Editorial

THE appointment of seasoned lawyer and academic Darlene Marie Berberabe as the country’s new Solicitor-General comes at a most critical juncture for the Republic. The office she now helms is more than a legal arm of the government; it is the bastion of the nation’s rule of law, the defender of the State’s legal positions, and the guardian of public interest.

Berberabe brings with her an enviable record of legal expertise, intellectual rigor, and a reputation for integrity. For years, she has combined the depth of academic scholarship with the pragmatism of a lawyer seasoned in the trenches of both the public and private sectors. This rare balance equips her to confront the daunting legal and political challenges that await her office — from constitutional disputes to cases that test the very resilience of our institutions.

Yet, the challenge before her is not merely one of jurisprudence. It is also one of perception and trust. In a society where public skepticism of institutions runs deep, the Solicitor-General must embody irreproachable integrity, impartiality, and a steadfast commitment to justice. The rule of law demands not just sharp legal arguments, but also the moral authority to persuade citizens that justice is being pursued in the service of the common good, and not of transient powers.

Berberabe’s leadership will be tested in navigating politically charged cases, balancing the independence of her office with the mandate to defend government positions, and ensuring that the Office of the Solicitor-General is never reduced to a partisan tool. The Republic requires from her not just a capable litigator, but a principled steward of justice.

Her appointment should therefore inspire not complacency, but vigilance. Citizens, the Bar, and the Bench must hold her accountable to the highest standards of public service — and, in turn, support her in strengthening one of the Republic’s most vital institutions. If she succeeds, Berberabe will not only defend the State in courtrooms but also help restore faith in the justice system itself.

On another note, as the Rotary Club of Manila holds its annual elections today for the new Board of Directors of Rotary Year 2026–2027, let us be guided by the same principles we demand from our public institutions: integrity, leadership, and service.

As the nation’s premier and oldest all-men’s Rotary club, the Rotary Club of Manila bears a special responsibility to elect leaders who embody unimpeachable character, vision, and the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self.” In choosing its next stewards, the electorate must look beyond popularity or prestige, and discern among their peers those whose actions demonstrate a true heart for service and a commitment to advancing the Club’s proud tradition of fellowship and civic duty.

Today, the electorate has the solemn duty to separate rhetoric from record, titles from true service, and ambition from authentic devotion to the ideal of “Service Above Self.” The choice of leaders will not only shape the club’s projects and direction for a year — it will signal whether RCM still has the courage to demand excellence of itself and of those who would lead it.

For both the Republic and Rotary, leadership is not a prize to be claimed but a responsibility to be carried with humility, courage, and an unwavering moral compass. Today’s choices — in government and in civic life — will shape not only institutions, but the moral direction of the communities they are sworn to serve.