Canon 7 provides that “A lawyer shall at all times uphold the integrity and dignity of the legal profession

and support the activities of the integrated bar.”

The maintenance by the bar of a high standard of legal proficiency as well as honesty and fair dealing is
a prerequisite to making the bar an effective instrument in the proper administration of justice. But the
bar can only be as reputable as its members. To enable the bar to be an effective instrument in the
proper administration of justice it is necessary that every lawyer should strive at all times to uphold the
honor and maintain the dignity of the legal profession and to improve not only the law but the
administration of justice as well.

The respect of the public to the legal profession is immeasurably enhanced by the faithful performance
of the lawyer’s duties to the court, to society, to his brethren in the profession, and to his client.
Conversely, such respect is inexorably diminished whenever a member of the bar betrays his trust and
confidence reposed in him by his client.

In other words, a lawyer can do honor to the legal profession by faithfully performing his duties to the
court, to the public, to his brethren in the profession and to his client. He advances the honor of the
profession and the best interests of his client when he renders service or gives legal advice tending to
impress upon his client and his undertaking exact compliance with the strictest principles of moral law.
In this way, he not only avoids transgressions of the law and of the canons of legal ethics but also helps
build public esteem in the legal profession.

“Public confidence in law and lawyers may be eroded by the irresponsible and improper conduct of a
member of the Bar. Thus, every lawyer should act and comport himself in such a manner that would
promote public confidence in the integrity of the legal profession. Members of the Bar are expected to
always live up to the standards of the legal profession as embodied in the Code of Professional
Responsibility.”

A lawyer should also involve in, and actively support the activities of, the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines. He should not limit himself to merely paying his dues and other assessments to the
Integrated Bar, but should also help realize its objectives and purposes. The Integrated Bar seeks to
assist in the administration of justice; foster and maintain on the part of its members high ideals of
integrity, learning, professional competence, public service and conduct; safeguard the professional
interests of its members; cultivate among its members a spirit of cordiality and brotherhood; provide a
forum for the discussion of law, jurisprudence, law reform, pleading, practice and procedure and the
relations of the bar thereto; encourage and foster legal education; and promote a continuing program of
legal research in substantive and adjective law, and make reports and recommendations thereon.