RULE 138 Section 1. How instituted.

- Proceedings for disbarment,

suspension or discipline of attorneys may be taken by the
Sec. 27. Attorneys removed or suspended by Supreme Court on Supreme Court motu proprio, or by theIntegrated Bar of the
what grounds. - A member of the bar may be removed or Philippines (IBP) upon the verified complaint of any person.
suspended from his office as attorney by the Supreme Court The complaint shall state clearly and concisely the facts
for any deceit, malpractice, or other gross misconduct in such complained of and shall be supported by affidavits of persons
office, grossly immoral conduct, or by reason of his conviction having personal knowledge of the facts therein alleged and/or
of a crime involving moral turpitude, or for any violation of the by such documents as may substantiate said facts.
oath which he is required to take before admission to practice, law library
or for a wilfull disobedience of any lawful order of a superior
court, or for corruptly or wilfully appearing as an attorney for The IBP Board of Governors may, motu
a party to a case without authority so to do. The practice of proprio or upon referral by the Supreme Court or
soliciting cases at law for the purpose of gain, either by a Chapter Board of Officers, or at the instance
personally or through paid agents or brokers, constitutes of any person, initiate and prosecute proper
malpractice. charges against erring attorneys including those in
the government service; Provided, however, that
all charges against Justices of the Court of Tax
Sec. 28. Suspension of attorney by the Court of Appeals or a Appeals and the Sandiganbayan, and Judges of the
Court of First Instance. - The Court of Appeals or a Court of Court of Tax Appeals and lower courts, even if
First Instance may suspend an attorney from practice for any lawyers are jointly charged with them, shall be
of the causes named in the last preceding section, and after filed with the Supreme Court;Provided, further,
such suspension such attorney shall not practice his profession that charges filed against Justices and Judges
until further action of the Supreme Court in the premises. before the IBP, including those filed prior to their
appointment in the Judiciary, shall immediately be
forwarded to the Supreme Court for disposition
Sec. 29. Upon suspension by Court of Appeals or Court of First and adjudication.
Instance, further proceedings in Supreme Court. - Upon such
Six (6) copies of the verified complaint shall be filed
suspension, the Court of Appeals or the Court of First Instance
with the Secretary of theIBP or the Secretary of any of
shall forthwith transmit to the Supreme Court a certified copy
its chapters who shall forthwith transmit the same to
of the order or suspension and a full statement of the facts
the IBP Board of Governors for assignment to an
upon which the same was based. Upon the receipt of such
investigator. (As amended by Bar Matter No. 1960).
certified copy and statement, the Supreme Court shall make
A. PROCEEDINGS IN THE
full investigation of the facts involved and make such order
INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES
revoking or extending the suspension, or removing the
attorney from his office as such, as the facts warrant.
Sec. 2. National Grievance Investigator. - The Board of
Governors shall appoint from among IBP members an
Sec. 30. Attorney to be heard before removal or suspension. -
Investigator or, when special circumstances so warrant, a
No attorney shall be removed or suspended from the practice
panel of three(3) investigators to investigate the complaint All
of his profession, until he has had full opportunity upon
Investigators shall take an oath of office in the form
reasonable notice to answer the charges against him, to
prescribed by the Board of Governors. A copy of the
produce witnesses in his own behalf, and to be heard by
Investigator's appointment and oath shall be transmitted to
himself or counsel. But if upon reasonable notice he fails to
the Supreme Court.
appear and answer the accusation, the court may proceed to
An Investigator may be disqualified by reason of
determine the matter ex parte.
relationship within the fourth degree of
consanguinity or affinity to any of the parties or their
DISBARMENT & DISCIPLINE OF ATTORNEYS counsel, pecuniary interest, personal bias, or his
Rule 139-B having acted as counsel for either party, unless the
parties sign and enter upon the record their written
 consent to his acting as such Investigator. Where the oaths. The respondent shall be given full opportunity to
Investigator does not disqualify himself, a party may defend himself, to present witnesses on his behalf and be
appeal to the IBP Board of Governors, which by heard by himself and counsel. However, if upon reasonable
majority vote of the members present, there being a notice, the respondent fails to appear, the investigation shall
quorum, may order his disqualification. proceed ex parte.
Any Investigator may also be removed for cause, after
due hearing, by the vote of at least six (6) members of The Investigator shall terminate the investigation within three
the IBP Board Governors. The decision of the Board of (3) months from the date of its commencement unless
Governors in all cases of disqualification or removal extended for good cause by the Board of Governors upon prior
shall be final. application.
Sec. 3. Duties of the National Grievance Investigator. - The
National Grievance Investigators shall investigate all Willfull failure or refusal to obey a subpoena or any other
complaint against members of the Integrated Bar referred to lawful order issued by the Investigator shall be dealt with as
them by the IBP Board of Governors. for indirect contempt of court. The corresponding charge shall
Sec. 4. Chapter assistance to complainant. - The proper IBP be filed by the Investigator before the IBP Board of Governors
Chapter may assist the complainant(s) in the preparation and which shall require the alleged contemnor to show cause
filing of his complaint(s). chanrobles virtua law library within ten (10) days from notice. The IBP Board of Governors
may thereafter conduct hearings, if necessary, in accordance
Sec. 5. Service or dismissal. - If the complaint appears to be with the procedure set forth in this Rule for hearings before
meritorious, the Investigator shall direct that a copy thereof the Investigator. Such hearing shall, as far as practicable, be
be served upon the respondent, requiring him to answer the terminated within fifteen (15) days from its commencement.
same within fifteen (15) days from the date of service. If the Thereafter, the IBP Board of Governors shall within like period
complaint does not merit action, or if the answer shows to the fifteen (15) days issue a resolution setting forth its findings
satisfaction of the Investigator that the complaint is not and recommendations, which `shall forthwith be transmitted
meritorious, the same may be dismissed by the Board of to the Supreme Court for final action and if warranted, the
Governors upon his recommendation. A copy of the resolution imposition of penalty.
of dismissal shall be furnished the complainant and the
Supreme Court which may review the case motu proprio or Sec. 9. Depositions. - Depositions may be taken in accordance
upon timely appeal of the complainant filed within 15 days with the Rules of Court with leave of the
from notice of the dismissal of the complainant. investigator(s). chanrobles virtua law library

No investigation shall be interrupted or terminated by reason Within the Philippines, depositions may be taken before any
of the desistance, settlement, compromise, restitution, member of the Board of Governors, the President of any
withdrawal of the charges, or failure of the complainant to Chapter, or any officer authorized by law to administer oaths.
prosecute the same.
Depositions may be taken outside the Philippines before a
Sec. 6. Verification and service of answer. - The answer shall diplomatic or consular representative of the Philippine
be verified. The original and five (5) legible copies of the Government or before any person agreed upon by the parties
answer shall be filed with the Investigator, with proof of or designated by the Board of Governors.
service of a copy thereof on the complainant or his counsel.
Sec. 7. Administrative counsel. - The IBP Board of Governors Any suitable members of the Integrated Bar in the place
shall appoint a suitable member of the Integrated Bar as where a deposition shall be taken may be designated by the
counsel to assist the complainant or the respondent during Investigator to assist the complainant or the respondent in
the investigation in case of need for such assistance. taking a deposition.
Sec. 8. Investigation. - Upon joinder of issues or upon failure
of the respondent to answer, the Investigator shall, with Sec. 10. Report of Investigator. - Not later than thirty (30) days
deliberate speed, proceed with the investigation of the case. from the termination of the investigation, the Investigator
He shall have the power to issue subpoenas and administer shall submit a report containing his findings of fact and
recommendations to the IBP Board of Governors, together
with the stenographic notes and the transcripts thereof and all Sec. 13. Supreme Court Investigators. - In proceedings
the evidence presented during the investigation. The initiated motu proprio by the Supreme Court in other
submission of the report need not await the transcription of proceedings when the interest of justice so requires, the
the stenographic notes, it being sufficient that the report Supreme Court may refer the case for investigation to the
reproduce substantially from the Investigator's personal notes Solicitor General or to any officer of the Supreme Court or
any relevant and pertinent testimonies. judge of a lower court, in which case, the investigation shall
proceed in the same manner provided in Sections 6 to 11
Sec. 11. Defects. - No defect in a complaint, notice, answer, or hereof, save that the review report of the investigation shall
in the proceeding or the Investigator's Report shall be be conducted directly by the Supreme Court.chanrobles
considered as substantial unless the Board of Governors, upon virtualawlibrary
considering the whole record, finds that such defect has Sec. 14. Report of the Solicitor General or other Court
resulted or may result in a miscarriage of justice, in which designated investigator. - Based upon the evidence adduced
event the Board shall take such remedial action as the at the investigation, the Solicitor General or other Investigator
circumstance may warrant, including invalidation of the entire designated by the Supreme Court shall submit to the Supreme
proceedings. chanrobles virtua law library Court a resolution containing his findings of fact and
Sec. 12. View and decision by the Board of Governors. - recommendations together the record and all the evidence
(a) Every case heard by an investigator shall be reviewed by presented in the investigation for the final action of the
the IBP Board of Governors upon the record and evidence Supreme Court.
transmitted to it by the Investigator with his report. The C. COMMON PROVISIONS
decision of the Board upon such review shall be in writing and
shall clearly and distinctly state the facts and the reasons on Sec. 15. Suspension of attorneys by Supreme Court. - After
which it is based. It shall be promulgated within a period not receipt of respondent's answer or lapse of the period therefor,
exceeding thirty (30) days from the next meeting of the Board the Supreme Court, motu proprio, or at the instance of the IBP
following the submittal of the Investigator's Report Board of Governors upon the recommendation of the
Investigator, may suspend an attorney from the practice of his
(b) If the Board, by the vote of a majority of its total profession for any of the causes specified in Rule 138, Section
membership, determines that the respondent should be 27, during the pendency of the investigation until such
suspended from the practice of law or disbarred, it shall issue suspension is lifted by the Supreme Court. chanrobles virtua
a resolution setting forth its findings and recommendations law library
which, together with the whole record of the case, shall Sec. 16. Suspension of attorney by the Court of Appeals or
forthwith be transmitted to the Supreme Court for final Regional Trial Court. - The Court of Appeals or Regional Trial
action. Court may suspend an attorney from practice for any of the
causes named in Rule 138, Section 27, until further action of
(c) If the respondent is exonerated by the Board or the the Supreme Court in the case.
disciplinary sanction imposed by it is less than suspension or Sec. 17. Upon suspension by Court of Appeals or Regional Trial
disbarment (such as admonition, reprimand, or fine) it shall Court, further proceedings in Supreme Court. - Upon such
issue a decision exonerating respondent or imposing such suspension, the Court of Appeals or a Regional Trial Court shall
sanction. The case shall be deemed terminated unless upon forthwith transmit to the Supreme Court a certified copy of
petition of the complainant or other interested party filed the order of suspension and a full statement of the facts upon
with the Supreme Court within fifteen (15) days from notice of which the same was based. Upon receipt of such certified copy
the Boards resolution, the Supreme Court orders otherwise. and statement, the Supreme Court shall make a full
investigation of the case and may revoke, shorten or extend
(d) Notice of the resolution or decision of the Board shall be the suspension, or disbar the attorney as the facts may
given to all parties through their counsel. A copy of the same warrant.
shall be transmitted to the Supreme Court. Sec. 18. Confidentiality. - Proceedings against attorneys shall
be private and confidential. However, the final order of the
B. PROCEEDINGS IN THE SUPREME COURT
Supreme Court shall be published like its decisions in other
cases.
Sec. 19. Expenses. - All reasonable and necessary expenses
incurred in relation to disciplinary and disbarment
proceedings are lawful charges forthwith the parties may be
taxed as costs. chanrobles virtua law library

Sec. 20. Effectivity and Transitory Provision. - This Rule shall

take effect on June 1, 1988 and shall supersede the present
Rule 139 entitled "DISBARMENT OR SUSPENSION OF
ATTORNEYS". All cases pending investigation by the Office of
the Solicitor General shall be transferred to the Integrated Bar
of the Philippines Board of Governors for investigation and
disposition as provided in this Rule except those cases where
the investigation has been substantially completed. (Bar
Matter No. 356, Resolution dated April 13, 1988).

POWERS AND DUTIES OF COURTS AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS

Rule 135

SECTION 1. Courts always open; justice to be promptly and

impartially administered. - Courts of justice shall always be
open, except on legal holidays, for the filing of any pleadings,
motion or other papers, for the trial of cases, hearing of
motions, and for the issuance of orders or rendition of
judgments. Justice shall be impartially administered without
unnecessary delay.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
SEC. 2. Publicity of proceedings and records. The sitting of
every court of justice shall be public, but any court may, in its
discretion, exclude the public when the evidence to be
adduced is of such nature as to require their exclusion in the
interest of morality or decency. The records of every court of
justice shall be public records and shall be available for the
inspection of any interested person, at all proper business
hours, under the supervision of the clerk having custody of
such records, unless the court shall, in any special case, have
forbidden their publicity, in the interest of morality or
decency. chan robles virtual law library
SEC. 3. Process of superior courts enforced throughout the
Philippines. - Process issued from a superior court in which a
case is pending to bring in a defendant, or for the arrest of any
accused person, or to execute any order or judgment of the
court, may be enforced in any part of the Philippines.
SEC. 4. Process of inferior courts. - The process of inferior
courts shall be enforceable within the province where the (f) To administer or cause to be administered oaths in a case
municipality or city lies. It shall not be served outside the pending therein, and in all other cases where it may be
boundaries of the province in which they are comprised necessary in the exercise of its powers; chan robles virtual law
except with the approval of the judge of the Regional Trial library
Court of said province, and only in the following
cases:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary (g) To amend and control its process and orders so as to make
(a) When an order fo the delivery of personal property lying them comformable to law and justice;
outside the province is to be complied with;
(h) To authorize copy of a lost or destroyed pleading or other
(b) When an attachment of real or personal property lying paper to be filed and used instead of the original, and to
outside the province is to be made; chan robles virtual law restore, and supply deficiencies in its records and proceedings.
library SEC. 6. Means to carry jurisdiction into effect. - When by law,
jurisdiction is conferred on a court or judicial officer, all
(c) When the action is against two or more defendants auxiliary writs, processes and other means necessary to carry
residing in different provinces; and it into effect may be employed by such court or officer; and if
the procedure to be followed in the exercise of such
(d) When the place where the case has been brought is that jurisdiction is not specifically pointed out by law or by these
specified in a contract in writing between the parties, or is the rules, any suitable process or mode of proceeding may be
place of the execution of such contract as appears adopted which appears conformable to the spirit of said law
therefrom. chan robles virtual law library or rules.chanrobles virtualawlibrary
Writs of execution issued by inferior courts may be enforced in SEC. 7. Trial and hearings; orders in chambers. - All trial upon
any part of the Philippines without any previous approval of the merits shall be conducted in open court and so far as
the judge of first instance.chanrobles virtualawlibrary convenient in a regular court room. All other acts or
Criminal process may be issued by a justice of the peace or proceedings may be done or conducted by a judge in
other inferior court, to be served outside his province, when chambers, without the attendance of the clerk or other court
the district judge, or in his absence the provincial fiscal, shall officials. chan robles virtual law library
certify that in his opinion the interests of justices require such SEC. 8. Interlocutory orders out of province. - A judge of
service. chan robles virtual law library Regional Trial Court shall have power to hear and determine,
SEC. 5. Inherent powers of courts. - Every court shall have when within the district though without his province, any
power:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary intelocutory motion or issue after due and reasonable notice
(a) To preserve and enforce order in its immediate presence; to the parties. On the filing of a petition for the writ of habeas
corpus or for release upon bail or reduction of bail in any
(b) To enforce order in proceedings before a person or persons Regional Trial Court, the hearing may be had at any place in
empowered to conduct a judicial investigation under its the judicial district which the judge shall deem convenient.
authority; SEC. 9. Signing judgments out of province. - Whenever a
judge appointed or assigned in any province or branch of a
(c) To compel obedience to its judgments, orders and Regional Trial Court in a province shall leave the province by
processes, and to the lawful order of judge out of court, in a transfer or assignment to another court of equal jurisdiction,
case pending therein; or by expiration of his temporary assignment, without having
decided a case totally heard by him and which was argued or
(d) To control, in furtherance of justice, the conduct of its an opportunity given for argument to the parties or their
ministerial officers, and of all other persons in any manner counsel, it shall be lawful for him to prepare and sign his
connected with a case before it, in every manner appertaining decision in said case anywhere within the Philippines. He shall
thereto; send the same by registered mail to the clerk of the court
where the case was heard or argued to be filed therein as of
(e) To compel the attendance of persons to testify in a case the date when the same was received by the clerk, in the
pending therein; same manner as if he had been present in court to direct the
filing of the judgment. If a case has been only in part, the Section 1. Organization. - There is hereby organized an official
Supreme Court, upon petition of any of the parties to the case national body to be known as the "Integrated Bar of the
and the recommendation of respective district judge, may also Philippines," composed of all persons whose names now
authorize the judge who has partly heard the case, if no other appear or may hereafter be included in the Roll of Attorneys
judge had heard the case in part, to continue hearing and to of the Supreme Court.
decide said case notwithstanding his transfer or appointment Sec. 2. Purposes. - The fundamental purposes of the Integrated
to another court of equal jurisdiction. Bar shall be to elevate the standards of the legal profession,
improve the administration of justice, and enable the Bar to
discharge its public responsibility more effectively.
Sec. 3. Regions. - The Philippines is hereby divided into nine
DISQUALIFICATION OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS Regions of the Integrated Bar, to
Rule 137 wit:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
Sec. 1. Disqualification of judges. - No judge or judicial officer (a) Northern Luzon, consisting of the provinces of Abra,
shall sit in any case in which he, or his wife or child, is Batanes, Benguet, Cagayan, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur,
pecuniarily interested as heir, legatee, creditor or otherwise, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva
or in which he is related to either party within the sixth degree Vizcaya, and Quirino.
of consanguinity or affinity, or to counsel within the fourth (b) Central Luzon, consisting of the provinces of Bataan,
degree, computed according to the rules of the civil law, or in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Tarlac, and
which he has been executor, administrator, guardian, trustee Zambales; chanrobles virtua law library
or counsel, or in which he has presided in any inferior court
when his ruling or decision is the subject of review, without (c) Greater Manila, consisting of the City of Manila and
the written consent of all parties in interest, signed by them Quezon City;
and entered upon the record.
(d) Southern Luzon, consisting of the provinces of Batangas,
A judge may, in the exercise of his sound discretion, disqualify Cavity Laguna, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental
himself from sitting in a case, for just or valid reasons other Mindoro, Quezon, and Rizal;
than those mentioned above. chan robles virtual law library (e) Bicolandia, consisting of the provinces of Al bay, Camarines
. Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon;
(f) Eastern Visayas, consisting of the provinces of Bohol, Cebu,
Sec. 2. Objection that judge disqualified, how made and Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, and Southern
effect. - If it be claimed that an official is disqualified from Leyte;
sitting as above provided, the party objecting to his (g) Western Visayas, consisting of the provinces of Aklan,
competency may, in writing, file with the official his objection, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental,
stating the grounds therefor, and the official shall thereupon Palawan, Romblon, and Siquijor;
proceed with the trial, or withdraw therefrom, in accordance (h) Eastern Mindanao, consisting of the provinces of Agusan
with his determination of the question of his disqualification. del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, CaMiguin, Davao del
His decision shall be forthwith made in writing and filed with Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Nlisamis Oriental,
the other papers in the case, but no appeal or stay shall be Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur; and
allowed from, or by reason of, his decision in favor of his own (i) Western M;ndanao, consisting of the cities of Basilan and
competency, until after final judgment in the case. Zamboanga, and the provinces of Cotabato, Lanao del Norte,
Lanao del Sur Misamis Occidental, South Cotabato, Sulu,
Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur.
In the event of the creation of any new province, the Board of
Governors shall, with the approval of the Supreme Court,
THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES
determine the Region to which the said province shall belong.
Rule 139-A
Sec. 4. Chapters. - A Chapter of the Integrated Bar shall be
(Inserted by Republic Act No. 6397 which took effect on
organized in every province. Except as hereinbelow provided,
January 16, 1973)
every city shall be considered part of the province within Sec. 6. Board of Governors. - The Integrated Bar shall be
which it is geographically situated. governed by a Board of Governors. Nine Governors shall be
A separate Chapter shall be organized in each of the following elected by the House of Delegates from the nine Regions on
political subdivisions or areas:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary the representation basis of one Governor from each Region.
(a) The sub-province of Aurora; Each Governor shall be chosen from a list of nominees
(b) Each congressional district of the City of Manila; submitted by the Delegates from the Region, provided that
(c) Quezon City; not more than one nominee shall come from any Chapter. The
(d) Caloocan City, Malabon and Navotas; President and the Executive Vice President, if chosen by the
(e) Pasay Citys Makati, Mandaluyong and San Juan del Monte; Governors from outside of themselves as provided in Section 7
(f) Cebu City; and of this Rule, shall ipso facto become members of the Board.
(g) Zamboanga City and Basilan City.
Unless he otherwise registers his preference for a particular The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of one
Chapter, a lawyer shall be considered a member of the year from the date of their election and until their successors
Chapter of the province, city, political subdivision or area shall have been duly elected and qualified. No person may be
where his office, or, in the absence thereof, his residence is a governor for more than two terms
located. In no case shall any lawyer be a member of more than The Board shall meet regularly once every three months, on
one Chapter. such date and such time and place as it shall designate. A
Each Chapter shall have its own local government as provided majority of all the members of the Board shall constitute a
for by uniform rules to be prescribed by the Board of quorum to do business. Special meetings may be called by the
Governors and approved by the Supreme Court, the provisions President or by five members of the Board.
of Section 19 of this Rule notwithstanding. Subject to the approval of the Supreme Court, the Board shall
Chapters belonging to the same Region may hold regional adopt By-Laws and promulgate Canons of Professional
conventions on matters and problems of common concern. Responsibility for all members of the Integrated Bar. The By-
Sec. 5. House of Delegates. - The Integrated Bar shall have a Laws and the Canons may be amended by the Supreme
House of Delegates of not more than one hundred twenty Court motu proprio or upon the recommendation of the Board
members who shall be apportioned among all the Chapters as of Governors.
nearly as may be according to the number of their respective The Board shall prescribe such other rules and regulations as
members, but each Chapter shall have at least one Delegate. may be necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of the
On or before December 31, 1974, and every four years Integrated Bar as well as the provisions of this Rule.
thereafter, the Board of Governors shall make an Sec. 7. Officers. - The Integrated Bar shall have a President and
apportionment of Delegates. chanrobles virtua law library an Executive Vice President who shall be chosen by the
The term of the office of Delegate shall begin on the date of Governors immediately after the latter's election, either from
the opening of the annual convention of the House and shall among themselves or from other members of the Integrated
end on the day immediately preceding the date of the opening Bar, by the vote of at least five Governors. Each of the regional
of the next succeeding annual convention. No person may be a members of the Board shall be ex officio Vice President for the
Delegate for more than two terms. Region which he represents.
The House shall hold an annual convention at the call of the The President and the Executive Vice President shall hold
Board of Governors at any time during the month of April of office for a term of one year from the date of their election
each year for the election of Governors, the reading and and until their successors shall have duly qualified. The
discussion of reports including the annual report of the Board Executive Vice President shall automatically become the
of Governors, the transaction of such other business as may be President for the next succeeding full term. The Presidency
referred to it by the Board, and the consideration of such shall rotate from year to year among all the nine Regions in
additional matters as may be requested in writing by at least such order of rotation as the Board of Governors shall
twenty Delegates. Special conventions of the House may be prescribe. No person shall be President or Executive Vice
called by the Board of Governors to consider only such President of the Integrated Bar for more than one term.
matters as the Board shall indicate. A majority of the The Integrated Bar shall have a Secretary, a Treasurer, and
Delegates who have registered for a convention, whether such other officers and employees as may be required by the
annual or special, shall constitute a quorum to do business. Board of Governors, to be appointed tray the President with
the consent of the Board, and to hold office at the pleasure of final approval of the Supreme Court.
the Board or for such terms as it may fix. Said officers and
employees need not be members of the Integrated Bar. Sec. 13. Non-political Bar. - The Integrated Bar shall be strictly
Sec. 8. Vacancies. - In the event the President is absent or non-political, and every activity tending to impair this basic
unable to act, his duties shall be performed by the Executive feature is strictly prohibited and shall be penalized
vice President; and in the event of the death, resignation or accordingly. No lawyer holding an elective, judicial, quasi-
removal of the President, the Executive Vice President shall judicial or prosecutory office in the Government or any
serve as Acting President during the remainder of the term of political subdivision or instrumentality thereof shall be eligible
the office thus vacated. In the event of the death, resignation, for election or appointment to any position in the Integrated
removal, or disability of both the President and the Executive Bar or any Chapter thereof. A Delegate, Governor, Officer or
Vice President, the Board of Governors shall elect an Acting employee of the Integrated Bar, or an officer or employee of
President to hold office until the next succeeding election or any Chapter thereof shall be considered ipso factoresigned
during the period of disability. chanrobles virtua law library from his position as of the moment he files his certificate of
The filling of vacancies in the House of Delegates, Board of candidacy for any elective public office or accepts
Governors, and all other positions of Officers of the Integrated appointment to any judicial, quasi judicial, or prosecutory
Bar shall be as provided in the By-Laws. Whenever the term of office in the Government or any political subdivision or
an office or position is for a fixed period, the person chosen to instrumentality thereof.
fill a vacancy therein shall serve only for the unexpired term.
Sec. 9. Membership dues. - Every member of the Integrated Sec. 14. Positions honorary. - Except as may be specifically
Bar shall pay such annual dues as the Board of Governors shall authorized or allowed by the Supreme Court, no Delegate or
determine with the approval of the Supreme Court. A fixed Governor and no national or local Officer or committee
sum equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the collection from member shall receive any compensation, allowance or
each Chapter shall be set aside as a Welfare Fund for disabled emolument from the funds of the Integrated Bar for any
members of the Chapter and the compulsory heirs of deceased service rendered therein or be entitled to reimbursement for
members thereof any expense incurred in the discharge of his functions.
Sec. 10. Effect of non-payment of dues. - Subject to the
provisions of Section 12 of this Rule, default in the payment of Sec. 15. Fiscal matters. - The Board of Governors shall
annual dues for six months shall warrant suspension of administer the funds of the Integrated Bar and shall have the
membership in the Integrated Bar, and default in such power to make appropriations and disbursements therefrom.
payment for one year shall be a ground for the removal of the It shall cause proper Books of Accounts to be kept and
name of the delinquent member from the Roll of Attorneys. Financial Statements to be rendered and shall see to it that
the proper audit is made of all accounts of the Integrated Bar
Sec. 11. Voluntary termination of membership; reinstatement. and all the Chapters thereof.
- A member may terminate his membership by filing a written
notice to that effect with the Secretary of the Integrated Bar, Sec. 16. Journal. - The Board of Governors shall cause to be
who shall immediately bring the matter to the attention of the published a quarterly Journal of the Integrated Bar, free copies
Supreme Court. Forthwith he shall cease to be a member and of which shall be distributed to every member of the
his name shall be stricken by the Court from the Roll of Integrated Bar.
Attorneys. Re-instatement may be made by the Court in
accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Board Sec. 17. Voluntary Bar Associations. - All voluntary Bar
of Governors and approved by the Court. associations now existing or which may hereafter be formed
may co-exist with the Integrated Bar but shall not operate at
Sec. 12. Grievance procedures. - The Board of Governors shall cross-purposes therewith.
provide in the By-Laws for grievance procedures for the
enforcement and maintenance of discipline among all the Sec. 18. Amendments. - This Rule may be amended by the
members of the Integrated Bar, but no action involving the Supreme Courtmotu proprio or upon the recommendation of
suspension or disbarment of a member or the removal of his the Board of Governors or any Chapter of the Integrated Bar.
name from the Roll of Attorneys shall be effective without the
Sec. 19. Organizational period. - The Commission on Bar
Integration shall organize the local Chapters and toward this
end shall secure the assistance of the Department of Justice
and of all Judges throughout the Philippines. All Chapter
organizational meetings shall be held on Saturday, February
17, 1973. In every case, the Commission shall cause proper
notice of the date, time and place of the meeting to be served
upon all the lawyers concerned at their addresses appearing in
the records of the commission. The lawyers present at the
meeting called to organize a Chapter shall constitute a quorum
for the purpose, including the election of a President, a Vice
President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and five
Directors. chanrobles virtua law library
The Commission shall initially fix the number of Delegates and
apportion the same among all the Chapters as nearly as may
be in proportion to the number of their respective members,
but each Chapter shall have at least one Delegate. The
President of each Chapter shall concurrently be its Delegate to
the House of Delegates. The Vice President shall be his
alternate, except where the Chapter is entitled to have more
than one Delegate, in which case, the Vice President shall also
be a Delegate.
The Board of Directors of the Chapter shall in proper cases
elect additional as well as alternate Delegates. The House of
Delegates shall convene in the City of Manila on Saturday,
March 1 7,1973 for the purpose of electing a Board of
Governors. The Governors shall immediately assume office
and forthwith meet to elect the Officers of the Integrated Bar.
The Officers so chosen shall immediately assume their
respective positions.