DOJ Undersecretary Inspires Ateneo Law Students with Call to Justice
Department of Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez urged the incoming Ateneo Law students to see the legal profession beyond a title and embrace it as a true calling to serve others and uphold justice. Speaking at the 2025 Ateneo Law School Orientation Seminar (OrSem), she highlighted the crucial role of purpose amidst the challenges they will face.
“This journey will be hard. You will cry — a lot. You will doubt yourself. You will feel like giving up. But if you know your WHY—why you started, who you’re fighting for—you’ll keep going, no matter what. And when I say ‘fighting,’ I don’t just mean for recits or bar exams. I’m talking about the bigger fight—for justice. For the everyday Filipino who doesn’t know their rights. For the ones who’ve been failed by the system. For those whose voices are drowned out by power and privilege,” she urged.
Igniting Passion and Purpose: The Meaning Behind the Theme “Alab”
The OrSem ceremony, a long-standing Ateneo Law tradition, formally welcomes freshmen into the law community. This year’s theme, “Alab,” symbolizes the spark of passion and commitment the school hopes to kindle in the new batch of aspiring lawyers as they embark on their legal journey.
Undersecretary Gutierrez reminded students that law school is not about perfection but about growth. “Grades matter, sure. But they will never matter more than your integrity. Your kindness. Your courage. Your empathy. Your purpose. Those are what will carry you the farthest. Those are the marks of a great lawyer,” she said.
She added, “The most important thing? Stay rooted in the kind of lawyer—and human—you want to be. Because our generation, and yours, we’re building something new. We’re shaping a legal system that’s not just intelligent, but also compassionate. Not just powerful, but also just. Hindi lang magaling. Kundi makatao.”
Personal Journey Shapes a Commitment to Justice
Gutierrez shared how her mother, a former Justice Secretary and Ombudsman, inspired her understanding that the law is a tool to serve others rather than wield power. A defining moment came during a high school visit to the Correctional Institution for Women, where she witnessed the overlooked struggles of incarcerated women.
“That day, I made a quiet promise to myself: one day, I’ll return—not just as a visitor, but as a lawyer who can fight for them,” she recalled. This early experience fueled her passion to defend the rights of the marginalized and voiceless.
Strength in Community and Purpose
Addressing the freshmen, Gutierrez acknowledged the road ahead will be tough but insisted that students will not face it alone. “There will be days you feel like giving up. But you’ll find strength in your purpose—and in each other. The Ateneo Law community is here. We are here. You are not alone,” she assured.
In closing, she challenged the new law students to transform their “alab” into meaningful action. “You’re not just here to become lawyers. You’re here to become better lawyers—for others, for justice, for country.”
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