President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace
February 6, 2024
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administered the oath of office to the National Committee officers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Law Association of the Philippines Inc. in a ceremony at the President’s Hall in Malacañan Palace.
In his keynote speech, the President congratulated the newly inducted Philippine National Committee officers and members of the ASEAN Law Association (ALA), emphasizing that their involvement demonstrates their dedication to lend legal expertise in promoting close relations, cooperation and mutual understanding among magistrates, lawyers and teachers of law in ASEAN nations.
“Your representation to international bodies such as the ALA reflects our country’s continued commitment to strengthen our multilateral cooperation with our neighboring countries,” he said.
Furthermore, President Marcos Jr. commended the country’s greatest legal luminaries who laid the foundation of the ALA, including Atty. Avelino Cruz as Chairman of the ASEAN Law Institute, alongside Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban (ret.) as Chairman Emeritus of the ALA Philippine National Committee.
He also expressed utmost support to the Judiciary who implements the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027, saying that under the leadership of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and the commitment of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court (SC), as well as the other public servants in the Judiciary, the Filipino people can rest assured that responsive and real-time justice can be delivered.
The Chief Executive applauded the SC for accepting the task of hosting the Council of ASEAN Chief Justice Meeting and the ALA General Council Meeting this coming November 2024.
He underscored that joining the ALA proves that the Philippines is one with its ASEAN counterparts in facilitating legal collaboration, interconnectivity and integration in the Region.
“With the election of the new Philippine National Committee officers of ALA Philippines, I am confident that the Philippines will take the lead in upholding the rule of law and promoting social stability and economic prosperity in the ASEAN region,” the President concluded in his message.
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