Legal Ethics Compilation

7/21/2019 Legal Ethics Compilation

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Legal Ethics Compilation 2016 (GROUPS 1-3)

Admission to the Practice of Law

he Supreme Court has the po!e" to cont"ol an# "eg$late the p"actice o% la!& h$s' the

Constit$tion' $n#e" "ticle ***' Sec& + (+) p"o,i#es

Sec. 5. The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:

(5) Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading, practice and procedure in all courts, the admission to the practice of law, the

Integrated ar, and legal assistance to the under privileged.

he S$p"eme Co$"t acts th"o$gh a Bar Examination Committee in the E.e"cise o% his

/$#icial %$nction to a#mit can#i#ates to the legal p"o%ession&

The Bar Examination Committee:

• Compose# o% (1) meme" o% the S$p"eme Co$"t !ho acts as Chai"man an# eight ()

meme"s o% the a"&

• he meme"s act as e.amine"s %o" the a" s$/ects !ith one s$/ect assigne# toeach&

• he a" Con#ant acts as a so"t o% liaison o4ce" et!een the co$"t an# the a"

Chai"man on the othe" han#' an# the in#i,i#$al meme"s o% the committee on the

othe"& 5e is at the same time a #ep$t cle"7 o% co$"t&

• #mission o% e.aminees is al!as s$/ect to the nal app"o,al o% the co$"t&

ATTORNEYS A!"#SS#ON TO BAR

!ule "#$

Section ". %ho ma& practice law. ' n& person heretofore dul& admitted as a memer of the

ar, or hereafter admitted as such in accordance with the provisions of this rule, and who is

in good and regular standing, is entitled to practice law.

Sec. *. !e+uirements for all applicants for admission to the ar. 'ver& applicant for

admission as a memer of the ar must e a citi-en of the Philippines, at least twent&'one

&ears of age, of good moral character, and a resident of the Philippines and must produce

efore the Supreme Court satisfactor& evidence of good moral character, and that no

charges against him, involving moral turpitude, have een /led or are pending in an& court

in the Philippines.

Re$uirements for admission to the Bar

• citi8en o% the Philippines

• at least 21 ea"s ol#

• o% goo# mo"al cha"acte"

• Philippine "esi#ent




• P"o#$ction e%o"e the s$p"eme co$"t satis%acto" e,i#ence o%

• goo# mo"al cha"acte"

• no cha"ges against him' in,ol,ing mo"al t$"pit$#e' ha,e een le# o" a"e

pen#ing in an co$"t in the Philippines&

• Re$uirement of %ood "ora& Character: a contin$ing "e9$i"ement: goo# mo"alcha"acte" is not onl a con#ition p"ece#ent %o" a#mission to the legal p"o%ession' $t

it m$st also "emain intact in o"#e" to maintain one;s goo# stan#ing in that e.cl$si,e

an# hono"e# %"ate"nit& (Tapucar vs. Tapucar, "00$)

Additional Requirements

Bar examination

Studied law for four years, and successfully completed all

prescribed courses, in a law school or university, ociallyapproved and recognized by the Secretary of ducation! "he

adavit of the candidate, accompanied by a certi#cate from

the university or school of law, shall be #led as evidence ofsuch facts, and further evidence may be required by the court!

$ompleted the following courses in a law school or university

duly recognized by the government% civil law, commercial law,remedial law, criminal law, public and private international

law, political law, labor and social legislation, medical &urisprudence, taxation and legal ethics!

Examination Su'(ects

• Ci)i& Law

• La'or and Socia& Le*is&ation

• "ercanti&e Law

• Crimina& Law

• Po&itica& Law +Constitutiona& Law, Pu'&ic Corporations, and Pu'&ic O-cers.

• #nternationa& Law +Pri)ate and Pu'&ic.

• Taxation/ Remedia& Law +Ci)i& Procedure, Crimina& Procedure, and E)idence.

• Le*a& Ethics and Practica& Exercises +in P&eadin* and Con)e0ancin*.

Passin* A)era*e

#n order that a candidate ma0 'e deemed to ha)e passed his examinationssuccessfu&&0, he must ha)e o'tained a *enera& a)era*e of 12 per cent in a&&

su'(ects, without fa&&in* 'e&ow 23 per cent in an0 su'(ect4

#n determinin* the a)era*e, the su'(ects in the examination sha&& 'e *i)en the

fo&&owin* re&ati)e wei*hts:

Ci)i& Law 526

La'or and Socia& Le*is&ation 536




"ercanti&e Law 526

Crimina& Law 536

Po&itica& and #nternationa& Law 526

Taxation 536

Remedia& Law 736

Le*a& Ethics and Practica& Exercises 26

Admission to The Bar

Sec4 514 Admission and oath of successful applicants! ' An app&icant who has

passed the re$uired examination, or has 'een otherwise found to 'e entit&ed to

admission to the 'ar, sha&& ta8e and su'scri'e 'efore the Supreme Court the

correspondin* oath of o-ce4

Sec4 594 $erti#cate! ' The Supreme Court sha&& thereupon admit the app&icant as

a mem'er of the 'ar for a&& the courts of the Phi&ippines, and sha&& direct an order

to 'e entered to that eect upon its records, and that a certi;cate of such record'e *i)en to him '0 the c&er8 of court, which certi;cate sha&& 'e his authorit0 to

practice4

Sec4 5<4 Attorneys( roll! ' The c&er8 of the Supreme Court sha&& 8eep a ro&& of a&&

attorne0s admitted to practice, which ro&& sha&& 'e si*ned '0 the person admitted

when he recei)es his certi;cate4

Attorney)s *ath%

+, ------------------, do solemnly swear that will maintain allegiance to theRepublic of the .hilippines/ will support its constitution and obey the laws as

well as the legal orders of the duly constituted authorities therein/ will do no

falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in court/ will not willingly norwittingly promote or sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit, or give aid norconsent to the same/ will delay no man for money or malice, and will conduct

myself as a lawyer according to the best of my 0nowledge and discretion, with allgood #delity as well to the court as to my clients/ and impose upon myself this

voluntary obligations without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion! Sohelp me 1od!2 34orm 56, RR$7

Nature of Law0er=s Oath

• he la!e";s oath is not me"e %acile !o"#s' #"i%t an# hollo!' $t a sac"e# t"$st that

m$st e $phel# an# 7ept in,iolale& (Seastian vs. Calis, "000)

• *t is <O a me"e ce"emon o" %o"malit %o" p"acticing la!& E,e" la!e" sho$l# at all

times !eigh his actions acco"#ing to the s!o"n p"omises he ma#e !hen ta7ing the

la!e";s oath& (In !e: rgosino, "001, In !e: rthur 2. Cuevas, "00$).

The Practice of Law




• he p"actice o% la! is a p"i,ilege g"ante# onl to those !ho possess the SR*C

*<ELLECUL <= >ORL ?UL*@*C*O<S "e9$i"e# o% la!e"s !ho a"e inst"$ments

in the eAecti,e an# e4cient a#minist"ation o% /$stice& (In !e: rgosino, "001)

Non>&aw0ers who ma0 'e authori?ed to appear in court:

• Cases efore the 2TC Pa"t to the litigation' in pe"son OR th"o$gh an agent o"

%"ien# o" appointe# him %o" that p$"pose (Sec. #3, !ule "#$, !!C)

• efore an& other court Pa"t to the litigation' in pe"son (Iid.)

• Criminal case efore the 2TC in a localit& where a dul& licensed memer of the ar is

not availale the /$#ge ma appoint a non-la!e" !ho is

• "esi#ent o% the p"o,ince

• o% goo# "ep$te %o" p"oit an# ailit to ai# the acc$se# in his #e%ense (!ule

""4, Sec. 1, !!C).

• Legal i# P"og"am B senior law student ' !ho is en"olle# in a "ecogni8e# la! school;s

clinical e#$cation p"og"am app"o,e# the s$p"eme Co$"t ma appea" e%o"e an

co$"t !itho$t compensation' to "ep"esent in#igent clients' accepte# the Legal

Clinic o% the la! school& The student shall e under the direct supervision and

control of an IP memer dul& accredited & the law school.

• Un#e" the Lao" co#e' non-la!e"s ma appea" e%o"e the <LRC o" an Lao" "ite"'

i%

• the "ep"esent themsel,es' o" i%

• the "ep"esent thei" o"gani8ation o" meme"s the"eo% (rt ***, P 33*, as

amended).

• Un#e" the Ca#ast"al ct' a non-la!e" can "ep"esent a claimant e%o"e the Ca#ast"al

Co$"t (ct no. **50, Sec. 0).

Pu'&ic O-cia&s who cannot en*a*e in the pri)ate practice of Law in the

Phi&ippines:

1& $#ges an# othe" o4cials as emploees o% the S$p"eme Co$"t (!ule "3$, Sec. #5,

!!C).

2& O4cials an# emploees o% the OSG (Iid.)

3& Go,e"nment p"osec$to"s (People v. 6illanueva, "3 SC! "70).

D& P"esi#ent' ice-P"esi#ent' meme"s o% the cainet' thei" #ep$ties an# assistants (rt.

6III Sec. "5, "0$1 Constitution).

+& >eme"s o% the Constit$tional Commission (rt I8', Sec. *, "0$1 Constitution)

6& Om$#sman an# his #ep$ties (rt. I8, Sec. $ (*nd par), "0$1 Constitution)

& ll go,e"no"s' cit an# m$nicipal mao"s (!.. 9o. 1"47, Sec. 07).

& hose p"ohiite# special la!




Pu'&ic O-cia&s with Restrictions in the Practice of Law:

• <o Senato" as meme" o% the 5o$se o% Rep"esentati,e ma pe"sonall appea" as

co$nsel e%o"e an co$"t o% /$stice as e%o"e the Electo"al "i$nals' as 9$asi-/$#icial

an# othe" a#minist"ation o#ies (rt. 6I, Sec. "3, "0$1 Constitution).

• Un#e" the Local Go,e"nment Co#e (! 1"47, Sec. 0")Sangg$nian meme"s ma

p"actice thei" p"o%essions p"o,i#e# that i% the a"e meme"s o% the a"' the shall

not

• appea" as co$nsel e%o"e an co$"t in an ci,il case !he"ein a local

go,e"nment $nit o" an o4ce' agenc' o" inst"$mentalit o% the go,e"nment is

the a#,e"se pa"t:

• appea" as co$nsel in an c"iminal case !he"ein an o4ce" o" emploee o% the

national o" local go,e"nment is acc$se# o% an oAense committe# in "elation to

his o4ce:

• collect an %ee %o" thei" appea"ance in a#minist"ati,e p"ocee#ings in,ol,ing

the local go,e"nment $nit o% !hich he is an o4cial:

• $se p"ope"t an# pe"sonnel o% the go,e"nment e.cept !hen the Sangg$nian

meme" conce"ne# is #e%en#ing the inte"est o% the go,e"nment&

• Un#e" ! 0"7, Sec. "' as amen#e#' a "eti"e# /$stice o" /$#ge "ecei,ing pension %"om

the go,e"nment' cannot act as co$nsel in an ci,il case in !hich the Go,e"nment' o"

an o% its s$#i,ision o" agencies is the a#,e"se pa"t o" in a c"iminal case !he"ein

an o4ce" o" emploee o% the Go,e"nment is acc$se# o% an oAense in "elation to his

o4ce&

Sec4 734 8uties of Attorneys

o astain %"om all oAensi,e pe"sonalit an# to a#,ance no %act p"e/$#icial to the hono" o""ep$tation o% a pa"t o" !itness' $nless "e9$i"e# the /$stice o% the ca$se !ith !hich he is

cha"ge#:

3g7 9ot to encourage either the commencement or the continuance of an action or proceeding, or delay any man(s cause, from any corrupt motive or interest/

3h7 9ever to re&ect, for any consideration personal to himself, the cause of the

defenseless or oppressed/

3i7 n the defense of a person accused of crime, by all fair and honorable means,

regardless of his personal opinion as to the guilt of the accused, to present everydefense that the law permits, to the end that no person may be deprived of life or liberty, but by due process of law!




LE%AL ET@#CS PROPER

Legal Ethics is a "anch o% mo"al science' !hich t"eats o% the #$ties !hich an atto"ne o!es

to the co$"t' to the client' to his colleag$es in the p"o%ession an# to the p$lic as emo#ie#

in the

• Constit$tion

• R$les o% Co$"t

•Co#e o% P"o%essional Responsiilit

• Canons o% P"o%essional Ethics

• $"isp"$#ence

• >o"al la!s

• Special la!s

Ori*ina& Bases of Le*a& Ethics

• Canons o% P"o%essional Ethics

•

S$p"eme Co$"t =ecisions• Statistics

• Constit$tion

• "eatises an# p$lications

!E#N#T#ON O TER"S




• BAR 4 BENC@

• BAR B Re%e"s to the !hole o# o% atto"nes an# o# o% /$#ges&

• BENC@ B #enotes the !hole o# o% co$nselo"s' collecti,el the meme"s o%

• the legal p"o%ession&

• Practice of Law an acti,it' in o" o$t o% co$"t !hich "e9$i"es the application o%

la!' legal p"oce#$"e' 7no!le#ge' t"aining an# e.pe"ience& o engage in the p"actice

o% la! is to gi,e notice o" "en#e" an 7in# o% se",ice' !hich o" #e,ise o" se",ice

"e9$i"es the $se in an #eg"ee o% legal 7no!le#ge o" s7ill (Ca&etano v. 2onsod, *7"

SC! *"7).

• Attorne0>at>&awDCounse&>at>&awDAttorne0DCounse&D A'o*adoDBoceros: that

class o% pe"sons !ho a"e license# o4ce"s o% the co$"ts' empo!e"e# to appea"

p"osec$te an# #e%en# an# $pon !hom pec$lia" #$ties' "esponsiilities' an# liailities

a"e #e,elope# la! as a conse9$ence (Cui v. Cui, "*7 Phil. 1*0).

• Attorne0 in fact an agent !hose a$tho"it is st"ictl limite# the inst"$ment

appointing him' tho$gh he ma #o things not mentione# in his appointmentnecessa" to the pe"%o"mance o% the #$ties specicall "e9$i"e# o% him the po!e"

o% atto"ne appointing him' s$ch a$tho"it eing necessa"il implie#& 5e is not

necessa"il a la!e"&

• Counse& de *#cio : a co$nsel' appointe# o" assigne# the co$"t' %"om among

meme"s o% the a" in goo# stan#ing !ho' "eason o% thei" e.pe"ience an# ailit'

ma a#e9$atel #e%en# the acc$se#&

• 9ote: *n localities !he"e meme"s o% the a" a"e not a,ailale' the co$"t ma appoint

an pe"son' "esi#ent o% the p"o,ince an# goo# "ep$te %o" p"oit an# ailit' to

#e%en# the acc$se#& Sec. 1, !ule ""4, !ules of Court.

• Attorne0 ad hoc a pe"son name# an# appointe# the co$"t to #e%en# an

asentee #e%en#ant in the s$it in !hich the appointment is ma#e (ienvenu v.

actor;s of Traders Insurance Cp., ## <a.nn.*70)

• Attorne0 of Record one !ho has le# a notice o% appea"ance an# !ho hence is

%o"mall mentione# in co$"t "eco"#s as the o4cial atto"ne o% the pa"t& Pe"son !hom

the client has name# as his agent $pon !hom se",ice o% pape"s ma e ma#e&

(!e&nolds v. !e&nolds, Cal.*d5$7).

• Of Counse& to #isting$ish them %"om atto"nes o% "eco"#' associate atto"nes a"e

"e%e""e# to as Fo% co$nsel (5 m. =ur. *4").

• Lead Counse& he co$nsel on thei" si#e o% a litigate# action !ho is cha"ge# !ith

the p"incipal management an# #i"ection o% a pa"t;s case&

• @ouse Counse& La!e" !ho acts as atto"ne %o" $siness tho$gh ca""ie# as an

emploee o% that $siness an# not as an in#epen#ent la!e"&

• Bar Association B an association o% meme"s o% the legal p"o%ession&

• Ad)ocate he gene"al an# pop$la" name %o" a la!e" !ho plea#s on ehal% o%

someone else&




• Barrister (Englan#) B a pe"son entitle# to p"actice la! as an a#,ocate o" co$nsel in

s$pe"io" co$"t&

• Proctor (Englan#) B @o"me"l' an atto"ne in the a#mi"alt an# ecclesiastical co$"ts

!hose #$ties an# $siness co""espon# to those o% an atto"ne at la! o" solicito" in

Chance"&

• "itulo de Abogado : it means not me"e possession o% the aca#emic #eg"ee o%

achelo" o% La!s $t meme"ship in the a" a%te" #$e a#mission the"eto' 9$ali%ing

one %o" the p"actice o% la!&

T@E CO!E O PROESS#ONAL RESPONS#B#L#TY

%ROP REPORTS

CANONS 5>F

%ROP 5

CANON 5

A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct!

Ru&e 5G9, Section 71, ROC

>The commission of unlawful acts, especiall& crimes involving moral turpitude, acts ofdishonest& in violation of the attorne&;s oath, grossl& immoral conduct and deceit are

grounds for suspension or disarment of law&ers.?

• Peop&e )s4 Tuanda, Adm4 Case No4 GGF3 +Han4 G3, 5<<3)

>The nature of the o@ce of an attorne& at law re+uires that she shall e a person of good

moral character. This +uali/cation is not onl& a condition precedent to an admission to the

practice of law its continued possession is also essential for remaining in the practice of

law.?




Ru&e 5437

A lawyer shall not counsel or abet activities aimed at de#ance of the law or at

lessening con#dence in the legal system!

Canon G7, CPE

F la!e" sho$l# not "en#e" an se",ice o" a#,ice to an client B no matte" ho! po!e"%$l o"impo"tant is the ca$se B !hich !ill in,ol,e #isloalt to the la!s o% the co$nt" !hich he is

o$n# to $phol# an# oe&

Canon 52, CPE

Fhe g"eat t"$st o% the la!e" is to e pe"%o"me# !ithin an# !itho$t the o$n#s o% the la!&

he o4ce o% atto"ne #oes not pe"mit' m$ch less #oes it #eman# o% him an client' ,iolation

o% la! o" an manne" o% %"a$# o" chicane"& 5e m$st oe his o!n conscience an# not that o%

his client&

Ru&e 543G

• A lawyer shall not, for any corrupt motive or interest, encourage any suit or

proceeding or delay any man(s cause!

• RRRH - the oAense o% %"e9$entl e.citing an# sti""ing $p 9$a""els an#

s$its' eithe" at la! o" othe"!ise&

• >UL<CE C5S*<G- g$"ati,el spea7ing' is the la!e"Is act o% chasing an

am$lance ca""ing the ,ictim o% an acci#ent %o" the p$"pose o% tal7ing to the

sai# ,ictim o" "elati,es an# oAe"ing his legal se",ices %o" the ling o% the case

against the pe"son !ho ca$se# the acci#ent&

Temperin* C&ientIs Propensit0 to Liti*ate

• La!e"s Sho$l# <ot e n *nstigato" o% Cont"o,e"s $t a >e#iato" %o" Conco"# an#

Conciliato" %o" Comp"omise

Castaneda ) A*o, F2 SCRA 232

• *t is the #$t o% a co$nsel to a#,ise his client' o"#ina"il a laman to the int"icacies

an# ,aga"ies o% the la!' on the me"it o" lac7 o% me"it o% his case& *% he n#s that his

clientIs ca$se is #e%enseless' then it is his o$n#en #$t to a#,ise the latte" to

ac9$iesce an# s$mit' "athe" than t"a,e"se the incon,e"tile&

• la!e" m$st "esist the !hims an# cap"ices o% his client' an# tempe" his clientIs

p"opensit to litigate&

Sa'urnido )4 "adrono, GFF SCRA 5 +7335.

• la!e" ma e #iscipline# in his p"o%essional an# p"i,ate capacit& he ling o%

m$ltiple complaints "eJects on his tness to e a meme" o% the legal p"o%ession&




• 5is con#$ct o% ,in#icti,eness a #eci#e#l $n#esi"ale t"ait especiall !hen one

"eso"ts to $sing the co$"t not to sec$"e /$stice $t me"el to e.act "e,enge !a""ants

his #ismissal %"om the /$#icia"

Ru&e 543J

• A lawyer shall encourage his clients to avoid, end or settle a controversy if

it will admit of a fair settlement!

• Nature of Compromise> s$ch that a pa"t m$st gi,e $p some o% the "ights he has'

in consi#e"ation o% the same act on the pa"t o% the othe" si#e&

• Settlement of Cases uthori-ed and ncouraged

• <aw&ers 2ust ncourage air Settlement

!e Yaasi ### ) NLRC, 7G5 SCRA 51G +5<<J.

• he $se%$l %$nction o% a la!e" is not onl to con#$ct litigation $t also to a,oi# it

!hene,e" possile a#,ising settlement o" !ithhol#ing s$it&

• 5e sho$l# e a me#iato" %o" conco"# an# conciliato" %o" comp"omise' "athe" than a,i"t$oso o% technicalit in the con#$ct o% litigation&

"e&endre? ) !ecena, 51F SCRA FF7

• la!e" cannot' !itho$t special a$tho"it' comp"omise his clientIs litigation o"

"ecei,e anthing in #ischa"ge o% the clientIs claim $t the %$ll amo$nt in cash&

• comp"omise ente"e# into !itho$t a$tho"it is $nen%o"ceale&

• 5o!e,e"' a la!e" has the e.cl$si,e management o% the p"oce#$"al aspect o% the

litigation incl$#ing the en%o"cement o% "ights an# "eme#ies o% the client&

CANON 7

A lawyer shall ma0e his legal services available in an ecient and convenientmanner compatible with the independence, integrity and e;ectiveness of the

profession!

RLE 7435

la!e" shall not "e/ect' e.cept %o" ,ali# "easons' the ca$se o% the #e%enseless o" theopp"esse#&

Peop&e )s4 @o&*ado, 92 Phi&4 127

• he #$t o% a la!e" to accept the ca$se o% the #e%enseless an# the opp"esse#

empo!e"s the co$"t to "e9$i"e him to "en#e" p"o%essional se",ices to an pa"t in a

case' i% the pa"t is !itho$t means to emplo an atto"ne an# the se",ices o% a

la!e" a"e necessa" to p"otect the "ights o% s$ch pa"t o" sec$"e the en#s o% /$stice




o" to #esignate him as co$nsel #e o4cio %o" an acc$se# i% the latte" is $nale to

emplo a co$nsel #e pa"te&

RLE 7437

*n s$ch cases' e,en i% the la!e" #oes not accept a case' he shall not refuse to render

&e*a& ad)ice to the pe"son conce"ne# i% onl to the necessa" to sa%eg$a"# the latte";s

"ights&

RLE 743G

la!e" shall not #o o" pe"mit to e #one an act #esigne# p"ima"il to solicit legal

$siness&

Rule <=6, Sec! 5>, Rules of $ourt

>The law prohiits law&ers from soliciting cases for the purpose of gain, either personall& or

through paid agents or roAers, and maAes the act malpractice. law&er who agrees with a

non'law&er to divide attorne&;s fees paid & clients supplied or solicited & the non'law&er is

guilt& of malpractice, the same eing a form of solicitation of cases.?

$haracteristics ?egal profession vs! Business

1& #$t o% p$lic se",ice' o% !hich the emol$ment is a -p"o#$ct' an# in !hich one ma

s$stain the highest eminence !itho$t ma7ing m$ch mone:

2& "elation as an Fo4ce" o% the co$"t to the a#minist"ation o% /$stice in,ol,ing tho"o$gh

since"it' integ"it' an# "eliailit:

3& "elation to clients in the highest #eg"ee o% #$cia":

D& "elation to colleag$es at the a" cha"acte"i8e# can#o"' %ai"ness' an# $n!illingness to

"eso"t to c$""ent $siness metho#s o% a#,e"tising an# enc"oachment on thei" p"actice o"

#ealing #i"ectl !ith thei" clients&

&ep )s4 Le*a& C&inic 77G SCRA G19:

"ypes of Advertising 9*" .rohibited

<! .ublication of reputable law lists!

5! "he use of ordinary simple professional card!

=! .ublication or a public announcement of the opening of a law #rm or ofchanges in the partnership, associates, #rm name or oce address, being for

the convenience of the profession!




!irector of Re&i*ious Aairs ) Ba0ot, 1J Phi& 21<

#n re: Ta*orda, 2G Phi&4 G1 +5<7<.

• o allo! a la!e" to a#,e"tise his talent o" s7ill is to comme"ciali8e the p"actice o%

la!' lo!e" the p"o%ession in p$lic con#ence an# lessen his ailit to "en#e"

e4cientl that high cha"acte" o% se",ice to !hich e,e" meme" o% the a" is calle#&

*t;s #est"$cti,e o% the hono" o% a g"eat p"o%ession& *t lo!e"s the stan#a"#s o% that

p"o%ession&

• *t !o"7s against the con#ence o% the comm$nit in the integ"it o% the meme"s o%

the a"& *t




• Res$lts in nee#less litigation an# in incenting to st"i%e othe"!ise peace%$ll incline#

citi8ens&

RLE 743J

• la!e" shall not cha"ge "ates lo!e" than those c$stoma"il p"esc"ie#' $nless the

ci"c$mstances so !a""ant&

$A9*9 =

A lawyer in ma0ing 0nown his legal services shall use only true, honest, fair,

digni#ed and ob&ective information or statement of facts!

RLE G435

la!e" shall not $se o" pe"mit the $se o% an %alse' %"a$#$lent' mislea#ing' #ecepti,e'

$n#ignie#' sel%-la$#ato" o" $n%ai" statement o" claim "ega"#ing his 9$alications o" legal

se",ices&Canon 71 of the Canon of Professiona& Ethics

The canons of the profession that tell the est advertising possile for a law&er is well

merited reputation for professional capacit& and /delit& to trust, which must e earned as

the outcome of character and conduct.

n& false pretense therefore & a law&er intended to defraud, mislead or deceive to tout on

his +uali/cations or +ualit& of his legal services is unethical B whether done & him

personall& or through another with his permission.

The proer of free legal services to the indigent, even when roadcast over the radio or

tendered through circulations of printed matter to the general pulic, oends no ethical

rule.

RLE G437

*n the choice o% a "m name' no %alse' mislea#ing o" ass$me# name shall e $se#& he

contin$e# $se o% the name o% a #ecease# pa"tne" is pe"missile p"o,i#e# that the "m

in#icates in all its comm$nications that sai# pa"tne" is #ecease#&

• g"o$p o% la!e"s !ho #ese",e to estalish a pa"tne"ship %o" gene"al p"actice o% la!

ma a#opt a "m name& 5o!e,e"' no %alse name o" mislea#ing o" ass$me# name




shall e $se# in the "m name a#opte#& <o name not elonging to an o% the

pa"tne"s o" associates ma e $se# in the "m name %o" an p$"pose&

• *% a pa"tne" #ie#' an# contin$e# $se o% the name is #esi"e# the s$",i,ing pa"tne"s'

the name o% the #ecease# ma still e $se#' in all the comm$nications o% the la!

"m' p"o,i#e# the"e is an in#ication that sai# pa"tne" is al"ea# #ea#& he $se o% a

c"oss a%te" the name o% the #ecease# pa"tne" is s$4cient in#ication& *t is a#,isale

tho$gh that the ea" o% the #eath e also in#icate#&

Canon GG of the Canon of Professiona& Ethics:

In the formation of such partnership, no person should e admitted or held out as a

memer who is not a law&er. 9or ma& a group of law&ers hold themselves out as

partners when, in fact, the& are not or when no partnership actuall& eDists.

CASES

B4R4 Se'astian Enterprises #nc4 )s4 Court of Appea&s, 73F SCRA 79

•

=eath o% a pa"tne" #oes not e.ting$ish the client-la!e" "elationship !ith the la!"m&

Antonio )s4 Court of Appea&s, 52G SCRA 2<7

• <egligence o% a meme" in the la! "m is negligence o% the "m& Khen the co$nsel

o% "eco"#s is the La! @i"m' the negligence o% the la!e" assigne# to the case

consisting in his lea,ing %o" a"oa# !itho$t noti%ing his colleag$es is negligence o%

the La! @i"m&

!acana0 )s4 Ba8er "c8en?ie

• @ilipino la!e"s cannot p"actice la! $n#e" the name o% a %o"eign la! "m&

RLE G43G

Khe"e a pa"tne" accepts p$lic o4ce' he shall !ith#"a! %"om the "m an# his name shall e

#"oppe# %"om the "m name $nless the la! allo!s him to p"actice la! conc$""entl&

RA ><@, Section

Name of partner shou&d 'e dropped from the ;rm name when he accepts pu'&ic

o-ce4 #f a partner in a &aw ;rm has accepted a pu'&ic o-ce, his name sha&& 'e

remo)ed from the ;rm name4

Exception :

#f the &aw a&&ows him to practice &aw concurrent&0 whi&e ho&din* the position such

as San**unian mem'ers are su'(ect to certain restrictions

RLE G43J

A &aw0er sha&& not pa0 or *i)e an0thin* of )a&ue to representati)es of the mass

media in anticipation of, or in return for, pu'&icit0 to attract &e*a& 'usiness4

A &aw0er who see8s pu'&icit0 to attract &e*a& 'usiness is de'asin* the &e*a&

profession, especia&&0 so, if he pa0s somethin* of )a&ue for it4




$anon C

A lawyer assigned as counsel for an indigent prisoner must not as0 to beexcused for any trivial reason and should always exert his best e;orts in

his behalf!

Peop&e )s4 @o&*ado, 92 Phi&4 127

• The dut0 of a &aw0er to accept the cause of the defense&ess and the

oppressed empowers the court to re$uire him to render professiona&

ser)ices to an0 part0 in a case, if the part0 is without means to emp&o0 an

attorne0 and the ser)ices of a &aw0er are necessar0 to protect the ri*hts of

such part0 or secure the ends of (ustice or to desi*nate him as counse& de

o-cio for an accused if the &atter is una'&e to emp&o0 a counse& de parte4

$anon D

A lawyer shall 0eep abreast of legal development, participate in

continuing legal education programs, support e;orts to achieve highstandards in law school as well as in the practical training of law students

and assist in disseminating information regarding the law and

&urisprudence! Hurisprudence

• !e Ro0 )s CA, 521 SCRA 121

• Kua&o )s C# of Ce'u, CA>%4R4 no4 71159>R

$anon @




"hese canons shall apply to lawyers in government service in the discharge of their ocial tas0s!

Pu'&ic O-ce

• *ncl$#e electi,e an# appointi,e o4cials an# emploees' pe"manent o" tempo"a"'

!hethe" in the ca"ee" o" non-ca"ee" se",ice' incl$#ing milita" an# police pe"sonnel'

!hethe" o" not the "ecei,e compensation' "ega"#less o% amo$nt& - Sec&3 ()' R

613)

Norms of Conduct

a& Commitment to p$lic inte"est

& P"o%essionalism

c& $stness an# since"it

#& Political ne$t"alit

e& Responsi,eness to the p$lic

%& <ationalism an# pat"iotism

g& Commitment to #emoc"ac

h4 Simple li,ing (Sec& D' R 613.



i4 Co&&antes )s4 Renomeron, 733 SCRA 29J

• *% the la!e";s miscon#$ct in the #ischa"ge o% his o4cial #$ties as go,e"nment o4cial

is o% s$ch a cha"acte" as to aAect his 9$alications as a la!e" o" to sho! mo"al

#elin9$enc' he ma e #iscipline# as a meme" o% the a" on s$ch g"o$n#&

(4

84

&4

m4 Ru&e F435

n& he p"ima" #$t o% a la!e" engage# in p$lic p"osec$tion is not to con,ict $t to

see that /$stice is #one& he s$pp"ession o% %acts o" the concealment o% !itnesses

capale o% estalishing the innocence o% the acc$se# is highl "ep"ehensile an# is

ca$se %o" #isciplina" action&

o4 Suare? )s4 P&aton, F< Phi&4 22F

• he inte"est o% a p"osec$to" in a c"iminal p"osec$tions is not to !in a case $t to seethat /$stice is #one& 5e sho$l# see to it that the acc$se# is gi,en a %ai" an# impa"tial

t"ial an# not #ep"i,e# o% an o% his stat$to" o" constit$tional "ights&

p4 Ru&e F437

9& la!e" in the go,e"nment' shall not $se his p$lic position to p"omote o" a#,ance

his p"i,ate inte"ests' no" allo! the latte" to inte"%e"e !ith his p$lic #$ties&

r4 %on?a&es>Austria, et a& )s4 A'a0a, 51F SCRA FGJ

• la!e" !ho hol#s a go,e"nment o4ce ma not e #iscipline# as a meme" o% the

a" %o" miscon#$ct in the #ischa"ge o% his #$ties as a go,e"nment o4cial& 5o!e,e"' i%

the miscon#$ct o% a go,e"nment is o% s$ch a cha"acte" as to aAect his 9$alication asa la!e" o" to sho! mo"al #elin9$enc' then he ma e #iscipline# as a meme" o%

the a" $pon s$ch g"o$n#&

s4 Enri$ue? Sr4 )s4 @on4 %imene?, 531 Phi&4 <GG

• Unli7e a p"acticing la!e" !ho has the "ight to #ecline emploment' a scal cannot

"e%$se the pe"%o"mance o% his %$nctions on g"o$n#s not p"o,i#e# %o" la! !itho$t

,iolating his oath o% o4ce&

t4 Ru&e F43G

$& la!e" shall not' a%te" lea,ing go,e"nment se",ice' accept engagement o"

emploment in connection !ith an matte" in !hich he ha# inte",ene# !hile in sai#

se",ice&

)4 Section 5, Repu'&ic Act <53

w. >it is a condition of the

pension provided herein that no retiring Eustice or Eudge of a court of record or cit& or

municipal Eudge during the time that he is receiving said pensions shall appear as

counsel in an& court, in an& civil case wherein the Fovernment or an& sudivision or

instrumentalit& thereof is the adverse part&, or in an& criminal case wherein an



o@cer or emplo&ee of the Fovernment is accused of an oense committed in

relation to his o@ce, or collect an& fee for his appearance in an& administrative

proceedings to maintain an interest adverse to the Fovernment, national, provincial

or municipal, or an& of its legall& constituted o@cers.?

x4

04

?4

aa4

a'4

ac4

ad4

ae4CANON 1><

af4 %ROP 7a*4

ah!$A9*9 >

A lawyer shall at all times uphold the integrity and dignity of the legal profession and support the activities of the ntegrated Bar!

ai4 Nun*a )s4 ira0, Adm4 Case No4 J129, Apri& G3, 5<<<.

a(4 @acts #ee# o% asol$te sale !as nota"i8e# the %athe" o% the $e"-mino" !ho is

also the stoc7hol#e" an# legal co$nsel %o" the ,en#o" an# !as not #$l commissione#

as nota" p$lic o% that #ate

•

R$ling a la!e" "ings hono" an# integ"it to the legal p"o%ession %aith%$llpe"%o"ming his #$ties to societ' to the a"' to the co$"ts an# to his clients&

• a meme" o% the legal %"ate"nit sho$l# "e%"ain %"om #oing an act !hich might

lessen in an #eg"ee the con#ence an# t"$st "epose# the p$lic in the #elit'

honest an# integ"it o% the legal p"o%ession&

a84 Canon 7<, CPE

al& 5e sho$l# e.pose !itho$t %ea" o" %a,o" e%o"e the S$p"eme Co$"t co""$pt o"

#ishonest con#$ct in the p"o%ession an# sho$l# accept !itho$t hesitation

emploment against a la!e" !ho has !"onge# his client&

am4 %arrido )4 %arrido

Section 2' R$le 13 o% the R$les o% Co$"t e.p"essl states that a meme" o% the a"

ma e #isa""e# o" s$spen#e# %"om his o4ce as atto"ne the S$p"eme Co$"t %o"'

among othe"s' an #eceit' g"ossl immo"al con#$ct' o" ,iolation o% the oath that he is

"e9$i"e# to ta7e e%o"e a#mission to the p"actice o% la!& *t ea"s to st"ess that

meme"ship in the a" is a p"i,ilege $"#ene# !ith con#itions&

an4Ka*uirre )4 Casti&&o



• he possession o% goo# mo"al cha"acte" is oth a con#ition p"ece#ent an# a

contin$ing "e9$i"ement to !a""ant a#mission to the a" an# to "etain meme"ship in

the legal p"o%ession& *t is the o$n#en #$t o% meme"s o% the a" to o'ser)e the

hi*hest de*ree of mora&it0 in o"#e" to sa%eg$a"# the integ"it o% the a"&

Conse9$entl' an e""ant eha,io" on the pa"t o% a la!e"' e it in the la!e";s p$lic

o" p"i,ate acti,ities' !hich ten#s to sho! sai# la!e" #ecient in mo"al cha"acte"'

honest' p"oit o" goo# #emeano"' is s$4cient to !a""ant s$spension o" #isa"ment&

ao4

ap4 Ru&e 1435

a9& la!e" shall e ans!e"ale %o" 7no!ingl ma7ing a %alse statement o" s$pp"essing

a mate"ial %act' in connection !ith his application %o" a#mission to the a"&

ar4 #n re Ramon %a&an*, FF SCRA 797

• hat the concealment o% an atto"ne in his application to ta7e the a" e.aminations

o% the %act that he ha# een cha"ge# !ith' o" in#icte# %o" an allege# c"ime' as a

g"o$n# %o" "e,ocation o% his license to p"actice la!' is !ell settle#&

as&

at4 Ru&e 5G9, Sec4 5G, RRC

• <o can#i#ate shall en#ea,o" to inJ$ence an meme" o% the committee' an# #$"ing

e.aminations the can#i#ates shall not comm$nicate !ith each othe" no" shall the

gi,e o" "ecei,e an assistance& he can#i#ates !ho ,iolates this p"ohiition o" an

othe" p"o,ision o% this "$le' shall e a""e# %"om the e.amination' an# the same to

co$nt as a %ail$"e against him' an# %$"the" #isciplina" action' incl$#ing pe"manent

#is9$alication' ma e ta7en in the #isc"etion o% the co$"t&

au4Leda )s Att0 Ta'an*

• *ss$e Khethe" o" not tt& aang ,iolate# R$le &01 o% Canon o% the Co#eo% P"o%essional Responsiilit&

• R$ling he Co$"t hel# that "espon#ent;s #ecla"ation in his application %o"

#mission to the 1M1a" E.aminations that he !as NsingleN !as a g"oss

mis"ep"esentation o% a mate"ial %act ma#e in $tte" a# %aith' %o" !hich he sho$l# e

ma#e ans!e"ale&

a)4 Ru&e 14374

a!& la!e" shall not s$ppo"t the application %o" a#mission to the a" o% an pe"son

7no!n him to e $n9$alie# in "espect to cha"acte"' e#$cation' o" othe" "ele,ant

att"i$te&

ax4Canon 7<, CPE

• la!e" sho$l# ai# in g$a"#ing the a" against a#mission to the p"o%ession o%

can#i#ates $nt o" $n9$alie# %o" eing #ecient in eithe" mo"al cha"acte" o"

e#$cation& P$lic polic "e9$i"es that the p"actice o% la! e limite# to those

in#i,i#$als %o$n# #$l 9$alie# in e#$cation an# cha"acte"& he pe"missi,e "ight

con%e""e# on the la!e" is an in#i,i#$al an# limite# p"i,ilege s$/ect to !ith#"a!al i%

he %ails to maintain p"ope" stan#a"#s o% mo"al an# p"o%essional con#$ct&



a04 Ru&e 143G4

a8& la!e" shall not engage# in con#$ct that a#,e"sel "eJects on his tness to

p"actice la!' no" shall he' !hethe" in p$lic o" p"i,ate li%e' eha,e in a scan#alo$s

manne" to the #isc"e#it o% the legal p"o%ession&

'a4

''4 "e&endre? )s4 !ecena,

51F SCRA FF7

• la!e" !ho commits an $nla!%$l act tho$gh not "elate# to the #ischa"ge o% his

p"o%essional #$ties as a meme" o% the a"' !hich p$ts his mo"al cha"acte" is se"io$s

#o$t' "en#e"s him $nt to contin$e in the p"actice o% la!&

'c4 #n re: Pe&ae?, JJ Phi&4

2F1

• he g"o$n#s %o" #isciplina" actions en$me"ate# $n#e" the R$les o% Co$"t a"e not

e.cl$si,e an# a"e so "oa# as to co,e" p"acticall an miscon#$ct o% a la!e" in his

p"o%essional o" p"i,ate capacit&

• To&o?a )s4 Car*o, 515 SCRA 75

#& s o4ce"s o% the co$"t'

la!e"s m$st not onl in %act e o% goo# mo"al cha"acte" $t also e seen o% goo#

mo"al cha"acte" an# lea#ing li,es in acco"#ance !ith the highest mo"al stan#a"#s o%

the comm$nit&

be!

bf!

bg! $A9*9 6

A lawyer shall conduct himself with courtesy, fairness and candor toward his professional colleagues, and shall avoid harassing tactics against opposing counsel

bh!

• he gol#en "$le is m$ch mo"e nee#e# in the legal p"o%ession than in an othe"

p"o%ession %o" a ette" a#minist"ation o% /$stice&

'i4 Yu&o )s4 Yan* Chiao Sen*, 53F Phi&4 553 (5<2<.

• 5e sho$l# not ta7e a#,antage o% the e.c$sale $np"epa"e#ness o" asence o%

co$nsel #$"ing the t"ial o% a case&

'(4 Canon <, CPE 75

• la!e" sho$l# not in an !a comm$nicate $pon the s$/ect o% cont"o,e"s !ith a

pa"t "ep"esente# co$nsel' m$ch less sho$l# he $n#e"ta7e to negotiate o"

comp"omise the matte" !ith him' $t sho$l# #eal onl !ith his co$nsel&

'84 Ru&e 94354

l& la!e" shall not' in his p"o%essional #ealings' $se lang$age !hich is a$si,e'

oAensi,e o" othe"!ise imp"ope"&



• A4B4A4 Op4 51 +Han4 7G, 5<G3.

• he %act that one o% them con#$cts himsel% imp"ope"l #oes not "elie,e the othe"

%"om the p"o%essional oligation in his "elation !ith him&

'm4

'n4 Report of #BPCommittee, p4 J5

• n 7in# o% lang$age !hich attac7s !itho$t %o$n#ation an# integ"it o% the opposing

co$nsel o" the #ignit o% the co$"t ma e st"ic7en oA the "eco"#s o" ma s$/ect a

la!e" to #isciplina" action&

'o4#n re: %ome?, JG Phi&4 G1F

• la!e" !ho $ses intempe"ate' a$si,e' a"asi,e o" th"eatening lang$age po"t"as

#is"espect to the co$"t' #isg"aces the a" an# in,ites the e.e"cise the co$"t o% its

#isciplina" po!e"&

'p4 #n re: C&imaco, 22 SCRA

531

• la!e";s lang$age sho$l# e %o"ce%$l $t #ignie#' emphatic $t "espect%$l as

etting an a#,ocate an# in 7eeping !ith the #ignit o% the legal p"o%ession&

'$4 Nationa& Securit0 Co4

)s4 Har)is

• he la!e";s a"g$ments' !hethe" !"itten o" o"al' sho$l# e g"acio$s to oth the

co$"t an# opposing co$nsel an# e o% s$ch !o"#s as ma e p"ope"l a##"esse#

one gentleman to anothe"&

'r4

's4

't4

'u4

,& Ru&e 9437

!& la!e" shall not' #i"ectl o" in#i"ectl' enc"oach $pon the p"o%essional emploment

o% anothe" la!e": ho!e,e"' it is the "ight o% the la!e"' !itho$t %ea" o" %a,o"' to gi,e

p"ope" a#,ice an# assistance to those see7ing "elie% against $n%aith%$l o" neglect%$l

co$nsel&

• la!e" sho$l# not steal the othe" la!e";s client no" in#$ce the latte" to "etain him

a p"omise o% ette" se",ice' goo# "es$lt o" "e#$ce# %ees %o" his se",ices& <eithe"

sho$l# he #ispa"age anothe"' ma7e compa"isons o" p$lici8e his talent as a means to

%eathe" his la! p"actice&

'x4Laput )s4 Remoti*ue, F SCRA J2 +5<F7.

• *t is' ho!e,e"' the "ight o% a la!e"' !itho$t %ea" o" %a,o"' to gi,e p"ope" a#,ice to

those see7ing "elie% against $n%aith%$l o" neglect%$l co$nsel& 5e ma p"ope"l accept

emploment to han#le a matte" !hich has een p"e,io$sl han#le# anothe"



la!e"' p"o,i#e# that the othe" la!e" has een gi,en notice the client that his

se",ices ha,e een te"minate#&

'04 #n re: Soriano, GG SCRA 935 +5<13.

• e%o"e ta7ing o,e" a case han#le# a pee" in the a"' a la!e" is en/oine# to otain

the con%o"mit o% the co$nsel !hom he !o$l# s$stit$te& n# i% this cannot e ha#'

then he sho$l#' at the ,e" least' gi,e notice to s$ch la!e" o% the contemplate#

s$stit$tion& 5is ent" o% appea"ance in the case !itho$t the consent o% the "st

la!e" amo$nts to an imp"ope" enc"oachment $pon the p"o%essional emploment o%

the o"iginal co$nsel&

8&

ca4 #n re: C&emente "4 Soriano, GG SCRA 935 +5<13.

• la!e" !ho has ac9$i"e# 7no!le#ge o% the malp"actices o% a meme" o% a a"' has

the #$t to the p$lic an# to the legal p"o%ession to in%o"m the S$p"eme Co$"t o" the

*P o% s$ch malp"actices to the en# that the malp"actitione" e p"ope"l #iscipline#&

c'4Canon 1, CPE

• client;s p"oAe" o% assistance o% a##itional co$nsel sho$l# not e "ega"#e# as

e,i#ence o% !ant o% con#ence' $t the matte" sho$l# e le%t to the #ete"mination o%

the client& 5e sho$l# #ecline association as a colleag$e i% it is o/ectionale to the

o"iginal co$nsel' $t i% the la!e" "st "etaine# is "elie,e#' he ma come into the

case&

cc!

cd!

ce!

cf!

cg!

ch!

ci!

c&!

c0!

cl! $A9*9

cm! A lawyer shall not,

directly or indirectly, assist in the unauthorized practice of law!

cn!

co!Rule ><, sec!= 3e7, Revised Rules of $ourt

• he act o% p"eten#ing o" ass$ming to e an atto"ne o" an o4ce" o% the co$"t an#

acting as s$ch !itho$t a$tho"it is p$nishale !ith contempt o% co$"t& he la!e"

!ho assists in an $na$tho"i8e# p"actice o% la! !hethe" #i"ectl o" in#i"ectl is s$/ect

to #isciplina" action&



cp4 Ru&e <435

• la!e" shall not #elegate to an $n9$alie# pe"son the pe"%o"mance o% an tas7

!hich la! ma onl e pe"%o"me# a meme" o% the a" in goo# stan#ing&

c$4%u'a&&a )s4 Ca*uioa, 19 SCRA G37

• la!e" is p"ohiite# %"om ta7ing as pa"tne" o" associate an pe"son !ho is nota$tho"i8e# to p"actice la! B to appea" in co$"t o" to sign plea#ings& la!e"' !ho is

$n#e" s$spension %"om p"actice o% la! is not a meme" o% the a" in goo# stan#ing&

la!e" !hose a$tho"it to p"actice has een !ith#"a!n #$e to a change in citi8enship

o" allegiance to the co$nt" cannot appea" e%o"e the co$"ts&

cr4 Comments of #BP Committee, pp4 J1>J9

• la!e" can emplo la sec"eta"ies' la in,estigato"s' la #etecti,es' la

"esea"che"s' acco$ntants o" non-la!e" #"a%tsmen' to $n#e"ta7e an tas7 not

in,ol,ing p"actice o% la!& 5e ma also a,ail himsel% o% the assistance o% la! st$#ents

in man o% the el#s o% the la!e";s !o"7' s$ch as the e.amination o% a case la!'

n#ing an# inte",ie!ing !itness' e.amining co$"t "eco"#s' #eli,e"ing pape"s' an#

simila" matte"s&

cs&

ct4 Ru&e <4374

c$& la!e" shall not #i,i#e o" stip$late a %ee %o" legal se",ice !ith pe"sons not license#

to p"actice la!' e.cept

c)4

a4 where there is a pre>existin* a*reement with the partner or associate

that, upon the &atter=s death, mone0 sha&& 'e paid o)er a reasona'&e period

of time to his estate or to persons speci;ed in the a*reement/ or

'4 where a &aw0er underta8es to comp&ete un;nished &e*a& 'usiness of a

deceased &aw0er/ or

c4 where the &aw0er or &aw ;rm inc&udes non>&aw0er emp&o0ees in a

retirement p&an, e)en if the p&an is 'ased in who&e as in part, on a pro;t>

sharin* arran*ement4

cw4 i)e H Taxi )4 NLRC As a

non>&aw0er,

• P$lia is not entitle# to atto"ne;s %ees e,en tho$gh he is the a$tho"i8e#

"ep"esentati,e o% the "espon#ents to the <LRC& he e.istence o% an atto"ne;s %ee

imp$tes an atto"ne-client "elationship& his cannot happen et!een P$lia an#

"espon#ents&

cx4

c04

c?4

da4

d'4 CANON 53>5G



dc4%ROP G

dd! $A9*9 <

A lawyer owes candor, fairness and good faith to the court!

de!EA lawyer is an ocer of the court exercising a privilege, which isindispensable in the administration of &ustice!

df! E$ourts are entitled to expect only complete honesty from lawyersappearing before them!

dg! E?i0e the court itself, heis an instrument to advance its ends : the speedy, ecient, and impartial

ad&udication of cases!

dh! Rule <!<

la!e" shall not #o an %alsehoo#' no" consent to the #oing o% an in Co$"t' no"

shall he mislea# o" allo! the Co$"t to e misle# an a"tice

A lawyer swore, upon his admission to the practice, that he will do no

falsehood and conduct himself according to the best of his 0nowledge anddiscretion with all good #delity to the court and to his client/ never to see0to mislead the courts by an arti#ce or false statement of fact or law!

A lawyer should not conceal the truth from the court, nor mislead the court

in any manner no matter how demanding his duties to his client may be! 9o client is entitled to receive from the lawyer any service involving

dishonesty to the courts! A lawyer should neither endeavor by dishonest means to mislead the court

or the adverse party nor ma0e false allegations in a pleading!

t is improper for counsel of the accused to as0 him to plead guilty to an

o;ense which counsel 0nows his client did not commit!

di! $ase%

d&! A S"A"F9" BG "H 4A$I?"G *4

d0!"H I9JRS"G *4 "H .H?..9S $*??1 *4 ?AK

dl! *9 "H A??1A"*9S *4 .?A1ARSF A98 FSR.RS9"A"*9

dm! 9 "H SI.RF $*IR"

#n& Fhe act$al conce"n o% the Co$"t !as to #ete"mine "espon#ents; e.planations

!hethe" o" not "espon#ent meme"s o% the a" ha,e c"osse# the line o% #ecenc an#

acceptale p"o%essional con#$ct an# speech an# ,iolate# the R$les o% Co$"t th"o$gh

imp"ope" inte",ention o" inte"%e"ence as thi"# pa"ties to a pen#ing case&

#o& he Co$"t co$l# ha"#l pe"cei,e an "easonale p$"pose %o" the %ac$lt;s less thano/ecti,e comments e.cept to #isc"e#it the p"il 2' 2010 =ecision in the in$a

case an# $n#e"mine the Co$"t;s honest' integ"it an# competence in a##"essing the

motion %o" its "econsi#e"ation& his "$ns cont"a" to thei" oligation as la! p"o%esso"s

an# o4ce"s o% the Co$"t to e the "st to $phol# the #ignit an# a$tho"it o% this

Co$"t' to !hich the o!e #elit acco"#ing to the oath the ha,e ta7en as atto"nes'

an# not to p"omote #ist"$st in the a#minist"ation o% /$stice&



#p& *n s$m' the Co$"t li7e!ise n#s =ean Leonen;s Compliance $nsatis%acto" %o"

s$mitting a N#$mmN that !as not a t"$e an# %aith%$l "ep"o#$ction o% the signe#

Statement& 5o!e,e"' the Co$"t is !illing to asc"ie these isolate# lapses in /$#gment

o% =ean Leonen to his misplace# 8eal in p$"s$it o% his o/ecti,es& *n #$e consi#e"ation

o% =ean Leonen;s p"o%esse# goo# intentions' the Co$"t #eems it s$4cient to

a#monish =ean Leonen %o" %ailing to ose",e %$ll can#o" an# honest in his #ealings

!ith the Co$"t as "e9$i"e# $n#e" Canon 10&

dq!

dr4 Ru&e 53437

ds. law&er shall not Anowingl& mis+uote or misrepresent the contents of a paper, the

language or argument of opposing counsel, or the teDt of a decision or authorit&, or

Anowingl& cite as law a provisional read& rendered inoperative & repeal or

amendment, or assert as a fact that which has not een proved.

#n citin* the CourtIs decisions and ru&in*s, it is the 'ounden dut0 of courts,

(ud*es and &aw0ers to reproduce or cop0 the same word>for>word and

punctuation mar8>for>punctuation mar8

dt4 #nsu&ar Life Assurance Co4 Emp&o0ees Association )4 #nsu&ar Life Assurance

Co4 G1 SCRA 7JJ

• Onl %"om the S$p"eme Co$"t;s #ecisions an# "$lings #o all othe" co$"ts' as !ell as

la!e"s an# litigants' ta7e thei" ea"ings& his is eca$se the #ecisions "e%e""e# to in

"ticle o% the Ci,il Co#e !hich "ea#s' F$#icial #ecisions appling o" inte"p"eting the

la!s o" the Constit$tion shall %o"m a pa"t o% the legal sstem o% the Philippines&

du4 CO"ELEC )4 NOYNAY

7<7 SCRA 72J

• la!e" !ho #elie"atel ma#e it appea" that the 9$otations in his motion %o"

"econsi#e"ation !e"e n#ings o% the S$p"eme Co$"t' !hen the !e"e /$st pa"t o% thememo"an#$m o% the Co$"t #minist"ato"' an# !ho misspelle# the name o% the

complainant an# ma#e the !"ong citation o% a$tho"it is g$ilt o% ,iolation o% R$le

10&02 o% the Co#e&

d)4A!EK REALTY )s4 CA 752 SCRA G35 +5<<7.

• he legal p"o%ession #eman#s that all la!e"s tho"o$ghl go o,e" plea#ings' motions'

an# othe" #oc$ments #ictate# o" p"epa"e# them' tpe# o" t"ansc"ie# thei"

sec"eta"ies o" cle"7s' e%o"e ling them !ith the co$"t& *% a client is o$n# the acts

o% his co$nsel' !ith mo"e "easons sho$l# co$nsel e o$n# the acts o% his

sec"eta" !ho me"el %ollo!s his o"#e"s&

dw4 Ru&e 5343G

#.& la!e" shall ose",e the "$les o% p"oce#$"e an# shall not mis$se them to #e%eat the

en#s o% /$stice&

d04"acias )4 0 im J2 SCRA 725 +5<13.

• @iling o% m$ltiple petitions constit$tes a$se o% the co$"t;s p"ocesses&

d?4Pepsi Co&a Products Phi&s4, #nc4 )4 CA 7<< SCRA 259



• /$#icio$s st$# o% the %acts an# the la! sho$l# a#,ise them !hen a case sho$l# not

e pe"mitte# to e le# to me"el cl$tte" the al"ea# congeste# /$#icial #oc7ets&

he #o not a#,ance the ca$se o% la! o" thei" clients commencing litigations that

%o" shee" lac7 o% me"it #o not #ese",e the attention o% the co$"ts&

ea4%ome? )s4 Presidin* Hud*e 7J< SCRA JG7 +5<<2.

• s an o4ce" o% the co$"t' a la!e" sho$l# not mis$se the "$les o% p"oce#$"e to #e%eat

the en#s o% /$stice o" $n#$l #ela o" impe#e the e.ec$tion o% nal /$#gment'

othe"!ise he ma e s$/ecte# to #isciplina" sanctions&

e'4BANO%ON )4 KERNA 52J SCRA 2<G

• La!e"s m$st not intentionall mis"ea# no" misinte"p"et the la! to the point o%

#isto"tion in c$nning eAo"t to achie,e thei" p$"pose&

ec!

ed!$A9*9 <<

ee!A ?AKGR SHA?? *BSRJ A98 FA9"A9 "H RS.$" 8I "* "H$*IR"S A98 "* LI8$A? *44$RS A98 SH*I?8 9SS" *9 SF?AR

$*98I$" BG *"HRS!

ef4 Ru&e 55435

eg& la!e" shall appea" in co$"t p"ope"l atti"e#&

Traditiona& attires +5. "a&es: Lon*>s&ee)e Baron* Ta*a&o* or coat and tie +7.

ema&es: Semi>forma& attires4 +G. Hud*es a&so appear in the same attire in

addition to '&ac8 ro'es4

Courts ha)e ordered a ma&e attorne0 to wear a nec8tie and ha)e prohi'ited

a fema&e attorne0 from wearin* a hat4 @owe)er, the permission of a dress

with a hem&ine ;)e inches a'o)e the 8nee was he&d to 'e accepta'&e as

such Mhad 'ecome an accepted mode of dress e)en in p&aces of worship

A*uirre

A &aw0er who dresses improper&0 ma0 'e cited with contempt +A*pa&o.

eh4 Ru&e 55437

ei& la!e" shall p$nct$all appea" at co$"t hea"ings&

e(4 "AR#A LOR!ES PARE!ES>%ARC#A )s4 CORT O APPEALS and @ON4

ESCOLAST#CO "4 CRK, HR4

• s a la!e"' she is o$n# he" oath to con#$ct he"sel% as a la!e" acco"#ing to the

est o% he" 7no!le#ge an# #isc"etion !ith all goo# #elit as !ell to the co$"ts as to

he" client& She sho$l# ne,e" %o"get that p$nct$alit is not onl a p"actice man#ate# the Co#e o% P"o%essional Responsiilit 3D an# Canons o% P"o%essional Ethics'3+

it is a ,i"t$e !hich m$st e %aith%$ll maintaine# as pa"t o% he" cont"i$tion in the

tas7 o% ens$"ing a spee#' e4cient' an# eAecti,e a#minist"ation o% /$stice& *% the

petitione" then ha# committe# a "each o% he" #$t to the co$"t she sho$l#

acco"#ingl e #ealt !ith $t in acco"#ance !ith estalishe# p"oce#$"e& he "ight to

#o so is he"e "ese",e# to the "espon#ent $#ge&

• She sho$l# ne,e" %o"get that p$nct$alit is not onl a p"actice man#ate# the Co#e

o% P"o%essional Responsiilit an# Canons o% P"o%essional Ethics' it is a ,i"t$e !hich



m$st e %aith%$ll maintaine# as pa"t o% he" cont"i$tion in the tas7 o% ens$"ing a

spee#' e4cient' an# eAecti,e a#minist"ation o% /$stice& *% the petitione" then ha#

committe# a "each o% he" #$t to the co$"t she sho$l# acco"#ingl e #ealt !ith $t

in acco"#ance !ith estalishe# p"oce#$"e& he "ight to #o so is he"e "ese",e# to

the "espon#ent $#ge&

e0!e&4 Ru&e 5543G

em& la!e" shall astain %"om

scan#alo$s' oAensi,e o" menacing lang$age o" eha,io" e%o"e the Co$"ts&

en!Ludge Rene B! Baculi vs Atty! Felchor A! Battung

• Commissione" =e la Rama %o$n# that the "espon#ent %aile# to ose",e Canon 11 o%

the Co#e o% P"o%essional Responsiilit that "e9$i"es a la!e" to ose",e an#

maintain "espect #$e the co$"ts an# /$#icial o4ce"s&

• Khat the "espon#ent sho$l# ha,e #one !as to le an action e%o"e the O4ce o% the

Co$"t #minist"ato" i% he elie,e# that $#ge ac$li #i# not act acco"#ing to the

no"ms o% /$#icial con#$ct&

eo4

ep4 Ru&e 5543J

e9& la!e" shall not att"i$te to a /$#ge moti,es not s$ppo"te# the "eco"# o" ha,ing

no mate"ialit to the case&

er4 Ka&di)ar )4 %on?a&es +5<9<.

• he ca"#inal con#ition o% all s$ch c"iticism is that it shall e ona #e' an# not spill

o,e" the !all o% #ecenc an# p"op"iet&

es4%o )4 A'ro*ar, J92 SCRA J21

• n se"io$s acc$sation against a /$#icial o4ce" that is $tte"l aseless'

$ns$stantiate# an# $n/$stie# shall not e co$ntenance#&

et4 Ru&e 55432

e$& la!e" shall s$mit g"ie,ances against a $#ge to the p"ope" a$tho"ities onl&

e,& la!e" can #eman# that the miseha,io" o% a /$#ge e p$t on "eco"#&

e!&La!e"s m$st e co$"ageo$s eno$gh to e.pose a"it"a"iness an# in/$stice o% co$"ts

an# /$#ges&

e.& la!e" ma s$mit g"ie,ances against /$#ges in the S$p"eme Co$"t' Om$#sman'o" Cong"ess (%o" impeachment o% SC /$#ges onl)&

e04

e?4R#%@TS AN! !T#ES O A LAQYER TO CR#T#C#KE CORTS

%a& 1& he %act that a pe"son is a la!e" #oes not #ep"i,e him o% the "ights' en/oe#

e,e" citi8en' to comment on an# c"itici8e the act$ations o% a /$#ge s$/ect to ethical

stan#a"#&



%& 2& he co$"t' in a pen#ing litigation: m$st e shiel#e# %"om ema""assment o"

inJ$ence in its all-impo"tant #$t o% #eci#ing the case& Once litigation is concl$#e#'

the /$#ge !ho #eci#e# it is s$/ect to the same c"iticisms as an othe" p$lic o4cial

eca$se his "$ling ecomes p$lic p"ope"t an# is th"o!n open to p$lic

cons$mption&

%c& 3& *t is the ca"#inal con#ition o% all s$ch c"iticism that it shall e ona #e' an# shallnot spill o,e" the !alls o% #ecenc an# p"op"iet&

%#& D& he #$t o% the a" to s$ppo"t the /$#ge against $n/$st c"iticism an# clamo" #oes

not' ho!e,e"' p"ecl$#e a la!e" %"om ling a#minist"ati,e complaints against e""ing

/$#ges o" %"om acting as co$nsel %o" clients !ho ha,e legitimate g"ie,ances against

them& $t the la!e" sho$l# le cha"ges against the /$#ge e%o"e the p"ope"

a$tho"ities onl an# onl a%te" the p"ope" ci"c$mspection an# !itho$t the $se o%

#is"espect%$l lang$age an# oAensi,e pe"sonalities so as not to $n#$l $"#en the

co$"t in the #ischa"ge o% its %$nction&

fe!

;!

fg!

fh!

#!

f&!

f0!

M! $A9*9 <5

fm! +A lawyer shall exert

every e;ort and consider it his duty to assist in the speedy and ecient administration of &ustice!2

fn4 5<91 Constitution, Art4 ###, Sec F4

fo4 Ru&es of Court, Ru&e 5G9, Sec 73+*.4

fp4 !uties of attorne0s4

f$4 A&& persons sha&& ha)e the ri*ht to a speed0 disposition of their cases 'efore

a&& (udicia&, $uasi>(udicia&, or administrati)e 'odies

fr4 #T #S T@E !TY O AN ATTORNEY:

fs4 Si0 Lim )4 "ontano +733F.

%t& g) not to enco$"age eithe" the commencement o" the contin$ance o% an action o"

p"ocee#ing o" #ela an man;s ca$se %"om an co""$pt moti,e o" inte"est& he ling

o% anothe" action containing the same s$/ect matte"' in ,iolation o% the #oct"ine o%

"es /$#icata' "$ns cont"a" to this Canon&

fu4 Ru&e 57435



%,& la!e" shall not appea" %o" t"ial $nless he has a#e9$atel p"epa"e# himsel% on the

la! an# the %acts o% his case' the e,i#ence he !ill a##$ce an# the o"#e" o% its

p"e%e"ence& 5e sho$l# also e "ea# !ith the o"iginal #oc$ments %o" compa"ison !ith

the copies&

Kithout adequate preparation, the lawyer may not be able to e;ectively

assist the court in the ecient administration of &ustice!

fw!

fx! 9on'observance of this rule might result in%

%& (a) he postponement o% the p"e-t"ial o" hea"ing' !hich !o$l# th$s entail #ela in the

ea"l #isposition o% the case

%8& () he /$#ge ma consi#e" the client non-s$ite# o" in #e%a$lt

ga& (c) he /$#ge ma consi#e" the case #eeme# s$mitte# %o" #ecision !itho$t client;s

e,i#ence' to his p"e/$#ice& gpalo

*'4 "artin= s Le*a& Ethics,

p4 J1, 5<99 ed4

• 5al% o% the !o"7 o% the la!e" is #one in the o4ce& *t is spent in the st$# an#

"esea"ch& *na#e9$ate p"epa"ation ost"$cts the a#minist"ation o% /$stice&

*c4i&&asis )4 CA +5<1J.

• ne!l hi"e# co$nsel !ho appea"s in a case in the mi#st"eam is p"es$me# an#

olige# to ac9$aint himsel% !ith all the antece#ent p"ocesses an# p"ocee#ings that

ha,e t"anspi"e# in the "eco"# p"io" to his ta7eo,e"&

*d4 Ru&e 5743G

ge& la!e" shall not' a%te" otaining e.tensions o% time to le plea#ings' memo"an#a o""ie%s' let the pe"io# lapse !itho$t s$mitting the same o" oAe"ing an e.planation %o"

his %ail$"e to #o so&

*f4 ARSEN#A T4 BER%ON#A )s4 Att04 ARSEN#O A4 "ERRERA A4C4 No4 237J4

e'ruar0 73, 733G

• la!e" !ho "e9$ests an e.tension m$st #o so in goo# %aith an# !ith a gen$ine

intent to le the "e9$i"e# plea#ing !ithin the e.ten#e# pe"io#& *n g"anting the

"e9$est' the co$"t acts on the p"es$mption that the applicant has a /$stiale "eason

%o" %ailing to compl !ith the pe"io# allo!e#& Kitho$t this implie# t"$st' the motion

%o" e.tension !ill e #eeme# to e a me"e "$se to #ela o" th!a"t the appeale#

#ecision& he motion !ill th$s e "ega"#e# as a means o% p"e,enting the /$#gment

%"om attaining nalit an# e.ec$tion an# o% enaling the mo,ant to t"iJe !ithp"oce#$"e an# moc7 the a#minist"ation o% /$stice&

**4 "ari)e&es )4 "a&&ari

A4"4 No4 G7<J4 e'ruar0 51, 5<<G4

• N*t is t"$e that the %ail$"e o% co$nsel to le "ie% %o" the appellant !hich le# to the

#ismissal o% the appeal #oes not necessa"il !a""ant the "einstatement the"eo%&

5o!e,e"' !he"e the negligence o% co$nsel is so g"eat that the "ights o% the acc$se#



a"e p"e/$#ice# an# he is p"e,ente# %"om p"esenting his #e%ense' especiall !he"e the

appellant "aises iss$es !hich place in se"io$s #o$t the co""ectness o% the t"ial

co$"t;s /$#gment o% con,iction' the a%o"esai# "$le m$st not e "igi#l applie# to a,oi#

a misca""iage o% /$stice& hese teachings o% /$"isp"$#ence a"e p"esent in the case at

a"&

gh! $A9*9 <=gi! A lawyer shall rely upon the merits of his cause and refrain from any

impropriety which tends to inMuence or gives the appearance of inMuencingthe court!

*(4 Ru&e 5G435

*84A &aw0er sha&& not extend extraordinar0 attention or hospita&it0 to, nor see8

opportunit0 for cu&ti)atin* fami&iarit0 with Hud*es4

*&4 Code of Professiona& Ethics Canon G

• la!e" sho$l# a,oi# ma"7e# attention an# $n$s$al hospitalit to a /$#ge $ncalle#

%o" the pe"sonal "elations o% the pa"ties eca$se the s$/ect him an# the /$#ge tomisconceptions o% moti,es&

*m4 Report of #BP

Committee, pa*e 13

• *n o"#e" not to s$/ect oth the /$#ge an# the la!e" to s$spicion' the common

p"actice o% some la!e"s o% ma7ing /$#ges an# p"osec$to"s go#%athe"s o% thei"

chil#"en to enhance thei" inJ$ence an# thei" la! p"actice sho$l# e a,oi#e# the

/$#ges an# la!e"s ali7e&

*n4 ASTR#A 4 "ASAEL

+5<F1.

#t is improper for a &iti*ant or counse& to see a (ud*e in cham'ers and ta&8

to him a'out a matter re&ated to the case pendin* in the court of said

(ud*e4

*o4

*p4

*$4

*r4

*s4 Ru&e 5G437

gt& la!e" shall not ma7e p$lic statements in the me#ia "ega"#ing a pen#ing caseten#ing to a"o$se p$lic opinion %o" o" against the pa"t

*u4 Suspention of Ro*e&io

K4 Ba*a'u0o, former senior state procecutor A!"4 Case 133F "indanao

%o&d Star !ai&0> Au*ust 59,733G

g,& N Senio" p"ocec$to" lamasts S$"igao /$#ge %o" allo!ing m$"#e" s$spect to ail o$tF



g!&Senio" state p"ocec$to" Rogelio aga$o lamaste# $#ge >an$el an o% RC "anch

2M ase# in S$"igao Cit %o" "$ling on a motion that so$ght a ailon# %o" L$is Pla8a

!ho stan#s cha"ge !ith m$"#e" o% a policeman&&&

g.& aga$o sai# he !o$l# contest ans #ecision e%o"e the Co$"t o% ppeals an# !o$l#

le c"iminal an# a#minist"ati,e cha"ges o% ce"tio"a"i against the /$#ge

g& e'ruar0 9, 733J - Suspended from the practice of &aw4 #mprisonment for <3da0s to 'e ser)ed at the Suri*ao Cit0 Hai&, and paid the maximum ;ne of

thirt0 thousand pesos4

*?4 #f m0 mind has chan*ed at a&&, it is that # ensure that a&& (ud*es who are

i*norant of the &aw shou&d 'e dis'arred44 Thats it

ha4 Ru&e 5G43G

h'4 A &aw0er sha&& not 'roo8

nor in)ite interference '0 another 'ranch or a*enc0 of the *o)ernment in

the norma& course of (udicia& proceedin*s4

hc&

Documents

Legal Ethics Compilation