EN BANC

[B.M. 850. October 2, 2001]

MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

RESOLUTION

ADOPTING THE REVISED RULES ON THE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

FOR MEMBERS OF THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES

Considering the Rules on the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) for
members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), recommended by the IBP,
endorsed by the Philippine Judicial Academy, and reviewed and passed upon by the
Supreme Court Committee on Legal Education, the Court hereby resolves to approve,
as it hereby approves, the following Revised Rules for proper implementation:

Rule 1. PURPOSE

SECTION 1. Purpose of the MCLE. - Continuing legal education is required of members

of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to ensure that throughout their career, they
keep abreast with law and jurisprudence, maintain the ethics of the profession and
enhance the standards of the practice of law.

Rule 2. MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

SECTION 1. Commencement of the MCLE. - Within two (2) months from the approval
of these Rules by the Supreme Court En Banc, the MCLE Committee shall be
constituted and shall commence the implementation of the Mandatory Continuing Legal
Education (MCLE) program in accordance with these Rules.

SEC. 2. Requirements of completion of MCLE. - Members of the IBP not exempt under
Rule 7 shall complete every three (3) years at least thirty-six (36) hours of continuing
legal education activities approved by the MCLE Committee. Of the 36 hours:

(a) At least six (6) hours shall be devoted to legal ethics equivalent to six (6) credit
units.

(b) At least four (4) hours shall be devoted to trial and pretrial skills equivalent to four
(4) credit units.

(c) At least five (5) hours shall be devoted to alternative dispute resolution equivalent
to five (5) credit units.

(d) At least nine (9) hours shall be devoted to updates on substantive and procedural
laws, and jurisprudence equivalent to nine (9) credit units.
(e) At least four (4) hours shall be devoted to legal writing and oral advocacy
equivalent to four (4) credit units.

(f) At least two (2) hours shall be devoted to international law and international
conventions equivalent to two (2) credit units.

(g) The remaining six (6) hours shall be devoted to such subjects as may be
prescribed by the MCLE Committee equivalent to six (6) credit units.

Rule 3. COMPLIANCE PERIOD

SECTION 1. Initial compliance period. -- The initial compliance period shall begin not
later than three (3) months from the adoption of these Rules. Except for the initial
compliance period for members admitted or readmitted after the establishment of the
program, all compliance periods shall be for thirty-six (36) months and shall begin the
day after the end of the previous compliance period.

SEC. 2. Compliance Groups. -- Members of the IBP not exempt from the MCLE
requirement shall be divided into three (3) compliance groups, namely:

(a) Compliance group 1. -- Members in the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro
Manila are assigned to Compliance Group 1.

(b) Compliance group 2. -- Members in Luzon outside NCR are assigned to

Compliance Group 2.

(c) Compliance group 3. -- Members in Visayas and Mindanao are assigned to

Compliance Group 3.

Nevertheless, members may participate in any legal education activity wherever it may
be available to earn credit unit toward compliance with the MCLE requirement.

SEC. 3. Compliance period of members admitted or readmitted after establishment of

the program. - Members admitted or readmitted to the Bar after the establishment of the
program shall be assigned to the appropriate Compliance Group based on their Chapter
membership on the date of admission or readmission.

The initial compliance period after admission or readmission shall begin on the first day
of the month of admission or readmission and shall end on the same day as that of all
other members in the same Compliance Group.

(a) Where four (4) months or less remain of the initial compliance period after
admission or readmission, the member is not required to comply with the program
requirement for the initial compliance.
(b) Where more than four (4) months remain of the initial compliance period after
admission or readmission, the member shall be required to complete a number of hours
of approved continuing legal education activities equal to the number of months
remaining in the compliance period in which the member is admitted or readmitted.
Such member shall be required to complete a number of hours of education in legal
ethics in proportion to the number of months remaining in the compliance period.
Fractions of hours shall be rounded up to the next whole number.

Rule 4. COMPUTATION OF CREDIT UNITS(CU)

SECTION 1. Guidelines. - CREDIT UNITS ARE EQUIVALENT TO CREDIT HOURS.

CREDIT UNITS measure compliance with the MCLE requirement under the Rules,
based on the category of the lawyer’s participation in the MCLE activity. The following
are the guidelines for computing credit units and the supporting documents required
therefor:

PROGRAMS/ACTIVITY CREDIT UNITS SUPPORTING

DOCUMENTS
1. SEMINARS, CONVENTIONS, CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIA, IN-HOUSE
EDUCATION PROGRAMS, WORKSHOPS, DIALOGUES, ROUND TABLE
DISCUSSIONS BY APPROVED PROVIDERS UNDER RULE 7 AND OTHER RELATED
RULES
1.1 PARTICIPANT/ ATTENDEE 1 CU PER HOUR OF CERTIFICATE OF
ATTENDANCE ATTENDANCE WITH
NUMBER OF HOURS
1.2 LECTURER FULL CU FOR THE PHOTOCOPY OF PLAQUE
RESOURCE SUBJECT PER OR SPONSOR’S
SPEAKER COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION
PERIOD
1.3 PANELIST/REACTOR 1/2 OF CU FOR THE CERTIFICATION FROM
COMMENTATOR/ SUBJECT PER SPONSORING
MODERATOR/ COMPLIANCE PERIOD ORGANIZATION
COORDINATOR/ FACILITATOR
2. AUTHORSHIP, EDITING AND REVIEW
2.1 LAW BOOK OF NOT LESS FULL CU FOR THE PUBLISHED BOOK
THAN 100 PAGES SUBJECT PER
COMPLIANCE PERIOD
2.2 BOOK EDITOR 1/2 OF THE CU OF PUBLISHED BOOK WITH
AUTHORSHIP PROOF AS EDITOR
CATEGORY
2.3 RESEARCH PAPER 1/2 OF CU FOR THE DULY CERTIFIED/
INNOVATIVE PROGRAM/ SUBJECT PER PUBLISHED TECHNICAL
CREATIVE PROJECT COMPLIANCE PERIOD REPORT/PAPER
2.4 LEGAL ARTICLE OF AT 1/2 OF CU FOR THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE
LEAST TEN (10) PAGES SUBJECT PER
COMPLIANCE PERIOD
2.5 LEGAL NEWSLETTER/ LAW 1 CU PER ISSUE PUBLISHED
JOURNAL EDITOR NEWSLETTER/JOURNAL
2.6 PROFESSORIAL CHAIR/ FULL CU FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF LAW
BAR REVIEW LECTURE LAW SUBJECT PER DEAN OR BAR REVIEW
TEACHING/ COMPLIANCE PERIOD DIRECTOR

Rule 5. CATEGORIES OF CREDIT UNITS

SECTION 1. Classes of Credit units. -- Credit units are either participatory or non-
participatory.

SEC. 2. Claim for participatory credit units. -- Participatory credit units may be claimed
for:

(a) Attending approved education activities like seminars, conferences, conventions,

symposia, in-house education programs, workshops, dialogues or round table
discussion.

(b) Speaking or lecturing, or acting as assigned panelist, reactor, commentator,

resource speaker, moderator, coordinator or facilitator in approved education activities.

(c) Teaching in a law school or lecturing in a bar review class.

SEC. 3. Claim for non-participatory credit units. - Non-participatory credit units may be
claimed per compliance period for:

(a) Preparing, as an author or co-author, written materials published or accepted for

publication, e.g., in the form of an article, chapter, book, or book review which contribute
to the legal education of the author member, which were not prepared in the ordinary
course of the member’s practice or employment.

(b) Editing a law book, law journal or legal newsletter.

Rule 6. COMPUTATION OF CREDIT HOURS (CH)

SECTION 1. Computation of credit hours. -- Credit hours are computed based on actual
time spent in an education activity in hours to the nearest one-quarter hour reported in
decimals.
Rule 7. EXEMPTIONS

SECTION 1. Parties exempted from the MCLE. -- The following members of the Bar are
exempt from the MCLE requirement:

(a) The President and the Vice President of the Philippines, and the Secretaries and
Undersecretaries of Executive Departments;

(b) Senators and Members of the House of Representatives;

(c) The Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, incumbent and
retired members of the judiciary, incumbent members of the Judicial and Bar Council
and incumbent court lawyers covered by the Philippine Judicial Academy program of
continuing judicial education;

(d) The Chief State Counsel, Chief State Prosecutor and Assistant Secretaries of the
Department of Justice;

(e) The Solicitor General and the Assistant Solicitors General;

(f) The Government Corporate Counsel, Deputy and Assistant Government

Corporate Counsel;

(g) The Chairmen and Members of the Constitutional Commissions;

(h) The Ombudsman, the Overall Deputy Ombudsman, the Deputy Ombudsman and
the Special Prosecutor of the Office of the Ombudsman;

(i) Heads of government agencies exercising quasi-judicial functions;

(j) Incumbent deans, bar reviewers and professors of law who have teaching
experience for at least ten (10) years in accredited law schools;

(k) The Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and members of the Corps of Professors and
Professorial Lecturers of the Philippine Judicial Academy; and

(l) Governors and Mayors.

SEC. 2. Other parties exempted from the MCLE. - The following Members of the Bar
are likewise exempt:

(a) Those who are not in law practice, private or public.

(b) Those who have retired from law practice with the approval of the IBP Board of
Governors.
SEC. 3. Good cause for exemption from or modification of requirement -A member may
file a verified request setting forth good cause for exemption (such as physical disability,
illness, post graduate study abroad, proven expertise in law, etc.) from compliance with
or modification of any of the requirements, including an extension of time for
compliance, in accordance with a procedure to be established by the MCLE Committee.

SEC. 4. Change of status. - The compliance period shall begin on the first day of the
month in which a member ceases to be exempt under Sections 1, 2, or 3 of this Rule
and shall end on the same day as that of all other members in the same Compliance
Group.

SEC. 5. Proof of exemption. - Applications for exemption from or modification of the

MCLE requirement shall be under oath and supported by documents.

Rule 8. STANDARDS FOR APPROVAL OF

EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

SECTION 1. Approval of MCLE program. - Subject to the implementing regulations that

may be adopted by the MCLE Committee, continuing legal education program may be
granted approval in either of two (2) ways: (1) the provider of the activity is an
accredited provider and certifies that the activity meets the criteria of Section 2 of this
Rule; and (2) the provider is specifically mandated by law to provide continuing legal
education.

SEC. 2. Standards for all education activities. - All continuing legal education activities
must meet the following standards:

(a) The activity shall have significant current intellectual or practical content.

(b) The activity shall constitute an organized program of learning related to legal
subjects and the legal profession, including cross profession activities (e.g., accounting-
tax or medical-legal) that enhance legal skills or the ability to practice law, as well as
subjects in legal writing and oral advocacy.

(c) The activity shall be conducted by a provider with adequate professional

experience.

(d) Where the activity is more than one (1) hour in length, substantive written
materials must be distributed to all participants. Such materials must be distributed at or
before the time the activity is offered.

(e) In-house education activities must be scheduled at a time and location so as to

be free from interruption like telephone calls and other distractions.

Rule 9. ACCREDITATION OF PROVIDERS

SECTION 1. Accreditation of providers. -- Accreditation of providers shall be done by
the MCLE Committee.

SEC. 2. Requirements for accreditation of providers. - Any person or group may be

accredited as a provider for a term of two (2) years, which may be renewed, upon
written application. All providers of continuing legal education activities, including in-
house providers, are eligible to be accredited providers. Application for accreditation
shall:

(a) Be submitted on a form provided by the MCLE Committee;

(b) Contain all information requested in the form;

(c) Be accompanied by the appropriate approval fee.

SEC. 3. Requirements of all providers. -- All approved accredited providers shall agree
to the following:

(a) An official record verifying the attendance at the activity shall be maintained by
the provider for at least four (4) years after the completion date. The provider shall
include the member on the official record of attendance only if the member’s signature
was obtained at the time of attendance at the activity. The official record of attendance
shall contain the member’s name and number in the Roll of Attorneys and shall identify
the time, date, location, subject matter, and length of the education activity. A copy of
such record shall be furnished the MCLE COMMITTEE.

(b) The provider shall certify that:

(1) This activity has been approved BY THE MCLE COMMITTEE in the amount of
________ hours of which ______ hours will apply in (legal ethics, etc.), as appropriate
to the content of the activity;

(2) The activity conforms to the standards for approved education activities
prescribed by these Rules and such regulations as may be prescribed by the MCLE
COMMITTEE.

(c) The provider shall issue a record or certificate to all participants identifying the
time, date, location, subject matter and length of the activity.

(d) The provider shall allow in-person observation of all approved continuing
legal education activity by THE MCLE COMMITTEE, members of the IBP Board
of Governors, or designees of the Committee and IBP staff Board for purposes of
monitoring compliance with these Rules.

(e) The provider shall indicate in promotional materials, the nature of the
activity, the time devoted to each topic and identity of the instructors. The
 provider shall make available to each participant a copy of THE MCLE
COMMITTEE-approved Education Activity Evaluation Form.

(f) The provider shall maintain the completed Education Activity Evaluation Forms
for a period of not less than one (1) year after the activity, copy furnished the
MCLE COMMITTEE.

(g) Any person or group who conducts an unauthorized activity under this
program or issues a spurious certificate in violation of these Rules shall be
subject to appropriate sanctions.

SEC. 4. Renewal of provider accreditation. - The accreditation of a provider may be

renewed every two (2) years. It may be denied if the provider fails to comply with any of
the requirements of these Rules or fails to provide satisfactory education activities for
the preceding period.

SEC. 5. Revocation of provider accreditation. -- the accreditation of any provider

referred to in Rule 9 may be revoked by a majority vote of the MCLE Committee, after
notice and hearing and for good cause.

Rule 10. FEE FOR APPROVAL OF ACTIVITY AND ACCREDITATION OF PROVIDER

SECTION 1. Payment of fees. - Application for approval of an education activity or

accreditation as a provider requires payment of the appropriate fee as provided in the
Schedule of MCLE Fees.

Rule 11. GENERAL COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES

SECTION 1. Compliance card. -- Each member shall secure from the MCLE Committee
a Compliance Card before the end of his compliance period. He shall complete the card
by attesting under oath that he has complied with the education requirement or that he
is exempt, specifying the nature of the exemption. Such Compliance Card must be
returned to the Committee not later than the day after the end of the member's
compliance period.

SEC. 2. Member record keeping requirement. -- Each member shall maintain sufficient
record of compliance or exemption, copy furnished the MCLE Committee. The record
required to be provided to the members by the provider pursuant to Section 3(c) of Rule
9 should be a sufficient record of attendance at a participatory activity. A record of non-
participatory activity shall also be maintained by the member, as referred to in Section 3
of Rule 5.

Rule 12. NON-COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES

SECTION 1. What constitutes non-compliance. - The following shall constitute non-

compliance:
(a) Failure to complete the education requirement within the compliance period;

(b) Failure to provide attestation of compliance or exemption;

(c) Failure to provide satisfactory evidence of compliance (including evidence of

exempt status) within the prescribed period;

(d) Failure to satisfy the education requirement and furnish evidence of such
compliance within sixty (60) days from receipt of non-compliance notice;

(e) Failure to pay non-compliance fee within the prescribed period;

(f) Any other act or omission analogous to any of the foregoing or intended to
circumvent or evade compliance with the MCLE requirements.

SEC. 2. Non-compliance notice and 60-day period to attain compliance. -Members

failing to comply will receive a Non-Compliance Notice stating the specific deficiency
and will be given sixty (60) days from the date of notification to file a response clarifying
the deficiency or otherwise showing compliance with the requirements. Such notice
shall contain the following language near the beginning of the notice in capital letters:

IF YOU FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROOF OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE

MCLE REQUIREMENT BY (INSERT DATE 60 DAYS FROM DATE OF NOTICE),
YOU SHALL BE LISTED AS A DELINQUENT MEMBER AND SHALL NOT BE
PERMITTED TO PRACTICE LAW UNTIL SUCH TIME AS ADEQUATE PROOF OF
COMPLIANCE IS RECEIVED BY THE MCLE COMMITTEE.

Members given sixty (60) days to respond to a Non-Compliance Notice may use
this period to attain the adequate number of credit units for compliance. Credit units
earned during this period may only be counted toward compliance with the prior
compliance period requirement unless units in excess of the requirement are
earned, in which case the excess may be counted toward meeting the current
compliance period requirement.

Rule 13. CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE

SECTION 1. Non-compliance fee. -- A member who, for whatever reason, is in non-

compliance at the end of the compliance period shall pay a non-compliance fee.

SEC. 2. Listing as delinquent member. -- A member who fails to comply with the
requirements after the sixty (60) day period for compliance has expired, shall be listed
as a delinquent member of the IBP upon the recommendation of the MCLE Committee.
The investigation of a member for non-compliance shall be conducted by the IBP’s
Commission on Bar Discipline as a fact-finding arm of the MCLE Committee.
SEC. 3. Accrual of membership fee. -- Membership fees shall continue to accrue at the
active rate against a member during the period he/she is listed as a delinquent member.

Rule 14. REINSTATEMENT

SECTION 1. Process. -- The involuntary listing as a delinquent member shall be

terminated when the member provides proof of compliance with the MCLE requirement,
including payment of non-compliance fee. A member may attain the necessary credit
units to meet the requirement for the period of non-compliance during the period the
member is on inactive status. These credit units may not be counted toward meeting the
current compliance period requirement. Credit units earned during the period of non-
compliance in excess of the number needed to satisfy the prior compliance period
requirement may be counted toward meeting the current compliance period
requirement.

SEC. 2. Termination of delinquent listing is an administrative process. - The termination

of listing as a delinquent member is administrative in nature AND it shall be made by the
MCLE Committee.

Rule. 15. COMMITTEE ON MANDATORY CONTINUING

LEGAL EDUCATION

SECTION 1. Composition. - The MCLE Committee shall be composed of five (5)

members, namely, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court as Chair, and four (4)
members respectively nominated by the IBP, the Philippine Judicial Academy, a law
center designated by the Supreme Court and associations of law schools and/or law
professors.

The members of the Committee shall be of proven probity and integrity. They shall be
appointed by the Supreme Court for a term of three (3) years and shall receive such
compensation as may be determined by the Court.

SEC. 2. Duty of committee. - The MCLE Committee shall administer and adopt such
implementing rules as may be necessary subject to the approval of the Supreme Court.
It shall, in consultation with the IBP Board of Governors, prescribe a schedule of MCLE
fees with the approval of the Supreme Court.

SEC. 3. Staff of the MCLE Committee. - Subject to approval by the Supreme Court, the
MCLE Committee shall employ such staff as may be necessary to perform the record-
keeping, auditing, reporting, approval and other necessary functions.

SEC. 4. Submission of annual budget. - The MCLE Committee shall submit to the
Supreme Court for approval, an annual budget [for a subsidy] to establish, operate and
maintain the MCLE Program.
This resolution shall take effect on the fifteenth of September 2000, following its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Adopted this 22nd day of August, 2000, as amended on 02 October 2001.

Davide, Jr., C.J., Bellosillo, Melo, Puno, Vitug, Mendoza, Panganiban, Quisumbing,
Pardo, Buena, Ynares-Santiago, De Leon, Jr., and Sandoval-Gutierrez, JJ., concur.

Kapunan, J., on official leave.

 MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS

Section 1: Definitions
a. Rules – Provisions of Supreme Court Bar Matter 850 on Mandatory Continuing Legal
Education (MCLE).

b. Committee – The Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee constituted in

Rule 15 of Bar Matter 850.

c. Implementing Regulations – These regulations adopted by the Committee.

d. Provider – Any person or group accredited by the Committee to provide continuing

legal education activities in accordance with the standards set in Rules 8 and 9.

e. Education Activity – A continuing legal education activity offered by an accredited

provider and approved by the Committee for the relevant compliance period

f. In-house Education Activity – An education activity offered by a law firm or legal

department of a corporation or government agency comprised of at least 10 lawyers
approved by the Committee to provide MCLE for the lawyers of said law firm or legal
department of a corporation or government agency.

g. Special Education Activity – An education activity or program which, because of its

significant value to the practice of members who have sought its approval, has been
approved by the Committee for such members under Section 2(g), Rule 2.

h. Credit Units – The measure of compliance with the MCLE requirement under the
Rules based on the category of the lawyer’s participation in the MCLE activity.

i. Credit Hours – Actual time spent in an education activity (actual instruction, speaking
time or participation) computed in hours to the nearest one-quarter hour (15 minutes)
reported in decimals.

Section 2: Minimum Education

Requirement
Subject to the exemptions listed in Sections 1 and 2, Rule 7 of the Rules, every member
of the IBP must complete at least thirty-six (36) credit units of mandatory continuing legal
education (MCLE) every three (3) years during the compliance period as provided in Rule 2
and these Implementing Regulations.
Section 3: Compliance Period
The initial compliance period shall be from April 15, 2001 up to April 14, 2004. All
succeeding compliance periods shall begin the day after the end of the preceding compliance
period. The initial compliance period for members newly admitted or readmitted to the IBP
shall begin on the first day of the month of admission or readmission and shall end on the
same day as that of all other members.

Section 4: Computation of Credit Units

Credit units will be given for time spent in an approved education activity based on the
category of the lawyer’s participation therein, as provided in Section 1, Rule 4 of the Rules.

a. General Standard of Computation

1. Credit units will be given only for time spent in legal education activities which
have been previously approved by the Committee and conducted by an
accredited provider.

2. Credit units will be given in accordance with Section 1 of Rule 4.

3. Every approved education activity shall be conducted for at least one hour.
However, if it should exceed one hour, one-half credit unit shall be given for
every half hour beyond the initial hour.

b. In-house Education Activity

An in-house education activity must be approved by the Committee before a

lawyer may earn any credit unit for participation therein.

Section 5: Exemptions

The following are exempted from the MCLE requirement:

a. The Executive

1. The President, Vice-President of the Philippines, and the Secretaries and

Undersecretaries of the Executive Departments of the Philippine Government;
2. The Chief State Counsel, Chief State Prosecutor, and Assistant Secretaries of
the Department of Justice;
3. The Solicitor General and the Assistant Solicitors General;
4. The Government Corporate Counsel, Deputy and Assistant Government
Corporate Counsel;
5. Heads of government agencies exercising quasi-judicial functions;

b. The Legislative

Senators and Members of the House of Representatives;

c. The Judiciary

The Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, incumbent
and retired members of the Judiciary, incumbent members of the Judicial and Bar
Council, and incumbent court lawyers covered by the Philippine Judicial Academy
program of continuing judicial education;

d. The Constitutional Bodies

1. The Chairmen and Members of the Constitutional Commissions;

2. The Ombudsman, the Overall Deputy Ombudsman, the Deputy Ombudsmen
and the Special Prosecutor of the Office of the Ombudsman.

e. Law Schools/Academe
 1. Incumbent deans, bar reviewers and professors of law who have had teaching
experience for at least the (10) years in accredited law schools;
2. The Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and members of the Corps of Professors and
Professorial Lecturers of the Philippine Judicial Academy;

f. Local Government

Governors and mayors;

g. Non-Practicing Lawyers

1. Lawyers who are not in practice, whether private or public; and

2. Those who have retired from law practice with the approval of the IBP Board
of Governors.

Section 6: Other Exemptions or

Modifications

For good cause (such as physical disability, illness, post-graduate study abroad, proven
expertise in law and similar ground) and subject to approval by the Committee, a member
may file a verified request for exemption from compliance, or modification of any of the MCLE
requirements, including extension of time for compliance.

Section 7: Approval of Continuing Legal

Education Activity, Program, or Course
A continuing legal education activity approved for credit shall meet the following standards:

a. The activity shall have significant current intellectual or practical content, the primary
objective of which is to improve the participant’s professional competence and ethical
behavior.

b. The activity shall constitute an organized program of learning related to legal subjects
and the legal profession, including cross profession activities (e.g., accounting-tax or
medical-legal) that enhance legal skills or the ability to practice law, as well as subjects
in legal writing and oral advocacy.

c. The activity shall be conducted by a provider with adequate professional experience.

d. Where the activity is more than one (1) hour in length, substantive written materials
must be distributed to all participants. Such materials must be distributed at or before
the time the activity is offered.

e. In-house education activities must be scheduled at a time and location so as to be free

from interruption like telephone calls and other distractions.

f. Information concerning the activity, including the brochure describing it, the
qualifications of the speakers, the method or manner of presentation of the materials,
and, if necessary, a set of the materials shall be submitted to the Committee at least
forty-five (45) days prior to the presentation of the activity.

g. The participants shall be provided with the prescribed Education Activity Evaluation
Forms to be completed and submitted by them to the provider who in turn shall
transmit a copy thereof to the Committee at the end of the legal education activity. The
provider shall keep a set of the said forms for a period of not less than one (1) year
after the termination of the continuing legal education activity.

h. The provider shall submit to the Committee a report on the conduct of its continuing
legal education activity together with the accomplished MCLE attendance cards of the
attendees within thirty (30) days after the end of the legal education activity.

Section 8: Approval of Special Education

Activity

a. An accredited provider shall apply for approval of a special education activity on a form
to be provided by the MCLE Committee. It shall contain a detailed description of the
 provider, the course, the course materials, the lectures and the activity and shall be
submitted at least forty-five days (45) prior to the presentation of the activity.

b. The provider may not publish that a special education activity has been approved
except with prior written approval of the Committee.

c. The special education activity must meet the standards set forth in Section 2, Rule 8
and these Implementing Regulations.

Section 9: Accreditation of Continuing

Legal Education Providers

a. Application may be made for accreditation as a continuing legal education provider by

submitting the appropriate form to the Committee and paying the required fee.
b. The grant of accreditation shall be effective for a period of two (2) years from the date
of the grant. Accreditation may be renewed upon compliance with the requirements of
the Committee.
c. Accreditation of a continuing legal education provider may be revoked by the
Committee, upon notice and hearing, for any of the following grounds:

1. Failure to comply with any of the reporting requirements under the Rules and
these Regulations;
2. Sub-standard content of the course material or the quality of the continuing
legal education activities as determined by the Committee under the Rules and
these Regulations;
3. Any misrepresentation in the application for accreditation as provider, or, in the
application for approval of a continuing legal education activity.
4. Failure to comply with any other requirements of the Committee.

d. An applicant for accreditation as provider shall present a program of continuing legal

education activity which meets the standards set forth in Section 2 of Rule 8.
e. For the renewal of its accreditation, a provider must demonstrate to the Committee
that its continuing legal education activities have consistently met the standards of
quality set forth in the Rules and in these Regulations.
f. Where a continuing legal education activity has been approved and the activity is
offered by an accredited provider, the latter may announce, in its brochures and/or
registration materials that: “This program has been approved by the MCLE Committee
for ______ hours of continuing legal education credit.”
Section 10: Reporting Duties of Providers

a. An accredited provider of a continuing legal education activity, program, or course is

required to maintain an official record verifying the attendance of a member at the
activity, program, or course for at least four (4) years after the completion date. The
provider shall include the member in the official record of attendance only if the
member’s signature was obtained at the time of attendance at the activity, program,
or course. The official record of attendance shall contain the member’s name and
number in the Roll of Attorneys and shall identify the time, date, location, subject
matter, and length of the education activity. A copy of such record shall be furnished
the Committee through the IBP.

b. The provider shall certify that:

1. The activity has been approved by the Committee for ____ hours as
appropriate to the content of the activity; and

2. The activity conforms to the standards prescribed by the Rules and these
Implementing

c. Upon the termination of the continuing legal education activity, program or course, the
provider shall issue a certificate of attendance to each participant identifying the time,
date, location, subject matter and length of the activity and the number of credit units
earned.

d. The provider shall allow in-person observation of all approved continuing legal
education activities by members of the IBP Board of Governors, the MCLE Committee,
or designees of the Committee and IBP Board for purposes of monitoring compliance
with the Rules and these Implementing Regulations.

e. Any person or group who conducts an unauthorized legal education activity, program,
or course and/or issues a spurious certificate in violation of the Rules and these
Regulations, shall be subject to appropriate sanctions.

Section 11: Determination of Lawyer’s

Compliance
 a. The Committee shall maintain current records of continuing legal education for every
lawyer to whom the Rules and these Implementing Regulations apply. Pursuant to
Committee policy, these records shall be made available to the lawyers concerned at
a time and place convenient to the Committee.

b. The continuing legal education requirement must be completed by the end of the
compliance period. Every lawyer not exempt under the Rules and these Regulations
shall report to the Committee the credit units earned by him during the compliance
period duly certified by the providers.

c. A lawyer whose report shows full compliance with the continuing legal education
requirement shall be issued a compliance card by the Committee.

Section 12: Compliance Procedures

a. Each member not otherwise exempt under the Rules or whose exempt status the
Committee may take judicial notice of, shall secure from the MCLE Committee a
Compliance Card before the end of his compliance period. He shall complete the card
by attesting under oath that he has complied with the education requirement or that
he is exempt, specifying the nature of the exemption. Such Compliance Card must be
returned to the Committee not later than the day after the end of the member’s
compliance period
b. Each member shall maintain a sufficient record of compliance or exemption, copy
furnished the MCLE Committee. The record or certificate issued by the provider to all
participants identifying the time, date, location, subject matter and length of the activity
shall be a sufficient record of attendance at such participatory activity. A record of non-
participatory activity shall also be maintained by the member.
c. If a lawyer fails to comply with any requirement under the Rules, the Committee will
send him/her a notice of non-compliance on any of the following deficiencies:

1. Failure to complete the education requirement within the compliance period;

2. Failure to provide attestation of compliance or exemption;

3. Failure to provide satisfactory evidence of compliance (including evidence

of exempt status) within the prescribed period;
 4. Failure to satisfy the education requirement and furnish evidence of such
compliance within sixty (60) days from receipt of a non-compliance notice;
and

5. Any other act or omission analogous to any of the foregoing or intended to

circumvent or evade compliance with the MCLE requirements.

d. A member failing to comply with the continuing legal education requirement will
receive a Non-Compliance Notice stating his specific deficiency and will be given sixty
(60) days from the receipt of the notification to explain the deficiency or otherwise
show compliance with the requirements. Such notice shall be written in capital letters
as follows:

YOUR FAILURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE JUSTIFICATION FOR NON-

COMPLIANCE OR PROOF OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE MCLE REQUIREMENT
WITHIN 60 DAYS FROM RECEIPT OF THIS NOTICE, SHALL BE A CAUSE FOR
LISTING YOU AS A DELINQUENT MEMBER AND SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED
TO PRACTICE LAW UNTIL SUCH TIME AS ADEQUATE PROOF OF
COMPLIANCE IS RECEIVED BY THE MCLE COMMITTEE.

The Member may use the 60-day period to complete his compliance with the MCLE
requirement. Credit units earned during this period may only be counted toward
compliance with the prior compliance period requirement unless units in excess of
the requirement are earned, in which case the excess may be counted toward
meeting the current compliance period requirement.

e. A member who is in non-compliance at the end of the compliance period shall pay a
non-compliance fee of P1,000.00 and shall be listed as a delinquent member of the
IBP by the IBP Board of Governors upon the recommendation of the MCLE
Committee, in which case Rule 139-B of the Rules of Court shall apply

Section 13: Reinstatement

a. Involuntary listing as a delinquent member shall be terminated when the member

submits proof of full compliance to the IBP Board of Governors. While he is on
 inactive status, he may earn the necessary credit units to complete the requirement
for the period of non-compliance. These credit units may not be counted toward
meeting the requirement of the current compliance period. Any excess credit units
earned by him to satisfy the prior compliance period requirements, shall be
counted towards meeting the requirements of the current compliance period.

b. The MCLE Committee shall be notified by the IBP Board of Governors of the
reinstatement of a delinquent member.

c. Upon reinstatement, the member shall pay the IBP a reinstatement fee in the
amount of P1,000.00.

Section 14: Reporting Period After

Reinstatement

The compliance period for a member who is reinstated to active status

following his/her suspension, disbarment or resignation shall start on the date of
reinstatement and shall end at the conclusion of the next compliance period.

Section 15: Schedule of Fees

The following is the schedule of fees to be paid by providers and lawyers:

a. Fee to accompany application for accreditation as CLE provider …

P2,000.00 (P1,000.00 only for a government educational institution or office
or IBP Chapter)

b. Fee to accompany application for approval of CLE activity... P100.00 per

expected participant/attendee, subject to verification of official attendance
record submitted by the Provider. (A government educational institution,
office, or IBP Chapter accredited as MCLE Provider shall pay a nominal fee
of P500.00 per applicantion for approval of MCLE activity/program).
 c. Fee to accompany application for exemption from CLE requirement under
Rule 7, Section 3 P1,000.00

d. Fee for non-compliance with CLE requirement P1,000.00

e. Reinstatement fee P1,000.00

This resolution shall take effect on the first of December 2001, following its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
 STORY / BACKGROUND

The obligation of lawyers to undergo a program of continuing legal education program is

sanctioned by Canon 5 of the Code of Professional Responsibility when it states that “A lawyer
should keep abreast of legal developments, participate in continuing legal education
programs…”It is also deemed an integral part of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)
mandate because Rule 139-A, Section 2 of the Revised Rules of Court provides:

“The fundamental purposes of the Integrated Bar shall be to elevate the standards of the legal
profession, improve the administration of justice, and enable the bar to discharge its public
responsibility more effectively.”

Sometime in 1997, during the National Convention of Lawyers in Cebu City, then Associate
Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. broached the idea of requiring mandatory continuing legal
education for lawyers. While the idea had always been discussed and profounded in the past , no
concrite action for its adoption was ever taken until 1999 when IBP Board of Governors, then
headed by President Jose Aguila Grapilon, passed a Resolution adopting a draft of rules for
MCLE. The IBP forwarded the draft to the Supreme Court which referred it to the Philippine
Judicial Academy (PHILJA) for study and comment. The PHILJA recommendations were
referred to the Supreme Court Committee on Legal Education, chaired by Justice Jose C. Vitug
which further studied them. Finally, they were submitted to the Supreme Court and on August
22, 2000, the Court en banc adopted Bar Matter No. 850. Thereafter, on December 01, 2001, the
Supreme Court approved the MCLE Implementing Regulations, which paved the way for its full
implementation.

Bar Matter No. 850 provides the purpose of MCLE which is: “Continuing legal education is
required of members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to ensure that throughout
their career, they keep abreast with law and jurisprudence, maintain the ethics of the profession
and enhance the standards of the practice of law.”

The MCLE is administered by a Governing Board composed by five (5) members, namely, a
retired Justice of the Supreme Court as Chair, and four (4) members respectively nominated by
the IBP, the Philippine Judicial Academy, a law center designated by the Supreme Court and
associations of law schools and/or law professors.

The members of the Governing Board shall be of proven probity and integrity: They shall be
appointed by the Supreme Court for a term of three (3) years and shall receive such
compensation as maybe determined by the Court.

Chairperson: Justice CAROLINA C. GRIÑO-AQUINO

(January 29, 2001 -July 23, 2012)

MCLE Governing Board Members:

Dean Andres D. Bautista January 29, 2004-Present)

Dean Danilo L. Concepcion (June 1, 2005-Present)

Dean Sedfrey M. Candelaria (October 19, 2012-Present)

IBP National President Roan I. (October 19, 2012-Present)

Libarios

Past MCLE Governing Board Members:

Dean Cesar L. Villanueva (January 29, 2004-September 13, 2011)

Dean Ernesto L. Pineda (January 29, 2004-May 31, 2005)

Atty. Rodolfo U. Urbiztondo (January 29, 2010-October 18, 2012)

IBP National President Feliciano M. Bautista (August 01, 2007- July 08, 2009)

IBP National President Jose Vicente Martin B. Salazar (August 16, 2006- June 20, 2007)

IBP National President Jose Anselmo I. Cadiz (January 29, 2004-August 15, 2006)

IBP National President Teofilo S. Pilando , Jr. (January 29, 2001-January 28, 2004)

Atty. Victoria A. Avena (January 29, 2001-January 28, 2004)

Justice Regalado E. Maambong (January 29, 2001-January 28, 2004)

Dean Pacifico A. Agabin (January 29, 2001-January 28, 2004)

 HISTORY / BACKGROUND

The obligation of lawyers to undergo a program of continuing legal education program is

sanctioned by Canon 5 of the Code of Professional Responsibility when it states that “A lawyer
should keep abreast of legal developments, participate in continuing legal education
programs…”It is also deemed an integral part of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)
mandate because Rule 139-A, Section 2 of the Revised Rules of Court provides:

“The fundamental purposes of the Integrated Bar shall be to elevate the standards of the legal
profession, improve the administration of justice, and enable the bar to discharge its public
responsibility more effectively.”

Sometime in 1997, during the National Convention of Lawyers in Cebu City, then Associate
Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. broached the idea of requiring mandatory continuing legal
education for lawyers. While the idea had always been discussed and profounded in the past , no
concrite action for its adoption was ever taken until 1999 when IBP Board of Governors, then
headed by President Jose Aguila Grapilon, passed a Resolution adopting a draft of rules for
MCLE. The IBP forwarded the draft to the Supreme Court which referred it to the Philippine
Judicial Academy (PHILJA) for study and comment. The PHILJA recommendations were
referred to the Supreme Court Committee on Legal Education, chaired by Justice Jose C. Vitug
which further studied them. Finally, they were submitted to the Supreme Court and on August
22, 2000, the Court en banc adopted Bar Matter No. 850. Thereafter, on December 01, 2001, the
Supreme Court approved the MCLE Implementing Regulations, which paved the way for its full
implementation.

Bar Matter No. 850 provides the purpose of MCLE which is: “Continuing legal education is
required of members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to ensure that throughout
their career, they keep abreast with law and jurisprudence, maintain the ethics of the profession
and enhance the standards of the practice of law.”

The MCLE is administered by a Governing Board composed by five (5) members, namely, a
retired Justice of the Supreme Court as Chair, and four (4) members respectively nominated by
the IBP, the Philippine Judicial Academy, a law center designated by the Supreme Court and
associations of law schools and/or law professors.

The members of the Governing Board shall be of proven probity and integrity: They shall be
appointed by the Supreme Court for a term of three (3) years and shall receive such
compensation as maybe determined by the Court.

Chairperson: Justice CAROLINA C. GRIÑO-AQUINO

(January 29, 2001 -July 23, 2012)

MCLE Governing Board Members:

Dean Andres D. Bautista January 29, 2004-Present)

Dean Danilo L. Concepcion (June 1, 2005-Present)

Dean Sedfrey M. Candelaria (October 19, 2012-Present)

IBP National President Roan I. (October 19, 2012-Present)

Libarios

Past MCLE Governing Board Members:

Dean Cesar L. Villanueva (January 29, 2004-September 13, 2011)

Dean Ernesto L. Pineda (January 29, 2004-May 31, 2005)

Atty. Rodolfo U. Urbiztondo (January 29, 2010-October 18, 2012)

IBP National President Feliciano M. Bautista (August 01, 2007- July 08, 2009)

IBP National President Jose Vicente Martin B. Salazar (August 16, 2006- June 20, 2007)

IBP National President Jose Anselmo I. Cadiz (January 29, 2004-August 15, 2006)

IBP National President Teofilo S. Pilando , Jr. (January 29, 2001-January 28, 2004)

Atty. Victoria A. Avena (January 29, 2001-January 28, 2004)

Justice Regalado E. Maambong (January 29, 2001-January 28, 2004)

Dean Pacifico A. Agabin (January 29, 2001-January 28, 2004)

 MCLE Accredited Providers
DATE OF
PROVIDER ADDRESS REPRESENTATIVE TEL. NO.
ACCREDITA
900 San
Adamson
Marcelino Dean Anna Maria
University College 523-3677 25-Jul-19
Street, Ermita, Abad
of Law
Manila
900 San
Marcelino
Street, Ermita,
Manila
Adamson (Adamson)/
University College Unit 48-C Dean Anna Marie D.
of Law-Alternative ZETA II Abad, Dean College
(02)7521753 (ACCESS); 524-
Center for Building, 191 of Law / Mr.
2011 loc. 311; 523-3677 25-Jul-19
Continuing Salcedo Street, Alexander Cañata,
(ADAMSON)
Education and Barangay San Chief Operating
Seminar Solutions, Lorenzo, Officer
Inc.(ACCESS,Inc.) Legaspi
Village,
Makati City
(ACCESS,
Inc.)
McArthur Justice Jose C. Vitug-
Angeles University
Highway, Dean Angeles
Foundation School (045) 8886000 or (02) 8451491 22-Jan-19
Angeles City, University Foundation
of Law
Pampanga College of Law
Taft Avenue
Atty. Gabriel P. Dela
Arellano Law Corner Menlo
Peña - Executive 404-3089-92 22-Jan-19
Foundation Inc. Street, Pasay
Director
City
1709 East
Tower,
Asian Center for
Philippine
Legal Excellence,
Stock
Inc.(ACLEX, Ms. Evelyn P. Ochoco
Exchange
Inc.)-Centro / Mr. Roberto 7506-5046 / 7995-6517 27-Jun-19
Centre,
Escolar University Borromeo
Exchange
School of Law and
Road, Ortigas
Jurisprudence
Center, Pasig
City
 3rd Floor,
Ateneo
Professional
Schools
Ateneo De Manila
Building, Atty. Jorge Alfonso (8) 899-7691 to 96 loc.
University (School 10-Oct-19
Rockwell Melo 2310/2311/2312
of Law)
Drive,
Rockwell
Center, Makati
City
905 Richville
Corporate
Center for Global Tower,
Best Practices, Madrigal
Inc.-San Beda Business Park, Camille Joyce J. Jonas 8556-8968 to 69 3-Sep-20
College Alabang 1107 Alabang-
School of Law Zapote Road,
Muntinlupa
City
Centro Escolar
259 Gil Puyat
University School
Avenue, - - 27-Jun-19
of Law and
Makati City
Jurisprudence
Suites 2205-B
22nd Floor,
and 3103-C
31st Floor,
Chan Robles Philippine
Lawnet, Inc. - De Stock Atty. Lea Marie
(632) 584-7801; (632) 634-0741 to
La Salle Exchange Sumanga Picar, 11-Dec-18
45
University College Centre, Tektite Executive Director
of Law East Tower,
Exchange
Road, Ortigas
Center, Pasig
City
Suites 2205-B
and 1607-A,
ChanRobles Tektite East
Lawnet, Inc.- Tower, Atty. Lea Marie S.
8584-7801/8634-0741-45 3-Dec-20
Manila Law Philippine Picar
College Stock
Exchange
Center,
 Exchange Rd.,
Ortigas
Center, Pasig
City
Suites 2205-B
and 1607-A,
Tektite East
Tower,
ChanRobles Philippine
Lawnet, Inc.- Stock Atty. Lea Marie S.
8584-7801/8634-0741-45 3-Dec-20
Manila Law Exchange Picar
College (Online) Center,
Exchange Rd.,
Ortigas
Center, Pasig
City
Western
Cordillera Career Buyagan,
Atty. Alexis R.
Development Poblacion, La 074-443-5530 20-Feb-20
Agmata
College (CCDC) Trinidad,
Benguet
Suite C16, The
E. M. Avila Law
Zone Vill
Office in
Condominium,
Affiliation with
2 Bukaneg Atty. Edgar M. Avila 074-443-5530 20-Feb-20
Cordillera Career
Street corner
Development
Legarda Road,
College of Law
Baguio City
FEU Makati
Buidling, Sen.
Gil Puyat Ave.
Far Eastern Atty. Anthony
cor. Malugay
University Institute Raymond A. 836-2002 local 123 / 129 19-Mar-19
St., Zuellig
of Law Goquincgo
Loop, Brgy.
Bel-Air,
Makati City
FEU Makati
Buidling, Sen.
Far Eastern Atty. Anthony
Gil Puyat Ave.
University Institute Raymond A.
cor. Malugay 836-2002 local 123 / 129 ; 819-
of Law - Goquincgo / Atty. 19-Mar-19
St., Zuellig 4700
Quisumbing Camille Bianca M.
Loop, Brgy.
Torres Law Office Gatmaitan-Santos
Bel-Air,
Makati
 City12/F Net
One Center,
26th cor. 3rd
Ave., Crescent
Park West,
BGC, Taguig
IBP Building,
15 Doña Julia
Vargas
IBP National Atty. Marie Fe V.
Avenue, 634-4697; 631-3014 ; 910-0417 25-Jul-19
Office Galvez-Garcia
Ortigas
Center, Pasig
City
14th Floor,
LiftED, Inc.- Cyberscape
Polytechnic Alpha Bldg.,
University of the Garnet Rd., Ma. Teresa L. Pacis 8475-2377 20-Feb-20
Philippines Ortigas
College of Law Center, Pasig
City
641 SALES
Manila Law ST., STA. DEAN SERGIO M.
02-87331601/87333749 LOC. 116 5-Nov-20
College CRUZ, CENIZA
MANILA
8th Floor
Pamantasan ng Sagittarius
Lungsod ng Condominium,
Maynila College III H.V. Dela Atty. Edgar Dennis A.
(632)553-0889 19-Feb-19
of Law-Andres Costa Street, Padernal - Partner
Padernal and Paras Salcedo
Law Offices Village,
Makati City
8th Floor,
Sagittarius
Pamantasan ng
Condominium,
Lungsod ng
III H.V. Dela Atty. Edgar Dennis A.
Maynila-Andres 632-5530889 19-Feb-19
Costa St., Padernal
Padernal and Paras
Salcedo
Law Offices
Village,
Makati City
3rd Floor of
Philippine Judicial
the Supreme
Academy -
Court
(PhilJA)
Building, Taft
 Avenue,
Manila
1942 Donada
St., Pasay City
: Secretariat
Office : Room
Philippine Law 314, Asian
Dean Jose A. Grapilon 242-4098 / 958-2902 25-Jul-19
School Social
Institute, 1518
Leon Guinto
St., Malate,
Manila
A. Mabini
Polytechnic
Capus,
University of the Dr. Emmanuel De
Anonas St., 632-83351782 20-Feb-20
Philippines Guzman
Sta. Mesa,
College of Law
Manila
DOJ Agencies
Buiding, NIA
Hon. Persida V.
Public Attorneys Road corner
Rueda-Acosta-Chief 929-9010/929-8106 22-Jan-19
Office East Avenue,
Public Attorney
Diliman,
Quezon City
8 Don Manolo
Blvd.,
San Beda College Alabang Hills
Alabang School of Village, Roben B. Cadugo, Jr. 8236-7222 Loc. 2380-2390 3-Sep-20
Law Alabang ,
Muntinlupa
City 1770
2nd Floor
University of
University of Cebu Cebu- Banilad Atty. Josh Carol (032) 505-4978 / email:
21-Jan-20
School of Law Campus, Ventura [email protected]
Banilad, Cebu
City
University of the Bocobo Hall,
Prof. Dante B.
Philippines Law U.P. Diliman, 8929-7137 / 8920-5514 loc. 229 12-Mar-20
Gatmaytan
Center Quezon City