By Rachel Magday

 

𝐁𝐀𝐘𝐎𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐆, 𝐍𝐮𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐳𝐜𝐚𝐲𝐚 — Justice must not be a privilege of the powerful but a right accessible to the poor, vulnerable and unheard, Gov. Jose V. Gambito told more than 300 lawyers attending the three-day Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Northern Luzon Convention, held here from Oct. 15 to 17.

“Justice must never be limited to the powerful or privileged. It must be accessible to the poor, the vulnerable, and those whose voices are too often unheard,” Gambito said at the convention’s opening program at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center in the provincial capitol.

IBP members from Regions 1 and 2 and the Cordillera Administrative Region convened under the leadership of National President Allan G. Panolong, Northern Luzon Governor Voltaire B. Garcia and Nueva Vizcaya Chapter President Marlon Madamba.

The convention’s theme is “Empowering Justice, Embracing Diversity: Amianan Standing in Solidarity, Serving with Inclusivity.” Gambito said lawyers must put that commitment into practice by using the law to defend rights, preserve dignity and help ensure that people can access justice.

“We must be advocates not only in courtrooms, but in our communities. We must be defenders not only of legal rights, but of human dignity,” he said.

Gambito who is also a lawyer by profession, linked the legal profession’s work with the responsibilities of government, saying both share the purpose of improving people’s lives. Public policies, programs and decisions, he said, must serve the welfare of the people.

The governor also encouraged delegates to explore Nueva Vizcaya’s tourist destinations during their stay, saying he hoped they would discover the province’s natural beauty and experience its hospitality.

Nueva Vizcaya is hosting the IBP Northern Luzon Convention for the first time—a milestone Gambito said was especially meaningful to him as a lawyer, longtime IBP member and governor.