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LEGAL ETHICS SYLLABUS

University of Asia and the Pacific School of Law and Governance
2nd Semester 2014-2015
(ATTY. MARIA CONCEPCION S. NOCHE / ATTY. JAMES M. IMBONG)
_______________________________________
Course Description:
As the course name and material suggest, we will discuss legal ethics in particular, the
rules that govern lawyers conduct and professionalism what it means generally to be
a good lawyer. We will focus on ethics rules embodied in the codes of professional
responsibility for lawyers and judicial offices. We will spend most of our time in class
discussing actual problems that lawyers have and will continue to confront in the practice
of law.
Required Texts:
Annotated Case Book. Dennis B. Funa, Legal and Judicial Ethics 1st Edition (Central
Books 2009).
Rules. The Code of Professional Responsibility, promulgated by the Philippine Supreme
Court on June 21, 1988.
Rule 138, Attorneys and Admission to the Bar, Rules of Court.
Rule 138-A, Law Student Practice, Rules of Court.
Rule 139-A, The Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Rules of Court.
Rule 139-B, Suspension, Disbarment and Discipline of Attorneys, Rules of Court.
A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, Rules on Notarial Practice, 2004.
The New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary, A.M. No. 03-05-01-SC,
Supreme Court of the Philippines.
Additional materials will be handed out in class in the course of the semester.

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO REVISIONS DURING THE SEMESTER)

Week 2 and 3 (November 11, 12, 18 and 19, 2014)
A. Introduction: The Practice of Law (Rule 138)
Cases:
1. Alawi vs. Alauya
2. In Re: Garcia
3. Cayetano vs. Monsod
4. Banogan vs. Zerna
5. Ledesma vs. Climaco
6. Cui vs. Cui

268 SCRA 639

2 SCRA 985
201 SCRA 210

B. Duties and responsibilities of a lawyer

1. To the rule of law (Canons 1, 4, 5, and 12)
a) Respect for law and legal processes
b) Efficient and convenient legal services
c) True, honest, fair, dignified and objective information on legal services
d) Participation in the improvement and reforms in the legal system

Cases (for Canon 1):

1. People vs. Tuanda
2. Royong vs. Oblena
3. Cosmos Foundry Shop Workers vs. Lo Bu
4. In Re: 1989 IBP Elections
5. Roxas vs. CA
6. Re: Financial Audit of Atty. Raquel G. Kho
7. Chua v. Mesina
8. Soriano v. Dizon
9. Stemmerik v. Mas
10. De Ysasi III v. NLRC
11. Cordon v. Balicanta

181 SCRA 692

7 SCRA 871
63 SCRA 321
178 SCRA 398
156 SCRA 253

Cases (for Canon 5):

1. De Roy vs. CA
157 SCRA 757
2. Bar Matter No. 850 (Mandatory Continuing Legal Educ.) 08 August 2000
Cases (for Canon 12):
1. People vs. Jardin
2. Cabagui vs. CA
3. Casals vs. Cusi, Jr.
4. Roxas vs. CA
5. National Bank vs. Uy Teng Piao
6. Berbano v. Barcelona
7. Sebastian v. Bajar
8. Hegna v. Paderanga
9. Plus Builders v. Revilla
10. Fil-Garcia, Inc. v. Hernandez

124 SCRA 167

67 SCRA
52 SCRA 58
156 SCRA 253
57 Phil. 337

2. To the legal profession (Canons 5, 7, and 9)

a) Integrated Bar of the Philippines (Rule 139-A)
b) Upholding the dignity and integrity of the profession
c) Courtesy, fairness and candor towards professional colleagues
d) No assistance in unauthorized practice of law
Cases (for Canon 5):
1. De Roy vs. CA
157 SCRA 757
2. Bar Matter No. 850 (Mandatory Continuing Legal Educ.) 08 August 2000
Cases (for Canon 7):
1. In Re: Ramon Galang
2. Diao vs. Martinez
3. Villasanta vs. Peralta
4. In re Arthur M. Cuevas
5. Samaniego v. Ferrer
6. Arnobit v. Arnobit
7. St. Louis University etc v. Dela Cruz
8. Advincula v. Macabata
Cases (for Canon 9):
1. Ulep v. Legal Clinic, Inc.
2. Cayetano v. Monsod
3. Guballa vs. Caguioa
4. Beltran, Jr. vs. Abad

66 SCRA 282
7 SCRA 475
101 Phil. 313

78 SCRA 207
132 SCRA 453

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5. PAFLU vs. Binalbagan Isabela Sugar Co.
6. Five J Taxi vs. NLRC
7. Cambaliza v. Cristobal-Tenorio
8. Amalgamated Laborers Association v. CIR
9. Aguirre v. Rama
10. Judge Laquindanum v. Quintana

42 SCRA 302
235 SCRA 556

Week 4 and 5 (November 25 and 26 and December 2 and 3, 2014)

3. To the courts and judicial officers (Canons 10, 11, and 13)
a) Candor, fairness and good faith towards the courts
b) Respect for courts and judicial officers
c) Assistance in the speedy and efficient administration of justice
d) Reliance on merits of his cause and avoidance of any impropriety which
tends to influence or gives the appearance of influence upon the courts
Cases (for Canon 10):
1. Director of Lands vs. Adorable
2. Carlet vs. CA
3. The Insurance Life Assurance Co. Employees Assoc.
4. Del Rosario vs. Chingcuangco
5. Surigao Mineral Reservation vs. Cloribel
6. Muoz vs. CA and Delia Sutton
7. Adez Realty, Inc. vs. CA, G.R. 100643
8. Aguinaldo vs. Aguinaldo
9. Canlas vs. CA
10. Etemal Gardens vs. CA, G.R. 123698
Cases (for Canon 11):
1. In Re: Sotto
2. In Re: Almacen
3. Zaldivar vs. Gonzales
4. Wicker vs. Arcangel
5. Montecillo vs. Gica
6. Sangalang vs. lAC
7. Paragas vs. Cruz
8. People vs. Carillo
9. In Re: Aguas
10. Maceda vs. Ombudsman, G.R. 102781
11. Fernandez v. De Ramos-Villalon
12. Rivera v. Corral
13. Johnny Ng v. Alar
14. Fudot v. Cattleya Land
15. Bondoc v. Judge Simbulan
Cases (for Canon 13):
1. Austria vs. Masaquel
2. Gallo vs. Cordero
3. Martelino vs. Alejandro
4. Cruz vs. Salva
5. Bumanlag vs. Bumanlag

77 Phil. 468
275 SCRA 110
37 SCRA 244
18 SCRA 1156
31 SCRA 1
53 SCRA 190
30 October 1992
36 SCRA 137
164 SCRA 160
05 August 1998
82 Phil. 595
31 SCRA 581
166 SCRA 316
252 SCRA 445
60 SCRA 235
177 SCRA 87
14 SCRA 809
77 Phil. 572
1 Phil. 1
22 April 1993

20 SCRA 1247
245 SCRA 219
32 SCRA 106
105 Phil. 1151
74 SCRA 92

4. To the clients and society (Canons 2, 3, 5, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, and 22)
a) Availability of service without discrimination

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(i) Services regardless of a persons status
(ii) Services as counsel de officio
(iii) Valid grounds for refusal
Cases:
1. In Re Sycip
2. Dacanay vs. Baker & Mckenzie
3. Antonio vs. CA
4. Ouano Arrastre Service, Inc. vs. Aleonar
5. B.R. Sebastian Enterprises Inc. vs. CA
6. In re Tagorda
7. Atty. Ismael Khan v. Atty Rizalino Simbillo
8. Canoy v. Ortiz
9. Linsangan v. Tolentino
10. People vs. Cawili
11. American Home Assurance Co. vs. NLRC

92 SCRA 1
136 SCRA 349
153 SCRA 592
202 SCRA 619
206 SCRA 28

34 SCRA 728
252 SCRA 20

Week 6 and 7 (December 9, 10, 16, and 17 2014)

b) Candor, fairness and loyalty to clients
(i) Confidentiality rule
(ii) Privileged communications
(iii) Conflict of interest
(iv) Candid and honest advice to clients
(v) Compliance with laws
(vi) Concurrent practice of another profession
Cases:
1. Cantelang vs. Medina
2. Mejia vs. Reyes
3. Sta. Maria vs. Tuason
4. Regala vs. Sandiganbayan
5. People vs. Sandiganbayan
6. Hilario vs. David
7. In Re: De La Rosa
8. Nombrado vs. Hernandez
9. San Jose vs. Cruz
10. Natan vs. Capule
11. Nakpil vs. Valdez, A.M. No. 2040
12. Castaeda vs. Ago
13. Gonzales vs. Sabacajan
14. Nestle Philippines vs. Sanchez
15. Hornilla v. Salunat
16. Northwestern University v. Arquillo
17. Quiambao v. Bamba
18. Heirs of Falame v. Baguio
19. Pacana v. Pascual-Lopez

91 SCRA 403
4 SCRA 648
11 SCRA 562
262 SCRA 125
275 SCRA 505
84 Phil. 571
27 Phil. 265
26 SCRA 13
57 Phil. 792
91 Phil. 640
04 March 1998
65 SCRA 507
249 SCRA 276
154 SCRA 543

c) Clients moneys and properties

(i) Fiduciary relationship
(ii) Commingling of funds
(iii) Delivery of funds
(iv) Borrowing or lending
Cases:
1. De Jesus vs. Hon. Tan
2. In Re: David

106 Phil. 560

84 Phil. 627

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3. Matute vs. Matute
4. Aro vs. Naawa
5. Licuanan v. Melo
6. Posidio v. Vitan
7. Lemoine v. Balon
8. Re: Atty. Maquera
9. Reddi v. Sersbio
10. De Chavez-Blanco v. Lumasag
11. Wilson Charm v. Patta-Moya
12. Jerry T. Wong v. Atty. Salvador N. Moya II

33 SCRA 35
27 SCRA 1090

d) Fidelity to clients cause

Case:
Rosacia vs. Bulalacao

248 SCRA 664

e) Zeal, competence and diligence

(i) Adequate protection
(ii) Negligence
(iii) Collaborating counsel
(iv) Duty to apprise client
(v) Use of fair and honest means
(vi) Clients fraud
(vii) Procedure in handling the case
Cases:
1. De Roy vs. CA
2. Bar Matter No. 850 (MCLE)
3. Mobil Oil vs. CFR of Rizal
4. Belandres vs. Lopez Sugar Central
5. Briones v. Jimenez
6. Pena v. Aparicio
7. Javellana vs. Lutero
8. Adarne vs. Aldaba
9. In Re: Filart
10. Villafuerte vs. Cortez, A.C. No. 3455
11. Alcala vs. De Vera
12. Bernardo vs. CA
13. Hernandez v. Go
14. PANELCO v. Montemayor
15. Sps. Adecer v. Akut
16. Belleza v. Macasa
17. Overgaard v. Valdez
18. Angalan v. Delante
19. Santon-Tan v. Robino
20. Somosot v. Lara

157 SCRA 757

08 August 2000
208 SCRA 523
97 Phil. 100
20 SCRA 717
83 SCRA 735
40 Phil. 205
14 April 1998
56 SCRA 30
275 SCRA 413

Week 8 and 9 (January 6, 7, 13, and 14 2015)

(subject to 1st mid-term examination schedule for the previous lessons)
g) Preservation of clients confidences
Cases:
1. Uy Chico vs. Union Life Assurance Society
2. People vs. Sy Juco
3. Regala v. Sandiganbayan

29 Phil. 163
64 Phil. 667

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4. Pfleider v. Palanca
5. Mercado v. Vitriolo
6. Genato v. Silapan
7. Hadjula v. Madianda
8. Rebecca J. Palm v. Atty. Felipe Iledan, Jr.
9. Lorenzana Food Corp. v. Doria

197 SCRA 428

h) Attorneys fees
(i) Acceptance fees
(ii) Contingency fee arrangements
(iii) Attorneys liens
(iv) Fees and controversies with clients
(v) Concepts of attorneys fees
Cases:
1. Reparations Commission vs. Visayan Packing
2. Agustin vs. CA
3. Perez vs. Scottish Union
4. Licudan vs. CA
5. Director of Lands vs. Ababa
6. Francisco vs. Matias
7. Fernandez vs. Hon. Bello
8. Intestate Estate of A. Dalisay vs. Marasigan
9. Amalgamated Laborers Assn. vs. CIR
10. Retuya vs. Gorduiz
11. Aldamiz vs. Judge, CFI, Mindoro
12. Sesbreno v. CA
13. Bautista v. Gonzales
14. Gamilla v. Marino
15. Pineda v. De Jesus
16. Roxas v. De Zuzuarregui
17. Law Firm of Tungol and Tibayan v. CA

193 SCRA 540

186 SCRA 375
76 Phil. 320
193 SCRA 293
88 SCRA 513
10 SCRA 101
107 Phil. 1140
257 SCRA 511
22 SCRA 1266
96 SCRA 529
85 Phil. 228

i) Withdrawal of services
Cases:
1. Mercado vs. Ubay
2. Albano vs. Coloma
3. Rinconada Telephone Company vs. Buenviaje
4. Tumbagahan vs. CA
5. Dauz vs. Fontanosa
6. Metropolitan Bank vs. CA
7. Inton vs. Matute
8. Wack Wack Gold and Country Club v. CA
9. Venterez v. Cosme
10. Santero v. Vance
11. Francisco v. Portugal
12. Doronila-Tioseco v. CA
13. Sesbreno v. CA

187 SCRA 720

21 SCRA 411
184 SCRA 701
165 SCRA 485
9 SCRA 14
181 SCRA 367
17 SCRA 1010

Week 10 and 11 (January 20, 21, 27, and 28, 2015)

C. Specific Problem Areas:
1. Suspension, disbarment and discipline of lawyers (Rule 139-B)
1. Gatchalian Promotions v. Naldoza

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2. Santos v. Llamas
3. Letter of Atty. Cecilio Arevalo
4. Vda. de Barrera v. Laput
5. Barrientos v. Daarol
6. Berbano v. Beltran
7. Tabas v. Malicden
8. Sesbreno v. CA
2. Advertising and Solicitation
Cases:
1. Bates vs. State Bar of Arizona
2. Ulep vs. Legal Clinic, Inc.
3. In Re: Tagorda
4. Director vs. Bayot

433 U.S. 350

223 SCRA 378
53 Phil. 37
74 Phil. 579

3. Attorney-Client Relationship
Concept of Retainer:
1. Hilado vs. David
2. Tumbagahan vs. CA
3. Donald Dee vs. CA and Amelito Mutuc

84 Phil. 569
165 SCRA 485
176 SCRA 651

Duty of Diligence:
1. Negros Stevedoring vs. CA
2. Erectors, Inc. vs. NLRC
3. Santiago vs. Fojas

162 SCRA 371

166 SCRA 728
248 SCRA 68

Structure and Determination of Fees:

1. Martinez vs. Banogon
2. Canlas vs. CA
3. Taganas vs. NLRC
4. Traders Royal Bank Employees vs. NLRC

7 SCRA 913
164 SCRA 160
248 SCRA 133
269 SCRA 733

Conflict of Interest:
1. Pasay Law and Conscience Union vs. Paz
2. Gesuden vs. Ferrer
3. Trinia vs. Ocampo
4. Donald Dee vs. CA and Amelito Mutuc

95 SCRA 24
128 SCRA 357
200 SCRA 472
176 SCRA 651

Purchase of Clients Property:

1. Sotto vs. Samson
2. Rubias vs. Battiler
3. Laig vs. Court of Appeals

5 SCRA 733
51 SCRA 120
86 SCRA 641

Confidentiality:
1. Regala vs. Sandiganbayan
2. Lorenzana Food Corp. vs. Doria

262 SCRA 122

197 SCRA 428

Week 12 and 13 (January 20, 21, 27, and 28, 2015)

4. Obligation to Courts
Candor and Fairness:
1. Komatsu Industries Inc. vs. Court of Appeals
2. In Re: 1989 Election of the IBP
3. Berenguer vs. Carranza

289 SCRA 604

178 SCRA 398
26 SCRA 673

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4. Muoz vs. People
5. Artiaga, Jr. vs. Villanueva
6. Occena vs. Marquez
7. Quasha vs. Juan
8. Surigao vs. Cloribel
9. Adez Realty, Inc. vs. CA

53 SCRA 190
163 SCRA 638
60 SCRA 38
118 SCRA 505
31 SCRA 673
215 SCRA 301

Seeing the Judge in Chambers:

1. Austria vs. Masaquil

20 SCRA 1247

Respect to the Court/Disciplinary Authority of the Court:

1. Zaldivar vs. Gonzales
166 SCRA 316
2. In Re: Ponciano B. Jacinto
159 SCRA 471
3. In Re: Almacen
31 SCRA 562
4. Rheem of the Philippines vs. Ferrer
20 SCRA 441
5. Montecillo vs. Gica
60 SCRA 234
6. Balaoing vs. Calderon
221 SCRA 533
7. Maceda vs. Abiera
233 SCRA 520
Publicity:
1. Martelino vs. Alejandro

32 SCRA 106

Discourage Litigation:
1. Castaeda vs. Ago
2. Cantilang vs. Medina
3. Salazar vs. Dee Castrodes

65 SCRA 505
91 SCRA 403
28 SCRA 299

Encourage Settlement:
1. Pajares vs. Abad Santos

30 SCRA 748

Avoid Dilatory Tactics:

1. Economic vs. Uy
2. Samar vs. Arnado
3. Mendoza vs. Duave
4. Sanchez vs. Brion
5. Millare vs. Montero

34 SCRA 744
24 SCRA 402
19 SCRA 363
249 SCRA 1
246 SCRA 1

5. Unlawful Schemes
1. Uy Cheng Seng
2. Puyat vs. De Guzman
3. Laxamana vs. CA

119 SCRA 111

113 SCRA 31
81 SCRA 48

6. Unlawful, Immoral, Deceitful Conduct:

1. Fernandez vs. Grecia
2. Roque s. Clemencio
3. Constantino vs. Saludares
4. FAR Corporation vs. IAC
5. Banogon vs. Zerna
6. Nadayag vs. Grageda
7. Libit vs. Oliva
8. Halili vs. CIR

223 SCRA 425

212 SCRA 618
228 SCRA 233
157 SCRA 698
154 SCRA 593
237 SCRA 202
237 SCRA 375
136 SCRA 112

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Week 14 and 15 (February 3, 4, 10, and 11, 2015)
(subject to 2nd mid-term examination schedule for the previous lessons)
D. Notarial Practice (A. M. No. 02-8-13-SC, as amended)
E. Judicial Ethics
Canon 1. Independence
1. Libarios v. Dablos
2. Go v. CA
3. Sabitsana v. Villamor
4. Tan v. Rosete
5. Dimatulac v. Villon
Canon 2. Integrity
1. Fernandez v. Hamoy
2. Dawa v. De Asa
3. In re judge Marcos
4. Lachica v. Flordeliza
5. Sibayan-Joaquin v. Javellana
6. Olga v. Judge Virgilio G. Caballero
Canon 3. Impartiality
1. Dimo Realty & Development v. Dimaculangan
2. Pimentel v. Salanga
3. Montemayor v. Bermejo, Jr.
4. Oktubre v. Velasco
5. Sandoval v. CA
6. The Law Firm of Chavez v. Justice Dicdican, etc.
Canon 4. Propriety
1. J. King & Sons v. Hontanosas
2. Centrum Agri Business Realty Corp v. Katalbas-Moscardon
3. Rizalina v. Judge Paulita B. Acosta-Villarante
4. Atty. Florencio Alay Binalay v. Judge Elias Lelina, Jr.
5. Concerned lawyers of Bulacan v. Presiding Judge Pornillos, RTC Malolos City
6. Venancio Ino, Anna Jane D. Lihaylihay, etc. Judge Alejandro Canda
7. In Re: Undated Letter of Louis Biraogo
Canon 5. Equality
Canon 6. Competence and diligence
1. Republic of the Philippines v. Judge Ramon S. Caguioa, etc.
2. Dee C. Chuan & Sons, Inc v. Judge William Simon P. Peralta
3. Prosecutor Jorge D. Baculi v. Judge Medel Arnaldo B. Belen
4. Danilo David S. Mariano v. Judge Jose P. Nacional
5. Atty. Antonio G. Caneda v. Judge Eric F. Menchavez
6. Nilda Verginesa-Suarez v. Judge Renato J. Dilag
Week 16, 17, and 18 (February 17, 25, and March 3 and 4, 2015)
(reserved for group project presentations and final examination schedule)