President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday called on the country’s lawyers to be “agents of justice,” urging them to uphold integrity, fairness, and service while ensuring that the law serves all Filipinos, not just the privileged few.
“As members of the legal community, you are in the most fitting position to safeguard that Constitution—that living document that embodies our collective aspirations and that binds us together as a people,” he said in his address at the National Convention of Lawyers in Cebu.
The president stressed the need for justice to reach the underserved, unseen, and unheard, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to a legal system that is efficient, fair, and rooted in the rule of law.
“This administration remains your partner in nurturing the environment where our lawyers excel—where justice is swift, where it is fair, where it is impartial, and where the rule of law remains the cornerstone of all progress,” he said.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the official organization of Philippine lawyers, convened in Cebu City with 3,962 new lawyers in attendance.
President Marcos lauded the IBP’s recent adoption of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which reinforces the highest ethical standards in the legal community.
He also praised the organization’s initiatives, such as the Unified Legal Aid Service Rules, requiring lawyers to render at least 60 hours of pro bono legal aid to indigent Filipinos every three years.
According to the President, the launch of Secure Justice Hubs in August 2022 and March 2023, as well as the Pro Bono Portal in April last year, has expanded free legal services, offering representation, counseling, document preparation, and developmental legal assistance to disadvantaged Filipinos.
President Marcos acknowledged the evolving challenges in the legal landscape, citing cybercrime, data privacy, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence as critical areas that lawyers must navigate in a rapidly digitalizing world.
His administration, he said, remains committed to strengthening the justice system, citing 14 newly enacted laws establishing additional courts to bring legal services closer to the people.
“By embracing technology and championing alternative dispute resolution, the IBP has ensured that fairness and efficiency in legal remedies are accessible to all Filipinos,” Mr. Marcos said.
The IBP continues to conduct Bench and Bar Dialogues, fostering collaboration among judges, justices, prosecutors, and lawyers to enhance legal processes, he added.
The chief executive reaffirmed his commitment to working alongside the legal profession to uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice remains accessible to all.