VALENCIA, JOHN HENRY O.

EVIDENCE CLASS

It was not like in the movies - that was my first thought when the proceedings at the
Regional Trial Court of Manila started. Honestly speaking, I expected more action, more drama,
more exchange of heated debates and relentless pounding of the gavel. I expected to see one
particular accused in handcuffs, face full of terror of what his fate is going to be; his mother
crying beside him; his disgruntled wife with their sleeping baby in her hands; a victim with a stoic
face, where no feelings of grief, anger, contentment or relief can be seen; and their lawyers,
looking crisp in their suits and barongs and all prepped up for battle – just like how they depict it
in the movies and teleseryes most Filipinos are addicted to. However, and to my slight
disappointment, on that day, the atmosphere inside the crowded courtroom was light and easy.

The proceedings started when the Judge entered the courtroom. Though I have already
met her before, I admit that her black robe and stern face intimidated me, which is quite weird
since I found her very approachable when I first met her. I think judges at work really exude that
kind of impression since it is her who has to take control over the proceedings, as she is duty-
bound to maintain orderliness inside the courtroom. When I saw her, I saw authority. I saw
power. But, it is not the kind of power or authority that she still has to impose upon those in
attendance, but the kind which is implied in her title. It made me realize that being a judge is a
very challenging profession since they are expected to be calm and collected amidst all possible
chaos that suits may cause, but at the same time they are required to be mentally engaged in
the discussions at all times, to be able to determine what is material and what is true. With that,
I developed a deeper appreciation of their significant role in the dispensation of justice.

Upon entering, the judge led everyone into a prayer, which I think was just proper since
justice always starts with righteousness. It reminded me of my college professor, Dr. Norma
Pantaleon, who once told me that justice is not a creation of man and law but of God, since it
was him and the life he led that defined what true justice really means. However, she continued,
because of civilization and the codification of laws, the meaning of justice evolved into a more
complicated concept than how it was presented in the Holy Bible. Because of the codification of
laws, justice is no longer just ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” kind of thing, but it now
includes other aspects like procedures and weighing of rights. That is why courts of law were
established, because justice became complicated, she said.

Before the first case was called, I looked around and saw different kinds of people. In
front, are the courts personnel who appear to be very busy preparing the tall stack of folders,
which I assumed are the files of cases to be heard that day. In the front-most row of the pews
are the lawyers, which cannot be mistaken to be so as they dressed the part. The lady lawyers
looked very chic and smart in their corporate dresses and black coats, while the men looked
equally well. I even remember my friend telling me that one of the younger male lawyers in front
of us looked cute in his white barong. When I saw him, I could not help but agree. Nonetheless,
more than their fashion, their facial expression says that they were not there for the fancy but for
business. They kept on scanning through some papers, or talking to their seatmates, which I
can tell was not about Kris Aquino’s new love affair but about serious stuff I am probably not
allowed to know.

The more interesting part of the room is the portion near the door. There I saw persons
in yellow shirts with vacant expression. Though the yellow shirts are already a giveaway, the
thing that made me realize that they are detainees whose cases are to be heard that day are
the handcuffs which connected them to each other, except for one who was handcuffed all by
himself. Those who were connected together by the handcuffs did not look comfortable.
Honestly speaking and without aggravating the difficult situation there were already in at that
time, I actually found some comedy in their situation when one of the detainees whose right and
left hands were attached to the hands of two other persons, scratched his nose and his head
afterwards. I secretly smiled and looked away, since I know my tendency of laughing too hard
and having difficulty of stopping. Good thing, the Judge started speaking, which diverted by
attention back to the main purpose why I went to court that day.

At first, the Judge just ran through the list of cases to be heard that day to know if the
interested parties are in attendance. After a quick run-through, she called the first case, which
made me sit right up due to excitement. It was my first experience to witness an actual litigation
after all.

When the first case was called, the lawyer of the accused, a lady in his late forties or
early fifties passed by us and proceeded in front. She was smiling while walking towards the
judge. I can barely hear her when she started talking but I got some words like ‘apologize’,
‘postponement’ and ‘vacation’. Later, by the way the Judge responded to her, I concluded that
she was actually asking for postponement of the hearing as she was not able to prepare for
what should have been the pre-trial conference of the case she was handling. I think the reason
why she was not able to prepare for the pre-trial conference is because she just came back
from a vacation. After a series of questions and answers, when I almost thought the Judge will
not grant the lawyer’s request, she smiled and in a very calm manner approved the request for
postponement. And then I realized, not all Judges are grumpy. The lawyer’s voice hinted of
relief when she thanked the Judge and excused herself. She was wearing an even bigger smile
when she once again passed by us to leave the courtroom.

Honestly, I got a little dismayed and worried that the whole day might be just a series of
motions for postponement and I might not be able to see a real litigation. Good thing, the next
case called by the Judge did not disappoint me. The lawyers expressed their readiness to do
the cross-examination scheduled that day. I was all smiles when the Judge called the witness to
the witness stand. I was attentive the whole time the lawyer was questioning the witness. I
listened intently and observed even the lawyer’s mannerism whiles doing his job. The lawyer of
the witness raised some objections along the way, but he did them calmly, unlike how they do it
in the movies. The most amazing thing was when the lawyer who was doing the cross-
examination said ‘No more questions your Honor’, the Judge and all the lawyers seated in front
of us, including the lawyers involved in the case laughed. No animosity can be seen among
them.

After a series of more motions for postponement and some other witnesses called in for
questioning, I felt that I already got what I came there for. My desire to become a lawyer was
renewed. With that, together with some friends I came there with, we the left the courtroom
hungry, but satisfied.