Geralice P.

Galang Law 120

2008-37456 February 22, 2023

ACTIVITY
CURRENT VERSION OF LAWYER’S
OATH
 To maintain allegiance to the
Republic of the Philippines
 To support the Constitution and
obey the laws and the legal
orders of duly constituted
PRIMARY DUTIES authorities therein
AND OBLIGATIONS  To do no falsehood nor consent
OF LAWYERS to the doing of in any court
 To not unwittingly or willingly
promote or sue any groundless,
false or unlawful suit or give aid
nor consent to the same
 To delay no man for money or
malice
 To conduct oneself as a lawyer
according to the best of his
knowledge and discretion
 To conduct oneself with all good
fidelity to the courts and to the
clients
PROPOSED REVISED LAWYER’S
OATH BY JUSTICE LEONEN
 To be fealty to the
Constitution and the
Republic of the Philippines
 To work towards promoting
“the rule of law and a regime
of truth, justice, freedom,
love, equality, and peace
 To conscientiously and
courageously work for justice
 To safeguard the rights and
meaningful freedoms of all
persons, identities and
communities
 To ensure greater and
equitable access to justice
 To do no falsehood nor
pervert the law to unjustly
favor nor prejudice anyone
PROPOSED REVISED
LAWYER’S OATH BY THE
SUB-COMMITTEE FOR THE
REVISION OF THE CODE OF
PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY
 To maintain allegiance
to the Republic of the
Philippines
 To be loyal to the
Constitution
 To uphold the rule of
law
 To embody integrity and
practice, independence,
propriety, fidelity,
competence and
diligence, equality, and
accountability
 To safeguard rights and
meaningful freedoms of
all persons, identities,
and communities

TO WHOM THE  Republic of the Philippines  Republic of the Philippines  Republic of the
DUTIES AND  Constitution and duly constituted  Constitution Philippines
OBLIGATIONS ARE authorities therein  Persons, identities and  Constitution
OWED  Courts Communities  Persons, identities, and
 Clients communities
As to which of the three versions of the Lawyer’s Oath I prefer, I would say that I prefer the third version the one that is proposed of
the Sub-Committee for the Revision of the Code of Professional Responsibility. I prefer it the most as it is a combination of the
current version and the proposed version by Justice Leonen. What I like best about this revision is how it adopted the broader
perspective of Justice Leonen on the duties and obligations of lawyers using the term “persons, identities, and communities” instead
of just “clients” as among those to whom said duties and obligations are owed by lawyers. Particularly, I believe the third version has
encapsulated that very essence of being a lawyer by including in the lawyers’ main duties the safeguarding of ‘the rights and
meaningful freedoms of these persons, identities and communities” which is also found in the version proposed by Justice Leonen. I
would have chosen the version of the Justice Leonen as the second best only that it was quite lengthy compared to the version of the
Sub-Committee.