Constitution Art 8, Sec Five, Paragraph Five
Article VIII, Sec. 5 (5) provides:
Sec. 5. The Supreme Court shall have the following
powers:
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 bar, and legal
assistance to the under-privileged. Such rules shall
provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for
the speedy disposition of cases, shall be uniform for
all courts of the same grade, and shall not diminish,
increase, or modify substantive rights. Rules of
procedure of special courts and quasi-judicial bodies
shall remain effective unless disapproved by the
Supreme Court.
Constitution Art 12, Sec 14
Section 14. The sustained development of a reservoir
of national talents consisting of Filipino scientists,
entrepreneurs, professionals, managers, high-level
technical manpower and skilled workers and
craftsmen in all fields shall be promoted by the
State. The State shall encourage appropriate
technology and regulate its transfer for the national
benefit.
The practice of all professions in the Philippines shall
be limited to Filipino citizens, save in cases
prescribed by law.
The Qualifications of Lawyers
A: Under Sections 2, 5 and 6 of Rule 138, the
applicant must be: (C21GRENAPOS)
1. Citizen of the Philippines;
2. At least 21 years of age;
3. Of Good moral character;
4. Resident of the Philippines;
5. Must produce before the SC satisfactory
Evidence of good moral character;
6. No charges against him, involving moral
turpitude, have been filed or are pending in
any court in the Philippines (Sec. 2, Rule138,
RRC)
7. Must have complied with the Academic
requirements;
8. Must Pass the bar examinations
9. Take the lawyers Oath; and
10. Sign the Roll of Attorneys.
Note:
Section 5 of Rule 138, RRC, now provides that before
being admitted to the examination, all applicants for
admission to the bar shall satisfactorily show that
they have successfully completed all the prescribed
courses for the degree of Bachelor of Laws or its
equivalent degree in a law school or university
officially recognized by the Philippine Government or
by the proper authority in the foreign jurisdiction
where the degree has been granted.
Section 5 now also provides that a Filipino citizen
who graduated from a foreign law school shall be
admitted to the bar examination only upon
submission to the Supreme Court of certifications
showing: (a) completion of all courses leading to the
degree of Bachelor of Laws or its equivalent degree;
(b) recognition or accreditation of the law school by
the proper authority; and
(c) completion of all fourth year subjects in the
Bachelor of Laws academic program in a law school
duly recognized by the Philippine Government.
A Filipino citizen who completed and obtained his or
her degree in Bachelor of Laws or its equivalent in a
foreign law school must also present proof
of completion of a separate bachelors degree.
The Supreme Court has directed the Clerk of Court,
through the Office of the Bar Confidant, to
circularize its resolution approving the said
amendments among all law schools in the country.
Law Student Practice Rule
Section 1. Conditions for student practice. A law
student who has successfully completed his 3rd year
of the regular four-year prescribed law curriculum
and is enrolled in a recognized law school's clinical
legal education program approved by the Supreme
Court, may appear without compensation in any
civil, criminal or administrative case before any trial
court, tribunal, board or officer, to represent
indigent clients accepted by the legal clinic of the law
school.
Section 2. Appearance. The appearance of the law
student authorized by this rule, shall be under the
direct supervision and control of a member of the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines duly accredited by
the law school. Any and all pleadings, motions,
briefs, memoranda or other papers to be filed, must
be signed by the supervising attorney for and in
behalf of the legal clinic.
Section 3. Privileged communications. The Rules
safeguarding privileged communications between
attorney and client shall apply to similar
communications made to or received by the law
student, acting for the legal clinic.
Section 4. Standards of conduct and supervision.
The law student shall comply with the standards of
professional conduct governing members of the Bar.
Failure of an attorney to provide adequate
supervision of student practice may be a ground for
disciplinary action. (Circular No. 19, dated December
19, 1986).
Appearance of Non Lawyers in Court
1. Cases before the MTC: Party to the litigation,
in person OR through an agent or friend or
appointed by him for that purpose (Sec. 34,
Rule 138, RRC)
2. Before any other court: Party to the litigation,
in person (Ibid.)
3. Criminal case before the MTC in a locality
where a duly licensed member of the Bar is
not available: the judge may appoint a non-
lawyer who is:
1. resident of the province
2. of good repute for probity and ability
to aid the accused in his defense (Rule
116, Sec. 7, RRC).
4. Legal Aid Program A senior law student,
who is enrolled in a recognized law schools
clinical education program approved by the
supreme Court may appear before any court
without compensation, to represent indigent
clients, accepted by the Legal Clinic of the law
school. The student shall be under the direct
supervision and control of an IBP member
duly accredited by the law school.
5. Under the Labor code, non-lawyers may
appear before the NLRC or any Labor Arbiter,
if
1. they represent themselves, or if
2. they represent their organization or
members thereof (Art 222, PO 442, as
amended).
6. Under the Cadastral Act, a non-lawyer can
represent a claimant before the Cadastral
Court (Act no. 2259, Sec. 9)
Rules Regarding Practice of Law of Public Officials
Public Officials who cannot engage in the private
practice of Law in the Philippines:
1. Judges and other officials as employees of
the Supreme Court (Rule 148, Sec. 35, RRC).
2. Officials and employees of the OSG (Ibid.)
3. Government prosecutors (People v.
Villanueva, 14 SCRA 109).
4. President, Vice-President, members of the
cabinet, their deputies and assistants (Art.
VIII Sec. 15, 1987 Constitution).
5. Members of the Constitutional
Commission (Art IX-A, Sec. 2, 1987
Constitution)
6. Ombudsman and his deputies (Art. IX, Sec. 8
(2nd par), 1987 Constitution)
7. All governors, city and municipal mayors (R.A.
No. 7160, Sec. 90).
8. Those prohibited by special law
Public Officials with Restrictions in the Practice of
Law:
1. 1. No Senator as member of the House of
Representative may personally appear as
counsel before any court of justice as before
the Electoral Tribunals, as quasi-judicial and
other administration bodies (Art. VI, Sec. 14,
1987 Constitution).
2. Under the Local Government Code (RA 7160,
Sec. 91)Sanggunian members may practice
their professions provided that if they are
members of the Bar, they shall not:
1. appear as counsel before any court in
any civil case wherein a local
government unit or any office,
agency, or instrumentality of the
government is the adverse party;
2. appear as counsel in any criminal case
wherein an officer or employee of the
national or local government is
accused of an offense committed in
relation to his office;
3. collect any fee for their appearance in
administrative proceedings involving
the local government unit of which he
is an official;
4. use property and personnel of the
government except when the
Sanggunian member concerned is
defending the interest of the
government.
3. Under RA 910, Sec. 1, as amended, a retired
justice or judge receiving pension from the
government, cannot act as counsel in any civil
case in which the Government, or any of its
subdivision or agencies is the adverse party
or in a criminal case wherein an officer or
employee of the Government is accused of
an offense in relation to his office.
Remedies against unauthorized practice of Law
1. Declaratory relief;
2. Petition for Injuction;
3. Contempt of court;
4. Criminal complaint for Estafa
against aperson who falsely
represented himself tobe an
attorney to the damage of a party;
5. Disqualification and complaints
fordisbarment; or
6. Administrative complaint against
theerring lawyer or government
official.
Lawyers Oath
I, __________________, do solemnly swear that I
will maintain allegiance to the Republic of the
Philippines; I will support its constitution and obey
the laws as well as the legal orders of the duly
constituted authorities therein; I will do no
falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in court; I
will not willingly nor wittingly promote or sue any
groundless, false or unlawful suit, or give aid nor
consent to the same; I will delay no man for money
or malice, and will conduct myself as a lawyer
according to the best of my knowledge and
discretion, with all good fidelity as well to the court
as to my clients; and I impose upon myself this
voluntary obligations without any mental reservation
or purpose of evasion. So help me God. (Form 28,
RRC)