Outline on Legal Ethics

8/11/2019 Outline on Legal Ethics

1/46

OUTLINE ON LEGAL AND JUDICIAL ETHICS

LEGAL ETHICS

I

PRELIMINARY

A. Defnitions:

1. Legal Ethics - Embodiment o all principles o morality andrefnement that should govern the conduct o every member o theBar.

. La!yer " a person !ho by license is authori#ed to representanother in court and to act pro essionally in legal ormalities$negotiations or proceedings% one !ho is authori#ed to practice la!.

&. 'mportance o la!yers

(. )ature o *+ce o La!yers

,. rivileges o la!yers:

a. o practice la! or a li etime b. o use the title /ttorney0 1 La! graduate is not entitled 2 Cui v. Cui, 11 SCRA

453 . erson !ho passed the Sharia Bar E3am notentitled (Alawi v. Alauya, 268 SCRA 628) c. o start the machinery o 4ustice to operate d. resumption o regularity in his acts e. 5ivil 6ervice eligibility . 5onsidered a leader in the community

7. )ecessity o regulating the practice o la! 8. Authority to regulate the practice o la! 2'n 9e 5unanan$ ( hil.,,(

;. 6ources o Legal Ethics:

a. 5onstitution b. 6tatutes

c. 9ules o 5ourt 29ules 1&,$ 1&8$ 1&;$ 1&;-A$ 1& $ 1& -A$ 1& -B$ 1(s *ath . 5anons o ro essional Ethics g 5ode o ro essional 9esponsibility h. reatises and publications

''

1


2/46

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (Approved June 2 ! "##$

CANON % A LA&YER SHALL UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION!OBEY THE LA&S OF THE LAND AND PROMOTE RESPECT FORLA& AND THE LEGAL PROCESSES'

1. ?'t is not by coincidence that the dra ters o our 5ode o ro essional responsibility ran@ed the above responsibility frst in the

enumeration. hey @ne! then that more than anybody else$ it is the

la!yers - the disciples o la! - !ho are most obliged to venerate thela!.0 2 Cojuangco, Jr. vs. al!a, 438 SCRA 3"6)

?'t is no accident that these are the frst edicts laid do!n in the5ode o ro essional 9esponsibility or these are a la!yer>s oremostduties. La!yers should al!ays @eep in mind that$ although upholdingthe 5onstitution and obeying the la! is an obligation imposed on everyciti#en$ a la!yer>s responsibilities under 5anon 1 mean more than 4uststaying out o trouble !ith the la!. As servants o the la! and o+cerso the court$ la!yers are re uired to be at the ore ront o observingand maintaining the rule o la!. hey are e3pected to ma@e

themselves e3emplars !orthy o emulation. his$ in act$ is !hat ala!yer>s obligation to promote respect or la! and legal processesentails.0 (#inancial Au$i% o& 'oo s o& Accoun% o& A%%y. Ra u*l +.

-o, A. . /o. 0"6"21 , A ril 1 , 2"" )

. Duty is mirrored in the la!yer>s oath

&. 5ases:

a. 5irumvention o the 5onstitution " *%*r on%on vs. A%%y.ansingco, A.C. 6"5 , Jun* 2 , 2""6

b. E3ecution o an antedated deed o sale to evade capital gainsta3 " C-ua vs. *sina, 436 SCRA 14 .

Ru e ') * A +,-er ./+ no0 en1+1e n un +,3u !d ./one.0! 44or+ or de5e 03u 5ondu50'

1. ? nla! ul0- any act or omission that is contrary to$prohibited or unauthori#ed by$ in defance o or disobedient to ordisregards the la!.

?By defnition$ any act or omission contrary to la! is unla! ul. 'tdoes not necessarily imply the element o criminality although it isbroad enough to include it.0 2 #inancial Au$i% on 'oo s o& A%%y.Ra u*l +. -o, A. . /o. 0"6021 , A ril 1 , 2"" ).

2


3/46

?Dishonest0- the disposition to lie$ cheat$ deceive$ de raud orbetray$ be untrust!orthy$ lac@ing in integrity$ honesty$ probity$ airnessand straight or!ardness.

?Cmmoral0- conduct !hich is !ill ul$ agrant or shameless$ and

!hich sho!s a moral indi erence to the opinions o the good andrespectable members o the community. ?Frossly immoral conduct0 "conduct that must be so corrupt and alse as to constitute a criminalact or so unprincipled as to be reprehensible to a high degree.

?Deceit ul0 " proclivity or raudulent and deceptivemisrepresentation$ artifce or device that is used upon another !ho isignorant o the true acts$ to the pre4udice and damage o the partyimposed upon.

. Applicable to both pro essional and private acts 2 i7aso v.

A!an%*, 1 8 SCRA 1)

&. 5ases:

a. Depriving client o properties through devious schemes "Cor$on vs. 'alican%a, 2 " SCRA 2 .

b. A la!yer !ho presented a alsifed 6pecial o!er o Attorneyto obtain a personal loan rom a ban@ " Rural 'an o& Silay vs.

illa, 35" SCRA 138. .

c. A la!yer !ho shot a ta3i driver as a result o a tra+c accident" Ro *r%o Soriano vs. A%%y. anu*l i7on, A.C. 6 2, Jan. 25,2""6.,

d. A la!yer @eeping a mistress even i he marries her a ter!ards0 Clari%a Sa!ala vs. A%%y. uciano . 9al*ncia, A.C. /o. 543 ,

January 22, 2"" .

e. A married la!yer !ho maintained an illicit relation !ithanother married la!yer and sired her child " Al*jan$ro vs.

Al*jan$ro 422 SCRA 52 .

. A la!yer !ho married t!ice " S%. ouis :niv*rsi%y ;ig-Sc-ool #acul%y < S%a= vs. A%%y. Rolan$o $* la Cru7, A.C. /o.6"1", Augus% 28, 2""6

. g. A la!yer !ho engages in more than beso-beso - Cyn%-ia A$vincula vs. A%%y. >rn*s%o . aca a%a, A.C. /o. 2"4, arc-

, 2"" .

h.. A la!yer !ho ails to pay her fnancial obligations " ?ilsonC-a! vs. A%%y. >va a%%a0 A.C. /o. 4 4, Jun* 2 , 2""8

4. A la!yer !ho issued our bounding chec@s " ao vs. *$*l, 4"5 SCRA 22 .

4. A la!yer !ho ails to appear at the trial o his client a terreceiving an acceptance ee and money or bail o his client.2 olor*s C. '*ll*7a vs. A.C. vs. A%%y. Alan S. acasa, A.C. /o.

816, Jjuly 23, 2"" )

@. A la!yer !ho abandoned his !i e and 1 children to live !ithanother !oman !ith !hom he had ( children more (R* *cca '.

3


4/46

Arno i% vs. A%%y. onciano . Arno i%, A.C. /o. 1481, @c%o *r 1 , 2""8 $

l. A married la!yer !ho had a relation !ith his client or t!oyears$ ( arjori* #. Sa!ani*go vs. A%%y. An$r*w 9. #*r*r, A.C. /o.

"22, Jun* , 2""8).

m. )otary public !ho notari#ed an a+davit !ith a alsestatement. 2 ;*irs o& %-* la%* S s. ucas < #rancisca9illanu*va Vs. A%%y. Salu$ . '*ra$io, A.C. /o. 62 ". January22, 2"" $

n. )otary public !ho notari#ed a de ective !ill. ( **v. a! ago, A.C. /o. 5281, #* ruary 12, 2""8)

Ru e ')2 * A +,-er ./+ no0 5oun.e or +6e0 +50 v 0 e. + 4ed+0 de7+n5e o3 0/e +, or +0 e..en n1 5on7den5e n 0/e e1+.-.0e4'

1. 5ases:

a. Adopting electioneering practices and e3travagant spendingin an 'B election " n R*B 1 8 ' >l*c%ions, 1 8 SCRA 3 8.

b. Enticing people to invest in a ?pyramid scheme0 " Sa!alavs. ala a, 451 SCRA 1"", an$ Ca%-*rin* < ;*nry Du vs. A%%. An%oniu%%i . ala a,

Ru e ')8 * A +,-er ./+ no0! 3or +n- 5orrup0 4o0 ve orn0ere.0! en5our+1e +n- .u 0 or pro5eed n1 or de +- +n- 4+n9.

5+u.e'

1. Aimed against the practice o ?barratry0$ ?stirring uplitigation0 and ?Gmbulance chasing0.

. 5ases: a. Hailure o a 9egister o Deeds to register 17& deeds o saleto e3tort money " Collan%*s vs. R*no!*ron, 2"" SCRA 284.

b..La!yer in DE56 delaying action in re uests or changes o name to e3tort money " 9i%riolo vs. asig 4 SCRA 1 2.

c. * ering to delay trial o a case in e3change or money "@ng vs. +rijal$o, 4"2 SCRA 1.

Ru e '): * A +,-er ./+ en5our+1e / . 5 en0. 0o +vo d +nd;or.e00 e 0/e 5on0rover.- 3 0 , +d4 0 o3 + 3+ r .e00 e4en0'

1. A la!yer should be a mediator or concord and a conciliatoror compromise rather than an initiator o controversy and a predator

o con ict " /ilo vs. CA, 1 4 SCRA 418.

. he fnal decision to settle a claim rests !ith the client% evena la!yer>s right to attorney>s ees should not be an obstacle "

unici ali%y o& illilla vs. arav*, 233SCRA 484.

4
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/jan2007/6270.htmhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/jan2007/6270.htmhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/jan2007/6270.htmhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/jan2007/6270.htm


5/46

&. La!yers !ho breach this obligation may be punished E #lor*svs. C-ua, 3"6 SCRA 465.

CANON 2' A LA&YER SHALL MAe50! e?5ep0 3or v+ d re+.on.0/e 5+u.e o3 0/e de3en.e e.. or 0/e oppre..ed'

1. 5ases:

he problem o under-representation o indigent or lo!-income

clients is 4ust as grievous as that o non-representation. %Canoy v. @r%i7, 453 SCRA 41" '

. 9ule on Iandatory Legal Aid practice.

Ru e 2')2' * In .u5/ 5+.e.! even 3 0/e +,-er doe. no0 +55ep0+ 5+.e! /e ./+ no0 re3u.e 0o render e1+ +dv 5e 0o 0/e per.on5on5erned 3 on - 0o 0/e e?0en0 ne5e..+r- 0o .+3e1u+rd 0/e

+00er9. r 1/0.'

Ru e 2')8' A +,-er ./+ no0 do or per4 0 0o 6e done +n- +50de. 1ned pr 4+r - 0o .o 5 0 e1+ 6u. ne..'

1. he practice o la! is a pro ession and not a business.

. Appointing an agent to solicit business is prohibited.

&. * ering monetary re!ards or !itnesses " @ng vs. . :n%o,3 6 SCRA 152

Ru e 2'): * A +,-er ./+ no0 5/+r1e r+0e. o,er 0/+n 0/o.e5u.0o4+r - pre.5r 6ed! un e.. 5 r5u4.0+n5e. ,+rr+n0'

1. revents the proli eration o competition among brotherla!yers.

. E3ceptions: brother la!yers and their amilies$ poor litigants.

CANON 8' A LA&YER IN MA


6/46

. 5ases:

a. 5alling card including statements o services la!yer canrender " n R* agor$a, 53 -il 3 .

b. Advertising services or annulment o marriages " :l* vs.*gal S*rvic*s, nc., 223 SCRA 3 8.c. Advertisement claiming to be a specialist in annulment o

marriages " -an vs. Si! illo, 4" SCRA 2 .d. 5ontinued use o the title ?=udge0 a ter leaving the 4udiciary E

San Jos* ;o!*own*rs, nc. vs. Ro!anillos, A.C. 558", Jun* 18,2""5.

Ru e 8')2 * In 0/e 5/o 5e o3 + 7r4 n+4e! no 3+ .e! 4 . e+d n1 or+..u4ed n+4e ./+ 6e u.ed' T/e 5on0 nued u.e o3 0/e n+4e

o3 + de5e+.ed p+r0ner . per4 .. 6 e prov ded 0/+0 0/e 7r4nd 5+0e. n + 0. 5o44un 5+0 on. 0/+0 .+ d p+r0ner .de5e+.ed'

9everses ruling in n R* Syci , 2 SCRA 1.

Ru e 8')8' &/ere + p+r0ner +55ep0. pu6 5 o 5e! /e ./+, 0/dr+, 3ro4 0/e 7r4 +nd / . n+4e ./+ 6e dropped 3ro40/e 7r4 n+4e un e.. 0/e +, + o,. / 4 0o pr+50 5e +,5on5urren0 -'

Ru e 8'): * A +,-er ./+ no0 p+- or 1 ve +n-0/ n1 o3 v+ ue 0orepre.en0+0 ve. o3 4+.. 4ed + n +n0 5 p+0 on o3! or n re0urn3or! pu6 5 0- 0o +00r+50 e1+ 6u. ne..'

CANON : * A LA&YER SHALL PARTICIPATE IN THEIMPRO=EMENT OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM BY INITIATING ORSUPPORTING EFFORTS IN LA& REFORM AND IN THEADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE'

? he 6upreme 5ourt shall have the ollo!ing po!ers: 3 3 3 3 3

2, o promulgate rules concerning the protection anden orcement o constitutional rights$ pleading$ practice andprocedure in all courts$ the admission to the practice o la!$the integrated bar and legal assistance to the underprivileged.6uch rules shall provide a simplifed and ine3pensive procedure

or the disposition o cases$ and shall be uni orm or all courtso the same grade$ and shall not diminish$ increase$ or modi ysubstantive rights. 9ules o procedure o special courts anduasi-4udicial bodies shall remain e ective unless disapprovedby the 6upreme 5ourt.0 26ec. , J,K$ Article ''' .

CANON * A LA&YER SHALL


7/46

1. 5ases "

a. 'gnorance o re uisites or appeal to 5A 2 #ajar$o v. *la orr*, 42 SCRA 12 )

b. Hailure to comply !ith )otarial la! 2 San%iago v.Ra&ana n$ ((< 659A 1c. Hailure to comply !ith ne! period o appeal 2 * la Cru7

v. +olar ari%i!*s S*rvic*s, 4 8 SCRA 1 3)d. 'gnorance o amendment in constitutional provision

regarding Hilipinas marrying oreigners 2 S s ?illia!sv. >nri u*7, A.C. 6352 $#* . 2 , 2""6)

e. Hailure to @no! e ectivity o Hamily 5ode 2 ulalia v. A%%y. a lo C. Cru7, AC 6854, A ril , 2"" )

. 9ule on Iandatory 5ontinuing Iandatory Legal Education.

CANON * THESE CANONS SHALL APPLY TO LA&YERS INGO=ERNMENT SER=ICE IN THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR OFFICIALTASu.0 5e . done'T/e .uppre.. on o3 3+50. or 0/e 5on5e+ 4en0 o3 , 0ne..e.5+p+6 e o3 e.0+6 ./ n1 0/e nno5en5e o3 0/e +55u.ed . / 1/ -repre/en. 6 e +nd . 5+u.e 3or d .5 p n+r- +50 on'

1. rosecutors represent a sovereign !hose obligation to governimpartially is as compelling as its obligation to govern at all$ and !hoseinterest$ there ore$ in a criminal prosecution is not that it shall !in acase$ but that 4ustice shall be done. 6uare# vs. laton$ 7 hil. ,,7

. *6F recommending remand !hen real culprit con essed25uenca v. 5ourt o Appeals$ ,< 659A (;,

Ru e ')2 * A +,-er n 0/e 1overn4en0 .erv 5e ./+ no0 u.e0. pu6 5 po. 0 on 0o pro4o0e or +dv+n5e / . pr v+0e n0ere.0.!

nor + o, 0/e +00er 0o n0er3ere , 0/ / . pu6 5 du0 e.'

7


8/46

1. Aimed at government la!yers !ho are allo!ed to engage inpractice o la! or !ho have riends$ ormer associates and relatives!ho are in the active practice o la!.

. Fovernment la!yers !ho are prohibited rom practicing la!

!hile in o+ce&. Fovernment la!yers !ho are allo!ed to practice la! under

restrictions..

(. 5ases:

a. B' legal o+cer !ho ailed to return deposit o oreigner2;uyss*n v. A%%y. +u%i*rr*7, A.C. 6 " , arc- 124,2""6.

b. A* la!yer accepting private retainer 2 Ra!os v.! ang, AFc 6 88, Aug. 23, 2"" )c. unong Barangay practicing la! 2 Ca%u v. R*llosa,AC

5 38, #* . 18, 2""8)

Ru e ')8' A +,-er ./+ no0! +30er e+v n1 1overn4en0.erv 5e! +55ep0 en1+1e4en0 or e4p o-4en0 n 5onne50 on , 0/+n- 4+00er n ,/ 5/ /e /+d n0ervened ,/ e n .+ d .erv 5e'

G'R' No.' #)"! Apr 2! 2)) ! : SCRA 2

PCGG v.' SANDIGABAYAN

he key to unloc@ 9ule ,.


9/46

1. An ?integrated bar0 is a state-organi#ed Bar to !hich everyla!yer must belong.

. 'B created by the 6upreme 5ourt and given corporate li e by

9$A$ 7& 8.&. urposes o 'B " 21 Assist in administration o 4ustice$ 2

oster ideals o integrity$ learning$ pro essional competence$ publicservice and conduct among its members$ 2& sa eguard thepro essional interests o its members$ 2( cultivate the spirit o cordiality and brotherhood among its members$ 2, provide a orum ordiscussion o issues 27 encourage and oster legal education$ and 28promote a continuing program o legal research.

Ru e ') * A +,-er ./+ 6e +n.,er+6 e 3or no, n1 - 4+ n1+ 3+ .e .0+0e4en0 or .uppre.. n1 + 4+0er + 3+50! n 5onne50 on, 0/ / . +pp 5+0 on 3or +d4 .. on 0o 0/e 6+r'

1. 5ases:

a. 5oncealing a criminal charge against him " 'n 9e Falang$77 659A 7,;

b. n@no!ingly ma@ing alse statement o name o school!here he too@ pre-Bar revie! 2 n R* urisi!a, 3 3SCRA 584

c. 5laiming single status in spite o marriage believed to bevoid 2 *$a v. a ang. 2"6 SCRA 3 5)

Ru e ')2 * A +,-er ./+ no0 .uppor0 0/e +pp 5+0 on 3or+d4 .. on 0o 0/e 6+r o3 +n- per.on no,n 6- / 4 0o 6eun@u+ 7ed n re.pe50 0o 5/+r+50er! edu5+0 on or o0/er re ev+n0+00r 6u0e'

1. ?Food moral character0 " !hat a person really is asdistinguished rom good reputation or rom the opinion generallyentertained o him$ Ioral character is not a sub4ective term but one!hich corresponds to ob4ective reality. he standard o personal andpro essional integrity is not satisfed by such conduct as it merelyenables a person to escape the penalty o criminal la!. Food moralcharacter includes at least common honesty.

.. *ther ?relevant attributes0 re ers to citi#enship$ age$residency and other re uirements or reta@ing a bar e3am.

Ru e ')8' A +,-er ./+ no0 en1+1e n 5ondu50 0/+0+dver.e - re e50. on / . 70ne.. 0o pr+50 5e +,! nor ./ou d/e! ,/e0/er n pu6 5 or pr v+0e 3e! 6e/+ve n + .5+nd+ ou.4+nner 0o 0/e d .5red 0 o3 0/e e1+ pro3e.. on'

1. Food moral character a continuing condition or membershipin the Bar.

. 5ases:

9


10/46

a. La!yer paying hospital bills !ith bouncing chec@ 2 Sanc-*7 v.So!oso, 412 SCRA 56

b. La!yer committing marital infdelity !ith t!o !omen duringsubsistence o his marriage. 2 an%*s v. an%*s, 438 SCRA582).

c. La!yer leaving his !i e to live !ith another married !omanalthough discreetly 2 +u*varra v. >ala, AC 136, Augus% 1,2"" )

CANON # * A LA&YER SHALL CONDUCT HIMSELF &ITHCOURTESY! FAIRNESS! AND CANDOR TO&ARDS HISPROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES! AND SHALL A=OID HARASSINGTACTICS AGAINST OPPOSING COUNSEL'

1. A great part o their com ort as !ell as their success at the bardepends upon their his relations !ith their his pro essional

brethren. 6ince they deal constantly !ith each other$ they musttreat one another !ith trust and respect. Any undue eelingsbet!een clients should not in uence counsels in their conductand demeanor to!ard each other. Iutual bic@ering$ un4ustifedrecriminations$ and o ensive behavior among la!yers not onlydetract rom the dignity o the legal pro ession$ but alsoconstitute highly unpro essional conduct sub4ect to disciplinaryaction 25anon ,$ 5anons o ro essional Ethics

.Ru e #') * A +,-er ./+ no0! n / . pro3e.. on+ de+ n1.! u.e

+n1u+1e ,/ 5/ . +6u. ve! o en. ve or o0/er, .e 4proper''

1. he rule is generally !orded to apply to anyone in the !holeconte3t o a la!yer>s pro essional dealings.

. 5ases:

a. Iemorandum as a protest against the ?un4ust$ hostile$vindictive$ and dangerous attitude o the 4udge0$ and advisingopposing counsel to ?f3 the case because his position !ashopeless. 2 Corn*jo v. an, 65 -il. 2

b. 5laiming that 4ustice as administered by the 6upreme5ourt is not only blind but also dea and dumb$ 2 n R* Al!ac*n, 31 SCRA 562

c. A la!yer re erring to himsel as a victim o the 6upreme5ourt>s cruel and unusual punishment through supreme inaction2 An$r*s v. Ca r*ra, 4 SCRA 513)

d. elling another la!yer ?gago @a0 in the course o analtercation 2 Alcan%ara v. *Ganco, 3 3 SCRA 24 )

Ru e #')2 * A +,-er ./+ no0! d re50 - or nd re50 -! en5ro+5/upon 0/e pro3e.. on+ e4p o-4en0 o3 +no0/er +,-er'

1. A la!yer should not in any !ay communicate upon thesub4ect o the controversy !ith a party represented by counsel.

. 5ases:

a. A la!yer convinced the adverse party to enter into acompromise agreement !ithout the intervention o his counsel2 i ong v. i!, 235 SCRA 416, Ca!ac-o v. agulayan,328 SCRA 631).

10


11/46

b. By constantly chec@ing the transmittal o the records o 5ivil5ase )o. 8;($ respondent deliberately encroached upon thelegal unctions o the counsel o record o that case.2 alliong0+alicinao vs. Cas%ro, 4 4 SCRA 1

c. La!yer !ho sued opposing counsel and prosecutor as a

harassing tactic 2 R*y*s v. C-iong, 4"5 SCRA 212).

CANON "' A LA&YER SHALL NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ASSIST IN THE UNAUTHORI ED PRACTICE OF LA&'

1. A la!yer !ho allo!s a non-member o the Bar to misrepresenthimsel as a la!yer and to practice is guilty o violating 5anon and9ule .


12/46

1. A la!yer is an o+cer o the court.

. A la!yer !ho urnished the 6upreme 5ourt the decision o the

5ourt o Appeals being reconstituted !as commended by the 6upreme5ourt ( ir*c%or o& an$s v. A$ora l*, 4 -il. 488)

Ru e )') ' A +,-er ./+ no0 + o, +n- 3+ .e/ood! nor5on.en0 0o 0/e do n1 o3 +n- n 5our0 nor ./+ /e 4 . e+d or+ o, 0/e 5our0 0o 6e 4 . ed 6- +n- +r0 75e'

1. A la!yer>s duties to his client should yield to his duty o candorto the court

. 5ases:a. A la!yer submitted in evidence a trans er certifcate o title!hich has already been cancelled (Sa!ala v. 9al*ncia, AC543 , Jan. 22, 2"" )

b. A la!yer sought the dismissal o a case on a alse assertionthat the parties have already arrived at an amicablesettlement. 2 aligaya v. oronila, AC 61 8, S* %. 15,2""6)

c 5hanging the date o receipt o an adverse decision in a)otice o Appeal 2 Riv*ra v. Corral, AC 3548, July 4, 2""2).

Ru e )')2' A +,-er 4u.0 no0 no, n1 - 4 .@uo0e or4 . n0erpre0 0/e 5on0en0. o3 0/e p+per! 0/e +n1u+1e or 0/e+r1u4en0. o3 oppo. n1 5oun.e ! or 0/e 0e?0 o3 + de5 . on or+u0/or 0- or no, n1 - 5 0e +. + +, prov . on. + re+d-rendered noper+0 ve 6- repe+ orr +4end4en0! or +..er0 +. +3+50 0/+0 ,/ 5/ /+. no0 6een proved'

1. Ouote !ord or !ord$ punctuation mar@ or punctuationmar@.

. Ouoting rom the syllabus is not correct. 2 Alli*$ 'an ingv. CA, 416 SCRA 651)

Ru e )')8 ' A +,-er ./+ o6.erve 0/e ru e. o3 pro5edure +nd./+ no0 4 .u.e 0/e4 0o de3e+0 0/e end. o3 >u.0 5e'

1. Hiling o multiple petitions constitutes contempt o court.

. 5ases:

a. 'n fling the un ounded complaint or re ormation o instrument to obtain fnancial gain$ respondent did notonly abuse and misuse the 4udicial processes but li@e!iseharassed the complainants and orced them to litigateunnecessarily. 'ndeed$ his act !as intended to advance hiso!n interest at the e3pense o truth and theadministration o 4ustice$ a mani estation o a! in his

12


13/46

character as a la!yer. 2 S s. ona%o v'A.un5 on! AC:" :! M+r 8! 2)):'

b. 9espondent la!yer has e3hibited the vice o entering into

multiple marriages and then leaving them behind by the

mere e3pedient o resorting to legal remedies to severthem -J the impact o his conduct is incalculable upon hise3-!ives a !ell as the children he had by them$ their liveshaving been dislocated beyond recall. 2 acarru o vs.

acarru o, 424 SCRA 42)

Ru e )'):' * A +,-er ./+ ! 7 n1 + p e+d n1! 3urn ./ 0/eoppo. n1 5oun.e , 0/ + 5op- 0/ereo3! 0o1e0/er , 0/+ 0/edo5u4en0. +nne?ed 0/ere0o' Un e.. + 4o0 on. . e?%p+r0e! /e./ou d .e0 0 3or /e+r n1 , 0/ .u 5 en0 no0 5e 0o 0/e o0/erp+r0-'

CANON * A LA&YER SHALL OBSER=E AND MAINTAIN THERESPECT DUE TO THE COURTS AND TO JUDICIAL OFFICERS ANDSHOULD INSIST ON SIMILAR CONDUCT BY OTHERS'

1. hough a la!yer>s language may be orce ul and emphatic$ itshould al!ays be dignifed and respect ul$ beftting the dignity o thelegal pro ession. ( acuro! v. Jaco a, A.C. 5 21, arc- 1", 2""6)

. he =udiciary has been besieged enough !ith accusations o corruption and malpractice. Hor a member o the legal pro ession to

urther sto@e the embers o mistrust on the 4udicial system !ith suchirresponsible representation is reprehensible and cannot be tolerated2'*r ano v. 'arc*lona, 41" SCRA 258).

&. he 6upreme 5ourt does not claim in allibility% it !ill notdenounce criticism made by anyone against the 5ourt or$ i !ell-

ounded can truly have constructive e ects in the tas@ o the 5ourt$but it !ill not countenance any !rongdoing nor allo! the erosion o

the people>s aith in the 4udicial system$ let alone$ by those !ho havebeen privileged by it to practice la! in the hilippines ( >s%ra$a v.San$igan ayan, 416 SCRA 465).

Ru e ') ' A +,-er ./+ +ppe+r n 5our0 proper - +00 red'

Ru e ')2' A +,-er ./+ pun50u+ - +ppe+r +0 5our0 /e+r n1.'

1. =udges may cite counsel in contempt o court or coming late inthe hearing ( *o l* v. +agui, 2 SCRA 52)

. Duty to be punctual also includes prompt compliance !ith courtorders. Ru e ')8 * A +,-er ./+ +6.0+ n 3ro4 .5+nd+ ou.! o en. ve+nd 4en+5 n1 +n1u+1e or 6e/+v or 6e3ore 0/e 5our0.'

1. 5ases:

a. 5alling the action o the 6upreme 5ourt 0e3ecrable andatrocious00and ? action not o men o reason or those !ho believe in

13


14/46

the rule o la!$ but rather o bullies and tyrants rom !hom might isright .H(R*B *%%*r a%*$ 21 #* ruay 2""5 o& A%%y. /o*l S.Sorr*$a, 464 SCRA 32)

b. 6ubmitting pleadings containing countless insults and diatribes

against the )L95 and attac@ing both its moral and intellectualintegrity$ hardly measures up to the sobriety o speech demanded o ala!yer (Jo-nny /g v. Alar, AC 252, /ov. 22, 2""6)

c. 5alling the 6upreme 5ourt a ?dispenser o in4ustice H(RoIasv. $* u7uarr*gui, +.R 152" 2 0 1521"4, July 12, 2"" )

d. Ia@ing veiled threats to fle cases against the 4ustices o the6upreme 5ourt. ( on%*cillo v. +ica, 6" SCRA 235)

e. 6uggesting that the 6upreme 5ourt might have been guilty o

gra t and corruption (Sangalang v. AC, 1 SCRA 8 ) . A la!yer may thin@ highly o his intellectual endo!ment% that ishis privilege. And he may su er rustration at !hat he eels is others>lac@ o it% that is his mis ortune. 6ome such rame o mind$ ho!ever$should not be allo!ed into a belie that he may attac@ a court>sdecision in !ords calculated to 4ettison the time-honored aphorism thatcourts are temples o rights. (R-**! o& %-* -ili in*s, v. #*rr*r,2" SSCRA 441)

Ru e '): * A +,-er ./+ no0 +00r 6u0e 0o + >ud1e 4o0 ve. no0.uppor0ed 6- 0/e re5ord or /+v n1 no 4+0er + 0- 0o 0/e 5+.e'

1$ Atty. 5aneda$ =r. should have @no!n better than to permit theirresponsible and unsupported claim against =udge Abrogar to beincluded in the pleadings. Allo!ing such statements to be made isagainst a la!yerPs oath o o+ce and goes against the 5ode o

ro essional 9esponsibility. (+o v. Ju$g* A rogar, +.R. 145213,arc- 28, 2""6)

Ru e ') * A +,-er ./+ no0 5r0 5 Ke 0/e per.on+ or o 5 +5ondu50 o3 + >ud1e n +n n.u 0 n1 +nd n0e4per+0e +n1u+1e'

1. he cardinal condition o criticism is that it shall be bona fde andshall not spillover the !alls o decency and propriety ( al$ivar v.+on7al*s, 166 SCRA 316)

. Allegations in a pleading derogatory to the honor and integrity o a 4udge constitutes direct contempt i submitted to the court or 4udge!here the proceedings are pending. (?ic *r v. Arcang*l, 252 SCRA

445)

&. Everything considered on the basis o the proo s on record$ reasonand normal discernment$ Atty. De La 6erna>s statements bear thebadges o alsehood !hile the common version o the !itnesses !hodisputed the statements is imbued !ith the hallmar@s o truth. hereis more. De la 6erna>s declarations !ere maliciously and irresponsiblymade. hey e3ceeded the boundaries o decency and propriety. helibelous attac@ on the integrity and credibility o =ustice

inga tend to degrade the dignity o the 5ourt and erode publicconfdence that should be accorded to it . " Car!*li%a #u$o% vs.Ca%%l*yla an$, nc., +.R. /o. 1 1""8, @c%o *r 24, 2""8).

14


15/46

Ru e ') ' * A +,-er ./+ .u64 0 1r ev+n5e. +1+ n.0 + >ud1e0o 0/e proper +u0/or 0 e. on -'

1. A complaint against a 4udge or alsifcation o his service recordshould be re erred by the *mbudsman to the 6upreme 5ourt.( ac*$a v. @! u$s!an, 24 SCRA 464)

. he 'B cannot investigate complaints against 4udges$ but shouldre er them to the 6upreme 5ourt. 29ule 1& -B

CANON 2' A LA&YER SHALL E ERT E=ERY EFFORT ANDCONSIDER IT HIS DUTY TO ASSIST IN THE SPEEDY ANDEFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE'

Acts !hich amount to obstruction o 4ustice " instructing acomplaining !itness not to appear at trial$ as@ing a client to pleadguilty to a crime he did not commit$ advising a client toe escape romprison$ employing dilatory tactics$ prosecuting clearly rivolous cases rappeals$ fling multiple actions.

Ru e 2') * A +,-er ./+ no0 +ppe+r 3or 0r + un e.. /e has+de@u+0e - prep+red / 4.e 3 , 0/ 0/e +, +nd 3+50. o3 / . 5+.e!

0/e ev den5e /e , +ddu5e +nd 0/e order o3 0. pre3eren5e'He ./ou d + .o 6e re+d- , 0/ 0/e or 1 n+ do5u4en0. 3or5o4p+r .on , 0/ 0/e 5op e.'

Ru e 2')2' A +,-er ./+ no0 7 e 4u 0 p e +50 on. +r . n1 3ro40/e .+4e 5+u.e'

1. A la!yer should not engage in orum-shopping.

a. Nhen as a result o adverse 4udgment in one orm$ a partysee@s a avorableopinion 2other than by appeal or certiorari< in another

orum.b. Nhen a party institutes t!o or more actions grounded on

the same causec. Hiling a case in court !hile an administrative proceeding is

pending$ or viceversa.

d. Hiling motions or cases to prevent e3ecution o a fnal 4udgment.

Ru e 2')8 * A +,-er ./+ no0! +30er o60+ n n1 e?0en. on. o3 0 4e 0ro 7 e p e+d n1.! 4e4or+nd+ or 6r e3.! e0 0/e per od

+p.e , 0/ou0 .u64 00 n1 0/e .+4e or o er n1 +n e?p +n+0 on3or / . 3+ ure 0o do .o'

1. A counsel should al!ays act in good aith.

. A counsel should not presume that his motion or e3tension!ill be granted.

15


16/46

&. Any e3tension should be counted rom the date o thetermination o the original period.

Ru e 2'): % A +,-er ./+ no0 undu - de +- + 5+.e! 4pede0/e e?e5u0 on o3 + >ud14en0 or 4 .u.e 5our0 pro5e..e.'

1. La!yers may be assessed treble costs or rivolous appeals

. Litigations should end sometime.

&. 5ases:

a.. Nhen the 5ourt o Appeals and this 5ourt upheld thatDecision$ respondent resorted to a di erent orum to pursuehis clients> lost cause. M 5onse uently$ he !as able to

obtain a temporary restraining order preventing thee3ecution o the provincial ad4udicator>s Decision. ( lus'uil$*rs v. R*villa, Jr., AC "56, S* %. 13, 2""6)

b. Qerein complainants$ our o the seven !ho purportedlye3ecuted the 9elease Naiver and Ouitclaims$ denied havingsigned and s!orn to be ore the Labor Arbiter the saiddocuments or having received the considerations there or.Qence$ spa!ned the administrative complaint at bar$alleging that respondent$ acting in collusion !ith his clients

=ohnny and Ianuel 9odil$ ? rustrated0 the implementation

o the Nrit o E3ecution by presenting be ore the LaborArbiter the spurious documents. 2 Sa! ajon v. Suing, AC"62, S* %. 26, 2""6)

Ru e 2') * A +,-er ./+ re3r+ n 3ro4 0+ n1 0o / . , 0ne..dur n1 + 6re+ or re5e.. n 0/e 0r + ! ,/ e 0/e , 0ne.. . .0under e?+4 n+0 on'

he reason behind this rule is to uphold and maintain air play !ith theother party and to prevent the e3amining la!yer rom being tempted tocoach his o!n !itness to suit his purpose.

Ru e 2') * A +,-er ./+ no0 no, n1 - +.. .0 + , 0ne.. 0o4 .repre.en0 / 4.e 3 or 4per.on+0e +no0/er'

1. La!yer may be held liable or ?Halse estimony0 under Art. 1 (o the 9evised enal 5ode.

. Nhile la!yer may intervie! !itnesses in advance o trial$ heshould avoid any action as may be misinterpreted as an attempt toin uence he !itness !hat to say in court.

Ru e 2') * A +,-er ./+ no0 +6u.e! 6ro,6e+0 or /+r+.. +, 0ne.. nor need e.. - n5onven en5e / 4'

1. he spirit o airness$ candor and good aith includes theability o la!yers to treat !itnesses e ually.

Ru e 2')#' A +,-er ./+ vo d 0e.0 3- n1 n 6e/+ 3 o3 / .5 en0! e?5ep0

16


17/46

+$ on 3or4+ 4+00er.! .u5/ +. 0/e 4+ n1! +u0/en0 5+0 on or5u.0od- o3 +n n.0ru4en0 +nd 0/e e!

6$ on .u6.0+n0 + 4+00er.! n 5+.e. ,/ere / . 0e.0 4on- .

e..en0 + 0o 0/e end. o3 >u.0 5e! n ,/ 5/ 5+.e /e 4u.0!dur n1 / . 0e.0 4on-! en0ru.0 0/e 0r + o3 0/e 5+.e 0o+no0/er 5oun.e '

1. he reason or the rule lies in the di erence bet!een therespective unctions o a !itness and an advocate.;i

. aragraph 2b o 9ule 1 .ud1e.'

Ru e 8')2 * A +,-er ./+ no0 4+ e pu6 5 .0+0e4en0. n 0/e4ed + re1+rd n1 + pend n1 5+.e 0end n1 0o +rou.e pu6 5op n on 3or or +1+ n.0 + p+r0-'

1. )e!spaper publication by a la!yer as to pending oranticipated litigation may inter ere !ith a air trial in the courts. ' e3treme circumstances 4usti y a statement to the public$ it isunpro essional to ma@e it anonymous. An e# parte re erence to the

acts should not go beyond uotation rom the records$ but even ine3treme cases$ it is better to avoid an e# parte statement. (Canon 2",Co$* o& ro&*ssional >%-ics).

. rial by publicity should be avoided.

&. 5ases:

a. A reinvestigation conducted by a prosecutor !ith muchan are and sensationalism !hile the case !as pending in court$ !as

condemned. (Cru7 v. Salva, 1"5 -il. 1151).

b. *nce the litigation is concluded$ the 4udge is sub4ect to thesame criticism as any public o+cial$ but such criticism should be bonafde and not spill over the !alls o decency and propriety. 2 n R*

Al!ac*n, 31 SCRA 562)

c. 9espondent>s statements in the article$ !hich !ere made!hile 5rim. 5ase )o. ,1(( !as still pending in court$ also violated 9ule1&.< o 5anon 1&$. !hich states that ?R la!yer shall not ma@e publicstatements in media regarding a pending case$ tending to arousepublic opinion or or against a party. (R*B Sus *nsion o& A%%y.

17


18/46

Rog*lio . 'aga uyo,,#or!*r S%a%* roscu%or, AC ""6, @c%. i ,2"" )

Ru e 8')8 * A +,-er ./+ no0 6roo or nv 0e n0er3eren5e 6-

+no0/er 6r+n5/ or +1en5- o3 0/e 1overn4en0 n 0/e nor4+5our.e o3 >ud 5 + pro5eed n1.'

1. La!yer reprimanded or as@ing the resident o the hilippines toset aside decision o the 6upreme 5ourt suspending him or t!o years( 'u!anlag v. 'u!anlag, 4 SCRA 2).

CANON : % A LA&YER SHALL NOT REFUSE HIS SER=ICES TOTHE NEEDY'

1. Attorney-client relationship derived rom 9oman La! conceptso location cond$ction operar$m " contract o lease o services andmandato 2contract o agency .

. But la!yer-client relationship is not merely contractual innature. La!yering is not a money-ma@ing venture. La!yer has po!erssuperior to those o an ordinary agent.

&. A la!yer>s frst duty in not to his client but to theadministration o 4ustice.

(. 5reation o la!yer-client relationship " !hen a la!yer>sservices !ere solicited or o ered to the client and such clientaccepted these services.

,. he poor and the indigent should not be urtherdisadvantaged by a lac@ o access to the hilippine legal system.

7. 9ule on Iandatory Legal Aid 6ervice " 7< hours a year.

Ru e :') * A +,-er ./+ no0 de5 ne 0o repre.en0 + per.on

.o e - on +55oun0 o3 0/e +00er9. r+5e! .e?! 5reed or .0+0u. o3 3e or 6e5+u.e o3 / . o,n op n on re1+rd n1 0/e 1u 0 o3 .+ d

per.on'

1. A la!yer my ethically de end a person !hom he believes tobe guilty.

. A de ense counsel !ho re erred to his clients as the culpritsthat ?salvaged0 the victim$ has sho!n discrimination 2 #ranciso v.

or%ugal (484 SCRA 5 1)

Ru e :')2 * A +,-er ./+ no0 de5 ne! e?5ep0 3or .er ou. +nd.u 5 en0 5+u.e! +n +ppo n04en0 +. 5oun.e $* oGcio or +4 5u.5ur +e or + [email protected] 3ro4 0/e In0e1r+0ed B+r o3 0/e P/ pp ne.!or +n- o3 0. 5/+p0er. 3or rend 0 on o3 3ree e1+ + d'

1. A counsel de ofcio is e3pected to do his utmost as anopportunity to assist in the proper dispensation o 4ustice. Ierepresence in the court is not enough.

Ru e :')8' A +,-er 4+- re3u.e 0o +55ep0 repre.en0+0 on o3 +5 en0 3

18


19/46

+$ /e . no0 n + po. 0 on 0o 5+rr- ou0 0/e ,or e e50 ve - or 5o4pe0en0 -

+$ /e +6or. under + 5on 50 o3 n0ere.0 6e0,een / 4

+nd 0/e pro.pe50 ve 5 en0 or 6e0,een 0/epre.en0 5 en0 +nd 0/e pro.pe50 ve 5 en0'

1. A la!yer must accept only as much cases as he cane+ciently handle$ other!ise the interests o his clients !ill su er.

Ru e :'): * A +,-er ,/o +55ep0. 0/e 5+u.e o3 + per.onun+6 e 0o p+- / . pro3e.. on+ 3ee ./+ o6.erve 0/e .+4e.0+nd+rd o3 5ondu50 1overn n1 / . re +0 on. , 0/ p+- n15 en0.'

CANON % A LA&YER SHALL OBSER=E CANDOR! FAIRNESSAND LOYALTY IN ALL HIS DEALINGS &ITH HIS CLIENTS' '

1. 'n his dealings !ith his client$ a la!yer must conduct himsel !ith integrity in as manner beyond reproach.

. A la!yer should re rain rom any action !hereby or hispersonal beneft or gain$ he abuses or ta@es advantage o theconfdence reposed in him by the client.

Ru e ') * A +,-er ,/en 5on3err n1 , 0/ + pro.pe50 ve5 en0! ./+ +.5er0+ n +. .oon +. po.. 6 e ,/e0/er 0/e 4+00er, nvo ve + 5on 50 , 0/ +no0/er 5 en0 or / . o,n n0ere.0!+nd 3 .o ./+ 3or0/, 0/ n3or4 0/e pro.pe50 ve 5 en0'

1. Hrom the moment he is consulted$ a la!yer must conduct apreliminary ?con ict search0.

. ypes o con ict o interest problems:

a. Con5urren0 or 4u 0 p e repre.en0+0 on " !hen a la!yerrepresents clients !hose ob4ectives are adverse to each other$ nomatter ho! slight or remote such adverse interests may be.

ests or determining !hether concurrent or multiplerepresentation amounts to con ict o interest.

1 Nhether the la!yer is duty-bound to fght or an issue orclaim on behal o one client$ and at the same time to oppose it orthe other client. Nhether the acceptance o ane! relation !ould preventthe ull discharge o a la!yer>s duty o undivided fdelity or loyaltyto a client. & Nhether the acceptance o a ne! relation !ould invitesuspicion o un aith ulness or double-dealing in the per ormance o the la!yer>s duty o undivided loyalty. ( Nhether in the acceptance o a ne! relation$ the la!yer!ill be called upon to use against a client confdential in ormationac uired through their connection.

19


20/46

b. Se@uen0 + or .u55e.. ve repre.en0+0 on " representationo a present client !ho may have an interest adverse to a prior or

ormer client.

1 't must be sho!n that substantial relationship e3ists

bet!een the ormer and the present representations.

Ru e ')2 * A +,-er ./+ 6e 6ound 6- 0/e ru e on pr v e1ed5o44un 5+0 on n re.pe50 0o 0/e 4+00er. d .5 o.ed 0o / 4 6- +pro.pe50 ve 5 en0'

Ru e ')8 * A +,-er ./+ no0 repre.en0 5on 50 n1 n0ere.0e?5ep0 6- ,r 00en 5on.en0 o3 + 5on5erned 1 ven +30er + 3ud .5 o.ure o3 0/e 3+50.'

1. 5ases:

a. 9etained counsel o a university appearing or some o theplainti s in a case against the university (/or%-w*s%*rn :niv*rsi%y v. Ar uillo,, AC 6632, Aug. 2, 2""5)

b. 5ounsel or a prevailing party in a case$ appearing ascounsel or the sheri in a case fled against the latter by his ormerclient$ or negligence in en orcing the !rit o e3ecution in the ormercase (+on7al*s v. Ca ucana, AC 6836, Jan. 23, 2""6).

c. La!yer o ering services to the accused !ithout disclosingthat he !as already retained by the amily o the victim.

d. A corporate counsel cannot appear as counsel or the Boardo Directors in a derivative suit fled against them (;ornilla v.

aluna%. AC 58"4, July 1, 2""3)

e Hidelity to a client is perpetual (;*irs o& #ala!* v.'aguio,AC 68 6, arc- , 2""8).

Ru e '): * A +,-er 4+-! , 0/ 0/e ,r 00en 5on.en0 o3 +5on5erned! ++50 +. 4ed +0or! 5on5 +0or or +r6 0r+0or n.e00 n1 d .pu0e.' Ru e ') * A +,-er! ,/en +dv . n1 / . 5 en0! ./+ 1 ve +5+nd d +nd /one.0 op n on on 0/e 4er 0. +nd pro6+6 e re.u 0.o3 0/e 5 en09. 5+.e! ne 0/er over.0+0 n1 nor under.0+0 n1 0/epro.pe50. o3 0/e 5+.e'

1. oo much #eal in championing the cause o a client mayprove to be in4urious to the client.

Ru e ') * A +,-er ./+ no0 .0+0e or 4p - 0/+0 /e . +6 e 0on uen5e +n- pu6 5 o 5 + ! 0r 6un+ or e1 . +0 ve 6od-'

1. A la!yer may not abet activities aimed at lesseningconfdence in the legal system.

Ru e ') * A +,-er ./+ 4pre.. upon / . 5 en0 5o4p +n5e, 0/ 0/e +,. +nd 0/e pr n5 p e. o3 3+ rne..'

Ru e ')# * A +,-er ,/o . en1+1ed n +no0/er pro3e.. on oro55up+0 on 5on5urren0 - , 0/ 0/e pr+50 5e o3 +, ./+ 4+ e

20


21/46

5 e+r 0o / . 5 en0 ,/e0/er /e . +50 n1 +. + +,-er or n+no0/er 5+p+5 0-'

1. A la!yer is not barred rom engaging in other pro essions oroccupations.

CANON * A LA&YER SHALL HOLD IN TRUST ALL MONEYSAND PROPERTIES OF HIS CLIENT THAT MAY COME UNDER HISPOSSESSION'

Ru e ') * A +,-er ./+ +55oun0 3or + 4one- or proper0-5o e50ed or re5e ved 3or or 3ro4 0/e 5 en0'

1. 9ule 17.


22/46

/+ve + en over 0/e 3und. +nd 4+- +pp - .o 4u5/ 0/ereo3 +.4+- 6e ne5e..+r- 0o .+0 .3- / . +,3u 3ee. +nd d .6ur.e4en0.!1 v n1 no0 5e pro4p0 - 0/ere+30er 0o / . 5 en0' He ./+ + .o/+ve + en 0o 0/e .+4e e?0en0 on + >ud14en0. +nd e?e5u0 on./e /+. .e5ured 0o / . 5 en0 +. prov ded 3or n 0/e Ru e. o3

Cour0' 1. he la!yer>s continuing e3ercise o his retaining lien presupposes

that the client agrees !ith the amount o attorney>s ees to becharged. 'n case o disagreement or !hen the client contests thatamount or being unconscionable$ ho!ever$ the la!yer must notarbitrarily apply the unds in his possession to the payment o his ees.on !ith the proper court to f3 the amount o such ees.( *!oin* vs. 'alon, Jr., 414 SCRA 511)

. he act o a la!yer o ac uiring his client>s property bye3ercising the right o redemption previously assigned to him by theclient in payment o his legal services alls s uarely under Article1( in relation to Article 1( 1$ par. , o the 5ivil 5ode. t. 2 n R*BSus *nsion &ro! %-* rac%ic* o& aw in %-* *rri%ory o& +ua!o& A%%y. *on +. as u*ra, 435 SCRA 41 .)

Ru e '): * A +,-er ./+ no0 6orro, 4one- 3ro4 / . 5 en0un e.. 0/e 5 en09. n0ere.0. +re 3u - pro0e50ed 6- 0/e n+0ureo3 0/e 5+.e or 6- ndependen0 +dv 5e' Ne 0/er ./+ + +,-er

end 4one- 0o + 5 en0 e?5ep0! ,/en n 0/e n0ere.0 o3 >u.0 5e!/e /+. 0o +dv+n5e ne5e..+r- e?pen.e. n + e1+ 4+00er /e ./+nd n1 3or 0/e 5 en0'

CANON * A LA&YER O&ES FIDELITY TO THE CAUSE OF HISCLIENT AND HE SHALL BE MINDFUL OF THE TRUST ANDCONFIDENCE REPOSED IN HIM'

1. 5onsidering the depravity o respondent>s o enses$ !e fndthe penalty recommended by the 'B too light. 't bears reiterating thata la!yer !ho ta@es advantage o his client>s fnancial plight to ac uirethe latter>s properties or his o!n beneft is destructive o theconfdence o the public in the fdelity$ honesty and integrity o thelegal pro ession. 2 ;*rnan$*7 vs. +o, 45 SCRA 1) .

. o hide rom the complainant$ avoid his calls$ ignore hisletters$ and leave him helpless is un orgivable% and to commit all theseacts and omissions a ter receiving the ull amount o legal ees anda ter assuring the client o his commitment and responsibility violatesthe 5ode o ro essional 9esponsibility. 2 @v*rgaar$ v. 9al$*7, AC

"2, S* %. 2", 2""8).

CANON # * A LA&YER SHALL SER=E HIS CLIENT &ITHCOMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE'

1. he la!yer is e3pected to employ all reasonable steps in theordinary care o his client>s interests.

. Anyone !ho ac uires Qis service is entitled to not 4ustcompetent service but also !hole-hearted devotion to his client>scause.

22


23/46

Ru e #') * A +,-er ./+ no0 under0+ e + e1+ .erv 5e ,/ 5//e no,. or ./ou d no, 0/+0 /e . no0 @u+ 7ed 0o render'Ho,ever! /e 4+- render .u5/ .erv 5e 3! , 0/ 0/e 5on.en0 o3 / .5 en0! /e 5+n o60+ n +. 5o +6or+0 n1 5oun.e + +,-er ,/o .

5o4pe0en0 on 0/e 4+00er'1. he la!yer>s acceptance o a case is an implied

representation that he possesses the academic learning$ s@ill andability to handle the case.

. he negligence o collaborating counsel can bind the client.

Ru e #')2 * A +,-er ./+ no0 /+nd e +n- e1+ 4+00er , 0/ou0+de@u+0e prep+r+0 on'

Ru e #')8 * A +,-er ./+ no0 ne1 e50 + e1+ 4+00eren0ru.0ed 0o / 4 +nd / . ne1 1en5e n 5onne50 on 0/ere, 0/./+ render / 4 +6 e'

1. 5ases:

a. Hailure to fle a pleading and to return o the casedocuments . (9$a. $* >nri u*7 v. San Jos*, AC 356 ,#* . 23, 2"" )

b. Accepting more cases than la!yer can e+ciently handle.(S s. Soriano vs. R*y*s, AC 46 6, ay 4, 2""6)

c. Hailure to give advice to clients about probation$ andailure to communicate !ith them because o trips out o

to!n. (S s. A$*c*r vs. A u%, AC 48" , ay 3, 2""6).,

d. Hailure to attend to cases o client causing the latter tolose 1( million.

. ( angasinan >l*c%ric Coo *ra%iv* v. on%*,ayor, AC5 3 , S* %. 12, 2"" )

.

e. Hailure to fle notice o !ithdra!al personally 2 Ar!av. on%*vcilla, AC 483 , July21, 2""8).

.. artners and practitioner !ho hold supervisory capacitiesare legally responsible to e3ert ordinary diligence inapprising themselves o the comings and goings o the caseshandled by the persons over !hich they agree e3ercisingsupervisory authority and in e3erting necessary e orts to

oreclose the occurrence o violations o the 5ode o ro essional 9esponsibility 2 Sola%an vs. noc*n%*s, 466

SCRA 1)

Ru e #'): * A +,-er ./+ eep 0/e 5 en0 n3or4ed o3 0/e.0+0u. o3 / . 5+.e +nd ./+ re.pond , 0/ n + re+.on+6 e 0 4e0o 0/e 5 en09. [email protected] 3or n3or4+0 on'

CANON " * A LA&YER SHALL REPRESENT HIS CLIENT &ITHEAL &ITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE LA&'

23


24/46

Ru e "') ' A +,-er ./+ e4p o- on - 3+ r +nd /one.0 4e+n.0o +00+ n 0/e +,3u o6>e50 ve. o3 / . 5 en0 +nd ./+ no0pre.en0! p+r0 5 p+0e n pre.en0 n1 or 0/re+0en 0o pre.en0un3ounded 5r 4 n+ 5/+r1e. 0o o60+ n +n 4proper +dv+n0+1e

n +n- 5+.e or pro5eed n1'

1. Hair play demands that respondent should have fled theproper motion !ith 9 5 to attain his goal o having the residue o theestate delivered to his clients and not sub4ect complainant to apremature criminal prosecution. (A%%y. 'rion*s v. A%%y. Jacin%o, AC66 1, A ril 2 , 2"" )

. Qo!ever$ the letter in this case contains more than 4ust asimple demand to pay. 't even contains a threat to fle retaliatorycharges against the complainant !hich have nothing to do !ith his

client>s claim or separation pay. he letter !as obviously designed tosecure leverage to compel complainant to yield to their claims$'ndeed$ letters o this nature are defnitely proscribed by the 5ode o

ro essional 9esponsibility. ( * a v. A aricio, AC 2 8, Jun* 25,2"" )

Ru e "')2 * A +,-er ,/o /+. re5e ved n3or4+0 on 0/+0 / .5 en0 n 0/e 5our.e o3 0/e repre.en0+0 on! perpe0u+0ed + 3r+udupon + per.on or 0r 6un+ ! ./+ pro4p0 - 5+ upon 0/e 5 en0 0ore50 3- 0/e .+4e! +nd 3+ n1 ,/ 5/ /e /+. 0o 0er4 n+0e 0/e

re +0 on./ p , 0/ .u5/ 5 en0 n +55ord+n5e , 0/ 0/e Ru e. o3 Cour0'

Ru e "')8 ' A +,-er ./+ no0 + o, / . 5 en0 0o d 50+0e 0/epro5edure n /+nd n1 0/e 5+.e'

CANON 2) * A +,-er ./+ 5/+r1e on - 3+ r +nd re+.on+6 e3ee.'

1. La!yers are as much entitled to 4udicial protection againstin4ustices on the part o their clients as the clients are against abuseson the part o the counsel. he duty o the court is not only to see thatla!yers act in a proper and la! ul manner$ but to see that la!yers arepaid heir 4ust and la! ul ees.

. he la!yer and his client can e3ecute a !ritten contract orpro essional services as long as it does not contain stipulations that arecontrary to la!$ good morals$ good customs$ public policy or publicorder.

&. ?Feneral retainer0- ee paid to a la!yer to secure his utureservices as general counsel or any ordinary legal problem that mayarise in the routinary business o the client. ?6pecial retainer " ee ora specifc case handled or special service rendered by the la!yer orthe client.

(. La!yer>s ees are sub4ect to 4udicial control as to thereasonableness o the same. hus$ legal interest cannot be imposedon attorney>s ees.

24


25/46

,. he proper time or a la!yer to deal !ith the issue o hisattorney>s ees is at the commencement o the la!yer-clientrelationship .(#ajar$o v. 'ugaring, 44" SCRA 16")

7. A la!yer is entitled to compensation on a uan%u! !*r%ui% !hen 21 there is no contract or attorney>s ees bet!een him and theclient$ 2 !hen the parties agree to set aside the contract$ 2& !henthe contract is null and void$ 2( !hen the ees are ound by the courtto be unconscionable$ and 2, the services o the la!yer areterminated by the client or 4ust cause$

Ru e 2)' * A +,-er ./+ 6e 1u ded 6- 0/e 3o o, n1 3+50or. nde0er4 n n1 / . 3ee.

+$ T/e 0 4e .pen0 +nd 0/e e?0en0 o3 0/e .erv 5e.rendered or re@u red

6$ T/e nove 0- +nd d 5u 0- o3 0/e @ue.0 on.nvo ved

5$ T/e 4por0+n5e o3 0/e .u6>e50 4+00er

d$ T/e . de4+nded

e$ T/e pro6+6 0- o3 o. n1 o0/er e4p o-4en0 +. +

re.u 0 o3 +55ep0+n5e o3 0/e pre3erred 5+.e

3$ T/e 5u.0o4+r- 5/+r1e. 3or . 4 +r .erv 5e. +nd0/e .5/edu e o3 3ee. o3 0/e IBP 5/+p0er 0o ,/ 5//e 6e on1.

1$ T/e +4oun0 nvo ved n 0/e 5on0rover.- +nd 0/e6ene70. re.u 0 n1 0o 0/e 5 en0 3ro4 0/e .erv 5e.

/$ T/e 5on0 n1en5- or 5er0+ n0- o3 5o4pen.+0 on

$ T/e 5/+r+50er o3 0/e e4p o-4en0! ,/e0/ero55+. on+ or e.0+6 ./ed +nd

>$ T/e pro3e.. on+ .0+nd n1 o3 0/e +,-er'

1. 5ases:

a. 'n regard to the receipt o at attorney> ees in theamount o ($


26/46


27/46

a. E3istence o an attorney-client relationship or a prospectiveattorney-client relationship$ and it is by reason o thatrelationship that the client made the communication.

b. he client made the communication in confdence.

c. he legal advice must be sought rom the attorney in hispro essional capacity.

&. rivileged in ormation can include the identity o the client!hen:

a. Nhere a strong probability e3ists that revealing the client>sname !ould implicate the client in the very activity or !hich hesought the la!yers advice%

b. Nhere disclosure !ould open the client to civil liability%c. Nhere the government>s la!yers have no case against an

attorney>s client unless$ by revealing the client>s name$ the said name!ould urnish the only lin@ that !ould orm the chain o testimonynecessary to convict an individual o a crime. (R*gala vs.San$igan ayan, +.R. /o. 1"5 38, S* %. 2", 1 6)

Ru e 2 ') * A +,-er ./+ no0 reve+ 0/e 5on7den5e. or.e5re0. o3 / . 5 en0 e?5ep0

+$ ,/en +u0/or Ked 6- 0/e 5 en0 +30er +5@u+ n0 n1 / 4 o3 0/e 5on.e@uen5e. o3 0/e d .5 o.ure'

6$ ,/en re@u red 6- +,

5$ ,/en ne5e..+r- 0o 5o e50 / . 3ee. or 0o de3end/ 4.e 3! / . e4p o-ee. or +..o5 +0e. or 6- >ud 5 ++50 on'

Ru e 2 ')2 * A +,-er ./+ no0! 0o 0/e d .+dv+n0+1e o3 / .

5 en0! u.e n3or4+0 on +5@u red n 0/e 5our.e o3 e4p o-4en0!nor ./+ /e u.e 0/e .+4e 0o / . o,n +dv+n0+1e or 0/+0 o3 +0/ rd per.on! un e.. 0/e 5 en0 , 0/ 3u no, ed1e o3 0/e5 r5u4.0+n5e. 5on.en0. 0/ere0o'

1. rivileged communication " 6ec. ( 2b $ 9ule 1&s records anddocuments may not be ordered opened because that !ouldbe tantamount to compelling him to divulge the client>s

27


28/46

confdence in violation o the la! imposing upon him the dutyto strictly preserve the client>s secrets. ( *o l* vs. Sy Juco,64 -il. 66)

Ru e 2 '): * A +,-er 4+- d .5 o.e 0/e + + r. o3 + 5 en0 o3 0/e

7r4 0o p+r0ner. or +..o5 +0e. 0/ereo3 un e.. pro/ 6 0ed 6- 0/e5 en0'

1. )otice to a la! frm as counsel o record is deemed to benotice to all the members o the frm ( rus% n%*rna%ional Cor ora%ion v. *la*7, 4 SCRA 552).

artners and practitioners !ho held supervisory capacities arelegally responsible to e3ert ordinary diligence in apprising themselveso the comings and goings o the cases handled by the persons over!hich they are e3ercising supervisory authority and in e3erting

necessary e orts to oreclose he occurrence o violations o the 5odeo ro essional 9esponsibility by persons under their charge (Sola%anv. noc*n%*s, 466 SCRA 1).

Ru e 2 ') * A +,-er ./+ +dop0 .u5/ 4e+.ure. +. 4+- 6ere@u red 0o preven0 0/o.e ,/o.e .erv 5e. +re u0 Ked 6- / 4!3ro4 d .5 o. n1 or u. n1 5on7den5e. or .e5re0. o3 0/e 5 en0'

Ru e 2 ') * A +,-er ./+ +vo d nd .5ree0 5onver.+0 on +6ou0+ 5 en09. + + r. even , 0/ 4e46er. o3 / . 3+4 -'

Ru e 2 ') * A +,-er ./+ no0 reve+ 0/+0 /e /+. 6een5on.u 0ed +6ou0 + p+r0 5u +r 5+.e e?5ep0 0o +vo d po.. 6 e5on 50 o3 n0ere.0'

he moment complainant approached the then receptive respondentto see@ legal advice$ a veritable la!yer-client relationship evolved bet!eenthe t!o. 6uch relationship imposes upon the la!yer certain restrictionscircumscribed by the ethics o the pro ession. Among the burdens o therelationship is that !hich en4oins the la!yer$ respondent in this instance$ to@eep inviolate confdential in ormation ac uired or revealed during legalconsultations . (;a$jula v. a$ian$a, AC 6 11, July 3, 2"" )..

CANON 22 * A +,-er ./+ , 0/dr+, / . .erv 5e. on - 3or 1ood5+u.e +nd upon no0 5e +ppropr +0e n 0/e 5 r5u4.0+n5e.'

Ru e 22') * A +,-er 4+- , 0/dr+, / . .erv 5e. n +n- o3 0/e3o o, n1 5+.e.

+$ &/en / . 5 en0 pur.ue. +nd e1+ or 44or+ 5our.e o35ondu50 n 5onne50 on , 0/ 0/e 4+00er /e . /+nd n1

6$ &/en 0/e 5 en0 n. .0. 0/+0 0/e +,-er pur.ue 5ondu50v o +0 ve o3 0/e.e 5+non. +nd ru e.

5$ &/en / . n+6 0- 0o ,or , 0/ 5o%5oun.e , no0pro4o0e 0/e 6e.0 n0ere.0 o3 0/e 5 en0

d$ &/en 0/e 4en0+ or p/-. 5+ 5ond 0 on o3 0/e +,-errender. 0 d 5u 0 3or / 4 0o 5+rr- ou0 0/e e4p o-4en0e e50 ve -

28


29/46

e$ &/en 0/e 5 en0 de 6er+0e - 3+ . 0o p+- 0/e 3ee. 3or 0/e.erv 5e. or 3+ . 0o 5o4p - , 0/ 0/e re0+ ner +1ree4en0

3$ &/ere 0/e +,-er . e e50ed 0o or +ppo n0ed 0o + pu6 5o 5e

1$ O0/er . 4 +r 5+.e.'

1. ?Nhether or not a la!yer has valid cause or !ithdra!ingrom a case$ he cannot 4ust do so and leave the client out in

the cold unprotected 2 San%*ro vs. Avanc*, 418 SCRA 6)

. )o la!yer is obliged to advocate or every person !ho may!ish to become his client$ but once he agrees to ta@e up the cause o a

client $ the la!yer o!es fdelity to such cause and must be mind ul o the trust and confdence reposed in him. Hurther$ among theundamental rules o ethics is the principle that an attorney !ho

underta@es an action impliedly stipulates to carry it to its termination$that is$ until the case becomes fnal and e3ecutory. A la!yer is not atliberty to abandon his client and !ithdra! his services !ithoutreasonable cause and only upon notice appropriate in thecircumstances. Any dereliction o duty by a counsel$ a ects the client.

his means that the client is entitled to the beneft o any and everyremedy and de ense that is authori#ed by the la! and he may e3pecthis la!yer to assert every such remedy or de ense. 2 * Juan vs.

'aria , 42 SCRA 188)

&. A la!yer cannot presume that his petition or !ithdra!al !illbe approved by the court. ntil such !ithdra!al is approved$ thela!yer remains counsel o record !ho is e3pected by his client as !ellas by the court to do !hat the interests o his client re uire.

Ru e 22')2 % A +,-er ,/o , 0/dr+,. or . d .5/+r1ed ./+.u6>e50 0o + re0+ n n1 en! 44ed +0e - 0urn over + p+per.+nd proper0- 0o ,/ 5/ 0/e 5 en0 . en0 0 ed! +nd ./+5ooper+0e , 0/ / . .u55e..or n 0/e order - 0r+n.3er o3 0/e4+00er! n5 ud n1 + n3or4+0 on ne5e..+r- 3or 0/e proper/+nd n1 o3 0/e 4+00er'

Qo!ever$ the satis action o the 4udgment e3tinguishes the lien$ i there has been a !aiver as sho!n either by the la!yer>s conduct or byhis passive omission. 'n the instant case$ petitioner>s act in!ithdra!ing the case against the camineros and agreeing to settletheir dispute may be considered as a !aiver o the lien. )o rule !illallo! a la!yer to collect rom his client and then collect ane! rom the

4udgment debtor e3cept$ perhaps$ on a claim or a higher amount!hich$ as earlier discussed$ is baseless . (S*s r* o v. CA, +R1613 ". A ril 16, 2""8)

'''

LIABILITIES OF A LA&YER

A. 5riminal Liability:

29


30/46

1. Art. < $ 9 5 " re4udicing a client$ revealing his secretsand

con ict o interest.. Art. 18 $ $9 5 " 'ntroducing alse evidence

&. Art. &1,$ 9 5 - Esta a B 5ivil Liability

1. Liability to client or damages due to negligence ormisconduct.

. Liability or breach o fduciary obligations.&. Liability or treble costs in the event o a rivolous appeal.(. )o liability to adverse party.,. )o liability or libelous !ords as long as relevant and

pertinent.

5. Liability or 5ontempt o 5ourt

1. Direct or indirect. 5riminal or civil

D. Administrative Liability

1. Authority to discipline:

a. 6upreme 5ourt - may suspend or disbar

b. 5ourt o Appeals " may suspend but not disbar.c. 9egional rial 5ourt "may suspend but not disbard. Iunicipal rial 5ourt- may impose lesser penaltiese. 'B Board o Fovernors " may admonish or reprimand

. urpose o disciplinary proceedings

&. Frounds or discipline

a. Be ore admission " lac@ o ualifcationsb. A ter admission

1 Loss o good moral character iolation o duties to the court$ the legalpro ession and his client

& 6ec. 8$ 9ule 1&; " deceit$ malpractice$ grossmisconduct in

o+ce$ conviction o a crime involving moralturpitude$ grossly

immoral conduct$ violation o the la!yer>s oath$!ill ul

disobedience o a la! ul order o a court$ corruptlyappearing as ala!yer or a party !ithout authority to do so$ ansolicitation o

cases at la! or the purpose o gain eitherpersonally or through paid agents or bro@ers.

(. rocedure or discipline

a. )ature o proceedings

1 6ui Feneris

30


31/46

5onfdential

b. Qo! initiated

1 6upreme 5ourt motu propio

erifed complaint !ith the 6upreme 5ourt or 'Ba )o complaint against impeachable o+cersb 'B cannot entertain complaint against 4udicial

o+cers

c. 9e erral to 'B or other o+cer

d. rocedure in 'B

1 9e erral to 5ommission on Bar Discipline 25BD

)otice to respondent& Ans!er o respondent( Qearing

a 9es 'psa Lo uiturb Ouantum o evidence re uiredc Aggravating and mitigating circumstances

, 9ecommendation to 'B Board o Fovernors7 Action o Board o Fovernors

a Dismissal o complaint " appeal by complainant

to 65b 'mposition o penalty less than suspension "appeal by

respondent to 65c 9ecommendation o suspension or disbarmentto 6upreme

5ourt8 Action by the 6upreme 5ourt

a By Division b) By the En Banc

,. E ect o E3ecutive 5lemency

7. 9einstatement

JUDICIAL ETHICS

I

PRELIMINARY

1. he 4udicial po!er shall be vested in one 6upreme 5ourt ane insuch lo!er courts may be established by la!.

=udicial po!er includes the duty o the courts o 4ustice to settleactual controversies involving rights !hich are legallydemandable and en orceable$ and to determine !hether or notthere has been a grave abuse o discretion amounting to lac@ ore3cess o 4urisdiction on the part o any branch or instrumentalityo the government. 26ec. 1$ Article '''$ 1 ;8 5onstitution .

31


32/46

. )o person shall be appointed member o the 6upreme 5ourt orany lo!er collegiate court unless he is a natural-born citi#en othe hilippines$ A member o the 6upreme 5ourt must be at least

orty years o age$ and must have been or f teen years or more

a 4udge o a lo!er court or engaged in the practice o la! in thehilippines 26ec. 8 J1K$ Article '''$ 1 ;8 5onstitution .

&. A member o the 4udiciary must be a person a person o provencompetence$

integrity$ probity and independence 26ec. 8 J&K$ Article '''$1 ;8 5onstitution .

(. 5omposition and unction o the =udicial and Bar 5ouncil.26ection ;$ $ Article '''$ 1 ;8 5onstitution

''

NE& CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT

&'(O( )

INDEPENDENCE

Jud 5 + ndependen5e . + pre%re@u . 0e 3or 0/e ru e o3 +, +nd+ 3und+4en0+ 1u+r+n0ee o3 + 3+ r 0r + ' A >ud1e ./+ 0/ere3oreup/o d +nd e?e4p 3- >ud 5 + ndependen5e n 6o0/ 0.

nd v du+ +nd n.0 0u0 on+ +.pe50.'

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ e?er5 .e 0/e >ud 5 + 3un50 onndependen0 - on 0/e 6+. . o3 0/e r +..e..4en0 o3 0/e 3+50.

+nd n +55ord+n5e , 0/ + 5on.5 en0 ou. under.0+nd n1 o3 0/e+,! 3ree o3 +n- e?0r+neou. n uen5e! pre..ure! 0/re+0 or

n0er3eren5e! d re50 or nd re50! 3ro4 +n- @u+r0er or 3or +n-re+.on'

1. 5ommon sources o pressure upon a 4udge include politicalpatrons$ amily members$ riends$ associates$ colleagues on thebench$ media$ civil society$ militant groups$ criminals andcriminal syndicates$ and rebel groups.

. 5ases:

a. ressure rom relative o public o+cial (Ra!ir*7 v. Cor us0acan$og, 144 SCRA 46 2)

. ressure rom a rally by the complainant and sympathi#ers2 i arios v. a alos, 1 SCRA 48)

c. ressure rom media (+o v. Cour% o& A *als, 2"6 SCRA165)

SEC' 2' In per3or4 n1 >ud 5 + du0 e.! >ud1e. ./+ 6e

ndependen0 3ro4 >ud 5 + 5o e+1ue. n re.pe50 o3 de5 . on.,/ 5/ 0/e >ud1e . o6 1ed 0o 4+ e ndependen0 -'

32


33/46

SEC' 8' Jud1e. ./+ re3r+ n 3ro4 n uen5 n1 n +n- 4+nner 0/eou05o4e o3 0 1+0 on or d .pu0e pend n1 6e3ore +no0/er 5our0or +d4 n .0r+0 ve +1en5-'

1. 'n uence o compa*erismo and $tan% na lo-ob.

. 5ase: 9 5 4udge !riting to a lo!er court 4udge to in uence him indeciding a cae (Sa i%sana v. 9illa!or, 2"2 SCRA 445)

SEC' :' A >ud1ed ./+ no0 + o, 3+4 -! .o5 + or o0/erre +0 on./ p 0o n uen5e >ud 5 + 5ondu50 or >ud14en0' T/epre.0 1e o3 >ud 5 + o 5e ./+ no0 6e u.ed or en0 0o +dv+n5e0/e pr v+0e n0ere.0 o3 o0/er. ! nor 5onve- or per4 0 o0/er. 0o5onve- 0/e 4pre.. on 0/+0 0/e- +re n + .pe5 + po. 0 on 0o

n uen5e 0/e >ud1e'

1. 'n uence o pakikisama.

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ no0 on - 6e 3ree 3ro4 n+ppropr +0e5onne50 on. 6- 0/e e?e5u0 ve +nd e1 . +0 ve 6r+n5/e. o3 1overn4en0! 6u0 4u.0 + .o +ppe+r 0o 6e 3ree 0/ere3ro4 0o +re+.on+6 e o6.erver'

1. 5ases:

a. As@ing local government to employ laid-o court employees

2 Al&o"nso v. Alon7o0 *ga%o, 388 SCRA 351). 5ourt has authority to deal !ith personnel matters$ even o those unded by local government 2 'aga%sing v. ;*rr*ra,65 SCRA 464)

c. Iere congeniality !ith governor not unethical (Sus *nsiono& Cl*r o& Cour% Jaco o, 2 4 SCRA 11 )

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ 6e ndependen0 n re +0 on 0o .o5 e0- n1ener+ +nd n re +0 on 0o p+r0 5u +r p+r0 :e. 0o + d .pu0e,/ 5/ /e or ./e /+d 0o +d>ud 5+0e'

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ en5our+1e +nd up/o d .+3e1u+rd. 3or 0/ed .5/+r1e o3 >ud 5 + de 0 e. n order 0o 4+ n0+ n +nd en/+n5e0/e n.0 0u0 on+ +nd oper+0 on+ ndependen5e o3 0/e >ud 5 +r-'

SEC' #' Jud1e. ./+ e?/ 6 0 +nd pro4o0e / 1/ .0+nd+rd. o3 >ud 5 + 5ondu50 n order 0o re n3or5e pu6 5 5on7den5e n 0/e >ud 5 +r- ,/ 5/ . 3und+4en0+ 0o 0/e 4+ n0en+n5e o3 >ud 5 +

ndependen5e'

&'(O( !

INTEGRITY

In0e1r 0- . e..en0 + no0 on - 0o 0/e proper d .5/+r1e o3 0/e >ud 5 + o 5e 6u0 + .o 0o 0/e per.on+ de4e+nor o3 >ud1e.'

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ en.ure 0/+0 no0 on - . 0/e r 5ondu50+6ove repro+5/! 6u0 0/+0 0 . per5e ved 0o 6e .o n 0/e v e, o3 + re+.on+6 e o6.erver'

33


34/46

1. he e3acting standards o conduct demanded rom 4udgesare designed to promote public confdence in the integrity andimpartiality o the 4udiciary.

. 'n the 4udiciary$ moral integrity is more than a cardinal virtue%

it is a necessity.a. ro essional integrity " 4udges have been penali#ed or

demanding and accepting bribes$ raterni#ing !ith litigantsand la!yers$ altering orders$ delay in rendering decisions$se3ual harassment o employees$ conducting hearings intheir residence$ intemperate language$ not !earing the

4udicial robe.

b. ersonal integrity " 4udges have been penali#ed or @eepingor aunting a mistress$ inebriated behavior$ re uenting

casinos and [email protected]. 'gnorance o la! " ailure to observe the rules o court in

issuance o !arrants o arrest$ temporary restrainingorders$ in4unctions$ hold departure orders$ citations orcontempt. ?'gnorance o the la! is a mar@ oincompetence$ and !here the la! involved is elementary$ignorance thereo is considered as an indication o lac@ ointegrity.0

SEC' 2' T/e 6e/+v or +nd 5ondu50 o3 >ud1e. 4u.0 re+ r4 0/epeop e9. 3+ 0/ n 0/e n0e1r 0- o3 0/e >ud 5 +r-' Ju.0 5e 4u.0 no04ere - 6e done 6u0 4u.0 + .o 6e .een 0o 6e done'

1. ublic perception is emphasi#ed because it is essential thatpublic confdence is al!ays reposed in the 4udicial system andprocesses.

2. Because appearance is as important as reality in theper ormance o 4udicial unctions$ li@e 5esar>s !i e$ a 4udge mustnot only be pure but also above suspicion (Si ayan0Joa uin v. Jav*llana, 368 SCRA 5"3)

3. =udges must not only render 4ust$ correct and impartial decisions$but must do so in a manner ree o any suspicion as to their

airness$ impartiality and integrity.

4. A 4udge must not only be honest but also appear to be so$ notonly to be a good 4udge$ but also a good person.

SEC' 8' Jud1e. ./ou d 0+ e or n 0 +0e +ppropr +0e d .5 p n+r-4e+.ure. +1+ n.0 +,-er. or 5our0 per.onne 3orunpro3e.. on+ 5ondu50 o3 ,/ 5/ 0/e >ud1e 4+- 6e5o4e +,+re'

1. his section addresses the importance o the competence o the 4udge as an administrator.

. =udges should not be lenient in the administrative supervision oemployees. he slightest semblance o impropriety on the perto employees o the court in the per ormance o their o+cial

34


35/46

duties stirs ripples o public suspicion and public distrust o the 4udicial administrators.

&'(O( 3

IMPARTIALITY

I4p+r0 + 0- . e..en0 + 0o 0/e proper d .5/+r1e o3 0/e >ud 5 +o 5e' I0 +pp e. no0 on - 0o 0/e de5 . on 0.e 3 6u0 + .o 0o 0/epro5e.. 6- ,/ 5/ 0/e de5 . on . 4+de'

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ per3or4 0/e r >ud 5 + du0 e. , 0/ou03+vor! 6 +. or pre>ud 5e'

1 Allegations o bias or pre4udice not enough to dis uali y a 4udge.5lear and convincing proo is re uired.

. he resulting opinion must be based upon an e3tra4udicial source$that is$ some in uence other than the act and la! presented in thecourtroom 2E3tra4udicial 6ource 9ule .

&. 't is the duty o the 4udge not only to be impartial but also to appearimpartial.

SEC' 2' Jud1e. ./+ en.ure 0/+0 / . or /er 5ondu50! 6o0/ n +nd

ou0 o3 5our0! 4+ n0+ n. +nd en/+n5e. 0/e 5on7den5e o3 0/epu6 5! 0/e e1+ pro3e.. on +nd 0 1+n0. n 0/e 4p+r0 + 0- o30/e >ud1e +nd o3 0/e >ud 5 +r-'

1. A 4udge should e3ercise his discretion in a !ay that the people>saith in the courts o 4ustice is not impaired ( i!*n%*l v. Salanga, 21

SCRA 16")

. 5ases o bias:

a. =udge ordered presentation o specifc documentary evidence!ithout a corresponding motion rom any party 2 y v. 'anco #ili inoSavings < or%gag* 'an , 422 SCRA 64 )

b. 't is !ithin the sound discretion o a trial 4udge to as@ uestionsrom !itnesses. But a 4udge should avoid appearing li@e an advocateor either party ( aco v. Kuilaal, 4.3 SCRA 364, on%*!ayor v.

'*r!*jo, 425 SCRA 4"3)

SEC' 8' Jud1e. ./+ ! .o 3+r +. . re+.on+6 e! .o 5ondu500/e4.e ve. +. 0o 4 n 4 Ke 0/e o55+. on. on ,/ 5/ 0 , 6ene5e..+r- 3or 0/e4 0o 6e d .@u+ 7ed 3ro4 /e+r n1 or de5 d n1+ 5+.e'

1. ?Duty to 6it0- !here no 4udge !ould be available to decide a casebecause 4udges !ith 4urisdiction over the case !ould opt to recuse2 arayno v. *n*s*s 231 SCRA 8" )

35


36/46

SEC' :' Jud1e. ./+ no0 no, n1 -! ,/ e + pro5eed n1 .

6e3ore! or 5ou d 5o4e 6e3ore! 0/e4! 4+ e +n- 5o44en0 0/+04 1/0 re+.on+6 - 6e e?pe50ed 0o + e50 0/e ou05o4e o3 .u5/pro5eed n1 or 4p+ r 0/e 4+n 3e.0 3+ rne.. o3 0/e pro5e..' Nor./+ >ud1e. 4+ e +n- 5o44en0 n pu6 5 or o0/er, .e! 0/+04 1/0 + e50 0/e 3+ r 0r + o3 +n- per.on or 5+u.e'

1. his section !arns 4udges against ma@ing any comment that mightreasonably a ect the outcome o the proceedings or impair themani est airness o the process.

. =udges should avoid side remar@s$ hasty conclusions$ loosestatements or gratuitous utterances that suggest a pre4udgment o thecase.

&. A 4udge !as dis ualifed because he met !ith the complainants in acriminal case and advised them to settle !ith the accused becausetheir case !as !ea@ ( ar%in*7 v. +iron*lla, 65 SCRA 245).

(. =udges and 4ustices are not dis ualifed rom participating in a casesimply because they have !ritten legal articles on the la! involved inthe case (C-av*7 v. u lic >sa%*s Au%-ori%y, 4"3 SCRA 1)

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ d .@u+ 3- 0/e4.e ve. 3ro4 p+r0 5 p+0 n1n +n- pro5eed n1.! n ,/ 5/ 0/e- +re un+6 e 0o de5 de 0/e

4+00er 4p+r0 + - or n ,/ 5/ 0 4+- +ppe+r 0o + re+.on+6 eo6.erver 0/+0 0/e- +re un+6 e 0o de5 de 0/e 4+00er 4p+r0 + -'Su5/ pro5eed n1. n5 ude! 6u0 +re no0 4 0ed 0o! n.0+n5e.,/ere *

(+$ T/e >ud1e /+. +50u+ 6 +. or pre>ud 5e 5on5ern n1 +p+r0- or per.on+ no, ed1e o3 d .pu0ed ev den0 +r- 3+50.

5on5ern n1 0/e pro5eed n1.'

. Hact that the 4udge is a ne3t-door neighbor o the complainantis not a ground or dis ualifcation 2 A aricio v. An$al, 1 5SCRA 56 )

2' Iere divergence o opinion bet!een a 4udge and a party>scounsel as to applicable la! and 4urisprudence is not a ground

or dis ualifcation 2 ar*$*s v. San$iga n ayn, 252 SCRA641)

&. 6trained personal relationship$ animosity and hostilitybet!een a 4udge and a party or counsel are not grounds ordis ualifcation (9illa an$o v. Kui%ain, 5 SCRA 24).

(b) T/e >ud1e /+. prev ou. - .erved +. + +,-er or ,+. +4+0er + , 0ne.. n 0/e 4+00er n 5on0rover.-'

1. A 4udge !as dis ualifed or having notari#ed the a+davit o aperson to be presented as a !itness be ore him 2 a%*o v. 9illalu7,5" SCRA 18)

36


37/46

. A 4udge may be dis ualifed i he !as ormerly associated!ith one o the arties or their counsel ( Aus%ria v. asa u*l, 2"SCRA 124 )

(c) T/e >ud1e or + 4e46er or / . or /er 3+4 -! /+. +n

e5ono4 5 n0ere.0 or n 0/e ou05o4e 3o 0/e 4+00er n5on0rover.-'

1. A 4udge !ho fled complaints in his o!n court or robberyagainst a party or the purpose o protecting the interests his co-heirs$ and issued !arrants o arrest against the party$ !asdismissed rom o+ce (@ %u r* v. 9*lasco, 434 SCRA 636)

(d$ T/e >ud1e .erved +. e?e5u0or! +d4 n .0r+0or!

1u+rd +n! 0ru.0ee or +,-er n 0/e 5+.e or 4+00er n 5on0rover.-! or +3or4er +..o5 +0e o3 0/e

>ud1e .erved +. 5oun.e dur n1 0/e r +..o5 +0 on! or0/e >ud1e or +,-er

,+. + 4+0er + , 0ne.. 0/ere n'

1. E3tends to cases !here the 4udge served as a la!yer ina closely related case.

. E3tends to cases !here the 4udge>s ormer la! partner orassociate serveda in the matter !hile the 4udge !as practicing !ith the

la!yer.

&$ A 4udge may not sit in a case in !hich the 4udge hadbeen a material !itness.

(e$ T/e >ud1e9. ru n1 n + o,er 5our0 . 0/e .u6>e50 o3 rev e,'

1. An Associate =ustice o he 5ourt o Appeals re used torecuse himsel rom deciding a case he had partially heard !hen a

4udge. (San$oval v. Cour% o& A *als, 26" SCRA 283)

(3$ T/e >ud1e . re +0ed 6- 5on.+n1u n 0- or + n 0- 0o +p+r0- 0 1+n0 , 0/ n 0/e . ?0/ 5 v de1ree or 0o 5oun.e, 0/ n 0/e 3our0/ 5 v de1ree! or

1. 5ases:

a. residing over a petition or correction o a birthcertifcate !here thepetitioner is her o!n daughter (9illalu7 v. ijar*s,

288 SCRA 4 4). b. =udge issuing preliminary in 4unction in avor o hissisterbe ore inhibiting

himsel 2 Jur%a$o v. Ju$al*na, 84 SCRA 41 + c. =udge presiding over a criminal case !herethecomplaining!itness !as his

nephe! ( *r*7 v. Sull*r, 24 SCRA 665 + d. =udge ta@ing cogni#ance o a criminal complainantlodged by his brother

37


38/46

(+arcia v. $* la a7, 22 SCRA 66)

(1$ T/e >ud1e no,. 0/+0 / . or /er .pou.e or 5/ d /+.+ 7n+n5 + n0ere.0! +. /e r! e1+0ee! 5red 0or! 7du5 +r-!

or o0/er, .e! n 0/e .u6>e50 4+00er n 5on0rover.- or n+ p+r0- 0o 0/e pro5eed n1! or +n- o0/er n0ere.0 0/+05ou d 6e .u6.0+n0 + - + e50ed 6- 0/e ou05o4e o3 0/epro5eed n1.'

SEC' ' A >ud1e d .@u+ 7ed +. .0+0ed +6ove 4+-! n.0e+d o3 , 0/dr+, n1 3ro4 0/e pro5eed n1! d .5 o.e n 0/e re5ord. 0/e6+. . o3 d .@u+ 75+0 on' I3! 6+.ed on .u5/ d .5 o.ure! 0/ep+r0 e. +nd +,-er. ndependen0 - o3 0/e >ud1e9. p+r0 5 p+0 on!+ +1ree n ,r 0 n1 0/+0 0/e re+.on 3or 0/e n/ 6 0 on .

44+0er + or un.u6.0+n0 + ! 0/e >ud1e 4+- 0/en p+r0 5 p+0e n0/e pro5eed n1.' T/e +1ree4en0! . 1ned 6- + 0/e p+r0 e. +nd+,-er.! ./+ 6e n5orpor+0ed n 0/e re5ord o3 0/e

pro5eed n1.'

&'(O(

PROPRIETY

Propr e0- +nd 0/e +ppe+r+n5e o3 propr e0- +re e..en0 + 0o 0/eper3or4+n5e o3 + 0/e +50 v 0 e. o3 + >ud1e'

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ +vo d 4propr e0- +nd 0/e +ppe+r+n5e o3 4propr e0- n + o3 0/e r +50 v 0 e.'

1. Even acts that are not per se improper can nevertheless beperceived by the larger community as such.

. Even a 4o@ing remar@ made by a 4udge to a litigant suggesting thatthe litigant prove he harbored no ill eelings to!ards he 4udge$ !asimproper 2 Co v. la%a, arc- 14, 2""5)

&. Admonition by a 4udge a a !edding ceremony hat the partnerssatis y each other se3ually 2 ;a$a v. **, 114 SCRA 55 )

(. =udge sitting beside his brother>s counsel at the hearing o hisbrother>s case improper 2 9i$al v. ojillo, A. . J0"5015 1, July 14, 2""5)

SEC' 2' A. + .u6>e50 o3 5on.0+n0 pu6 5 .5ru0 n-! >ud1e. 4u.0+55ep0 per.on+ re.0r 50 on. 0/+0 4 1/0 6e v e,ed +.6urden.o4e 6- 0/e ord n+r- 5 0 Ken +nd ./ou d do .o 3ree -+nd , n1 -' In p+r0 5u +r! >ud1e. ./+ 5ondu50 0/e4.e ve. n+ ,+- 0/+0 . 5on. .0en0 , 0/ 0/e d 1n 0- o3 0/e >ud 5 + o 5e'

1. =udges are thus held liable or acts that$ i committed by anyother person$ !ould not necessarily be deemed improper$including the use o intemperate language and succumbing tostates o inebriation during parties.

38


39/46

. Dignifed conduct is best described as conduct beftting menand !omen possessed o temperance and respect or the la!and or others.

SEC' 8' Jud1e. ./+ ! n 0/e r per.on+ re +0 on. , 0/ nd v du+4e46er. o3 0/e e1+ pro3e.. on ,/o pr+50 5e re1u +r - n0/e r 5our0! +vo d . 0u+0 on. ,/ 5/ 4 1/0 re+.on+6 - 1 ve r .e0o 0/e .u.p 5 on or +ppe+r+n5e o3 3+vor 0 .4 or p+r0 + 0-'

1. =udges should re rain rom inviting counsel or one side intotheir chambers !ithout disclosing to the other counsel the reason orsuch meetings ( ar%in*7 v. +iron*lla, +R 03 635, July 22, 1 5).

. 5onstant company !ith a la!yer tends to breed intimacy andcamaraderie to the point that avors in the uture may be as@ed rom

the 4udge !hich he may fnd it hard to resist 2 a$illav. an%ua, Jr.,23 SCRA 6 ")

SEC' :' Jud1e. ./+ no0 p+r0 5 p+0e n 0/e de0er4 n+0 on o3 +5+.e n ,/ 5/ +n- 4e46er o3 0/e r 3+4 - repre.en0. + 0 1+n0or . +..o5 +0ed n +n- 4+nner , 0/ 0/e 5+.e'

1. )o 4udge should not preside in a case in !hich he 4udge is not!holly ree$ disinterested$ impartial and independent.

. A 4udge violated the rule on compulsory dis ualifcation !henshe did not recuse hersel in a criminal case !here the accused!as her brother-in-la!$ regardless o the act that it !as onlya ter the case had been submitted or decision that the accusedbecame her brother-in-la!. ( : arra v. a ala$, 22" SCRA226)

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ no0 + o, 0/e u.e o3 0/e r re. den5e 6- +4e46er o3 0/e e1+ pro3e.. on 0o re5e ve 5 en0. o3 0/e +00er

or o3 o0/er 4e46er. o3 0/e e1+ pro3e.. on'

SEC' ' Jud1e.! e +n- o0/er 5 0 Ken! +re en0 0 ed 0o 3reedo4o3 e?pre.. on! 6e e3! +..o5 +0 on +nd +..e46 -! 6u0 ne?er5 . n1 .u5/ r 1/0.! 0/e- ./+ + ,+-. 5ondu50 0/e4.e ve. n.u5/ + 4+nner +. 0o pre.erve 0/e d 1n 0- o3 0/e >ud 5 + o 5e+nd 0/e 4p+r0 + 0- +nd ndependen5e o3 0/e >ud 5 +r-'

1. Nhile 4udges are not e3pected to live a hermit-li@e e3istence orcease unctioning as citi#ens o the 9epublic$ they should rememberthat they do not disrobe themselves o their 4udicial o+ce upon leavingtheir salas$ 'n the e3ercise o their civil liberties$ they should becircumspect and ever mind ul that their continuing commitment toupholding the 4udiciary and its values placed upon them certainimplied restraints to their reedom.

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ n3or4 0/e4.e ve. +6ou0 0/e r per.on+7du5 +r- 7n+n5 + n0ere.0. +nd ./+ 4+ e re+.on+6 e e or0.0o 6e n3or4ed +6ou0 0/e 7n+n5 + n0ere.0. o3 4e46er. o3 0/e r 3+4 -'

39


40/46

1. A 4udge shall re rain rom fnancial and business dealings thattend to re ect adversely on the court>s impartiality$ inter ere !ith theproper per ormance o 4udicial activities$ or increase involvement !ithla!yers or persons li@ely to come be ore the court. (Ca agan v.'ar%*, 455 SCRA 1)

SEC' #' Jud1e. ./+ no0 u.e or end 0/e pre.0 1e o3 0/e >ud 5 +o 5e 0o +dv+n5e 0/e r pr v+0e n0ere.0.! or 0/o.e o3 + 4e46ero3 0/e r 3+4 - or o3 +n-one e .e! nor ./+ 0/e- 5onve- orper4 0 o0/er. 0o 5onve- 0/e 4pre.. on 0/+0 +n-one . n +.pe5 + po. 0 on 4proper - 0o n uen5e 0/e4 n 0/eper3or4+n5e o3 >ud 5 + du0 e.'

1. 5ases 2on use o court or private interest :

a. A 4udge lending money and providing in the loan

contracts that all actions or collection shall be fled in the court!here he is stationed (Javi*r v. * +u7!an, A. . R J08 038",*c. 1 , 1 ")

b. Hiling a case or esta a in his o!n court 2 = .0+n v'N 5o+ .! 2) SCRA 2:$ c. Ia@ing phone calls to a station commander on behal o

amily riend !ho had been detained 2 anansala v. As$ala, A. . /@. R J0"501 16, ay 1", 2""5)

$. osting advertisements or a restaurant business in thecourt bulletin board ( ionisio v. >scano, 3"2 SCRA 411)

SEC' "' Con7den0 + n3or4+0 on +5@u red 6- >ud1e. n 0/e r >ud 5 + 5+p+5 0- ./+ no0 6e u.ed or d .5 o.ed 6- 3or +n-o0/er purpo.e re +0ed 0o 0/e r >ud 5 + du0 e.'

1. =udge releasing a dra t o her decision or negotiation ur os*s(C*n%ru! Agri0'usin*ss R*al%y Cor . v. a%al as0 oscar$on,24 SCRA 145)

. 'mproper or a 4udge to allo! his !i e to have access to courtrecords (+or$on v. ilagan, 361 SCRA 6 ")

&. Appellate court 4ustice announcing in television that he had losta confdential dra t o a court order 2 n R* Jus%ic* Anacl*%o 'a$oy,3 5 SCRA 231)

SEC' )' Su6>e50 0o 0/e proper per3or4+n5e o3 >ud 5 + du0 e.! >ud1e. 4+-

(+$ &r 0e! e50ure! 0e+5/ +ndp+r0 5 p+0e n +50 v 0 e. 5on5ern n1 0/e +,! 0/e e1+ .-.0e4!0/e +d4 n .0r+0 on o3 >u.0 5e or re +0ed 4+00er.

(6$ Appe+r +0 pu6 5 /e+r n1 6e3ore +n o 5 + 6od-5on5erned , 0/ 4+00er. re +0 n1 0o 0/e +,! 0/e e1+ .-.0e4!0/e +d4 n .0r+0 on o3 >u.0 5e or re +0ed 4+00er.

En1+1e n o0/er +50 v 0 e. 3 .u5/ +50 v 0 e. do no0de0r+50 3ro4 0/e d 1n 0- o3 0/e >ud 5 + o 5e or o0/er, .e

n0er3ere , 0/ 0/e per3or4+n5e o3 >ud 5 + du0 e.'

40


41/46

1. =udges are prohibited rom being designated to any agencyper orming uasi-4udicial or administrative unctions 2 S*c. 2 Ar%. 91 8 Cons%i%u%ion, n R*B *signa%ion o& Ju$g* Ro$ol&o :.

an7ano, A. . /o.880 018610R C, @c%. 5, 1 88)

. A 4udge may no engage in private business !ithout the !rittenpermission o the 6upreme 5ourt ('orr* v. oya, 1"" SCRA 314)

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ no0 pr+50 5e +, ,/ .0 0/e /o der o3 >ud 5 + o 5e'

1. he prohibition is based on the inherent incompatibility bet!eenthe rights$ duties and unctions o the t!o positions.

. =udge cannot act as an advocate by giving advice to one o the

parties or as@ing too many uestions o an accused.&. Iunicipal 4udges as notaries public e#-ofcio can notari#e only

those documents related to the duties o their o+ce. TQo!ever$in municipalities !here there are no la!yers or notaries$municipal 4udges may notari#e private documents provided that21 they state in their certifcations that no la!yer or notary isavailable$ and 2 the ees or the notari#ation shall not be paidto them but to the Iunicipal reasurer.

SEC' 2' Jud1e. 4+- 3or4 or >o n +..o5 +0 on o3 >ud1e. orp+r0 5 p+0e n o0/er or1+n K+0 on. repre.en0 n1 0/e n0ere.0.o3 >ud1e.'

SEC' 8' Jud1e. +nd 4e46er. o3 0/e r 3+4 e. ./+ ne 0/er+. 3or! nor +55ep0! +n- 1 30! [email protected]! o+n or 3+vor n re +0 on0o +n-0/ n1 done or 0o 6e done or o4 00ed 0o 6e done 6- / 4 or/er n 5onne50 on , 0/ 0/e per3or4+n5e o3 >ud 5 + du0 e.'

1. 6hould be read together !ith 6ec. 8 2d o 9.A. 781& !hich prohibitspublic o+cials rom soliciting or receiving gi t. .

. A 4udge !ho en4oys ree use o the car o a litigant or !ho allo!s alitigant to pay or the reight o his personal belonging$ violates thisrule.

&. A 4udge !ho ?borro!s0 rom court unds to pay or a variety o personal e3penses$ !ho uses guns and ammunition submitted asevidence or his personal protection$ and !ho allo!s his daughtersto accept a business partnership !ith litigants$ also violates thisrule. 2 n R*B R* or% on Au$i% o& CC, orona$al, A. . "20 02330 CC, A ril 2 , 2""5 +

SEC' :' Jud1e. ./+ no0 no, n1 - per4 0 5our0 .0+ or o0/er.u6>e50 0o 0/e r n uen5e.! d re50 on or +u0/or 0-! 0o +. 3or! or+55ep0! +n- 1 30! [email protected]! o+n or 3+vor n re +0 on 0o +n-0/ n1done or 0o 6e done n 5onne50 on , 0/ 0/e r du0 e. or 3un50 on.'

SEC' ' Su6>e50 0o +, +nd 0o +n- e1+ re@u re4en0. o3 pu6 5 d .5 o.ure! >ud1e. 4+- re5e ved + 0o en 1 30! +,+rd or6ene70 +. +ppropr +0e 0o 0/e o55+. on on ,/ 5/ 0 . 4+deprov ded 0/+0 .u5/ 1 30! +,+rd or 6ene70 4 1/0 no0 re+.on+6 -6e per5e ved +. n0ended 0o n uen5e 0/e >ud1e n 0/e

41


42/46

per3or4+n5e o3 >ud 5 + du0 e. or o0/er, .e 1 ve r .e 0o +n+ppe+r+n5e o3 p+r0 + 0-'

1. 6hould be ta@en together !ith 6ec. 8 2d o 9.A. 781&$ !hich deals!ith gi ts and grants rom oreign countries..

CANON

E UALITY

En.ur n1 e@u+ 0- o3 0re+04en0 0o + 6e3ore 0/e 5our0. .e..en0 + 0o 0/e due per3or4+n5e o3 0/e >ud 5 + o 5e'

A ne! provision. E3pands the measures to promote e ualityre uired by internatioal human rights agreements.

SECTION ' Jud1e. ./+ 6e +,+re o3! +nd under.0+nd!d ver. 0- n .o5 e0- +nd d eren5e. +r . n1 3ro4 v+r ou..our5e.! n5 ud n1 6u0 no0 4 0ed 0o r+5e! 5o or! .e?! re 1 onn+0 on+ or 1 n! 5+.0e! d .+6 0-! +1e! 4+r 0+ .0+0u.! .e?u+or en0+0 on! .o5 + +nd e5ono4 5 .0+0u. +nd o0/er e 5+u.e.'

o render substantial 4ustice and maintain public confdence in the

4udicial system$ 4udges are e3pected to be a!are o diversity in societythat results rom an increased !orld!ide e3change o people andideas.

he 1 (; niversal Declaration o Quman 9ights provide ore uality o rights and the prevention o discrimination.

SEC' 2' Jud1e. ./+ no0! n 0/e per3or4+n5e o3 >ud 5 +du0 e.! 6- ,ord. or 5ondu50! 4+n 3e.0 6 +. or pre>ud 5e0o,+rd. +n- per.on or 1roup on rre ev+n0 1round.'

=udges should avoid private remar@s$ hasty conclusions$ ordistaste ul 4o@es that may give even erroneous impression s o pre4udice nd lead the public to believe that cases be ore them can bepre4udged. =udges should also avoid using racially derogatorylanguage to re er to someone that is not in the courtroom.

SEC' 8' Jud1e. ./+ 5+rr- ou0 >ud 5 + du0 e. , 0/ 0/e+ppropr +0e 5on. der+0 on 3or + per.on.! .u5/ +. 0/e p+r0 e.!, 0ne..e.! +,-er.! 5our0 .0+ +nd >ud 5 + 5o e+1ue.! , 0/ou0d eren0 +0 on on +n- rre ev+n0 1round! 44+0er + 0o 0/eproper per3or4+n5e o3 .u5/ du0 e.'

SEC' :' Jud1e. ./+ no0 no, n1 - per4 0 5our0 .0+ oro0/er .u6>e50 0o / . or /er n uen5e! d re50 on or 5on0ro 0od eren0 +0e 6e0,een per.on. 5on5erned! n + 4+00er 6e3ore0/e >ud1e! on +n- rre ev+n0 1round'

=udges shall ensure that court personnel under their supervision do notdiscriminate by dispensing special avors or disclosing confdentialin ormation to any unauthori#ed person$ regardless o !hether suchin ormation came rom authori#ed or unauthori#ed sources.

42


43/46

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ re@u re +,-er. n pro5eed n1.6e3ore 0/e 5our0 0o re3r+ n 3ro4 4+n 3e.0 n1! 6- ,ord. or5ondu50! 6 +. or pre>ud 5e 6+.ed on rre ev+n0 1round.!e?5ep0 .u5/ +. +re e1+ - re ev+n0 0o +n ..ue n pro5eed n1.

+nd 4+- 6e 0/e .u6>e50 o3 e1 0 4+0e +dvo5+5-'6ince 4udges set the tone and environment o the court

proceedings$ they should censure la!yers !ho use se3ist language orinappropriate behavior in court.

CANON

COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE

Co4pe0en5e +nd d 1en5e +re prere@u . 0e. 0o 0/e dueper3or4+n5e o3 >ud 5 + o 5e'

?A member o the =udiciary must be a person o provencompetence$ integrity$ probity and independence0. S*c (3), Ar%.9 , 1 8 Cons%i%u%ion).

SECTION ' T/e >ud 5 + du0 e. o3 + >ud1e 0+ epre5eden5e over + o0/er +50 v 0 e.'

SEC' 2' Jud1e. ./+ devo0e 0/e r pro3e.. on+ +50 v 0- 0o

>ud 5 + du0 e.! ,/ 5/ n5 ude no0 on - 0/e per3or4+n5e o3 >ud 5 + 3un50 on. +nd re.pon. 6 0 e. n 5our0 +nd 0/e 4+ n1o3 de5 . on.! 6u0 + .o o0/er 0+. . re ev+n0 0o 0/e >ud 5 + o 5eor 0/e 5our09. oper+0 on.'

SEC' 8' Jud1e. ./+ 0+ e re+.on+6 e .0ep. 0o 4+ n0+ n+nd en/+n5e 0/e r no, ed1e! . . +nd per.on+ @u+ 0 e.ne5e..+r- 3or 0/e proper per3or4+n5e o3 >ud 5 + du0 e.!0+ n1 +dv+n0+1e 3or 0/ . purpo.e o3 0/e 0r+ n n1 +nd o0/er3+5 0 e. ,/ 5/ ./ou d 6e 4+de +v+ +6 e! under >ud 5 +5on0ro ! 0o >ud1e.'

' ?6ervice in the 4udiciary means a continuous study andresearch on the la! rom beginning to end0 (Aj*no v. ns*r%o, SCRA 166)

. he ma3im ?ignorance o the la! e3cuses no one0 has!special application to 4udges.

&. =udges are not$ .ho!ever$ e3pected to be in allible% not everyerror or irregularity committed by a 4udge in the per ormance o o+cialduties is sub4ect to administrative sanction.

SEC' :' Jud1e. ./+ eep 0/e4.e ve. n3or4ed +6ou0re ev+n0 deve op4en0. o3 n0ern+0 on+ +,! n5 ud n1

n0ern+0 on+ 5onven0 on. +nd o0/er n.0ru4enr0. e.0+6 ./ n1/u4+n r 1/0. nor4.'

43


44/46

1. he 5onstitution incorporates the t!o principal sources o international la! - general or customary norms and conventionalnorms. 6ub4ect to conditions set orth in the undamental la!$both customary and conventional norms o international la! are

part o hilippine la!.. he main legal instruments o international human rights en4oy

the same status in hilippine la!. 'n particular$ the nited)ations 5harter$ the 'nternational 5ovenant on 5ivil and olitical9ights ! and the 'nternational 5ovenant on Economic ! S ocial$+nd 5ultural 9ig /0. are international conventions o !hich the

hilippines is a party.

&. )orms o international la! become the concern o 4udges becausethey orm part o legal standards by !hich their competence and

diligence re uired by the )e! 5ode o =udicial 5onduct are to bemeasured.

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ per3or4 + >ud 5 + du0 e.! n5 ud n10/e de ver- o3 re.erved de5 . on.! e 5 en0 -! 3+ r - +nd , 0/re+.on+6 e pro4p0ne..'

?6E5. 1, 21 All cases or matters fled a ter the e ectivity o this5onstitution must he decided or resolved !ithin t!enty our months

rom date o submission or the 6upreme 5ourt$ and$ unless reduced by

the6upreme 5ourt$ t!elve months or all lo!er collegiate courts$ and threemonths or all other lo!er courts.

2 A case or matter shall be deemed submitted or decision orresolution upon the fling o the last pleading$ brie $ or memorandumre uired by the 9ules o 5ourt or by the 5ourt itsel .0 26ec. 1,$ Art '''$1 ;8 5onstitution

SEC' ' Jud1e. ./+ 4+ n0+ n order nd de5oru4 n +pro5eed n1. 6e3ore 0/e 5our0 +nd 6e p+0 en0! d 1n 7ed +nd

5our0eou. n re +0 on 0o 0 1+n0.! , 0ne..e.! +,-er. +ndo0/er. , 0/ ,/o4 0/e >ud1e de+ . n +n o 5 + 5+p+5 0-'

Jud1e. ./+ re@u re . 4 +r 5ondu50 o3 e1+ repre.en0+0

Outline on Legal Ethics

Documents

Transcript of Outline on Legal Ethics