XAVIER UNIVERSITY-ATENEO DE CAGAYAN

COLLEGE OF LAW

Problem Areas in Legal Ethics

2nd Semester SY 2021-2022

Fr. Ismael Jose III V. Chan-Gonzaga, SJ, JD

PART 1. UNDERSTANDING THE COURSE

General Course Description:

This course shall focus on the primary canons of legal ethics used in the Philippine legal system,
particularly the Code of Professional Responsibility (CPR) for members of the Bar. This course
hopes to navigate through the different principles, doctrines, and ideas by studying the evolving
jurisprudence, published journal articles, and new statutes pertaining to legal ethics as a
general concept. By the end of this course, the student should be able to understand and
appreciate the duties and responsibilities of the lawyer with respect to his/her client, the court,
the profession and society.

Grading System

Recitation/Quizzes/Reporting 1/3
Midterms 1/3
Finals 1/3

House Rules

See XU Law Handbook (if available)

Page 1 of 19
PART 2. UNDERSTANDING LEGAL ETHICS IN CONTEXT

A. Learning Objectives

• To understand the Filipino personality and psyche;

• To understand the interplay between Filipino culture and legal ethics;
• To understand how changes in the legal profession are affecting legal ethics.

B. Introductory Readings

(1) The Practice of Law and the Changing Legal Profession

• Timothy W. Floyd (1998), The Practice of Law as a Vocation or Calling.

• Roderick O’Brien, “Ethical Numbness: Some Glimpses of Lawyers Across Asia and the
South Pacific,” Journal of International Business Ethics, Vol. 5, No. 1 (2012).

PART 3. THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LAWYERS

A. Learning Objectives

• To acquire an overview of the roles and responsibilities of lawyers.

• To understand the common broad themes and values that permeate domestic and in-
ternational systems of legal ethics.

B. READINGS

• Letter of Sen. Jose W. Diokno to his eldest son, Jose Ramon I. Diokno dated October 23,
1972 at http://abogadoparasabayan.blogspot.com/2005_05_01_archive.html
• Justice Pompeyo Diaz (1981), Passion for Justice, 27 Ateneo Law Journal 81 (1983) at
http://www.mostlawfirm.net/resources/insights/passion-for-justice/
• The Lawyer’s Oath - Read, understand, & memorize Lawyer’s Oath. Commit it to heart.
• The Code of Professional Responsibility
• Rules of Court, Rule 138, Sec. 20 (Duties of attorneys)

PART 4. THE PRACTICE OF LAW AND REGULATION OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION

A. Learning Objectives

• To know how the State regulates the legal profession and entry into the practice of law.
• To know the requirements for admission to the practice of law.
• To understand the importance of good moral character to the practice of law.
• To be able to identify kinds of behavior that fall outside the scope of good moral
character.

Page 2 of 19
A. Readings

(1) Supervision and control over the legal profession

• Supreme Court: Art. VIII, Sec. 5 (5), 1987 Constitution

• Congress: Art. XII, Sec. 14 (2), 1987 Constitution
• In re Cunanan, 94 Phil. 534 (1954).
• In the Matter of the Integration of the Bar of the Philippines, Supreme Court Resolution
dated January 9, 1973.

(2) The practice of law and the roles that lawyers play in society

• Cayetano v. Monsod, G.R. No. 10013, September 3, 1991

(3) Requirements for admission to the practice of law

(a) Legal Education

• Pre-Law: Rules of Court, Rule 138, Sec. 6

• Law Proper: Rules of Court, Rule 138, Sec. 5
• Republic Act No. 7662 (1993) - Legal Education Reform Act

(b) Citizenship

• Constitution, Art. XII, Sec. 14 (2)

• Republic Act No. 9225 (2003) - Dual Citizenship Act
• Petition to Re-Acquire the Privilege to Practice Law by Epifanio Muneses, B.M. No. 2112,
July 24, 2012, with Supreme Court Resolution En Banc, July 24, 2012

(c) Bar Examinations

• ROC, Rule 138, Sec. 7-16

• Re: 2003 Bar Examinations, Atty. Daniel de Guzman, B.M. No. 1722, April 24, 2009

(4) Good moral character

• What is the scope of the good moral character requirement?

• Define the following, and give examples of each:
• Good moral character
• Moral turpitude
• Immoral conduct
• Grossly immoral conduct
• Dishonest conduct
• Deceitful conduct

Page 3 of 19
(a) Requirement to not engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral, deceitful conduct

• Rule 1.01, CPR

• Rule 7.03, CPR
• Rules of Court (ROC), Rule 138, Sec. 21

(b) Good moral character as a prerequisite to admission to the practice of law

• In the Matter of the Disqualification of Bar Examinee Haron S. Meling in the 2002 Bar
Examinations, 431 SCRA 146 (2004)
• In re Al C. Argosino, 246 SCRA 14 (1995
• Republic Act No. 8049 (the Anti-Hazing Law)
• Consolidated cases of Villareal vs. People of the Philippines, G.R. No. 151258, People vs.
Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 154954, Dizon vs. People, G.R. No. 155101, and Villa vs.
Escalona, G.R. Nos. 178057 and 178080, February 1, 2012.

(c) Unlawful conduct

• Piatt vs. Abordo, 58 Phil. 350 (1933)

• Stemmerik vs. Mas, 589 SCRA 114 (2009)

(d) Moral turpitude

• Embido v. Pe, A.C. No. 6732, 22 October 2013

• Garcia v. Sesbreno, A.C. No. 7973 and A.C. No. 10457, February 3, 2015 (homicide)

(e) Dishonest, deceitful conduct

• People vs. Tuanda, 181 SCRA 692 (1989)

• Tan vs. Sabandal, 206 SCRA 473 (1992)
• Fernandez vs. Grecia, 223 SCRA 425 (1993)
• Freeman vs. Reyes, A.C. No. 6246, November 15, 2011
• Dizon v. de Taza, A.C. No. 7676, 10 June 2014

(f) Immoral conduct

• Ui vs. Bonifacio, 333 SCRA 38 (2000)

• Figueroa vs. Barranco, 276 SCRA 445 (1997)
• Cordova vs. Cordova, 179 SCRA 680 (1989)
• Castillo vda de Mijares vs. Villaluz, 274 SCRA 1 (1997)
• Calub vs. Suller, 323 SCRA 556 (2000)
• Garrido vs. Garrido, 611 SCRA 508 (2010)
• Ventura vs. Samson, 686 SCRA 430 (2012)
• Ong v. de los Santos, A.C. No. 10179, 04 March 2014

Page 4 of 19
(5) Unauthorized practice of law

(a) In general

• CPR Canon 9
• ROC Rule 138-A - Student practice rule
• Cruz vs. Mina, 522 SCRA 387 (2007)
• Spouses Suarez vs. Salazar, G.R. No. 139281, September 29, 1999
• Aguirre vs. Rana, B.M. No. 1036, June 10, 2003
• Office of the Court Administrator vs. Ladaga, A.M. No. P-99-1287, Jan. 26, 2001
• Alawi vs. Alauya, A.M. No. SDC-97-2-P, February 24, 1997

(b) Duty to not delegate work to an unqualified person

• Rule 9.01, CPR

(c) Duty to not divide legal fees

• Rule 9.02, CPR

• Halili vs. CIR, G.R. No. L-24864, April 30, 1985, 136 SCRA 113 (1985)
• Lijuaico vs. Terrado, A.C. No. 6317, August 31, 2006, 500 SCRA 301 (2006)

(d) When non-lawyers can appear

• ROC Rule 138-A

• ROC Rule 138, Sections 33-34
• Act No. 2259, Sec. 1
• Labor Code, Art. 222
• DARAB - RA 6657, as amended by RA 9700, Rule VIII, Sec. 1
• Local Government Code (RA 7160), Sec. 415

(e) Liability for unauthorized practice

• ROC Rule 71 - Contempt of court

• RA 6713, Sec. 7(b) and 11

(f) Others

• In re: Petition to sign roll of attorneys of Michael A. Medado, B.M. No. 2540, 24
September 2013
• Feliciano v. Bautista-Lozada, A.C. No. 7593, 11 March 2015 (effect of suspension)

(6) Disqualification of public officials from engaging in the practice of law

• ROC Rule 138, Sec. 35

Page 5 of 19
 • Art. VII, Sec. 13, 1987 Philippine Constitution
• Art. IX (A), Sec. 2, 1987 Philippine Constitution
• Art. VI, Sec. 14, 1987 Philippine Constitution
• RA 7160, Sec. 90 (a), (b)
• RA 6713, Sec. 7 (b) (2)
• Catu v. Rellosa, A.C. No. 5738, February 19, 2008.

PART 5. THE LAWYER’S DUTY TO SOCIETY

Learning Objectives

• To understand the lawyer's duty to society;

• To appreciate the potential of the lawyer to preserve the status quo as well as to transform
it;
• To reflect on the role of nationalism and love of country in the lawyer’s performance of
his/her duties.

A. The Rule of Law

(1) Duty to respect the law and legal processes

• Canon 1, CPR
• Rules 1.01 to 1.04, CPR
• In re Gutierrez, 5 SCRA 661 (1962)
• Zaldivar vs. Gonzales, 166 SCRA 316 (1988)
• Estrada vs. Sandiganbayan, 416 SCRA 465 (2003)
• Areola v. Mendoza, A.C. No. 10135, 15 January 2014
• Jimenez v. Verano, A.C. No. 8108 and A.C. No. 10299, 15 July 2014 (Alabang Boys, DOJ
Secretary Raul Gonzalez)
• Guarin v. Limpin, A.C. No. 10576, January 14, 2015

(2) Duty to impress upon client the duty to comply with laws

• CPR Rule 15.07: Impress compliance with laws

• CPR Rule 1.02: Not to counsel or abet defiance of the law
• CPR Rule 19.02: Call upon client to rectify fraud

(3) Duty to uphold the Constitution and the national interest

• Kupers vs. Hontanosas, 587 SCRA 325 (2009)

• Stemmerik vs. Mas, 589 SCRA 114 (2009)

Page 6 of 19
(4) Duty to uphold the integrity of the legal system: the special role of the notary public

• 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, Supreme Court A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, July 6, 2004
• Rule IV, Sections 1-6
• Rule VII, Sections 1-2
• Rule XI, Sec. 1
• Spouses Santuyo vs. Hidalgo, 448 SCRA 282 (2005)
• Sicat vs. Ariola, 456 SCRA 93 (2005)
• Mondejar vs. Rubia, 496 SCRA 1 (2006)
• Lee vs. Tambago, 544 SCRA 393 (2008)

Notarial duties —!Note the various ways by which the Notarial Rules are violated.

• Crisostomo v. Nazareno, A.C. No. 6677, 10 June 2014

• De Jesus v. Sanchez-Malit, A.C. No. 6470, 08 July 2014
• Almazan v. Suerte-Felipe, A.C. No. 7184, 17 September 2014
• In re: Order of Judge Madamba, A.C. No. 10119, 11 November 2014
• Relampagos v. Lagunay, A.C. No. 10703, 09 February 2015
• Pitogo v. Suello, A.C. No. 10695, 18 March 2015
• Heirs of Alilano v. Examen, A.C. No. 10132, 24 March 2015
• Gimeno v. Zaide, A.C. No. 10303, 22 April 2015

B. Service to the Needy, Defenseless, and Oppressed

(1) Duty not to reject oppressed or defenseless

• Canon 2, Rules 2.01-2.02, CPR

• Rep. Act No. 10389, Recognizance Act of 2012

(2) Duty not to decline representation on account of status

• Canon 14, CPR

• Rule 14.01, CPR
• Mandatory Legal Aid Service for Practicing Lawyers, Bar Matter No. 2012 approved
February 10, 2009

(3) Duty to serve as counsel de oficio

• Rule 14.02, CPR

• Ledesma v. Climaco, G.R. No. 23815, June 28, 1974
• ROC Rule 138, Sec. 31; Sec. 20 (h)
• ROC Rule 116, Sec. 6-8
• ROC Rule 124, Sec. 2
• P.D. No. 543

Page 7 of 19
(4) Valid grounds for refusal

• Rule 14.03, CPR

(5) Same standard of conduct for paying and non-paying clients

• Rule 14.04, CPR

• A.M. No. 08-11-7-SC, September 10, 2009 effective September 27, 2009
• Rep. Act No. 6033
• Rep. Act No. 6034
• Rep. Act No. 6035
• Rep. Act No. 6036
• Rep. Act No. 9406 (2007), Sec. 16-D

C. Peaceful Settlement of Disputes

(1) To discourage litigation

• Rule 1.03, CPR

• Saburnido vs. Madrono, G.R. AC No. 4497, Sept. 26, 2001

(2) To settle controversies outside of court whenever possible

• Rule 1.04, CPR

• Rule 15.04, CPR
• Castaneda vs. Ago, 65 SCRA 505 (1975)
• ADR Act of 2004, Rep. Act No. 9285, Chapters 1 & 2

D. Improvement of the Legal System

• Canon 4, CPR

E. Participation in Continuing Legal Education

• Rodriguez Manahan v. Flores, A.C. No. 8974, November 13, 2013

• Rivera-Pascual v. Spouses Lim, G.R. No. 191837

F. Lawyers in Government Service

(1) In general

• Republic Act No. 6713, Sec. 4 (1989)

• Collantes vs. Romeron, 200 SCRA 584 (1991)
• Pimentel vs. Fabros, 501 SCRA 346 (2006)
• Lahn vs. Mayor, 666 SCRA 1 (2012)

Page 8 of 19
(2) Duty of prosecutors

• Rule 6.01, CPR

• People vs. Pineda, 20 SCRA 748 (1967)

(3) Duty not to use public position for private interest

• Rule 6.02, CPR

• Misamin vs. San Juan, 72 SCRA 491 (1976)
• Vitriolo vs. Dasig, 400 SCRA 172 (2003)
• Huyssen v. Gutierrez, 485 SCRA 244 (2006)
• Ramos vs. Imbang, 530 SCRA 759 (2007)
• In re Avecilla, A.C. No. 6683, June 21, 2011

(4) Duty not to accept employment after government service

• Rule 6.03, CPR

• Rep. Act No. 6713, Sec. 7 (b)
• Query of Atty. Karen M. Silverio, 596 SCRA 378 (2009)
• Rep. Act No. 3019, Sec. 3 (d)
• PCGG vs. Sandiganbayan, 455 SCRA 526 (2005)

PART 6. THE LAWYER’S DUTIES TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION

A. Learning Objectives

• To understand the general responsibilities of lawyers to the legal profession.

• To understand the importance of civility in the legal profession.
• To understand the proscriptions against advertising and solicitation in light of new
technology and the corporatization of legal practice.

B. Readings

(1) Duty to uphold integrity and dignity of the legal profession

(a) In general

•Canon 7, CPR
•Rule 7.03, CPR
•Guevarra v. Atty. Eala, A.C. No. 7136, August 1, 2007.
•See previous cases under Good Moral Character.

Page 9 of 19
 (b) No false statement in application for admission to the Bar

•Rule 7.01, CPR

•In re Diao, A.C. No. 244, March 29, 1963

(c) Duty not to support unqualified Bar applicant

•Rule 7.02, CPR

•Integration of the Bar
•RA 6397 - Integrated Bar of the Philippines
•ROC, Rule 139-A, Secs. 9-10

(d) IBP Elections

•In re 1989 Elections of the IBP, 178 SCRA 398 (1989)

•2009 IBP Elections 638 SCRA 1 (2010)
•Velez vs. De Vera, 496 SCRA 345 (2006)

(e) IBP Dues

• Letter of Atty. Cecilio Arevalo, 458 SCRA 209 (2005)

• Arnado v. Atty. Homobono Adaza, A.C. No. 9834, August 26, 2015.

(2) Civility

(a) In general

•Canon 8, CPR
•Bugarin vs. Espanol, 349 SCRA 687 (2001)
•Reyes vs. Chiong, 405 SCRA 212 (2003)
•Barandon vs. Ferrer, 616 SCRA 529 (2010)
•Espina v. Chavez, A.C. No. 7250, April 20, 2015

(b) Use of proper language

•Rule 8.01, CPR

•Alcantara vs. Pefianco, 393 SCRA 247 (2002)
•Dallong-Galicinao vs. Castro, 474 SCRA 1 (2005)
•Noble v. Ailes, A.C. No. 10628, July 1, 2015
•Rodriguez-Manahan v. Flores, A.C. No. 8954, 13 November 2013
•Gimeno v. Zaide, A.C. No. 10303, 22 April 2015

(c) Not to encroach on professional employment

•Rule 8.02, CPR

Page 10 of 19
 •Camacho vs. Pangulayan, 328 SCRA 631 (2000)
•Binay-an v. Addog, A.C. No. 10449, 28 July 2014 (case involved IPs)

(3) Solicitation and advertising

(a) Advertising

•Canon 3, CPR
•Rule 3.01, CPR
•Khan v. Simbillo, A.C. No. 5299, August 19, 2003

(b) Firm Name

•Rule 3.02, CPR

•In re Petition of Sycip, G.R. No. X92-1, July 30, 1979
•Nebreja v. Reonel, A.C. No. 9896, March 19, 2014
•Rule 3.03, CPR
•1987 Philippine Constitution, Art. VI, Sec. 14; Art. VII, Sec. 13; Art. IX, Sec. 2

(c) Solicitation

•Rule 2.03, CPR

•ROC Rule 138, Sec. 27
•Rule 2.04, CPR
•Ulep v. Legal Clinic, B.M. No. 553, June 17, 1993
•Linsangan v. Tolentino, A.C. No. 6672, September 4, 2009
•Villatuya v. Tabalingcos, A.C. No. 6622, July 10, 2012

(d) Use of Media

•Rule 3.04, CPR

•Cruz v. Salva, 105 Phil. 1151 (1959)

PART 7. THE LAWYER’S DUTIES TO THE COURTS:

A. Learning Objectives

• To understand the nature of the attorney’s relationship with the courts, its attendant
roles and responsibilities, and its effects.
• To have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the role of the lawyer as an
administrator of justice and an officer of the court.

Page 11 of 19
B. Primary Readings

• Code of Professional Responsibility

• Rule 71, Rules of Court

C. The lawyer as administrator of justice

• Philippine Constitution, Art. III, Sec. 16

• CPR, Canon 12
• ROC Rule 138, Sec. 20 (g)
• PD 1829 penalizing obstruction of justice

D. Duties and responsibilities of lawyers

1) Respect for courts and judicial officers

• Canon 11 - Respect courts and judicial officers

• Guerrero vs. Villamor, 179 SCRA 355 (1989)
• Bueno vs. Raneses, A.C. No. 8383, December 11, 2012, 687 SCRA 711 (2012)
• Areola vs. Mendoza, A.C. No. 10135, January 15, 2014

2) Attitude towards the court

• Canon 10 - Observe candor, fairness, and good faith

• Ting Dumali vs. Torres, 427 SCRA 108 (2004)
• CPR Rule 10.01 - Truthfulness towards the court
• Canon 32, CPE
• CPR Rule 10.02 - Not to misquote or misrepresent contents of paper
• Plagiarism cases
• Re: Letter of the UP Law Faculty, 633 SCRA 428 (2010), March 8, 2011
• Re: Letter of the UP Law Faculty, 644 SCRA 543 (2011), June 7, 2011
• In the Matter of Charges of Plagiarism against Associate Justice Mariano Del
Castillo, 642 SCRA 11 (2011)
• Cf. Vinuya vs. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 162230, April 28, 2010
• In re Lozanos, A.M. No. 10-1-13-SC and 109-9-SC, June 15, 2012
• CPR Rule 10.03 - Observe rules of procedure
• ROC Rule 138, Sec. 20 (d)

3) Attitude towards judges

• CPR Rule 11.04 - Not to attribute motives to judge

• Madrid vs. Dealca, A.C. No. 7474, September 9, 2014
• CPR Rule 11.05 - Grievances against judge
• Phil. Constitution, Art. VII, Sec. 6

Page 12 of 19
 • Maceda vs. Vasquez, 221 SCRA 464 (1993)
• Canon 13 - Refrain from act giving appearance of influence
• Perez vs. Estrada, 360 SCRA 248 (2001)
• CPR Rule 13.01 - 13.03
• Maglasang vs. People, 190 SCRA 306 (1990)
• CPR Rule 12.02 and Rule 18.02 - Adequate preparation
• CPR Rule 12.02 – 12.04
• Saa vs. IBP-CBD, 598 SCRA 6 (2009)
• Plus Builders, Inc. vs. Revilla, Jr., 578 SCRA 432 (2009)
• CPR Rule 12.05 to Rule 12.07 - Proper behavior
• CPR Rule 12.08 - Not to testify on behalf of client

4) Professionalism

• CPR Rule 11.01 - Proper attire

• CPR Rule 11.02 - Punctuality
• CPR Rule 11.03 - Proper language and behavior
• Lacurom vs. Jacoba, 484 SCRA 206 (2006)
• Baculi vs. Battung, A.C. No. 8920, September 28, 2011, 698 SCRA 209 (2011)

PART 8. THE LAWYER’S DUTIES TO THE CLIENT

A. Learning Objectives

• To understand the nature of the attorney-client relationship, its attendant roles and
responsibilities, and its effects;
• To have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the role of the lawyer as ethical
adviser, and the lawyer’s potential to influence the client’s behavior, actions, and
decisions.

B. The Attorney-Client Relationship

Questions:

• What is the nature of the attorney-client relationship?

• When and how is attorney-client relationship created? Why is it important to know this?
• What are the lawyer’s responsibilities for the duration of the attorney-client
relationship? After the relationship is terminated?

Cases:

• Burbe v. Magulta, A.C. No. 99-634, June 10, 2002.

• Hadjula v. Madianda, A.C. No. 6711, July 3, 2007.

Page 13 of 19
C. Service to the needy, defenseless, and oppressed

1) Duty not to reject oppressed or defenseless

• Canon 2, Rules 2.01-2.02, CPR

• Rep. Act No. 10389, Recognizance Act of 2012

2) Duty not to decline representation on account of status

• Canon 14, CPR

• Rule 14.01, CPR

3) Duty to serve as counsel de oficio

• Rule 14.02, CPR

• ROC Rule 138, Sec. 31
• ROC Rule 138, Sec. 20 (h)
• ROC Rule 116, Sec. 6-8
• ROC Rule 124, Sec. 2
• P.D. No. 543
• People v. Sta. Teresa, G.R. No. 130663, March 20, 2001

4) Valid grounds for refusal

• Rule 14.03, CPR

5) Same standard of conduct for paying and non-paying clients

• Rule 14.04, CPR

• A.M. No. 08-11-7-SC, September 10, 2009 effective September 27, 2009
• Rep. Act No. 6033
• Rep. Act No. 6034
• Rep. Act No. 6035
• Rep. Act No. 6036
• Rep. Act No. 9406 (2007), Sec. 16-D

D. Fidelity to client's cause

(1) Duty of fidelity to the client's cause

• CPR Canon 17
• Angalan vs. Delante, 578 SCRA 113 (2009)
• In re Maquera, 435 SCRA 417 (2004)
• Mattus v. Villaseca, A.C. No. 7922, October 1, 2013

Page 14 of 19
(2) Duty to give candid, honest advice on merits and prospects of case

• CPR Rule 15.05: Candid, honest advice on prospects of case

• Rule 7, Sec. 3, Rules of Court
• Lopez v. Aquino, G.R. No. L-28078, April 29, 1971
• Gillego v. Diaz, G.R. No. L-27428, May 29, 1971
• Canon 8, Canons of Professional Ethics

(3) Duty to discourage litigation and settle controversies outside of court whenever
possible

• CPR Rule 1.03: Not encourage any suit or proceeding

• CPR Rule 1.04
• CPR Rule 15.04
• Castaneda vs. Ago, 65 SCRA 505 (1975)
• ADR Act of 2004, Rep. Act No. 9285, Chapters 1 & 2

(4) Duty to serve client with competence and diligence

• CPR Canon 18
• Tejano v. Baterina, A.C. No. 8235, January 27, 2015
• Llunar v. Ricafort, A.C. No. 6484, June 16, 2015
• Rule 18.01
• Rule 18.02
• Rule 18.03: Not to neglect legal matters
• Endaya vs. Oca, 410 SCRA 344 (2003)
• Carandang vs. Obmina, A.C. No. 7813, April 21, 2009
• Agot vs. Rivera, 732 SCRA 12 (2014)
• Rule 18.04: Inform client of status of case
• Lagua v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 173390, June 27, 2012

(5) Duty to represent client with zeal within the bounds of the law

• CPR Canon 19
• CPR Rule 19.01
• CPR Rule 19.02
• CPR Rule 19.03
• Rule 138, Sec. 20 (d)
• Millare vs. Montero, 246 SCRA 1

(6) Duty to impress upon client the duty to comply with laws

• CPR Rule 15.07: Compliance with laws and principles of fairness

Page 15 of 19
 • CPR Rule 1.02: Not to counsel or abet defiance of the law
• CPR Rule 19.02: Call upon client to rectify fraud
• CPR Rule 19.03: Not allow client to dictate procedure in handling case
• Rule 138, Sec. 23: Authority of attorneys to bind clients
• Rule 138, Sec. 26: Procedure for change of attorney

(7) Duty to refrain from impropriety that influences the court

• CPR Canon 13
• CPR Rule 13.01: Not cultivate familiarity with judges
• In re De Vera, 385 SCRA 285 (2002)
• Nestle Phil., Inc. vs. Sanchez, 154 SCRA 542 (1987)
• CPR Rule 15.06: Not to claim influence
• Mercado vs. Security Bank, 482 SCRA 501 (2006)

(8) Duty to exercise good faith in business transactions with clients

• CPR Rule 15.08: Dual profession

• Nakpil vs. Valdez, 286 SCRA 758 (1998)

E. Conflict of interest

Questions:

• What is conflict of interest? Why are there proscriptions against it?

• What are the kinds of conflict of interest?
• What are the tests for determining conflict of interest?
• How can conflicts of interest be avoided? Mitigated?
• What are the defenses against a charge of conflict of interest?

1) Codal provisions:

• CPR Canon 15
• CPR Rule 14.03 (b)
• CPR Rule 15.01
• CPR Rule 15.03
• CPR Rule 21.07
• CPR Rule 6.03
• Canons 6, Canons of Professional Ethics (CPE)

2) Cases:

• Perez vs. De La Torre, 485 SCRA 547 (2006)

• Samson vs. Era, A.C. No. 6664, July 16, 2013

Page 16 of 19
 • Hornilla vs. Salunat, 405 SCRA 220 (2003)
• Solatan vs. Inocentes, 466 SCRA 1 (2005)
• Daging vs. Davis, A.C. No. 9395, November 12, 2014
• Aninon vs. Sabitsana, Jr., A.R. No. 5098, April 11, 2012
• Orola vs. Ramos, A.C. No. 9860, September 11, 2013
• PCGG vs. Sandiganbayan, 455 SCRA 546 (2005)

F. Privileged communication: confidences and secrets

Questions:

• What is the attorney-client privilege? What is its rationale?

• What is the extent of its scope? Limitations?

1) Codal provisions:

• Canon 21: Preserve client’s confidences and secrets

• CPR Rule 21.01
• CPR Rule 21.02
• CPR Rule 21.03
• CPR Rule 21.04
• CPR Rule 21.05
• CPR Rule 21.06
• CPR Rule 21.07, cf. CPR Rule 15.01, Rule 14.03
• CPR Rule 15.02
• ROC Rule 138, Sec. 20 (e)
• ROC Rule 130, Sec. 21 (b)
• Art. 208, Revised Penal Code
• CPE, Canon 37

2) Cases:

• Genato vs. Silapan, 406 SCRA 75 (2003)

• Regala vs. Sandiganbayan, 262 SCRA 122 (1996)
• Castillo vs. Sandiganbayan, 377 SCRA 509 (2002)
• Dalisay vs. Mauricio, 479 SCRA 307 (2006)
• Lee vs. Simando, A.C. No. 9537, June 10, 2013

G. Duty to hold client’s moneys and properties in trust

1) Codal provisions and cases:

• CANON 16: Hold client’s moneys and properties in trust

• Art. 1491, Civil Code

Page 17 of 19
 • Zalamea v. De Guzman, A.C. No. 7387, November 3, 2016
• CPR Rule 16.01: To account
• Berbano vs. Barcelona, 410 SCRA 258 (2003)
• CPR Rule 16.02: To keep client’s fund separate
• Hernandez vs. Go, 450 SCRA 1 (2005)
• CPR Rule 16.03: Delivery of funds, lawyer’s lien
• Businos vs. Ricafort, 283 SCRA 40 (1997)
• Rayos vs. Hernandez, G.R. No. 169079, February 12, 2007
• CPR Rule 16.04: No borrowing, lending
• Barnachea vs. Quicho, 399 SCRA 1 (2003)
• Navarro vs. Solidum, A.C. No. 9872, January 28, 2014

H. Attorney’s Fees

1) Codal provisions and cases:

• CANON 20: To charge only fair and reasonable fees

• Rep. Act No. 5185, Sec. 6
• ROC Rule 138, Sec. 24, 32
• Metropolitan Bank vs. CA, 181 SCRA 367 (1990)
• CPR Rule 20.01: Fee guide
• Roxas vs. de Zuzuarregui, 481 SCRA 250 (2006)
• Masmud vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 183385, February 13, 2009
• CPR Rule 20.02: Client’s consent of fees for referral
• Urban Bank vs. Pena, 364 SCRA 597 (2001)
• CPR Rule 20.03: Client’s consent of acceptance of fee
• ROC Rule 138, Sec. 20 (e)
• CPR Rule 20.04: Avoid compensation controversy with client
• ROC Rule 138, Sec. 24, 32
• Malvar v. Kraft Foods, G.R. No. 183952, September 9, 2013
• Balingit v. Cervantes & Delarmente, A.C. No. 11059, November 9, 2016

I. Withdrawal of Services

• Canon 22
• CPR Rule 22.01
• Montano vs. IBP, 358 SCRA 1 (2001)
• CPR Rule 22.02
• Caoile vs. Macaraeg, A.C. No. 720, June 17, 2015

Page 18 of 19
PART 9. DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND PENALTIES

1. Discipline of lawyers

• Rule 138, Sec. 27 as amended by Supreme Court Resolution dated February 13, 1992
AMENDED SEC. 27, RULE 138:
“SEC. 27. Disbarment or suspension of attorneys by Supreme Court; grounds therefore.
— A member of the bar may be disbarred or suspended from his office as attorney by
the Supreme Court for any deceit, malpractice, or other gross misconduct in such office,
grossly immoral conduct or by reason of his conviction of a crime involving moral
turpitude, or for any violation of the oath which he is required to take before admission
to practice, or for a willful disobedience of any lawful order of a superior court, or for
corruptly or willfully appearing as an attorney for a party to a case without authority so
to do. The practice of soliciting cases at law for the purpose of gain, either personally or
through paid agents or brokers, constitutes malpractice.”

THE DISBARMENT OR SUSPENSION OF A MEMBER OF THE PHILIPPINE BAR BY A

COMPETENT COURT OR OTHER DISCIPLINATORY AGENCY IN A FOREIGN JURISDICTION
WHERE HE HAS ALSO BEEN ADMITTED AS AN ATTORNEY IS A GROUND FOR HIS
DISBARMENT OR SUSPENSION IF THE BASIS OF SUCH ACTION INCLUDES ANY OF THE
ACTS HEREINABOVE ENUMERATED.

THE JUDGMENT, RESOLUTION OR ORDER OF THE FOREIGN COURT OR DISCIPLINARY

AGENCY SHALL BE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE GROUND FOR DISBARMENT OR
SUSPENSION. (AS AMENDED)

• Rule 139-B
• Supreme Court Bar Matter No. 1755, September 25, 2007
• Yuhico vs. Gutierrez, A.C. No. 8391, November 23, 2010
• Maniago vs. De Dios, A.C. No. 7472, March 10, 2010
• ROC Rule 71 - Direct and indirect contempt
• Legal Opinion: Resolution # 020520
• AC No. 5377 (6/30/2014)

Page 19 of 19