REACTION PAPER

ANAS, Miguel Jr. A. Court Observation

Practice Court I November 16, 2019

We were assigned by our Professor in our Practice Court I, Judge Reynaldo

A. Alhambra of Branch 53 of RTC-Manila to have court observation in
various courts, such as MeTC, RTC, Family Court and Drugs Court. To
accomplish the said task, I was able to visit on November 11, 2019, together
with some of my classmates, Branch 23 of RTC-Manila acting as Drugs court
presided by Assisting Judge Clyde L. Asual. We also appeared and observed
actual court hearing on November 12, 2019 before Branch 9 of RTC-Manila
acting as Family court under Presiding Judge Jacqueline S. Martin-Balictar.
On November 14, 2019, we had our last observation at Branch 20 of MeTC-
Manila.

In all courts that we have visited, we were so quiet and only our eyes were
moving non-stop while the hearing was ongoing. As I gazed at every person
inside the courtroom, I noticed a variety of facial appearances and
expressions, probably because of their different roles they were playing in a
particular case being heard before the court. The irony on the part of most of
the accused who were handcuffed was that they looked like a tamed sheep
who seemed to be innocent of the charges against them. As to the lawyers and
prosecutors, some of them were observed to be quite competent and prepared
while others were not. There were also some witnesses and a petitioner who
failed to attend the hearing despite service of subpoena upon them. That’s
why, to our dismay, most cases were reset to next year if not in the late month
of this year. Probably, the dockets of the court were really congested with bulk
of cases thereby making it the reason why most cases were decided years after.

It was really an enlightening experience as we view the actual scenario of what

we have learned from the law school. In fact, there were few things we noticed
which we have not learned from school. What struck my attention most was
when a PAO lawyer briefly oriented a number of handcuffed accused charged
with different crimes before the Judge entered the courtroom. The said lawyer
expertly explained to them what arraignment is all about as well as plea
bargaining and the effects of pleading guilty to a lesser offense. We also
observed how the Judge handled a delicate situation during the direct and
cross examination of a child witness in the Family court. Above everything, I
learned how important it is for law students to do court observation because it
is not only where we see the stories in our books come alive, it is also a
glimpse, if God wills, of what our tomorrow might look like, more particularly
my younger classmates.

With this experience, I am undoubtedly convinced that it is more difficult to

prepare and pass the Bar examinations than to practice the legal profession.
What matters in the latter case is for a lawyer to be ready and well prepared

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in all his court appearances. Another thing I realized was the exceptional
importance of oral communication skill during litigation, which I should strive
to develop in order not only to be at par with other practicing lawyers, but in
expressing legal knowledge, arguments and ideas before the court as well.

With my age, not to mention my declining physical and mental effectiveness,

I sometimes feel tired and pressured. I can't avoid nor escape from thinking of
giving up and of quitting my law studies. But my dream to become a lawyer
pushes me up like a falcon that soars high and fly above the turbulence.
Despite my poor performance in class, particularly in CivRev I and RemRev
I, which caused me to be assured of getting failures in the said subjects.....I
WILL NEVER GIVE UP! For winners never quit and quitters never win.

As of now, however, I am still and continually discerning God’s plans and

purposes for my life for no one can argue that his plan for my life is the best!
I strongly believe that failure to realize God’s best plan for our life creates a
vacuum in our hearts which causes us to yearn for something to fill such
emptiness. Hence, attaining such plan and God’s purposes for our life
consisting of carrying out God’s given mission to us here on earth shall not
only fill up such vacuum with peace, joy, and contentment but more
importantly, our life shall become fully complete.

Indeed, we can finally say, “mission accomplished!”