Editorial on lawyers right on the head

Tumpak po ang March 23 editorial (“Lawyer-dominated society”) ninyo. Sapul po kaming mga lawyers.

Without justifying our lack of ethics (maybe most of the time), we are also a reflection of society. Nick Joaquin once said that we are proud to claim we are the only Catholic country in this part of the world. But when he would look around and see only “greed, graft, vileness and violence,” he couldn’t help but ask: Is this Christianity?

In 1970, I recall proposing at our convention that we adopt a provision declaring that in the practice of the legal profession, “the profit motive should be subordinated to public service.” I was laughed at. Through all my 50 years or so as a lawyer, I have tried to use my profession along that line.

Maraming salamat, Inquirer! Please keep writing editorials exposing our weaknesses and frailties. Mabuhay po kayo.

—OSCAR F. SANTOS,

Parañaque City