CODE OF PROFESSIONAL

RESPONSIBILITY
(Promulgated June 21, 1988)

CHAPTER I. THE LAWYER AND SOCIETY

CANON 1 - A LAWYER SHALL UPHOLD THE

CONSTITUTION, OBEY THE LAWS OF THE
LAND
AND PROMOTE RESPECT FOR LAW OF AND
LEGAL PROCESSES.

Rule 1.01 - A lawyer shall not engage in

unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful
conduct.

Rule 1.02 - A lawyer shall not counsel or abet

activities aimed at defiance of the law or at
lessening confidence in the legal system.

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Rule 1.03 - A lawyer shall not, for any corrupt
motive or interest, encourage any suit or
proceeding or delay any man's cause.
Rule 1.04 - A lawyer shall encourage his
clients to avoid, end or settle a controversy if
it will admit of a fair settlement.

CANON 2 - A LAWYER SHALL MAKE HIS

LEGAL
SERVICES AVAILABLE IN AN EFFICIENT AND
CONVENIENT MANNER COMPATIBLE
WITH
THE INDEPENDENCE, INTEGRITY
AND
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROFESSION.

Rule 2.01 - A lawyer shall not reject, except

for valid reasons, the cause of the defenseless
or the oppressed.

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Rule 2.02 - In such cases, even if the lawyer
does not accept a case, he shall not refuse to
render legal advice to the person concerned if
only to the extent necessary to safeguard the
latter's rights.

Rule 2.03 - A lawyer shall not do or permit to

be done any act designed primarily to solicit
legal business.

Rule 2.04 - A lawyer shall not charge rates

lower than those customarily prescribed
unless the circumstances so warrant.

CANON 3 - A LAWYER IN MAKING KNOWN

HIS
LEGAL SERVICES SHALL USE ONLY TRUE,
HONEST, FAIR, DIGNIFIED AND OBJECTIVE
INFORMATION OR STATEMENT OF FACTS.
Rule 3.01 - A lawyer shall not use or permit
the use of any false, fraudulent, misleading,

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deceptive, undignified, self-laudatory or
unfair statement or claim regarding his
qualifications or legal services.

Rule 3.02 - In the choice of a firm name, no

false, misleading or assumed name shall be
used. The continued use of the name of a
deceased partner is permissible provided
that the firm indicates in all its
communications that said partner is
deceased.
Rule 3.03 - Where a partner accepts public
office, he shall withdrawal from the firm and
his name shall be dropped from the firm
name unless the law allows him to practice
law currently.

Rule 3.04 - A lawyer shall not pay or give

anything of value to representatives of the
mass media in anticipation of, or in return
for, publicity to attract legal business.
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CANON 4 - A LAWYER SHALL PARTICIPATE
IN
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM
BY
INITIATING OR SUPPORTING EFFORTS IN
LAW
REFORM AND IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF
THE
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

CANON 5 - A LAWYER SHALL KEEP ABREAST

OF LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS, PARTICIPATE IN
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
PROGRAMS,
SUPPORT EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE
HIGH
STANDARDS IN LAW SCHOOLS AS WELL AS
IN
THE PRACTICAL TRAINING OF LAW
STUDENTS
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AND ASSIST IN DISSEMINATING THE LAW
AND
JURISPRUDENCE.

CANON 6 - THESE CANONS SHALL APPLY TO

LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN
THE
DISCHARGE OF THEIR TASKS.
Rule 6.01 - The primary duty of a lawyer
engaged in public prosecution is not to
convict but to see that justice is done. The
suppression of facts or the concealment of
witnesses capable of establishing the
innocence of the accused is highly
reprehensible and is cause for disciplinary
action.

Rule 6.02 - A lawyer in the government

service shall not use his public position to
promote or advance his private interests, nor

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allow the latter to interfere with his public
duties.

Rule 6.03 - A lawyer shall not, after leaving

government service, accept engagement or
employment in connection with any matter
in which he had intervened while in said
service.

CHAPTER II. THE LAWYER AND THE

LEGAL
PROFESSION

CANON 7 - A LAWYER SHALL AT ALL TIMES

UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY AND DIGNITY OF
THE
LEGAL PROFESSION AND SUPPORT
THE
ACTIVITIES OF THE INTEGRATED BAR.

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Rule 7.01 - A lawyer shall be answerable for
knowingly making a false statement or
suppressing a material fact in connection
with his application for admission to the bar.

Rule 7.02 - A lawyer shall not support the

application for admission to the bar of any
person known by him to be unqualified in
respect to character, education, or other
relevant attribute.
Rule 7.03 - A lawyer shall not engage in
conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness
to practice law, nor shall he whether in public
or private life, behave in a scandalous
manner to the discredit of the legal
profession.

CANON 8 - A LAWYER SHALL CONDUCT

HIMSELF WITH COURTESY, FAIRNESS AND
CANDOR TOWARDS HIS
PROFESSIONAL

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COLLEAGUES, AND SHALL AVOID
HARASSING
TACTICS AGAINST OPPOSING COUNSEL.

Rule 8.01 - A lawyer shall not, in his

professional dealings, use language which is
abusive, offensive or otherwise improper.

Rule 8.02 - A lawyer shall not, directly or

indirectly, encroach upon the professional
employment of another lawyer, however, it is
the right of any lawyer, without fear or favor,
to give proper advice and assistance to those
seeking relief against unfaithful or neglectful
counsel.

CANON 9 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT, DIRECTLY

OR INDIRECTLY, ASSIST IN THE
UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW.

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Rule 9.01 - A lawyer shall not delegate to any
unqualified person the performance of any
task which by law may only be performed by
a member of the bar in good standing.

Rule 9.02 - A lawyer shall not divide or

stipulate to divide a fee for legal services with
persons not licensed to practice law, except:
(a) Where there is a pre-existing agreement
with a partner or associate that, upon the
latter's death, money shall be paid over a
reasonable period of time to his estate or to
persons specified in the agreement; or
(b) Where a lawyer undertakes to complete
unfinished legal business of a deceased
lawyer; or
(c) Where a lawyer or law firm includes non-
lawyer employees in a retirement plan even
if the plan is based in whole or in part, on a
profit sharing agreement.

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 CHAPTER III. THE LAWYER AND THE
COURTS

CANON 10 - A LAWYER OWES CANDOR,

FAIRNESS AND GOOD FAITH TO THE COURT.

Rule 10.01 - A lawyer shall not do any

falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in
Court; nor shall he mislead, or allow the
Court to be misled by any artifice.

Rule 10.02 - A lawyer shall not knowingly

misquote or misrepresent the contents of a
paper, the language or the argument of
opposing counsel, or the text of a decision or
authority, or knowingly cite as law a
provision already rendered inoperative by
repeal or amendment, or assert as a fact that
which has not been proved.

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Rule 10.03 - A lawyer shall observe the rules
of procedure and shall not misuse them to
defeat the ends of justice.

CANON 11 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE

AND
MAINTAIN THE RESPECT DUE TO THE
COURTS
AND TO JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND SHOULD
INSIST ON SIMILAR CONDUCT BY OTHERS.

Rule 11.01 - A lawyer shall appear in court

properly attired.

Rule 11.02 - A lawyer shall punctually appear

at court hearings.

Rule 11.03 - A lawyer shall abstain from

scandalous, offensive or menacing language
or behavior before the Courts.

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Rule 11.04 - A lawyer shall not attribute to a
Judge motives not supported by the record or
have no materiality to the case.

Rule 11.05 - A lawyer shall submit grievances

against a Judge to the proper authorities only.

CANON 12 - A LAWYER SHALL EXERT EVERY

EFFORT AND CONSIDER IT HIS DUTY TO
ASSIST
IN THE SPEEDY AND
EFFICIENT
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
Rule 12.01 - A lawyer shall not appear for
trial unless he has adequately prepared
himself on the law and the facts of his case,
the evidence he will adduce and the order of
its proferrence. He should also be ready with
the original documents for comparison with
the copies.

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Rule 12.02 - A lawyer shall not file multiple
actions arising from the same cause.

Rule 12.03 - A lawyer shall not, after

obtaining extensions of time to file pleadings,
memoranda or briefs, let the period lapse
without submitting the same or offering an
explanation for his failure to do so.

Rule 12.04 - A lawyer shall not unduly delay a

case, impede the execution of a judgment or
misuse Court processes.

Rule 12.05 - A lawyer shall refrain from

talking to his witness during a break or
recess in the trial, while the witness is still
under examination.

Rule 12.06 - A lawyer shall not knowingly

assist a witness to misrepresent himself or to
impersonate another.
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Rule 12.07 - A lawyer shall not abuse,
browbeat or harass a witness nor needlessly
inconvenience him.

Rule 12.08 - A lawyer shall avoid testifying in

behalf of his client, except:
(a) on formal matters, such as the mailing,
authentication or custody of an instrument,
and the like; or
(b) on substantial matters, in cases where
his testimony is essential to the ends of
justice, in which event he must, during his
testimony, entrust the trial of the case to
another counsel.

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
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INFLUENCING THE COURT.

Rule 13.01 - A lawyer shall not extend

extraordinary attention or hospitality to, nor
seek opportunity for cultivating familiarity
with Judges.

Rule 13.02 - A lawyer shall not make public

statements in the media regarding a pending
case tending to arouse public opinion for or
against a party.
Rule 13.03 - A lawyer shall not brook or
invite interference by another branch or
agency of the government in the normal
course of judicial proceedings.

CHAPTER IV. THE LAWYER AND THE

CLIENT

CANON 14 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT REFUSE

HIS

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SERVICES TO THE NEEDY.

Rule 14.01 - A lawyer shall not decline to

represent a person solely on account of the
latter's race, sex. creed or status of life, or
because of his own opinion regarding the
guilt of said person.

Rule 14.02 - A lawyer shall not decline,

except for serious and sufficient cause, an
appointment as counsel de officio or as
amicus curiae, or a request from the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines or any of its
chapters for rendition of free legal aid.

Rule 14.03 - A lawyer may not refuse to

accept representation of an indigent client if:
(a) he is not in a position to carry out the
work effectively or competently;
(b) he labors under a conflict of interest
between him and the prospective client or
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between a present client and the prospective
client.

Rule 14.04 - A lawyer who accepts the cause

of a person unable to pay his professional
fees shall observe the same standard of
conduct governing his relations with paying
clients.

CANON 15 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE

CANDOR, FAIRNESS AND LOYALTY IN ALL
HIS
DEALINGS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH HIS
CLIENTS.
Rule 15.01. - A lawyer, in conferring with a
prospective client, shall ascertain as soon as
practicable whether the matter would
involve a conflict with another client or his
own interest, and if so, shall forthwith inform
the prospective client.

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Rule 15.02.- A lawyer shall be bound by the
rule on privilege communication in respect of
matters disclosed to him by a prospective
client.

Rule 15.03. - A lawyer shall not represent

conflicting interests except by written
consent of all concerned given after a full
disclosure of the facts.

Rule 15.04. - A lawyer may, with the written

consent of all concerned, act as mediator,
conciliator or arbitrator in settling disputes.

Rule 15.05. - A lawyer when advising his

client, shall give a candid and honest opinion
on the merits and probable results of the
client's case, neither overstating nor
understating the prospects of the case.

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Rule 15.06. - A lawyer shall not state or imply
that he is able to influence any public official,
tribunal or legislative body.

Rule 15.07. - A lawyer shall impress upon his

client compliance with the laws and the
principles of fairness.

Rule 15.08. - A lawyer who is engaged in

another profession or occupation
concurrently with the practice of law shall
make clear to his client whether he is acting
as a lawyer or in another capacity.

CANON 16 - A LAWYER SHALL HOLD IN

TRUST
ALL MONEYS AND PROPERTIES OF HIS
CLIENT
THAT MAY COME INTO HIS PROFESSION.

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Rule 16.01 - A lawyer shall account for all
money

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or property collected or received for or from the
client.

Rule 16.02 - A lawyer shall keep the funds of

each client separate and apart from his own and
those of others kept by him.

Rule 16.03 - A lawyer shall deliver the funds and

property of his client when due or upon
demand. However, he shall have a lien over the
funds and may apply so much thereof as may be
necessary to satisfy his lawful fees and
disbursements, giving notice promptly
thereafter to his client. He shall also have a lien
to the same extent on all judgments and
executions he has secured for his client as
provided for in the Rules of Court.

Rule 16.04 - A lawyer shall not borrow money

from his client unless the client's interest are
fully protected by the nature of the case or by
independent advice. Neither shall a lawyer lend

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money to a client except, when in the interest of
justice, he has to advance necessary expenses in
a legal matter he is handling for the client.

CANON 17 - A LAWYER OWES FIDELITY TO THE

CAUSE OF HIS CLIENT AND HE SHALL BE
MINDFUL OF THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
REPOSED IN HIM.

CANON 18 - A LAWYER SHALL SERVE HIS

CLIENT WITH COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE.
Rules 18.01 - A lawyer shall not undertake a
legal service which he knows or should know
that he is not qualified to render. However, he
may render such service if, with the consent of
his client, he can obtain as collaborating counsel
a lawyer who is competent on the matter.

Rule 18.02 - A lawyer shall not handle any legal

matter without adequate preparation.

Rule 18.03 - A lawyer shall not neglect a legal

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matter entrusted to him, and his negligence in
connection therewith shall render him liable.

Rule 18.04 - A lawyer shall keep the client

informed of the status of his case and shall
respond within a reasonable time to the client's
request for information.

CANON 19 - A LAWYER SHALL REPRESENT HIS

CLIENT WITH ZEAL WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF
THE LAW.

Rule 19.01 - A lawyer shall employ only fair and

honest means to attain the lawful objectives of
his client and shall not present, participate in
presenting or threaten to present unfounded
criminal charges to obtain an improper
advantage in any case or proceeding.

Rule 19.02 - A lawyer who has received

information that his client has, in the course of
the representation, perpetrated a fraud upon a

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person or tribunal, shall promptly call upon the
client to rectify the same, and failing which he
shall terminate the relationship with such client
in accordance with the Rules of Court.

Rule 19.03 - A lawyer shall not allow his client to

dictate the procedure in handling the case.

CANON 20 - A LAWYER SHALL CHARGE ONLY

FAIR AND REASONABLE FEES.

Rule 20.01 - A lawyer shall be guided by the

following factors in determining his fees:
(a) the time spent and the extent of the service
rendered or required;
(b) the novelty and difficulty of the questions
involved;
(c) The importance of the subject matter;
(d) The skill demanded;
(e) The probability of losing other employment
as a result of acceptance of the proffered case;
(f) The customary charges for similar services

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and the schedule of fees of the IBP chapter to
which he belongs;
(g) The amount involved in the controversy and
the benefits resulting to the client from the
service;
(h) The contingency or certainty of
compensation;
(i) The character of the employment, whether
occasional or established; and
(j) The professional standing of the lawyer.

Rule 20.02 - A lawyer shall, in case of referral,

with the consent of the client, be entitled to a
division of fees in proportion to the work
performed and responsibility assumed.

Rule 20.03 - A lawyer shall not, without the full

knowledge and consent of the client, accept any
fee, reward, costs, commission, interest, rebate
or forwarding allowance or other compensation
whatsoever related to his professional
employment from anyone other than the client.

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Rule 20.04 - A lawyer shall avoid controversies
with clients concerning his compensation and
shall resort to judicial action only to prevent
imposition, injustice or fraud.

CANON 21 - A LAWYER SHALL PRESERVE THE

CONFIDENCE AND SECRETS OF HIS CLIENT
EVEN AFTER THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT
RELATION IS TERMINATED.

Rule 21.01 - A lawyer shall not reveal the

confidences or secrets of his client except;
(a) When authorized by the client after
acquainting him of the consequences of the
disclosure;
(b) When required by law;
(c) When necessary to collect his fees or to
defend himself, his employees or associates or
by judicial action.

Rule 21.02 - A lawyer shall not, to the

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disadvantage of his client, use information
acquired in the course of employment, nor shall
he use the same to his own advantage or that of
a third person, unless the client with full
knowledge of the circumstances consents
thereto.

Rule 21.03 - A lawyer shall not, without the

written consent of his client, give information
from his files to an outside agency seeking such
information for auditing, statistical,
bookkeeping, accounting, data processing, or
any similar purpose.

Rule 21.04 - A lawyer may disclose the affairs of

a client of the firm to partners or associates
thereof unless prohibited by the client.

Rule 21.05 - A lawyer shall adopt such measures

as may be required to prevent those whose
services are utilized by him, from disclosing or
using confidences or secrets of the clients.

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Rule 21.06 - A lawyer shall avoid indiscreet
conversation about a client's affairs even with
members of his family.

Rule 21.07 - A lawyer shall not reveal that he

has been consulted about a particular case
except to avoid possible conflict of interest.

CANON 22 - A LAWYER SHALL WITHDRAW HIS

SERVICES ONLY FOR GOOD CAUSE AND UPON
NOTICE APPROPRIATE IN THE
CIRCUMSTANCES.

Rule 22.01 - A lawyer may withdraw his services

in any of the following case:
(a) When the client pursues an illegal or
immoral course of conduct in connection with
the matter he is handling;
(b) When the client insists that the lawyer
pursue conduct violative of these canons and
rules;

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(c) When his inability to work with co-counsel
will not promote the best interest of the client;
(d) When the mental or physical condition of the
lawyer renders it difficult for him to carry out
the employment effectively;
(e) When the client deliberately fails to pay the
fees for the services or fails to comply with the
retainer agreement;
(f) When the lawyer is elected or appointed to
public office; and
(g) Other similar cases.

Rule 22.02 - A lawyer who withdraws or is

discharged shall, subject to a retainer lien,
immediately turn over all papers and property
to which the client is entitled, and shall
cooperative with his successor in the orderly
transfer of the matter, including all information
necessary for the proper handling of the matter.

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