1. Standards of Ethical Conduct of Judges and Justices

Basis

The Bangalore Draft, adopted by the Judicial Group on Strengthening Judicial Integrity, was intended as a universal statement of judicial standards. It was revised at the Round Table Conference of Chief Justices held at The Hague on November 25–26, 2002.

Who is a judge? A judge is any person who exercises judicial power, whatever the designation. A judge is a public officer chosen to preside over a court of justice and administer the law. (Collector of Customs v. Villaluz, 71 SCRA 365, 1976)

A judge represents the law and, above all, justice, and must exemplify competence, integrity, and independence. (OCA v. Judge Sanches, 26 June 2001)

Judicial conduct rules. The Code of Judicial Conduct took effect on October 20, 1989. It was drafted by the Committee on the Code of Judicial Conduct chaired by Justice Irene Cortes. A.M. No. 03-05-01-SC provided for its suppletory application when the New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary lacked a specific provision. That account describes the earlier rules; judicial conduct is now governed by the Code of Judicial Conduct and Accountability (CJCA, A.M. No. 25-04-04-SC).

Qualities of judges. The New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary identified these qualities, which should now be read under the CJCA:

• Independence
• Integrity
• Impartiality
• Propriety
• Equality
• Competence and diligence

INTEGRITY

Integrity is essential not only to the proper discharge of the judicial office but also to the personal demeanor of judges.