Two prominent DAILY TRIBUNE columnists — DivinaLaw Managing Partner Atty. Nilo T. Divina and Department of Justice (DoJ) Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez — have been included to the prestigious Top 50 Influential People in the Philippines list by Rising Tigers Magazine, InCharge Magazine and TopNewsAsia.
The inclusion recognizes their exceptional leadership and significant contributions to public service, law and societal change.
In a Facebook post on Monday, DivinaLaw celebrated the recognition, writing, “Atty. Divina was recognized in the field of Public Service and Leadership.”
In addition to his distinguished legal career, Divina is a prominent educator, serving as the Dean of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. He is also an accomplished law professor, published author and columnist.
Recently, Divina was also honored by the Caloocan City government as the “Most Outstanding Public Servant” during the 2025 Annual Outstanding Citizens Awards Night.
Meanwhile, Gutierrez was recognized for her transformative work in the field of justice and her efforts in leading the department’s Communications Cluster and the DoJ Action Center (DoJAC).
In an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, Gutierrez expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am deeply humbled to be named among the 50 most influential people in the Philippines, particularly in my capacity as Undersecretary of the Department of Justice. This recognition is not just a personal achievement; it’s a profound reminder of the vital work we do to uphold justice and drive progress in our nation.”
Gutierrez also thanked those who have supported her mission, stating, “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support and faith in the mission we collectively share. Together, let us forge a brighter future for all Filipinos, one where justice prevails and every voice is heard. Our journey is just beginning, and I am committed to working alongside each of you to transform our vision into reality.”
Appointed in March 2024, Gutierrez has led efforts to provide free legal assistance through DOJAC and has focused on aiding persons deprived of liberty seeking early release through the Good Conduct and Time Allowance program.