“law does not exist in the pedestal; it is here , deeply rooted in human experiences ” – Atty. Tiburcio M. Palasan Jr.
Lawyer, Opinion-Maker, Leader
After taking one's oath as a lawyer, he is thrust into the limelight. The BAR exam result is much-awaited by the community. When one passes the exam, he becomes an instant celebrity, at least, on the day the result is out. Even the most introvert of lawyers is being...
On Being an Associate
Just as in life, a professional career cannot start at the apex. One has to crawl his way-up, bearing the pains, celebrating small triumphs, and absorbing the failures. Man grows not out of happiness and success but of rising above every time he stumbles. So as...
A Congratulatory Message to the Bar Passers of 2022
Dear new lawyers of 2023, On behalf of the entire legal profession in the Philippines, we extend our warmest congratulations to you for passing the bar examination. You have worked tirelessly and with great dedication to achieve this remarkable accomplishment, and we...
Spotting Investment Scams in the Philippines
"How would I know if it's an investment scam?" It is a question we tend to forget whenever we are approached with opportunities in life. About two months ago, a client called and said “Attorney, I need your help. I have been involved in an investment scam. What...
TRANSITION ( PART 2 )
Studying law in the classroom is one thing. It is a necessity. But applying it in the actual practice is another. There are so many things a new lawyer has to learn, and perpetually learn. After passing the bar, and reviewing the laws for six months as if there were...
Disturbing decisions
Lawyers talk in hushed and muted voices about Supreme Court decisions, and even those of other tribunals. They are wary specially of discussing decisions of judges within the sphere of their law practice, save perhaps in drunken moments when the blaring sounds in the...
Legal Houdini
It started with the most unusual, if not bizarre reason for voiding an amnesty. The grantee did not apply for an amnesty. Senator Trillanes did not admit guilt. So how indeed can there be a valid amnesty? This is already problematic. That there was no application is...
VOYEURISM AND SELFIE
The social networks are good for democracy. The Arab Spring has been helped largely by the real time reporting of mayhem perpetrated by the powers that be. The worms could not hide in the dark. Facebook and YouTube and the slew of social networks have chronicled the...
TERTIARY EDUCATION
While coming to high school, there was a feeling of like a frog in a big pond, it was a sense of being a big fish in a small pond coming to college. The four year Jesuit education in high school imbued a confidence level of a crusader out to conquer the world. At...
Youthful peccadilloes
Life does not take you seriously. You will live a sorrowful one if you chart it, work to achieve your dream, forgetting that which matters most : fun, friends, experiences. After all, we are all sojourners. In this existence, nobody comes out alive. My kids may view...