WE HAVE a new batch of lawyers. The timing of the recent release of results of last year’s Bar exams was somewhat providential. People need the rule of law the most in times of crisis. Our new lawyers are, hopefully, our new frontliners in the people’s continuing quest for the rule of law.
The limits of laws are tested in life or death situations. The bounds of personal liberties, the common good, and imperatives of public health and safety overlap especially now in these COVID-19 times.
We fervently hope our new lawyers will take to heart and constantly keep in mind the purposes of our laws and why we, as a society, choose to abide by the rule of law. We have laws and we have lawyers because we must seek the truth and serve justice. We have lawyers because they are officers of the law, vanguards of truth, and frontliners in the continuing quest for justice.
Our laws must serve the ends of justice when hospitals reject patients needing urgent medical care, when distressed mentally-ill citizens are gunned down, when public funds and relief goods do not reach intended beneficiaries, when children are denied milk, and when fake news and fear cause people to discriminate and prevent workers from going back to their homes.
Our laws must govern on land, out at sea, and in our airspace. Our officers of the law must wield the sword of justice when COVID-19 aid goes to drug dealers because cash grants are used to buy illegal drugs, when our islands are claimed by foreign powers, when illegal pharmaceuticals are smuggled into our country, and when unscrupulous business people engage in hoarding and profiteering of essential goods.
These are what our laws are for. These are why we have lawyers. We have the Bar exams because we must have competent and ethical frontliners of justice to defend our citizens from harm and protect their rights and liberties.
