TIROL, MARK JASON S.

PRACTICE COURT 2

COURT OBSERVATION

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 5, CEBU CITY

JUDGE IRENEO L. GAKO, JR.

DECEMBER 16. 2014

PHYSICAL ARRANGEMENT

The Regional Trial Courts have been transferred to a better location. Since the Cebu City Courts had been
transferred to Quimonda Building in March 2014 caused by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, court
personnel have been patiently working in a narrow, hot and improvised court rooms. Its current location
on the 3rd floor of the Quimonda Building provide for a more decent and conducive venue for the judges
to conduct the necessary trials and hearings.

TECHNICALITIES SET ASIDE

Judge Gako conducted several interrogations with counsels. Clearly, the technical rules on the order of
trial as provided for in Section 5 of Rule 30 were not followed.

Specifically, on the civil case involving a collection for a sum of money, the judge asked the counsel for
the plaintiff to present his arguments with regards to the evidence presented by the defendant. The
plaintiff’s counsel did not present any. He admitted he was not prepared. The judge, set aside the
technicalities and allowed such counsel to have more time to prepare and construct his arguments.

LEARNINGS AND REALIZATIONS

Technicalities are not strictly adhered to in actual trial. Perhaps, oral recitations in law school are more
tough and formal than in actual trial. In trial, counsels are even allowed to look into their notes and even
speak in dialect.

Moreover, nothing really beats the power of preparation. A prepared counsel in court fears no one. His
confidence in court clearly shows his skill and knowledge of the law.