A.

Did Andrew violate his lawyer-client confidentiality when he told Jasmine that John was Jester's
child with Espy?
We think that the grey area of this scenario is the fact that Jester told his friend Atty. Andrew the
reason why he wanted to simulate the birth of John through an email. It is the question on whether or not
such disclosure of Jester was done as a client of lawyer (Atty. Andrew) or as a friend of the latter.

Couple
Couple
Jester
Jester
and
and
Jasmine
Jasmine

Client/s
Client/s

Atty.
Andre
w

Jester
Jester
(alone)
(alone)

Our group answer leads to give more weight on the view that there is only one client. The client is the couple
Jester and Jasmine. The disclosure, however, made by Jester alone to Atty. Andrew was not done in an
attorney-client relationship but as a high school buddies (as friends) consequently the disclosure made by
Atty. Andrew to Jasmine in the herein scenario would neither impute Atty. Andrew in violation of Canon 21 of
the Code of Professional Responsibility nor Rule 138 Sec. 20(e) of the Rules of Court.

CANON 21 - A LAWYER SHALL PRESERVE THE CONFIDENCE AND SECRETS OF HIS CLIENT EVEN
AFTER THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATION IS TERMINATED.
Rule 21.01 - A lawyer shall not reveal the confidences or secrets of his client except;
(a) When authorized by the client after acquainting him of the consequences of the disclosure;
(b) When required by law;
(c) When necessary to collect his fees or to defend himself, his employees or associates or by judicial
action.
Rule 21.02 - A lawyer shall not, to the disadvantage of his client, use information acquired in the course of
employment, nor shall he use the same to his own advantage or that of a third person, unless the client with
full knowledge of the circumstances consents thereto.
Rule 138. Section 20. Duties of attorneys. It is the duty of an attorney:
(e) To maintain inviolate the confidence, and at every peril to himself, to preserve the secrets of his client,
and to accept no compensation in connection with his client's business except from him or with his
knowledge and approval;
To buttress our stand, the fact that disclosure of Atty. Andrew was patently made as a friend of the
couple because the Atty. Andrew felt guilty about Jasmines concern to Jester. Therefore, it only tells us that
such disclosure was done as a friend in connection from the fact that the Jesters information about the truth
of Johns parents was not a secret to be protected under the rules on privilege communication but, it is a
secret between two friends (Jester and Andrew) confiding to each other.