Bar Matter No. 1960: Re: Amendment Of Rule 139-B

The Court, pursuant to its rule-making power under Section 5(5) of Article III of the Constitution in relation to its power to administratively supervise courts under Section 8 and to discipline judges of lower courts under Section 11 of the same Article, resolved to AMEND Section 1, Rule 139-B of the Rules of Court to read as follows:
- Section 1 How instituted.
  Proceedings for disbarment, suspension or discipline of attorneys may be taken by the Supreme Court motu proprio, or by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) upon the verified complaint of any person. The complaint shall state clearly and concisely the facts complained of and shall be supported by affidavits of persons having personal knowledge of the facts therein alleged and/or by such documents as may substantiated said facts.
  - The IBP Board of Governors may, motu proprio or upon referral by the Supreme Court or by a Chapter Board of Officers, or at the instance of any person, initiate and prosecute proper charges against any erring attorneys including those in the government service: Provided, however, that all charges against Justices of the Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan, and Judges of the Court of Tax Appeals and lower courts, even if lawyers are jointly charged with them, shall be filed with the Supreme Court; Provided, further, that charges filed against Justices and Judges before the IBP, including those filed prior to their appointment in the Judiciary, shall immediately be forwarded to the Supreme Court for disposition and adjudication.
  - Six (6) copies of the verified complaint shall be filed with the Secretary of the IBP or the Secretary of any of its chapters who shall forthwith transmit the same to the IBP Board of Governors for assignment to an investigator.
The foregoing amendment shall take effect on 01 May 2000 after publication of this Resolution in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation not later than 15 March 2000.
The Clerk of Court is directed to furnish all lower courts all government offices and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines with copies of this Resolution.
Davide, Jr., C.J., Bellosilo, Melo, Puno, Vitug, Kapunan, Mendoza, Panganiban, Quisumbing, Purisima, Buena, Gonzaga-Reyes, Ynares-Santiago and De Leon, Jr., JJ., concur. Pardo, J., Abroad, on official business.