In his keynote message at the Cultural Night of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Northern Luzon 2024 Regional Convention on November 26, 2024, in Tabuk City, Kalinga, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo acknowledges the central role of the Supreme Court in maintaining the dignity of the legal profession.
Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office
CJ Gesmundo, SAJ Leonen emphasize to N. Luzon lawyers importance of CPRA
Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office
“IN the end, the power of our legal knowledge is shaped not only by skill, but by character; not just by competence, but by conscience.”
These were the words of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo as he put into focus the “profound responsibility” that comes with mastering the law in his message to the officers, members, and guests of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) – Northern Luzon Region during the Cultural Night of its Regional Convention, held on November 26, 2024, at the Kalinga Astrodome in Tabuk City, Kalinga.
“Being learned in the law carries with it a profound responsibility. In our hands, it is an instrument for upholding justice and the rule of law,” said the Chief Justice, the first ever to visit the Province of Kalinga. “However, we must also recognize that the same can be wielded to oppress, distort truth, and subvert justice.”
Chief Justice Gesmundo emphasized the vital role of the Supreme Court in upholding the dignity of the legal profession. He highlighted the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) and discussed its core values, which include independence, propriety, fidelity, competence, diligence, equality, and accountability.
Said the Chief Justice: “Independence means providing the best possible representation, based on a lawyer’s expertise, judgment, and understanding of the law…Propriety calls for honesty, courtesy, civility, and fairness in all facets of life, while Fidelity encompasses our fiduciary duty to our client, and our loyalty to our laws and the administration of justice. Competence and diligence are committing ourselves to continuous learning and self-improvement.”
He added that Equality “reminds us that the role of lawyers in serving the public interest extends to ensuring access to justice by all, regardless of socio-economic status,” and that “Accountability safeguards the integrity of the profession by ensuring that those who fail to adhere to our ethical standards face the consequences of their actions.”
Chief Justice Gesmundo revealed that the CPRA recognizes the fact that much has changed in the almost four decades since its predecessor, the Code of Professional Responsibility, was promulgated. He pointed out that in today’s technology-driven society, the responsibilities of legal professionals have expanded beyond traditional physical boundaries and into digital platforms.
“Social media has undeniably permeated our lives and is increasingly becoming intertwined with our personal and professional endeavors,” the Chief Justice emphasized. He urged lawyers present to always ensure that their online presence consistently reflects the dignity associated with the legal profession.
“Our everyday actions must reflect the ideals we profess, and we must achieve excellence alongside, and never at the expense of, ethical conduct,” concluded Chef Justice Gesmundo. “At the end of the day, our perceived success in the profession will hold no meaning if it is achieved at the cost of our moral values.”
For his part, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen pointed out that the CPRA “articulates the normative ethos of our conception of the legal profession” and “defines the boundaries of ethical practice and our relationship with various constituencies.” He added that the challenge for members of the legal profession is not only to recall the provisions of the CPRA but to embody them in their daily lives.
In his keynote address at the 13th Leg of the CPRA Rollout on November 25, 2024, the first day of the two-day IBP Regional Convention, Senior Associate Justice Leonen traced the highlights of his journey as a lawyer, beginning with the establishment of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center, Kasama sa Kalikasan, Inc. in 1987, focused on providing legal aid to indigenous peoples communities, up to his career as a legal practitioner with the Free Legal Assistance Group.
“The work led me to personally work with indigenous groups in various parts of the country, including here in the Cordilleras, living in their homes and getting to know their culture and traditions,” shared the Senior Associate Justice. “These have given me life lessons that I carry with me until today; learnings which led me to promise that I will give back as a Justice of our Supreme Court.”
“As you may already know, legal aid involves working with communities to see what worked best—not only to solve existing legal problems but also the root causes of their economic, social, and political issues,” he said, adding that this approach “does not look at the law as something which exists in a vacuum; rather, it is something shaped by historical, social, and cultural factors.”
As regards the CPRA, Senior Associate Justice Leonen emphasized that discussing integrity within the justice system must include how to prevent corruption in the Judiciary itself.
“This is why understanding and taking to heart what CPRA embodies is important: By maintaining ethical standards and accountability among judicial officers, the CPRA ensures that lawyers stay true to their duty of upholding the rule of law and be worthy of public trust,” remarked the Senior Associate Justice.
Both the Chief Justice and the Senior Associate Justice were officially recognized by the Office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Kalinga as special dignitaries of the province for their outstanding leadership and devotion to the judicial system and their service, which embody the true character and spirit of a Member of the Supreme Court. To this end, Chief Justice Gesmundo was given the name “Magma-U,” which means “intelligent and brave,” while Senior Associate Justice Leonen was given the name “Wanawan,” meaning “brilliant and courageous.”
Joining the Chief Justice and the Senior Associate Justice in gracing the Regional Convention and CPRA Rollout was Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando.
Before the Cultural Night of the IBP Regional Convention, Chief Justice Gesmundo and Justice Hernando, along with Assistant Court Administrator Maria Regina Adoracion Filomena M. Ignacio and Atty. Maria Alma Corazon H. Puncia, Interim Regional Court Manager for the First Judicial Region, held a dialogue with the judges of the second judicial region to listen to and address their administrative concerns.
Led by IBP Northern Luzon Region Governor Atty. Minerva R. Magtanao-Taguinod, IBP Northern Luzon Region is composed of 14 chapters of the IBP: Abra, Apayao, Baguio-Benguet, Batanes, Cagayan, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino. Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office
