MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF LAW
BASIC LEGAL ETHICS
LAW 111

REFERENCE MATERIALS:
A. LEGAL ETHICS BY DEAN ERNESTO PINEDA
B. BASIC LEGAL ETHICS BY THERESA S. DIZON
C. UPDATES OF JURISPRUDENCE AND NOTES IN LEGAL ETHICS BY
FREDERICK I. ANCIANO

I. LEGAL ETHICS
A. Practice of Law
1. Concept
a. Cayetano vs. Monsod, GR. No. 100113, September 3, 1991
b. Cruz vs. Cabera A.C No. 5737, October 24, 2004
c. Lim-Santiago vs. Sagucio, A.C No. 6705, March 31, 2006
2. Qualifications for admission to the Bar (Bar Matter No. 1153)
a. Aguirre vs. Rana, B.M. no. 1036, June 10, 2003
3. Continuing requirements for membership in the bar
4. Appearance of Non-Lawyers
a. Law student practice rule (A.M. No. 19-0324-SC, RULE 138-A)
b. Non-lawyers in courts and/or administrative tribunals
c. Proceedings where lawyers are prohibited from appearing as
counsels
5. Prohibited practice of non-lawyers and appearance without authority
6. Public officials and the practice of law; prohibitions and disqualifications
7. The Lawyer’s Oath (memorize)
a. In re: Argosino 270 SCRA 26

1
B. Duties and responsibilities of a lawyer under the Code of Professional
Responsibility
1. To society (Canons 1 to 6)
a. Barratry and Ambulance Chasing
b. The practice of law is a profession and not a money making trade.
c. Best advertisement for a lawyer.
d. . Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (Bar Matter No. 850, as amended)
1. Requirements
2. Compliance
3. Exemptions
4. Sanctions
Cases:
1. A-1 Financial Services, INC vs. Valerio A.C N0. 8290, July 2, 2010 Re: 2003
Bar Examination, BM. No. 1222
2. Cocmos Foundry Shop Workers Union vs. Lo Bu, 63 SCRA 321
Donton vs. Tasincgco, AC No. 6672
3. Linsangan vs. Tolentino, AC No. 6672
4. Santiago vs. Rafanan, AC. No. 6252, October 5, 2004
5. Director vs Bayot, 74 Phil 579
6. IN RE, Tagorda 57 aphil 37
7. Khan vs. Simbili AC. No. 5299, August 19, 2003
8. Dacanay vs. Baker and Mckenzie, 35 SCRA 34
9. Hussien vs Guttierez, AC No. 6707, March 24, 2006
10. Triente, Sr. vs Sandiganbayan, 145 SCRA 508
11. Enriquez, Sr. vs Jimenez, 107 Phil 933
12. PCGG vs.Sandiganbayan, 455 SCRA 536, April 12, 2005

2. To the legal profession

a. Canons 7 to 9
Cases
1. Atty. Bonifacio Barandon, Jr.vs Atty. Edwin Ferrer,Sr., A.C. No. 5768, March
26, 2010
2. In re: Ramon Galang, 66 SCRA 282

2
 3. Bugaring vs. Espanol, 2001
4. Republic vs. Kendrick Development Corp, GR. No. 149576
5. Engr. Gilbert Tumbokon vs. Atty. Mariano Pefianco, Administrative Case No.
6116, August 1, 2012
b. To the courts (Canons 10 to 13)
a. Forum Shopping
b. Prevention and sanctions against forum shopping
c. Effect of Forum Shopping
d. The Sub judice rule

Cases
1. Vda. De Victoria vs. Court of Appeals’
2. Insular Life Employee, Co. vs. Insular Life Association
3. Jessie R. De Leon vs. Atty. Eduardo G. Castelo, A.C. N0. 8620, January 21,
2011
4. Presiding Judge Jose L. Madrid, RTC, Br. 51 Sorsogon City vs. Atty Juan S.
Dealca, AC. No. 7474, September 9, 2014
5. Judge Rene B. Baculi vs. Atty. Melchor A. Battung, A.C NO. 8920, September
28,2011

4. To the clients Canons 14 to 22

a. Conflict of Interest Rule
b. Rule on Privilege Communication
Cases
1. Josefina Aninon vs. Atty. Clemencio Sabitsana, Jr., A.C No. 5098, Apeil 11,
2012
2. Willem Kuppers Vs. Atty. Johnson B. Hontanosa, A.C. No. 5704, May 8, 2009
3. Spouses, Rafols Vs. Atty. Ricardo Barrios, A.C. No. 4973, March 15, 2010

c. Lawyer is trustee of clients moneys and properties

Cases
1. Cordon vs. Balicanta, AC. No, 2797, October 4, 2002
2. Torben Overgaard vs. Atty. Godwin Valdez, AC. No. 7902, March 31, 2009
3. Dolores Belleza Vs. Atty. Allan S. Macasa, A.C. No. 7815, July 23, 2009

3
 4. Almira C. Foronda vs. Atty. Jose L. Alvarez, Jr, AC No. 9976 (Formely CBD
Case No. 09-2539, June 25, 2014
5. Rosario Junio Vs. Atty. Salvador M. Grupo, A.C. No. 5020, December 18,
2001
6. Roberto P. Nonato vs Atty. Eutiqui M. Fudolin, Jr., A.C No. 10138 (Formerly
CBD Case No. 06-1876), June 16, 2015
7. Joselito F. Tejano Vs. Atty. Benjamin F. Baterina, A.C. No. 8235, January 27,
2015
8. Atty. Ricardo M. Espina, Complainant vs. Atty. Jesus G. Chavez, Respodent,
A.C No. 7250 (Formerly CBD Case No. 05-1448), April 20, 2015
9. Valerina U. Dalisay vs. Atty. Melanio Mauricio, Jr., A.C. No. 5655, January 23,
2006
10. Alfredo C. Olvida vs. Atty. Arnel C. Gonzales, A.C.No. 5732, June 15, 2015

c. Attorney’s fees
1.Concept of Attorney’s fees
2. Acceptance fees
3. Concept and kinds of retainer agreement
4. Contingency fee arrangements
5. Attorney’s liens
6. Fees and controversies with clients
7. Quantum meruit
8. Champerty and Champertous Contract
9. Charging lien
10. Lawyer-Client Relationship
11. Privlege communication between lawyer and client
12. Causes of withdrawal of services as a lawyer
Cases
1. Caroline Castaneda Jimenez vs. Atty. Edgar B. Francisco, A.C. No. 10548,
December 10, 2014
2. Rosa F. Mercado vs. Atty. Julito D. Vitriolo, A.C. No. 5108, May 26, 2005
3. Angelita C. Orcino vs. Atty. Josue Gaspar, A.C. No. 3773, September 24,
1997

4
 ADMINISTRATIVE LIABILITIES OF LAWYERS
1. Nature and characteristics of disciplinary actions against lawyers
2. Grounds for suspension or disbarment of member of the bar
3. Distinguished warning, admonition, reprimand and suspension
4. Disbarment
3. Proceedings (Rule 139-B, Rules of Court, as amended)
4. Recoverable amounts; intrinsically linked to professional engagement
Readmission to the Bar
1. Lawyers who have been suspended
2. Lawyers who have been disbarred
3. Powers and limitations

II. JUDICIAL ETHICS

A. Sources
1. New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary (Bangalore
Draft)
2. Code of Judicial Conduct
B. QUALITIES
a. Independece
b. Integrity
c. Impartiality
d. Propriety
e. Equality
f. Competence and diligence
C. ADMINITRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER JUDGES AND JUSTICES
D. DISQUALIFICTON OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS
E. DISCIPLINE OF MEMBER OF THE JUDICIARY

a. Members of the Supreme Court

b. Lower court Judges and Justices

5
 c. Grounds
d. Impeachment
e. Sanction imposed by the Supreme Court on erring members of the Judiciary