Those who want to become successful lawyers must have the moral flexibility to do the job. “Lawyers, even if they know in their hearts that their client is guilty, have to do what’s necessary to protect the rights of his client”, Judge Cipriano said in the class, yesterday. There are only three jobs that I know that are hazardous to the conscience: being a lawyer, soldier and lobbyist. Not that lawyers need to lie but you see, even if you know that your client is the criminal, you still need to represent him in the case, such that his rights are not compromised. Today, we went to the office of Atty. Raymund to get our grades in Labor Standards. Atty. Reymund is busy doing rounds in the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) where he works as lawyer for the poor. His client is a poor farmer’s son.
Attorney: Kunnasi pinangayu mu? (How did you f*^ the girl?)
Poor Farmer’s Son: Nakenum kami (We were drunk)
Attorney: Pero inayu mu? (So you did it?)
Poor Farmer’s Son: on (Yes)
Attorney: Okay, our stance is to prove it’s consensual sex. Let’s tell the court you are boyfriend and girlfriend. Do you have love letters to her?
Poor Farmer’s Son: awang (None)
Attorney: You make one, and give it to me. We’ll use it as court exhibit. The boy just admitted his guilt but it would take years before the court of law would be able to prove that he did it. Five years. Seven perhaps. I don’t know if the justice system is flawed but I know there’s something wrong somewhere. (And I can’t go and tell the court about what I overheard. There’s something they call privileged communication where the law protects the disclosure of conversation of the lawyer and his client.
Attorney: (looks at me) What about you? You need your grades?
Me: Yes, Attorney.
Attorney: What grade do you think you deserve?
Me: 84 Attorney (the highest in the class is Kit with 83)
Attorney: Hand me the completion form (writes my grade and affixes his signature).
Kit might kill me with this. Bummer.
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