Legal Profession Part 2

7/31/2019 Legal Profession Part 2

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LEGAL PROFESSION NOTES

PART 2

DIFFERENT MODES OF INVESTIGATION

RULE 139-B

DISBARMENT AND DISCIPLINE OF ATTORNEYS

SECTION 1. How Instued.

Proceedingsfor the disbarment, ss!ension, or

disci!"ine o# a$orne%s ma% be ta&en b% the

S!reme Cort mou proprio, or b% the Integrated

'ar o# the Phi"i!!ines (I'P) !on the *eri+ed

com!"aint o# an% !erson. The com!"aint sha"" state

c"ear"% and concise"% the #acts com!"ained o# and

sha"" be s!!orted b% ada*its o# !ersons ha*ing

!ersona" &no-"edge o# the #acts therein a""eged

andor b% sch docments as ma% sbstan/ate said

#acts.

The I'P 'oard o# Go*ernors ma%, mou

proprio or !on re#erra" b% the S!reme Cort or

b% a Cha!ter 'oard o# Ocers, or at the instance o#

an% !erson, ini/ate and !rosecte !ro!er charges

against an% erring a$orne%s inc"ding those in the

go*ernment ser*ice0 Provided, however, That a""

charges against s/ces o# the Cort o# A!!ea"s and

theSandiganbayan, and dges o# the Cort o# Ta2

A!!ea"s and "o-er corts, e*en i# "a-%ers are

3oint"% charged -ith them, sha"" be +"ed -ith the

S!reme Cort0 Provided, furher, That charges

+"ed against s/ces and dges be#ore the I'P,

inc"ding those +"ed !rior to their a!!ointment in

the diciar%, sha"" immediate"% be #or-arded to

the S!reme Cort #or dis!osi/on and

ad3dica/on. (Asamended by Bar Maer !o. "#$%,

May ", &%%%.'

Si2 (4) co!ies o# the *eri+ed com!"aint sha"" be

+"ed -ith the Secretar% o# the I'P or the Secretar%

o# an% o# its cha!ters -ho sha"" #orth-ith transmit

the same to the I'P 'oard o# Go*ernors #or

assignment to an in*es/gator.

A. PROCEEDINGS IN THE INTEGRATED BAR OF

THE PHILIPPINES

SEC. 5. !atona( )rievan*e Investgaors.6The

'oard o# Go*ernors sha"" a!!oint #rom among I'P

members an In*es/gator or, -hen s!ecia"

circmstances so -arrant, a !ane" o# three (7

in*es/gators to in*es/gate the com!"aint. A"

In*es/gators sha"" ta&e an oath o# oce in the #orm

!rescribed b% the 'oard o# Go*ernors. A co!% o#

the In*es/gator8s a!!ointment and oath sha"" be

transmi$ed to the S!reme Cort.

An In*es/gator ma% be dis9a"i+ed b% reason

o# re"a/onshi! -ithin the #orth degree o

consanginit% or anit% to an% o# the !ar/es or

their conse", !ecniar% interest, !ersona" bias, or

his ha*ing acted as conse" #or either !art%, n"ess

the !ar/es sign and enter !on the record their

-ri$en consent to his ac/ng as sch In*es/gator

:here the In*es/gator does not dis9a"i#% himse"#,

a !art% ma% a!!ea" to the I'P 'oard o# Go*ernors,

-hich b% ma3orit% *ote o# the members !resent,

there being a 9orm, ma% order his

dis9a"i+ca/on.

An% In*es/gator ma% a"so be remo*ed #or

case, a;er the hearing, b% the *ote o# at "east si2

(4) members o# the I'P 'oard o# Go*ernors. The

decision o# the 'oard o# Go*ernors in a"" cases o#

dis9a"i+ca/on or remo*a" sha"" be +na".

SEC. 7. +utes of he !atona( )rievan*e

Investgaor.6The Na/ona" Grie*ance In*es/gatorssha"" in*es/gate a"" com!"aints against members o#

the Integrated 'ar re#erred to them b% the I'P

'oard o# Go*ernors.

SEC.


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the S!reme Cort -hich ma% re*ie- the

case mou proprio or !on /me"% a!!ea" o# the

com!"ainant +"ed -ithin 1= da%s #rom no/ce o# the

dismissa" o# the com!"aint.

No in*es/ga/on sha"" be interr!ted orterminated b% reason o# the desistance, se$"ement,

com!romise, res/t/on, -ithdra-a" o# the

charges, or #ai"re o# the com!"ainant to !rosecte

the same.

SEC. 4. -eri*aton and servi*e of answer.6The

ans-er sha"" be *eri+ed. The origina" and +*e (=)

"egib"e co!ies o# the ans-er sha"" be +"ed -ith the

In*es/gator, -ith !roo# o# ser*ice o# a co!% thereo#

on the com!"ainant or his conse".

SEC. >.Adminisratve *ounse(.6The I'P 'oard

o# Go*ernors sha"" a!!oint a sitab"e member o#

the Integrated 'ar as conse" to assist the

com!"ainant or the res!ondent dring the

in*es/ga/on in case o# need #or sch assistance.

SEC. ?. Investgaton.6@!on 3oinder o# isses

or !on #ai"re o# the res!ondent to ans-er, the

In*es/gator sha"", -ith de"iberate s!eed, !roceed

-ith the in*es/ga/on o# the case. e sha"" ha*e the

!o-er to isse sb!oenas and administer oaths.

The res!ondent sha"" be gi*en #"" o!!ortnit% to

de#end himse"#, to !resent -itnesses on his beha"#,

and be heard b% himse"# and conse". o-e*er, i#

!on reasonab"e no/ce, the res!ondent #ai"s to

a!!ear, the in*es/ga/on sha"" !roceed e/ pare.

The In*es/gator sha"" terminate the

in*es/ga/on -ithin three (7) months #rom the date

o# its commencement, n"ess e2tended #or good

case b% the 'oard o# Go*ernors !on !rior

a!!"ica/on.

:i""#" #ai"re to re#sa" to obe% a sb!oena or

an% other "a-#" order issed b% the In*es/gator

sha"" be dea"t -ith as #or indirect contem!t o#

cort. The corres!onding charge sha"" be +"ed b%

the In*es/gator be#ore the I'P 'oard o# Go*ernors

-hich sha"" re9ire the a""eged contemnor to sho-

case -ithin ten (1B) da%s #rom no/ce. The I'P

'oard o# Go*ernors ma% therea;er condct

hearings, i# necessar%, in accordance -ith the

!rocedre set #orth in this R"e #or hearings be#ore

the In*es/gator. Sch hearing sha"" as #ar as

!rac/cab"e be terminated -ithin +;een (1=) da%s

#rom its commencement. Therea;er, the I'P 'oard

o# Go*ernors sha"" -ithin a "i&e !eriod o# +;een

(1=) da%s isse a reso"/on seng #orth its +ndings

and recommenda/ons, -hich sha"" #orth-ith be

transmi$ed to the S!reme Cort #or +na" ac/on

and i# -arranted, the im!osi/on o# !ena"t%.

SEC. D. +epositons.6e!osi/ons ma% be

ta&en in accordance -ith the R"es o# Cort -ith

"ea*e o# the in*es/gators).

:ithin the Phi"i!!ines, de!osi/ons ma% be

ta&en be#ore an% member o# the 'oard o

Go*ernors, the President o# an% Cha!ter, or an%ocer athoried b% "a- to administer oaths.

e!osi/ons ma% be ta&en otside the

Phi"i!!ines be#ore a di!"oma/c or cons"ar

re!resenta/*e o# the Phi"i!!ine Go*ernment o

be#ore an% !erson agreed !on b% the !ar/es or

designated b% the 'oard o# Go*ernors.

An% sitab"e member o# the Integrated 'ar in

the P"ace -here a de!osi/on sha"" be ta&en ma% be

designated b% the In*es/gator to assist the

com!"ainant or the res!ondent in ta&ing a

de!osi/on.

SEC. 1B. 0epor of Investgaor.Not "ater than

thirt% (7B) da%s #rom the termina/on o# the

in*es/ga/on, the In*es/gator sha"" sbmit a re!ort

containing his +ndings o# #act and recom

menda/ons to the I'P 'oard o# Go*ernors

together -ith the stenogra!hic notes and the

transcri!t thereo#, and a"" the e*idence !resented

dring the in*es/ga/on. The sbmission o# the

re!ort need not a-ait the transcri!/on o# the

stenogra!hic notes, it being scient that the

re!ort re!rodce sbstan/a""% #rom the

In*es/gator8s !ersona" notes an% re"e*ant and

!er/nent tes/monies.

SEC. 11. +efe*s.6No de#ect in a com!"aint

no/ce, ans-er, or in the !roceeding or the

In*es/gator8s Re!ort sha"" be considered as

sbstan/a" n"ess the 'oard o# Go*ernors, !on


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considering the -ho"e record, +nds that sch

de#ect has res"ted or ma% res"t in a miscarriage o#

3s/ce, in -hich e*ent the 'oard sha"" ta&e sch

remedia" ac/on as the circmstances ma% -arrant,

inc"ding in*a"ida/on o# the en/re !roceedings.

SEC. 15. 0eview and de*ision by he Board of

)overnors.6

(a) E*er% case heard b% an in*es/gator

sha"" be re*ie-ed b% the I'P 'oard o#

Go*ernors !on the record and e*idence

transmi$ed to it b% the In*es/gator -ith his

re!ort. The decision o# the 'oard !on sch

re*ie- sha"" be in -ri/ng and sha"" c"ear"% and

dis/nct"% state the #acts and the reasons on

-hich it is based. It sha"" be !rom"gated-ithin a !eriod not e2ceeding thirt% (7B) da%s

#rom the ne2t mee/ng o# the 'oard #o""o-ing

the sbmi$a" o# the In*es/gator8s Re!ort.

(b) I# the 'oard, b% the *ote o# a

ma3orit% o# its tota" membershi!, determines

that the res!ondent sho"d be ss!ended #rom

the !rac/ce o# "a- or disbarred, it sha"" isse a

reso"/on seng #orth its +ndings and

recommenda/ons -hich, together -ith the

-ho"e record o# the case, sha"" #orth-ith betransmi$ed to the S!reme Cort #or +na"

ac/on.

(c) I# the res!ondent is e2onerated b%

the 'oard or the disci!"inar% sanc/on im!osed

b% it is "ess than ss!ension or disbarment

(sch as admoni/on, re!rimand, or +nd) it

sha"" isse a decision e2onera/ng res!ondent

or im!osing sch sanc/on. The case sha"" be

deemed terminated n"ess !on !e//on o#

the com!"ainant or other interested !art% +"ed-ith the S!reme Cort -ithin +;een (1=)

da%s #rom no/ce o# the 'oard8s reso"/on, the

S!reme Cort orders other-ise.

(d) No/ce o# the reso"/on or decision

o# the 'oard sha"" be gi*en to a"" !ar/es

throgh their conse". A co!% o# the same sha""

be transmi$ed to the S!reme Cort.

B. PROCEEDINGS IN THE SUPREME COURT

SEC. 17. Supreme our Investgaors.6In

!roceedings ini/ated mou proprio b% the S!reme

Cort or in other !roceedings -hen the interest o#

3s/ce so re9ires, the S!reme Cort ma% re#ethe case #or in*es/ga/on to the So"icitor Genera" or

to an% ocer o# the S!reme Cort or 3dge o# a

"o-er cort, in -hich case the in*es/ga/on sha"

!roceed in the same manner !ro*ided in sec/ons 4

to 11 hereo#, sa*e that the re*ie- o# the re!ort o#

in*es/ga/on sha"" be condcted direct"% b% the

S!reme Cort.

SEC. 1


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transmit to the S!reme Cort a cer/+ed co!% o#

the order o# ss!ension and a #"" statement o# the

#acts !on -hich the same -as based. @!on

recei!t o# sch cer/+ed co!% and statement, the

S!reme Cort sha"" ma&e a #"" in*es/ga/on o# the

case and ma% re*o&e, shorten or e2tend the

ss!ension, or disbar the a$orne% as the #acts ma%

-arrant.

SEC. 1?. ondenta(iy.6Proceedings against

a$orne%s sha"" be !ri*ate and con+den/a".

o-e*er, the +na" order o# the S!reme Cort sha""

be !b"ished "i&e its decisions in other cases.

SEC. 1D. 3/penses.6A"" reasonab"e and

necessar% e2!enses incrred in re"a/on to

disci!"inar% and disbarment !roceedings are "a-#"charges #or -hich the !ar/es ma% be ta2ed as

costs.

SEC. 5B. 34e*tviy and 1ransiory Provision.

This R"e sha"" ta&e eHect on ne 1, 1D?? and sha""

s!ersede the !resent R"e 17D en/t"ed

IS'ARJENT OR S@SPENSION OF ATTORNEKS. A""

cases !ending in*es/ga/on b% the Oce o# the

So"icitor Genera" sha"" be trans#erred to the

Integrated 'ar o# the Phi"i!!ines 'oard o#

Go*ernors #or in*es/ga/on and dis!osi/on as!ro*ided in this R"e e2ce!t those cases -here the

in*es/ga/on has been sbstan/a""%

com!"eted. 5Bar Maer !o. 67$, 0eso(uton Apri(

"6, "#88.'

FERNANDEZ VS. GRECIA

CARACTERS0

A"berto Fernande cardio"ogist

Isabe"o Ongteco head, O'g%ne

Achi""es 'arto"ome ro"ogist

St. L&es Jedica" Center

ver!

A$%. 'en3amin Grecia

charged -ith dishonest% and gra*e miscondct in

connec/on -ith the the; o# some !ages #rom the

medica" chart. Ag. 5B, 1DD1

disbarred #or his immora" com!"icit% or nho"%

a""iance -a dge in MC to ri! oH ban&s and

Chineses bsiness. No*.15, 1D?>

(7%rs "ater, he -as reinstated in the !ro#ession)

A$%. A*es res!ondents c"ient

Fe Linda A*es -i#e o# A$%. A*es, died bec. O# !re

ec"am!sia

Ac/ng 'ranch o# C"er&0 Arnie Sandico and A*e"ina

Rob"es

-itnesses -hen Grecia tore the !ages o# the

medica" chart

SidGrecias dri*er -hom Grecia ga*e the !ages.

PO7 A"abastro !ro*ed that Sid is Grecias dri*er.

Facts0

Fe -as >ms. Pregnant, and -as rshed to St. L&es

com!"aining o# diiness, h%!ertension, and

abdomina" !ains -ith *agina" b"eeding. ied

'"aming the doctors #or the death o# his -i#e, A$%.

A*es +"ed a com!"aint against them and the

hos!ita". A$%. amaso et.a". *s. St. L&es, et.a".

ring the "i/ga/on in the "o-er cort, A$% Greciaa""eged"% as&ed the c"er& o# cort the

medica" chart o# the a#oremen/oned !a/ent -hich

-as at that /me in the cort8s !ossession, and

therea;er tore t-o !ages iden/+ed as !ages >5

and >7.

Fernande et a" +"ed a disbarment case against A$%

Grecia #or the; o# docments !ertaining to the

"a$ers case against the !e//oners. (Fernande et


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a".)

In *ie- o# A$% Grecia8s n!ro#essiona" condct, the

!e//oners +"ed the case #or disbarment.

Isse0 :hether or not the disbarment case is

meritorios.

R"ing0

The S!reme Cort cited R"e 1.B1 and Canon > in

the R"es o# Pro#essiona" Res!onsibi"it% being

*io"ated b% A$% Grecia, not-ithstanding that he

-as once disbarred to !rac/ce "a- on No*ember

15, 1D?> #or his 8nho"% a""iance8 -ith a 3dge in

Meon cit% to ri! oH ban&s and Chinese bsiness

+rms. And that ? months a;er the S!reme Cortheeding his !"eas #or com!assion and !romise to

mend his -a%s, it -as 3st eight months a;er that

he is #aced -ith %et another disbarment case. In

e*a"a/ng the tes/monies o# the -itnesses, the

cort states that the% are en/re"% credib"e and

-ithot an% gi"e not a$em!t at #abrica/on,

remaining constant e*en nder !ressre o# cross

e2amina/on, and abso"te"% no mo/*e to tes/#%

#a"se"% against the res!ondent. To 9ote the

S!reme Corts decision, the% sa% that b%

descending to the "e*e" o# a common thie#,

res!ondent Grecia has demeaned and disgraced

the "ega" !ro#ession. e has demonstrated his

mora" n+tness to con/ne as a member o# the

honorab"e #raternit% o# "a-%ers. e has #or#eited his

membershi! in the 'AR.

A$% Grecia -as then ordered disbarred, his "icense

to !rac/ce "a- in the Phi"i!!ines cance""ed and his

name -as ordered to be stric&en ot o# the Ro"" o#

A$orne%s.

YUSECO VS. BERNAD

CARACTERS0

A$%. Kseco conse" o# Grecia

'en3amin Grecia disbarred

ver!

anito 'ernad e!t% Cort Administrator

charged -ith s!!ressing #acts and ma&ing #a"se

statements in his re!orts against the case o# Grecia

Fernande,et.a". *s. Grecia

Facts0

A""ega/ons against 'ernad0

1. A$%. Grecia has no reason or mo/*e to remo*e

or detach the a""eged !ages >5 and >7 o# the

medica" chart becase the entries and contents

thereo# are materia" and #a*orab"e to the c"aim o#

his c"ients against com!"ainants.

5. the cort !rac/ces nho"% a""iance o# dge

'ernad.

7. massi*e s!!ression o# -ho"e bod% o# e*idence

decisi*e o# the innocence o# a$%. Grecia.


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>. dge 'ernad crimina""% s!ressed and -ithhe"d

the #act that no com!"aint and no ada*it -as +"ed

in the case and that the records o# ci*i" case no.

7=


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PART 2

BARRIENTOS v. DAAROL

CARACTERS0

Qictoria 'arrientos 5B%rs. O"d, co""ege stdent

#ami"% #riend o# res!ondent

Ver!

Trans+gracion aaro"


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PART 2

AM N". RT#-9$-%&$

BALAOING VS. CALDERONA'r() 2*+ 1993

Ponente0 Per Criam

FACTS0

Com!"ainant A$%. 'a"aoing +"ed se*era"

administra/*e com!"aints against diHerent 3dges.

is +rst com!"aint -as against on. o3i""o -hich

-as dismissed #or "ac& o# merit. A$%. 'a"aoing -as

then re9ired to sho- case -h% on -h% he sho"d

not be disci!"inari"% dea"t -ith #or s!!ressing

certain materia" #acts and #or engaging in #orm

sho!!ing. is e2!"ana/on -as dec"ared

nsa/s#actor% b% the cort and he -as se*ere"%

censred #or ha*ing ins/tted a !atent"%

n#onded and #ri*o"os administra/*e ac/on, and

-arned that the commission b% him o# the same or

simi"ar miscondct -i"" be dea"t -ith more se*ere"%.

e +"ed another administra/*e com!"aint against

dge Ja"i-anag, charging the "a$er -ith gra*e

miscondct #or #ai"re and re#sa" to isse the

corres!onding -rit o# e2ec/on !ra%ed #or b%

com!"ainant in his mo/on. The cort reso"*ed to

dismiss the com!"aint, ss!end com!"ainant #rom

the !rac/ce o# "a- #or one (1) %ear, and im!ose a

+ne o# P1 BBB in *io"a/on o# the canons o# code o#!ro#essiona" res!onsibi"it%.

Not-ithstanding the abo*e -arnings, 'a"aoing

again +"ed administra/*e com!"aints to dge

Ja"i-anag and Ca"deron #or miscondct, gra*e

abse o# athorit% and ma"icios de"a% in the

administra/on o# 3s/ce. e #rther a""eges that

res!ondent 3dge has been ma"icios"% de"a%ing the

dis!osi/on o# se*era" cases !ending his sa"a.

e, %et again, +"ed a second"e$er com!"aint

against dge Ca"deron and his OcerinCharge

(OIC) Janiago #or gra*e abse o# athorit% and

ma"icios de"a% in the administra/on o# 3s/ce

dge Ja"i-anag, dge Ca"deron, and OIC

Janiago +"ed their se!arate res!onse to A$%

'a"aoings a""ega/ons, in -hich, the cort #ond

their res!onse to be sa/s#actor%.

ISS@ES0

ECISION0

The cort dismissed the administra/*e com!"aints,

disbarred, and stric&en A$%. 'a"aoing #rom the Ro"

o# A$orne%s based on the grond that he -anton"%

disregarded the corts -arning not to again +"e

base"ess and #ri*o"os administra/*e com!"aints

and he adamant"% re#sed to abide b% Canon 11,

R"e 11.B7 and 11.B< o# the Code o# Pro#essiona"

Res!onsibi"it%.

CANON 11 6 A LA:KER SALL O'SERQE AN

JAINTAIN TE RESPECT @E TO TE CO@RTS AN

TO @ICIAL OFFICERS AN SO@L INSIST ON

SIJILAR CON@CT 'K OTERS . . .

R"e 11.B7 6 A "a-%er sha"" abstain #rom

scanda"os, oHensi*e or menacing "angage or

beha*ior be#ore the Corts.

R"e 11.B< 6 A "a-%er sha"" not a$ribte to a dge

mo/*es not s!!orted b% the record or ha*e no

materia"it% to the case.


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PART 2

AM NO. 1,2%

BAUTISTA VS. GONZALES

Fer!r/ 12+ 199$

Ponente0 Per Criam

FACTS0

'a/sta, A$%. Gona"es #ormer c"ient, +"ed a case

against the "a$er #or ma"!rac/ce, deceit, gross

miscondct, and *io"a/on o# "a-%ers oath.

On "% 1=, 1D>4, com!"ainant sbmi$ed an

amended com!"aint #or disbarment a""eging that

A$%. Gona"es commi$ed the #o""o-ing acts0

1. e acce!ted a case -ith the Fortnados

-herein he agreed to !a% a"" e2!enses,

inc"ding cort #ees, #or a con/ngent #ee o#

+;% !ercent (=B) o# the *a"e o# !ro!ert%

o# "i/ga/on.

5. e acted as conse" #or Fortnados -here

Egenio Lo!e, r. is one o# the de#endants

and -ithot the case terminated, he acted

as conse" #or Lo!e, r. in another case.

7. e trans#erred oneha"# o# the !ro!er/es o#

the Fortnados -hi"e the said !ro!er/es

are the sb3ect o# a !ending "i/ga/on.


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PART 2

The cort denied res!ondents mo/on to re#er the

case to the I'P on the #o""o-ing gronds0

1. The cort is not re9ired to re#er the

com!"aints against "a-%ers to the I'P.

5. Re#erring the case to the I'P is not needed

since the SGs in*es/ga/on has been

sbstan/a""% com!"eted.

7. The in*es/ga/on condcted a thorogh and

com!rehensi*e in*es/ga/on ths

res!ondents asser/on that he s/"" has

some e*idence to !resent is not tenab"e

since he -as a"read% gi*en that o!!ortnit%

dring the corse o# the SGs in*es/ga/on.

The cort acce!ted SGs recommenda/on and

ordered the si2 (4) months ss!ension o# A$%.

Gona"es based on the #o""o-ing +ndings0

1. '% e2ec/ng the trans#er o# oneha"# (15)

o# the Fortnados!ro!ert% -hich -as s/""

sb3ect to a !ending "i/ga/on, he *io"ated

the "a- !rohibi/ng a "a-%er #rom ac9iring

his c"ient8s !ro!ert% or interest in*o"*ed in

an% "i/ga/on in -hich he ma% ta&e !art b%

*irte o# his !ro#ession. A !rchase b% a

"a-%er o# his c"ients !ro!ert% in "i/ga/on

cons/ttes a breach o# !ro#essiona" ethics.

5. '% #ai"ing to disc"ose to 'a/sta, dring the

"and de*e"o!ment agreement -as entered

into, that the "and co*ered had a"read%

been so"d at a !b"ic ac/on, he *io"ated

the !rinci!"e that a "a-%er sho"d obser*e

honest% and #airness e*en in his !ri*atedea"ings and #ai"re to do so is a grond #or

disci!"inar% ac/on against him.

7. '% sbming #a"si+ed docments to the

Cort o# First Instance o# Meon Cit%, he

*io"ated sec/on 5B (d) o# R"e 17? -hich

!ro*ides that A "a-%er sho"d ne*er see&

to mis"ead the cort b% an ar/+ce or #a"se

statement o# #act or "a-.


11/25


PART 2

F45 The case stemmed #rom the reso"/on o# the

S!reme Cort sto!!ing the res!ondent #rom

in*es/ga/ng gra; cases in*o"*ingAn/9e Go*.

Enri9e a"di*ar. The Cort r"ed that since the

ado!/on o# the 1D?> Cons/t/on, res!ondents!o-ers as Tanodba%an ha*e been s!erseded b%

the crea/on o# the Oce o# the Ombdsman, he

ho-e*er becomes the S!ecia" Prosector o# the

State, and can on"% condct an in*es/ga/on and

+"e cases on"% -hen so athoried b%

theOmbdsman. A mo/on #or reconsidera/on -as

+"ed b% the res!ondent -herein he inc"ded

statements -hich -ere nre"ated in the Isse

raised in the Cort. This inc"de0 (a)That he hadbeen a!!roached t-ice b% a "eading member o# the

cort and he -as as&ed to 8go s"o- on a"di*ar and

8not to be too hard on him (b) That he -as

a!!roached and as&ed to re#rain #rom in*es/ga/ng

the COA re!ort on i""ega" disbrsements in the

S!reme Cort becase 8it -i"" embarass the

Cort and (c) that in se*era" instances, the

ndersigned res!ondent -as ca""ed o*er the !hone

b% a "eading member o# the Cort and -as as&ed todismiss the cases against t-o Jembers o# the

Cort. Statements o# the res!ondent sa%ing that

the SCs order 8heightens the !eo!"e8s

a!!rehension o*er the 3s/ce s%stem in this

contr%, es!ecia""% becase the !eo!"e ha*e been

thin&ing that on"% the sma"" U% can get it -hi"e big

+shes go scot#ree -as !b"icied in

"eading ne-s!a!ers.

No-, the Cort Reso"*ed to re9ire res!ondent to

e2!"ain in -ri/ng -h% he sho"d not be !nished

#or contem!t o# cort #or ma&ing sch !b"ic

statements re!orted in the media. Res!ondent

then soght to get some members o# the Cort to

inhibit themse"*es in the reso"/on o# the a"di*ar

case #or a""eged bias and !re3dice against him. A

"i$"e "ater, he in eHect as&ed the -ho"e Cort to

inhibit itse"# #rom !assing !on the Isse in*o"*ed

in !roceeding and to !ass on res!onsibi"it% #or this

ma$er to the Integrated 'ar o# the Phi"i!!ines

!on the grond that res!ondent cannot e2!ect

de !rocess #rom this Cort, that the Cort hasbecome inca!ab"e o# 3dging him im!ar/a""% and

#air"%. The Cort #ond res!ondent gi"t% o

contem!t o# cort and inde+nite"% ss!ended

#rom the !rac/ce o# "a-. No-, he assai"s

said con*ic/on, in*o&ing his #reedom o# s!eech

Conse" #or res!ondent rges that it is error #or

this Cort to a!!"% the *isib"e tendenc% r"e

rather than the c"ear and !resent danger r"e in

disci!"inar% and contem!t charges.

I!e5 :hether or Not there -as a *io"a/on o#

the #reedom o# s!eeche2!ression

He)05 There -as no *io"a/on. The Cort did not

!r!ort to annoncea ne- doctrine o# *isib"e

tendenc%, it -as sim!"% !ara!hrasing Sec/on 7 (d)o# R"e >1 o# the Re*ised R"es o# Cort -hich

!ena"ies a *ariet% o# contmacios condct

inc"ding0 an% im!ro!er condct tending, direct"%

or indirect"%, to im!ede, obstrct or degrade the

administra/on o# 3s/ce.

@nder either the c"ear and !resent danger test or

the ba"ancingo#interest test, the Cort he"d that

the statements made b% res!ondent Gona"e are

o# sch a natre and -ere made in sch a manner

and nder sch circmstances, as to transcend the

!ermissib"e "imits o# #ree s!eech. :hat is here at

sta&e is the athorit% o# the S!reme Cort to

con#ront and !re*ent a sbstan/*e e*i" consis/ng

not on"% o# the obstrc/on o# a #ree and #air


12/25


PART 2

hearing o# a !ar/c"ar case bt a"so the a*oidance

o# the broader e*i" o# the degrada/on o# the

3dicia" s%stem o# a contr% and the destrc/on

o# the standards o#!ro#essiona" condct re9ired

#rom members o# the bar and ocers o# the corts,-hich has some im!"ica/ons to the societ%.

Nr v. Nr

F45

A$%. Narags s!ose +"ed a !e//on #or

disbarment in the I'P a""eging that her hsband

corted one o# his stdents, "ater maintaining her

as a mistress and ha*ing chi"dren b% her. A$%

Narag c"aims that his -i#e -as a !ossessi*e, 3ea"os

-oman -ho absed him and +"ed the com!"aint

ot o# s!ite. I'P disbarred him, hence, this

!e//on.

He)05

Narag #ai"ed to !ro*e his innocence becase

he #ai"ed to re#te the tes/mon% gi*en against him

and it -as !ro*ed that his ac/ons -ere o# !b"ic

&no-"edge and broght disre!te and sHering tohis -i#e and chi"dren. Good mora" character is a

con/ning 9a"i+ca/on re9ired o# e*er% member

o# the bar. Ths, -hen a "a-%er #ai"s to meet the

e2ac/ng standard o# mora" integrit%, the S!reme

Cort ma% -ithdra- his or her !ri*i"ege to !rac/ce

"a-. (Canons 1V>, R"e >.B7, Code o# Ethics #or

La-%ers) It is not on"% a condi/on !recedent to the

!rac/ce o# "a-, bt a con/ning 9a"i+ca/on #or a"

members. ence -hen a "a-%er is #ond gi"t% o#

gross immora" condct, he ma% be ss!ended or

disbarred. Gross"% immora" means it mst be so

corr!t as to cons/tte a crimina" act or so

n!rinci!"ed as to be re!rehensib"e to a high

degree or commi$ed nder sch scanda"os or

re*o"/ng circmstances as to shoc& the common

sense o# decenc%. As a "a-%er, one mst not on"%

re#rain #rom ad"teros re"a/onshi!s bt mst not

beha*e in a -a% that scanda"ies the !b"ic b%

crea/ng a be"ie# that he is Uo/ng those mora

standards.

STUDENT PRACTICE RULE


13/25


PART 2

RULE 13&-A

LA6 STUDENT PRACTICE RULE

SECTION 1. onditons for Suden Pra*t*e.A "a- stdent -ho has sccess#""% com!"eted his

7rd %ear o# the reg"ar #or%ear !rescribed "a-

crric"m and is enro""ed in a recognied "a-

schoo"8s c"inica" "ega" edca/on !rogram a!!ro*ed

b% the S!reme Cort, ma% a!!ear -ithot

com!ensa/on in an% ci*i", crimina" or

administra/*e case be#ore an% tria" cort, tribna",

board or ocer, to re!resent indigent c"ients

acce!ted b% the "ega" c"inic o# the "a- schoo".

SEC. 5.Appearan*e.6The a!!earance o# the"a- stdent athoried b% this r"e, sha"" be nder,

the direct s!er*ision and contro" o# a member o#

the Integrated 'ar o# the Phi"i!!ines d"%

accredited b% the "a- schoo". An% and a"" !"eadings,

mo/ons, brie#s, memoranda or other !a!ers to be

+"ed, mst be signed b% the s!er*ening a$orne%

#or and in beha"# o# the "ega" c"inic.

SEC. 7. Privi(eged *ommuni*atons.6The R"es

sa#egarding !ri*i"eged commnica/ons bet-een

a$orne% and c"ient sha"" a!!"% to simi"arcommnica/ons made to or recei*ed b% the "a-

stdent, ac/ng #or the "ega" c"inic.

SEC.


14/25


PART 2

+nds scient grond to !roceed against the

res!ondent, he sha"" +"e the corres!onding

com!"aint, accom!anied -ith a"" the e*idence

introdced in his in*es/ga/on, -ith the S!reme

Cort, and the res!ondent sha"" be ser*ed b% the

c"er& o# the S!reme Cort -ith a co!% o# the

com!"aint -ith direc/on to ans-er the same -ithin

+;een (1=) da%s.

SEC. 4. 3viden*e produ*ed before So(i*ior

)enera( avai(ab(e.6The e*idence !rodced be#ore

the So"icitor Genera" in his in*es/ga/on ma% be

considered b% the S!reme Cort in the +na"

decision o# the case, i# the res!ondent had an

o!!ortnit% to ob3ect and crosse2amine. I# in the

res!ondent8s ans-er no statement is made as to

an% inten/on o# introdcing addi/ona" e*idence,

the case sha"" be set do-n #or hearing, !on the

+"ing o# sch ans-er or !on the e2!ira/on o# the

/me to +"ethe same.

SEC. >. ommissioner to investgae and

re*ommend. 0u(es of eviden*e.6@!on recei!t o#

the res!ondent8s ans-er, -herein a statement is

made as to his desire to introdce addi/ona"

e*idence, the case sha"" be re#erred to a

commissioner -ho, in the discre/on o# the cort,

ma% be the c"er& o# the S!reme Cort, a 3dge o#

the Regiona" Tria" Cort, or an a$orne%at"a- #or

in*es/ga/on, re!ort, and recommenda/on. The

So"icitor Genera" or his re!resenta/*e sha"" a!!ear

be#ore the commissioner to condct the

!rosec/on. The res!ondent sha"" be gi*en #""

o!!ortnit% to de#end himse"#, to !rodce

addi/ona" e*idence in his o-n beha"#, and to be

heard b% himse"# and conse". o-e*er, i# !on

reasonab"e no/ce the res!ondent #ai"s to a!!ear,

the in*es/ga/on sha"" !roceed e/ pare. The r"eso# e*idence sha"" be a!!"icab"e to !roceedings o#

this natre.

SEC. ?. 0epor of *ommissioner and hearing.6

@!on recei!t o# the re!ort o# the commissioner,

co!ies o# -hich sha"" be #rnished the So"icitor

Genera" and the res!ondent, the case sha"" be set

do-n #or hearing be#ore the cort, #o""o-ing -hich

the case sha"" be considered sbmi$ed to the cort

#or its +na" determina/on.

SEC. D. Pro*edure in our of Appea(s or

0egiona( 1ria( our.6As #ar as ma% be a!!"icab"e,

the !rocedre abo*e ot"ined sha"" "i&e-ise go*ernthe +"ing and in*es/ga/on o# com!"aints against

a$orne%s in the Cort o# A!!ea"s or in Regiona"

Tria" Cort. In case o# ss!ension o# the

res!ondent, the 3dge o# Regiona" Tria" Cort or

s/ce o# the Cort o# A!!ea"s sha"" #orth-ith

transmit to the S!reme Cort a cer/+ed co!% o#

the order o# ss!ension and a #"" statement o# the

#acts !on -hich same is based.

SEC. 1B. ondenta(.6Proceedings against

a$orne%s sha"" be !ri*ate and con+den/a", e2ce!tthat the +na" order o# the cort sha"" be made

!b"ic as in other cases coming be#ore the cort.

RULE 139-A


15/25


PART 2

I4er4e0 Br "7 48e P8()(''(e

Se" 1. 9rgani:aton. 6 There is hereb%

organied an ocia" na/ona" bod% to be &no-n as

the Integrated 'ar o# the Phi"i!!ines, com!osed

o# a"" !ersons -hose names no- a!!ear or ma%

herea;er be inc"ded in the Ro"" o# A$orne%s o# the

S!reme Cort.

Se" 2.Purposes. 6 The #ndamenta" !r!oses

o# the Integrated 'ar sha"" be to e"e*ate the

standards o# the "ega" !ro#ession, im!ro*e the

administra/on o# 3s/ce, and enab"e the 'ar to

discharge its !b"ic res!onsibi"it% more eHec/*e"%.

Se" 3. 0egions. 6 The Phi"i!!ines is hereb%di*ided into nine Regions o# the Integrated 'ar, to

-it0

(a) !orhern ;u:on, consis/ng o# the

!ro*inces o# Abra, 'atanes, 'enget,

Caga%an, I#gao, I"ocos Norte, I"ocos Sr,

Isabe"a, Xa"ingaA!a%ao, La @nion,

Jontain Pro*ince, Ne*a Qica%a, and

Mirino.

(b) enra( ;u:on, consis/ng o# the!ro*inces o# 'ataan, '"acan, Ne*a Eci3a,

Pam!anga, Pangasinan, Tar"ac, and

amba"es

(c) )reaer Mani(a, consis/ng o# the Cit% o#

Jani"a and Meon Cit%

(d) Souhern ;u:on, consis/ng o# the

!ro*inces o# 'atangas, Ca*ite, Lagna,

Jarind9e, Occidenta" Jindoro, Orienta"Jindoro, Meon, and Ria"

(e) Bi*o(andia, consis/ng o# the !ro*inces o#

A"ba%, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sr,

Catandanes, Jasbate, and Sorsogon

(#) 3asern -isayas, consis/ng o# the

!ro*inces o# 'oho", Ceb, Eastern Samar,

Le%te, Northern Samar, Samar, and

Sothern Le%te

(g)


16/25


PART 2

(e) Pasa% Cit%, Ja&a/, Janda"%ong and

San an de" Jonte

(#) Ceb Cit% and

(g) amboanga Cit% and 'asi"an Cit%.

@n"ess he other-ise registers his !re#erence #or a

!ar/c"ar Cha!ter, a "a-%er sha"" be considered a

member o# the Cha!ter o# the !ro*ince, cit%,

!o"i/ca" sbdi*ision or area -here his oce, or, in

the absence thereo#, his residence is "ocated. In no

case sha"" an% "a-%er be a member o# more than

one Cha!ter.

Each Cha!ter sha"" ha*e its o-n "oca" go*ernmentas !ro*ided #or b% ni#orm r"es to be !rescribed

b% the 'oard o# Go*ernors and a!!ro*ed b% the

S!reme Cort, the !ro*isions o# Sec/on 1D o# this

R"e not-ithstanding.

Cha!ters be"onging to the same Region ma% ho"d

regiona" con*en/ons on ma$ers and !rob"ems o#

common concern.

Se" %. House of +e(egaes. 6 The Integrated

'ar sha"" ha*e a ose o# e"egates o# not morethan one hndred t-ent% members -ho sha"" be

a!!or/oned among a"" the Cha!ters as near"% as

ma% be according to the nmber o# their res!ec/*e

members, bt each Cha!ter sha"" ha*e at "east one

e"egate. On or be#ore ecember 71, 1D> o# this R"e, sha"" ipso fa*obecome

members o# the 'oard.

The members o# the 'oard sha"" ho"d oce #or a

term o# one %ear #rom the date o# their e"ec/on

and n/" their sccessors sha"" ha*e been d"%

e"ected and 9a"i+ed. No !erson ma% be a

Go*ernor #or more than t-o terms.

The 'oard sha"" meet reg"ar"% once e*er% three

months, on sch date and sch /me and !"ace as it

sha"" designate. A ma3orit% o# a"" the members o#

the 'oard sha"" cons/tte a 9orm to do bsiness

S!ecia" mee/ngs ma% be ca""ed b% the President orb% +*e members o# the 'oard.

Sb3ect to the a!!ro*a" o# the S!reme Cort, the

'oard sha"" ado!t '%La-s and !rom"gate Canons

o# Pro#essiona" Res!onsibi"it% #or a"" members o#

the Integrated 'ar. The '%La-s and the Canons

ma% be amended b% the S!reme Cort mou

propioor !on the recommenda/on o# the 'oard

o# Go*ernors.


17/25


PART 2

The 'oard sha"" !rescribe sch other r"es and

reg"a/ons as ma% be necessar% and !ro!er to

carr% ot the !r!oses o# the Integrated 'ar as -e""

as the !ro*isions o# this R"e.

Se" *.9=*ers. 6 The Integrated 'ar sha"" ha*e

a President and an E2ec/*e Qice President -ho

sha"" be chosen b% the Go*ernors immediate"% a;er

the "a$er8s e"ec/on, either #rom among themse"*es

or #rom other members o# the Integrated 'ar, b%

the *ote o# at "east +*e Go*ernors. Each o# the

regiona" members o# the 'oard sha"" be e/

o=*ioQice President #or the Region -hich he

re!resents.

The President and the E2ec/*e Qice Presidentsha"" ho"d oce #or a term o# one %ear #rom the

date o# their e"ec/on and n/" their sccessors

sha"" ha*e d"% 9a"i+ed. The E2ec/*e Qice

President sha"" atoma/ca""% become the President

#or the ne2t scceeding #"" term. The Presidenc%

sha"" rotate #rom %ear to %ear among a"" the nine

Regions in sch order or rota/on as the 'oard o#

Go*ernors sha"" !rescribe. No !erson sha"" be

President or E2ec/*e Qice President o# the

Integrated 'ar #or more than one term.

The Integrated 'ar sha"" ha*e a Secretar%, a

Treasrer, and sch other ocers and em!"o%ees as

ma% be re9ired b% the 'oard o# Go*ernors, to be

a!!ointed b% the President -ith the consent o# the

'oard, and to ho"d oce at the !"easre o# the

'oard or #or sch terms as it ma% +2. Said ocers

and em!"o%ees need not be members o# the

Integrated 'ar.

Se" &.-a*an*ies. 6 In the e*ent the Presidentis absent or nab"e to act, his d/es sha"" be

!er#ormed b% the E2ec/*e Qice President and in

the e*ent o# the death, resigna/on, or remo*a" o#

the President, the E2ec/*e Qice President sha""

ser*e as Ac/ng President dring the remainder o#

the term o# the oce ths *acated. In the e*ent o#

the death, resigna/on, remo*a", or disabi"it% o#

both the President and the E2ec/*e Qice

President, the 'oard o# Go*ernors sha"" e"ect an

Ac/ng President to ho"d oce n/" the ne2t

scceeding e"ec/on or dring the !eriod o

disabi"it%.

The +""ing o# *acancies in the ose o# e"egates,

'oard o# Go*ernors, and a"" other !osi/ons o#

Ocers o# the Integrated 'ar sha"" be as !ro*ided

in the '%La-s. :hene*er the term o# an oce or

!osi/on is #or a +2ed !eriod, the !erson chosen to

+"" a *acanc% therein sha"" ser*e on"% #or the

ne2!ired term.

Se" 9. Membership dues. 6 E*er% member o#

the Integrated 'ar sha"" !a% sch anna" des as

the 'oard o# Go*ernors sha"" determine -ith the

a!!ro*a" o# the S!reme Cort. A +2ed sme9i*a"ent to ten !ercent (1B) o# the co""ec/on

#rom each Cha!ter sha"" be set aside as a :e"#are

Fnd #or disab"ed members o# the Cha!ter and the

com!"sor% heirs o# deceased members thereo#.

Se" 1$. 34e* of non>paymen of dues. 6

Sb3ect to the !ro*isions o# Sec/on 15 o# this R"e,

de#a"t in the !a%ment o# anna" des #or si2

months sha"" -arrant ss!ension o# membershi! in

the Integrated 'ar, and de#a"t in sch !a%ment #o

one %ear sha"" be a grond #or the remo*a" o# the

name o# the de"in9ent member #rom the Ro"" o#

A$orne%s.

Se" 11. -o(unary erminaton of membership?

re>insaemen. 6 A member ma% terminate his

membershi! b% +"ing a -ri$en no/ce to that eHect

-ith the Secretar% o# the Integrated 'ar, -ho sha"

immediate"% bring the ma$er to the a$en/on o#

the S!reme Cort. Forth-ith he sha"" cease to be

a member and his name sha"" be stric&en b% theCort #rom the Ro"" o# A$orne%s. Reinstatement

ma% be made b% the Cort in accordance -ith r"es

and reg"a/ons !rescribed b% the 'oard o

Go*ernors and a!!ro*ed b% the Cort.

Se" 12.)rievan*e pro*edures. 6 The 'oard o#

Go*ernors sha"" !ro*ide in the '%La-s #o

grie*ance !rocedres #or the en#orcement and

maintenance o# disci!"ine among a"" the members


18/25


PART 2

o# the Integrated 'ar, bt no ac/on in*o"*ing the

ss!ension or disbarment o# a member or the

remo*a" o# his name #rom the Ro"" o# A$orne%s

sha"" be eHec/*e -ithot the +na" a!!ro*a" o# the

S!reme Cort.

Se" 13.!on>po(it*a( Bar. 6 The Integrated 'ar

sha"" be strict"% non!o"i/ca", and e*er% ac/*it%

tending to im!air this basic #eatre is strict"%

!rohibited and sha"" be !ena"ied according"%. No

"a-%er ho"ding an e"ec/*e, 3dicia", 9asi3dicia",

or !rosector% oce in the Go*ernment or an%

!o"i/ca" sbdi*ision or instrmenta"it% thereo# sha""

be e"igib"e #or e"ec/on o# a!!ointment to an%

!osi/on in the Integrated 'ar or an% Cha!ter

thereo# sha"" be consideredipso fa*oresigned #romhis !osi/on as o# the moment he +"es his cer/+cate

o# candidac% #or an% e"ec/*e !b"ic oce or

acce!ts a!!ointment to an% 3dicia", 9asi3dicia",

or !rosector% oce in the Go*ernment or an%

!o"i/ca" sbdi*ision or instrmenta"it% thereo#.

Se" 1:.Positons honorary. 6 E2ce!t as ma% be

s!eci+ca""% athoried or a""o-ed b% the S!reme

Cort, no e"egate or Go*ernor and no na/ona" or

"oca" Ocer or commi$ee member sha"" recei*e

an% com!ensa/on, a""o-ance or emo"ment #rom

the #nds o# the Integrated 'ar #or an% ser*ice

rendered therein or be en/t"ed to reimbrsement

#or an% e2!ense incrred in the discharge o# his

#nc/ons.

Se" 1%. @is*a( maers. 6 The 'oard o#

Go*ernors sha"" administer the #nds o# the

Integrated 'ar and sha"" ha*e the !o-er to ma&e

a!!ro!ria/ons and disbrsements there#rom. It

sha"" case !ro!er 'oo&s o# Acconts to be &e!tand Financia" Statements to be rendered and sha""

see to it that the !ro!er adit is made o# a""

acconts o# the Integrated 'ar and a"" the Cha!ters

thereo#.

Se" 1,.ourna(. 6 The 'oard o# Go*ernors

sha"" case to be !b"ished a 9arter"% orna" o#

the Integrated 'ar, #ree co!ies o# -hich sha"" be

distribted to e*er% member o# the Integrated 'ar.

Se" 1*. -o(unary Bar asso*iatons. 6 A"

*o"ntar% 'ar associa/ons no- e2is/ng or -hich

ma% herea;er be #ormed ma% coe2ist -ith the

Integrated 'ar bt sha"" not o!erate at cross

!r!oses there-ith.

Se" 1&. Amendmens. 6 This R"e ma% be

amended b% the S!reme Cort mou propioo

!on the recommenda/on o# the 'oard o#

Go*ernors or an% Cha!ter o# the Integrated 'ar.

Se" 19. 9rgani:atona( period. 6 The

Commission on 'ar Integra/on sha"" organie the

"oca" Cha!ters and to-ard this end sha"" secre the

assistance o# the e!artment o# s/ce and o# a"

dges throghot the Phi"i!!ines. A"" Cha!terorgania/ona" mee/ngs sha"" be he"d on Satrda%,

Febrar% 1>, 1D>7. In e*er% case, the Commission

sha"" case !ro!er no/ce o# the date, /me and

!"ace o# the mee/ng ca""ed to organie a Cha!ter

sha"" cons/tte a 9orm #or the !r!ose

inc"ding the e"ec/on o# a President, a Qice

President, a Secretar%, a Treasrer, and +*e

irectors.

The Commission sha"" ini/a""% +2 the nmber o#

e"egates and a!!or/on the same among a"" the

Cha!ters as near"% as ma% be in !ro!or/on to the

nmber o# their res!ec/*e members, bt each

Cha!ter sha"" ha*e at "east one e"egate. The

President o# each Cha!ter sha"" concrrent"% be its

e"egate to the ose o# e"egates. The Qice

President sha"" be his a"ternate, e2ce!t -here the

Cha!ter is en/t"ed to ha*e more than one e"egate,

in -hich case the Qice President sha"" a"so be a

e"egate.

The 'oard o# irectors o# the Cha!ter sha"" in

!ro!er cases e"ect addi/ona" as -e"" as a"ternate

e"egates.

The ose o# e"egates sha"" con*ene in the Cit% o#

Jani"a on Satrda%, Jarch 1>, 1D>7 #or the

Pr!ose o# e"ec/ng a 'oard o# Go*ernors. The

Go*ernors sha"" immediate"% assme oce and

#orth-ith meet to e"ect the Ocers o# the


19/25


PART 2

Integrated 'ar. The Ocers so chosen sha""

immediate"% assme their res!ec/*e !osi/ons.

Se" 2$.34e*tviy. 6 This R"e sha"" ta&e eHect

on anar% 14, 1D>7.

PO6ER OF THE COURT TO DEFEND ITSELF

I re #!r0"

@a*s

Emi" rado, a 3orna"ist, -rote abot a""eged

im!ro!rie/es and irreg"ari/es in the 3diciar% o*er

se*era" months (#rom abot Oct. 1DD5Jar. 1DD7).

C Nar*asa created an Ad oc Commi$ee to

In*es/gate Re!orts o# Corr!/on in the diciar%.

The Commi$ee in*ited rado t-ice bt he #ai"ed to

sho- ! on both occasions.

Cort ordered rado to +"e a comment on "e$er

and ada*it #rom PLT, ada*its #rom the tra*e"

agencies !atronied b% PLT, and #rom A$%. Qeto.

A"" o# the abo*e categorica""% denied rados

a""ega/ons.

Issues1. Liabi"it% #or !b"ished statements

demonstrab"% #a"se or mis"eading, and

derogator% o# the corts and indi*ida"

3dges

5. :ON #reedom o# s!eech ma% be in*o&ed

0u(es

1. a"di*ar *s. Gona"e

5. NCC Art. 1D

7. Phi". orna"ists Code o# Ethics

+e*isionC0ato +e*idendiGi"t% o# CONTEJPT +ne

o# P1,BBB.

Freedom o# e2!ression is not abso"te it needs to

be ad3sted to and accommodated -ith the

re9irements o# e9a""% im!ortant !b"ic interests.

'oth #ree !ress and inde!endent 3diciar% are

indis!ensab"e to a #ree societ%.

Cort m% ho"d an%one to ans-er #or $erances

oHensi*e to its dignit%, honor or re!ta/on -hich

tend to !t it in disre!te, obstrct the

administra/on o# 3s/ce, or inter#ere -ith the

dis!osi/on o# its bsiness or the !er#ormance o# its

#nc/ons in an order"% manner. rado made no

bona deeHort to ascertain his a""ega/ons.

Pb"ica/on -hich tends to degrade the corts and

to destro% !b"ic con+dence in them or that -hich

tends to bring them in an% -a% into disre!te,

cons/ttes "i&e-ise crimina" contem!t, and is

"i&e-ise !nishab"e b% corts. Corts -o"d "ose

their /"it% i# !b"ic con+dence in them is

destro%ed.


20/25


PART 2

I re T!)7"

@a*s

Ramon T"#o -rote t-o ar/c"es0 1) Idio/c

ecision on the S!reme Cort "ega"iing

chec&!oints and, 5) Sang&atta& na 'obo -here

he re#erred to the members o# the S!reme Cort

as st!id #or ha*ing rendered sch decision on

chec&!oints.

Issues

1. :ON T"#os ar/c"es can be considered in

contem!t o# cort

5. :ON #reedom o# s!eech ma% be in*o&ed

+e*isionC0ato +e*idendiAd3dged in CONTEJPT

OF CO@RT GRAQELK CENS@RE -ith theSTRONGEST :ARNING that a re!e//on o# the

same or simi"ar miscondct -i"" be dea"t -ith

JORE SEQERELK.

Contem!t o# cort (de#)0 de+ance o# the athorit%,

3s/ce or dignit% o# the cort. An% im!ro!er

condct -hich tends, direct"% or indirect"%, to

im!ede, obstrct, or degrade the administra/on o#

3s/ce is !nishab"e #or indirect contem!t.

The inherent !o-er o# corts to !nish an%

!b"ica/on ca"c"ated to inter#ere -ith the

administra/on o# 3s/ce is not restricted b% the

cons/t/ona" garantee o# #reedom o# the !ress,

#or #reedom o# the !ress is sbordinate to the

athorit%, integrit% and inde!endence o# the

3diciar% and the !ro!er administra/on o# 3s/ce.

Reading throgh the t-o T"#o ar/c"es, it is !"ain

that T"#o intended to ridic"e and degrade the

Cort and its members be#ore the !b"ic, not

mere"% to cri/cie its decision on the merits, as he

-o"d "i&e the Cort to be"ie*e based on his

E2!"ana/on.Freedom o# s!eech and e2!ression is not abso"te

neither is it a "icense to ins"t the Cort and its

members and to im!air the athorit%, integrit% and

dignit% o# the Cort.

6HAT IS THE PRACTICE OF LA6;

GR N". 11$113

C/e4" v. M""0

Se'4e


21/25


PART 2

1D>B1D>70 Jera"co Gro! 6 E2ec/*e o#

*arios com!anies, i.e., Jera"co Secri/es

Cor!ora/on, Phi"i!!ine Petro"em Cor!ora/on,

Phi"i!!ine E"ectric Cor!ora/on

1D>71D>40 K3ico Gro! 6 President, Fi"

Ca!ita" e*e"o!ment Cor!ora/on and a"iated

com!anies

1D>41D>?0 Finaciera Jani"a 6 Chie# E2ec/*e

Ocer

1D>?1D?40 Ge*ent Gro! o# Com!anies 6

Chie# E2ec/*e Ocer

1D?41D?>0 Phi"i!!ine Cons/t/ona"Commission 6 Jember

1D?D1DD10 The FactFinding Commission on

the ecember 1D?D Co! A$em!t 6 Jember

ISS@ES0

:N Res!ondent Jonsod has sccess#""% sa/s+ed

the condi/on engaged in the !rac/ce o# "a- #or at

"east ten %ears as !ro*ided b% the "a-.

ECISION0

The cort denied Ca%etanos !e//on and armed

COAPs con+rma/on o# Jonsod as COJELEC

Chairman.

The cort ga*e "ight to the #ndamenta" 9es/on in

the instant case, i.e. -hat cons/ttes the !rac/ce

o# "a-Y The cort, in ans-ering the 9es/on,

considered the modern conce!t o# "a- !rac/ce andthe "ibera" constrc/on intended b% the #ramers o#

the Cons/t/on.

9n he modern *on*ep of (aw pra*t*e

Prac/ce o# "a- means an% ac/*it%, in or ot o#

cort, -hich re9ires the a!!"ica/on o# "a-, "ega"

!rocedre, &no-"edge, training and e2!erience. To

engage in the !rac/ce o# "a- is to !er#orm those

acts -hich are characteris/cs o# the !ro#ession

Genera""%, to !rac/ce "a- is to gi*e no/ce or render

an% &ind o# ser*ice, -hich de*ice or ser*ice

re9ires the se in an% degree o# "ega" &no-"edge

or s&i"".

9n he ;ibera( onsru*ton inended by he

framers of he "#8$ onstuton

Jr. Fo c"ari+ed that the term "a- !rac/ce, as a

9a"i+ca/on o# the members o# Commission on

Adit (COA), does not necessari"% re#er to acta

!rac/ce o# "a- otside COA bt as "ong as the

"a-%ers -ho are em!"o%ed in COA are sing their

"ega" &no-"edge or ta"ent in their res!ec/*e -or&,

then the% are 9a"i+ed to be considered #oa!!ointment as members, commissioner, o

chairman o# the COA.

A!!"%ing these in the case at bar, the cort he"d

that A$%. Jonsod8s !ast -or& e2!eriences as a

"a-%ereconomist, a "a-%ermanager, a "a-%er

entre!rener o# indstr%, a "a-%ernego/ator o#

contracts, and a "a-%er"egis"ator o# both the rich

and the !oor 6 *eri"% more than sa/s#% the

cons/t/ona" re9irement 6 that he has been

engaged in the !rac/ce o# "a- #or at "east ten %ears.

SEPARATE OPINIONS0

Justce Padilla

:hat cons/ttes !rac/ce o# "a-Y As common"%

nderstood, !rac/ce re#ers to the acta

!er#ormance or a!!"ica/on o# &no-"edge as

dis/ngished #rom mere !ossession o# &no-"edge

it connotes an ac/*e, habita", re!eated orcstomar% ac/on. To !rac/ce "a-, or an%

!ro#ession #or that ma$er, means to e2ercise or

!rse an em!"o%ment or !ro#ession ac/*e"%

habita""%, re!eated"% or cstomari"%.

A "a-%er, -ho is em!"o%ed as a bsiness e2ec/*e

or a cor!orate manager, other than as head or

a$orne% o# a Lega" e!artment o# a cor!ora/on or


22/25


PART 2

a go*ernmenta" agenc%, cannot be said to be in the

!rac/ce o# "a-.

I am !ersaded that i# e*er he did !er#orm an% o#

the tas&s -hich cons/tte the !rac/ce o# "a-, he

did not do so A'IT@ALLK #or at "east ten (1B) %ears

!rior to his a!!ointment as COJELEC Chairman.

Justce Cruz

The eHect o# the de+ni/on gi*en in the ponen*iais

to consider *irta""% e*er% "a-%er to be engaged in

the !rac/ce o# "a- e*en i# he does not earn his

"i*ing, or at "east !art o# it, as a "a-%er.

It is conceded that he has been engaged in bsinessand +nance, in -hich areas he has dis/ngished

himse"#, bt as an e2ec/*e and economist and not

as a !rac/cing "a-%er. The !"ain #act is that he has

occ!ied the *arios !osi/ons "isted in his resme

b% *irte o# his e2!erience and !res/ge as a

bsinessman and not as an a$orne%at"a- -hose

!rinci!a" a$en/on is #ocsed on the "a-.

Justce Guterrez, Jr.

e has ne*er engaged in the !rac/ce o# "a- #or

e*en one %ear. e is a member o# the bar bt to sa%

that he has !rac/ced "a- is stretching the term

be%ond ra/ona" "imits. A !erson ma% ha*e !assed

the bar e2amina/ons. 't i# he has not dedicated

his "i#e to the "a-, i# he has not engaged in an

ac/*it% -here membershi! in the bar is a

re9irement I #ai" to see ho- he can c"aim to ha*e

been engaged in the !rac/ce o# "a-.

The Cons/t/on ses the !hrase engaged in the!rac/ce o# "a- #or at "east ten %ears. The

de"iberate choice o# -ords sho-s that the !rac/ce

en*isioned is ac/*e and reg"ar, not iso"ated,

occasiona", accidenta", intermi$ent, incidenta",

seasona", or e2tem!oraneos. To be engaged in

an ac/*it% #or ten %ears re9ires commi$ed

!ar/ci!a/on in something -hich is the res"t o#

one8s decisi*e choice. It means that one is occ!ied

and in*o"*ed in the enter!rise one is ob"iged or

!"edged to carr% it ot -ith intent and a$en/on

dring the ten%ear !eriod.

Br M=er N". %%3

U)e' v. T8e Le) C)((+ I.


23/25


PART 2

#!e 1*+ 1993

Ponente0 s/ce Rega"ado

FACTS0

Pe//oner @"e! +"ed the instant !e//on !ra%ingthat res!ondent The Lega" C"inic, Inc. (TLC) be order

to cease and desist #rom issing ad*er/sements

simi"ar to Anne2 A and ' and to !er!eta""%

!rohibit !ersons or en//es #rom ma&ing

ad*er/sements !ertaining to e2ercise o# "a-

!ro#ession. Pe//oner a""eges that sch

ad*er/sements are nethica" and demeaning o# the

"a- !ro#ession, and destrc/*e o# the con+dence

o# the commnit% in the integrit% o# the members

o# the bar.

Res!ondent, on the other hand, c"aims that it is not

engage in the !rac/ce o# "a- bt in rendering o#

"ega" s!!ort ser*ices throgh !ara"ega"s -ith

se o# modern com!ters and e"ectronic machines.

Annex A

SECRET JARRIAGEY

P=4B.BB #or a *a"id marriage.

In#o on IQORCE. A'SENCE.ANN@LJENT. QISA.

TE P"ease ca""0 =51B>4> LEGAL =51>575, =555BF"r. Qictoria '"dg.,

@N A*e., J"a.

Annex B

G@AJ IQORCE.

ON PARXINSON

An A$orne% in Gam, is gi*ing FREE 'OOXS on

Gam i*orce throgh The Lega" C"inic beginning

Jonda% to Frida% dring oce hors.

Gam di*orce. Ann"ment o# Jarriage.

Immigra/on Prob"ems, Qisa E2t. MotaNon9ota

Res. V S!ecia" Re/ree8s Qisa. ec"ara/on o#

Absence. Remarriage to Fi"i!ina Fiancees

Ado!/on. In*estment in the Phi". @SForeign Qisa

#or Fi"i!ina S!oseChi"dren. Ca"" Jari*ic.

TE >F Qictoria '"dg. 575

=51>5=1 =555B4>

ISS@ES0

:N TLCs !rac/ce cons/ttes !rac/ce o# "a-.

:N sch !rac/ce ma% be a""o-ed to be

ad*er/sed.

ECISION0

Cort granted the !e//on and ordered res!ondent

TLC to restrain #rom issing !b"ica/on o

dissemina/on o# an% ad*er/sement in an% #orm o#

the same tenor and !r!ose as Anne2es A and

' and #rom condc/ng direct"% or indirect"%, an%

ac/*it%, o!era/on or transac/on !roscribed b% "a-

or the Code o# Pro#essiona" Ethics as indicated

herein.

TLCs services involved actvites which are in he

scope o he practce o law.

In order to reach its decision, the Cort +rst

de+ned the sco!e o# the term !rac/ce o# "a-. It

he"d that Prac/ce o# "a- means an% ac/*it%, in or

ot o# cort, -hich re9ires the a!!"ica/on o# "a-,

"ega" !rocedre, &no-"edge, training and

e2!erience. To engage in the !rac/ce o# "a- is to

!er#orm those acts -hich are characteris/cs o# the

!ro#ession. Genera""%, to !rac/ce "a- is to gi*e

no/ce or render an% &ind o# ser*ice, -hich de*iceor ser*ice re9ires the se in an% degree o# "ega

&no-"edge or s&i"".

In a!!"ica/on to the case at bar, res!ondent TLCs

conten/on that it mere"% gi*es ot "ega

in#orma/on -hich is nonad*isor% and non

diagnos/c to "a%men and "a-%ers is ntenab"e. It

strains the cred"it% o# this Cort that a"" the

res!ondent cor!ora/on -i"" sim!"% do is "oo& #or


24/25


PART 2

the "a-, #rnish a co!% thereo# to the c"ient, and

sto! there as i# it -ere mere"% a boo&store. :ith its

a$orne%s and so ca""ed !ara"ega"s, it -i"" necessari"%

ha*e to e2!"ain to the c"ient the intricacies o# the

"a- and ad*ise him or her on the !ro!er corse o#

ac/on to be ta&en as ma% be !ro*ided #or b% said

"a-. That ac/*it% #a""s s9are"% -ithin the

3ris!rden/a" de+ni/on o# !rac/ce o# "a-.

That #act that the cor!ora/on em!"o%s !ara"ega"s

to carr% ot its ser*ices is not contro""ing. :hat is

im!ortant is that it is engaged in the !rac/ce o# "a-

b% *irte o# the natre o# the ser*ices it renders

-hich thereb% brings it -ithin the ambit o# the

stattor% !rohibi/ons against the ad*er/sements

-hich it has cased to be !b"ished and are no-assai"ed in this !roceeding.

TLCs advertse!en violaes he Code o

Proessional "esponsi#ili$% law$ers, in &eneral,

are resrained ro! advertsin& heir practce o

law.

The standards o# the "ega" !ro#ession condemn the

"a-%er8s ad*er/sement o# his ta"ents. A "a-%er

cannot, -ithot *io"a/ng the ethics o# his

!ro#ession, ad*er/se his ta"ents or s&i"" as in a

manner simi"ar to a merchant ad*er/sing his

goods.

o-e*er, there are e2ce!/ons to this genera" r"e0

1. Pb"ica/on in re!tab"e "a- "ists, in a

manner consistent -ith the standards o#

condct im!osed b% the canons, o# brie#

biogra!hica" and in#orma/*e data

5. The se o# an ordinar% sim!"e !ro#essiona"

card.

Res!ondent TLCs ad*er/sement does not #a""

-ithin the a#oremen/oned e2ce!/ons, as sch,

the% mst be restrained #rom con/ning ma&ing

!b"ica/ons or dissemina/ons in an% #orm and o#

the same tenor and !r!ose as Anne2es A and

'.

AM N". SDC-9*-2-P

A)>( v. A)!/

Fer!r/ 2:+ 199*

Ponente0 Chie# s/ce Nar*asaFACTS0

Pe//oner A"a-i +"ed a com!"aint against

Res!ondent A"a%a accsing him o# the #o""o-ing0

1. A"a%a made ma"icios and "ibe"os charges

against her -ithot so"id gronds throgh

mani#est ignorance and bad #aith res"/ng

in nde in3r% to her honor and

re!ta/on.

5. @sr!a/on o# the /t"e o# a$orne% -hich

on"% reg"ar members o# the Phi"i!!ine 'arma% !ro!er"% se.

On his comment, Res!ondent contends that he -as

mere"% ac/ng in de#ense o# his rights and doing

on"% -hat is e2!ected o# an% man nd"%

!re3diced and in3red, -ho had sHered menta

angish, s"ee!"ess nights, -onded #ee"ings and

nto"d +nancia" sHering, In addi/on, he 3s/+ed

his se o# the /t"e a$orne% b% asser/ng that it is

"e2ica""% s%non%mos -ith Conse""orsat"a-, a

/t"e to -hich Sharia "a-%ers ha*e a righZ" c"aim

and that he !re#ers the /t"e o# a$orne% becase

conse"or is o;en mista&en #or conci"or

conno/ng a "oca" "egis"ator. :itha", he does not

consider himse"# a "a-%er.

ISS@ES0

:N A"a%as conten/on that his ac/ons -ere

3s/+ed since he -as mere"% ac/ng in de#ense o#

rights:N A"a%a, a Sharia "a-%er, is a""o-ed to se the

/t"e A$orne%

ECISION0

The cort reso"*ed to re!rimand A"a%a #or the se

o# e2cessi*e"% intem!erate, ins"/ng or *ir"ent

"angage, i.e., "angage nbecoming a 3dicia

ocer, and #or sr!ing the /t"e o# a$orne% and

-arned him that an% simi"ar or other im!ro!riet%


25/25


PART 2

or miscondct in the #tre -i"" be dea"t -ith more

se*ere"%.

Alau$as conenton ha his actons were 'ust(ed

since he was !erel$ actn& in deense o ri&hs is

unena#le

As a member o# the Shari8a 'ar and an ocer o# a

Cort, A"a-i is sb3ect to a standard o# condct

more stringent than #or most other go*ernment

-or&ers. As a man o# the "a-, he ma% not se

"angage -hich is absi*e, oHensi*e, scanda"os,

menacing, or other-ise im!ro!er. As a 3dicia"

em!"o%ee, it is e2!ected that he accord res!ect #or

the !erson and the rights o# others at a"" /mes, and

that his e*er% act and -ord sho"d be characteried

b% !rdence, restraint, cortes%, dignit%. is radica"de*ia/on #rom these sa"tar% norms might !erha!s

be mi/gated, bt cannot be e2csed, b% his

strong"% he"d con*ic/on that he had been

grie*os"% -ronged.

Alau$a, as a )haria law$er, is no allowed o use

he tle *A+orne$

The /t"e o# a$orne% is reser*ed to those -ho,

ha*ing obtained the necessar% degree in the std%

o# "a- and sccess#""% ta&en the 'ar E2amina/ons,

ha*e been admi$ed to the Integrated 'ar o# the

Phi"i!!ines and remain members thereo# in good

standing and it is the% on"% -ho are athoried to

!rac/ce "a- in this 3risdic/on.

Documents

Legal Profession Part 2