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Legal Ethics Quiz No. 1
Legal Ethics Quiz No. 1
2. From what jurisdiction was the system of legal ethics in the Philippines derived?
Sources of Legal Ethics:
1. The 1987 Constitution.
2. Applicable Jurisprudence.
3. Code of Professional Responsibility.
4. New Civil Code.
5. Rules of Court.
6. Revised Penal Code.
7. Local Government Code.
3. A law was passed in Congress which empowered and mandated the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) to regulate the practice of law in the Philippines. Was
the law valid?
No, it is the Supreme Court who has the power to control and regulate the practice of
law as provided in the Constitution.
4. Attorney Matanda is a 75 - year old lawyer from Pamplona, Cagayan. For the past
5 years, he has solely devoted his time to notarial practice (which includes, but not
limited to, preparing affidavits of loss, deeds of sales and special powers of attorney.
When he applied for the renewal of his notarial commission, the court asked for his
Mandatory Continuing Legal Certificate (MCLE). Atty. Matanda said that he is not
required to comply with MCLE because he is not engaged in the practice of law as he
does not represent clients in courts anymore. Is Atty. Matanda correct? Explain
Atty. Matanda is correct. Those who are not in law practice, whether private or public,
are exempted from the MCLE.
Yes. As long as the partners are members of the legal profession duly authorized to
practice, and amenable to professional discipline.
8. What are the main duties of a lawyer? Which of these is the most important to
you? Why?
It is the duty of an attorney:
1. To maintain allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and to support the
Constitution and obey the laws of the Philippines;
2. To observe and maintain the respect due to the courts of justice and judicial
officers;
3. To counsel or maintain such actions or proceedings only as appear to him to
be just, and such defenses only as he believes to be honestly debatable under
the law;
4. To employ, for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided to him, such
means only as are consistent with truth and honor, and never seek to mislead
the judge or any judicial officer by an artifice or false statement of fact or law;
5. To maintain inviolate the confidence, and at every peril to himself, to
preserve the secrets of his client, and to accept no compensation in
connection with his client's business except from him or with his knowledge
and approval;
6. To abstain from all offensive personality and to advance no fact prejudicial
to the honor or reputation of a party or witness, unless required by the justice
of the cause with which he is charged;
7. Not to encourage either the commencement or the continuance of an action
or proceeding, or delay any man's cause, from any corrupt motive or interest;
8. Never to reject, for any consideration personal to himself, the cause of the
defenseless or oppressed;
9. In the defense of a person accused of crime, by all fair and honorable
means, regardless of his personal opinion as to the guilt of the accused, to
present every defense that the law permits, to the end that no person may be
deprived of life or liberty, but by due process of law.
The most important to me is the very first duty, i.e., “To maintain allegiance to
the Republic of the Philippines and to support the Constitution and obey the
laws of the Philippines” because this is the main guide in every citizen’s duty
to its country and its countrymen. If you use this as your guide in performing
your duty as lawyer, you will never go wrong, it being the most basic among all
the duties of a lawyer.
10. What is the Code that establishes the norms of conduct and ethical standards of
lawyers? When was this promulgated?
Code of Professional Responsibility promulgated in 1988