CHAPTER I.

THE LAWYER AND SOCIETY

Code of Professional Responsibility Lawyer's Oath Rule 138 Canons of Professional Ethics
Canon 1: A lawyer shall uphold the Par.1: I will support the Constitution and Sec. 20 (a): To maintain allegiance to the
Constitution, obey the laws of the land and obey the laws as well as the legal orders of Republic of the Philippines and to support the
promote respect for law and for legal the duly constituted authorities therein; Constitution and obey the laws of the
processes. Philippines.
Rule 1.01: A lawyer shall not Par.1: I will do no falsehood, nor consent to Sec. 20 (b): To observe and maintain the Item 1, Par 1: It is the duty of the lawyer to
engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or the doing of any in court; I will not wittingly respect due to the courts of justice and maintain towards the courts a respectful
deceitful conduct. or willingly promote or sue any groundless, judicial officers; attitude, not for the sake of the temporary
false or unlawful suit, or give aid nor consent incumbent of the judicial office, but for the
to the same; maintenance of its supreme importance.
Rule 1.02: A lawyer shall not Par.1: I will do no falsehood, nor consent to Sec. 20 (b): To observe and maintain the Item 1, Par 1: It is the duty of the lawyer to
counsel or abet activities aimed at defiance the doing of any in court; I will not wittingly respect due to the courts of justice and maintain towards the courts a respectful
of the law or at lessening confidence in the or willingly promote or sue any groundless, judicial officers; attitude, not for the sake of the temporary
legal system. false or unlawful suit, or give aid nor consent incumbent of the judicial office, but for the
to the same; maintenance of its supreme importance.
Rule 1.03: A lawyer shall not, for Par. 2: I will not wittingly or willingly promote Sec. 20 (g): Not to encourage either the
any corrupt motive or interest, encourage any or sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit, commencement or the continuance of an
suit or proceeding or delay any man's cause. or give aid nor consent to the same; I will action or proceeding, or delay any man's
delay no man for money or malice, cause, from any corrupt motive or interest;
Rule 1.04: A lawyer shall encourage Par.2: will conduct myself as a lawyer
his clients to avoid, end or settle a according to the best of my knowledge and
controversy if it will admit of a fair discretion, with all good fidelity as well to the
settlement. courts as to my clients;
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, Sec. 20 (h): Never to reject, for any
except for valid reasons, the cause of the consideration personal to himself, the cause
defenseless or the oppressed. of the defenseless or oppressed;
 Rule 2.02: In such cases, even if the Sec. 20 (h): Never to reject, for any
lawyer does not accept a case, he shall not consideration personal to himself, the cause
refuse to render legal advice to the person of the defenseless or oppressed;
concerned if only to the extent necessary to
safeguard the latter's rights.
Rule 2.03: A lawyer shall not do or Item 27, Par. 1: Advertising, direct or indirect
permit to be done any act designed primarily -
to solicit legal business. It is unprofessional to solicit professional
employment by circulars, advertisements,
through touters, or by personal
communications or interviews not warranted
by personal relations.
Rule 2.04: A lawyer shall not charge Item 12, Par. 1: In fixing fees, lawyers should
rates lower than those customarily avoid charges which over estimate their
prescribed unless the circumstances so advice and services, as well as those which
warrant. undervalue them…
Canon 3: A lawyer in making known his legal Par.2: will conduct myself as a lawyer
services shall use only true, honest, fair, according to the best of my knowledge and
dignified and objective information or discretion, with all good fidelity as well to the
statement of facts. courts as to my clients;
Rule 3.01: A lawyer shall not use or Par.1: I will do no falsehood, nor consent to
permit the use of any false, fraudulent, the doing of any in court;
misleading, deceptive, undignified, self-
laudatory or unfair statement or claim
regarding his qualifications or legal services.
Rule 3.02: In the choice of a firm Item 33, Par. 2: ...In the selection and use of a
name, no false, misleading or assumed name firm name, no false, misleading, assumed or
shall be used. The continued use of the name trade name should be used. The continued
of a deceased partner is permissible provided use of the name of a deceased or former
that the firm indicates in all its partner, when permissible by local custom, is
communications that said partner is not unethical, but care should be taken that
deceased. no imposition or deception is practiced
through this use...
 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.
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
and assist in disseminating information
regarding the law and jurisprudence.
Canon 6: These canons shall apply to lawyers
in government service in the discharge of
their official tasks.
Rule 6.01: The primary duty of a Sec. 20 (i): In the defense of a person accused Item 5, Par. 2: The primary duty of a lawyer
lawyer engaged in public prosecution is not of crime, by all fair and honorable means, engaged in public prosecution is not to
to convict but to see that justice is done. The regardless of his personal opinion as to the convict but to see that justice is done . The
suppression of facts or the concealment of guilt of the accused, to present every defense suppression of facts or the secreting of
witnesses capable of establishing the that the law permits, to the end that no witnesses capable of establishing the
innocence of the accused is highly person may be deprived of life or liberty, but innocence of the accused is highly
reprehensible and is cause for disciplinary by due process of law. reprehensible.
action.
Rule 6.02: A lawyer in the
government service shall not use his public
position to promote or advance his private
interests, nor allow the latter to interfere
with his public duties.

Rule 6.03: A lawyer shall not, after Item 36, Par. 2: A lawyer, having once held
leaving government service, accept public office or having been in the public
engagement or employment in connection employ should not, after his retirement,
with any matter in which he had intervened accept employment in connection with any
while in said service. matter he has investigated or passed upon
while in such office or employ.
CHAPTER II. THE LAWYER AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWYER’S OATH RULE 138 CANONS OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

29. Upholding the honor of the profession

He should strive at all times to uphold the
honor and to maintain the dignity of the
profession and to improve not only the law
but the administration of justice.
CANON 7 - A LAWYER SHALL AT ALL TIMES
UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY AND DIGNITY OF
THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND SUPPORT THE 32. The lawyer's duty in its last analysis
ACTIVITIES OF THE INTEGRATED BAR.
Correspondingly, he advances the honor of
his profession and the best interests of his
client when he renders service or gives advice
tending to impress upon the client and his
undertaking exact compliance with the
strictest principles of moral law.

29. Upholding the honor of the profession

Rule 7.01 - A lawyer shall be answerable for Section 2. Requirements for all applicants for
knowingly making a false statement or admission to the bar. — Every applicant for
suppressing a material fact in connection admission as a member of the bar must be a
with his application for admission to the bar. citizen of the Philippines, at least twenty-one
years of age, of good moral character, and
resident of the Philippines; and must produce
before the Supreme Court satisfactory
evidence of good moral character, and that
no charges against him, involving moral The lawyer should aid in guarding the bar
turpitude, have been filed or are pending in against admission to the profession of
any court in the Philippines. candidates unfit or unqualified because
deficient in either moral character or
education.
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 Section 2. Requirements for all applicants for
respect to character, education, or other admission to the bar.
relevant attribute.

29. Upholding the honor of the profession

Rule 7.03 - A lawyer shall not engage in §20 (d) To employ, for the purpose of
conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness maintaining the causes confided to him, such Lawyers should expose without fear or favor
… and will conduct myself as a lawyer before the proper tribunal corrupt or
to practice law, nor shall he whether in public means only as are consistent with truth and
according to the best of my knowledge and dishonest conduct in the profession, and
or private life, behave in a scandalous honor, and never seek to mislead the judge or
discretion should accept without hesitation
manner to the discredit of the legal any judicial officer by an artifice or false
profession. statement of fact or law; employment against a member of the bar
who has wronged his client.
 CANON 8 - A LAWYER SHALL CONDUCT 22. Candor and fairness
HIMSELF WITH COURTESY, FAIRNESS AND
CANDOR TOWARDS HIS PROFESSIONAL
COLLEAGUES, AND SHALL AVOID HARASSING The conduct of the lawyer before the court
TACTICS AGAINST OPPOSING COUNSEL. and with other lawyers should be
characterized by candor and fairness.

17. Ill-feelings and personalities between

advocates

Rule 8.01 - A lawyer shall not, in his

Clients, not lawyers, are the litigants.
professional dealings, use language which is
Whatever may be the ill-feeling existing
abusive, offensive or otherwise improper.
between clients, should not be allowed to
influence counsel in their conduct and
demeanor toward each other or toward
suitors in the case.

Rule 8.02 - A lawyer shall not, directly or 7. Professional colleagues and conflicts of
indirectly, encroach upon the professional opinion
employment of another lawyer, however, it is
the right of any lawyer, without fear or favor,
to give proper advice and assistance to those Efforts, direct or indirect, in any way to
seeking relief against unfaithful or neglectful encroach upon the professional employment
counsel. of another lawyer are unworthy of those who
should be brethren at the bar; but,
nevertheless, it is the right of any lawyer,
without fear or favor, to give proper advice to
 those seeking relief against unfaithful or
neglectful counsel, generally after
communication with the lawyer against
whom the complaint is made.

47. Aiding the unauthorized practice of law

CANON 9 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT, DIRECTLY

No lawyer shall permit his professional
OR INDIRECTLY, ASSIST IN THE
services, or his name to be used in aid of, or
UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW.
to make possible, the unauthorized practice
of law by any lay agency, personal or
corporate.

Rule 9.01 - A lawyer shall not delegate to any I will do no falsehood, nor consent to the
unqualified person the performance of any doing of any in court; I will not wittingly or
task which by law may only be performed by willingly promote or sue any groundless, false
a member of the bar in good standing. or unlawful suit, or give aid nor consent to
the same

Rule 9.02 - A lawyer shall not divide or 34. Division of fee

stipulate to divide a fee for legal services with
persons not licensed to practice law, except:
No division of fees for legal services is proper,
except with another lawyer, based upon a
(a) Where there is a pre-existing agreement division of service or responsibility.
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.

CHAPTER III. THE LAWYER AND THE COURTS

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWYER'S OATH RULE 138 CANONS OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
CANON 10 - A LAWYER OWES CANDOR,
FAIRNESS AND GOOD FAITH TO THE COURT
Rule 10.01 - A lawyer shall not do any I will do no falsehood, nor consent to the Section 20 (B)
falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in doing of any in court
(b) To observe and maintain the respect due
court; nor shall he mislead, or allow the Court
to the courts of justice and judicial officers;
to be misled by any article.
Rule 10.02 - A lawyer shall not knowingly Section 20 (D) 22. Candor and fairness
misquote or misrepresent the contents of a
(d) To employ, for the purpose of The conduct of the lawyer before the court
paper, the language or argument of opposing
maintaining the causes confided to him, and with other lawyers should be
counsel, or the text of a decision or authority,
such means only as are consistent with truth characterized by candor and fairness.
or knowingly cite as law a provision already
and honor, and never seek to mislead the
rendered inoperative by repel or It is not candid nor fair for the lawyer
judge or any judicial officer by an artifice or
amendment, or assert as a fact which has not knowingly to misquote the contents of a
 false statement of fact or law; paper, the testimony of a witness, the
language or the argument of opposing
counsel, of the language of a decision or a
textbook; or with knowledge of its invalidity,
to cite as authority a decision that has been
overruled or a statute that has been
repealed, or in argument to assert as a fact
been proved.
that which has not been proved, or in those
jurisdictions where a side has the opening
and closing arguments to mislead his
opponent by concealing or withholding
positions in his opening argument upon
which his side then intends to rely.

Section 20 (I)
(i) In the defense of a person accused of
Rule 10.03 - A lawyer shall observe the rules crime, by all fair and honorable means,
of procedure and shall not misuses them to regardless of his personal opinion as to the
defeat the ends of justice. 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.

CANON 11 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE AND

MAINTAIN THE RESPECT DUE TO THE
COURTS AND TO JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND 1. The duty of the lawyer to the courts
SHOULD INSIST ON SIMILAR CONDUCT BY It is the duty of the lawyer to maintain
OTHERS. towards the courts a respectful attitude, not
 for the sake of the temporary incumbent of
the judicial office, but for the maintenance of
its supreme importance. Judges, not being
wholly free to defend themselves, are
peculiarly entitled to receive the support of
the bar against unjust criticism and clamor.
Whenever there is proper ground for serious
complaint of a judicial officer, it is the right
and duty of the lawyer to submit his
grievances to the proper authorities. In such
cases, but not otherwise, such charges should
be encouraged and the person making them
should be protected

Rule 11.01 - A lawyer shall appear in court

properly attired.

21. Punctuality and expedition

It is the duty of the lawyer not only to his
Rule 11.02 - A lawyer shall punctually appear client, but also to the courts and to the public
at court hearings. to be punctual in attendance, and to be
concise and direct in the trial and disposition
of causes.

Rule 11.03 - A lawyer shall abstain from Section 20 (B)

scandalous, offensive or menacing language (b) To observe and maintain the respect due
or behavior before the Courts. to the courts of justice and judicial officers;
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
preference. He should also be ready with the
original documents for comparison with the
copies.
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 I will delay no man for money or malice
misuse Court processes.
Rule 12.05 - A lawyer shall refrain from
talking to his witness during a break or recess
39. Witness
in the trial, while the witness is still under
examination.
Rule 12.06 - A lawyer shall not knowingly A lawyer may properly interview any witness
assist a witness to misrepresent himself or to or prospective witness for the opposing side
 in any civil or criminal action without the
consent of opposing counsel or party. In
doing so, however, he should scrupulously
avoid any suggestion calculated to induce
impersonate another. the witness to suppress or deviate from the
truth, or in any degree to affect his free and
untrammeled conduct when appearing at
the trial or on the witness stand.

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 19. Appearance of lawyer as witness for his
behalf of his client, except: client

(a) on formal matters, such as the

mailing, authentication or custody of When a lawyer is a witness for his client,
an instrument, and the like; or except as to merely formal matters, such as
(b) on substantial matters, in cases where the attestation or custody of an instrument
his testimony is essential to the ends and the like, he should leave the trial of the
of justice, in which event he must, case to other counsel. Except when essential
during his testimony, entrust the trial to the ends justice, a lawyer should avoid
of the case to another counsel. testifying in behalf of his client.

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
INFLUENCING THE COURT.
Rule 13.01 - A lawyer shall not extend 3. Attempts to exert personal influence of
extraordinary attention or hospitality to, nor the court
 Marked attention and unusual hospitality on
the part of a lawyer to a judge, uncalled for
by the personal relations of the parties,
subject both the judge and the lawyer to
misconstructions of motive and should be
avoided. A lawyer should not communicate
or argue privately with the judge as to the
seek opportunity for cultivating familiarity merits of a pending cause and deserves
with Judges. rebuke and denunciation for any device or
attempt to gain from a judge special personal
consideration or favor. A self-respecting
independence in the discharge of
professional duty, without denial or
diminution of the courtesy and respect due
the judge's station, is the only proper
foundation for cordial personal and official
relations between bench and bar.
Rule 13.02 - A lawyer shall not make public 20. Newspaper discussion of pending
statements in the media regarding a pending litigation
case tending to arouse public opinion for or
against a party.
Newspaper publication by a lawyer as to
pending or anticipated litigation may
interfere with a fair trial in the courts and
otherwise the due administration of justice.
Generally, they are to be condemned. If the
extreme circumstances of a particular case
justify a statement to the public, it is
unprofessional to make it anonymous. An ex
parte reference to the facts should not go
beyond quotation from the records and
papers on file in the court; but even in
extreme cases it is better to avoid an ex parte
statement.