Justice Under Threat: Legal Practitioners Narrative on National Issues and the Erosion of Professional Space

The Philippines is confronted by a range of persistent national issues—including poverty, corruption, jurisdictional disputes, and human rights concerns—that shape its social, economic, and political landscape. This research utilized a qualitative exploratory method and a phenomenological design to explore the lived experiences and insights of legal professionals regarding these pressing societal concerns. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews with ten (10) lawyers residing or practicing in Barangay Duljo-Fatima and Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City, to understand how legal practitioners interpret and engage with governance, policymaking, and the judicial system. Qualitative analysis yielded twelve (12) emergent themes answering the research sub-problems. For the perspectives of the informants on major national issues in the Philippines: Structural Power, Corruption, and the Erosion of Democratic Integrity and Structural Reform and Legal Sovereignty in a Politicized System. Regarding how the legal community perceives its role in addressing current national issues: Legal Advocacy and Civic Engagement as Pathways to Reform and Legal Advocacy, Civic Empowerment, and Democratic Renewal. For the prevailing views of the legal community on the effectiveness of existing laws and policies: Structural Legal Deficiencies and the Struggle for Sovereignty and Reform and Structural Inefficiencies and the Fragility of Governance. Regarding the assessment of the government's adherence to the Rule of Law: Legal Advocacy, Constitutionalism, and the Pursuit of Reform and Legal Sovereignty, Public Safety, and Civic Rights in a Globalized Context. For the impact of recent national issues on the practice of law: Ethics and Moral Responsibility in Legal Practice and Legal Empowerment, Civic Engagement, and Rights-Based Education. As to the balance between human rights and national security in policymaking: Legal Advocacy, Civic Empowerment, and the Balance of Rights and Security and Sovereignty, Human Rights, and the Limits of Legal Enforcement. The study concludes that legal practitioners in Cebu City perceive a critical erosion of democratic integrity and a significant gap between the existence of well-crafted laws and their actual enforcement due to political interference and systemic corruption. Findings suggest that while the legal community is a vital "moral compass" for society, practitioners face extraordinary risks, including red-tagging and harassment, which undermine their professional space. Recommendations include enhancing legal education to include civic literacy and ethical leadership, institutionalizing protection for justice actors, and establishing a national legal reform task force to review and amend outdated or politicized legislation. Keywords: Legal Advocacy, Rule of Law, National Issues, Human Rights, Corruption, Professional Space, Cebu City, Philippines

Legal practitioners, Professional space, Justice system, National issues, Narrative inquiry

1. Books [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Flores, I. (2014). The legacy of Ronald Dworkin: Legal theory and moral interpretation. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Georgetown Law Faculty Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Hart, H. L. A. (2012). The concept of law (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. (Original work published 1961) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Journal Articles [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Balisacan, R. H. C. (2006). To what is truth and equity, they will both agree to unplume them: Towards recognizing and accommodating differentiation within the legal profession: A critique of the Code of Professional Responsibility's treatment of the non-litigation practice of law. Philippine Law Journal, 81(2), 322–366. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Caravana Filipina. (2025). Black robes, red targets: Report of a fact-finding mission on extrajudicial killing and other gross human rights violations against legal professionals in the Philippines between 2016 and 2023. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Ciocchini, P., & Lamchek, J. (2023). The "war on drugs" in Philippine criminal courts: Legal professionals' moral discourse and plea bargaining in drug- related cases. In G. B. Radics & P. Ciocchini (Eds.), Criminal legalities and minorities in the Global South: Rights and resistance in a decolonial world (pp. 209–228). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17918-1_10 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Delgado, M. (2024). Significant features and factors affecting the practice of Philippine government lawyers: A qualitative study. Journal of Management and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Open University. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Danilo V Rogayan Jr., Z. A. ( 2025,). Education inequalities, child health and nutrition: insights from the Philippines,. Journal of Public Health,, e455–e456. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Dressel, B., & Bonoan, C. R. (2024). Courts and authoritarian populism in Asia:Reflections from Indonesia and the Philippines. Law & Policy, 46(1), 277–297. https://doi.org/10.1111/lapo.12240 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Fiveable. (2024, August 1). National Issues – AP US Government. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Garcia, R. (2025). Will artificial intelligence replace lawyers in the Philippines? SSRN. Retrieved from [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Holbrook, J. (2014). Legal hybridity in the Philippines: Lessons in legal pluralism from Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law, 18(2), 305–338. https://journals.tulane.edu/jicl/article/download/3305/3092/10645 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Integrated Bar of the Philippines. (n.d.). IBP journal – Promoting the rule of law in the Philippines. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Jaafar, T. M. A. V. (2007). Information seeking behavior of lawyers from Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and the Prosecutor’s Office of Pasig City [Unpublished thesis/journal article]. Journal of Philippine Librarianship / University of the Philippines. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. JR., D. V. (2025). Journal of Public Health. Education inequalities, child health and nutrition: insights from the Philippines , 455-456. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Lamchek, J. S., & Jopson, T. (2024). Confronting the Philippines' war on drugs: A literature review. Sociology Compass, 18(5), Article e13209. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Legal Education Board. (2023). Memorandum Circular No. 147, series of 2023: Law school information report submission for AY 2022–2023. Legal Education Board, Republic of the Philippines. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Madrigal, L., Cuesta, J., & Somerville, S. (2025). Indigenous peoples, land, and conflict in Mindanao, Philippines. Asian Development Review, 42(2). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Namati. (2019, March). Philippines community paralegals: Recognition and financing research brief. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. National Union of Peoples' Lawyers. (2024). Under siege: Attacks and threats on Filipino lawyers and judges. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Prill-Brett, J. (2007). Contested domains: The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) and legal pluralism in the Northern Philippines. Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law, 55, 27–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/07329113.2007.10756609 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Santos, A. (2023). De-monopolizing the Philippine legal practice. UP Law Journal.Retrieved from Integrated Bar of the Philippines. (n.d.). IBP journal – Promoting the rule of law in the Philippines. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Regalado, J., & Sun, I. Y. (2024). Trust in legal institutions: An examination of the Philippines. Asian Journal of Criminology, 19(4), 527–550. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11417-024-09441-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Soper, P. (1987). Dworkin’s Domain [Review of Law’s Empire, by R. Dworkin]. Harvard Law Review, 100(5), 1166–1186. https://doi.org/10.2307/1341059 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Lamchek, J. (2021). The "War on Drugs" in Philippine Criminal Courts: Legal Professionals' Moral Discourse and Plea Bargaining in Drug-Related Cases. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Institute of International Legal Studies, UP College of Law. (n.d.). Perspectives on terrorism in the Philippine context. Retrieved from https://tuklas.up.edu.ph/Record/UP-99796217613906175 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Integrated Bar of the Philippines. (n.d.). IBP journal – Promoting the rule of law in the Philippines. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Lawyers for Lawyers. (2022). The Philippines: Concerns on safety of lawyers and effective access to independent legal services. UniversalPeriodic Review: 41st Session. https://lawyersforlawyers.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Advocacy- Charter-Philippines-Lawyers-for-Lawyers-final.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Lawyers for Lawyers. (2022). UPR submission: The Philippines – March 2022. https://www.lawyersforlawyers.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Final-UPR- The-Philippines-March-2022-L4L.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Internet Source [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Africa Jurists. (2021, July 27). The Philippines: Attacks against lawyers escalating. https://africajurists.org/category/press-releases/page/6 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Amnesty International. (2021, March 26). Philippines: Surge in killings of lawyers and judges shows justice systemunder threat. Retrieved from / https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2021/03/philippines-surge- killings-lawyers [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Alternative Law Groups. (2023–2024). Annual report 2023–2024. https://alternativelawgroups.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ALG-2023-2024- Report.pdf Alternative Law Groups. (2025). 2023-2024 annual report. Retrieved from .https://alternativelawgroups.ph/2023-2024-report [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Argosino, F. (2025). Chinese ship issues radio challenge to PH vessels in West PH Sea. https://www.inquirer.net/445423/chinese-ship-issues-radio- challenge-to-ph-vessels-in-west-ph-sea aguio Chronicle. (2025, March 16). Editorial: Cognitive dissonance in Philippine politics. https://thebaguiochronicle.com/2025/03/16/editorial-cognitive-dissonance-duterte-icc-trial-2025 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. CENTER, P. R. (2008). National Issue. https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/eap/119054.htm. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Franco, J., Soliman, H., & Cisnero, M. R. (n.d.). Community-based paralegalism in the Philippines: From social movements to democratization. Grassroots Justice Network. Retrieved https://grassrootsjusticenetwork.org/resources/community- based-paralegalism-in-the-philippines-from-social-movements-to-democratization [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Hays, J. (2015). facts and details . Retrieved from https://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Philippines/sub5_6g/entry- 3916.html [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Human Rights Watch. (2024, May 8). Philippines: Supreme Court rejects 'red- tagging'. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/05/08/philippines-supreme-court- rejects-red-tagging [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Limos, M. A. (2019). A Brief Explainer on the West Philippine Sea. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. .https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/west-philippine-sea-explained- a00293-20191115 Legal Education Board. (2021). 2nd Philippine pro bono summit. Retrievedfromhttps://mb.com.ph/2021/12/02/cj-gesmundo-lawyers-free-legal- service-ust-be-visible-readily-available-quick-to-action [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Namati. (2022). Historical perspectives on community paralegal and human rights lawyer movements in the Philippines.https://namati.org/search/?swpquery=Historical+perspectives+ on+comm unity+paralegal+and+human+rights+lawyer+movements+in+the+Philipp ines. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Namati. (2023). 2023 in review: Walking towards justice. Retrieved from https://namati.org/2023-in-review/Namati. (2023). Philippines community paralegal research brief. Retrieved from https://namati.org/publications/philippines-community-paralegals-recognition-and-financing-research-brief/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. Namati. (n.d.). Researching community paralegals: Six country research project. Retrieved from https://namati.org/news-stories/community-paralegals- posing-the-hard-questions/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. National Coalition for Human Rights Defenders Philippines. (2017). Annual report. https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/annual_report_digit al.pdf) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

50. OMBAY, G. (2025). 'functionally dismissed' if trial not done by June 30 – Tolentino. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/948102/vp-sara-duterte-impeachment-case-functionally-dismissed-june-30-tolentino/story [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

51. PANTI, L. T. (2025). Idea that impeachment trial may not proceed 'disturbing,' complainants' lawyer says. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2066105/drilon-senate-can-finish-duterte-impeachment-trial-by-june-30 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

52. Pinay Wise. (2024). Retrieved from https://pinaywise.com/philippines-facts/understanding-national-issues-in-the-philippines/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

53. Rodis, R. (2025, February 20). Best legal research databases in the Philippines (2025 guide). Digest PH Blog. Updated November 25, 2025. https://www.digest.ph/blog/best-legal-research-databases-in-the-philippines-a- guide-for-lawyers-and-law-students [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

54. Santiago, B. (2023). The Top 7 Social Problems in the Philippines. https://filipinobusinesshub.com/top-social-problems-in-the-philippines Sarao, Z. (2025). Drilon: Senate can finish Duterte impeachment trial by June [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

55. 30. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2066105/drilon-senate-can-finish- duterte-impeachment-trial-by-june-30 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Crime Pattern in The Province of LA Union: A Study on Index and Non-Index Crimes
• Theorizing Participation within the Juvenile Delinquency Discourse: A Critical Systemic Analysis on Children in Conflict With the Law in Davao City
• The Impact of Congestion on Rehabilitation in Akure Correctional Centre of Ondo State
• Voices Beneath the Policy: Village Reflections on Smart Policing Strategies of the Philippine National Police (Pnp)
• Policing The Future: Community Stories on the Philippine National Police (PNP) Smart Policing Shift