CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY Rule 3.

03 - Where a partner accepts public office, he shall

(Promulgated June 21, 1988) withdrawal from the firm and his name shall be dropped from the
firm name unless the law allows him to practice law currently.
CHAPTER I. THE LAWYER AND SOCIETY Rule 3.04 - A lawyer shall not pay or give anything of value to
representatives of the mass media in anticipation of, or in return
CANON 1 - A LAWYER SHALL UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION, OBEY for, publicity to attract legal business.
THE LAWS OF THE LAND AND PROMOTE RESPECT FOR LAW OF
AND LEGAL PROCESSES. CANON 4 - A LAWYER SHALL PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT
Rule 1.01 - A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest, OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM BY INITIATING OR SUPPORTING EFFORTS
immoral or deceitful conduct. IN LAW REFORM AND IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE
Rule 1.02 - A lawyer shall not counsel or abet activities aimed at ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
defiance of the law or at lessening confidence in the legal system.
Rule 1.03 - A lawyer shall not, for any corrupt motive or interest, CANON 5 - A LAWYER SHALL KEEP ABREAST OF LEGAL
encourage any suit or proceeding or delay any man's cause. DEVELOPMENTS, PARTICIPATE IN CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
Rule 1.04 - A lawyer shall encourage his clients to avoid, end or PROGRAMS, SUPPORT EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE HIGH STANDARDS IN
settle a controversy if it will admit of a fair settlement. LAW SCHOOLS AS WELL AS IN THE PRACTICAL TRAINING OF LAW
STUDENTS AND ASSIST IN DISSEMINATING THE LAW AND
CANON 2 - A LAWYER SHALL MAKE HIS LEGAL SERVICES JURISPRUDENCE.
AVAILABLE IN AN EFFICIENT AND CONVENIENT MANNER
COMPATIBLE WITH THE INDEPENDENCE, INTEGRITY AND CANON 6 - THESE CANONS SHALL APPLY TO LAWYERS IN
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROFESSION. GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR TASKS.
Rule 2.01 - A lawyer shall not reject, except for valid reasons, the Rule 6.01 - The primary duty of a lawyer engaged in public
cause of the defenseless or the oppressed. prosecution is not to convict but to see that justice is done. The
Rule 2.02 - In such cases, even if the lawyer does not accept a suppression of facts or the concealment of witnesses capable of
case, he shall not refuse to render legal advice to the person establishing the innocence of the accused is highly reprehensible
concerned if only to the extent necessary to safeguard the latter's and is cause for disciplinary action.
rights. Rule 6.02 - A lawyer in the government service shall not use his
Rule 2.03 - A lawyer shall not do or permit to be done any act public position to promote or advance his private interests, nor
designed primarily to solicit legal business. allow the latter to interfere with his public duties.
Rule 2.04 - A lawyer shall not charge rates lower than those Rule 6.03 - A lawyer shall not, after leaving government service,
customarily prescribed unless the circumstances so warrant. accept engagement or employment in connection with any matter
in which he had intervened while in said service.
CANON 3 - A LAWYER IN MAKING KNOWN HIS LEGAL SERVICES
SHALL USE ONLY TRUE, HONEST, FAIR, DIGNIFIED AND CHAPTER II. THE LAWYER AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION
OBJECTIVE INFORMATION OR STATEMENT OF FACTS.
Rule 3.01 - A lawyer shall not use or permit the use of any false, CANON 7 - A LAWYER SHALL AT ALL TIMES UPHOLD THE
fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, undignified, self-laudatory or INTEGRITY AND DIGNITY OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND
unfair statement or claim regarding his qualifications or legal SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE INTEGRATED BAR.
services. Rule 7.01 - A lawyer shall be answerable for knowingly making a
Rule 3.02 - In the choice of a firm name, no false, misleading or false statement or suppressing a material fact in connection with
assumed name shall be used. The continued use of the name of a his application for admission to the bar.
deceased partner is permissible provided that the firm indicates in Rule 7.02 - A lawyer shall not support the application for admission
all its communications that said partner is deceased. to the bar of any person known by him to be unqualified in respect
to character, education, or other relevant attribute.
Rule 7.03 - A lawyer shall not engage in conduct that adversely authority, or knowingly cite as law a provision already rendered
reflects on his fitness to practice law, nor shall he whether in public inoperative by repeal or amendment, or assert as a fact that which
or private life, behave in a scandalous manner to the discredit of has not been proved.
the legal profession. Rule 10.03 - A lawyer shall observe the rules of procedure and
shall not misuse them to defeat the ends of justice.
CANON 8 - A LAWYER SHALL CONDUCT HIMSELF WITH COURTESY,
FAIRNESS AND CANDOR TOWARDS HIS PROFESSIONAL CANON 11 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE AND MAINTAIN THE
COLLEAGUES, AND SHALL AVOID HARASSING TACTICS AGAINST RESPECT DUE TO THE COURTS AND TO JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND
OPPOSING COUNSEL. SHOULD INSIST ON SIMILAR CONDUCT BY OTHERS.
Rule 8.01 - A lawyer shall not, in his professional dealings, use Rule 11.01 - A lawyer shall appear in court properly attired.
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 Rule 11.03 - A lawyer shall abstain from scandalous, offensive or
the professional employment of another lawyer, however, it is the menacing language or behavior before the Courts.
right of any lawyer, without fear or favor, to give proper advice and Rule 11.04 - A lawyer shall not attribute to a Judge motives not
assistance to those seeking relief against unfaithful or neglectful supported by the record or have no materiality to the case.
counsel. Rule 11.05 - A lawyer shall submit grievances against a Judge to
the proper authorities only.
CANON 9 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY,
ASSIST IN THE UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW. CANON 12 - A LAWYER SHALL EXERT EVERY EFFORT AND
Rule 9.01 - A lawyer shall not delegate to any unqualified person CONSIDER IT HIS DUTY TO ASSIST IN THE SPEEDY AND
the performance of any task which by law may only be performed EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
by a member of the bar in good standing. Rule 12.01 - A lawyer shall not appear for trial unless he has
Rule 9.02 - A lawyer shall not divide or stipulate to divide a fee for adequately prepared himself on the law and the facts of his case,
legal services with persons not licensed to practice law, except: the evidence he will adduce and the order of its proferrence. He
(a) Where there is a pre-existing agreement with a partner or should also be ready with the original documents for comparison
associate that, upon the latter's death, money shall be paid over a with the copies.
reasonable period of time to his estate or to persons specified in Rule 12.02 - A lawyer shall not file multiple actions arising from the
the agreement; or same cause.
(b) Where a lawyer undertakes to complete unfinished legal Rule 12.03 - A lawyer shall not, after obtaining extensions of time
business of a deceased lawyer; or to file pleadings, memoranda or briefs, let the period lapse without
(c) Where a lawyer or law firm includes non-lawyer employees in a submitting the same or offering an explanation for his failure to do
retirement plan even if the plan is based in whole or in part, on a so.
profit sharing agreement. Rule 12.04 - A lawyer shall not unduly delay a 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 to his witness
during a break or recess in the trial, while the witness is still under
CANON 10 - A LAWYER OWES CANDOR, FAIRNESS AND GOOD examination.
FAITH TO THE COURT. Rule 12.06 - A lawyer shall not knowingly assist a witness to
Rule 10.01 - A lawyer shall not do any falsehood, nor consent to misrepresent himself or to impersonate another.
the doing of any in Court; nor shall he mislead, or allow the Court Rule 12.07 - A lawyer shall not abuse, browbeat or harass a
to be misled by any artifice. witness nor needlessly inconvenience him.
Rule 10.02 - A lawyer shall not knowingly misquote or Rule 12.08 - A lawyer shall avoid testifying in behalf of his client,
misrepresent the contents of a paper, the language or the except:
argument of opposing counsel, or the text of a decision or
(a) on formal matters, such as the mailing, authentication or LOYALTY IN ALL HIS DEALINGS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH HIS
custody of an instrument, and the like; or CLIENTS.
(b) on substantial matters, in cases where his testimony is Rule 15.01. - A lawyer, in conferring with a prospective client, shall
essential to the ends of justice, in which event he must, during his ascertain as soon as practicable whether the matter would involve
testimony, entrust the trial of the case to another counsel. a conflict with another client or his own interest, and if so, shall
forthwith inform the prospective client.
CANON 13 - A LAWYER SHALL RELY UPON THE MERITS OF HIS Rule 15.02.- A lawyer shall be bound by the rule on privilege
CAUSE AND REFRAIN FROM ANY IMPROPRIETY WHICH TENDS TO communication in respect of matters disclosed to him by a
INFLUENCE, OR GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF INFLUENCING THE prospective client.
COURT. Rule 15.03. - A lawyer shall not represent conflicting interests
Rule 13.01 - A lawyer shall not extend extraordinary attention or except by written consent of all concerned given after a full
hospitality to, nor seek opportunity for cultivating familiarity with disclosure of the facts.
Judges. Rule 15.04. - A lawyer may, with the written consent of all
Rule 13.02 - A lawyer shall not make public statements in the concerned, act as mediator, conciliator or arbitrator in settling
media regarding a pending case tending to arouse public opinion disputes.
for or against a party. Rule 15.05. - A lawyer when advising his client, shall give a candid
Rule 13.03 - A lawyer shall not brook or invite interference by and honest opinion on the merits and probable results of the
another branch or agency of the government in the normal course client's case, neither overstating nor understating the prospects of
of judicial proceedings. the case.
Rule 15.06. - A lawyer shall not state or imply that he is able to
CHAPTER IV. THE LAWYER AND THE CLIENT influence any public official, tribunal or legislative body.
Rule 15.07. - A lawyer shall impress upon his client compliance
CANON 14 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT REFUSE HIS SERVICES TO THE with the laws and the principles of fairness.
NEEDY. Rule 15.08. - A lawyer who is engaged in another profession or
Rule 14.01 - A lawyer shall not decline to represent a person solely occupation concurrently with the practice of law shall make clear to
on account of the latter's race, sex. creed or status of life, or his client whether he is acting as a lawyer or in another capacity.
because of his own opinion regarding the guilt of said person.
Rule 14.02 - A lawyer shall not decline, except for serious and CANON 16 - A LAWYER SHALL HOLD IN TRUST ALL MONEYS AND
sufficient cause, an appointment as counsel de officio or as amicus PROPERTIES OF HIS CLIENT THAT MAY COME INTO HIS
curiae, or a request from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines or PROFESSION.
any of its chapters for rendition of free legal aid. Rule 16.01 - A lawyer shall account for all money or property
Rule 14.03 - A lawyer may not refuse to accept representation of collected or received for or from the client.
an indigent client if: Rule 16.02 - A lawyer shall keep the funds of each client separate
(a) he is not in a position to carry out the work effectively or and apart from his own and those of others kept by him.
competently; Rule 16.03 - A lawyer shall deliver the funds and property of his
(b) he labors under a conflict of interest between him and the client when due or upon demand. However, he shall have a lien
prospective client or between a present client and the prospective over the funds and may apply so much thereof as may be
client. necessary to satisfy his lawful fees and disbursements, giving
Rule 14.04 - A lawyer who accepts the cause of a person unable to notice promptly thereafter to his client. He shall also have a lien to
pay his professional fees shall observe the same standard of the same extent on all judgments and executions he has secured
conduct governing his relations with paying clients. for his client as provided for in the Rules of Court.
Rule 16.04 - A lawyer shall not borrow money from his client
CANON 15 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE CANDOR, FAIRNESS AND unless the client's interest are fully protected by the nature of the
case or by independent advice. Neither shall a lawyer lend money
to a client except, when in the interest of justice, he has to (a) the time spent and the extent of the service rendered or
advance necessary expenses in a legal matter he is handling for required;
the client. (b) the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved;
(c) The importance of the subject matter;
CANON 17 - A LAWYER OWES FIDELITY TO THE CAUSE OF HIS (d) The skill demanded;
CLIENT AND HE SHALL BE MINDFUL OF THE TRUST AND (e) The probability of losing other employment as a result of
CONFIDENCE REPOSED IN HIM. acceptance of the proffered case;
(f) The customary charges for similar services and the schedule of
CANON 18 - A LAWYER SHALL SERVE HIS CLIENT WITH fees of the IBP chapter to which he belongs;
COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE. (g) The amount involved in the controversy and the benefits
Rules 18.01 - A lawyer shall not undertake a legal service which he resulting to the client from the service;
knows or should know that he is not qualified to render. However, (h) The contingency or certainty of compensation;
he may render such service if, with the consent of his client, he can (i) The character of the employment, whether occasional or
obtain as collaborating counsel a lawyer who is competent on the established; and
matter. (j) The professional standing of the lawyer.
Rule 18.02 - A lawyer shall not handle any legal matter without Rule 20.02 - A lawyer shall, in case of referral, with the consent of
adequate preparation. the client, be entitled to a division of fees in proportion to the work
Rule 18.03 - A lawyer shall not neglect a legal matter entrusted to performed and responsibility assumed.
him, and his negligence in connection therewith shall render him Rule 20.03 - A lawyer shall not, without the full knowledge and
liable. consent of the client, accept any fee, reward, costs, commission,
Rule 18.04 - A lawyer shall keep the client informed of the status of interest, rebate or forwarding allowance or other compensation
his case and shall respond within a reasonable time to the client's whatsoever related to his professional employment from anyone
request for information. other than the client.
Rule 20.04 - A lawyer shall avoid controversies with clients
CANON 19 - A LAWYER SHALL REPRESENT HIS CLIENT WITH ZEAL concerning his compensation and shall resort to judicial action only
WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE LAW. to prevent imposition, injustice or fraud.
Rule 19.01 - A lawyer shall employ only fair and honest means to
attain the lawful objectives of his client and shall not present, CANON 21 - A LAWYER SHALL PRESERVE THE CONFIDENCE AND
participate in presenting or threaten to present unfounded criminal SECRETS OF HIS CLIENT EVEN AFTER THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT
charges to obtain an improper advantage in any case or RELATION IS TERMINATED.
proceeding. Rule 21.01 - A lawyer shall not reveal the confidences or secrets of
Rule 19.02 - A lawyer who has received information that his client his client except;
has, in the course of the representation, perpetrated a fraud upon (a) When authorized by the client after acquainting him of the
a person or tribunal, shall promptly call upon the client to rectify consequences of the disclosure;
the same, and failing which he shall terminate the relationship with (b) When required by law;
such client in accordance with the Rules of Court. (c) When necessary to collect his fees or to defend himself, his
Rule 19.03 - A lawyer shall not allow his client to dictate the employees or associates or by judicial action.
procedure in handling the case. Rule 21.02 - A lawyer shall not, to the disadvantage of his client,
use information acquired in the course of employment, nor shall he
CANON 20 - A LAWYER SHALL CHARGE ONLY FAIR AND use the same to his own advantage or that of a third person,
REASONABLE FEES. unless the client with full knowledge of the circumstances consents
Rule 20.01 - A lawyer shall be guided by the following factors in thereto.
determining his fees: Rule 21.03 - A lawyer shall not, without the written consent of his
client, give information from his files to an outside agency seeking
such information for auditing, statistical, bookkeeping, accounting,
data processing, or any similar purpose.
Rule 21.04 - A lawyer may disclose the affairs of a client of the firm
to partners or associates thereof unless prohibited by the client.
Rule 21.05 - A lawyer shall adopt such measures as may be
required to prevent those whose services are utilized by him, from
disclosing or using confidences or secrets of the clients.
Rule 21.06 - A lawyer shall avoid indiscreet conversation about a
client's affairs even with members of his family.
Rule 21.07 - A lawyer shall not reveal that he has been consulted
about a particular case except to avoid possible conflict of interest.

CANON 22 - A LAWYER SHALL WITHDRAW HIS SERVICES ONLY

FOR GOOD CAUSE AND UPON NOTICE APPROPRIATE IN THE
CIRCUMSTANCES.
Rule 22.01 - A lawyer may withdraw his services in any of the
following case:
(a) When the client pursues an illegal or immoral course of conduct
in connection with the matter he is handling;
(b) When the client insists that the lawyer pursue conduct violative
of these canons and rules;
(c) When his inability to work with co-counsel will not promote the
best interest of the client;
(d) When the mental or physical condition of the lawyer renders it
difficult for him to carry out the employment effectively;
(e) When the client deliberately fails to pay the fees for the
services or fails to comply with the retainer agreement;
(f) When the lawyer is elected or appointed to public office; and
(g) Other similar cases.
Rule 22.02 - A lawyer who withdraws or is discharged shall, subject
to a retainer lien, immediately turn over all papers and property to
which the client is entitled, and shall cooperative with his successor
in the orderly transfer of the matter, including all information
necessary for the proper handling of the matter.