SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS1

LEGAL ETHICS – is a branch of moral science, which treats of the duties which an attorney
owes to the court, to the client, to his colleagues in the profession and to the public as embodied
in the Constitution, Rules of Court, the Code of Professional Responsibility, Canons of
Professional Ethics, jurisprudence, moral laws and special laws.

Original Bases of Legal Ethics:

1. Canons of Professional Ethics

2. Supreme court Decisions
3. Statistics
4. Constitution
5. Treatises and publications

Present Basis of the Philippine Legal System: Code of Professional Responsibility.

Practice of Law – any activity, in or out of court which requires the application of law, legal
procedure, knowledge, training and experience. To engage in the practice of law is to give notice
or render any kind of service, which or devise or service requires the use in any degree of legal
knowledge or skill (Cayetano v. Monsod, 201 SCRA 210).

Attorney-at-law/Counsel-at-law/Attorney/Counsel/ Abogado/Boceros: that class of persons

who are licensed officers of the courts, empowered to appear prosecute and defend and upon
whom peculiar duties, responsibilities, and liabilities are developed by law as a consequence
(Cui v. Cui, 120 Phil. 729).

Attorney in fact – an agent whose authority is strictly limited by the instrument appointing him,
though he may do things not mentioned in his appointment necessary to the performance of the
duties specifically required of him by the power of attorney appointing him, such authority being
necessarily implied. He is not necessarily a lawyer.

Counsel de Oficio – a counsel, appointed or assigned by the court, from among members of the
Bar in good standing who, by reason of their experience and ability, may adequately defend the
accused.

Note: In localities where members of the Bar are not available, the court may appoint any person,
resident of the province and good repute for probity and ability, to defend the accused. Sec. 7,
Rule 116, Rules of Court.

1
Adopted from various references on line and reviewers primarily by Ruben Agpalo
1|Page SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS
Attorney ad hoc – a person named and appointed by the court to defend an absentee defendant
in the suit in which the appointment is made (Bienvenu v. Factor’s of Traders Insurance Cp., 33
La.Ann.209)

Attorney of Record – one who has filed a notice of appearance and who hence is formally
mentioned in court records as the official attorney of the party. Person whom the client has
named as his agent upon whom service of papers may be made. (Reynolds v. Reynolds,
Cal.2d580).

Of Counsel – to distinguish them from attorneys of record, associate attorneys are referred to as
“of counsel” (5 Am. Jur. 261).

Lead Counsel – The counsel on their side of a litigated action who is charged with the principal
management and direction of a party’s case.

House Counsel – Lawyer who acts as attorney for business though carried as an employee of
that business and not as an independent lawyer.

Bar Association – an association of members of the legal profession.

Advocate – The general and popular name for a lawyer who pleads on behalf of someone else.

Barrister (England) – a person entitled to practice law as an advocate or counsel in superior

court.

Proctor (England) – Formerly, an attorney in the admiralty and ecclesiastical courts whose
duties and business correspond to those of an attorney at law or solicitor in Chancery.

Titulo de Abogado – it means not mere possession of the academic degree of Bachelor of Laws
but membership in the Bar after due admission thereto, qualifying one for the practice of law.

ADMISSION TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW

The Supreme Court has the power to control and regulate the practice of law. Thus, the
Constitution, under Article VIII, Sec. 5 (5) provides:

Sec. 5. The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:

(5) Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights,
pleading, practice and procedure in all courts, the admission to the practice of law, the
Integrated Bar, and legal assistance to the under privileged.

The Supreme Court acts through a Bar Examination Committee in the Exercise of his judicial
function to admit candidates to the legal profession.

The Bar Examination Committee:

2|Page SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS
  Composed of (1) member of the Supreme Court who acts as Chairperson and eight (8)
members of the bar.
 The 8 members act as examiners for the 8 bar subjects with one subject assigned to each.
 The Bar Confidant acts as a sort of liason officer between the court and the Bar Chairman
on the other hand, and the individual members of the committee on the other. He is at the
same time a deputy clerk of court.
 Admission of examinees is always subject to the final approval of the court.

Practice of Law

The practice of law is a privilege granted only to those who possess the STRICT
INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL QUALIFICATIONS required of lawyers who are instruments
in the effective and efficient administration of justice. (In Re: Argosino, 1997).

Requirements for admission to the Bar:

1. citizen of the Philippines

2. at least 21 years old
3. of good moral character
4. Resident of the Philippines
5. Production before the Supreme Court satisfactory evidence of:
1. good moral character
2. no charges against him, involving moral turpitude, have been filed or are pending
in any court in the Philippines.

Requirement of Good Moral Character: a continuing requirement; good moral character is not
only a condition precedent for admission to the legal profession, but it must also remain intact in
order to maintain one’s good standing in that exclusive and honored fraternity. (Tapucar vs.
Tapucar, 1998)

Academic Requirements for Candidates:

1. a bachelor’s degree in arts and sciences (pre-law course)

2. a completed course in:
1. civil law

2. commercial law

3. remedial law

4. public international law

3|Page SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS

 5. private international law

6. political law

7. labor and social legislation

8. medial jurisprudence

9. taxation

10. legal ethics

Non-lawyers who may be authorized to appear in court:

1. Cases before the MTC: Party to the litigation, in person OR through an agent or friend
or appointed by him for that purpose (Sec. 34, Rule 138, RRC)
2. Before any other court: Party to the litigation, in person (Ibid.)
3. Criminal case before the MTC in a locality where a duly licensed member of the Bar is
not available: the judge may appoint a non-lawyer who is:
1. resident of the province
2. of good repute for probity and ability to aid the accused in his defense (Rule 116,
Sec. 7, RRC).
4. Legal Aid Program – A senior law student, who is enrolled in a recognized law school’s
clinical education program approved by the supreme Court may appear before any court
without compensation, to represent indigent clients, accepted by the Legal Clinic of the
law school. The student shall be under the direct supervision and control of an IBP
member duly accredited by the law school.
5. Under the Labor code, non-lawyers may appear before the NLRC or any Labor Arbiter, if
1. they represent themselves, or if
2. they represent their organization or members thereof (Art 222, PO 442, as
amended).
6. Under the Cadastral Act, a non-lawyer can represent a claimant before the Cadastral
Court (Act no. 2259, Sec. 9).

Public Officials who cannot engage in the private practice of Law in the Philippines:

1. Judges and other officials as employees of the Supreme Court (Rule 148, Sec. 35, RRC).
2. Officials and employees of the OSG (Ibid.)
3. Government prosecutors (People v. Villanueva, 14 SCRA 109).
4. President, Vice-President, members of the cabinet, their deputies and assistants (Art. VIII
Sec. 15, 1987 Constitution).

4|Page SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS

 5. Members of the Constitutional Commission (Art IX-A, Sec. 2, 1987 Constitution)
6. Ombudsman and his deputies (Art. IX, Sec. 8 (2nd par), 1987 Constitution)
7. All governors, city and municipal mayors (R.A. No. 7160, Sec. 90).
8. Those prohibited by special law

Public Officials with Restrictions in the Practice of Law:

1. No Senator as member of the House of Representative may personally appear as counsel

before any court of justice as before the Electoral Tribunals, as quasi-judicial and other
administration bodies (Art. VI, Sec. 14, 1987 Constitution).
2. Under the Local Government Code (RA 7160, Sec. 91)Sanggunian members may practice
their professions provided that if they are members of the Bar, they shall not:
1. appear as counsel before any court in any civil case wherein a local government
unit or any office, agency, or instrumentality of the government is the adverse
party;
2. appear as counsel in any criminal case wherein an officer or employee of the
national or local government is accused of an offense committed in relation to his
office;
3. collect any fee for their appearance in administrative proceedings involving the
local government unit of which he is an official;
4. use property and personnel of the government except when the Sanggunian
member concerned is defending the interest of the government.
3. Under RA 910, Sec. 1, as amended, a retired justice or judge receiving pension from the
government, cannot act as counsel in any civil case in which the Government, or any of
its subdivision or agencies is the adverse party or in a criminal case wherein an officer or
employee of the Government is accused of an offense in relation to his office.

ATTORNEY’S OATH: (KNOW BY HEART)

“I, __________________, do solemnly

swear that I will maintain allegiance to the
Republic of the Philippines; I will support its
constitution and obey the laws as well as the legal
orders of the duly constituted authorities therein;
I will do no falsehood, nor consent to the doing
of any in court; I will not willingly nor wittingly
promote or sue any groundless, false or unlawful
suit, or give aid nor consent to the same; I will
delay no man for money or malice, and will
5|Page SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS
 conduct myself as a lawyer according to the best
of my knowledge and discretion, with all good
fidelity as well to the court as to my clients; and I
impose upon myself this voluntary obligations
without any mental reservation or purpose of
evasion. So help me God.” (Form 28, RRC)

Nature of Lawyer’s Oath

 The lawyer’s oath is not mere facile words, drift and hollow, but a sacred trust that must
be upheld and kept inviolable. (Sebastian vs. Calis, 1999)
 It is NOT a mere ceremony or formality for practicing law. Every lawyer should at all
times weigh his actions according to the sworn promises he made when taking the
lawyer’s oath. (In Re: Argosino, 1997, In Re: Arthur M. Cuevas, 1998).

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

CANON 1 – A lawyer shall uphold the constitution, obey the laws of the land and promote
respect for law and for legal processes

 Duties of Attorneys:

1. to maintain allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and to support the Constitution
and obey the laws of the Philippines;
2. to observe and maintain the respect due to the courts of justice and judicial officers;
3. to counsel or maintain such actions or proceedings only as appear to him as just, and such
defenses only as he believes to be honestly debatable under the laws;
4. to employ, for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided to him, such means only as
are consistent with truth and honor, and never seek to mislead the judge or any judicial
officer by an artifice or false statement of fact or law;
5. to maintain inviolate the confidence, and at every peril to himself, to preserve the secrets
of his client, and to accept no compensation in connection with his client’s business
except from him or with his knowledge and approval;
6. to abstain from all offensive personality and to advance no fact prejudicial to the honor or
reputation of a party or witness, unless required by the justice of the cause with which he
is charged;

6|Page SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS

 7. not to encourage either the commencement or the continuance of an action or proceeding,
or delay any man’s cause for any corrupt motive or interest;
8. never to reject, for any consideration personal to himself, the cause of the defenseless or
oppressed;
9. in the defense of a person accused of a crime, by all fair and honorable means, regardless
of his personal opinion as to the guilt of the accused, to present every defense that the law
permits, to the end that no person may be deprived of life or liberty, but by due process of
law.

Rule 1.01 – A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct.

 Conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude – a number of lawyers have been
suspended or disbarred for conviction of crimes involving moral turpitude such as:

1. estafa
2. bribery
3. murder
4. seduction
5. abduction
6. smuggling
7. falsification of public documents

 Morality as understood in law – This is a human standard based on natural moral law
which is embodied in man’s conscience and which guides him to do good and avoid evil.

 Moral Turpitude: anything that is done contrary to justice, honesty, modesty or good
morals.

 Immoral Conduct: that conduct which is willful, flagrant, or shameless and which
shows a moral indifference to the opinion of the good and respectable members of the
community (Arciga vs. Maniwag, 106 SCRA 591).

 Grossly Immoral Conduct: One that is so corrupt and false as to constitute a criminal
act or so unprincipled or disgraceful as to be reprehensible to a high degree; it is a
WILLFUL, FLAGRANT or SHAMELESS ACT which shows a MORAL
INDIFFERENCE to the opinion of respectable members of the community. (Narag vs.
Narag, 1998)

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.

7|Page SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS

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 the controversy if it
will admit of a fair settlement.

 If a lawyer finds that his client’s cause is defenseless, it is his burden/duty to advise the
latter to acquiesce and submit, rather than traverse the incontrovertible.
 It is unprofessional for a lawyer to volunteer advice to bring a lawsuit, except in rare
cases where the blood, relationship or trust makes it his duty to do so.
 Temper client’s propensity to litigate.
 Should not be an instigator of controversy but a mediator for concord and conciliator for
compromise.
 The law violated need not be a penal law. “Moral Turpitude” – everything which is done
contrary to justice, honesty, modesty or good morals.
 Give advice tending to impress upon the client and his undertaking exact compliance
with the strictest principles of moral law.
 Until a statute shall have been construed and interpreted by competent adjudication, he is
free and is entitled to advise as to its validity and as to what he conscientiously believes
to be its just meaning and extent.
 A lawyer has the obligation not to encourage suits. This is so as to prevent barratry and
ambulance chasing.
 Barratry – offense of frequently exciting and stirring up quarrels and suits, either at law
or otherwise; Lawyer’s act of fomenting suits among individuals and offering his legal
services to one of them.
 Ambulance Chasing – Act of chasing victims of accidents for the purpose of talking to
the said victims (or relatives) and offering his legal services for the filing of a case
against the person(s) who caused the accident(s).

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 oppressed.

8|Page SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS

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

Rule 2.03 – a lawyer shall not do or permit to be done any act designed primarily to solicit
legal business.

 Primary characteristics which distinguish the legal profession from business;

1. duty of service, of which the emolument is a by product, and in which one may attain the
highest eminence without making such money;
2. a relation as an ‘officer of court’ to the administration of justice involving thorough
sincerity, integrity and reliability;
3. a relation to clients in the highest degree of fiduciary;
4. a relation to colleagues at the bar characterized by candor, fairness and unwillingness to
resort to current business methods of advertising and encroachment on their practice or
dealing with their clients.

 Defenseless – not in the position to defend themselves due to poverty, weakness,

ignorance or other similar reasons.
 Oppressed – victims of acts of cruelty, unlawful exaction, domination or excessive use of
authority.

Rule on Advertisements

 General Rule: No advertisements allowed. The most worthy and effective advertisement
possible is the establishment of a well-merited reputation for professional capacity and
fidelity to trust.

Lawyers may not advertise their services or expertise nor should not resort to indirect
advertisements for professional employment, such as furnishing or inspiring newspaper
comments, or procuring his photograph to be published in connection with causes in which the
lawyer has been engaged or concerning the manner of their conduct, the magnitude of the
interest involved, the importance of the lawyer’s position, and all other self-laudation.

 Exceptions/ Permissible advertisements:

1. Reputable law lists, in a manner consistent with the standards of conduct imposed by the
canons, of brief biographical and informative data, are allowed.
2. Ordinary simple professional Card. It may contain only a statement of his name, the name
of the law firm which he is connected with, address, telephone number and the special
branch of law practiced.

9|Page SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS

 3. A simple announcement of the opening of a law firm or of changes in the partnership,
associates, firm name or office address, being for the convenience of the profession, is
not objectionable.
4. Advertisements or simple announcement of the existence of a lawyer or his law firm
posted anywhere it is proper such as his place of business or residence except courtrooms
and government buildings.
5. Advertisements or announcement in any legal publication, including books, journals, and
legal magazines.

Rule 2.04 – A lawyer shall not charge rates lower than those customarily or prescribed,
unless circumstances so warrant.

 A lawyer cannot delay the approval of a compromise agreement entered into between
parties, just because his attorney’s fees were not provided for in the agreement.
 Rule: A lawyer cannot compromise the case without client’s consent (special authority).
Exception: Lawyer has exclusive management of the procedural aspect of the litigation
(e.g. Submission for decision on the evidence so far presented. But in case where lawyer
is confronted with an emergency and prompt/urgent action is necessary to protect clients
interest and there’s no opportunity for consultation, the lawyer may compromise.
 Rule: Refrain from charging rates lower than the customary rates.

Valid Justification: relatives, co-lawyers, too poor

CANON 3 – A lawyer in making known is 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,
deceptive, undignified, self-auditory or unfair statement or claim regarding his
qualifications or legal services.

 Violation of Rule 3.01 is unethical, whether done by him personally or through another
with his permission.

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 communication that said partner is deceased.

Rule 3.03 – Where a partner accepts public office, he shall withdraw from the firm and his
name shall be dropped from the firm name unless the law allows him to practice law
concurrently.

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.

10 | P a g e SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS

  It is unethical to use the name of a foreign firm.
 Death of a partner does not extinguish attorney-client relationship with the law firm.
 Negligence of a member in the law firm is negligence of the firm.

CANON 4 – A lawyer shall participate in the improvement of the legal system by initiating
or supporting efforts in law reform and in the administration of justice.

 Examples: Presenting position papers or resolutions for the introduction of pertinent bills
in congress; Petitions with the Supreme Court for the amendment of the Rules of Court.

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 students and assist in disseminating information regarding
the law and jurisprudence.

Objectives of integration of the Bar

 To elevate the standards of the legal profession

 To improve the administration of justice
 To enable the Bar to discharge its responsibility more effectively.

The three-fold obligation of a lawyer

 First, he owes it to himself to continue improving his knowledge of the laws;

 Second, he owes it to his profession to take an active interest in the maintenance of high
standards of legal education;
 Third, he owes it to the lay public to make the law a part of their social consciousness.

CANON 6 – These canons shall apply to lawyers in government service in the discharge of
their official tasks.

 Public Officials – include elective and appointive officials and employees, permanent or
temporary, whether in the career or non-career service, including military and police
personnel, whether or not they receive compensation, regardless of amount. (Sec. 3 (b),
RA 6713).
 The law requires the observance of the following norms of conduct by every public
official in the discharge and execution of their official duties:

1. commitment to public interest

2. professionalism
3. justness and sincerity
11 | P a g e SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS
 4. political neutrality
5. responsiveness to the public
6. nationalism and patriotism
7. commitment to democracy
8. simple living (Sec. 4, RA 6713)

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 of
disciplinary action.

Rule 6.02 – A lawyer in the government service shall not use his public position to promote
or advance his private interest, nor allow the latter to interfere with his public duties.

Rule 6.03 – A lawyer shall not, after leaving government service, accept engagements or
employment in connection with any matter in which he had intervened while in said
service.

 Various ways a government lawyer leaves government service:

1. retirement
2. resignation
3. expiration of the term of office
4. dismissal
5. abandonment

 Q: What are the pertinent statutory provisions regarding this Rule?

A: Sec. 3 (d) RA 3019 as amended and Sec. 7 (b), RA 6713

Sec 3. Corrupt practice of Public Officers. In addition to acts or omission of public officers
already penalized by existing law, the following shall constitute corrupt practice of any public
officer and are hereby declared to be unlawful:

(d) accepting or having any member of his family accept employment in a private enterprise
which has pending official business with him during the pendency thereof or within one year
after termination.

Section 7 (b) of RA 6713 prohibits officials from doing any of the following acts:

12 | P a g e SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS

 1. own, control, manage or accept employment as officer, employee, consultant, counsel,
broker, agent, trustee or nominee in any private enterprise regulated, supervised or
licensed by their office unless expressly allowed by law.

These prohibitions shall continue to apply for a period of one (1) year after resignation,
retirement, or separation from public office, except in the case of subparagraph (b) (2) above, but
the professional concerned cannot practice his profession in connection with any matter before
the office he used to be with, in which case the one year prohibition shall likewise apply.

 Lawyers in the government service are prohibited to engage in the private practice of
their profession unless authorized by the constitution or law, provided that such practice
will not conflict or tend to conflict with their official functions.
 Misconduct in office as a public official may be a ground for disciplinary action (if of
such character as to affect his qualification as lawyer or to show moral delinquency).
 Should recommend the acquittal of the accused whose conviction is on appeal, IF he
finds no legal basis to sustain the conviction.
 Includes restriction is representing conflicting interest (e.g. Accepting engagements vs.
former employer, PNB)
 The OSG is not authorized to represent a public official at any state of a criminal case

13 | P a g e SALIENT POINTS IN LEGAL ETHICS