ALFARO, RENNETTE JOY G.

STUDENT NO. L-150XXX

LEGAL COUNSELING - ATTY. EDNA BATACAN
SECTION – 3C (1ST SEMESTER, AY 2017-2018)

JUDICIAL BODY (SANDIGANBAYAN)

PART I. REPORT

Every law student’s dream is to witness a one or two court proceedings in the

Court which handles most of the controversial cases in the country, Sandiganbayan. I

was lucky enough to fulfill that dream. As we entered the vicinity, we were halted for

about 10 minutes or so to undergo with the very strict security measures. Our photos

were taken and also our thumb marks, which I never witnessed in the other Courts I

visited years ago. Guards and security personnels were all over the place. Taking into

matters that Sandiganbayan is a court which mainly tries administrative cases, hence, a

scrutinized security examinations shall be conducted indeed. Upon entering the Third

Division Court, we were mesmerized because we were able to go to the court and it is

looks the same in how it appears in the television.

After a few minutes, the counsels, prosecutors and the court personnels

arrived together with their clients and witnesses while carrying voluminous documents

hand in hand. Subsequently, the three justices, presided by Justice Hernandez arrived

as well taking their respective seats. The proceeding started with a prayer, after such,

the clerk of court immediately announced the title of the case which would be decided

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first. Most of the cases we witnessed were unfortunately, with regard to the motions and

pleadings asking the court to change the trial dates as their clients and witnesses

cannot be taken grasp of.

Luckily, there is this one case which showcased cross examination in an

intense manner. The case pertains to the alleged bribery committed by the official of a

financial company to gain permission from the official being bribed of to erect a cell site

of a certain Telecommunications company in lieu of their expansion project, to which the

latter agreed to. A witness was presented by the prosecution to recount the substantial

events that transpired at the time of the commission of the crime. Interestingly, this case

has been going for about 3 years already. It was alleged that the official penned a board

resolution in favor of the telecom without the approval of the other Sanggunian

members. After the verification by the witness of her testimonies, she was then asked

by the counsels of the respondent. I can say that being a witness is really a tough and

brave act because it might cost your life as well as the life of the family, most especially,

if you are against an influential person. Upon my observation, the witness was quite

intimidated to the manner of the respondent’s counsels way of delivering their

questions.

I suppose that what I have seen was the reality amongst the other cross

examinations as well, as the life of the innocent persons are at stake. After the trial, we

pondered about what we witnessed and discuss with each other our observations about

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the visit. In a nutshell, it is a fruitful visit, and I wish to work there someday as a

prosecutor to fight for what is just and right.

We are also privileged to have met Presiding Justice Amparo Tang who also

gave us a brief discussion about how the cases were being litigated in the

Sandiganbayan.

PART II. PHOTOS

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PART III. CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE

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 QUASI-JUDICIAL (NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS
COMMISSION)

PART I. REPORT

We were able to grasp the reality of the situation between some employees and

employer n different industries. The NLRC is known for handling cases with regard to

labor dispute with the primary aim of settling such disputes amicably. Upon entering the

NLRC building, there are a lot of anxious faces whom I guess were waiting for their turn

to be called in their respective courts where their cases are lodged. Most of them were

accompanied by a well-dressed individual who had with them voluminous documents

and I submit that they are their corresponding counsels. However, they are also some

employees who are without their counsels but they are together with the employer’s

representative which could mean that they already arrived at a settlement.

Minutes later, we were already allowed to enter the NLRC Court presided by

Labor Arbiter Irene De Quiros and was assisted with the certification and verification of

our attendance for that day. Hon. De Quijiros arrived and then she immediately greeted

us with a smile and talked to us for a few seconds. Then, the assistant called for the

disputing parties to enter in the court and start the trial. The Labor Arbiter tried her very

best to convince the parties to settle amicably to prevent further proceedings which

would take a long time and to prevent incurring further costs. Most of parties in the

cases heard during that day did not arrive at a settlement because the aggrieved parties

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wanted to request for the increase of the employer’s offer, hence, their hearing were

scheduled for another day. Some were successful in arriving at a settlement and only

appeared to court to drop the cases they have filed against their employees. I commend

the Labor Arbiter Irene for handling the case in calm and understanding manner despite

the fact that some of the parties seems to be uninformed about the limited jurisdiction of

the NLRC.

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Part II Photos

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Certification:

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PRIVATE FIRM ( CRUZ MARCELO & TENANFRANCA)
PART. I

I could say that this is the most artistic firm I have visited in my entire law school

life. Paintings and sculptures were aesthetically displayed all over the firm. The

conference rooms were named after our great heroes which is an unusual concept. We

were warmly welcomes by the staffs at reception are and was directed to the

designated conference room. Few minutes later, Senior Partner Atty. John Balismono

welcomed us to their firm together with the two associate partners, Atty. Claire and Atty.

Enrique. We moved to a bigger conference room as the designated room could only

accommodate few persons.

After a while, we asked Senior Partner Atty. Balisnomo in which field did he

envision himself when he was still a law student. He answered that he considered both

corporate and government practice. He worked in the government for five years after

passing the bar. After realizing that he wanted to try the corporate field, in1998 he

started working at Cruz, Marcelo and Tenefrancia law firm. As students who aspire to

become a lawyer we asked about the important skills we need to acquire to be become

a competent lawyer in a firm and he expounded on the following: a) research, b.)

communication, c.) interpersonal skills, d.) hard work and e.) luck.

Out of all those he mentioned, he emphasized on explaining the importance of

hardwork. He said that “If it is difficult, the more reason to do it”, since a reward being

achieve through a difficult situation is more fulfilling. He also exclaimed that he had such

position in the firm through his patience and hardwork in facing the challenges he and

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his firm faced through the years. The junior associates also shared their sentiments to

which they illustrated how they enjoy their job despite having hectic schedules as they

treat such experience as another way of learning which could help them to become an

effective lawyer. Lastly, Atty. Balismono also explained that being a senior partner is a

great responsibility since all the responsibilities of a partner in a partnership and all the

responsibilities of their associate lawyers are basically his responsibilities as well.

Before leaving the vicinity, Atty. Enrique gave us a brief tour of their building and

again we were mesmerized by how aesthetic the offices were as well as its facilities.

We were also introduced to some of the staffs, lawyers, and most especially the

founder, Former Ombudsman Sonny Marcelo.

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PART II. PHOTOS

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PART III. CERTIFICATION:

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