John Mark D. Cariño
Last April 29, the Honorable Supreme Court Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan and Atty. Antonio Caesar R. Manila discussed the salient features of the new Code on Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) during the 2nd Law Colloquium: The Dean Emeritus Virgilio B. Jara Lecture Series held at the Jonathan Sy Auditorium, New Building.
One of the highlights of the CPRA is its provisions concerning the Responsible Use of Social Media: A lawyer shall uphold the dignity of the legal profession in all social media interactions in a manner that enhances the people’s confidence in the legal system, as well as promote its responsible use. Canon II, Section 36 of the CPRA provides that a lawyer shall have the duty to understand the benefits, risks, and ethical implications associated with the use of social media.
Among the nine (9) sections pertaining to the responsible use of social media, Canon II, Sec. 38 of the CPRA prohibits lawyers from committing acts of disinformation. It provides that a lawyer shall not knowingly or maliciously post, share, upload or otherwise disseminate false or unverified statements, claims, or commit any other act of disinformation.
Although these provisions may be viewed as to only regulate the conduct of lawyers online, these can also be considered as ammunition in the fight against disinformation and misinformation in general. It cannot be denied that in our country, lawyers are put on pedestals, so much so that words uttered and statements made by them are relatively given significance and value by those not familiar with the law.
As a student journalist aspiring to be part of the legal profession, I am hopeful that the provisions on the Responsible Use of Social Media, knowledge of the law and the privilege of being a lawyer will not be weaponized to cause mass disinformation and misinformation.
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Congratulations to San Beda University-College of Law for emerging as the top performing school for first-time candidates in the 2022 Bar Examinations.
I would also like to congratulate all the alumni of thebarrister for passing the 2022 bar exams, especially Atty. Kira Jorgio and Atty. Angeline V. Wilson, former Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor, respectively.
Congratulations as well to my dear friends, Atty. Nichole Vane B. Santos, Atty. Stevie R. Arcilla, Atty. Marc Andrew M. Marasigan, Atty. Patrick Marrion Y. Melendres, CPA, and Atty. King Laurenz S. Masilungan!
THE BARRISTER 