FACTS:

On May 19, 2017, the Office of the Bar Confidant (OBC) received a letter alleging that Ma. Lucille P. Lee (Lee) is a defendant in Civil Case No. 740 and is unfit for admission to the Bar due to her irresponsible attitude towards her monetary obligations. Lee claimed in her Comment that she was unaware of the civil case and had already paid a portion of her debt. It was noted by the OBC that Lee had previously declared in her application for the 2016 Bar Examinations that another civil case was filed against her. Lee filed a petition stating that Civil Case No. 740 had been dismissed and that she had fulfilled her obligation. In a subsequent petition, Lee reiterated the dismissal of Civil Case No. 740 and the discharge of her debt in another case. The OBC recommended that Lee be allowed to retake the Lawyer's Oath and sign the Roll of Attorneys, subject to certain conditions.

ISSUES:

1. Whether Lee should be allowed to retake the Lawyer's Oath and sign the Roll of Attorneys.

RULING:

1. The Court ruled that Lee should be allowed to retake the Lawyer's Oath and sign the Roll of Attorneys, subject to certain conditions. The practice of law is a privilege bestowed by the State, granted only to individuals who possess the required qualifications. Section 2, Rule 138 of the Rules of Court enumerates the minimum requirements for admission to the Bar, including good moral character and the absence of charges involving moral turpitude.

PRINCIPLES:

• The practice of law is a privilege granted by the State only to individuals who possess the qualifications required by law.

• Applicants for admission to the Bar must possess good moral character and must not have charges involving moral turpitude filed against them.