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MY DAY IN COURT
By: Althea Mae P. Casador
IV-Manresa
Ateneo de Davao University-College of Law

It was not like in the movies - that was my first thought when the
proceedings at the Regional Trial Court-Branch 10 of Davao City started. Honestly
speaking, I expected more action, more drama, more exchange of heated debates
and relentless pounding of the gavel. I expected to see one particular accused in
handcuffs, face full of terror of what his fate is going to be; his mother crying beside
him; his disgruntled wife with their sleeping baby in her hands; a victim with a
stoic face, where no feelings of grief, anger, contentment or relief can be seen; and
their lawyers, looking crisp in their suits and barongs and all prepped up for battle
just like how they depict it in the movies and teleseryes most Filipinos are
addicted to. However, and to my slight disappointment, on that day, the atmosphere
inside the crowded courtroom was light and easy.

The proceedings started when the Judge entered the courtroom. Though I
have already met her before, I admit that her black robe and stern face intimidated
me, which is quite weird since I found her very approachable when I first met her. I
think judges at work really exude that kind of impression since it is her who has to
take control over the proceedings, as she is duty-bound to maintain orderliness
inside the courtroom. When I saw her, I saw authority. I saw power. But, it is not
the kind of power or authority that she still has to impose upon those in attendance,
but the kind which is implied in her title. It made me realize that being a judge is a
very challenging profession since they are expected to be calm and collected amidst
all possible chaos that suits may cause, but at the same time they are required to be
mentally engaged in the discussions at all times, to be able to determine what is
material and what is true. With that, I developed a deeper appreciation of their
significant role in the dispensation of justice.

Upon entering, the judge led everyone into a prayer, which I think was just
proper since justice always starts with righteousness. It reminded me of my college
professor, Dr. Rosalie Alcala-Hall, who once told me that justice is not a creation of
man and law but of God, since it was him and the life he led that defined what true
justice really means. However, she continued, because of civilization and the
codification of laws, the meaning of justice evolved into a more complicated concept
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than how it was presented in the Holy Bible. Because of the codification of laws,
justice is no longer just An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth kind of thing, but
it now includes other aspects like procedures and weighing of rights. That is why
courts of law were established, because justice became complicated, she said.

Before the first case was called, I looked around and saw different kinds of
people. In front, are the court personnel who appear to be very busy preparing the
tall stack of folders, which I assumed are the files of cases to be heard that day. In
the front-most row of the pews are the lawyers, which cannot be mistaken to be so
as they dressed the part. The lady lawyers looked very chic and smart in their
corporate dresses and black coats, while the men looked equally well. I even
remember my friend telling me that one of the younger male lawyers in front of us
looked cute in his white barong. When I saw him, I could not help but agree.
Nonetheless, more than their fashion, their facial expression says that they were
not there for the fancy but for business. They kept on scanning through some
papers, or talking to their seatmates, which I can tell was not about Kris Aquinos
new love affair but about serious stuff I am probably not allowed to know.

The more interesting part of the room is the portion near the door. There I
saw persons in yellow shirts with vacant expression. Though the yellow shirts are
already a giveaway, the thing that made me realize that they are detainees whose
cases are to be heard that day are the handcuffs which connected them to each
other, except for one who was handcuffed all by himself. Those who were connected
together by the handcuffs did not look comfortable. Honestly speaking and without
aggravating the difficult situation there were already in at that time, I actually
found some comedy in their situation when one of the detainees whose right and left
hands were attached to the hands of two other persons, scratched his nose and his
head afterwards. I secretly smiled and looked away, since I know my tendency of
laughing too hard and having difficulty of stopping. Good thing, the Judge started
speaking, which diverted by attention back to the main purpose why I went to court
that day.

At first, the Judge just ran through the list of cases to be heard that day to
know if the interested parties are in attendance. After a quick run-through, she
called the first case, which made me sit right up due to excitement. It was my first
experience to witness an actual litigation after all.
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When the first case was called, the lawyer of the accused, a lady in his late
forties or early fifties passed by us and proceeded in front. She was smiling while
walking towards the judge. I can barely hear her when she started talking but I got
some words like apologize, postponement and vacation. Later, by the way the
Judge responded to her, I concluded that she was actually asking for postponement
of the hearing as she was not able to prepare for what should have been the pre-
trial conference of the case she was handling. I think the reason why she was not
able to prepare for the pre-trial conference is because she just came back from a
vacation. After a series of questions and answers, when I almost thought the Judge
will not grant the lawyers request, she smiled and in a very calm manner approved
the request for postponement. And then I realized, not all Judges are grumpy. The
lawyers voice hinted of relief when she thanked the Judge and excused herself. She
was wearing an even bigger smile when she once again passed by us to leave the
courtroom.

Honestly, I got a little dismayed and worried that the whole day might be
just a series of motions for postponement and I might not be able to see a real
litigation. Good thing, the next case called by the Judge did not disappoint me. The
lawyers expressed their readiness to do the cross-examination scheduled that day. I
was all smiles when the Judge called the witness to the witness stand. I was
attentive the whole time the lawyer was questioning the witness. I listened intently
and observed even the lawyers mannerism whiles doing his job. The lawyer of the
witness raised some objections along the way, but he did them calmly, unlike how
they do it in the movies. The most amazing thing was when the lawyer who was
doing the cross-examination said No more questions your Honor, the Judge and all
the lawyers seated in front of us, including the lawyers involved in the case
laughed. No animosity can be seen among them.

After a series of more motions for postponement and some other witnesses
called in for questioning, I felt that I already got what I came there for. My desire to
become a lawyer was renewed. With that, together with some friends I came there
with, we the left the courtroom hungry, but satisfied.