Induction of UI law student council officers (conclusion)

By  Pet  Melliza

THE  BEEKEEPER

About  100  people  attended  the  induction  of  officers  of  the  UI-Phinma  College  of Law  Student  Council  last  July  17. The  council  is  called  In  Solidum  “frasority” (fraternity-sorority).  In  legal  parlance,  in  solidum  is  a  “joint  and  solidary”  obligation, that  gives  a  creditor  has  the  option  to  collect  the  entire  amount  of  collectible (debt or  damages)  from  only  one  through  there  may  be  two  or  more  debtors.  The  debt of  one  is  the  debt  of  all,  the  debt  of  all  may  be  demanded  from  only  one  of them.  

Yours  truly  was  the  “instant”  guest  speaker  after  Iloilo  Press  Club  president Rommel  Ynion  backed  out.  Ynion,  a  businessman,  had  another  speaking  engagement that  time.

Incidentally,  we  at  the  presidential  table  were  the  odd  ones.  We  dressed  semi-formally  at  the  gathering  whose  motif  was  Hawaiian.  Had  I  known  so,  I  would  have also  dressed  like  most  in  the  crowd  –  Hawaiian  shirt  and  in  shorts  and  sandals, even sleeveless  shirt  so  anytime  yours  truly  could  join  them  and  their  kids  frolicking  at the nearby  swimming  pool  at  Punta  Villa  resort,  Iloilo  City.

Perhaps,  I  was  correct  in  assessing  that  my  two-page  piece  that  dealt  on  the  role of  the  press  in  the  legal  profession  was  too  serious  for  the  occasion.  I  decided  to put  it  in  my  blog  instead  for  any  in  the  audience  later  to  visit  at  their  convenient time.  It  touched  on  extra-judicial  killings  and  abductions  of  activists,  2,000  and  200 plus,  respectively,  during  the  inglorious  reign  of  the  woman  misnamed  Gloria  (2001-2010).

It  also  described  this  blighted  lande,  the  most  dangerous  country  in  the  world  after Iraq.  About  150  journalists  were  assassinated  in  the  Philippines  since  1986,  including 34  in  the  infamous  Maguindanao  Massacre  of  November  2009,  the  single  most  tragic incident  in  the  world  for  reporters.

The  cold  statistics  is  still  counting.  Since  PNoy  assumed  the  presidency  in  July  2010, 29  people  were  added  to  the  list  of  victims  of  extrajudicial  killings  as  logical  offshoot of  “Oplan  Bayanihan”,  the  government’s counter-insurgency  strategy  that  replaced the  discredited  “Oplan  Bantay  Laya”.  Four  of  them  are  journalists  and  their  deaths remain  unsolved.  I  went  impromptu  instead  to  speak  about  good,  happy  things briefly  before  an audience  whose  tables  were  bedecked  with  beer  bottles.

Law  student  council  Pres.  Rommel  Dilag  had  also  a  serious  piece  that  he  dared  read out  –  with  regrettable  outcome.  Only  we  at  the  presidential  table  took  him  serious. Such  message  had  to  be  delivered  again  for  his  fellow  students  to  take  a  glance at.

To  give  justice  to  President  Dilag’s  piece,  I  reprinted  it.  The  first  part  appeared  in the  previous  issue.  Here  goes  the  conclusion  of  his  valedictory  address:

“We  then  work  hand  in  hand  with  the  media.  We  may  not  be  at  the  frontline but we  are  tasked  to  be  observant  of  what’s  happening  around  us.  The  legal  profession is  synonymous  to  peace  education.  The  laws  are  passed  to  avoid  and  punish  crimes, and  achieve  peace  and  order.  We  then  are  morally  obliged  to  look  at  the  national windows  of  the  media,  for  us  law  students  to  see  reality.

 

“The  national  affairs  becomes  the  concern  of  the  community,  much  more  of  law students.  Our  continued  vigilance  is  a  manifestation  of  national  concern. Keeping  abreast  of  the  news  and  political  and  moral  controversies  gives  us  insight on how  effective  the  government  is  with  its  three  branches  in  ensuring  the  welfare  of its  people.

 

“In  conclusion,  I  have  stressed  that  we  work  closely  with  the  media  that  give  us facts  and  insights  on  political  and  social  issues.  We  the  law  students  will  be  better equipped  and  prepared  when  we  are  in  touch  with  social  concerns  which  the media  are  engrossed  with.

 

“On  top  of  memorizing  and  understanding  the  law  and  jurisprudence,  there  is  still something  greater  crying  for  action,  to  become  better  human  beings.  Dream  to become  lawyers  with  big  hearts,  with  love  for  humanity.

 

“With  that,  the  Great  Lawyer  and  Ruler  will  bless  our  efforts,  shower  us  with  all the  graces  and  strength  we  need.  We  will  emerge  victorious  in  our  legal  profession, not  just  mere  attorneys-at-aw,  but  great  statesmen  and  builders  of  our  nation.

 

“May  our  tribe  increase.”*