Former presidents of the Philippine Bar Association (PBA), the country’s oldest voluntary organization of lawyers, expressed their support to the presidential candidacy of Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
“For more than a century, the PBA has kept watch to uphold the Rule of Law. We believe VP Leni Robredo will keep this vigil alive. And we call on our colleagues in the profession to join us,” the former PBA presidents said in a joint statement.
Robredo’s supporters in the PBA were led by former Defense Secretary Avelino J. Cruz Jr. and former Ombudsman Simeon V. Marcelo.
The other signatories in the joint statement were lawyers Ruben O. Fruto, Rogelio A. Vinluan, Federico A. Agcaoili, Hector A. Martinez, Victor P. Lazatin, Jose A. Feria Jr., Ma. Teresita Geraldine C. Sison Go, Ma. Charito P. Cruz, Beda G. Fajardo, Emerico O. De Guzman, Rodel A. Cruz, Fina Bernadette A. Dela Cuesta-Tantuico, Jose Luis V. Agcaoili, and Jose Perpetuo M. Lotilla.
“As heirs to a past earned by the sacrifice of our predecessors, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that the country’s next leader adheres to the same ideals they have fought, bled and died for,” they said.
“Leni Robredo is that candidate” as she “built a life serving the poorest of the poor” and “has been the kind and noble face of the Legal profession in the most neglected areas,” they declared.
“She is the best reminder to our countrymen that the Rule of Law serves the people, and not the other way around,” they stressed.
As the country exits the pandemic, they said: “Our next President must be one who can inspire people to put their faith back in their government.”
They also said:
“The public trusts VP Leni. During the pandemic, they went to her with their lives and resources, enabling her Office to achieve much despite budget limitations. We are witnesses to spontaneous demonstrations of love, support and sacrifice by citizens.
“We have full confidence in VP Leni’s commitment to return the Rule of Law to its primary place in our system. A rules-based order is the best guaranty of stability. And a stable nation is best positioned to defend itself from foreign aggression. And our security interests in the West Philippine Sea are safe with someone like VP Leni.”