Question

Topic: Canon III - Fidelity

In the practice of law, lawyers are bound by the Canon III of the Code of Professional Responsibility. This canon emphasizes the importance of lawyers' fidelity to their clients and the duty to preserve their clients' confidences and secrets.

Consider the following scenarios:

1. Atty. Garcia was approached by a client who confessed to him about committing a serious crime. The client provided Atty. Garcia with all the details of the crime and asked for legal advice. Does Atty. Garcia have an ethical duty to keep the client's confession confidential? Explain.
2. Atty. Reyes is representing a high-profile client in a controversial case. During a private meeting, the client reveals sensitive information that, if made public, could potentially harm his reputation. Atty. Reyes is approached by a journalist who offers a substantial amount of money in exchange for this confidential information. Should Atty. Reyes disclose the information to the journalist? Discuss the ethical implications.
3. Atty. Santos is handling a divorce case where his client, the wife, has disclosed to him confidential information about her husband's hidden assets. Atty. Santos is approached by the husband's attorney, who offers a substantial bribe in exchange for this confidential information. What should Atty. Santos do? Analyze the ethical considerations involved.