Lawyer Alicia Franco assumed the presidency of the Court of Honor of the Bar Association and Notaries of Guatemala (CANG). One of its goals as he said in an interview with Free pressIt is to revitalize the role of the guild in the defense of the rule of law and strengthen professional ethics.
The inauguration was carried out despite an amparo filed by the previous authorities, who question the results of the recent CANG elections.
“What is your main vision for the Court of Honor during your presidency?
During my management there will be a renewal and modernization of the Court of Honor. I will promote a preventive and corrective culture based on the ethical principles of the members.
–How to guarantee that the Court of Honor will act with total impartiality, mainly in high profile cases?
The impartiality and independence are guaranteed by the experience and solvency of all members of the Court of Honor. With that I can tell you that we will act with total objectivity in each of the cases that arise.
–What role does the Bar Association play in the defense of the rule of law?
The school must assume a leading role as an advisor and also as a plaintiff in defense of the rule of law. He has been very passive to national problems and I consider that he must pronounce more firmly in key issues for the country.
The CANG has an impact on application commissions, such as the Attorney General. Do you think there will be pressures from officials?
I hope that does not happen, mainly because we have moral solvency to choose suitable professional profiles. I can tell you that I will not be pressured by anyone. All law professionals have a lot of ethics and the intention of achieving the changes that Guatemala needs.
I have the solvency to select the appropriate professionals and contribute to the institutional strengthening of the country.
And has you received pressures?
– I have never received any kind of pressures, and my colleagues have never made me comments that they have received them or have been called calls.
“What challenges he considers urgent and that the lawyer guild must face?
—The challenges are to recover the honorability and ethical principles of the aggregate professionals.
–Do you worry about some ethical offenses of the members?
—The bad praxis and unfaithful sponsorship; I mean those who reveal the secrets of their clients. Also the double representation that, in different cases, some professionals exercise.
–What do you think would have behind the intention of preventing possession in Cang?
“They,” the former board of directors, “stated that there was an appeal pending appeal.” They could have personal interests. Actually, that is an answer that they would have to give.