CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC - April 11, 2023

1. ACOSTA
2. AREJA
3. AWATIN
4. BALLADO
CANON I
INDEPENDENCE
The independence of a lawyer in the discharge of professional duties without any improper
influence, restriction, pressure, or interference, direct or indirect, ensures effective legal
representation and is ultimately imperative for the rule of law.

SECTION IDENTIFY IF IF PREVIOUS PROVISION, INDICATE

OLD OR NEW THE SAME
PROVISION

Section 1. Independent, accessible, OLD CANON 2 - A LAWYER SHALL MAKE

efficient and effective legal service. PROVISION, HIS LEGAL SERVICES AVAILABLE IN
— A lawyer shall make legal AN EFFICIENT AND CONVENIENT
services accessible in an efficient and MANNER COMPATIBLE WITH THE
effective manner. In performing this INDEPENDENCE, INTEGRITY AND
duty, a lawyer shall maintain EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROFESSION.
independence, act with integrity, and
at all times ensure the efficient and
effective delivery of justice.

Section 2. Merit-based practice. — OLD CANON 13 - A LAWYER SHALL RELY

A lawyer shall rely solely on the
merits of a cause and not exert, or
give the appearance of, any influence
on, nor undermine the authority of,
the court, tribunal or other
government agency, or its
proceedings.
PROVISION UPON THE MERITS OF HIS CAUSE AND
REFRAIN FROM ANY IMPROPRIETY
WHICH TENDS TO INFLUENCE, OR
GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF
INFLUENCING THE COURT.

Section 3. Freedom from improper
considerations and external
influences. — A lawyer shall not, in
advocating a client’s cause, be
influenced by dishonest or immoral
considerations, external influences,
or pressure.
OLD CANON 1 - Rule 1.01 - A lawyer shall not
PROVISION engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or
deceitful conduct.
CANON 13 - A LAWYER SHALL RELY
UPON THE MERITS OF HIS CAUSE AND
REFRAIN FROM ANY IMPROPRIETY
WHICH TENDS TO INFLUENCE, OR
GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF

1
 INFLUENCING THE COURT.

Section 4. Non-interference by a OLD CANON 13 Rule 13.03 - A lawyer shall not

lawyer. — Unless authorized by law PROVISION brook or invite interference by another
or a court, a lawyer shall not assist or branch or agency of the government in the
cause a branch, agency, office or normal course of judicial proceedings.
officer of the government to interfere
in any matter before any court,
tribunal, or other government
agency.

NEW CANON 19 Rule 19.03 - A lawyer shall not

Section 5. Lawyer’s duty and PROVISION allow his client to dictate the procedure in
discretion in procedure and handling the case.
strategy. — A lawyer shall not allow
the client to dictate or determine the
procedure in handling the case.
Nevertheless, a lawyer shall respect
the client’s decision to settle or
compromise the case after explaining
its consequences to the client