commentary Impeachment trial is the best ad for lawyers
Impeachment trial is the best ad for lawyers
Wednesday, 01 February 2012 00:00
THE biggest teleserye in Philippine TV today is, without doubt, the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. And rightly so, the Big 3 in Philippine television cash in on it. On its opening day last Jan. 16, they vigorously competed in bringing right in front of the Senate their top-of-the-art- equipment for the world to see who is No. 1 in Philippine television today. I would not even be surprised if the TV rating for that opening day was comparable to Manny Pacquiao's mega fights in recent memory. On Day 1 of the impeachment trial, every thinking Pinoy was either queuing at the Senate building for limited 175 seats on a first-come-first-serve basis or glued to their television sets of various sizes and brands at home or in their favorite hangouts. Was that the impeccable sign of Pinoy maturity in politics and good governance? A big no! I'm sorry to say!
The very few thinking Filipinos, save the greatest majority, who hardly have one full meal a day (the Plazans would call them "PDPs"--Pamahaw Dala Paniudto og memorize nalang panihapon) were focused on their TV sets not because they were eager to know the truth but only to enjoy the lingo (not language) and the antics used by skillful litigation lawyers. Believe you me, at the end of ever y session day since Day 1, Pinoys would stretch out their arms and mimic the quotable quotes of the lawyers of the day and say: "Your honor, please," "I object," "denied," "granted," and the likes. Remember the Erap impeachment trial? Pinoys of all walks monotonously say: "My next 'wetness'..." referring to a Leyteno prosecutor; and, "oberrooled" referring to you- know-who, a Cebuano by heart and tongue!
This is not to denigrate ourselves but only to emphasize the undeniable dream of many Filipinos to be himself become a lawyer. Or, at the very least, have one of their next of kin become a lawyer one day. To many Pinoys being a lawyer is an ultimate dream! Ordinarily, to dream of becoming a lawyer is an ideal, if not sublime, pursuit in life. Take note, however, that I used the word "ordinarily" because I can only hope that I am wrong in suspecting that Pinoys love to become lawyers not for the right reasons like become purveyors of truth, justice and equity but rather to amass wealth and wallow in the quagmire of graft, corruption with impunity (I call them lie- yers not lawyers, and sadly, you see them ever y day).
Be that as it may, the reason why I'm proud to say that a Jesuit-trained lawyer is always among the top, if not at the summit of litigation work, is because of the idealism and Christian values deeply inculcated and ingrained by the Jesuits among their law alumni--to become a man for all seasons or simply, a man for others.
Of course, I expect the other lawyers coming from other law Schools to vehemently oppose my view and say something else to. And, they are entitled to their own opinions. But at the end of the day, I dare say that the madlang Pinoys are almost unanimous in saying that the best are the Arrrneaans and (sa walay pabor pabor) I dare say that in the confines of their own rooms, when no one else see them but their Maker, the other lawyers are in awe most of the time, if not ever y time, and argues his/her case. The Jesuit-trained lawyers fly high. "There is no place like home."
Butch Z. Bagabuyo is former senior state prosecutor.
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