MANILA, Philippines — Raymond Marvic Baguilat, a 39-year-old activist lawyer and member of the Tuwali people in Ifugao, has been named one of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of 2025 by Junior Chambers International (JCI)-Philippines. The recognition, reported on Monday, February 9, 2026, honors his nearly 14 years of work providing legal aid, drafting landmark ordinances, and revitalizing indigenous law education in the Philippines.
A Lifelong Advocacy Born of Experience Baguilat’s commitment to indigenous peoples (IP) rights is rooted in his childhood experiences with discrimination and prejudice.
- Overcoming Prejudice: He recalls being insulted and questioned about his heritage as a child—experiences that initially confused him but later fueled his desire to “unpack” the past and help his fellow IPs.
- Baddang Tradition: He draws strength from the Ifugao value of “baddang,” which emphasizes mutual aid and collective strength, using it as a guiding principle in his legal work.
Institutional Impact and Legal Education Baguilat has held key roles in national human rights and legal institutions, ensuring that indigenous voices are represented in policy-making:
- UP Law Center: He serves as the chief legal officer of the Institute of Human Rights at the University of the Philippines (UP) Law Center and heads its Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program.
- Reviving “Law 132”: In 2022, he successfully revived Philippine Indigenous Law (Law 132) at the UP College of Law after it had been shelved for over a decade. Since then, 178 students have completed the course, many of whom are now practicing lawyers advocating for IP rights.
- Scholarships: Under the Legal Education Board, he has encouraged IP students to avail of scholarships to become lawyers and return to serve their roots.
Drafting Key Legislation Baguilat’s expertise has been instrumental in crafting local and regional laws:
- Local Ordinances: He helped draft the Tourism Code of Kiangan and the Intellectual Property Protection Ordinance of Hungduan in Ifugao.
- BARMM Contribution: He contributed to the implementing rules and regulations of the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Act of 2024.
- Land Claims: He worked on a joint administrative order with the Commission on Human Rights to address overlapping land claims affecting indigenous communities.
Navigating Risks Despite his achievements, Baguilat has faced significant threats due to his work:
- Red-tagging and Fake News: He has been a victim of “Red-tagging” and misinformation, including false reports that he and other human rights lawyers had been apprehended by authorities.
- The “Chilling Effect”: Baguilat acknowledges the risks faced by human rights defenders in the Philippines but maintains that his role is to give people hope that the “rule of law can be a shoulder for them to lean on.”
Baguilat’s recognition as a TOYM awardee highlights the critical need for indigenous representation in the legal system. His dream remains clear: to empower more indigenous people to become lawyers who will eventually return to their communities and continue the fight for justice and dignity.