Justice Gaerlan: Exceptional Lawyers Have Brilliant Minds and Strong Ethical Core
March 21, 2024
Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan underscores the utmost importance of adherence to the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) saying that “[d]ivorced from ethics, legal excellence is worthless” at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Central Luzon Regional Convention at Grand Palazzo Royale in Angeles City, Pampanga on March 21, 2024. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
“[T]he true mark of an exceptional lawyer is not only a brilliant mind but likewise a strong ethical core.”
Thus said Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan as he underscored the utmost importance for all members of the legal profession to adhere to the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Central Luzon Regional Convention at Grand Palazzo Royale in Angeles City, Pampanga on March 21, 2024.
“Divorced from ethics, legal excellence is worthless. Lawyers who gain mastery of the laws, only to use them as subterfuge to perpetrate further injustice are nothing but oppressors. Lawyers who display eloquence in writing arguments, only to suppress the truth and manufacture falsehood are nothing but manipulators. Lawyers who seem to demonstrate expertise in litigation through the utilization of harassing tactics against their opponents are nothing but bullies,” Justice Gaerlan said.
Justice Gaerlan said that this year’s convention theme, Justice Aligned: Elevating Ethics in the Pursuit of Legal Excellence, “underscores the critical importance of alignment between a lawyer’s pursuit of legal excellence and the ethical standards to which he or she must hold himself or herself to.”
Saying that “ethics breathes life into the practice of law,” Justice Gaerlan stressed that the CPRA “serves as a reminder and a guide to lawyers that justice can only be truly achieved when legal excellence is coupled with living ethically.”
Justice Gaerlan further stressed that the CPRA “is not merely a code of conduct, but a way of life.” The CPRA, he elaborated, although consisting of a vast array of provisions, are really simple rules on how to strengthen a lawyer’s ethical core by constantly choosing right over wrong, with a sense of understanding and acceptance that choices have corresponding consequences.
Justice Gaerlan expressed his gratitude to the IBP “for being a staunch proponent of ethics and a key partner in the creation of the CPRA.” He acknowledged IBP’s assistance in the Ethics Caravans held in Cebu, Davao, Naga, and Baguio, as well as during the National Ethics Summit in Manila. He added that the IBP’s invaluable contributions paved the way to the rebirth of the Code more responsive to the needs of the legal profession amidst a highly evolving legal landscape.
Furthermore, he also commended the IBP for consistently fulfilling its Herculean task as a warden of accountability for lawyers. He cited how the deliberate undertaking of the IBP Investigating Commissioners and the IBP Board of Governors to make lawyers answerable for their transgressions preserves the integrity of the legal profession and restores the people’s faith and confidence in the judicial system.
Justice Gaerlan concluded his message by reaffirming the Court’s commitment to safeguard the rights of each citizen and its relentless efforts to alleviate the suffering of the marginalized, the weak, and the vulnerable.
OIC Governor for Central Luzon Atty. Maria Imelda B. Quiambao-Tuazon, who gave the welcome address, encouraged all participants to “heed the call to ethical leadership,” adding that “your generation holds the key to shaping the future of our nation.”
For his part, IBP National President and Chairperson of the 26th Board of Governors Atty. Antonio C. Pido, in his welcome address, reminded the attendees to “not go after money but to go after excellence in your chosen field.”
Also present were Executive Judge Eda P. Dizon of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Angeles City and Executive Judge Robert Alexander R. Malig of the RTC of San Fernando, Pampanga.
Over 300 members of the IBP Central Luzon attended the regional convention. The IBP Central Luzon is composed of seven IBP chapters —Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Zambales.
The IBP Central Luzon will host the 6th Leg Program for CPRA Roll Out with Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen as keynote speaker tomorrow, March 22, 2024, also at Grand Palazzo Royale. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan (fifth from right) poses for posterity with Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) National President Atty. Antonio C. Pido (right of Justice Gaerlan), OIC Governor for IBP Central Luzon Atty. Maria Imelda B. Quiambao-Tuazon (left of Justice Gaerlan, and other IBP officers at the IBP Central Luzon Regional Convention at Grand Palazzo Royale in Angeles City, Pampanga on March 21, 2024. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan joins officers and members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Central Luzon during its Regional Convention at Grand Palazzo Royale in Angeles City, Pampanga on March 21, 2024. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)