Lawmakers suspected of lawbreaking a source of pain for Carpio-Morales

MANILA, Philippines — Conchita Carpio-Morales, former ombudsman and Supreme Court associate justice, expressed dismay on Sunday over the charges faced by public officials in recent months.

She made the remarks during her speech at the University of the Philippines Diliman’s 115th Commencement Exercises, themed “Gumagalang.”

The former justice said: “In a world increasingly divided by arrogance, intolerance, and indifference, the call to gumalang (respect) is not merely timely, but urgent.”

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“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.”

Lack, misuse of respect

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.

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Truth, not noise

“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.

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