The first two weeks of July seemed to be always in Short Cuts’ memory.
The period was filled with commitments that easily reminded him of his past.
While Short Cuts dealt with his political life in last week’s column, he will now recollect his days as a new lawyer in his first year of lawyering.
This happened when he attended last night the Honoring of New Lawyers who graduated at Short Cuts’ school.
Initially, he told the group of new lawyers that he was shocked when he knew of the 16 law graduates that passed the latest Bar Examinations. Short Cuts never believe such a number of barristers to hurdle the examinations.
Because to Short Cuts’ recall, the number of successful barristers never happened to his alma mater’s law school. The usual passing number in that school was only two or three.
Back to the issue . . . . .
What was Short Cuts’ knowledge during his first year of practice of the law profession that can never escape his memory?
It happened this way . . . .
A trial lawyer was on the process of his direct examination in a criminal case. To Short Cuts’ observation, the trial lawyer was stammering the way he conducted his questions. In some instances questions were asked repeatedly.
It was as if he was unprepared for the trial.
And maybe honestly observed by the Presiding Judge of the then Court of First Instance that he had the difficulty in expressing himself during his direct examination, he bluntly shouted at the criminal lawyer, “Panero, binisay-a na laman na aron magkasinabut ta”.
To the utter disappointment and shame of the trial lawyer!
One could just imagine the degree of shame to be felt when a trial lawyer receives the roar of a judge during a hearing! More specially when the client understands and comprehends the bark of the presiding judge!
As a witness to the incident, Short Cuts had to advise his new lawyers to always study their case and be prepared before going to Court for trial.
“Never go to Court unprepared”, they were all advised.
And, when given their chances to the “Testimonial of New Lawyers” portion of the program, they were one in expressing their feelings of gratitude to the school administration.
“Had it not of BIT International College, dili unta ko ma abogado”, one by one, they stressed.
It is a matter of record that BIT International College is the only tertiary educational institution in the province that law classes are held on weekends.
Foremost, low tuition fees are charged to all students.
