Former SC Justice Carpio-Morales laments lawmakers accused of lawbreaking

MANILA, Philippines – Former Ombudsman and Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales on Sunday expressed her profound dismay over the recent charges faced by public officials. During her speech at the University of the Philippines Diliman’s 115th Commencement Exercises, Carpio-Morales stated, “In a world increasingly divided by arrogance, intolerance, and indifference, the call to gumalang (respect) is not merely timely, but urgent.” “As a magistrate, it pains me to see lawmakers alleged to be lawbreakers. Rules bent, redefined, or misinterpreted to suit individual or group interests. There is little paggalang (respect) for those who have limited or no voice at all. The powerless have become dispensable,” she added. Carpio-Morales also lamented how the law is being “disregarded” and even “weaponized.” She stressed that a lack of respect is evident across all levels of Philippine society, from humble homes to the halls of Congress and even the Palace by the river. She further noted that the term “respect” is being used to “silence criticism and suppress dissent.” She also underscored the distinct needs of different professions in upholding democracy, stating that engineers and architects need ethics, artists and journalists need platforms, scientists need imagination, and humanists need technological literacy. Quoting her question to the audience, she asked, “Can any one of you tell me what lawyers need?” hinting at the proceedings in the Senate. Carpio-Morales concluded by emphasizing that true character is revealed not by loud voices, self-aggrandizing achievements, or public success, but by everyday conduct. “Amid these loud divergent views and incessant noise, there should remain a space to listen to the voice of principled reason and the heartbeat of an impassioned conscience. After all, truth is not measured by decibels,” she said. READ: Int’l group slams Negros military ops after UP student, journo killings She also noted the lack of respect in the country. “From the humble homes along the riles (rail) to the halls of both houses of Congress, and even the Palace by the river, paggalang remains a core value that is tragically and sorely lacking in Philippine society today,” she stressed. The former ombudsman added that “respect” is being used to “silence criticism and suppress dissent.” Carpio-Morales also underscored the distinct needs of different professions in upholding democracy. “We need truth to win our case in the future. Engineers and architects need ethics. Artists and journalists need platforms. Scientists need imagination. Humanists need technological literacy,” she said. “Can any one of you tell me what lawyers need? Maybe you should look at the proceedings in the Senate,” she quipped. “Character is not revealed in loud, even screaming, incoherent voices, bible quotations, self-aggrandizing achievements, or public success. It is best revealed in your everyday conduct,” she added. “Amid these loud divergent views and incessant noise, there should remain a space to listen to the voice of principled reason and the heartbeat of an impassioned conscience. After all, truth is not measured by decibels,” Carpio-Morales said. /mcm