a well merited reputation for

professional capacity and #delity to trust. This cannot be forced but must be the

outcome of character and conduct. 1"anon &2, "ode of Ethics.3

"onsidering his plea for leniency and his promise not to repeat the

misconduct, the "ourt is of the opinion and so decided that the respondent should

be, as he hereby is, r()ri*an+(+.