Justice Singh: Ethics is a Way of Life
Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh delivers her keynote presentation during the “Conduct of the Orientation on the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability” organized by the Philippine Competition Commission held on December 1, 2023 at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
“Ethics is about everyday consciousness of what is proper and improper. It is a way of life.”
This was emphasized by Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, Vice Chairperson of the Supreme Court Sub-Committee for the Revision of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), during the Conduct of the Orientation on the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability on December 1, 2023 at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City.
Justice Singh gave a brief background on the revision of the CPRA, mentioning that the Court held an Ethics Caravan around the country, particularly in Cebu, Palawan, Davao City, Naga City, Baguio City, and Manila, which involved consultations with legal practitioners, members of the academe, law students, and civil service organizations. According to Justice Singh, this is a testament that “the thrust of the Supreme Court is consultative, collegiate, transparent, and above all, accountable.”
Approved by the Court En Banc in A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC on April 11, 2023, the revised CPRA was officially launched on April 13, 2023 and took effect on May 30, 2023.
Justice Singh gave an overview of the new CPRA, the revision of which is in line with the “Campaign for Ethical Responsibility” initiative under Outcome 1: Efficiency of the Judiciary’s blueprint of action for judicial reform, the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI).
In discussing the new CPRA, Justice Singh stressed that it is values-based, focusing on the Canons of Independence, Propriety, Fidelity, Competence and Diligence, Equality, and Accountability. She then raised possible scenarios which lawyers may encounter in both the professional and personal aspects of their lives and how they should handle such, in accordance with the provisions of the CPRA.
Justice Singh likewise reminded the attendees, who are lawyers from different government agencies, that they “automatically became officers of the court” when they took their oath as lawyers. Thus, they are “duty-bound to help in the administration of justice,” she added.
In closing, Justice Singh urged all lawyers in government service to help in the administration of justice “by doing our work faithfully and upholding the rule of law.”
Upon the request of the organizers and the participants, Justice Singh likewise administered the new Lawyer’s Oath to all lawyers who were present in the event.
Organized by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), the event was attended by lawyers from different government agencies, namely, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Commission on Audit, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Anti-Red Tape Authority, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.
The event was spearheaded by PCC Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo and PCC Commissioners Marah Victoria S. Querol, Lolibeth Ramit-Medrano, and Ferdinand M. Negre. Also present was Atty. Markus H. Meier, Acting Director, Bureau of Competition of the United States Federal Trade Commission. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh administers the Revised Lawyer’s Oath to Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) officials and lawyers in government service who attended the “Conduct of the Orientation on the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability” on December 1, 2023 at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City. Aside from PCC lawyers, other attendees are from different government agencies: Department of Information and Communications Technology, Commission on Audit, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Anti-Red Tape Authority, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh (fourth from left) poses for posterity with (from left) Atty. Michelle Diana P. Maniwang-Basa of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) Legal Services Division, PCC Commissioner Ferdinand M. Negre, PCC Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo, PCC Commissioner Marah Victoria S. Querol, and PCC Commissioner Lolibeth Ramit-Medrano after receiving the token of appreciation as guest speaker at the “Conduct of the Orientation on the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability” on December 1, 2023 at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)