LAWYERS must look beyond status, clients, and high-profile cases and instead anchor their work on purpose and faith.
This was the message of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano during the dedication and blessing of the new law office of lawyer and pastor Atty. Jeremiah Belgica and his partners on April 15.
A lawyer himself, Cayetano spoke about mission, vision, and the deeper calling of the legal profession.
Cayetano said while the practice of law often draws attention to influence and success, lawyers are ultimately called to something greater that should guide their decisions and priorities.
“The Lord Jesus said, ‘Seek first My Kingdom and righteousness, and everything shall be added unto you,’” he said.
He stressed that this principle should shape how lawyers approach their careers, especially in choosing what to pursue and who to serve: “Don’t seek VIPs (very important persons).
Seek very important believers – VIBs, not VIPs. Don’t seek those big cases, those big clients, et cetera. Just seek God’s righteousness and his kingdom,” he said.
Cayetano said that when purpose comes first, growth and success in the profession will naturally follow even without actively chasing them. He pointed out that many of the country’s challenges cannot be addressed by legal or political solutions alone, as they stem from deeper issues that require a different kind of response.
“Our problem is not legal. Our problem is not political. There’s an oil crisis, but our problem is not just economic or financial. Our problem is [also] spiritual,” he said.
According to Cayetano, addressing these deeper concerns can lead to broader solutions across different sectors, including governance and the economy. “When we solve that, the doors of heaven will just open, and the political, economic, and social solutions will come,” he said.
Cayetano encouraged the lawyers present to stay grounded in their values as they begin a new chapter in their profession and to carry their role with purpose in mind. “Be the salt and light in everything,” he said.
