SC to IBP: ‘Adhere to principle of justice’

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

In an effort to address scandals and controversies involving lawyers across the country, Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo urged the officers and members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in Bicol to adhere to the true principles of justice.

Speaking at the Bicolandia IBP regional convention and CPRA Roll-Out, themed “The Future of the Rule of Law: Innovative and Ethical Legal Profession in the Digital Age,” held at the Gymnasium of Sorsogon City for the first time, Gesmundo noted that the Supreme Court’s dockets are flooded with administrative complaints against lawyers involved in various scandals, including sexual harassment, money laundering, and corruption.

“Lawyers from all over the country have been involved in multiple scandals and controversies, ranging from sexual harassment, money laundering, corruption, and everything in between. Instances such as these lead the public to believe that lawyers often overstep legal bounds to fulfill the desires of their clients, or even worse, their own,” said the Chief Justice.

He emphasized that the Supreme Court’s dockets are filled with complaints against lawyers who misuse their legal knowledge to evade valid legal obligations or to perpetrate injustice, even against the most vulnerable members of society.

“By instilling the paramount importance of ethical conduct in our profession, we hope to create fervent disciples of the law who champion justice, regardless of the heavy sacrifices it may entail,” Gesmundo stated.

“Our ability to practice law is not a God-given right but a privilege—a privilege that comes with obligations we voluntarily impose upon ourselves, because we understand that the relentless pursuit of truth and justice will only bear fruit if done through just and moral conduct,” he added.

Aware of these issues, the Court, according to Gesmundo, has taken steps to promote a more ethical and faithful practice of the profession. The Supreme Court launched the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), an overhaul of the original Code of Professional Responsibility, which had been unrevised since 1988.

The CPRA distills the core values all lawyers must adhere to, ensuring they serve as true vessels of justice for both their clients and society as a whole. “More importantly, CPRA recognizes that much has changed in almost four decades, and today’s technologically-driven society presents unprecedented challenges and opportunities in our private and professional lives,” he explained.

The CPRA consolidates separate regulations related to lawyer discipline, abbreviates administrative proceedings, and prescribes a standardized table of penalties for varying offenses. These disciplinary proceedings, Gesmundo noted, ensure due process and decision quality are not compromised for expediency’s sake.

The CPRA also addresses the ideal characteristics that all bar members must embody—independence, propriety, fidelity, competence and diligence, equality, and accountability. “These principles guide a lawyer in their roles as citizens, members of the legal profession, officers of the court, and client representatives,” he said.

Chief Justice Gesmundo also emphasized the responsible use of technology, stating that CPRA acknowledges that legal professionals’ responsibilities have extended beyond the physical realm into digital platforms. “Social media has undeniably permeated our lives and is increasingly intertwined with our personal and professional endeavors. We must ensure that our online presence upholds our profession’s dignity,” he advised.

Highlighting the role of lawyers in building justice beyond litigation, Gesmundo referred to Section 8 of CPRA’s Canon on Fidelity, which stresses the lawyer’s duty to encourage settlement. “Lawyers should actively assist in mediation and dispute resolution,” he said.

He also mentioned the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), which aims to reform the judiciary. “Ethics—in legal practice, on the bench, and in court personnel work—is the fulcrum of our vision of responsive and real-time justice,” Gesmundo stated.

The Chief Justice praised the IBP Sorsogon chapter, led by Chapter President and IBP Bicolandia Governor Atty. Annalyn Sherry F. Hibo-Gamboa, and its officers for successfully hosting the IBP convention in Sorsogon province for the first time.