Canon 5

Sec. 1. Judges shall be aware of, and understand, diversity in society and differences arising from
various sources, including but not limited to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, caste, disability,
age, marital status, sexual orientation, social and economic status and other like causes.

Litigants seeking justice should be treated by a judge equally without distinction to their race, color, sex,
religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, social and economic status. A judge should recognize the
differences and diversities within society for him to make fair and reasonable decisions. He will be more
perceptive without compromising justice.

Sec 5. Judges shall require lawyers in proceedings before the court to refrain from manifesting, by
words or conduct, bias or prejudice based on irrelevant grounds, except such as are legally relevant to
an issue in proceedings and may be the subject of legitimate advocacy.

 Inherent Powers Of The Court

Among the inherent powers the Court are:

“(a) To preserve and enforce in its immediate presence; and

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“(d) To control, in furtherance of justice, the conduct of its ministerial officers, and all other
persons in any manner connected with a case before it, in every manner appertaining thereto.

Judges can control the actions of a lawyers who appear before them if such actions whether by
words or conduct create bias or prejudice against parties, witnesses or other persons in court.
In addition, He can order lawyers to stop abusing, browbeating or harassing or unnecessarily
inconveniencing the witnesses.

 Judge May Discipline Lawyers And Court Personnel For Unprofessional Conduct

Based on Rule 3.10 of the Old Code which is similar to Section 3 of Canon 2 of the New Code, as
part of their duty of to uphold decorum and order in the courtroom, judges have the authority
to take appropriate action against lawyers or court personnel who work under their supervision
for unprofessional conduct brought to or coming to his attention.

 Judge May Not Summarily Suspend A Lawyer For Indirect Contempt

RTC judges have the authority to suspend an attorney who appears before them for any of the
offenses listed in Rule 138 of the Rules of Court following the proper procedures. However, the
lawyer cannot be barred by the court from practicing law as a punishment of contempt.
 Power To Dismiss Court Employees Is Vested In The Supreme Court

Despite having the power to recommend for appointment a court personnel, A judge has no
power to dismiss them. The power to dismiss a court employee is vested in the Supreme Court.

 Power Of Judges To Discipline Personnel, Limited To Light Offenses Only

Judges and/or executive judges have to the power to discipline for light offenses those erring
court personnel under their supervision. Moreover, Supreme Court will take proper action to
the suspension of court employee who are charged with grave or less grave offenses.