Thank you very much, Executive Secretary and former chief justice [please, please]— and former Chief Justice Luc Bersamin; Supreme Court Chief Justice Alex Gesmundo; Retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban; the associate justices of the Supreme Court; officials and members of the ASEAN Lawyer Association of the Philippines; other distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

I congratulate the newly inducted Philippine National Committee Officers and Members of the ASEAN Law Association of the Philippines.

I am glad to administer your oaths of office today. For it signals your devotion to lend your legal expertise to promote close relations, cooperation, and mutual understanding amongst magistrates, lawyers, and teachers of law in ASEAN member countries.

Your representation to the international bodies such as the ALA reflects our country’s continued commitment to strengthen our multilateral cooperation with our neighboring countries.

This is particularly vital in achieving our goal of a just global community amidst the critical geopolitical issues that we are being confronted with in the region.

We count on your insights, and experience, and law, and the administration of justice to harmonize the respective national laws of every ASEAN country so as to achieve common consensus on concerns within our region.

As you add a new chapter to the storied history of ALA Philippines, it is only fitting to honor some of our country’s greatest legal luminaries who laid the foundation of your esteemed association, which include Atty. Avelino V. Cruz, who now chairs the ASEAN Law Institute, Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban.

Thank you, Chief Justice Panganiban, for your service and dedication in leading ALA Philippines, Inc. since 2015.

I am confident that, as the Chairperson Emeritus, your experience and wisdom will serve as a moral compass to achieve the objectives of the ASEAN Law Association.

Allow me also to take this opportunity to express my utmost support to the Judiciary as it implements the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022 to 2027.

Under the leadership of Chief Justice Gesmundo and the commitment of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and other public servants in the Judiciary, the Filipino people can now rest assured that responsive and real-time justice can be delivered.

Let me take this opportunity to reiterate this administration’s respect and adherence to the autonomy of the judiciary, and our commitment to strengthen partnership between the Executive and the Judiciary.

I also commend Chief Justice Gesmundo for accepting the position of Philippine National Committee Chairperson of ALA Philippines.

I likewise applaud the Supreme Court for accepting the task of hosting the Council of ASEAN Chief Justice Meeting, alongside the ASEAN Law Association General Council Meeting this coming November of this year.

By taking on these challenges, you have proven that we are one with our ASEAN counterparts to facilitate legal collaboration, interconnectivity, and integration amongst them.

With the election of the new Philippine National Committee officers of ALA Philippines, I am confident, the Philippines will take the lead in upholding the rule of law and promoting social stability and economic prosperity in the ASEAN Region.

Once again, congratulations to the new Philippine National Committee Officers and Members of ALA Philippines!

Thank you and good afternoon.

— END —