34. ALI vs. ATTY. BUBONG, AC No.

4018, March 8, 2005

FACTS:

A petition for disbarment was filed against Atty. Mosib Ali Bubong for having found guilty of grave
misconduct while holding the position of Register of Deeds of Marawi City. The complainant charged
respondent with illegal exaction; indiscriminate issuance of TCT No. T-2821 in the names of Lawan Bauduli
Datu, Mona Abdullah, Ambobae Bauduli Datu, Matabae Bauduli Datu, Moomadali Bauduli Datu, and
Amenola Bauduli datu and others for violation of the Anti-Squatting Law. It appears from the record that
the Baudali Datus are relatives of respondent.

ISSUE:

WON respondent may be disbarred for grave misconduct committed while he was in the employ
of the government.

HELD:

Yes, respondent may be disbarred for grave misconduct committed while being a government
employee. Canon 6 of the CPR governing the conduct of lawyers shall apply to lawyers in government
service in the discharge of their official apply. Further, Rule 6.02 of Canon 6 states that a lawyer in the
government service shall not use his public position to promote or advance his private interests, nor allow
the latter to interfere with his public duties. In this case, respondent’s grave misconduct deals with his
qualification as a lawyer. By taking advantage of his office as the Register of Deeds of Marawi City and
employing his knowledge of the rules and governing land registration for the benefit of his relatives,
respondent had clearly demonstrated his unfitness not only to perform the functions of a civil servant but
also to retain his membership in the bar.

Hence, respondent Atty. Mosib A. Bubong is hereby DISBARRED.