2015 Legal and Judicial Ethics, Q14

Identify and briefly explain three of the canons under the New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary. (6%)

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Which Canon of the New Code of Judicial Conduct requires judges to act free from outside influence and pressure?

What is required of a judge under Canon 2 regarding judicial integrity?

Under Canon 3 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct, how must judges perform their judicial duties?

Why is judicial independence considered a prerequisite to the rule of law under the New Code of Judicial Conduct?

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When is a judge required to disqualify or inhibit from presiding over a case under the principle of impartiality?

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1. Judicial Independence Mandate
Under Canon 1 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary, judicial independence is a pre-requisite to the rule of law and a fundamental guarantee of a fair trial. Judges must exercise judicial function independently on the basis of their assessment of the facts and in accordance with a conscientious understanding of the law. They must remain free from institutional, political, financial, or public influence or pressure, ensuring that decisions are rendered with absolute intellectual honesty and devotion to legal principles.

2. Judicial Integrity Requirement
Canon 2 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct mandates that integrity is essential to the proper discharge of the judicial office. Judges must ensure that their conduct, both in official proceedings and private affairs, is above reproach in the view of a reasonable observer. They must reaffirm people's faith in the integrity of the judiciary by exemplifying honesty, moral uprightness, and adherence to high ethical standards, avoiding even the appearance of impropriety in all legal and personal dealings.

3. Judicial Impartiality Standard
Under Canon 3 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct, impartiality is essential to the proper discharge of the judicial office. It applies not only to the decision itself but also to the process by which the decision is made. Judges must perform their judicial duties without favor, bias, or prejudice toward any party or legal counsel. They must maintain a neutral posture and disqualify themselves from proceedings in which they cannot decide impartially or where their impartiality might reasonably be questioned.

About these questions and answers
The questions reproduced here are the official texts of the Philippine Bar Examinations, published by the Supreme Court. They are reproduced for study purposes.The suggested answers are the author’s own.

They are not official answers, have no connection with the Supreme Court, the Office of the Bar Confidant, or any bar review institution, and are not endorsed by any of them. Official answer keys, where released, should be preferred over anything here.Nothing on this page is legal advice, and reading it creates no lawyer-client relationship. Do not rely on any suggested answer in an actual legal matter. Consult counsel on your own facts.Suggested answers reflect the law and jurisprudence the author considers applicable as of the date shown.

Where a question comes from an earlier examination, the suggested answer applies the law as it now stands, which may differ from the law in force when the question was given, and may therefore differ from what would have been the correct answer at that time. Where the difference is material, the answer notes it.The practice scoring feature measures wording overlap with the suggested answer. It is not a grade, carries no official weight, and says nothing about whether your reasoning is sound.Errors are possible. If you find one, please tell me and I will correct it.Last reviewed: October 2026