Marcos tells lawyers to unite for fair, impartial justice system

CEBU, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has called on lawyers in the country to unite in building a fair and impartial justice system, emphasizing that "rule of law" should reach every Filipino.

In his 12-minute speech during the 20th National Lawyers Convention held at the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel and Casino yesterday, the President emphasized the crucial role of the legal professions in upholding justice, building better democratic institutions and adapting to the technology’s advancements.

“There is no better moment than this to reaffirm our shared commitment to the rule of law — a commitment to ensuring that justice remains the bedrock upon which our democracy stands strong and unshaken,” said Marcos.

Speaking before an estimated 4,000 lawyer-attendees, Marcos also lauded the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) for its dedication in upholding justice, particularly in giving attention to underserved Filipinos, through free legal services.

Among the significant initiatives of the IBP that the President mentioned was the Unified Legal Aid Service Rules wherein lawyers are required to render at least 60 hours of pro-bono legal aid every three years.

He also highlighted the Pro-Bono Portal, a digital platform launched in April 2024, which aims to provide accessibility in delivering legal aid. This platform offers free courtroom representation, legal counseling, document preparation, and developmental legal assistance to the disadvantaged.

Also, the launch of additional Secure Justice Hubs also bridged the gap between marginalized communities.

Another IBP initiative that Marcos recognized was the Bench and Bar Dialogues where judges, prosecutors, justices and lawyers collaborate to upgrade legal processes.

“In this light, we must embrace a simple but profound truth: The law must serve to all Filipinos—not just a privileged few,” Marcos pointed out.

Marcos also noted the passage of 14 new laws establishing the first and second level courts across the country, ensuring that justice is more accessible to Filipinos in remote areas.

He, likewise, praised the adoption of the new Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, calling it a significant step in maintaining the highest ethical standards in the legal profession.

“The task before us now is to ensure that this Code becomes the very foundation of how our lawyers live and practice,” he said.

Before ending his speech, the President congratulated and welcomed the 3,962 new lawyers of the country.

“Your journey begins now, and with that journey, a tremendous opportunity is granted to you to shape a society that is fairer, more equitable, (and) more inclusive,” said Marcos.

Lawyer Antonio Pido, IBP president, shared that this year’s legal convention was fortunate to have been graced by the President.

“His excellency’s presence here with us has given more significance to our gatherings because through his message, our organization will be given guidance in terms of direction, advocacies and priorities,” said Pido.

NO BLANK ITEMS

The President also took his opportunity to clear out things and denied allegations that the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) contained blank items, assuring that every allocation has been thoroughly reviewed.

“As President, I am going to give you a run for your money. Just last month, I had to read 4,057 pages of the General Appropriations Act for 2025,” said Marcos.

He directly addressed concerns raised by critics, playfully remarking on the alleged blank items.

"And so, for those of you and up to now I cannot find those damned blank items," he said

"We’ll keep looking, we’ll keep looking. But I don’t – I really – I’m convinced that they simply do not exist because it is not allowed to exist," he added.

The President's statement came after some sectors have raised concerns about transparency in government spending. – / JG (FREEMAN)