So much has been said and written about the most recent controversy involving the Court of Appeals. Just this morning, a lawyer-friend texted me about it to ask if the recent update she's been hearing in the legal circles is true. I replied that aside from what we read and hear in the news, I don't have any other inside information to impart.
But this much I know is true: there are a lot of good, honest, hard-working, noble justices and lawyers in the CA who simply want to do their job and dispense justice without fear or favor. Among the cases being decided by this office, perhaps only 2 out of 10 are controversial and even then, we quietly do our work, unmindful of what the parties or the public would say. Which is why I find it rather unfair for the media to brand the CA as an office riddled with corruption. It's unfair for them to paint a picture of justices seeking out bribes when the truth of the matter is that no case for bribery has been proven, let alone, tried by the proper forum. It's unfair for them to generalize and say that cases can be bought here without citing any factual basis for such generalization. It's unfair for them to suggest that every single person in the government will easily give in to every offer of bribery that comes his way.
When I started working for the government, I took a pay cut and consequently had to drastically change my lifestyle. It was difficult but I still do not regret this decision even to this day. Because here, finally, is a job i can be proud of. Here, finally is a job where I get to be a christian lawyer and be commended for it. Here, finally, is a job where I can make a contribution to the society, never mind if I do it sans the power suit and the fancy dinner meetings and the high-profile clients and the promise of a comfortable future.
So the last thing I can tolerate is the insinuation that the institution I'm working for is nothing but a TRO mill. Because even assuming without conceding that there may be a few rotten eggs in this office, the vast majority of those who work for the CA are really honest and dedicated, albeit underpaid public servants. And this goes true, even for the justices whose names have been unfortunately dragged to various controversies in the past. I know because I see them at work everyday. I know because in my three years in this office, nobody has ever dared to dictate or impose upon me how a particular case should be decided.
It is indeed unfortunate that while we in Court try our best to decide cases based solely on the merits and on the rules, what We are up against is trial by publicity where no rules apply, and where judgment comes even before due process is observed. But for whatever it's worth, I'm writing about this not only to defend my office but also to assure those who would care to believe that despite what the media suggests, justice still means something in this country. And that there are still people who will make sure that it stays that way.
But this much I know is true: there are a lot of good, honest, hard-working, noble justices and lawyers in the CA who simply want to do their job and dispense justice without fear or favor. Among the cases being decided by this office, perhaps only 2 out of 10 are controversial and even then, we quietly do our work, unmindful of what the parties or the public would say. Which is why I find it rather unfair for the media to brand the CA as an office riddled with corruption. It's unfair for them to paint a picture of justices seeking out bribes when the truth of the matter is that no case for bribery has been proven, let alone, tried by the proper forum. It's unfair for them to generalize and say that cases can be bought here without citing any factual basis for such generalization. It's unfair for them to suggest that every single person in the government will easily give in to every offer of bribery that comes his way.
When I started working for the government, I took a pay cut and consequently had to drastically change my lifestyle. It was difficult but I still do not regret this decision even to this day. Because here, finally, is a job i can be proud of. Here, finally is a job where I get to be a christian lawyer and be commended for it. Here, finally, is a job where I can make a contribution to the society, never mind if I do it sans the power suit and the fancy dinner meetings and the high-profile clients and the promise of a comfortable future.
So the last thing I can tolerate is the insinuation that the institution I'm working for is nothing but a TRO mill. Because even assuming without conceding that there may be a few rotten eggs in this office, the vast majority of those who work for the CA are really honest and dedicated, albeit underpaid public servants. And this goes true, even for the justices whose names have been unfortunately dragged to various controversies in the past. I know because I see them at work everyday. I know because in my three years in this office, nobody has ever dared to dictate or impose upon me how a particular case should be decided.
It is indeed unfortunate that while we in Court try our best to decide cases based solely on the merits and on the rules, what We are up against is trial by publicity where no rules apply, and where judgment comes even before due process is observed. But for whatever it's worth, I'm writing about this not only to defend my office but also to assure those who would care to believe that despite what the media suggests, justice still means something in this country. And that there are still people who will make sure that it stays that way.
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