By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Supreme Court Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting reminded aspiring lawyers that legal knowledge alone is not enough to succeed in the profession, stressing that competence must always be anchored on integrity and good character.
Delivering the commencement address during the 6th Commencement Exercises of the Rizal Memorial Colleges School of Law on July 19 in Davao City, Justice Inting told graduates that the legal profession demands not only intellectual excellence but also unwavering moral principles.
“In the legal profession, competence is essential, but character is indispensable,” Inting said before the graduating class gathered under the theme, “Excellence, Service, and Justice for God and Country.”
The magistrate emphasized that lawyers occupy positions of public trust, noting that clients, courts, and society depend on members of the Bar to uphold honesty, professionalism and ethical conduct.
He reminded graduates that true excellence is reflected not merely in academic achievements or professional titles but in consistently choosing to do what is right.
“Excellence is measured by the consistency with which we pursue what is right, even when no one is watching,” he said.
A native of Davao, Inting shared his own journey to becoming a lawyer, recalling how financial difficulties forced him to leave Manila and complete his Bar review through self-study in his hometown.
He said the experience taught him that success is shaped less by one’s circumstances than by discipline, perseverance and faith.
“I was a young law graduate from Davao who faced the same uncertainties and challenges that many of you face today. Through perseverance, God’s grace, and the opportunities that followed, I eventually had the privilege of serving as the 183rd Associate Justice of the Supreme Court,” he told the graduates.
Justice Inting urged the new graduates to view the law not simply as a profession but as a lifelong commitment to public service, reminding them that every legal case involves real people whose lives are directly affected by the justice system.
“Behind every case is a family, a livelihood, a person,” he said, cautioning future lawyers against allowing technical legal procedures to overshadow the human dimension of their work.
He also stressed that a lawyer’s reputation is built through everyday decisions—from dealing honestly with clients and preparing cases diligently to treating opposing counsel with respect and faithfully fulfilling professional responsibilities.
Recognizing the continuing challenge of expanding access to justice, Inting encouraged graduates to become advocates who understand both the law and the realities faced by the communities they serve.
He likewise highlighted the important role of lawyers from Mindanao in nation-building, saying they are uniquely positioned to contribute to the development of their communities through principled leadership and public service.
The Associate Justice also cited the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027, particularly the regionalization and digitalization of the Bar Examinations, as reforms designed to make entry into the legal profession more accessible regardless of geography or financial circumstances.
According to Inting, allowing examinees to take the Bar closer to their homes demonstrates that innovation in the Judiciary is not merely about technology but about removing unnecessary barriers and expanding opportunities.
He urged the graduates to embrace continuing reforms within the justice system, emphasizing that the legal profession must evolve alongside society.
Concluding his address, Justice Inting challenged the graduates to pursue excellence with humility, serve others with compassion, administer justice with courage, and allow their legal careers to be guided by their faith in God and their love of country.
ia/xf
