April 24, 2023

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. today urged the 92 new lawyers of the Department to conduct themselves within the bounds of the law and inspire trust in the justice system through dignified and honest practice of their profession.

“Congratulations to the new lawyers! This only marks the beginning of your long but meaningful journey in the legal profession. I encourage all of you to display impeccable practice of your profession with the hopes of inspiring profound trust in our justice system in the country,” Abalos said.

“Bilang mga abogado, marapat lamang na ating tiyakin na ang hustisya ay ating maihatid nang walang takot at buong karangalan para sa kapakanan ng mga mamamayan,” he added.

Abalos who is a lawyer himself, commended the 15 new lawyers from the DILG Regional Offices and 77 from its attached agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), and National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) for successfully passing the 2022 Bar examination and encouraged them to use their aptitude in law to serve the people and deliver justice to the public without fear.

“Your success is the success of the whole country. May this achievement be an inspiration and a hope for our fellow Filipinos and ignite your hearts to serve others, especially those who are marginalized,” he said.

He said that among the 15 DILG Regional Office employees who passed the bar examination are Gerald A. Gallardo from Region I; DILG Quirino Provincial Director Salvacion Z. Baccay, Gmelina T. Manaligod and Judy Mar S. Dela Cruz from Region II; Maria Fatima L. Cruz from Region III; Francisco Deocareza from Region V; Drib Laurence B. Ingles, Jeffrey A, Lopez, Karen Ann Beniga and Tereza Ruby N. Leprozo from Region VII; Begie T. Lucenecio and Duchess Christile Marie M. Cobacha from Region VIII; Louie B. Limbraro from Region XI; Ernie Y. Gultiao from Region XIII; and, Jeremiah T. Salamero from the National Capital Region.

Meanwhile, he added that PNP takes pride in their 43 Bar passers, namely Michelle Sardane Olaivar, Erving Dominguez Chan, Alvin Laborte Villalon, Caesar Ian Cordero Binucal, Alvin Delos Santos Lepiten, Leonard Agwiking Danasen, Jericho Partido Rapiz, Marlo Yee Gabato, James O Bad-e, Jenyvie Butalid Nagtalon, Cherry Madriñan Ricafort, Christian Philip Mariñas Reduca and Febelyn Digap Tebes, Alex Correa Becerra, Roland Gliocam Molino, Joy Pingad Dayag, Rogelio Gutierrez Marcelo, Ailyn Don Delos Angeles, Jazal Dela Cruz Andrada, Joan Collado Mecono, Lorena Castillo Ripalda, Marifel Otap, Sabandal, Roderick Isong, Marifer Araneta Miguel, Loi Dominic Tan Arancon, Naif Abubacar Malawani, Elmond Ordoñez Monteron, Rose Anna Opalla Abuhan, Jose Marie Quilinguin Whiteside, Lovely May Bernal Janguin, Mamauag Rey Vincent Panganiban, Jerusalem Bungalan Dulnuan, Marie Rannelle Villaluz Dulnuan, Desiree Chaclag Pasong, Dizzy Dominong Buyuccan, Jefferson Balay-odao Cadap, Tetchie Paclay Assudo, John Bryan Latawan Cong-o, Sherwin Mendez Balagat, Faidzal Ganion Sendad, Joey Alcantara-Gumera, Joel Bacsal Purog, Jr. and Melody Bedey Mamilig.

BJMP, he said, has produced 17 lawyers, among them are Joy Anne C. Pascual, Midzfar H. Omar, Richard O. Banaldia, Orlando V. Montalban, Arrianne A. Obias, Raquel S. Madrigal, Michael F. Rodeles, Hannief A. Ampatuan, Maria Fe Alconaba-Bonggat, Allan Christian C. Benitez, Roxanne P. Calabon, Gretchel C. Cartujano, Russel C. Lucaney, Myna Zosette Mesias, Marlon M. Olavides, Sheena L. Guarin and Gene Dee E. Tañedo.

The DILG Chief likewise mentioned that BFP has gained 14 new lawyers, namely Marie Jada Dolloso, Jonah Gale Apo, Jaiza Abasolo, Joseph Bello, Vianney Joy Tiwaken, Rizza Laurio, Marlou Suralta, Ma. Cyril Sugbo, Billy Abasolo, Benrae Valmonte, Dhea-amor Cabug, Frank Paul Cuevas, John Michael Valmores and Abdul Azis Macabanding.

NAPOLCOM also has two new lawyers, who are Katrina Andrea L. Bringas and Evelyn Antonnete B. Lumbis, while NCMF has one Bar passer, Ashraf Hashemie Mastura Muhammad.

“Sa ating mga kasama sa PNP, BJMP, BFP, NAPOLCOM at NCMF, taos-puso ko po kayong binabati. Patuloy po tayong magkaisa at magtulungan sa pagtupad ng ating mga tungkulin sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng abogasiya,” Abalos said.

Dignified in the legal practice

Abalos also urged both existing and new lawyers in the Department to remain dignified in their legal practice both in the physical and online space, as stipulated in the updated “Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability” (CPRA) which was recently launched by the Supreme Court (SC).

“Hinihikayat ko ang lahat ng ating mga abogado sa Kagawaran na itanim nila sa kanilang puso’t isipan ang diwa ng pagiging abogado, na ipagtanggol ang batas sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Let’s do our part in maintaining the peace and order in our communities, even in social media and other digital platforms,” he said.

The CPRA is part of SC’s plan to revise the 34-year-old “Code of Professional Responsibility” by making it more responsive and relevant.

A total of 3,992 out of 9,183 or 43.47% of examinees passed the 2022 Bar examination.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/Abalos-to-92-new-DILG-lawyers-Serve-with-dignity-and-honesty-inspire-trust-in-the-justice-system/NC-2023-1061