Greetings! It is with great honor and privilege to be chosen as the 58th President of the Philippine Bar Association. I share with great pride and joy this momentous occasion brings to the community and the people whom we aspire to faithfully serve.
Throughout the years, the Philippine Bar Association has remained steadfast in upholding the Rule of Law. Decades of service epitomize the Association’s unyielding devotion to what is righteous and just.
We now stand at the crossroads of history where technological strides open new doors creating challenges and opportunities for judicial reform. The Filipino people have grown weary of repetitive laments to clogged dockets and delayed justice. Justice knows no rank and status and yet true equality in the access of courts remain perched on a pedestal, desired yet unreachable. Our fidelity to the law stands witness to these unrelenting hurdles to truth and justice.
Significantly, the advent of technology promises solutions yet explored. Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), for example, continues to offer game-changing solutions to several industries, automating tasks which could only be done through hand and labor before. While, undoubtedly, not all routine duties of a lawyer may be replicated by A.I., the fact remains that A.I. and technology will stay as ever-pervasive, modern-day providers to those who are receptive to it.
The Philippine Bar Association shares the goal of the Judiciary for a more responsive and technologically-driven justice system as envisioned in the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations. It is a dedicated effort to deliver a more efficient, transparent, inclusive and accessible justice system. In like manner, may the fundamental principles of compassion, ingenuity and equality steer the Association’s course this year. I hope to draw leadership founded on these basic tenets, and anticipate with much eagerness the achievement of our goals through shared understanding and cooperation.
As the new year abounds with uncertainty and hope, let the landscapes of law shift and change, but never our unwavering volunteerism and commitment to upholding the Rule of Law.
Atty. Joel Raymond R. Ayson.