CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY Rule 3.

01 - A lawyer shall not use or permit the

(Promulgated June 21, 1988) use of any false, fraudulent, misleading,
deceptive, undignified, self-laudatory or unfair
CHAPTER I. THE LAWYER AND SOCIETY
statement or claim regarding his qualifications or
CANON 1 - A LAWYER SHALL UPHOLD THE legal services.
CONSTITUTION, OBEY THE LAWS OF THE LAND Rule 3.02 - In the choice of a firm name, no false,
AND PROMOTE RESPECT FOR LAW OF AND misleading or assumed name shall be used. The
LEGAL PROCESSES. continued use of the name of a deceased partner
Rule 1.01 - A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, is permissible provided that the firm indicates in
dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct. all its communications that said partner is
deceased.
Rule 1.02 - A lawyer shall not counsel or abet
activities aimed at defiance of the law or at Rule 3.03 - Where a partner accepts public office,
lessening confidence in the legal system. he shall withdrawal from the firm and his name
shall be dropped from the firm name unless the
Rule 1.03 - A lawyer shall not, for any corrupt
law allows him to practice law currently.
motive or interest, encourage any suit or
proceeding or delay any man's cause. Rule 3.04 - A lawyer shall not pay or give anything
of value to representatives of the mass media in
Rule 1.04 - A lawyer shall encourage his clients to
anticipation of, or in return for, publicity to attract
avoid, end or settle a controversy if it will admit of
legal business.
a fair settlement.

CANON 4 - A LAWYER SHALL PARTICIPATE IN

CANON 2 - A LAWYER SHALL MAKE HIS LEGAL
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM BY
SERVICES AVAILABLE IN AN EFFICIENT AND
INITIATING OR SUPPORTING EFFORTS IN LAW
CONVENIENT MANNER COMPATIBLE WITH THE
REFORM AND IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE
INDEPENDENCE, INTEGRITY AND
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROFESSION.
Rule 2.01 - A lawyer shall not reject, except for
valid reasons, the cause of the defenseless or the CANON 5 - A LAWYER SHALL KEEP ABREAST OF
oppressed. LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS, PARTICIPATE IN
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS,
Rule 2.02 - In such cases, even if the lawyer does
SUPPORT EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE HIGH
not accept a case, he shall not refuse to render
STANDARDS IN LAW SCHOOLS AS WELL AS IN
legal advice to the person concerned if only to the
THE PRACTICAL TRAINING OF LAW STUDENTS
extent necessary to safeguard the latter's rights.
AND ASSIST IN DISSEMINATING THE LAW AND
Rule 2.03 - A lawyer shall not do or permit to be JURISPRUDENCE.
done any act designed primarily to solicit legal
business.
CANON 6 - THESE CANONS SHALL APPLY TO
Rule 2.04 - A lawyer shall not charge rates lower
LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN THE
than those customarily prescribed unless the
DISCHARGE OF THEIR TASKS.
circumstances so warrant.
Rule 6.01 - The primary duty of a lawyer engaged
CANON 3 - A LAWYER IN MAKING KNOWN HIS
in public prosecution is not to convict but to see
LEGAL SERVICES SHALL USE ONLY TRUE,
that justice is done. The suppression of facts or
HONEST, FAIR, DIGNIFIED AND OBJECTIVE
the concealment of witnesses capable of
INFORMATION OR STATEMENT OF FACTS.
establishing the innocence of the accused is highly
reprehensible and is cause for disciplinary action.
Rule 6.02 - A lawyer in the government service and assistance to those seeking relief against
shall not use his public position to promote or unfaithful or neglectful counsel.
advance his private interests, nor allow the latter
to interfere with his public duties.
CANON 9 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT, DIRECTLY OR
Rule 6.03 - A lawyer shall not, after leaving
INDIRECTLY, ASSIST IN THE UNAUTHORIZED
government service, accept engagement or
PRACTICE OF LAW.
employment in connection with any matter in
which he had intervened while in said service. Rule 9.01 - A lawyer shall not delegate to any
unqualified person the performance of any task
which by law may only be performed by a member
of the bar in good standing.
CHAPTER II. THE LAWYER AND THE LEGAL Rule 9.02 - A lawyer shall not divide or stipulate
PROFESSION to divide a fee for legal services with persons not
licensed to practice law, except:
CANON 7 - A LAWYER SHALL AT ALL TIMES
UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY AND DIGNITY OF THE (a) Where there is a pre-existing agreement with
LEGAL PROFESSION AND SUPPORT THE a partner or associate that, upon the latter's
ACTIVITIES OF THE INTEGRATED BAR. death, money shall be paid over a reasonable
period of time to his estate or to persons specified
Rule 7.01 - A lawyer shall be answerable for
in the agreement; or
knowingly making a false statement or
suppressing a material fact in connection with his (b) Where a lawyer undertakes to complete
application for admission to the bar. unfinished legal business of a deceased lawyer; or
Rule 7.02 - A lawyer shall not support the (c) Where a lawyer or law firm includes non-
application for admission to the bar of any person lawyer employees in a retirement plan even if the
known by him to be unqualified in respect to plan is based in whole or in part, on a profit
character, education, or other relevant attribute. sharing agreement.
Rule 7.03 - A lawyer shall not engage in conduct CHAPTER III. THE LAWYER AND THE COURTS
that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice
CANON 10 - A LAWYER OWES CANDOR,
law, nor shall he whether in public or private life,
FAIRNESS AND GOOD FAITH TO THE COURT.
behave in a scandalous manner to the discredit of
the legal profession. Rule 10.01 - A lawyer shall not do any falsehood,
nor consent to the doing of any in Court; nor shall
he mislead, or allow the Court to be misled by any
CANON 8 - A LAWYER SHALL CONDUCT HIMSELF artifice.
WITH COURTESY, FAIRNESS AND CANDOR
Rule 10.02 - A lawyer shall not knowingly
TOWARDS HIS PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES,
misquote or misrepresent the contents of a paper,
AND SHALL AVOID HARASSING TACTICS
the language or the argument of opposing
AGAINST OPPOSING COUNSEL.
counsel, or the text of a decision or authority, or
Rule 8.01 - A lawyer shall not, in his professional knowingly cite as law a provision already rendered
dealings, use language which is abusive, offensive inoperative by repeal or amendment, or assert as
or otherwise improper. a fact that which has not been proved.
Rule 8.02 - A lawyer shall not, directly or indirectly, Rule 10.03 - A lawyer shall observe the rules of
encroach upon the professional employment of procedure and shall not misuse them to defeat the
another lawyer, however, it is the right of any ends of justice.
lawyer, without fear or favor, to give proper advice
CANON 11 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE AND Rule 12.06 - A lawyer shall not knowingly assist a
MAINTAIN THE RESPECT DUE TO THE COURTS witness to misrepresent himself or to impersonate
AND TO JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND SHOULD another.
INSIST ON SIMILAR CONDUCT BY OTHERS.
Rule 12.07 - A lawyer shall not abuse, browbeat
Rule 11.01 - A lawyer shall appear in court or harass a witness nor needlessly inconvenience
properly attired. him.
Rule 11.02 - A lawyer shall punctually appear at Rule 12.08 - A lawyer shall avoid testifying in
court hearings. behalf of his client, except:
Rule 11.03 - A lawyer shall abstain from (a) on formal matters, such as the mailing,
scandalous, offensive or menacing language or authentication or custody of an instrument, and
behavior before the Courts. the like; or
Rule 11.04 - A lawyer shall not attribute to a Judge (b) on substantial matters, in cases where his
motives not supported by the record or have no testimony is essential to the ends of justice, in
materiality to the case. which event he must, during his testimony,
entrust the trial of the case to another counsel.
Rule 11.05 - A lawyer shall submit grievances
against a Judge to the proper authorities only.
CANON 13 - A LAWYER SHALL RELY UPON THE
MERITS OF HIS CAUSE AND REFRAIN FROM ANY
CANON 12 - A LAWYER SHALL EXERT EVERY
IMPROPRIETY WHICH TENDS TO INFLUENCE, OR
EFFORT AND CONSIDER IT HIS DUTY TO ASSIST
GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF INFLUENCING THE
IN THE SPEEDY AND EFFICIENT
COURT.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
Rule 13.01 - A lawyer shall not extend
Rule 12.01 - A lawyer shall not appear for trial
extraordinary attention or hospitality to, nor seek
unless he has adequately prepared himself on the
opportunity for cultivating familiarity with Judges.
law and the facts of his case, the evidence he will
adduce and the order of its proferrence. He should Rule 13.02 - A lawyer shall not make public
also be ready with the original documents for statements in the media regarding a pending case
comparison with the copies. tending to arouse public opinion for or against a
party.
Rule 12.02 - A lawyer shall not file multiple actions
arising from the same cause. Rule 13.03 - A lawyer shall not brook or invite
interference by another branch or agency of the
Rule 12.03 - A lawyer shall not, after obtaining
government in the normal course of judicial
extensions of time to file pleadings, memoranda
proceedings.
or briefs, let the period lapse without submitting
the same or offering an explanation for his failure CHAPTER IV. THE LAWYER AND THE CLIENT
to do so.
CANON 14 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT REFUSE HIS
Rule 12.04 - A lawyer shall not unduly delay a SERVICES TO THE NEEDY.
case, impede the execution of a judgment or
Rule 14.01 - A lawyer shall not decline to
misuse Court processes.
represent a person solely on account of the latter's
Rule 12.05 - A lawyer shall refrain from talking to race, sex. creed or status of life, or because of his
his witness during a break or recess in the trial, own opinion regarding the guilt of said person.
while the witness is still under examination.
Rule 14.02 - A lawyer shall not decline, except for
serious and sufficient cause, an appointment as
counsel de officio or as amicus curiae, or a request
from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines or any Rule 15.07. - A lawyer shall impress upon his client
of its chapters for rendition of free legal aid. compliance with the laws and the principles of
fairness.
Rule 14.03 - A lawyer may not refuse to accept
representation of an indigent client if: Rule 15.08. - A lawyer who is engaged in another
profession or occupation concurrently with the
(a) he is not in a position to carry out the work
practice of law shall make clear to his client
effectively or competently;
whether he is acting as a lawyer or in another
(b) he labors under a conflict of interest between capacity
him and the prospective client or between a
present client and the prospective client.
CANON 16 - A LAWYER SHALL HOLD IN TRUST
Rule 14.04 - A lawyer who accepts the cause of a
ALL MONEYS AND PROPERTIES OF HIS CLIENT
person unable to pay his professional fees shall
THAT MAY COME INTO HIS PROFESSION.
observe the same standard of conduct governing
his relations with paying clients. Rule 16.01 - A lawyer shall account for all money
or property collected or received for or from the
client.
CANON 15 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE CANDOR,
Rule 16.02 - A lawyer shall keep the funds of each
FAIRNESS AND LOYALTY IN ALL HIS DEALINGS
client separate and apart from his own and those
AND TRANSACTIONS WITH HIS CLIENTS.
of others kept by him.
Rule 15.01. - A lawyer, in conferring with a
Rule 16.03 - A lawyer shall deliver the funds and
prospective client, shall ascertain as soon as
property of his client when due or upon demand.
practicable whether the matter would involve a
However, he shall have a lien over the funds and
conflict with another client or his own interest, and
may apply so much thereof as may be necessary
if so, shall forthwith inform the prospective client.
to satisfy his lawful fees and disbursements, giving
Rule 15.02.- A lawyer shall be bound by the rule notice promptly thereafter to his client. He shall
on privilege communication in respect of matters also have a lien to the same extent on all
disclosed to him by a prospective client. judgments and executions he has secured for his
Rule 15.03. - A lawyer shall not represent client as provided for in the Rules of Court.
conflicting interests except by written consent of Rule 16.04 - A lawyer shall not borrow money from
all concerned given after a full disclosure of the his client unless the client's interest are fully
facts. protected by the nature of the case or by
Rule 15.04. - A lawyer may, with the written independent advice. Neither shall a lawyer lend
consent of all concerned, act as mediator, money to a client except, when in the interest of
conciliator or arbitrator in settling disputes. justice, he has to advance necessary expenses in
a legal matter he is handling for the client.
Rule 15.05. - A lawyer when advising his client,
shall give a candid and honest opinion on the
merits and probable results of the client's case, CANON 17 - A LAWYER OWES FIDELITY TO THE
neither overstating nor understating the prospects CAUSE OF HIS CLIENT AND HE SHALL BE
of the case. MINDFUL OF THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
Rule 15.06. - A lawyer shall not state or imply that REPOSED IN HIM.
he is able to influence any public official, tribunal
or legislative body.
CANON 18 - A LAWYER SHALL SERVE HIS CLIENT
WITH COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE.
Rules 18.01 - A lawyer shall not undertake a legal (b) the novelty and difficulty of the questions
service which he knows or should know that he is involved;
not qualified to render. However, he may render
(c) The importance of the subject matter;
such service if, with the consent of his client, he
can obtain as collaborating counsel a lawyer who (d) The skill demanded;
is competent on the matter. (e) The probability of losing other employment as
Rule 18.02 - A lawyer shall not handle any legal a result of acceptance of the proffered case;
matter without adequate preparation. (f) The customary charges for similar services and
Rule 18.03 - A lawyer shall not neglect a legal the schedule of fees of the IBP chapter to which
matter entrusted to him, and his negligence in he belongs;
connection therewith shall render him liable. (g) The amount involved in the controversy and
Rule 18.04 - A lawyer shall keep the client the benefits resulting to the client from the
informed of the status of his case and shall service;
respond within a reasonable time to the client's (h) The contingency or certainty of compensation;
request for information.
(i) The character of the employment, whether
occasional or established; and
CANON 19 - A LAWYER SHALL REPRESENT HIS (j) The professional standing of the lawyer.
CLIENT WITH ZEAL WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF
Rule 20.02 - A lawyer shall, in case of referral, with
THE LAW.
the consent of the client, be entitled to a division
Rule 19.01 - A lawyer shall employ only fair and of fees in proportion to the work performed and
honest means to attain the lawful objectives of his responsibility assumed.
client and shall not present, participate in
Rule 20.03 - A lawyer shall not, without the full
presenting or threaten to present unfounded
knowledge and consent of the client, accept any
criminal charges to obtain an improper advantage
fee, reward, costs, commission, interest, rebate or
in any case or proceeding.
forwarding allowance or other compensation
Rule 19.02 - A lawyer who has received whatsoever related to his professional
information that his client has, in the course of the employment from anyone other than the client.
representation, perpetrated a fraud upon a person
Rule 20.04 - A lawyer shall avoid controversies
or tribunal, shall promptly call upon the client to
with clients concerning his compensation and shall
rectify the same, and failing which he shall
resort to judicial action only to prevent imposition,
terminate the relationship with such client in
injustice or fraud.
accordance with the Rules of Court.
Rule 19.03 - A lawyer shall not allow his client to
dictate the procedure in handling the case. CANON 21 - A LAWYER SHALL PRESERVE THE
CONFIDENCE AND SECRETS OF HIS CLIENT EVEN
AFTER THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATION IS
CANON 20 - A LAWYER SHALL CHARGE ONLY TERMINATED.
FAIR AND REASONABLE FEES.
Rule 21.01 - A lawyer shall not reveal the
Rule 20.01 - A lawyer shall be guided by the confidences or secrets of his client except;
following factors in determining his fees:
(a) When authorized by the client after
(a) the time spent and the extent of the service acquainting him of the consequences of the
rendered or required; disclosure;
(b) When required by law;
(c) When necessary to collect his fees or to defend (d) When the mental or physical condition of the
himself, his employees or associates or by judicial lawyer renders it difficult for him to carry out the
action. employment effectively;
Rule 21.02 - A lawyer shall not, to the (e) When the client deliberately fails to pay the
disadvantage of his client, use information fees for the services or fails to comply with the
acquired in the course of employment, nor shall retainer agreement;
he use the same to his own advantage or that of
(f) When the lawyer is elected or appointed to
a third person, unless the client with full
public office; and
knowledge of the circumstances consents thereto.
(g) Other similar cases.
Rule 21.03 - A lawyer shall not, without the written
consent of his client, give information from his files Rule 22.02 - A lawyer who withdraws or is
to an outside agency seeking such information for discharged shall, subject to a retainer lien,
auditing, statistical, bookkeeping, accounting, immediately turn over all papers and property to
data processing, or any similar purpose. which the client is entitled, and shall cooperative
with his successor in the orderly transfer of the
Rule 21.04 - A lawyer may disclose the affairs of a
matter, including all information necessary for the
client of the firm to partners or associates thereof
proper handling of the matter.
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;