Leonen to Public Servants: Be a Louder Voice of the Oppressed

Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen delivers a message on excellence as guest speaker at the flag-raising ceremony of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on September 11, 2023 at CSC Central Office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)

“Being a lawyer or public servant in this country means that we are conscious of the social context we presently live in. It requires that we serve to reduce the suffering of our people.”

This was emphasized by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen as he urged every public servant to “use your positions to be a louder voice of the oppressed and a more passionate advocate, not just of the rule of law but the rule of justice.”

In his message as guest speaker at the flag-raising ceremony of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on the occasion of its 123rd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary on September 11, 2023 at the CSC Central Office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, Senior Associate Justice Leonen also exhorted all civil servants to always strive for excellence in the performance of their work, aim to deliver the best service they can, and work towards making the government ideal to our people.

He acknowledged, however, that achieving excellence is by no means an easy feat, and that it requires exerting “incremental efforts” and perseverance and embracing resilience.

Senior Associate Justice Leonen stressed that the struggle for excellence is not the same for everyone, highlighting the need to pay more attention to the marginalized, saying, “those who have less in life should be attended more by those in public service.” (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office) [Supreme Court of the Philippines. Last accessed: September 14, 2023. Senior Associate Justice Leonen to Public Servants: Be a Louder Voice of the Oppressed - Supreme Court of the Philippines (judiciary.gov.ph)]