Case: Paras vs. Paras 343 SCRA 414 Facts: Atty.

Justo De Jesus was charged by her wife Rosa Paras and initiated a case for disbarment, falsification of public documents and fraud for counterfeiting using his wifes name and signature to obtain loans from certain banks. Respondent was also charged with grossly immoral conduct and concubinage for siring a child with another woman; obstruction of justice by using his legal skills to derail all the proceedings in the criminal actions initiated against him; and unethical and unprofessional conduct by using his legal skills to frighten, harass and intimidate. Issue: Whether or not respondent can be disbarred on the grounds of falsification of public documents, grossly immoral conduct and concubinage? Held: Good moral character is not only a condition precedent to admission to the practice of law; continued possession is also essential for remaining in the practice of law; Power to disbar must be exercised with great caution and only in clear case of misconduct that seriously affects the standing and character of the lawyer as an officer of the court and as a member of the bar; It should never be decreed where any lesser penalty such as temporary suspension could accomplish the end desired - It is a timehonored rule that good moral character is not only a condition precedent to admission to the practice of law. Its continued possession is also essential for remaining in the practice of law. The case at bar, respondent has fallen below the moral when he forged his wifes signature in the bank loan documents, and, sired a daughter with a woman other than his wife. However, the power to misconduct that seriously affects the standing and character of the lawyer as an officer of the Court and as a member of the bar should never be decreed where any lesser penalty such as temporary suspension could accomplish the end desired. Therefore, respondent is suspended from the practice of law for six months on the charge of falsifying his wifes signature in bank documents and other related loan instruments; and for one year on the charges of immorality and abandonment of his own family.