LEGAL ETHICS

Course Outline (2nd Draft; as of Oct. 2, 2008)

Under Professor Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III

I. INTRODUCTION

(1) Importance of the Legal Profession

 Art. III, 1987 Constitution
 Telan v Court of Appeals, 202 SCRA 534
(2) What Constitutes the Practice of Law
 Cayetano v Monsod, Sept. 3, 1991
 Phil. Lawyers Assn. v Agrava, 105 Phil 173
 Atty. Ismael G. Khan, Jr. v Atty. Rizalino T. Simbillo, AC No.
5299, Aug. 10, 2002
 In re Integration of the Philippine Bar, 49 SCRA 22
 Rule 139-A, Rules of Court
(3) Regulation of the Legal Profession
 Sec. 5[5], Art. VIII, 1987 Constitution
 Rule 138, Rules of Court
 Zaldivar v Gonzales (look for citation)
 In re Cunanan, 94 Phil 554
 Echegaray v Sec. of Justice (look for citation)
(4) Definition of Legal Ethics
 Director of Lands v Ababa, 88 SCRA 513
(5) Purpose of the Code of Professional Responsibility
(6) The Lawyer’s Oath (must be memorized)
(7) Concept of Good Moral Character
 Royong v Oblena, 7 SCRA 859
 Cordon v Balicanta, AC No. 2797, Oct. 4, 2002
 Narag v Narag, 291 SCRA 451
 Ui v Bonifacio, 333 SCRA 38
 Dantes v Dantes, AC No. 6486, Sept. 22, 2004
 Tan v Sabandal, Bar Matter No. 44, Feb. 24, 1992
 Tapucar v Tapucar, AC No. 4148, June 30, 1998

II. CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (ALL 22 CANONS MUST

BE MEMORIZED)

(1) CANON 1
 Rule 1.01

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  Spouses Yu v Atty. Palaña, July 14, 2008
 Samala v Atty. Palaña, AC No. 6395, April 15, 2005
 Spouses Amador v Atty. Palaña, AC No. 7434, April 15,
2005
 Guevara v Atty. Eala, AC no. 7136, Aug. 1, 2007
 Advincula v Atty. Macabata, AC No. 7204, March 7,
2007
 Heirs of the Late Spouses Lucas v Atty. Beradio, AC
No. 6270, Jan. 22, 2007
 Samala v Atty. Valencia, AC No. 5439, Jan. 22, 2007
 St. Louis University High School Faculty and Staff v
Atty. dela Cruz, AC No. 6010, Aug. 28, 2006
 Donton v Atty. Tansingco, AC No. 6057, June 27, 2006
 Ronquillo v Atty. Chavez, AC No. 6288, June 16, 2006
 Tomlin v Atty. Moya, AC No. 6971, Feb. 23, 2006
 Soriano v Atty. Dizon, AC No. 6792, Jan. 25, 2006
 Po Cham v Atty. Pizarro, AC No. 5499, August 16,
2005
 Castillo vda. de Mijares v Villaluz, AC No. 4431, June
19, 1997
 Tolosa v Cargo, AC No. 2385, March 8, 1989
 Quingwa v Puno, 19 SCRA 439, Feb. 28, 1967
o Unlawful Conduct
 Articles 1491, 1492, 1646, and 1409 par. (7), New Civil
Code
 Hernandez v Villanueva, 40 Phil. 775
 Beltran v Fernandez, 40 O. G., p. 84
 In re: Atty. Ruste, 40 O. G., p. 78
 Rural Bank of Silay v Pilla, 350 SCRA 28
 Calub v Suller, 323 SCRA 556
 Orbe v Adaza, AC No. 5252, May 20, 2004
 Emilio Grande v Atty. Evangeline de Silva, AC No.
4838, July 29, 2003
o Notarial Malpractice
 Zoleta v Simpliciano, AC No. 6492 (2004)
 Alintag v Garcia, 172 SCRA 162
 Vda. de Ramos v Ramos, 382 SCRA 498
 Fulgencio v Martin, AC No. 3223 (2003)
 Gerona v Hatingaling, AC No. 4801 (2003)
 Nadayag v Grageda, AC No. 3232, Sept. 27, 1994
 Villarin v Sabate, AC No. 3324, Feb. 9, 2000
 Flores v Chua, AC No. 4500, April 30, 1999

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  Imson-Souweha v Rondez, AC No. 3961, Sept. 18,
1997
 Nunga v Viray, AC No. 4758, April 30, 1999
o Immoral Conduct
 Paras v Paras, 343 SCRA 414
 Ui v Bonifacio, 333 SCRA 38
 Tapucar v Tapucar, 293 SCRA 331
 Narag v Narag, 291 SCRA 451
o Deceit
 Cordon v Balicanta, AC No. 2797, Oct. 4, 2002
 Rayos-Ombac v Rayos, 265 SCRA 83
 De los Reyes v Aznar, 19 SCRA 753
o Scandalous Conduct / Misconduct
 Rau Sheng Mo v Atty. Velasco, AC No. 4881, Oct. 6,
2003
 Lizaso v Amante, AC No. 2019, June 3, 1991
 Toledo v Abalos, AC No. 5141, Sept. 29, 1999
 Co v Bernardino, AC No. 3919, Jan. 28, 1998
 Sebastian v Calis, AC No. 5118, Sept. 9, 1999
 Rule 1.04
 Castañeda v Ago, July 30, 1975
 De Ysasi v NLRC, March 11, 1994
(2) CANON 2
 Rule 2.01
 Canoy v Atty. Ortiz, 453 SCRA 410
(3) CANON 3
 Ulep v The Legal Clinic, Bar Matter No. 553, June 17,
1993
 Rule 3.01
 San Jose Homeowners Assn. v Romanillos, AC No.
5580, June 18, 2005
o Use only True Information
 Atty. Ismael G. Khan, Jr. v Atty. Rizalino T. Simbillo,
AC No. 5299, Aug. 10, 2002
 Rule 3.02
 Dacanay v Baker & McKenzie, AC No. 2131, May 10,
1985
 Rule 3.03
 Art. 6, Sec. 14, 1987 Constitution
 Art. 7, Sec. 13, 1987 Constitution
 Art. 9, Sec. 2, 1987 Constitution

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  RA 6713, Sec. 7 (b)
(4) CANON 4
 Pursuit of Justice
 Dimatulac v Villon, 297 SCRA 679
(5) CANON 5
 Dulalia v Atty. Pablo Cruz, AC No. 6854, April 7, 2007
 Spouses Williams v Atty. Enriquez, AC No. 6352, Feb.
27, 2006
(6) CANON 6
 Pimentel v Llorente, AC No. 4680, August 29, 2000
 Rule 6.01
 Suarez v Platon, 69 Phil. 556 (1940)
 Rule 6.02
 Ramos v Atty. Imbang, AC No. 6788, Aug. 23, 2007
 Lim-Santiago v Atty. Sagucio, AC No. 6705, March 31,
2006
 Huyssen v Atty. Gutierrez, AC No. 6707, March 24,
2006
 Misamin v San Juan, AC No. 1418, Aug. 31, 1976
o Government Lawyers
 Dinsay v Cioco, 264 SCRA 703
 Rule 6.03
 PCGG v Sandiganbayan, 455 SCRA 526
 RA 6713, Sec. 7 (b)
(7) CANON 7
 Re: 1989 Elections of the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines, Bar Matter No. 491, Oct. 6, 1989
 Petition for Leave to Resume Practice of Law,
Benjamin Dacanay, Petitioner, AC No. 1678, Dec. 17,
2007
 Tiong Bio v Atty. Gonzales, AC No. 6634, Aug. 23,
2007
 Letter of Atty. Cecilio Arevalo Jr., BM 1370, May 9,
2005, 458 SCRA 209
 Rule 7.01
 Leda v Tabang, AC No. 2505, Feb. 21, 1992
 Rule 7.03
 Tan v Sabandal, Bar Matter No. 44, Feb. 24, 1992
 Tapucar v Tapucar, AC No. 4148, June 30, 1998
(8) CANON 8
 Yap-Paras v Atty. Paras, AC No. 4947, June 7, 2007
o Courtesy to Fellow Lawyers

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  Atty. Ramon P. Reyes v Atty. Victorino Chiong, AC No.
5148, July 3, 2003
 Likong v Atty. Lim, AC No. 3149, Aug. 17, 1994
 Camacho v Pagulayan, 325 SCRA 636
 Rule 8.02
 Dallong-Galicinao v Castro, 474 SCRA 1
 Garcia v Atty. Lopez, AC No. 6422, Aug. 28, 2007
 In re Clemente Soriano, June 30, 1970
(9) CANON 9
 Alawi v Alauya, AM SDC-97-2-P, Feb. 24, 1997
 Rule 9.02
 Five J Taxi v NLRC, Aug. 22, 1994
(10) CANON 10
 Rule 10.01
 Samala v Valencia, AC No. 5439, Jan. 22, 2007
 Maligaya v Atty. Doronilla, AC No. 6198, Sept. 15,
2006
 Fulgencio v Martin, AC No. 3223, May 29, 2003
 Bongalonta v Castillo, CBD Case No. 176, Jan. 20,
1995
 Libit v Oliva, AC No. 2837, Oct. 7, 1994
 Santos v Paguio, AM No. MTJ-93-781, Nov. 16, 1993
o Honesty
 Walter T. Young v Cesar G. Batuegas, AC No. 5379,
July 4, 2002
 Rule 10.02
 Insular Life Assurance Co. Employees Assn. v Insular
Life Assurance Co., Jan. 30, 1971
 Comelec v Noynay, July 9, 1998
 Adez Realty v CA, Oct. 30, 1992
 Rule 10.03
 Cobb-Perez v Lantin, July 29, 1968
 Rule 138, Sec. 20
(11) CANON 11
 In re Sotto, 82 Phil. 595 (1949)
 Rheem of the Phil. Inc. v Ferrer, 20 SCRA 441, June
26, 1967
 Solatan v Inocentes, AC No. 6504, 466 SCRA 1, Aug.
9, 2005
 Guerrero v Villamor, Nov. 13, 1989
 Rule 11.01

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  RE: Suspension of Atty. Rogelio Bagabuyo, Former
State Prosecutor, AC No. 7006, Oct. 9, 2007
 Ng v Atty. Alar, AC No. 7252, Nov. 22, 2006
 Judge Lacurom v Atty. Jacoba, AC No. 5921, March 10,
2006
 RE: Letter dated 21 Feb. 2005 of Atty. Noel Sorreda,
464 SCRA 32
 Rule 11.03
 Fernandez v Bello, 107 Phil 1140 (1960)
 Sangalang v IAC, Aug. 30, 1989
 Rule 11.04
 Go v Abrogar, GR No. 145213, March 28, 2006
 Penticostes v Hidalgo, AM No. RTJ-89-331, Sept. 28,
1990
 Mocles v Maravilla, AM No. MTJ-93-873, Dec. 14,
1994
 Wicker v Arcangel, Jan. 29, 1996
 Rule 11.05
 Art. 8, Sec. 6, 1987 Constitution
 Re: Suspension of Atty. Rogelio Bagabuyo, Former
State Prosecutor, AC No. 7006, Oct. 9, 2007
 Maceda v Vasquez, April 22, 1993
(12) CANON 12
 Art. 3, Sec. 16, 1987 Constitution
 Rule 12.02
o Multiple Suit
 Olivares v Atty. Villalon, AC No. 6323, April 13, 2007
 Benguet Electric Cooperative v Flores, 287 SCRA 449
 Millare v Montero, 246 SCRA 1
 Rule 12.04
 Sambajon v Atty. Suing, AC No. 7062, Sept. 26, 2006
 Plus Builders Inc. v Atty. Revilla, AC No. 7056, Sept.
13, 2006
 Benguet Electric Coop. v Flores, AC No. 4058, March
12, 1998
 Garcia v Francisco, AC No. 3923, March 30, 1993
 Aguinaldo v Aguinaldo, Nov. 26, 1970
 Economic Insurance Co. v Uy Realty Co., Aug. 31,
1970
 Rule 12.08
 PNB v Uy Teng Piao, 57 Phil. 337 (1932)
(13) CANON 13

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 o Rely only on Merits
 Felicitas Bernardo v Atty. Wenceslao Barcelona, AC
No. 6084, Sept. 3, 2003
 Nestle Phil. v Sanchez, Sept. 30, 1987
 Rule 13.01
 Lantoria v Bunyi, AC No. 1769, June 8, 1992
 Rule 13.02
 Cruz v Salva, 105 Phil. 1151 (1959)
 In re Almacen, Feb. 18, 1970
 Rule 13.03
 Maglasang v People, Oct. 4, 1990
(14) CANON 14
o Counsel de oficio
 Rule 138, Sec. 31
 Rule 116, Secs. 6 and 7
 Rule 124, Sec. 2
o Amicus Curiae
 Rule 138, Sec. 36
(15) CANON 15
o Candor and Loyalty / Conflict of Interest
 Frias v Lozada, AC No. 6656, 477 SCRA 393, March
23, 1984
 Santua v Beltran, AC No. 5858, Dec. 11, 2003
 Artezuela v Maderazo, AC No. 4354, Dec. 11, 2003
 Bornilla v Salunat, AC No. 5804, July 1, 2003
 Gesuden v Ferrer, AC No. 1806, 128 SCRA 357, March
23, 1984
 Bautista v Barrios, 9 SCRA 695, Dec. 21, 1963
 In re de la Rosa, 27 Phil. 259 (1914)
 Rule 15.01
 Abaqueta v Florido, AC No. 5948, 395 SCRA 596, Jan.
23, 2003
 Rosacia v Bulalacao, AC No. 3745, 248 SCRA 664,
Oct. 2, 1995
 Nakpil v Valdes, AC No. 2040, 286 SCRA 758, March
4, 1998
 De Guzman v De Dios, AC No. 4943, 350 SCRA 320,
Jan. 26, 2001
 Hornilla v Ricafort, AC No. 5804, 405 SCRA 220, July
1, 2003
 Lorenzana Food Corporation v Daria, AC No. 2736,
197 SCRA 428, May 27, 1991

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 o Reasonable Probability Standard
o Substantial Relationship Standard
 Rule 15.02
 Art. 209, Revised Penal Code
o Attorney – Client Relationship
 Dee v CA, Aug. 24, 1989
 Villafuerte v Cortez, AC No. 3455, April 14, 1998
 PNB v Cedo, AC No. 3701, March 28, 1995
 Rule 15.03
 Lim v Atty. Villarosa, AC No. 5303, June 15, 2006
 Perez v Atty. dela Torre, AC No. 6160, March 30, 2006
 Gonzales v Atty. Cabucana, AC No. 6836, Jan. 23, 2006
 Northwestern University v Arquillo, AC No. 6632, Aug.
2, 2005
 Maturan v Gonzales, AC No. 2597, March 12, 1998
 Nakpil v Valdes, AC No. 2040, 286 SCRA 758, March
4, 1998
 Rosacia v Bulalacao, AC No. 3745, 248 SCRA 664,
Oct. 2, 1995
 Dee v CA, Aug. 24, 1989
 Rule 15.05
 Rule 7, Sec. 3
 Gillego v Diaz, May 29, 1971
 Rule 15.08
 Nakpil v Valdes, AC No. 2040, 286 SCRA 758, March
4, 1998
(16) CANON 16
o Funds / Money Matters
 Arroyo-Posido v Atty. Vitan, AC No. 6051, April 2,
2007
 Small v Atty. Banares, AC No. 7021, Feb. 21, 2007
 Adrimisin v Atty. Javier, AC No. 2591, Sept. 8, 2006
 Almendarez v Atty. Langit, AC No. 7057, July 25, 2006
 Dayan Sta. Ana Christian Neighborhood Assn. v Atty.
Espiritu, AC No. 5542, July 20, 2006
 Cruz v Jacinto, 328 SCRA 636
 Marquez v Meneses, 321 SCRA 1
 Lemoine v Atty. Balon, AC No. 5829, Oct. 28, 2003
 Ordonio v Eduarte, AM No. 3216, March 16, 1992
 In re: Atty. Melchor E. Ruste, 70 Phil. 243 (1940)
 Rule 16.01

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  Rivera v Angeles, AC No. 2519, Aug. 29, 2000
 Cunanan v Rimorin, AC No. 5315, Aug. 23, 2000
 Licuanan v Melo, AC No. 2361, Feb. 9, 1989
 Rule 16.03
 Tan v Atty. Balon, AC No. 6483, Aug. 31, 2007
 Businos v Ricafort, AC No. 4349, Dec. 22, 1997
o Lawyer’s Lien
 Quilban v Robinol, AC No. 2144, April 10, 1989
 Rule 16.04
o Champertous Contract v Contingent Fee Contract
o Contingent Fees
 Recto v Harden, 100 Phil. 427
 Ulanday v Manila Railroad Co., 45 Phil. 540
 Tanhueco v De Dumo, AC No. 1437, April 25, 1989
(17) CANON 17
 Hernandez v Go, 450 SCRA 1
 Cantiller v Potenciano, AC No. 3195, Dec. 18, 1989
o Fidelity to Client / Negligence
 Katrina Joaquin Cariño v Atty. Arturo de los Reyes, AC
No. 4982, Aug. 9, 2001
 Reontoy v Ibadlit, 283 SCRA 88
(18) CANON 18
 Solatan v Inocentes, 466 SCRA 1
 Spouses Garcia v Atty. Bala, AC No. 5039, Nov. 25,
2005
 Rule 18.03
 Villaflores v Atty. Limos, AC No. 7504, Nov. 23, 2007
 Panelco v Atty. Montemayor, AC No. 5739, Sept. 17,
2007
 Balabat v Atty. Sanchez, AC No. 1666, April 13, 2007
 Vda. de Enriquez v Atty. San Jose, AC No. 3569, Feb.
23, 2007
 Spouses Soriano v Atty. Reyes, AC No. 4676, May 4,
2006
 Spouses Adecer v Atty. Akut, AC No. 4809, May 3,
2006
 Reyes v Vitan, 456 SCRA 87, April 15, 2005
 PCGG v Sandiganbayan, 455 SCRA 526, April 12,
2005
 Anderson v Cardeño, 448 SCRA 261, Jan. 17, 2005
 Amil v CA, Oct. 7, 1999
 Aromin v Boncavil, AC No. 5135, Sept. 22, 1999

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  Reontoy v Ibadlit, AC CBD No. 190, Jan. 28, 1998
 Provident Insurance Corp. v CA, Oct. 27, 1994
 Suarez v CA, March 22, 1993
 Mariveles v Mallari, AM No. 3294, Feb. 17, 1993
 Legarda v CA, June 10, 1992
 People v Ingco, Oct. 29, 1971
 Adaza v Barinaga, AC No. 1604, 104 SCRA 684, May
29, 1981
 Rule 18.04
 Atty. Augusto Navarro v Atty. Rosendo Meneses, CBD
AC No. 313, Jan. 30, 1998
 Blanza v Arcangel, AC No. 492, Sept. 5, 1967
(19) CANON 19
 Rule 19.01
 Rule 138, Sec. 20
 Peña v Atty. Aparicio, AC No. 7298, June 25, 2007
 Atty. Briones v Atty. Jimenez, AC No. 6691, April 27,
2007
 Rule 19.02
 Rule 138, Sec. 26
 Sebastian v Atty. Bajar, AC No. 3731, Sept. 7, 2007
 Dalisay v Atty. Mauricio, AC No. 5655, Jan. 23, 2006
 Rule 19.03
 Rule 138, Sec. 23
 Cosmos Foundry Shop Workers Union v Lo Bu, March
25, 1975
(20) CANON 20
 Rule 138, Sec. 24
 Rule 138, Sec. 32
 Tanhueco v De Dumo, AC No. 1437, April 25, 1989
 Pineda v Atty. de Jesus, GR No. 155224, Aug. 21, 2007
 Lijuaco v Atty. Terrado, AC No. 6317, Aug. 31, 2006
 Roxas v de Zuzuarregui, AC No. ____, Jan. 31, 2006
 Cueto v Atty. Jimenez, AC No. 5798, Jan. 20, 2005
 Albano v Coloma, AC No. 528, Oct. 11, 1967
 Corpuz v CA, June 30, 1980
 Mendoza-Parker v CA, March 11, 1994
o Concept of Attorney’s Fees
 Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. v CA, Jan. 23, 1990
 Traders Royal Bank Employees Union-Independent v
NLRC, March 14, 1997

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  Quirante v IAC, Jan. 31, 1989
o Concept of Charging Lien
 Cadalin v POEA, Dec. 5, 1994
o Quantum Meruit
o Retaining Fee
 Research and Services Realty Inc. v CA, Jan. 27, 1997
(21) CANON 21
 Regala v Sandiganbayan, Sept. 20, 1996
 Hadjula v Atty. Madianda, AC No. 6711, July 3, 2007
 Yao v Atty. Aurelio, AC No. 7023, March 30, 2006
 Mercado v Atty. Vitriolo, AC No. 5108, May 26, 2005
 Rosacia v Bulalacao, AC No. 3745, Oct. 2, 1995
 Hilado v David, 84 Phil. 569 (1949)
 Salonga v Hildawa, AC No. 5105, Aug. 12, 1999
 Uy Chico v Union Life, 29 Phil. 163 (1915)
(22) CANON 22
 Venterez v Atty. Cosme, AC No. 7421, Oct. 10, 2007
 Francisco v Atty. Portugal, AC No. 6155, March 14,
2006
 Arambulo v Ca, Sept. 17, 1993
 Nacuray v NLRC, March 18, 1997
 Orcino v Gaspar, Sept. 24, 1997
 Municipality of Pililia, Rizal v CA, June 28, 1994
 Laput v Ramotigue, AC No. 219, Sept. 29, 1962
o Concept of Retaining Lien
 Tanhueco v De Dumo, AC No. 1437, April 25, 1989

III. CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT

 RE: LETTER OF PRESIDING JUSTICE CONRADO

M. VASQUEZ, JR. ON CA-G.R. SP NO. 103692
[Antonio Rosete, et al. v. Securities and Exchange
Commission, et al.], A. M. No. 08-8-11-CA, Sept. 9,
2008
 Candia v Tagabucha, AC No. 561-MJ, 79 SCRA 51,
Dec. 29, 1976
 Apiag v Cantero, AM No. MTJ-95-1070, 268 SCRA 47,
Feb. 12, 1997
 Tuazon v Zaldivar, 14 SCRA 1067, Aug. 31, 1965
 Buenaventura v Benedicto, AC No. 137-J, 38 SCRA 71,
March 27, 1971
 Borre v Maya, AM No. 1765-CFI, 100 SCRA 314, Oct.
17, 1980

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  Gayar de Julio v Vega, AM No. RTJ-89-406, 199 SCRA
315, July 18, 1991
 Perez v Judge Suller, AM No. MIJ-94-936, 249 SCRA
665, Nov. 6, 1995
 Macariola v Judge E. B. Asuncion, AM No. 133-J, 199
Phil. 295, May 31, 1982
 Villaluz v Mijares, AM No. RTJ-98-1402, 288 SCRA
594, April 13, 1998
 Canon 6, Section 5
 Lagamon v Judge Paderanga, July 14, 2008
 Rule 3.04
 Atty. Mane v Judge Belen, AM RTJ 08-2119, June 30,
2008
 Gutierrez v Judge Belen, AM RTJ 08-2118, June 26,
2008
 Gross Misconduct and Immorality
 Tan v Judge Pacuribot, AM No. RTJ-06-1982, Dec. 14,
2007
 SC Circular No. 1-90
 Fuentes v Judge Buno, AM No. MTJ-99-1204, July 28,
2008

IV. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES AND PENALTIES

(1) Nature of Disciplinary Cases

 Gatchalian Promotions Talents Pool Inc. v Naldoza, AC
No. 4017, Sept. 29, 1999
 In re Tionko (1922)
 Atty. Augusto Navarro v Atty. Rosendo Meneses, CBD
AC No. 313, Jan. 30, 1998
 Cordova v Cordova, A. C. No. 3249, Nov. 29, 1989
 Reyes v Gaa, A. M. No. 1048, July 14, 1995
(2) Rules of Court
 Rule 139-B
 Investment and Management Services Corp. v Roxas, AC Case No.
1417, April 17, 1996
 Dumadag v Lumaya, AC No. 2614, June 29, 2000
 Bautista v Gonzales, AM No. 1625, Feb. 12, 1990
(3) Supreme Court Circulars
(4) Contempt of Court
 Wicker v Arcangel, Jan. 29, 1996
 Maglasang v People, Oct. 4, 1990

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