Rule 139-A and 139-B of the

Rules of Court
Prepared by:
Atty. Khrisna P. Sunico
School of Management, Accountancy and Real Estate
Rule 139-A: Integrated Bar of the Philippines
Sec. 1. Organization – Integrated Bar of the Philippines; composed of all persons whose names
now appear or may hereafter be included in the Roll of Attorneys of the Supreme Court.

Sec. 2. Purposes – a. to elevate the standards of the legal profession;

b. Improve the administration of justice; and
c. Enable the Bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively.

Sec. 3. Regions – 9 Regions of the IBP

a. Northern Luzon (Abra, Batanes, Benguet, Cagayan, Ifugao, etc.)
b. Central Luzon (Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, etc.)
c. Greater Manila
e. Bicolandia – (Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, etc.)
f. Eastern Visayas – (Bohol, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Leyte, etc.)
g. Western Visayas – (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Palawan, etc.)
h. Eastern Mindanao – (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Davao del Norte,
etc.)
i. Western Mindanao – (Basilan, Zamboanga, Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, etc.)

Sec. 9. Membership dues – Every member of the Integrated Bar shall pay such annual dues.

Sec. 10. Effect on non-payment of dues – default in the payment of annual dues for 6 months
shall warrant suspension of membership in the Integrated Bar; default for one year – removal of
the name of the delinquent member from the Roll of Attorneys
Rule 139-B: Disbarment and Discipline of
Attorneys
Sec. 1. How instituted
Proceedings for Disbarment, Suspension or Discipline of Attorneys may be taken by:
a. The Supreme Court motu proprio; or
b. The IBP upon verified complaint of any person
The IBP shall forward to the SC for appropriate disposition all complaints for disbarment,
suspension and discipline filed against incumbent:
c. Justices of the CA;
d. Justices of the Sandiganbayan;
e. Justices of Court of Tax Appeals;
f. Judges of lower courts;
g. Lawyers in the government service
A. Proceedings in the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines
Sec. 2. National Grievance Investigator
The Board of Governors shall appoint from among IBP members an Investigator, or when
special circumstances warrant, a panel of three (3) investigators to investigate the complaint.

Disqualification of an Investigator:
1. Relationship within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity to any of the parties or
their counsel;
2. Pecuniary interest;
3. Personal bias; or
4. His having acted as counsel for either party, unless the parties sign and enter upon the
record their written consent to his acting as such Investigator.
Sec. 5. Service or Dismissal
Service – If the complaint appears to be meritorious, the Investigator shall direct that a copy thereof be served
upon the respondent, requiring him to answer the same within 15 days from the date of service.
Dismissal – If the complaint does not merit action, or if the answer shows to the satisfaction of the Investigator
that the complaint is not meritorious, the Investigator will recommend to the Board of Governors the dismissal
of the complaint.

No investigation shall be interrupted or terminated by reason of:

a. Desistance
b. Settlement
c. Compromise
d. Restitution
e. Withdrawal of the charges
f. Failure of the complainant to prosecute the same
Note: An investigation shall only be interrupted or terminated when the Supreme Court motu
proprio or upon recommendation of the IBP Board of Governors determine that there is no
compelling reason to continue with the disbarment or suspension proceedings.

Sec. 8. Investigation
When may an Investigator proceed with the Investigation of the case?
a. Upon joinder of issues; or
b. Upon failure of the respondent to answer

If upon reasonable notice, the respondent fails to appear, the investigation shall proceed ex parte.
The investigator shall terminate the investigation within 3 months from the date of its
commencement unless extended for good cause by the Board of Governors upon prior application.
Sec. 10. Report of Investigator
Not later than 30 days from the termination of the investigation, the Investigator shall submit a
report containing his findings of fact and recommendations to the IBP Board of Governors.

Sec. 12. Review and Recommendation by the Board of Governors

a. Every case heard by an investigator shall be reviewed by the IBP Board of Governors;
b. After its review, the Board by the vote of a majority of is total membership, shall recommend to
the SC the dismissal of the complaint or the imposition of disciplinary action against the
respondent.
c. The Board’s resolution, together with the entire records of all evidence presented and submitted,
shall be transmitted to the SC for final action within 10 days from the issuance of the resolution.
d. Notice of the resolution or decision of the Board shall be given to all parties through their
counsel.
B. Proceedings in the Supreme Court
Sec. 13. Supreme Court Investigators
a. Office of the Bar Confidant;
b. To any officer of the SC or judge of a lower court; or
c. To the IBP

Sec. 15. Suspension of attorneys by Supreme Court

The SC, motu proprio, or upon the recommendation of the IBP Board of
Governors, may suspend an attorney from the practice of his profession for
any of the causes specified in Rule 138, Sec. 27, during the pendency of the
investigation until such suspension is lifted by the SC.
Sec. 16. Suspension of attorney by the CA or RTC
The CA or RTC may suspend an attorney from practice until further action of the SC in
the case.

Sec. 17. Upon suspension by CA or RTC, further proceedings in SC

Upon receipt of certified copy of the order of suspension, the SC shall make a full
investigation of the case and may revoke, shorten, or extend the suspension, or disbar
the attorney as the facts may warrant.

Sec. 18. Confidentiality – Proceedings against attorneys shall be private and confidential.
However, the final order of the SC shall be published like its decisions in other cases.