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January 9, 1973
Dec. 1, 1972 – the Commission on Bar Integration submitted its report dated Nov. 30, 1972 recommending the
integration of the Philippine Bar through the adoption and promulgation of an appropriate Court Rule.
Adm. Case No. 526 formally prays the Court to order the integration of the Philippine Bar.
1970 – preliminary surveys show that there had grown a strong nationwide sentiment in favor of Bar integration for
the purpose of ascertaining the advisability of unifying the PH Bar.
Sept 1971 – Congress passed HB No. 3277 “An act providing for the integration of the PH Bar and appropriating
funds therefor”, signed by Pres. Marcos and took effect on the same day as RA 6397.
o Within 2 years from approval, SC may adopt rules of court to effect the integration under such conditions it
shall see fit in order to raise the standards of the legal profession, improve the administration of
justice and enable the bar to discharge its public responsibility more ffectively
o P500,000 appropriated out of funds from the National Treasury
ISSUES
1. Does the Court have the power to integrate the PH Bar? – YES
2. Would the integration be constitutional? – YES
3. Should the Court ordain the integrartion of the Bar at this time? – YES
RATIO
1. SC has the power to integrate the Bar under Art. VIII, Sec. 13 of the Consti
o “to promulgate rules concerning pleading, practice and procedure in all courts, and the admission to the
practice of law”
o RA 6397 neither confers a new power nor restricts the Court’s inherent power, but is a mere legislative
declaration that the integration of the Bar will promote public interest, and raise the standards of the legal
profession, improve the administration of justice, and enable the Bar to discharge its public responsibility
more effectively
2. Bar Integration is Constitutional.
o Effects of Bar integration on the lawyers’ constitutional rights of freedom of association and speech, and on
the nature of dues exacted from him.
o The practice of law is not a vested right but a privilege clothed with public interest OFFICER OF
THE COURT
o This privilege must be regulated to assure compliance with the lawyers’ public responsibilities
o To compel a lawyer to be a member of an integrated bar is NOT VIOLATIVE OF HIS CONSTI
FREEDOM TO ASSOCIATE
Became a member of the Bar when he passed the Bar exams
Integration provides only an official national organization for the well defined but unorganized and
incohesive group of which every lawyer is already a member
He is free to attend or nt to the meetings of the BP Chapter or vote or refuse to vote.
Imposes only a duty to pay dues in reasonable amount – “membership fee” is the COST OF
REGULATION
o REGULATORY FEE does not mean the Court levies a tax – it is the cost of regulation.
o FREEDOM OF SPEECH is not violated or limited.
o FAIR TO ALL LAWYERS
Requirement to pay dues (regulatory) is applicable to all
Benefits are not retroactive in favor of older practicing lawyers
3. National Poll conducted by Commission on Bar Integration shows demand for Bar integration at this time
among PH lawyers.
BENEFITS DISADVANTAGES
Improved discipline among the members of the Government authority will dominate the bar
Bar Local bar associations will be weakened
Greater influence and ascendancy of the Bar
Better and more meaningful participation of the Cliquismwill be inevitable
individual lawyer in the activities of the IB Effective lobbying will not be passable
Greater Bar facilities and services The Bar will become an impersonal Bar
Elimination of unauthorized practice Politics will intrude to its affairs
Avoidance of costly membership campaigns
Establishment of an official status for the Bar
More cohesive profession
Better and more effective discharge by the Bar
of its obligations and responsibilities to its
members, the courts and the public.
National poll conducted by the Commission on Bar Integration shows that a total of 15,090 lawyers from all
over the country voted, and 96.45% (~14,555) voted in favor of the Bar Integration
RULING
Court ordains the integration of the Bar of the Philippines in accordance with the attached Court Rule, effective on January
16, 1973.