JH CERILLES STATE COLLEGE

School of Law
Pagadian City Annex
Pagadian City

PROGRAM OUTLINE
FOR
BASIC LEGAL AND JUDICIAL ETHICS

Prepared by:
ATTY. ROSE STEPHANIE D. FLORENDO, R.N., M.N.

A person who is fundamentally honest doesn't need a code of ethics. The Ten Commandments
and the Sermon on the Mount are all the ethical code anybody needs.
— Harry Truman, 1884-1972, American President [1945-1953]

Course Title: BASIC LEGAL AND JUDICIAL ETHICS

Subject Code: JD 201

Course Description: This course focuses on the canons of legal ethics, pertinent
provisions of law and rules on norms of conduct, and other similar principles involving
the duties and responsibilities of the lawyer and law student practitioners with respect
to the public or society, the Bar or legal profession, the Courts, and the clients. The
course also covers the ethical norms of conduct for the members of the judiciary,
whether judicial or non-judicial.

Pedagogy: Integrative Approach – This approach highlights the importance of connections

and relationship of ideas and concepts between and among different disciplines. It
challenges law students to discover the application of complex multidisciplinary concepts
to various situations thereby expanding thinking beyond the traditional boundaries of the
subject.

Teaching Methodology:

Problem Method – A method which uses hypothetical fact situations as the center piece for
student analysis and discussions. The problems typically present plausible situations of
varying detail and complexity. Law students then select a course of conduct, or predict a
court’s decision based on a variety of legal and other materials either provided to the
students or readily available to them. The students are enabled to identify issues and
applicable doctrines in the resolution of problems presented.

Socratic Method – The law faculty utilizes this method of teaching by posing questions to
elicit understanding by the law students of legal concepts and principles. This method
encourages students to come up with different ways of framing an argument, and develops
critical thinking and proper application of legal principles and doctrines to new set of facts.

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Syllabus

1. New Lawyer’s Oath

2. Introduction
a. Legal Ethics (Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability A.M.
No. 22-09-01-SC)
b. Judicial Ethics (A.M. no. 03-05-01-SC, New Code of Judicial Conduct for
the Philippine Judiciary)

3. Definition of Terms
i. Bar and Bench
ii. Lawyer and Trial lawyer
iii. Attorney-at-Law and Attorney-in-fact
iv. Counsel de officio and Attorney of record
v. Lead counsel and Collaborating counsel
vi. Amicus Curiae and Expert witness
vii. Practice of Law

4. Practice of Law (Rule 138, Rules of Court)

 Atty. Melvin D.C. Mane v. Judge Medel Belen, A.M. No. RTJ-08-
2119, June 2008
 Eduardo B. Manalang v. Atty. Cristina Benosa Buendia, A.C. No.
12079, November 10, 2020
 Cayetano v Monsod 201 SCRA 210

a. Power of the Supreme Court to regulate the practice of law (par. 5, Sec. 5,
Article VIII, 1987 Constitution)
 In re: Cunanan, 94 Phil. 534
 In re: Lanuevo, 66 SCRA 245
 Oscar B. Pimentel, et.al. v. Legal Education Board as represented
by its Chairperson, Hon. Emerson B. Aquende, and LEB member
Hon. Zenaida N. Elepaño, G.R. No. 230642, September 10, 2019

b. Revised Law Student Practice Rule (A.M. 19-03-24-SC), (Rule 138-A)

c. Qualifications for Admission to the Bar (Bar Matter No. 1153)

 Mercuria D. So v. Ma. Lucille P. Lee, B.M. No. 3288, April 10,
2019
 Diao v. Martinez, 7 SCRA 475

d. Who may Practice Law

 In Re: Petition to Sign on the Roll of Attorneys, Michael A.
Medado, Petitioner B.M. No. 2540, September 24, 2013
 Aguirre v. Rana B.M. No. 1036, June 10, 2003, 451 SCRA 428

e. Duties of an Attorney (Sec. 20, Rule 138, Rules of Court)

f. Judicial and Bar Council (Section 8 & 9, Article VIII, 1987 Constitution)
 JBC No. 2020-01

 Republic of the Philippines, represented by Solicitor General Jose

C. Calida v. Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno G. R. No. 237428, May
11, 2018
2
 5. Integrated Bar of the Philippines (Rule 139-A), (P.D. 181), (IBP Revised By-Laws
2023)
 Soliman M. Santos, Jr. v Atty. Francisco R. Llamas, A.C. No.
4749, January 20, 2000

6. Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability

a. Canon 1- Independence
b. Canon 2- Propriety
c. Responsible Use of Social Media
d. Canon 3- Fidelity
e. Canon 4- Competence and Diligence
f. Canon 5- Equality
g. Canon 6- Accountability

7. New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary (A.M. no. 03-05-01-
SC)
a. Canon 1- Independence
 Go v. Court of Appeals, 206 SCRA 165
 Sabitsana Jr. v. Villamor, 202 SCRA 445
 Borromeo v. Mariano, 41 Phil 322
 Arban v. Birja, 143 SCRA 634
 Abad v. Bleza, 145 SCRA 1
b. Canon 2- Integrity
 Jacinto v. Vallarta, 453 SCRA 83
 Masangacay v. Aggabao, 238 SCRA 427
 Cabrera v. Pajares, 142 SCRA 127
 OCA v. Judge Hermoso, 150 SCRA 278
 Martinez v. Pahimulin, 116 SCRA 136
c. Canon 3- Impartiality
 Tan, Jr. v. Gallardo, 73 SCRA 315
 Felongco v. Dictado, 223 SCRA 696
 Datuin, Jr. v. Soriano, 391 SCRA 2
 Palang v. Zosa, 58 SCRA 776
 Pimentel v. Salanga, 21 SCRA 160
 Geotina v. Gonzales, 41 SCRA 69
 Oktubre v. Valano, 434 SCRA 636
d. Canon 4- Propriety
 Dayuno v. Barillo, 472 SCRA 218
 Padilla v. Zantua, Jr., 237 SCRA 670
 J. King and Sons v. Hontanosas, Jr., 438 SCRA 527
 Carual v. Brusala, 317 SCRA 54
 Omico Mining & Industrial Corp. v. Judge Vallejos, 63 SCRA
285
e. Canon 5- Equality
 Cabreana v. Avelino, 107 SCRA 640
 Balasabas v. Aquilizan, 106 SCRA 489
f. Canon 6- Competence and Diligence
 Re: Complaint Against Justice Asuncion of the Court of Appeals,
A.M. No. 06-6-8-CA, 518 SCRA 512 (Atty. Padilla v. Justice
Asuncion, A.M. No. 06-44-CA-J)
 Macalintal v. The, 280 SCRA 623
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  Boiser v. Aguirre Jr., 458 SCRA 430
 Cruz v. Huralde, 402 SCRA 65
 Maquiran v. Grageda, 451 SCRA 15
 Dadula v. GineteMina v. Mupas, A.M. No. RTJ-07-2067, June
18, 2008
 Briones v. Ante, Jr., 380 SCRA 409

8. Notarial Laws
a. 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice (A.M. No. 02-08-13-SC)
b. 2020 Interim Rules on remote Notarization of Paper Documents (A.M. No.
20-07-04-SC)
 Flora C. Mariano v. Atty. Anselmo Echavez A.C. No. 10373, May
31, 2016
 Dr. Basilio Malvar v. Atty. Cora Jane P. Baleros, A.C. No. 11346,
March 8, 2017
 Bar Matter No. 702, May 12, 1994

9. Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (B.M. No. 850)

 Marilu C. Turla v. Atty. Jose M. Caringal, A.C. No. 11641,
March 12, 2019

References:

1. Agpalo, R. (2020). Legal and Judicial Ethics. Philippines: Rex Book Store.
2. Albano. E. V. (2015). Legal and Judicial Ethics. Philippines: Atlas Publishing
Co., Inc.
3. Anciano, F. (2021). Updates of Jurisprudence and Notes in Legal Ethics.
Philippines: Rex Book Store.
4. Pineda, E. (2009). Judicial Ethics. Philippines: Central Book Supply, Inc.
5. Pineda, E. (2009). Legal Ethics. Philippines: Central Book Supply, Inc.

Grading System (Weighted Grade)

Oral Recitation 30%

Written Submissions 20%
Final Exam 50%