Darlene Berberabe highly qualified, ready to be SolGen 鈥� Romualdez
Newly appointed Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe is being sworn in by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on May 28, 2025 (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law Dean Darlene Marie Berberabe is a highly qualified lawyer who is ready to serve as the new Solicitor General, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Thursday.
In a statement following the announcement of Berberabe’s appointment, Romualdez said he believes Berberabe will be able to defend the government in “high-stakes cases” and “complex constitutional issues.”
“Newly appointed Solicitor General Berberabe is stepping in at a critical moment, and I have no doubt she is ready. Her legal expertise, leadership, and integrity make her the right choice to serve as the Republic’s chief legal defender,” said Romualdez, who is also a lawyer who studied law at UP.
“This is not a ceremonial post. We need a solicitor general who can stand firm before the Supreme Court, argue persuasively, and safeguard the legal interests of the State,” he added. “Dean Berberabe has the intellect, experience, and independence to do just that.”
According to Romualdez, Berberabe brings a “diverse portfolio,” having earned degrees in both philosophy and law from UP, and eventually serving as dean of the UP College of Law.
According to the UP College of Law’s faculty webpage, Berberabe graduated summa cum laude and class valedictorian in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from UP. She earned her master’s degree in Philosophy from the same university in 1995, and later obtained her law degree in 1999, graduating as class salutatorian.
Berberabe’s profile on the UP College of Law website notes that she was the first female Philosophy instructor at UP, where she taught for 10 years.
After passing the bar, she became an associate lawyer at Baker McKenzie Manila, specializing in labor law.
After leaving the law firm, Berberabe joined Procter & Gamble Philippines, where she served as senior counsel and was part of the Leadership Team. In 2010, she was appointed chief executive officer of the Pag-IBIG Fund.
“She has been recognised as an Outstanding CEO in Asia by the ADFIAP, Outstanding CEO in the public sector by Asia CEO, one of the Ten Outstanding Women in Nation Service in 2013, and one of the 100 Most Influential Filipino Women in 2014,” the entry on the UP College of Law website said.
Before her appointment, Dean Lelen Berberabe served as a senior lecturer at the UP College of Law and is also a professorial lecturer at the Philippine Judicial Academy.
“Her professional record is not only impressive — it is defined by discipline, fairness, and vision,” Romualdez said.
“I am confident she will lead the OSG with the same rigor and patriotism that have marked every chapter of her career,” he added.
Berberabe will replace Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, who was one of the several cabinet officials who gave their courtesy resignations to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
READ: Darlene Berberabe named new SolGen, replacing Menardo Guevarra
Romualdez, meanwhile, assured that the House stands firmly behind Berberabe as she represents the government in court./mcm
