CODE OF PROFESSIONAL Rule 3.

04 - A lawyer shall not pay or give

anything of value to representatives of the
RESPONSIBILITY mass media in anticipation of, or in return for,
(Promulgated June 21, 1988) publicity to attract legal business.

CHAPTER I. THE LAWYER AND SOCIETY CANON 4 - A LAWYER SHALL PARTICIPATE IN

CANON 1 - A LAWYER SHALL UPHOLD THE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM
CONSTITUTION, OBEY THE LAWS OF THE BY INITIATING OR SUPPORTING EFFORTS IN
LAND AND PROMOTE RESPECT FOR LAW OF LAW REFORM AND IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF
AND LEGAL PROCESSES. THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
Rule 1.01 - A lawyer shall not engage in
unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful CANON 5 - A LAWYER SHALL KEEP ABREAST
conduct. OF LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS, PARTICIPATE IN
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS,
Rule 1.02 - A lawyer shall not counsel or abet SUPPORT EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE HIGH
activities aimed at defiance of the law or at STANDARDS IN LAW SCHOOLS AS WELL AS IN
lessening confidence in the legal system. THE PRACTICAL TRAINING OF LAW STUDENTS
AND ASSIST IN DISSEMINATING THE LAW AND
JURISPRUDENCE.
Rule 1.03 - A lawyer shall not, for any corrupt
motive or interest, encourage any suit or
proceeding or delay any man's cause. CANON 6 - THESE CANONS SHALL APPLY TO
LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN THE
DISCHARGE OF THEIR TASKS.
Rule 1.04 - A lawyer shall encourage his clients
to avoid, end or settle a controversy if it will
admit of a fair settlement. Rule 6.01 - The primary duty of a lawyer
engaged in public prosecution is not to convict
but to see that justice is done. The suppression
CANON 2 - A LAWYER SHALL MAKE HIS LEGAL
of facts or the concealment of witnesses
SERVICES AVAILABLE IN AN EFF ICIENT AND
capable of establishing the innocence of the
CONVENIENT MANNER COMPATIBLE WITH THE
accused is highly reprehensible and is cause for
INDEPENDENCE, INTEGRITY AND
disciplinary action.
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROFESSION.
Rule 2.01 - A lawyer shall not reject, except for
valid reasons, the cause of the defenseless or Rule 6.02 - A lawyer in the government service
the oppressed. shall not use his public position to promote or
advance his private interests, nor allow the
latter to interfere with his public duties.
Rule 2.02 - In such cases, even if the lawyer
does not accept a case, he shall not refuse to
render legal advice to the person concerned if Rule 6.03 - A lawyer shall not, after leaving
only to the extent necessary to safeguard the government service, accept engagement or
latter's rights. employment in connection with any matter in
which he had intervened while in said service.
Rule 2.03 - A lawyer shall not do or p ermit to be
done any act designed primarily to solicit legal CHAPTER II. THE LAWYER AND THE LEGAL
business. PROFESSION

Rule 2.04 - A lawyer shall not charge rates CANON 7 - A LAWYER SHALL AT ALL TIMES
lower than those customarily prescribed unless UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY AND DIGNITY OF THE
the circumstances so warrant. LEGAL PROFESSION AND SUPPORT THE
ACTIVITIES OF THE INTEGRATED BAR.
CANON 3 - A LAWYER IN MAKING KNOWN HIS
LEGAL SERVICES SHALL USE ONLY TRUE, Rule 7.01 - A lawyer shall be answerable for
HONEST, FAIR, DIGNIFIED AND OBJECTIVE knowingly making a false statement or
INFORMATION OR STATEMENT OF FACTS. suppressing a material fact in connection with
Rule 3.01 - A lawyer shall not use or permit the his application for admission to the bar.
use of any false, fraudulent, misleading,
deceptive, undignified, self-laudatory or unfair Rule 7.02 - A lawyer shall not support the
statement or claim regarding his qualifications application for admission to the bar of any
or legal services. person known by him to be unqualified in
respect to character, education, or other
Rule 3.02 - In the choice of a firm name, no relevant attribute.
false, misleading or assumed name shall be
used. The continued use of the name of a Rule 7.03 - A lawyer shall not engage in
 CANON 8 - A LAWYER SHALL CONDUCT CANON 11 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE AND
HIMSELF WITH COURTESY, FAIRNESS AND MAINTAIN THE RESPECT DUE TO THE COURTS
CANDOR TOWARDS HIS PROFESSIONAL AND TO JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND SHOULD
COLLEAGUES, AND SHALL AVOID HA RASSING INSIST ON SIMILAR CONDUCT BY OTHERS.
TACTICS AGAINST OPPOSING COUNSEL.
Rule 11.01 - A lawyer shall appear in court
Rule 8.01 - A lawyer shall not, in his properly attired.
professional dealings, use language which is
abusive, offensive or otherwise improper. Rule 11.02 - A lawyer shall punctually appear at
court hearings.
Rule 8.02 - A lawyer shall not, directly or
indirectly, encroach upon the professional Rule 11.03 - A lawyer shall abstain from
employment of another lawyer, however, it is scandalous, offensive or menacing language or
the right of any lawyer, without fear or favor, to behavior before the Courts.
give proper advice and assistance to those
seeking relief against unfaithful or neglectful Rule 11.04 - A lawyer shall not attribute to a
counsel. Judge motives not supported by the record or
have no materiality to the case.
CANON 9 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT, DIRECTLY
OR INDIRECTLY, ASSIST IN THE Rule 11.05 - A lawyer shall submit grievances
UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW. against a Judge to the proper authorities only.

Rule 9.01 - A lawyer shall not delegate to any CANON 12 - A LAWYER SHALL EXERT EVERY
unqualified person the performance of any task EFFORT AND CONSIDER IT HIS DUTY TO
which by law may only be performed by a ASSIST IN THE SPEEDY AND EFFICIENT
member of the bar in good standing. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Rule 9.02 - A lawyer shall not divide or Rule 12.01 - A lawyer shall not appear for trial
stipulate to divide a fee for legal services with unless he has adequately prepared himself on
persons not licensed to practice law, except: chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

the law and the facts of his case, the evidence

he will adduce and the order of its proferrence.
(a) Where there is a pre-existing agreement with He should also be ready with the original
a partner or associate that, upon the latter's documents for comparison with the copies.
death, money shall be paid over a reasonable
period of time to his estate or to persons Rule 12.02 - A lawyer shall not file multiple
specified in the agreement; or actions arising from the same cause.

(b) Where a lawyer undertakes to complete Rule 12.03 - A lawyer shall not, after obtaining
unfinished legal business of a deceased lawyer; extensions of time to file pleadings, memoranda
or or briefs, let the period lapse without
submitting the same or offering an explanation
(c) Where a lawyer or law firm includes non- for his failure to do so.
lawyer employees in a retirement plan even if
the plan is based in whole or in part, on a profit Rule 12.04 - A lawyer shall not unduly delay a
sharing agreement. case, impede the execution of a judgment or
misuse Court processes.
CHAPTER III. THE LAWYER AND THE COURTS
Rule 12.05 - A lawyer shall refrain from talking
CANON 10 - A LAWYER OWES CANDOR, to his witness during a break or recess in the
FAIRNESS AND GOOD FAITH TO THE COURT. trial, while the witness is still under
examination.
Rule 10.01 - A lawyer shall not do any
falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in Rule 12.06 - A lawyer shall not knowingly assist
Court; nor shall he mislead, or allow the Court a witness to misrepresent himself or to
to be misled by any artifice. impersonate another.

Rule 10.02 - A lawyer shall not knowingly Rule 12.07 - A lawyer shall not abuse, browbeat
misquote or misrepresent the contents of a or harass a witness nor needlessly
paper, the language or the argument of inconvenience him.
opposing counsel, or the text of a decision or
authority, or knowingly cite as law a provision Rule 12.08 - A lawyer shall avoid testifying in
which event he must, during his testimony, Rule 15.02.- A lawyer shall be bound by the rule
entrust the trial of the case to another counsel. on privilege communication in respect of
matters disclosed to him by a prospective
CANON 13 - A LAWYER SHALL RELY UPON THE client.
MERITS OF HIS CAUSE AND REFRAIN FROM
ANY IMPROPRIETY WHICH TENDS TO Rule 15.03. - A lawyer shall not represent
INFLUENCE, OR GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF conflicting interests except by written consent
INFLUENCING THE COURT. of all concerned given after a full disclosure of
the facts.
Rule 13.01 - A lawyer shall not extend
extraordinary attention or hospitality to, nor Rule 15.04. - A lawyer may, with the written
seek opportunity for cultivating familiarity with consent of all concerned, act as mediator,
Judges. conciliator or arbitrator in settling disputes.

Rule 13.02 - A lawyer shall not make public Rule 15.05. - A lawyer when advising his client,
statements in the media regarding a pending shall give a candid and honest opinion on the
case tending to arouse public opinion for or merits and probable results of the client's case,
against a party. neither overstating nor understating the
prospects of the case.
Rule 13.03 - A lawyer shall not brook or invite
interference by another branch or agency of the Rule 15.06. - A lawyer shall not state or imply
government in the normal course of judicial that he is able to influence any public official,
proceedings. tribunal or legislative body.

CHAPTER IV. THE LAWYER AND THE CLIENT Rule 15.07. - A lawyer shall impress upon his
client compliance with the laws and the
CANON 14 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT REFUSE principles of fairness.
HIS SERVICES TO THE NEEDY.
Rule 15.08. - A lawyer who is engaged in
Rule 14.01 - A lawyer shall not decline to another profession or occupation concurrently
represent a person solely on account of the with the practice of law shall make clear to his
latter's race, sex. creed or status of life, or client whether he is acting as a lawyer or in
because of his own opinion regarding the guilt another capacity.
of said person.
CANON 16 - A LAWYER SHALL HOLD IN TRUST
Rule 14.02 - A lawyer shall not decline, except ALL MONEYS AND PROPERTIES OF H IS CLIENT
for serious and sufficient cause, an THAT MAY COME INTO HIS PROFESSION.
appointment as counsel   de officio   or as
amicus curiae , or a request from the Rule 16.01 - A lawyer shall account for all
Integrated Bar of the Philippines or any of its money or property collected or received for or
chapters for rendition of free legal aid. from the client.

Rule 14.03 - A lawyer may not refuse to accept Rule 16.02 - A lawyer shall keep the funds of
representation of an indigent client if:
chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
each client separate and apart from his own and
those of others kept by him.
(a) he is not in a position to carry out the work
effectively or competently; Rule 16.03 - A lawyer shall deliver the funds
and property of his client when due or upon
demand. However, he shall have a lien over the
(b) he labors under a conflict of interest
funds and may apply so much thereof as may be
between him and the prospective client or
necessary to satisfy his lawful fees and
between a present client and the prospective disbursements, giving notice promptly
client. thereafter to his client. He shall also have a lien
to the same extent on all judgments and
Rule 14.04 - A lawyer who accepts the cause of executions he has secured for his client as
a person unable to pay his professional fees provided for in the Rules of Court.
shall observe the same standard of conduct
governing his relations with paying clients. Rule 16.04 - A lawyer shall not borrow money
from his client unless the client's interest are
fully protected by the nature of the case or by
CANON 15 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE independent advice. Neither shall a lawyer lend
CANDOR, FAIRNESS AND LOYALTY IN ALL HIS money to a client except, when in the interest
any business except as director of a family
business of the judge. chanrobles virtualawlibrary

RULE 5.04 - A judge or any immediate member

of the family shall not accept a gift, bequest,
factor or loan from any one except as may be
allowed by law.

RULE 5.05 - No information acquired in a

 judicial capacity shall be sued or disclosed by a
 judge in any financial dealing or for any other
purpose not related to judicial activities.

FIDUCIARY ACTIVITIES

RULE 5.06 - A judge should not serve as the

executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or
other fiduciary, except for the estate, trusts, or
person of a member of the immediate family,
and then only if such service will not interfere
with the proper performance of judicial duties.
"Member of immediate family" shall be limited
to the spouse and relatives within the second
degree of consanguinity. As a family, a judge
shall not:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(a) serve in proceedings that might come before

the court of said judge; or

(b) act as such contrary to rules 5.02 to 5.05.

PRACTICE OF LAW AND OTHER PROFESSION

RULE 5.07 - A judge shall not engage in the

private practice of law. Unless prohibited by the
Constitution or law, a judge may engage in the
practice of any other profession provided that
such practice will not conflict or tend to
conflict with judicial functions.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

RULE 5.08 - A judge shall make full financial

disclosure as required by law. chanrobles virtualawlibrary

RULE 5.09 - A judge shall not accept

appointment or designation to any agency
performing quasi-judicial or administrative
functions. . cralaw

POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

RULE 5.10 - A judge is entitled to entertain

personal views on political questions. But to
avoid suspicion of political partisanship, a
 judge shall not make political speeches,
contribute to party funds, publicly endorse
candidates for political office or participate in
other partisan political activities. chanrobles virtualawlibrary

COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE OF JUDICIAL