In Re Integration of The Bar
In Re Integration of The Bar
In Re Integration of The Bar
January 9, 1973
49 SCRA 22
Facts:
Republic Act No. 6397 entitled An Act Providing for the Integration of
the Philippine Bar and Appropriating Funds Therefore was passed in
September 1971, ordaining Within two years from the approval of this Act,
the Supreme Court may adopt rules of court to effect the integration of the
Philippine Bar. The Supreme Court formed a Commission on Bar
Integration and in December 1972, the Commission earnestly recommended
the integration of the bar. The Court accepted all comments on the proposed
integration.
Issues:
1. Does the Court have the power to integrate the Philippine bar?
2. Would the integration of the bar be constitutional?
3. Should the Court ordain the integration of the bar at this time?
Held:
In ruling on the issues raised, the Court first adopted the definition
given by the Commission to integration in this wise: Integration of the
Philippine Bar means the official unification of the entire lawyer population
of the Philippines. This requires membership and financial support (in
reasonable amount) of every attorney as conditions sine qua non to the
practice of law and the retention of his name in the Roll of Attorneys of the
Supreme Court. The term Bar refers to the collectivity of all persons whose
names appear in the Roll of Attorneys. An Integrated Bar (or unified Bar)
perforce must include all lawyers.
3. The dues exacted from lawyers is not in the nature of a levy but is
purely for purposes of regulation.