The Integrated Bar of the Philippines lauded the performance and accomplishments of former Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar in public service, saying he lived up to the ideals of the organization in his various stints.
The IBP, in a resolution, cited Salazar’s commitment to the organization’s “pursuit of the highest ideals of integrity and excellence in the service of the nation.”
“He [Salazar] likewise espoused these ideals as he took on several major appointive positions in government,” it said.
The IBP issued the resolution following Salazar’s irrevocable resignation from his post as DITC undersecretary in December last year to attend to urgent family concerns. Salazar served as national president of the IBP from 2005 to 2007.
The IBP also noted Salazar’s achievement at the helm of the organization. “In the performance of these and other roles in the IBP, Atty. Salazar has contributed significantly to the advancement of the goals and ideals of the IBP, particularly in promoting unity and camaraderie within its ranks; in advancing professionalism and professional development among the legal practitioners of the country; and in expanding the IBP’s presence and role in the affairs of the government and society,” it said.
Salazar was key in the formation of LENTE, a multi-sector movement spearheaded by the IBP for the education of voters and for the conduct of clean and honest elections.
“In the several decades of his commitment to and involvement with the IBP, both at the national and regional levels, Atty. Salazar has shown and proven that transparency and integrity are the key hallmarks of his person and character for which reason many members have looked up to him as a role-model,” the IBP added.
Meanwhile, lawyer and constitutional law professor John Molo cited Salazar’s achievements and crusade for reforms. Molo, the current chair of the editorial board of the IBP Law Journal, said Salazar is “warm, amiable and keenly aware of the plight of others”.
Molo, in a statement published on the social media page of the Philippine Bar Association, said Salazar “does what he can to fix systemic defects”.
“This is, to some, a failing for one who is in public service,” Molo said, adding that “I am yet to encounter someone who has personally dealt with him call him a bad man”.
Salazar spearheaded the country’s fight against modern-day slavery as he served as head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and Justice Undersecretary from 2007 to 2015.