Basic Legal Ethics Syllabus
Justice Romulo V. Borja
S.Y. 2018-19, 2nd Sem
Lecture I
Reading Assignments:
 1987 Constitution, Article VIII, Section 5(5)
 1973 Constitution, Article X, Section 5(5)
 Rule 138 of the Rules of Court, Sections 1
– 19
 Rule 139-A of the Rules of Court
 Lawyer’s Oath
Cases:
1. In re Cunanan, 94 Phil 554
2. In Authority to Continue Use of Law Firm
Name 92 SCRA 1
3. Soriano v. Dizon, AC No 792, 01/25/2006
4. Cayetano v. Monsod, 201 SCRA 210
5. In re Carlos Basa 12/01/1920
6. Zari v. Flores, AM No (2170-MC) P-1356,
11/21/1979
7. In re Integration of the Philippine Bar, 49
SCRA 22
Lecture II: INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL ETHICS
PROPER
In Agpalo, Chapter 1, Secs. 1.04, 1.05, 1.06, 1.07,
1.08, 1.13
 Nature of Legal Profession
 Privileges and Duties, in general
 Sources of Ethical Rules
o Lawyer’s Oath
o Rules of Court, Rule 138, Secs. 20,
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 31, 32, 33,
34, 35, 36, 37
o Code of Professional Responsibility
o Canons of Professional Ethics
 Ways of Organizing Ethical Rules
 Responsibility, (Canons 7 to 9) as your key,
Lecture III: DUTY TO SOCIETY
In Agpalo, Chapter III, pp. 71-99.
Reading Assignments:
 Lawyer’s Oath: Maintain allegiance to the
Republic, etc.
 Rule 138, Sections 20, 27, and 31
 Code of Professional Responsibility (CPR),
Chapter 1, Canons 1 to 6.
 Code of Professional Ethics
Using Chapter 1 (The Lawyer and Society) of the
Code of Professional Responsibility, (Canons 1 to
6) as your key, prepare a “Concordance” of the
other ethics rules found in the “Lawyer’s Oath and
Rule 138, Sections 20, 27 and 31, of the Rules of
Court.
Cases:
1. Lee v. Tambago, AC 5281, 2/12/08
2. Dimatulac v. Villon, 297 SCRA 679 (1998)
3. People v. Madera 57 SCRA 349 (1974)
4. Tan v. Gallardo, 73 SCRA 306 (1974)
5. PCGG v. Sandiganbayan and Mendoza,
G.R. No. 151800-12, 4/12/05)
6. Santos v. Arrojado, AC 8502, 6/27/18
7. Maleclan v. Baldo, AC 12121, 6/27/18
8. Gubatan v. Amador, AC 8962, 7/2/18
9. Ortigas Plaza Development Corp. v.
Tumulak, AC 11385, 3/14/17
10. Paras v. Paras, AC 7348, 9/27/16
11. Cruz v. Lim, AC11380, 8/16/16
12. Aca v. Salvado, AC10952, 1/26/16
13. Nulada v. Paulma, AC 8172, 4/12/16
14. Bacatan v. Dadula, AC10565, 9/7/16
15. Mercullo v. Ramon, AC 11078, 7/19/16
16. Cobalt Resources, Inc. v. Aguado, AC
10781, 4/12/16
17. Advincula v. Advincula, AC 9226, 6/14/16
Lecture IV: DUTY TO THE LEGAL
PROFESSION
In Agpalo, Chapter IV, pp. 100 - 141.
Reading Assigments:
 Lawyer’s Oath *
 Rule 138 *
 Code of Professional Responsibility (CPR),
Chapter II, Canons 7 to 9.
 Code of Professional Ethics *
* Using Chapter II (“The Lawyer and the Legal
Profession”) of the Code of Professional
prepare a “Concordance” of the other pertinent
ethics rules found in the “Lawyer’s Oath, Rule 138,
Sections 20, 27 and 31, of the Rules of Court.
Cases:
1. Gubatan v. Amador, AC 8963, 7/2/18
2. Fabugais v. Faundo, AC 10145, 6/11/18
3. Arcega v. Maniwang, 106 SCRA 591
(1981)
4. Santiago v. Santiago, AC 3921, 6/11/18
5. Yap v. Buri, AC 11156, 3/19/18
6. Gonzales v. Santos, AC 10178, 6/19/18
7. Lim v. Rivera, AC 12156, 6/20/18
8. Palencia v. Linsangan, AC 11724, 7/10/18
9. Washington v. Dicen, AC 12137, 7/9/18
10. Ulep v. Legal Clinic, 223 SCRA 378 (1993)
11. Domingo v. Revilla, AC 5473, 1/23/18
1
Basic Legal Ethics Syllabus
Justice Romulo V. Borja
S.Y. 2018-19, 2nd Sem

12. In re: Integration of the Bar, 49 SCRA 22

(1973)
13. In re: 1989 Election of the Integrated Bar,
178 SCRA 398
14. Tabuzo v. Gomos, AC 12005, 7/23/18

Lecture V: DUTY TO THE COURTS

In Agpalo, Chapter V, pp. 142-181.

Reading Assignments:
 Lawyer’s Oath *
 Rule 138 *
 Code of Professional Responsibility (CPR),
Chapter III, Canons 10 to 13.
 Code of Professional Ethics *

* Using Chapter III (“The Lawyer and the Legal

Profession”) of the Code of Professional
Responsibility, (Canons 10 to 13) as your key,
prepare a “Concordance” of the other pertinent
ethics rules found in the “Lawyer’s Oath, Rule 138
of the Rules of Court.

Cases:
1. Salcedo v. Hernandez, G.R. No. L-42992,
8/8/35
2. Cobb-Perez v. Lantin, G.R. No. L-22320,
7/29/68
3. Zaldivar v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No.
79690-707, 10/7/88
4. City Sheriff of Iligan City v. Fortunate, G.R.
No. 80390. 3/27/98
5. In re Almacen, G.R. No. L-27654, 2/18/70
6. Tolentino v. So and Ancheta, AC 6387,
7/19/16
7. Fajardo v. Alvarez, AC 9018, 4/20/16
8. Office of the Court Administrator v. Yu, AM
No. MTJ-12-1813, 11/22/16
9. Pantanosas v. Pamatong, AC 7330,
6/14/16
10. Complaint of Atty. Pefianco against
Justices Simpio-Dy, Ramon Hernando,
and Carmelita Manahan, IPI 14-222-CA-J,
2/23/16
11. Avida Land Corp. v. Argosino, AC 7437,
8/17/16
12. Pasok v. Court of Appeals, G.R. 203779,
4/26/17
13. Alpajora v. Calayan, AC 8208, 1/10/18
14. In re Mallari v. GSIS and Provincial Sheriff,
AC 1111, 1/10/18