Question # 3.What are the legal implication of ASEAN Integration?

Will it be unconstitutional
to allow foreign lawyers?
Atty. Abejaron:
Well, as what was discussed by Atty. Diokno during our seminar, the implications of ASEAN
integration, the Consitution expressly provides in section 14, Article XII that the practice of all
professions in the Philippines shall be limited in Filipino citizens except in cases prescribed by law.
so there is an express provision of the Constitution. Following that provision of the law, as of now, it
would be unconstitutional to allow foreigners to practice law in our country. It is the same
implication of section 5, Article VIII the practice of law is under the control and supervision of the
Supreme Court. Its the SC who has the power to prescribe or regulate the practice of law, come
and produce the policies to make it to the practice of law. So if the ASEAN Integration will allow
lawyers to practice law in the Philippines without the approval of the SC, then it will also be violative
of the power of the SC under the constitution. Im very clear in the rules of court which is rule
established by the SC to be admitted to the bar, Filipino citizenship is a requirement and we must
also be residents of the Philippines.
How will it be addressed?
Its obvious. If that has to happen, then we have to ammend not just the rules of court but also the
Constitution.
As to the prohibitions...?
The same answer.

Maam Tetchie:
Legal implications? So far wala man sya as a country because we can , we also abide the UN
charte, and as long as the relationship that we had abides with the UN Charter, then international
law wise, we do not violate anything. However, if we go against certain principle, like principles of
Human Law, Humanitarian Law, mga ganyan, if go against certain principle , for example, out of
the blue, nag-hord tag nuclear weapon diri, then you are now going against a lot of protocols.
Sa karon, ang ASEAN integration, wala pa man syay gina-violate. Because it doesnt alienate
anybody and as a policy, because it is also recognized , relly, na hindi mayaman ang ASEAN. So,
we always say to the entire world, we have the zone of peace, freedom and neutrality, that we
believe in freedom , we believe in peace, that we are neutral . We do not want to gage war against
anybody, kaya definitely, it will not violate any law.