B.M. No.

1222
RE: 2003 BAR EXAMINATIONS
ATTY. DANILO DE GUZMAN, Petitioner
FACTS:
In 2004, petitioner was involved of the questions in Mercantile Law during the 2003 Bar
Examinations. He had downloaded the test questions from the computer of Balgos, the
examiner for Mercantile Law during the 2003 Bar Examinations, and faxed them to other
persons. He was stripped of his license to practice law. He now appeals for Judicial Clemency
and Compassion since he cooperated fully in the investigation conducted, took personal
responsibility for his actions, learned from his mistakes, and has taken the said humbling
experience to make him a better person.
ISSUE:
Whether or not his petition for Judicial Clemency and Compassion be extended to him
by the Court?
HELD:
Yes. The Court has the duty to discipline its erring officers but also it knows how to show
compassion when the penalty has already served its purpose. The violation of the criminal law
by the petitioner attorney cannot be lightly passed over so he must still be disciplined with a
lighter penalty of being suspended for seven years from February 4, 2004 instead of being
disbarred.