PRRD urges ASEAN lawyers to instill best practices in profession

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte poses for a photo with the officers of the ASEAN Law Association (ALA) Governing Council on the sidelines of the Commemorative Session and Concert Program in Malacañan Palace on October 25, 2017. ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, October 25 encouraged the ASEAN Law Association (ALA) to promote among its members the best practices in the law profession.

The Chief Executive made this statement as he graced the special commemorative session of the Governing Council of ALA at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace.

In his speech, the President called on ALA to continue providing opportunities for the meaningful exchange of knowledge and information among lawyers from ASEAN nations.

“Let us work together in instilling upon your members the best practices in the profession so that they can become crucial players in building a stronger and more dynamic regional community,” he said.

President Duterte also expressed hopes that ALA would become instrumental in addressing the scourge of poverty that afflicts the region as well as transnational crimes and terrorism.

He explained that when these problems are addressed, it will result in the creation of an environment where businesses can flourish and where people can live in lasting peace and prosperity.

The President also discussed his administration’s ongoing war on drugs and reiterated that the extrajudicial tag that has been placed on him was “simply not true.”

ALA is a non-governmental organization of lawyers in the ASEAN region that was established in 1979. As the only non-governmental law organization recognized by the ASEAN Charter, it mandates its members to help form and implement the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

After the President’s speech, The Manila Symphony Orchestra held a commemorative concert.

Also present during the event were ASEAN Law Association President Atty. Avelino Cruz, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban. Chief Justice Kifrawi Dato Kifli of Brunei, Chief Justice Muhammad Hatta Ali of Indonesia, the Association Secretary General Regina Geraldez, and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Secretary General Isra Sunthornvut also attended the commemorative session.