Liceo de Cagayan University
LICEO LAW
Basic and Judicial Ethics
1st Sem SY 2023-2024
Atty. Mia Baquiano – Prof.
13 September 2023 – Reading Assignment
Fortuna eruditis favet.
THE PRACTICE OF LAW
A. Who may practice law in the Philippines?
1. Rule 138, Sec. 1 of the Rules of Court (ROC)
2. Exceptions:
i. Sec. 34, Rule 138 of the ROC
a. Lapuz v Bernabe, 55 Phil. 621
b. Cantinubuan v Cruz, Jr., 126 SCRA 190
ii. Sec. 7, Rule 116
iii. Sec. 33, Rule 138
iv. Union Representatives
v. Rule 138-A
vi. Sec. 9, Act. 2259
a. Benjamin M. Dacanay, B.M. No. 1678, Dec. 17, 2007
B. Who are the public officials prohibited from engaging in the practice of law?
C. Who are the public officers who have restricted right to practice law?
D. Concept of a lawyer.
1. Nature of the office of a lawyer
i. Lee v Atty. Regino Tambago, A.C. No. 5280, Feb. 2008
ii. Ballesa v Atty. Alan Macas, A.C. No. 7815, July 2009
iii. Garrido v Attys. Angel Garrido and Romana P. Valencia, A.C. No. 6593
2. Other terms that refer to lawyers.
E. Requirements for a person to be admitted to the Philippine Bar.
F. May a Filipino lawyer who lost his citizenship still practice law in the Philippines?
1. Benjamin M. Dacanay, B.M. No. 1678, 2007
2. R.A. 9225 and the Filipino lawyer who reacquired citizenship
3. Steps that a Filipino lawyer must take before he/she can resume practice of law in
the Philippines
G. The requirement of good moral character
1. Sps. Olbes v Deciembre, A.C. No. 5635, 2005
2. In Re: SK, Ladera, Bar Matter 135, Jan. 29, 1987
H. The Lawyer’s Oath under the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability
I. The Power to Admit a Person to the Practice of Law
1. The nature and power to admit candidates to the legal profession
i. Zuzuareggui v Zuzuareggui, B.M. No 2796, 2020
2. Filipino citizens who studied in foreign law schools
J. Other topics:
1. The payment of IBP dues – Bongallonta vs Castillo, 240 SCRA 310, 1995
2. Additional cases in the topic “What constitutes practice of law”
i. Lingan v Calubaquib, A.C. No. 5377
ii. Ulep v The Legal Clinic, Inc., 223 SCRA 378, 1993
iii. PCGG v SB, et. Al. G.R. No. 151809, 2005
iv. Prieto v Corpuz, A.C. No. 6517, 2006
v. Manzano v Atty. Santiago Soriano, A.C. No. 8051, 2009
vi. Palencia v Atty. Pedro Linsangan, A.C. No. 10557, 2018
vii. Abella v. Barrios, Jr., A.C. No. 7332, 2013
viii. Tenoso v. Atty. Echavez, A.C. No. 8384, 2013
ix. Yap v Atty. Grace Berri, A.C. No. 11156, 2018
3. Advertisements
i. Director of Religious Affairs v Bayot
4. The Notary Public
i. Tenoso v. Atty. Echavez, A.C. No. 8384, 2013
5. Deceitful Conduct
i. Plus Builders, Inc. vs Revilla, Jr. 533 Phil. 250
ii. Sonic Steel Industries, Inc. v Atty Chua, A.C. No. 6942, 2013
K. What is a paralegal?
1. Duty and obligation of paralegals
2. Tasks that cannot be delegated to a paralegal
L. Counterclaims against the lawyer of a plaintiff
1. Chavez vs Sandiganbayan, 193 SCRA 282, Jan. 1991
M. The Law Student Practice Rule
1. Conditions for law student practice rule
2. Appearance in court
3. Applicability of the attorney-client privilege
4. The CLEP requirement