Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA)
Section 37. Sanctions. - (a) If the respondent is found guilty of a serious offense, any of the following sanctions, or a combination thereof, shall be imposed: (1) Disbarment; (2) Suspension from the practice of law for a period exceeding six ( 6) months; (3) Revocation of notarial commission and disqualification as notary public for not less than two (2) years; or (4) A fine exceeding P100,000.00. (b) If the respondent is found guilty of a less serious offense, any of the following sanctions, or a combination thereof, shall be imposed: (1) Suspension from the practice of law for a period within the range of one ( 1) month to six ( 6) months, or revocation of notarial commission and disqualification as notary public for less than two (2) years; (2) A fine within the range of P35,000.00 to P100,000.00. ( c) If the respondent is found guilty of a light offense, any of the following sanctions shall be imposed: (1) A fine within the range of P1,000.00 to P35,000.00; (2) Censure; or (3) Reprimand. In addition to the above sanctions in paragraph ( c ), the respondent may also be required to do community service or service in the IBP legal aid program.
In all instances, when the offense involves money or property owed, which is intrinsically linked to the lawyer-client relationship, the respondent shall be ordered to return the same.