15th CPRA Rollout Held in GenSan, Reinforces Legal Ethics and Accountability
The rollout served as a crucial platform for legal professionals and aspiring lawyers to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the ethical standards and regulations governing the legal profession in the Philippines.
The 15th Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) Rollout was successfully held last Friday, March 7, 2025, at the Grand Summit Hotel in General Santos City. Organized by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Western Mindanao and IBP SocGen Chapter, the event drew 260 lawyers and law students from across the region, including representatives from Mindanao State University College of Law – General Santos Extension, Notre Dame of Marbel University – College of Law, and Sultan Kudarat State University – College of Law.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of the CPRA and the responsible use of social media by legal professionals. Justice Marquez highlighted the need for continuous professional development to uphold the integrity and quality of legal services in the Philippines.
The event featured a series of lectures by distinguished speakers. Atty. Avelino V. Sale, Jr. opened with an overview of the CPRA Rollout, followed by detailed discussions led by Atty. Randall C. Tabayoyong on the Preamble, Lawyer’s Oath, and Canon I (Independence); Atty. Beatriz O. Geronilla-Villegas on Canon II (Propriety); Atty. Ernesto A. Altamira III on Canon III (Fidelity); Atty. Patrick V. Santo on Canons IV (Competence and Diligence) and V (Equality); and Atty. Patrick M. Velez on Canon VI (Accountability).
Additional sessions included Atty. Raul T. Vasquez’s presentation on new rules for preliminary investigations and Atty. Leo Arnel M. Caayao’s discussion on the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice and recent jurisprudence.
The rollout served as a crucial platform for legal professionals and aspiring lawyers to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the ethical standards and regulations governing the legal profession in the Philippines. It also reinforced the commitment of the IBP to the professional growth and ethical integrity of its members across the country.
CPRA is the new lawyers code of conduct which updated the Code of Professional Responsibility promulgated last June 21, 1988.