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CONTENTS
TRAVEL
Tracing the Santactruzan's Roots
You may argue that the Philippines has no marked season
like spring for flowers to bloom. More flowers seem to
appear in May, nevertheless. FULL
STORY
Get
to Know Western Visayas
During the Spanish times, when a mother wanted her
children to stop crying at night, she usually threatened
them with the "quintos." FULL
STORY
If
you are a foreigner ... As history
shows, foreigners have generally not come to the
Philippines with friendly intentions. In spite of this,
every visitor is heartily welcomed; the Filipinos are
sociable and tolerant, and their natural openness charms
many visitors. FULL
STORY
ENVIRONMENT
Protecting
Aklan's coastal ecosystems
Siltation and sedimentation triggered by upland
deforestation pose another threat to Aklan's coastal
ecosystems. FULL
STORY
REAL LIFE ISSUES
We
need Mary today
MAY is closely associated with our Lady, the Blessed
Virgin Mary. Tradition, now so complicated to trace, has
forged it that way. And we are happy about it. FULL
STORY
Again,
on Lawyers
They are the defenders of truth and justice. Yep, yep,
lawyers have to be truthful, to act noble and be fearless.
FULL
STORY
The
poor must protest against their exploiters
The poor is the fair hope of unscrupulous politicians.
Just by giving them a few pesos or a kilo of rice they
spontaneously go out to demonstrate. In return they would
say we will die for our idol. When they are caught or die
they are abandoned. FULL
STORY
VOICE OF THE NEW GENERATION
It's a jungle out there
Ants are one of the few insects I know of that live in
colonies. They have a caste system too. FULL
STORY
Responsible
Communication
How ironic is that media practitioners claim they are
sources of true information, that they are most reliable
institute of learning; when they allow themselves to be
influenced by too much commercialism, consumerism, and
materialism. FULL
STORY
The
tie that binds
Have you ever thought of why friends stick together
through thick and thin and through the years? FULL
STORY
LEGAL STORY
Cain
and Abel
Our new legal series dwell on the case of a man who
murdered his own brother. The incident took place in
Lambunao, Iloilo yet the names of the persons were
changed to protect their identities as well as of their
family. FULL
STORY
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REAL
LIFE ISSUES
Again,
on lawyers
By Ligaya U. Barcenas
The Bar exam results never fail to excite the
whole country. It's the only exam whose results enjoy
premium newspaper space-story on the front page and
feature stories on successful examinees are staples
in newspapers even days after the results come out.
What's with this fascination with lawyers? What's
this interest in the law? The law profession is one
of the noble professions along with teaching,
medicine and priesthood. You'd think the lawyers
carry the world on their shoulders if you were to
read the lawyer's oath. They are the defenders of
truth and justice. Yep, yep, lawyers have to be
truthful, to act noble and be fearless.
But it's a love-hate relationship with lawyers.
They are looked up to for the glamour, mental ability
and skills, yet they are distrusted - perceived to be
wily and greedy. There are those who can be obnoxious,
bizarre, blabbermouths and intellectual snobs (Miriam
Santiago is all of these, if you ask me). And yes,
there are crackpots, but this is true with all the
other professions. If there are good eggs, there are
bad ones as well.
Lawyers are often the butts of jokes. In them,
lawyers are talked down to. Lawyer-bashing seems to
be a nice way to make us feel that we can put the
blame on them for some things going awry or to make
us feel better about ourselves. My favorite joke is
this: During a sea accident, a shark refuses to eat a
lawyer because of professional courtesy.
During the Marcos years, lawyers were one of the
first to be hauled in jail. Consequently, many
lawyers joined in the fight against the dictator.
Think of Diokno, Taņada, Salonga, Saguisag, Arroyo
in the forefront of the struggle. (Though admittedly,
Marcos' cronies and party mates were a bevy of
lawyers). These politician-lawmakers used their
brilliant heads against the dictatorship. Some lived
to see Marcos' downfall, some didn't.
Of this time, I admire lawyers who do advocacy
work on children, human rights, and labor. I also
think highly of members of the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines who take on cases free of charge. Also,
lawyers at the Office of the Ombudsman and the Public
Attorney's Office deserve a pat on the back because
even if they have loads of cases for a paltry pay,
they still take their duties to heart-the ombudsman's
office is the busts grafters, the public lawyers
represent those who can't afford the services of the
private lawyers.
Then there are lawyers who put to good use the
gray matters between their ears. I can think of
Aquilino Pimentel, who authored the Local Government
Code.
Many of us may not agree with what he's working
for, but Rene Saguisag is one person I admire. It
takes courage to stand up for one's belief and this
man has courage (though many say, folly) for
defending Joseph Estrada's claim to the presidency.
Get a copy of his pleadings to the High Court and see
what I mean.
Now, it's easy to pinpoint the public heroes, but
not so with those who lead quiet lives like the
teachers and those who conduct their private practice
with dignity and integrity.
This is not to gloss over the shenanigans and
blunders of lawyers. We continue to hate or laugh at
them for these. But the world will never have enough
of lawyers. As officers of the court, they are there
to help us claim a right or correct a wrong or
unfairness, be in our relations with other men or our
relations with the government.
The fascination will continue. This will make us
await the Bar results year after year.
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PAST ISSUES: March
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29, 2001
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