The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said it will revisit its recognition protocols to ensure that future honors reflect both integrity of service and fidelity to the ideals of justice, following public criticism over its recent conferment of the Golden Pillar of Law Award to former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
In a commentary, the IBP underscored that “the law without conscience is hollow, and the practice of law without compassion is incomplete,” acknowledging public unease over the award given to the former president who is currently facing crimes against humanity charges for the alleged extra-judicial killings committed under his administration’s war on drugs.
The IBP stressed that legality is “not the end of justice but its beginning,” adding that institutions must be willing to confront their own imperfections.
According to the IBP, the Golden Pillar of Law Award was established to honor lawyers who have rendered 50 years or more of service in the legal profession.
The IBP Davao City Chapter defended the conferment, saying the award was granted based on clear qualifications set by its national office.
“The Golden Pillar of Law Award does not serve as an endorsement of political acts or personal ideologies. It is a recognition of professional longevity and standing under the IBP’s by-laws,” the chapter said, citing an August 20 memorandum from IBP national president Allan Panolong.
Under IBP guidelines, a lawyer is automatically qualified if they have completed at least 50 years in law practice, are in good standing, and have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude or subjected to disciplinary action.
Still, the IBP acknowledged in its commentary that public criticism “is not misplaced,” noting the need to balance legal judgment with moral responsibility.
“Every recognition carries a shadow. It invites reflection on the distance between service and conduct, between longevity and legacy,” it said.
“To honor service must never be to forget accountability, and reflection within institutions is itself an act of justice,” it added.
The award has drawn criticism from rights advocates and progressive lawyers’ groups, including the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL).
In a statement, NUPL chairperson Edre U. Olalia denounced the award as “unbelievable” and “a disgrace,” criticizing the IBP for honoring Duterte despite his contentious human rights record.
“To mindlessly gloss over that this award was given automatically for mere length of years as a lawyer is to bestow it to even those who make a mockery of the lofty IBP ideals of no master but law, no goal but justice, and no guide but conscience,” Olalia said.
Olalia also pointed to what he described as “incomparable irony” in recognizing Duterte for upholding justice and the rule of law.
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