As news of the 2019 Bar exam results broke out on Wednesday, a Harvard-trained lawyer and lawmaker has called on the new lawyers to help turn the tide of discrimination against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) front liners.
“Of course, congratulations are in order. Pinaghirapan ng mga bagong abogado ang tagumpay nila ngayon. But as we always say, the hardest part starts now,” Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles said.
“We need lawyers to go to bat for our heroes who are risking life and limb to protect us from the threat of the pandemic.”
“Our new lawyers are welcomed into the fold under extraordinary circumstances. These circumstances are demanding—simply put, we need lawyers to go to bat for our heroes who are risking life and limb to protect us from the threat of the pandemic,” he said.
Nograles urged new lawyers not to wait for their license to be of service to the country.
There are various volunteer groups not only for anti-discrimination advocacy, but for other causes such as legal aid for persons deprived of liberty and the poor, he also said.
These groups are undermanned, Nograles said, and would benefit from the energy and fresh ideas of younger lawyers.
The neophyte solon, a legal aid advocate, is the founder of Lakbay Hustisya Foundation, a legal aid trust fund organized to support legal aid activities around the Philippines.
Lakbay Hustisya spearheads the “e-dalaw” initiative in partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology where PDLs are able to consult with lawyers despite the suspension of visitation rights in jails.
“Umaasa ako na mangunguna ang mga bagong abogado natin sa pagtanggol sa mga naaapi lalo na sa panahon ngayon,” Nograles said.
“This is a time for all members of the legal profession to re-examine why we chose a career in law in the first place. The law is about justice, in the end, and I have every confidence that with this principle is foremost in the hearts and minds of our new lawyers, they will not shirk from the challenge of the times,” he added.