Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability

April 11, 2023

EN BANC

A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

NOTICE

Sirs/Mesdames :

Please take notice that the Court en banc issued a Resolution dated APRIL 11, 2023, which reads as follows:

"A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5 (5), Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution, the Supreme Court is vested with the power to promulgate rules concerning the pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts, the admission to the practice of law, the Integrated Bar, and legal assistance to the underprivileged;

WHEREAS, it has been more than three decades since the Code of Professional Responsibility, which establishes the norms of conduct and ethical standards in the legal profession, was promulgated on June 21, 1988;

WHEREAS, the Code of Professional Responsibility, as promulgated, reflected the then prevailing trends, views and attitudes regarding the practice of law, while the role of modern-day lawyers has expanded and shifted from advocates to peacemakers, from solicitors to specialists, and from counterparts to collaborators;

WHEREAS, there have been significant developments in our laws and socio-economic life as a people, as well as the rapid technological advancements around the world which have shaped the way lawyers interact with society, the legal profession, the courts, and their clients; HTcADC

WHEREAS, considering the present direction and thrust of the Court towards strengthening a technology-driven judiciary through digitization and automation of its court processes, as well as a parallel transformation of its human resources, the use of technology in the legal profession draws attention to its wider and underlying ethical considerations;

WHEREAS, there is a timely and bona fide need to revise the Code of Professional Responsibility to take into account these role changes, recent developments and technological trends which impact the experience and behavior of members of the Philippine Bar mostly through social media and the internet;

WHEREAS, the Court, through the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) 2022-2027, identified the revision of the Code of Professional Responsibility as a component of its campaign for ethical responsibility under the Outcome of Efficiency; CAIHTE

WHEREAS, through Memorandum Order No. 111-2021, dated November 22, 2021, as amended by Memorandum Order No. 99-2022, dated July 1, 2022, the Sub-Committee for the Revision of the Code of Professional Responsibility was reorganized to review the Code. The Sub-Committee is composed of the following:

 

Chairperson:	Hon. Amy C. Lazaro-Javier Associate Justice, Supreme Court
Vice-Chairpersons:	Hon. Samuel H. Gaerlan Associate Justice, Supreme Court
	Hon. Maria Filomena D. Singh Associate Justice, Supreme Court
Members:	Hon. Geraldine C. Fiel-Macaraig Associate Justice, Court of Appeals
	Hon. Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan
	Hon. Josefe C. Sorrera-Ty Commissioner, Legal Education Board
	Hon. Caridad M. Walse-Lutero Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court, Branch 223, Quezon City
	Hon. James T. Sy Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court, Branch 49, Manila
	Hon. Jackie B. Crisologo-Saguisag Presiding Judge, Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 67, Makati City
	Atty. Avelino V. Sales, Jr. National Director for Bar Discipline
	Dean Tranquil Gervacio S. Salvador III Representative, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Quezon City Chapter
	Dean Ma. Soledad Deriquito-Mawis Chairperson, Philippine Association of Law Schools
	Atty. Fina Bernadette dela Cuesta-Tantuico Past President and Adviser, Philippine Bar Association
	Dean Joan S. Largo Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of San Carlos
	Atty. Antonio Ceasar R. Manila Office of the Chief Justice
Secretariat:	Atty. Marchellene B. Caday-Atitiw Atty. Lloyd Danielle V. Javier Secretaries Office of Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier
	Atty. Cheska Ann M. Pazziuagan Atty. Emerson M. Anit Assistant Secretaries Office of Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan
	Atty. Mcgyver L. Doria Atty. Irish Jhade G. Alimpolos Atty. Mark Darryl P. Buemio Atty. Samantha Grace M. Alban Assistant Secretaries Office of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh
	Atty. Mell Christopher G. Lantion Assistant Secretary Office of Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta
Stenographer:	Ms. Maria Lourdes M. Reyes Office of the Clerk of Court, Supreme Court En Banc
Administrative support:	Atty. Mae M. Bautista Office of the Chief Justice
	Ms. Maria Lourdes A. Banal Office of the Clerk of Court, Supreme Court En Banc

 

WHEREAS, the Sub-Committee conducted a series of information and consultation campaigns called the Ethics Caravan throughout the country, to gather suggestions and comments from relevant stakeholders, including Justices, judges, court personnel, government lawyers, private practitioners, the academe, the private sector, civil society organizations, and law students; aScITE

WHEREAS, the Court expresses its gratitude to the University of San Carlos, the University of Mindanao, the University of Nueva Caceres, St. Louis University, and the University of Santo Tomas for hosting the said Ethics Caravan;

NOW, THEREFORE, acting on the recommendation of the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairpersons of the Sub-Committee for the Revision of the Code of Professional Responsibility, the Court resolves to APPROVE"the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability."

The Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability shall take effect fifteen (15) calendar days after its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation. DETACa

(SGD.) ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDOChief Justice

(SGD.) MARVIC M.V.F. LEONENSenior Associate Justice

(SGD.) ALFREDO BENJAMIN S. CAGUIOAAssociate Justice

(SGD.) RAMON PAUL L. HERNANDOAssociate Justice

(SGD.) AMY C. LAZARO-JAVIERAssociate Justice

(SGD.) HENRI JEAN PAUL B. INTINGAssociate Justice

(SGD.) RODIL V. ZALAMEDAAssociate Justice

(SGD.) MARIO V. LOPEZAssociate Justice

(SGD.) SAMUEL H. GAERLANAssociate Justice

(SGD.) RICARDO R. ROSARIOAssociate Justice

(SGD.) JHOSEP Y. LOPEZAssociate Justice

(SGD.) JAPAR B. DIMAAMPAOAssociate Justice

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZAssociate Justice

(SGD.) ANTONIO T. KHO, JR.Associate Justice

(SGD.) MARIA FILOMENA D. SINGHAssociate Justice

ATTACHMENT

Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability.

Published in the Manila Bulletin on May 14, 2023.