“Jumong”, whose registered name at birth was Jun A. Santos, wanted to earn a living by practicing law despite never having finished a law degree or passing the Bar exams. He discovered from the records of the Office of the Bar Confidant that a certain “Atty. Juanito B. Santos” had passed the Bar but passed away in 1986, Jumong began representing clients in courts, signing pleadings and executing notarized bail bonds under the name and title of “Atty. Juanity Santos.” Following an entrapment operation, Jumong was charged with Usurpation of Official Functions under Article 177 of the RPC. For his defense, Jumong argues that a private lawyer is not a public officer.

Is Jumong guilty of Usurpation of Official Functions? (Bar 2026 Syllabus)