BISTEK'S OVERKILL

Just last night, I received a text message from a friend who was having his usual coffee treat at his favorite UCC Coffee on Tomas Morato, QC. He was barely on his third sip when suddenly, a deluge of white Mitsubishi Adventure vehicles (three or four) complete with blinkers and sirens, arrived tailing a Suburban which was being escorted by a motorcycle cop. The passenger was Quezon City Vice-Mayor Herbert Bautista who was entering a next-door spa. His "arrival" I was told caused quite a commotion, sort of an "animal arrive," or "hayop ang dating." Upon alighting from his vehicle, his security detail were acting a la secret service men. Okay, I'm over-reacting again. But who really is over-acting here? Herbert is ONLY a vice-mayor. Does he have to "announce" his arrival for all to see? There's always a discreet way of going to places you see. Methinks he overdid it last night, as probably in other similar occasions. In a country where wealth and power are openly displayed, it would be wise to not display them so much as to cause quite a stir. Not to mention the anger from citizens who think so lowly of people in elected and appointive positions. Tip: Arrival 101: Discreetly and Stealthily.

(Image from http://www.yehey.com/

KAFFEEKLATSCH

Many of the ancient Roman walls were built and compacted with excellent cement that it would be unthinkable to separate one stone from the other. Truth is, the whole mass has become consolidated like one rock, so embedded in cement that it is extremely difficult to distinguish one stone from another.

Blessed is a church that is built in this manner, where each member cares not only for his own well-being, but also for all - where, if there be any joy in one member, all the members rejoice and, if there be sadness in any one part of that body, all the rest are in sadness as well, "remembering those that are in bonds as bound with them, and those that are in adversity as being, yourselves, also in the body."

And yet, what are some of these churches in our communities but semi-religious clubs and mutual admiration kaffeeklatsch and mere conventions of people grouped together. They have not in them that holy soul which is the essence of unity. Why, the body would soon become disjointed and a mass of rottenness if the soul were not in it and if the head itself is rotten. And, if God's Spirit is not present, the whole fabric of the outward church starts falling into pieces like worn out garment. For where there is no life, there can be no genuine unity.

(Image from http://www.siegert-binder.de/)

LIFT SUSPENSION ON ALAN PAGUIA

I was sent a copy recently of a 'MOTION TO LIFT SUSPENSION' on lawyer and law professor Alan Paguia, an esteemed friend and somewhat a teacher of mine who, for several years now has suffered from the cruelty and incompetence of then Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. by way of an indefinite suspension. Paguia's so-called crime? He simply questioned Davide and his fellow-justices of the Supreme Court on their participation in the big mistake that was EDSA DOS, which the SC could not really come up with a satisfactory reason and explanation. Hence, it was easier to "silence" an upright member of the bar by slapping him with a suspension order. Davide went on to be gifted with an appointment to the United Nations, while the other justices are enjoying their retirement benefits and favors from Malacanang for a job well done. In reality, those who should really be suspended get promoted, and those who really should be rewarded for honesty and hard work and uprightness get to be thrown at the bottom of the food chain. But that is to be expected from a sitting president who never won the hearts and votes of the Filipino people. Both Davide and Arroyo are by far the worst Chief Justice and President our country ever had, and history will never be kind to them, and to the key players of EDSA DOS. With permission from Prof. Paguia, I am re-printing the motion verbatim.



MOTION TO LIFT SUSPENSION

The UNDERSIGNED COUNSEL respectfully avers before the Honorable Court that:

Resolution, dated November 25, 2003

1. Counsel was penalized with INDEFINITE SUSPENSION by the Honorable Court per the Resolution, dated November 25, 2003, the dispositive portion of which reads:

"WHEREFORE, Attorney Alan Paguia is hereby indefinitely suspended from the practice of law, effective upon his receipt hereof, for conduct unbecoming a lawyer and an officer of the Court.
Let copies of this resolution be furnished the Office of the Bar Confidant, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and all courts of the land through the Office of the Court Administrator.

SO ORDERED."

2. What acts did the movant commit that led to his indefinite suspension? He made several public statements accusing the Justices of the Supreme Court of political partisanship when they swore in Vice President Gloria Arroyo as President, in substitution of President Joseph Estrada, during EDSA II, essentially upon his honest belief that such substitution is unconstitutional, considering the fact that President Estrada was not convicted in the impeachment case before the Senate.

Effects of Suspension

3. From November 25, 2003 up to this writing, more than five (5) years and two (2) months have passed, for the same period of time and running, movant has been effectively deprived of his professional source of livelihood.

4. In spite of his suspension, he continued his personal support for legal aid cases involving indigents, public school teachers, and public interest causes.

5. His suspension has strengthened his belief in the Filipino people, the Rule of Law, due process, equal protection, and the Supreme Court as the final dispenser of justice in this country. It has furthermore strengthened his belief in Almighty God as the ultimate source of justice.

Issue

6. WHETHER THE INDEFINITE SUSPENSION OF COUNSEL SHOULD CONTINUE?

Submission

7. The movant respectfully submits a negative answer.

7-a. The purpose of the suspension is to remind counsel of his duties as a lawyer and an officer of the Court. During the more than five (5) years and two (2) months of suspension, the purpose has been achieved. There appears no more useful purpose to continue his suspension from the practice of law.

7-b. Movant-counsel and his family have suffered enough.

7-c. The imposition of disciplinary measures, such as the subject suspension, is founded, not on the vindictive, but on the preservative principle. Unless his suspension is lifted soon by the Honorable Court, his years of training in the Ateneo Law School, both as student and as professor, his experience as trial lawyer in mostly legal aid cases and public interest causes, and his belief in upholding the Rule of Law regardless of the consequences, may be adversely affected. At 54 years of age, counsel continues to feel morally and professionally committed to help build a just and humane Filipino society.

Prayer

WHEREFORE, It is respectfully prayed that the undersigned counsel's INDEFINITE SUSPENSION from the practice of law be LIFTED.

January 26, 2008


ALAN F. PAGUIA

17 Dr. Lazcano Street
Quezon City

IBP Lifetime Member No. 717
ROA No. 32673

(Image from http://3.bp.blogspot.com/)

LIAR LIAR

Sometimes, a man will sacrifice truth just to save face, no matter how thick. One of the members of his congregation who happens to be a friend of mine sent me a text message asking if it was true what their pastor was saying that he resigned from his previous church, and was not fired. I promptly replied by saying that the road to hell is paved with a lot of good PRETENTIONS.

Okay, if he says so. And on that note, this story is for him:

A minister, having served the same church for a few years decided to leave to take a similar position in another church.

Without telling anyone he had made his decision or writing a letter to the congregation, he waited until Sunday to announce his resignation in church.

When he spoke to the congregation, he said, "The same Jesus that called me to this church a few years ago has now called upon me to leave and serve another church."

Just then, the choir and the congregation all stood and sang, "What a friend we have in Jesus ..."

(Image from http://www.maths.monash.edu.au/)