MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. advised nearly 160 newly appointed judges to look past immediate legal technicalities and exercise deeper reflection before rendering rulings that carry long-term societal consequences.
During a gathering of first- and second-level court judges at Malacañang Palace, the Chief Executive introduced what he termed his “three-minute rule,” encouraging magistrates to pause and critically evaluate the broader repercussions of their decisions rather than relying on automatic impulses.
“When you are confronted with a challenge, when you are confronted with an issue, do not ever trust your first instincts, and think about it three minutes more,” the President stated.
Joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos at Heroes Hall, the President congratulated the newly appointed magistrates, emphasizing that their selection followed a meticulous evaluation process. He reminded them to maintain absolute integrity, impartiality, and accountability while strictly safeguarding due process and equal access to justice.
Highlighting the weight of judicial authority, Marcos pointed out that a judge’s duty extends far beyond resolving immediate disputes between opposing parties. Because court rulings establish legal guidelines for future litigations, magistrates must evaluate the real-world effects of their judgments on everyday citizens.
“The decisions that we make affect not only those who are appearing before us, but they are laying precedent for the lives of millions of people,” the President noted.
Concluding his address, Marcos cautioned against treating the law solely as an exercise in bureaucratic compliance, urging the judiciary to balance foundational legal principles with a practical understanding of how their verdicts shape the nation’s future.