As a long time advocate for the transformation of the Philippine Justice System, I consider it a great blessing to spend more than two hours of precious moments with Atty. Precioso "Precy" Perlas, last June 19, 2013, which was Jose Rizal's 152nd birthday.
Atty. Precy happens to be a relative of our national hero, on his mother side, the Mercado.
As an octogenarian who has been practicing law for 52 long years since 1961, Atty. Precy serves as an important key informant about the state of the judiciary decades ago.
I met Atty. Precy for the first time last November 2012, while attending the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, MCLE, at Megatrade, SM mega mall. We were classmates in the Legal Ethics class conducted by Justice Hilarion Aquino.
Even while I was serving as RTC presiding judge from 1999 to 2004, I continuously attend MCLE to remain updated about the latest developments in the field of law. When I tendered my irrevocable resignation in February 2004 to go into full time advocacy for the transformation of the justice system I still made it a point to attend MCLE although I have a self imposed policy no longer to appear in courts due to my ardent advocacy, knowing that I am displeasing many justices and judges especially those who are resistant to change.
I shared to Atty. Precy that despite my being a multi-awarded Judge, where I was given awards by all the three branches of the national government, for speedy disposition of cases; pro-active measures in the administration of justice; transparency and advocacy of judicial reform; I heeded the guidance of the Holy Spirit for me to irrevocably resign due to the injustices I saw from within. I have to get out to be able to speak out and advocate freely.
Obviously the Supreme Court administrator at that time did not know where to send a judge's resignation letter. He sent mine to Malacanang palace which was returned. The Supreme court has to pass a resolution that it has to be the Supreme itself that should receive my letter of resignation.
As we were talking about the present state of the justice system, Atty. Precy recalled the glory years of the Judiciary. He talked about the likes of Justices Manuel Moran, Jose Concepcion, Cesar Bengzon, among others. But his glowing portrayal of how were the Justices of those golden years became more captivating when he talked about Justice JBL Reyes. He proudly proclaims that he is a JBL Reyes " Boy". He related the many instances when Justice JBL Reyes would assert for the rule of law to prevail all the time. Even the former President Ferdinand Marcos was afraid of Justice JBL Reyes, thus, he was only able to declare Martial Law after Justice JBL Reyes retired from the Supreme court.
Justice JBL Reyes was the very first National President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the IBP. In our identification cards as IBP members we see the famous quotation by Justice JBL Reyes which states:
No master, But Law;
No Guide, But Conscience;
No Aim, But Justice.
In discussing what we can do together to transform the Philippine justice system, Atty. Precy shared the observation by many of his friends about how the lawyers in our society have become the most influential group of people in the area of governance. All judges and justices are lawyers. Lawyers dominate the Judiciary. Many politicians in Congress are also lawyers. Those who are not lawyers always rely and depend on what lawyers say. The same is true with the Executive branch of the government.
Lawyers are the principal reasons why our justice system is in such a bad state at this time. Atty. Precy is very familiar with the stories of how the justice system has degenerated which started during the Martial Law years.
The meeting last June 19 transpired after Atty. Precy, read my post entitled DO DEVS last May and he asked if we can meet and talk. I readily agreed to meet with him. During that meeting we agreed that as lawyers we can all work together to popularize Ethical Administration of Justice in the Philippines which is the main advocacy of LEAP JUSTICE, Laypersons/Lawyers for Ethical Administration of Philippine Justice.
Atty. Precy and I agreed that a lot of beautiful things are happening nowadays. That gives a lot of hope that Development thru Enrichment of Values and Spiriuality, DEVS, can take place that can lead to the transformation of our justice system.
We agreed that since most judges and justices and those who are holding positions of power in government belong to the Roman Catholic church; the humility demonstrated by Pope Francis can trigger mass reflection and changes among those who can become instruments of change.
We also recalled this beautiful prayer of St. Francis of Asisi:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
As the number of laypersons volunteering for LEAP JUSTICE is fast growing, Atty. Precy and I look forward to more lawyers joining us as Lawyers for Ethical Administration of Philippine Justice.
" HOW BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO KEEP JUSTICE, WHO PRACTICE RIGHTEOUSNESS AT ALL TIMES" , Psalms 106:3.
Dory Cruz Avisado
6-28-13
