SUPREME Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen yesterday cautioned new lawyers to be conscientious on what they post in their social media platforms, especially if it involves updates on cases they are handling and communications from their clients.
Leonen, who is the chair of the SC Oversight Committee in the Proposed Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, reminded the young lawyers of the lawyer-client privilege and the prohibitions listed under the canon of responsibility for lawyers.
He those who violate the legal profession’s ethic guidelines are opening themselves to possible sanctions from the High Court, and even a disbarment proceeding.
Leonen cited a post made by a lawyer showing a copy of a client’s letter, while another newbie posted a text message from a client, which includes the lawyer’s fees.
He said the online posts are considered “absolutely prohibited” acts, and as such, the greenhorns could face sanctions for them.
“May napapansin lang kami sa younger lawyers ito ‘yung selfie di ba. Meron tayong mga selfie, selfie okay lang ‘yan na mag selfie kayo but lately we have been noticing that a lawyer would post a letter from a client na tuwang tuwa sa kanya,” Leonen told reporters in a luncheon yesterday.
Leonen also reminded lawyers about posting comments on social media regarding their cases or those being heard by the High Court, adding they should respect the profession being officers of the court.
“Iyong komentaryo kaugnay ng mga pending cases importante na i-hold back. If you notice some of us who maintain our social media accounts we avoid commenting on very controversial issues.Kaya ako hanggang love guru na lang ‘yun sa akin, hanggang doon na lang,” he said.
Leonen has an active personal twitter account where he posts and shares issues and events related to the legal profession, his hobby and photography, and relationship advice, among others.
Earlier, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo urged lawyers to give dignity and nobility to the legal profession if they want to regain the trust of the people in them and the entire justice system.
Gesmundo made the call during the second leg of the ethics caravan for the proposed Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) held in October.
“This a clarion call for all of us to take the responsibility of giving dignity and nobility to our profession, and by so doing, put back the trust of our people not only in lawyers, but in the justice system as a whole,” Gesmundo said.
This as he added the legal profession is also no stranger to allegations of scandal and controversy.
In fact, he added, it is a general belief that in practice, lawyers either by hook or by crook use unsavory tactics to further their client’s, or even their own, interest.
The chief justice said he is confident though that the proposed CPRA will be able to address the problem by improving and modernizing the practice of law in the country.
Among others, the proposed CPRA tackles the use of social media, formation, and definition of the lawyer-client relationship, conduct of non-legal staff and other intricacies experienced by practitioners today.
