EDITORIAL - Wrong foot

The election of new officers is almost always a welcome development. For newness almost always ushers in hope. And hope is almost always synonymous with change. And the change that is almost always most welcome is that which is for the better.

So Cebuanos were pretty excited about the election of new officers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu and Cebu City chapters, especially since they had no choice because virtually all Cebu newspapers carried the story of that election, complete with photo support.

When you make the news, it must mean something. Even those who learned for the first time that the IBP was an organization of lawyers and not a confederation of all watering holes in the Philippines, anything signifying change in this changeless country is worth applauding.

But even before the applause died down came the damper. The winners from both chapters quickly parted with statements that said "Capitol matters" were high on their agenda of top priorities.

And what are these "Capitol matters" that they should merit immediate attention by the new IBP officers. Well, these "Capitol matters" refer to no other than the controversial parking fees and security cameras that have so rankled the attorneys.

One would have thought that the fresh young legal bloods now at the helm of such a distinguished organization would have aimed for something more idealistic, instead of something more personal, meaning self-beneficial.

There are far bigger issues out there that truly need the concern of lawyers, issues that have far more far-ranging repercussions on the well-being of the country and its people, especially in these times of crisis and decaying morals and values.

Indeed, on the very same day the news of the IBP elections came out, and on the very same newspapers that carried them, another story that would have been of greater interest to lawyers than parking fees and cameras was the existence of "fixers" at the Palace of Justice.