PROBLEM AREAS IN LEGAL ETHICS

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE CODE: PALE

COURSE TITLE: PROBLEM AREAS IN LEGAL ETHICS COURSE

CREDIT: Three (3) units

FACULTY:

EMAIL ADDRESS:

TERM/ACADEMIC YEAR: SECOND SEMESTER SCHOOL YEAR 2020-2021

COURSE DELIVERY MODE: FULL ONLINE

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This three-unit subject provides the students professional rules and

guidelines that deal with the duties of a lawyer to the society, the courts,
the bar and his clients. It also deals with the matters of admission,
suspension, disbarment and reinstatement of lawyers and their regulation
and supervision.

COURSE GOALS: Expected College of Law Graduate Attributes (“ELGAs”)

(A) Know and understand the laws; (B) Memorize provisions; (C) Develop: (i)
critical and analytical thinking; (ii) proficiency in written and oral
communication; and (iii) logical reasoning and sound judgment; and (D)
Exercise proper professional and ethical responsibilities

LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES (“LOs”):

1. Knowledge/Remembering: define, list, recognize

2. Comprehension/Understanding: describe, explain, identify, recognize
3. Application/Applying: choose, demonstrate, implement, perform
4. Analysis/Analyzing: analyze, categorize, compare, differentiate
5. Evaluation/Evaluating: assess, critique, evaluate, rank, rate
6. Synthesis/Creating: construct, design, formulate, organize, synthesize Upon

completion of the Course Title course, the student is expected to be able to:

ELGAs LEARNING OUTCOMES (LOs)

Critical and LO1. Explain the pertinent Code of Professional Responsibility

analytical thinking provisions and apply these to specific factual situations. LO2.
Analyze the assigned cases and derive the applicable
Effective in doctrines enunciated therein.
written and oral LO4. Utilize legal research tools to gather pieces of
communication information that aid in the analysis of legal issues.
Logical reasoning
 Sound judgment

1
Exercise of
proper
professional and
ethical
responsibilities

ASSESSMENT/GRADING SYSTEM:

The student will be graded according to the following:

Requirements Based on the Learning Scope of Percentage
Outcomes (“LO”) Work (Weight is
(Individual) based on the
importance
of the LO)

LO1 Class recitations, Quizzes, Case Digests, Individual

LO2 and Discussion Individual

LO3 Individual

LO4 - Research Paper, Case Study

Class standing before Midterms Individual 16.67%

Midterm Exams Individual 16.67%

Class Standing after Midterms Individual 33.33%

Final Exams Individual 33.33%

TOTAL 100%

LEARNING PLAN:
TOPIC/CONTENT LEARNIN WEEK/ LEARNI
G DATE NG
RESOURC METHO
ES DS

Course Introduction Syllabus Lecture

• Course overview
• Course assignments Discussion
• Course requirements
Part I. Practice of Law Syllabus FEB 15-20 Recitation

A. Concept (In re Edillon, A.C. No. 1928, Textbooks Case Study

Dec. 19. 1980; In the Matter of the
Integration of the Bar of the
Discussion
Philippines, January 9, 1973, 151 Phil.
132; Philippine Lawyers v. Agrava, 105
Phil. 173; Cayetano v. Monsod, 201
SCRA 210; Bonifacio v. Era, A.C. No.
11754, October 3, 2017; Lingan v.
Baliga, A.C. No. 5377, June 30, 2014; Re:

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 Letter of the U.P. Law Faculty to the SC
on the Allegations of Plagiarism and
Misrepresentations in the SC, A.M. No.
10-10-4-SC, Mar. 8, 2011; Santiago v.
Sagucio, A.C. No. 6705, March 31, 2016;
Punla v. Ona, A.C. No. 11149, Aug. 15,
2017; Dizon v. De Taza, A.C. No. 7676,
Jun. 10, 2014; Pichon v. Agleron, A.C.
No. 5359, Mar. 10, 2014; Brunet v.
Guaren, A.C. No. 10164, Mar. 14, 2014;
Sanchez v. Aguilos, A.C. No. 10543,
Mar. 16, 2016; Pacao v. Limos, A.C. No.
11246, Jun. 14, 2016; Plumptre v. Rivera,
A.C. No. 11350, Aug. 9, 2016; Pimentel
v. Legal Education Board, G.R. Nos.
230642 & 242954, September 10, 2019.)

B. Qualifications (In the Matter of the

Admission to the Bar and Oath-Taking
of Successful Bar Applicant Al C.
Argosino, B.M. No. 712 July 13, 1995;
Alawi v. Alauya, A.M. No. SDC-97-2-P,
Feb. 24, 1997; Aguirre v. Rana, B.M. No.
1036, Jun. 10, 2003; In re Dacanay, B.M.
No. 1678, Dec. 7, 2007; Llunar v.
Ricafort, A.C. No. 6484, Jun. 16, 2015;
Caronan v. Caronan, A.C. No. 11316,
Jul. 12, 2016); Petilo v. Maramot, A.C.
No. 9067, January 31, 2018; De Leon v.
Geronimo; A.C. No. 10441, Feb. 14,
2018; Sanidad v. Aguas; A.C. No. 9838,
June 10, 2019)

C. Appearance of Non-lawyers (In re

Joaquin, 241 SCRA 405; Catimbuhan v.
Cruz, G.R. 51813-14, Nov. 29, 1983;
Cruz v. Mina, G.R. 154207, April 27,
2007; PAFLU vs. Binalbagan Isabela
Sugar Co., 42 SCRA 302)

D. Sanctions for Practice or Appearance

Without Authority (Villahermosa v.
Caracol, A.C. No. 7325, Jan. 21, 2015)

E. Public Officials and Practice of Law

(Ramos v. Manalac, 89 Phil. 270; In re
David, 93 Phil. 461; Peo v. Villanueva,
14, SCRA 109; Noriega v. Sison, 125
SCRA 293; Lingan v. Baliga, A.C. No.
5377, June 30, 2014; Eustaquio v.
Navales, A.C. No. 10465, June 8, 2016;
Fajardo v. Alvarez, A.C. No. 9018, April
20, 2016)

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Part II. Lawyers’ Oath Syllabus FEB 15-20 Recitation

(Ong v. De Los Santos, A.C. 10179, March Textbooks Case Study

4, 2014; Madrid v. Dealca, A.C. 7474, Sept.
9, 2014; Salabao v. Villaruel, A.C. No. 8084, Discussion
Aug. 4, 2015; Nulada v. Paulma, A.C. No.
8172, April 12, 2016; Kruysel v. Abion,
A.C. No. 5951, July 12, 2016)

Part III. Duty of the Lawyer to the Syllabus FEB 15-20 Recitation
Society
Textbooks Case
A. Duty to Uphold the Constitution and
Obey the Laws of the Land (Agno v. Study
Cagatan, A.C. NO. 4515, July 14, 2008;
Jimenez v. Verano, A.C. 8108, July 15,
Discussio
2014; Foster v. Agtang, A.C. 10579,
Dec. 10, 2014; Agot v. Rivera, A.C.
8000, Aug. 5, 2014; Re: Violation of n
Rules on Notarial Practice, A.M. 09-6-
01-SC, Jan. 21, 2015; Chu v. Guico, A.C.
10573, Jan. 13, 2015; Sosa v. Mendoza,
A.C. 8776, Mar. 23, 2015; ACA v.
Salvado, A.C. No. 10952, Jan. 26, 2016;
Canlapan v. Balayo, A.C. 10605, Feb.
17, 2016; De Veza v. Del Prado, A.C.
No. 9574, Jun. 21, 2016; Perez v.
Katindig and Baydo, A.C. 5816, Mar.
10, 2015; Ecraela v. Atty. Pangalangan,
A.C. 10676, Sept. 8, 2015; Advincula v.
Advincula, A.C. No. 9226, Jun. 14,
2016; Tumbaga v. Teoxon, A.C. No.
5573, Nov. 21, 2017)

B. Duty to Make His Legal Services

Available to the Public (People v.
Santocildes, Jr., G.R. No. 109149, 21
December 1999, 321 SCRA 310;
Purpose for the Establishment of Legal
Aid Offices in IBP Chapters)

C. Duty to Observe Candor and Fairness

(In re Ozaeta, 92 SCRA 1, Jul. 30, 1979)

D. Duty to Take Part in the Improvement

of the Legal System

E. Duty to Keep Abreast with Legal

Development (Bumactao v. Atty.
Fano,
A.C. 10286, Apr. 7, 2014; Uy v. Atty.
Maghari, A.C. 10525, Sept. 1, 2015;
Aims and Objectives of MCLE; Arnado
v. Adaza, A.C. No. 9834, Aug. 26, 2015)

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F. Duty of a Lawyer Employed in the
Government (PCGG v.
Sandiganbayan, 455 SCRA 526; Catu v.
Rellosa, 546 SCRA 209; Heck v.
Gamotin, A.C. 5329, Mar. 18, 2014;
Areola v. Atty. Mendoza, A.C. 10135,
Jan. 15, 2014; Facturan v. Barcelona,
A.C. No. 11069, Jun. 8, 2016)

Part IV. Duty of the Lawyer to His Syllabus Recitation

Profession
Textbooks Case Study
A. Duty to Maintain the Dignity of the
Profession (B.M. No. 139, 28 March
Discussion
1983, 121 SCRA 217; Leda v. Tabang,
A.C. No. 2505, February 21, 1992;
Guevarra v. Eala, A.C. No. 7136,
August 1, 2007; Bansig v. Celera, AC
5581, Jan. 14, 2014; Nuezca v. Villa
Garcia, A.C. No. 8210, Aug. 8, 2016)

B. Duty of Courtesy towards Fellow

Lawyers (Saberon v. Larong, A.C. No.
6567, Apr. 16, 2008; Gimeno v. Zaide,
AC 10303, April 21, 2015; Noble v.
Ailes, AC 10628, July 1, 2015; Malabed
v. De la Pena, A.C. No. 7594, Feb. 9,
2016)

C. Duty to be Fair to Fellow Lawyers

(Binay-an v. Addog, AC 10449, July 28,
2014)

D. Duty to Prevent Unauthorized Practice

of Law (Tapay v. Bancolo, AC 9604,
Mar. 20, 2013; Angeles v. Baggay, AC
8103, Dec. 3, 2014)

Part V. Duty of the Lawyer to the Courts Syllabus Recitation

A. Duty of Candor (Umaguing v. De Textbooks Case Study

Vera, A.C. No. 10451, Feb. 4, 2015)
Discussion
B. Duty of Respect (Nestle Phils. V.
Sanchez, 154 SCRA 542; Maglucot
Aw v. Maglucot, 295 SCRA 78;
Habawel v. CTA, G.R. No. 174759,
Sep. 7, 2011; In re Kapunan, A.M.
No. 13-11-09 SC, Aug. 12, 2014;
Enriquez v. Lavadia, A.C. No. 5686,
June 16, 2015)

C. Duty to Assist in the Admin of

Justice (Crisostomo v. Nazareno,
A.C. No. 6677, June 10, 2014; De los
Santos v. Barbosa, AC 6681, July 17,

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 2015; Floran v. Ediza, A.C. No.
5325, Feb. 9, 2016)

D. Duty to Refrain from Impropriety

(In re Almacen, 31 SCRA 532; In re
Bagabuyo, A.C. No. 7006, Oct. 9,
2007)

MIDTERM EXAMINATIONS

Part VI. Duty of the Lawyer to His Textbooks Recitation

Clients
Supreme Case Study
A. Duty not to Refuse to Provide His Court
Services (Nery v. Sampana, A.C. No.
Decisions Discussion
10196, Sep. 9, 2014; Ruby v. Bayot, A.C.
No. 10558, Feb. 23, 2015; Campugan v.
Caluya, A.C. No. 8261/8725, Mar. 11,
2015)

B. Duty of Confidentiality (Aninon v.

Sabitsana, A.C. No. 5098, Apr. 11, 2012;
Lee v. Simando, A.C. No. 9537, Jun. 10,
2013; Samson v. Era, A.C. No. 6664, Jul
15, 2013; Jimenez v. Francisco, A.C. No.
10548, Dec. 10, 2014; Diongzon v.
Mirano, A.C. No. 2404, Aug. 17, 2016)

C. Duty of Loyalty (Justo v. Galing, A.C.

No. 6174, Nov. 16, 2011; Sabitsana v.
Muertegui, G.R. No. 181359, Aug. 5,
2013; Daging v. Davis, A.C. No. 9395,
Nov. 12, 2014; Jimenez v. Francisco,
A.C. No. 10548, Dec. 10, 2014; Anglo v.
Valencia, A.C. No. 10567, Feb. 25, 2015;
Tulio v. Buhangin, A.C. No. 7110, Apr.
20, 2016)

D. Duty of Fidelity (Trinidad v. Villarin,

A.C. No. 9310, Feb. 27, 2013; Pesto v.
Millo, A.C. No. 9612, Mar. 13, 2013;
Ramirez v. Margallo, A.C. No. 10537,
Feb. 3, 2015; Maglente v. Agcaoili, A.C.
No. 10672, Mar. 18, 2015; Re: Decision
dated Aug. 19, 2008, 3rd Division, Court
of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 79904 v.
Atty. Ferrer, A.C. No. 8037, Feb. 17,
2016; AVIDA v. Argosino, A.C. No.
7437, Aug. 16, 2016)

E. Duty of Fiduciary (Jison v. Jiz, A.C. No.

9615, Mar 5, 2013; San Pedro v.
Mendoza, A.C. No. 5440, Dec 10, 2014;
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Luna v. Galarrita, A.C. No. 10662, Jul. 7,
2015; Foronda v. Alvarez, A.C. No.
9976, Jun. 25, 2014; Navarro v. Solidum,
A.C. No. 9872, Jan 28, 2014; Viray v.
Sanicas, A.C. No. 7337, Sep. 29, 2014;
Concepcion v. De la Rosa, A.C. No.
10681, Feb. 3, 2015; Yu v. De la Cruz,
A.C. No. 10912, Jan. 19, 2016; Ramos v.
Mandagan, A.C. No. 11128, Apr. 6,
2016; Malangas v. Zaide, A.C. No.
10675, May 31, 2016)

F. Duty of Fairness (Cadavedo v. Lacaya,

G.R. No. 173188, Jan. 15, 2014; Dalupan
v. Gacott, A.C. No. 5067, Jun. 29, 2015)

G. Duty of Competence and Diligence

(Penilla v. Alcid, A.C. No. 9149, Sep 4,
2013; Sotto v. Palicte, G.R. No. 159691,
Feb. 17, 2014; Figueras v. Jimenez, A.C.
No. 9116, Mar. 12, 2014; Baens v.
Sempio, A.C. No. 10378, Jun. 9, 2014;
Foronda v. Alvarez, A.C. No. 9976, Jun.
25, 2014; Layos v. Villanueva, A.C. No.
8085, Dec. 1, 2014;Tejano v. Baterina,
A.C. No. 8235, Jan. 27, 2015; Nonato v.
Fudolin, A.C. No. 10138, Jun. 16, 2015;
Enriquez v. Lavadia, A.C. No. 5686,
Jun. 16, 2015; Francisco v. Flores, A.C.
No. 10753; Gimena v. Sabio, A.C. No.
7178, Aug. 23, 2016)

Part VII. Discipline of Lawyers Textbooks Recitation

A. Nature and Characteristics of Supreme Case

Disciplinary Actions Against Lawyers Court
1. Sui Generis (Ylaya v. Gacott, A.C. Study
Decisions
No. 6475, Jan. 13, 2013; Bernaldez v.
Anquilo-Garcia, A.C. 8698, Aug. 31,
2016)
Discussio
2. Confidential (Tan v. Carpio Morales,
G.R. 173940, Sept. 5, 2006) n
3. Prescription (Calo v. De Gamo, A.C.
516, June 27, 1967)
4. Res Ipsa Loquitor (The Christian
Spiritists in the Philippines v.
Mangallay, A.C. No. 10483, Mar. 18,
2016)

5. It may be initiated Motu Propio

(Borres v. Abela, G.R. No. 131023,
July, 17, 2007)

B. Grounds for Disbarment.

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 C. Proceedings (Agno v. Cagatan, A.C. No. 4515, July
14, 2008; Campos v. Campos,
A.C. No. 8644, Jan 22, 2014; Tamaray v.
Daquis, A.C. No. 10868, Jan. 16, 2016;
Festin v. Zubiri, A.C. No. 11600, June 19,
2017; Reyes v. Nieva, A.C. No. 8560, Sept.
6, 2016; Murray v. Cervantes, A.C. No.
5408, Feb 7, 2017; Buffe v. Gonzales, A.C.
No. 8168, Oct. 12, 2016; Alicias v.
Macatangay, A.C. 7478, Jan. 11, 2017;
Trovela v. Robles, A.C. No. 11550, June 4,
2018)

D. Discipline of Filipino Lawyer’s Practice in Foreign

Jurisdiction

E. Contempt (Montecillo v. Gica, G.R. L

36800, Oct. 21, 1974; Silva v. Lee Jr.,
A.M.
R-225-RTJ, Jan. 26, 1989; Laurel v.
Francisco, A.M. No. RTJ-06-1992, July 6,
2010 Re Verified Complaint of Thomas
Merdegia, IPI 13-205-CA-J, A.C. No.
10300, Dec. 10, 2013; PhilComSat v.
Lokin and Labastilla, A.C. No. 11139,
Apr. 19, 2016)

F. Effect of Pardon (In re Atty. Tranquilino

Rovero, A.C. No. 126, Dec. 29, 1980)

Part VIII. Readmission to the Bar Textbooks Recitation

A. Lawyers who have been suspended Supreme Case

(Maniago v. De dios, A.C. No. 7472, Court
Mar. 30, 2010)
Decisions Study
B. Lawyers who have been disbarred (Cui
Discussio
v. Cui, L-18727, Aug. 1964)

C. Lawyers who have been repatriated (In n

re Dacanay, B.M. No. 1678, Dec, 17,
2007)

FINAL EXAMINATIONS

POLICIES:

1. Attendance will be checked every meeting.

2. Students who are called to recite but are absent shall get a grade of 65.
3. Students who missed a quiz will get a grade of 65.
4. Students must be properly attired.
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5. Students are prohibited from recording the online class as this is a violation of the
intellectual property rights of the Professor.

SUGGESTED TEXTBOOK: LEGAL ETHICS

by: Arcega and Dechavez
(Rex Bookstore)
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