Hon. Leila M. de Lima

Ex Officio Member, Secretary of Justice

 

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  Although her appointment as Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson in 2008 might not have been a predictable point in the Hon. Leila M. de Lima’s career path, she certainly proved more than fit to handle the job.

After consistently excelling in her academics during her school days at La Consolacion Academy (now La Consolacion College) in her hometown of Iriga City, Atty. de Lima entered the De La Salle University.  There, she earned her A.B. degree in History and Political Science.  She took up law at the San Beda College of Law, where she graduated as class salutatorian in 1985.  She went on to successfully hurdle the bar exams that same year, ranking 8th.

She then stocked up on experience as a lawyer by joining the Supreme Court (as legal staff of then Associate Justice Isagani A. Cruz) and later, law firms (such as, as a Junior Partner in the law firm of the late Raul S. Roco). She eventually struck out on her own, becoming one of the most prominent election lawyers in the country.

Entering the human rights circle as a neophyte, her passion for this cause as well as her quick action, captured the attention, if not respect, of even the most critical observers.

During her time as Chairperson of the CHR, she garnered numerous awards for her work within that institution.  Among them is the 2010 Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair for Public Service and Governance, which chose her “for her untarnished record as a renowned election lawyer and Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, and her dedication and commitment to public service and ethical leadership.”

Equally notable is the praise received by her from the Akbayan Partylist, when it honoured her as an “Agent of Change” during its 12th Founding Anniversary.  The party stated that, “Atty. De Lima provided the necessary leadership that made the Commission on Human Rights one of the most pro-active agencies of the land.”

In further recognition of her hard work and her accomplishments, the Hon. Leila de Lima was chosen by President Benigno Aquino III, to head the Department of Justice.  She continues to advocate earnestly on behalf of human rights, even as she works unstintingly to end the prevailing culture of impunity, strengthen the rule of law, and bring true accountability to the country and to the people.

 

 

 

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Hon. Leila M. de Lima

Ex Officio Member, Secretary of Justice

 

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On the 10^th of May in 2010, millions of Filipinos trooped to the polls, in order to vote in a new set of leaders and create the possibility for meaningful change.  On the 30^th of June, a new President gave his inaugural address, and set forth the thrusts and objectives of the incoming administration.

 

President Aquino spoke of strengthening the process of consultation and feedback.  He directed the government to uphold the Constitutional right of citizens to information on matters of public concern.  These are our standing orders.  These are the standards against which all government bodies will be judged.

 

Therefore, allow me to express my appreciation to the Judicial and Bar Council, for managing this important website.  By posting statistics and information on matters of public concern, by allowing members of the public to read, analyze and make conclusions on these reports themselves, by propagating a culture of transparency and accountability, this website helps move the nation forward.

 

And by structuring this website, so that the information flows two ways, so that there is give and take, and a feedback loop, the website becomes even more valuable.  There is an imperative need to continue to listen to the people.  They know what ails them.  They know what concerns must first be addressed, and which issues to prioritize.  They are on the receiving end of the decisions made within government, so the government must ensure that it can find out, directly from the people, the consequences of the status quo, as well as of reforms.

 

The change that we desire will come about because of the sum total of all our initiatives and reforms.  This website is an important part of that total.  Again, my thanks go out to the Judicial and Bar Council.  We look forward to observing how this website will continue to be utilized over the coming years.  We look forward to watching it thrive, and not decline.  May it always remain a vibrant source of information and dialogue.

 

9 July 2010, Manila, Philippines.

 

 

 

LEILA M. DE LIMA

Secretary of Justice

Ex-officio Member, Judicial and Bar Council

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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