VICTOR C. LINGAN vs. ATTY. JIMMY P.

BALIGA
A.C. No. 5377, June 30, 2014, 727 SCRA 341
FACTS: On June 15, 2006, Atty. Baliga was found guilty of violating Rule 1.01, Canon
1 of the CPR for allowing his secretary to notarize documents in his stead. The SC
suspended him for one year and revoked his notarial commission.
The Commission on Human Rights allowed Atty. Baliga to perform his function as
Regional Director during the period of suspension.
Atty. Baliga argued that he cannot be suspended for acts not connected with his
function as Commission on Human Rights Regional Director as his suspension from
the practice of law did not include his suspension from the practice of law.
ISSUE: Whether Atty. Baligas suspension from the practice of law includes his
suspension from public office.
HELD: YES. Practice of law is any activity, in or out of court, which requires the
application of law, legal procedure, knowledge, training and experience.
Work is government that requires the use of legal knowledge is considered practice
of law.
The Supreme Court has the exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the practice of law.
When the Supreme Court orders a lawyer suspended from practice of law, the
lawyer must desist from performing all functions requiring the application of legal
knowledge within the period of suspension. This includes desisting from holding a
position in government requiring the authority to practice of law.