Quoting a Learned Filipino Jurist

Friday, November 28, 2008

As I have previously claimed that "we have some of the best laws in the world and even better writers in our halls of justice... comparable to some of the learned jurists in the world," allow me to share this quote from the dissenting opinion of then Associate Justice Reynato Puno in Tolentino vs. COMELEC.

"Rule by the ignorant majority is a sham democracy - a mobocracy - for in the words of Jefferson, a nation cannot be both free and ignorant. If there is anything that democracy cannot survive, it is the virus of ignorance.

"Free elections does not only mean that the voter is not physically restrained from going to the polling booth, but also that the voter is unrestrained by the bondage of ignorance.

"We should be resolute in affirming the right of the electorate to proper information. The Court should not forfeit its role as gatekeeper of our democratic government run by an informed majority. Let us not open the door to ignorance."

I came across this stirring dissent while studying for my Election Law class tonight. This dissenting opinion is not even the best work of Chief Justice Puno, but it showcases his scholarship and breadth of wisdom.

I'm back!

Friday, November 21, 2008

I realize I have been neglecting my blog for sometime now. I've been very busy this past few months or since going back to law school. Yep, if you didn't know, I'm a student of law, although that doesn't make me worth more than the next Joe.

Boy, it sure is a long time since I wrote something here and I am not sure either why I'm writing this when I'm in the middle of studying for three classes tomorrow. My Saturdays start with Negotiable Instruments from 9am to 12 noon, followed by Civil Procedure for four hours in the afternoon and then after that Credit Transactions for another 3 grueling hours.

It's hard joggling work and law school, but believe it or not I enjoy studying. I enjoy the challenge, the mental demands to wade through seemingly contradicting provisions of the law, which only add to their beauty and majesty when some of the best jurists reconcile their apparent conflict. Not many know this but we have some of the best laws in the world and even better writers in our halls of justice. To mention only a few, the writings of retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban and the current chief are comparable to some of the learned jurists in the world.

I'm not an exceptional student, but I enjoy learning and I'm happiest when I'm in school. That's why I have been in my best element since going back after 4 years of being out of it. In law school, you don't only learn the law, its nuances or the art of obfuscation as most people commonly think. Law school doesn't teach you how to lie or be ambiguous in your arguments to give yourself wiggle room. On the contrary, law school teaches you to cite legal basis to support arguments, to speak with clarity and, in defending your cause, to always act with justice, honesty and fairness. That's not bad, is it?

In my next post I should probably cite instances where the majesty of the law, its beauty or even practical application could be fully appreciated. That's a tall order, but a good motivation to keep this blog going. In the meantime, it's probably best for my own sake that I get back to my readings. I still have an appointment with Mr. Justice Florenz Regalado, or to be exact, his Remedial Law Compendium.

Check back soon for updates. ;)