13 - Lao Vs Medel
13 - Lao Vs Medel
1. Canon 1 of the Code of Professional Responsibility mandates all members of the bar to obey
the laws of the land and promote respect for law. Rule 1.01 of the Code specifically provides
that [a] lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct.
2. We stress that membership in the legal profession is a privilege. It demands a high degree of
good moral character, not only as a condition precedent to admission, but also as a continuing
requirement for the practice of law.
3. Verily, lawyers must at all times faithfully perform their duties to society, to the bar, to the
courts and to their clients. As part of those duties, they must promptly pay their financial
obligations. Their conduct must always reflect the values and norms of the legal profession as
embodied in the Code of Professional Responsibility. On these considerations, the Court may
disbar or suspend lawyers for any professional or private misconduct showing them to be
wanting in moral character, honesty, probity and good demeanoror to be unworthy to
continue as officers of the Court.
FACTS
Background:
YES.
In Co v. Bernardino,14 the Court considered the issuance of worthless checks
as a violation of this Rule and an act constituting gross misconduct
Verily, lawyers must at all times faithfully perform their duties to society, to the
bar, to the courts and to their clients. As part of those duties, they must promptly
pay their financial obligations. Their conduct must always reflect the values
and norms of the legal profession as embodied in the Code of Professional
Responsibility. On these considerations, the Court may disbar or suspend
lawyers for any professional or private misconduct showing them to be wanting
in moral character, honesty, probity and good demeanoror to be unworthy to
continue as officers of the Court.