Joint Public Statement on
Upholding the Rule of Law

29 November 2024 – As organizations committed to the rule of law, we the undersigned organizations express profound concern over recent statements and actions that threaten the stability of our constitutional order and country.

The resolution of political disagreements must adhere to legal and democratic processes. Resorting to threats, incendiary rhetoric, or any form of violence has no place in a nation founded on the rule of law. To this end, we strongly urge all public officials and political leaders to demonstrate restraint, uphold the dignity of their offices, and prioritize the welfare of the Filipino people above political interests.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) plays a vital role in safeguarding the Constitution and protecting our nation from threats, both internal and external. We call on the AFP and all institutions to remain steadfast to their constitutional mandates and to ensure that all their actions are grounded in the principles of legality, impartiality, and service to the nation. Deviations from their mandate will definitely erode confidence in our country’s business environment and worse, it could endanger the very foundations of our democratic society.

We also call on investigative agencies, including Congress, to conduct their inquiries with impartiality. Ensuring public trust requires investigations to be conducted fairly, transparently, decently, and free from political biases and influence. Accountability must be pursued within the bounds of due process, ensuring that justice is not only done but is seen to be done.

In these challenging times, we the undersigned organizations call on our people to remain vigilant and steadfast in upholding the rule of law amidst political tensions. The strength of our institutions and the resilience of our democracy depend on our collective resolve to remain loyal to the Constitution and reject efforts to erode public trust in good governance.

Signed by the following organizations:

• JUSTICE REFORM INITIATIVE (JRI)
• ATENEO DE MANILA LAW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
• ENERGY LAWYERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (ELAP)
• FILIPINA CEO CIRCLE (FCC)
• FINANCIAL EXECUTIVES INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES (FINEX)
• INSTITUTE FOR SOLIDARITY IN ASIA (ISA)
• INSTITUTE OF CORPORATE DIRECTORS (ICD)
• INTEGRITY INITIATIVE, INC. (III)
• MAKATI BUSINESS CLUB (MBC)
• MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (MAP)
• PHILIPPINE WOMEN’S ECONOMIC NETWORK (PHILWEN)
• SHAREHOLDERS’ ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (SharePHIL)
• THE OUTSTANDING WOMEN IN THE NATION’S SERVICE (TOWNS)