LEGAL PROFESSION

(Course Syllabus)

Atty. Gene Abot

PUP SY 2020-2021 1st Semester

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course explores the role of the legal profession in Philippine society. Legal education, admission to
the bar, organization of the practicing bar, discipline, unauthorized practice, group legal services and
other current problems are discussed. The primary goal of the course is to provide students with a
practical understanding of the law governing lawyers.

Primary Sources: Constitution; Rules of Court; Code of Professional Responsibility, New Code of Judicial
Conduct; Supreme Court Decisions

References: Agpalo, Ruben, The Code of Professional Responsibility (2009); Villareal, Legal Profession
(2002)

TOPICS:

A. THE LEGAL PROFESSION

1. Supervision and Control
a. Const Art VIII Sec 5(5)
b. Const Art XII Sec 14
c. Const Art. XVIII Sec 10
d. Power to Integrate the Philippine Bar (In the Matter of IBP 49 SCRA 22, 1973)
e. In re Cunanan 94 Phil 534 (1954)

B. THE PRACTICE OF LAW

1. Cayetano v Monsod 201 SCRA 210 (1991)
2. Admission to the Practice of Law
A. Legal Education
Pre-Law: Rule 138 sec. 6. Rules of Court Law Proper: Rule 138 sec. 5, Rules of Court
Republic Act No. 7662 (1993) – Legal Education Reform Act
B. Citizenship
Constitution, Art. XII sec. 14(2)
Republic Act No. 9225 (2003) – Dual Citizenship Act
Petition to Re-Acquire the Privilege to Practice of Law by Epifanio Muneses, B.M. No. 2112, July
24, 2012, with accompanying Supreme Court Resolution En Banc, July 24, 2012
C. Bar Examinations
Rules of Court 138 secs. 7-16
Bar Matter No. 1153, March 9, 2010, Re: Letter of Atty. Estelito P. Mendoza Proposing Reforms
in the Bar Examinations Through Amendments to Rule 138, secs. 5 & 6 of the Rules of Court
Reforms in the Bar Examinations, B.M. No. 1161, June 8, 2004 (Reserved Section)
2010 Bar Matter No. 2265, January 28, 2001 re Reforms in the Bar Examinations
Bar Matter No. 2502, March 20, 2012
Re: 2003 Bar Examinations, Atty. Daniel de Guzman, B.M. No. 1722, April 24, 2009
D. Good Moral Character as a Prerequisite to Bar Admission
In re Al C. Argosino, 246 SCRA 14 (1995)
In the Matter of the Disqualification of Bar Examinee Haron S. Maling in the 2002 Bar
Examinations, 431 SCRA 146 ( 2004)
3. Appearance of Non-Lawyers
a. Law Student Practice
Rules of Court, Rule 138-A
Cruz v. Mina 522 SCRA 387 (2007)
b. Non-Lawyers in Court and Administrative Bodies
4. Rules Regarding Practice of Law of Certain Public Officials
a. Public Officials Who Cannot Practice Law
b. Public Officials with Restrictions in the Practice of Law
5. Remedies Against Unauthorized Practice of Law
6. Lawyer’s Oath
a. Importance of Lawyer’s Oath
SC Resolution dated Oct. 25, 1979 Revised Rules of Court, Form 28 91 SCRA xv (1979)

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C. PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES OF A LAWYERS
1. Privileges of an Attorney
2. Four-Folds Duties of a Lawyer
3. Specific Duties of a Lawyer
4. Duty of Counsel de Officio
a. Rule 138 sec. 31, 20 (h), Rules of Court
b. Rule 116 sec. 6-8
c. Rule 124 sec. 2
d. PD 543
5. Duty of a Private Prosecutor

D. CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

1. The Lawyer and the Society

1. Respect for the Law and Legal Processes
a. Maintenance
b. Barratry
c. Ambulance Chasing
d. Santiago v Hidalgo 448 SCRA 282
e. Sicat v Ariola 456 SCRA 93
f. Estrada v Sandiganbayan 416 SCRA 465
g. In re Gutierrez 5 SCRA 661 (1962)
h. Zaldivar v. Gonzales 166 SCRA 316 (1988)
2. Rendition of Available and Efficient Legal Service
3. True, Honest, Fair and Objective Information in Making Known the Legal Service
a. Rationale behind the Prohibition
b. Advertising and Solicitation
c. Allowable Manner of Advertising Legal Service
d. Khan v Simbillo 409 SCRA 299
e. Dacanay v Baker and McKenzie 136 SCRA 349
f. Piatt v. Abordo 58 Phil. 350 (1933)
g. Ui v. Bonifacio 333 SCRA 38 (2000)
h. Figueroa v. Barranco SCRA 445 (1997)
i. Pimentel v. Llorente 339 SCRA 154 (2000)
j. Cordova v. Cordova 179 Phil 680 (1989)
k. People v. Tuanda 181 SCRA 692 (1989)
l. Castillo vda. de Mijares v. Villaluz 274 SCRA 1 (1997)
m. Stemmerik v. Mas 589 SCRA 114 (2009)
n. Cordova v. Cordova 179 SCRA 680 (1989)
o. Calub v. Suller 323 SCRA 556 (2000)
p. Garrido v. Garrido 611 SCRA 508 (2010)
q. Ventura v. Samson 686 SCRA 430 (2012)
r. De Leon v. Pedrena 708 SCRA 13 (2013)
s. Roa v. Moreno 618 SCRA 693 (2010)
4. No Counseling to Defy Law
a. In re Terrell, 2 Phil 266 (1903)
b. Estrada v. Sandiganbayan 416 SCRA 465 (2003)
c. Kupers v. Hontanosas 587 SCRA 325 (2009)
5. No Counseling to Defy Law
a. Castaneda v. Ago 65 SCRA 505 (1975)
6. No False or Unfair Claim re: Qualifications
a. Khan v. Simbillo 409 SCRA 299 (2003)
b. In re Diao 7 SCRA 475 (1963)
7. No False or Misleading Firm Name
a. Dacanay v. Baker and McKenzie 136 SCRA 349 (1985)
b. In re Petition of Sycip 92 SCRA 1 (1979)
8. Partners Assuming Public Office
a. Constitution Art. 6, sec. 14; Art. 7, sec. 13; Art. 9, sec. 2
b. Samonte v. Gatdula 303 SCRA 756 (1999)
9. Not Use Media to Attract Legal Business
a. Cruz v. Salva 105 Phil 1151 (1959)
10. Participate in the Improvement of Legal System
11. Participation in the Legal Education Program
a. Three Fold Obligation of a Lawyer
b. Bar Matter 850 Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Bar Matter No. 1922,
dated June 3, 2008

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 c. Rodriguez Manahan v. Flores 709 SCRA 297 (2013)
12. Applicability of CPR to Lawyers in Government Service
a. Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees
(RA 6713 Sec 4(A)
b. Collantes v. Romeron 200 SCRA 584 (1991)
c. Office of the Court Administrator v. Ladaga 350 SCRA 326 (2001)
d. Pimentel v. Fabros 501 SCRA 346 (2006)
e. Lahm III v. Mayor 666 SCRA 1 (2012)
f. Misamin v. San Juan 72 SCRA 491 (1976)
g. Vitriolo v. Dasig 400 SCRA 172 (2003)
h. Huyssen v. Gutierrez 485 SCRA 244 (2006)
i. Ramos v. Imbang 530 SCRA 759 (2007)
j. In re Avecilla, A.C. No. 6683, June 21, 2011
k. Query of Atty. Karen M. Silverio, Buffe 596 SCRA 378 (2009) RA 3019 sec.
3 (d)
l. PNB v. Cedo 243 SCRA 1 (1995)
m. PCGG v. Sandiganbayan 455 SCRA 526 (2005)

2. The Lawyer and the Legal Profession

a. Uphold the Integrity and Dignity of the Profession and Support the Activities of the
IBP
i. RA 6397 Integrated Bar of the Philippines
ii. Rules of Court, Rule 139-A, secs. 9 & 10
iii. Letter of Atty Cecilio Arevalo 458 SCRA 209
iv. In re 1989 Elections of the IBP 178 SCRA 398 (1989)
v. Fernandez v. Grecia 223 SCRA 425 (1993)
vi. Santos Jr. v. Llamas 322 SCRA 529 (2000)
vii. Velez v. de Vera 496 SCRA 345 (2006)
viii. 2009 IBP Elections 638 SCRA 1 (2010)
ix. Zaguirre v. Castillo 398 SCRA 659 (2003)
x. Tan v. Sabandal 206 SCRA 473 (1992)
xi. Tapucar v. Tapucar 293 SCRA 331 (1998)
xii. Guevara v. Eala 517 SCRA 600 (2007)
xiii. Advincula v. Macabata 517 SCRA 604 (2007)
xiv. Ventura v. Samson 686 SCRA 430 (2012)
xv. Tiong v. Florendo AC No. 4428 Dec. 12, 2011
b. Observe Courtesy, Fairness and Candor Toward his Colleagues and Avoid
Harassing Tactics
i. Bugarin v. Espanol 349 SCRA 687 (2001)
ii. Reyes v. Chiong 405 SCRA 212 (2003)
iii. Barandon v. Ferrer 616 SCRA 529 (2010)
iv. Dallong-Galicinao v. Castro 474 SCRA 1 (2005)
v. Alcantara v. Pefianco 393 SCRA 247 (2002)
vi. Camacho v. Pangulayan 328 SCRA 631 (2000)
c. Unauthorized Practice of Law
i. Spouses Suarez v. Salazar 1999 315 SCRA 502 (1999)
ii. Aguirre v. Rana 403 SCRA 342 (2003)
iii. Office of the Court Administrator v. Ladaga 350 SCRA 326 (2001)
iv. Alawi v. Alauya 268 SCRA 639 (1997)
v. Exception: Rules of Court, Rule 138-A

3. The Lawyer’s Duty to the Courts

a. Observance of Candor, Fairness and Good Faith to the Courts
i. Young v Batuegas 403 SCRA 123
ii. Ting Dumali v. Torres 427 SCRA 108 (2004)
iii. Masinsin v. Albano 232 SCRA 631 (1994)
b. Observe Respect due to the Courts
i. In Re Sotto 82 Phil 595
ii. Guerrero v. Villamor 179 SCRA 355 (1989)
iii. Bueno v. Raneses 687 SCRA 711 (2012)
c. Proper Language and Behavior
i. In re Almacen 31 SCRA 562 (1970)
ii. Baculi v. Battung 658 SCRA 209 (2011)
iii. Lacurom v. Jacoba 484 SCRA 206 (2006)

d. Not to Attribute to Judge Motives

i. Embido v. Pe Jr. 708 SCRA 1 (2013)
e. Grievances Against Judge Constitution Art. VII sec. 6

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 i. Maceda v. Vasquez 221 SCRA 464 (1993)
f. Not to Misquote or Misrepresent Contents of Paper
i. Insular Life Employees Co. v. Insular Life Association 37 SCRA 244
(1971)
ii. Hipos, Sr. v. Bay, 581 SCRA 674 (2009)
g. Plagiarism Cases
i. Re: Letter of the U.P. Law Faculty 633 SCRA 418 (2010); March 8,
2011, 644 SCRA 543 (2011), June 7, 2011
ii. In the Matter of charges of Plagiarism against Assoc. Justice Mariano C.
Del Castillo 642 SCRA 11 (2011)
iii. Cf. Vinuya v. Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 162230, April 28, 2010
h. Assists in the Speedy and Efficient Administration of Justice
i. Const Article 3, Section 6
ii. Rule 138 Sec 20(g)
iii. People v Pineda 20 SCRA 748 (1967)
iv. Malonzo v. Principe 447 SCRA 1 (2004)
v. Saa v. IBP-CBD 598 SCRA 6 (2009)
vi. Plus Builders v. Revilla 578 SCRA 432 (2009)
i. Avoid Impropriety that Tends to Influence the Court
i. Nestle Phil. v. Sanchez 154 SCRA 542 (1987)
ii. In re de Vera 385 SCRA 285 (2003)
iii. Perez v. Estrada 360 SCRA 248 (2001)
iv. Mercado v. Security Bank 482 SCRA 501 (2006)

4. The Lawyer’s Duty to the Client

a. Attorney-Client Relationship
i. Nature of Relation
b. Not to Reject Services to Oppressed or Defenseless
i. Republic Act No. 9999 or the Free Legal Assistance Act of 2010
ii. IBP Handbook, Guidelines Governing the Establishment and Operation
of Legal Aid Office, Art.1 sec.1 (Reserve Section )
iii. Ledesma v. Climaco 57 SCRA 473 (1974)
iv. Rule 138 sec. 27, Rules of Court
v. In re Tagorda 53 Phil 37 (1929)
vi. Ulep v. Legal Clinic 223 SCRA 378 (1993)
vii. Linsangan v. Tolentino 598 SCRA 133 (2009)
viii. Villatuya v. Tabalingcos 676 DCRA 37 (2012)
ix. Right to Decline Employment
x. Duty to Decline Employment
xi. Ethical Consideration in Taking a Bad Case
xii. Amici Curiae/Counsel de Officio
c. Observe Candor, Fairness, and Loyalty in his Dealings and Transactions with his
Clients
i. Conflict of Interest
ii. Test in Determining Conflict of interest
iii. Effect of Representing Adverse Interest
iv. Hornilla v. Salunat 405 SCRA 220 (2003)
v. Gonzales v. Cabucana 479 SCRA 320 (2006)
vi. De Guzman v. de Dios 350 SCRA 320 (2001)
vii. Perez v. de la Torre 485 SCRA 547 (2006)
viii. Heirs of Falame v. Baguio 548 SCRA 1 (2008)
d. Hold in Trust all the Money and Property of this Client that may Come to his
Possession
i. When Rules is not Applicable
ii. Businos v. Ricafort 283 SCRA 40 (1997)
iii. Quilban v. Robinol 171 SCRA 768 (1989)
iv. Rayos v. Hernandez G. R. No. 169079 Feb. 12, 2007
v. Berbano v. Barcelona 410 SCRA 258 (2003)
vi. Licuanan v. Melo 170 SCRA 100 (1989)
vii. Hernandez v. Go 450 SCRA 1 (2005)
viii. Barnachea v. Quicho 399 SCRA 1 (2003)
e. Owes Fidelity to the Cause of this Client and be Mindful of the Trust and Confidence
Reposed in Him
i. Privilege Communication
ii. Conflict of Interest
iii. Cantiller v. Potenciano 180 SCRA 246 (1989)
iv. In re Maquera 435 SCRA 417 (2004)
v. Solatan v. Inocentes 466 SCRA 1 (2005)

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 vi. Somosot v. Pontevedra 488 SCRA 416 (2006)
vii. Angalan v. Delante 578 SCRA 113 (2009)
f. Serve Client with Competence and Diligence
i. Duty to Protect the Client’s Interest
1. Dalisay v Atty Mauricio A.C 5655, April 2005
2. Legarda v. CA 209 SCRA 722 (1992)
3. Endaya v. Oca 410 SCRA 344 (2003)
4. Carandang v. Obmina AC No. 7813, April 21, 2009
ii. Preparation of Pleadings of the Client
iii. Duty to Keep the Client Fully Informed
1. Blanza v. Arcangel 21 SCRA 1 (1967)
2. Abay v. Montesino 417 SCRA 77 (2003)
iv. Doctrine of Imputed Knowledge
1. When Not Applicable
v. Duty when the Court intends to Plead Guilty
vi. Duty to Comply with the Client’s Lawful Request
g. Represent Client with Zeal and within the Bounds of the Law
i. Duty to Restrain Client from Impropriety
ii. Duty to Advice Candidly
iii. Duty of Lawyer in Case of Knowledge of Client’s Fraud
iv. Authority of the Lawyer
v. Presumption of Authority
vi. Authority to Compromise
vii. Authority to Conduct Litigation
viii. Mistakes or Negligence of Lawyer Binding Upon Client
h. Charge only Fair and Reasonable Fees
i. Attorney’s Fees
1. RA 5185 sec. 6
2. Rule 138 sec. 24, 32, Rules of Court
3. Quirante v. IAC 169 SCRA 769 (1989)
4. Tanhueco v. de Dumo 172 SCRA 760 (1989)
5. Albano v. Coloma 21 SCRA 411 (1967)
6. Metropolitaan Bank v. CA 181 SCRA 367 (1990)
7. Roxas v. de Zuzuarregui 481 SCRA 250 (2006)
8. Masmud v. NLRC, G.R. No. 183385, February 13, 2009
ii. Quantum Merit
iii. Retainer
iv. Contingent Fee
v. Contingent Contract
vi. Champertous Contract
vii. Attorney’s Lien
viii. Charging Lien
ix. Retaining Lien
x. Halili v. CIR 136 SCRA 113 (1985)
xi. Lijuaico v. Terrado 500 SCRA 301 (2006)
i. Privilege Communication
i. Lawyer as Witness
ii. Regala v. Sandiganbayan 262 SCRA 122 (1996)
iii. People v. Sandiganbayan 275 SCRA 505 (1997)
iv. Castillo v. Sandiganbayan 377 SCRA 509 (2002)
v. Dalisay v. Mauricio 479 SCRA 307 (2006)
vi. Aninon v. Sabitsanaa 669 SCRA 77 (2012)
j. Withdrawal of Services
i. Termination of Attorney-Client Relationship
ii. Discharge of the Attorney by the Client
iii. Domingo v. Aquino 38 SCRA 472 (1971)
iv. Montano v. IBP 358 SCRA 1 (2001)
v. Obano v. Figueras 322 SCRA 148 (2000)

E. LIABILITES OF A LAWYER
1. Liability for Damages
2. Liability for Breach of Fiduciary Obligation
3. Liability for Cost of Suit
4. Criminal Liability
5. Contempt of Court

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F. SPECIFIC RULES OF PRACTICE

1. 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, Sup. Ct. A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, promulgated July 6, 2004.
a. Spouses Santuyo v. Hidalgo 448 SCRA 282 (2005)
b. Sicat v. Ariola 456 SCRA 93 (2005)
c. Mondejar v. Rubia 496 SCRA 1 (2006)
d. Lee v. Tambago 544 SCRA 393 (2008)

F. BAR DISCIPLINE
1. Power to Discipline Errant Lawyer
2. Form of Disciplinary Measure
3. Suspension, Disbarment and Reinstatement
a. Grounds
b. Breach of Duties to the Court, Client, Bar
c. Grievance Procedure
4. Rules of Court, Rule 139 - B
5. Supreme Court Bar Matter No. 1755, dated September 25, 2007
6. Yuhico v. Gutierrez AC No. 8391, November 23, 2010
7. Maniago v. De Dios 617 SCRA 142 (2010)
8. Macarubbo v. Macarubbo 689 SCRA 69 (2013)

G. MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (BAR MATTER 850)

1. Requirements of Completion
2. Parties Exempted from MCLE

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