アイラ?アリムーバルドゥエザ

Belgica Aranas Baldueza Dela Cruz & Associates

創設パートナー

Young Leaders Program (YLP) - School of Local Governance (2014年修了)

Please tell us about your career path so far. What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area??

After I graduated from the University of the Philippines in 2007, I entered local politics in the hope of applying my political science degree to real-life practice. I was elected as barangay (village) councilor and realized that running for a higher position would not only improve my legislative skills but also help me serve more stakeholders - even the most vulnerable sectors - in the long term. In 2010, at 23 years old, I ran for city councilor and was elected. I became a lawyer in 2012 and was appointed as chair of the committee on laws, rules and human rights of the 9th and 10th council of Mandaluyong City. After 12 years in the public sector, I am now in the private practice of law where I specialize in administrative law, election law, government regulatory compliance and local government affairs.

You are currently working in a private law firm as founding partner. Please tell us about the law firm and your main roles and responsibilities.

At the law office with the other founding partners of the firm - Atty. Jeremiah Belgica, Atty. Melchor Aranas and Atty. Eric Dela Cruz

Our law office, Belgica Aranas Baldueza Dela Cruz and Associates, is a full-service law firm, specializing in various legal issues across different practice areas. With a team of skilled lawyers and support staff, the firm is known for its expert legal services, efficiency, strong advocacy for justice, and experience in handling cases involving commercial law, ?banking law, family law, and administrative law, among others. As the sole female partner of the firm, I am in charge of administration, fostering effective collaboration between the legal team and support staff to ensure legal services are rendered in a timely and less stressful manner.

You used to work as a government official for quite many years. What made you decide to change career paths and found a law firm??

When I became a mother in 2017, balancing the demands of public service with taking care of my child in her formative years was challenging. Being a public servant is demanding because there is no fixed schedule and responsibilities often extend beyond the confines of the home. When I realized that I could no longer give my best to these responsibilities while starting my own family, I decided not to run for a higher position in 2019. The pandemic also gave me the opportunity to reinvent myself ?away from the public eye and fulfill my desire to still focus on my practice as a private lawyer in my own law firm.

What are you hoping to achieve and where do you see yourself in ten years' time?

GRIPS graduation with YLP friends and classmates

My goal is to engage in business development, which involves consulting, cultivating relationships and improvement of legal expertise to drive the overall growth of the firm.?

In ten years' time, I see myself even more committed to providing intelligent solutions that will help people resolve their legal problems. As the partner in charge of administration, I am dedicated to this mission, reinforcing our firm's belief that leveraging technology is the most effective way to achieve reforms in the justice system.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work? And what have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?

The biggest challenge I have faced in my work is managing the expectations of our clients, given the complexities of the justice system in our country. Focusing on the things that I can control and learning from setbacks without being overly critical of myself has helped me overcome these challenges. Thus, the most rewarding part of my career is knowing that our firm has won a case fairly and without compromise.

What led you to GRIPS? What is the most important thing you got out of your studies, and how has your experience at GRIPS prepared you for future endeavors?

Delivering the valedictory speech for GRIPS class of 2013-2014

During my second term as a city councilor, I realized that I needed to improve my policymaking skills as a legislator. I was admitted to the Young Leaders Program (YLP) in the School of Local Governance and completed my Master of Public Policy at GRIPS. Through this degree, I gained valuable connections, practical knowledge, and professional relationships that enhanced my ability to draft more effective ordinances, resolutions, and decisions as a city councilor. In the future, this degree will be invaluable if I choose to return to the government sector.

Have you had any involvement, professional or otherwise, with Japan (or GRIPS) since your graduation??

After graduation, I returned to Japan on personal trips with our family. Recently, the GRIPS alumni in the Philippines gathered in person for the first time at the JICA Philippines office for a reunion and to attend the GRIPS Global Connect event. I was happy to see fellow Filipino alumni, ranging from the class of 1986 to the present.

First reunion of GRIPS Filipino alumni at JICA Philippines during the GRIPS Global Connect

How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life? And what is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

Recent family photo at Okada Manila, Philippines

I set boundaries and strictly follow my schedule at the office so I can go home to my kids and help them with their homework. When I'm not working, I enjoy watching movies on my streaming app or reading self-help books about meditation and longevity.

What are some of your fondest memories of your time spent at GRIPS? And what do you miss about Japan?

My most memorable moments in Japan are those when we traveled from one city to another, benchmarking best practices as part of our YLP curriculum. These experiences instilled in me the belief that choosing the right leaders who prioritize the nation's best interests can significantly improve the lives of many people. I do miss the spring and autumn seasons, as well as the festivals in between, which I enjoyed with friends and classmates.

If you could give one piece of advice to anyone considering studying at GRIPS what would it be?

My advice is to seize the opportunity to build meaningful connections with your professors, who are leading experts in their fields, and with classmates from diverse cultures. Learning from them, not only through casual conversations but also through academic discussions, is both enriching and inspiring.

How would you like to maintain involved with the School? What do you expect from GRIPS as an alumnus and do you have any suggestions on how to further utilize the GRIPS alumni network?

I am currently appointed as the co-chair of the interim working group of the GRIPS Philippines Alumni Chapter, which will draft the bylaws in preparation for the election of the first set of officers in July 2025. GRIPS' support for the current and future activities of alumni chapters around the world may be essential in strengthening the ties among alumni when they return to their home countries.