What do you find satisfying in your job?
Satisfaction is only a state of the mind. As a private practitioner, I find satisfaction in winning a case against a worthy opposing counsel who is more senior than I am. Another, if I am able to acquit a client who is proven to be innocent of a criminal offense or to acquire a favorable decision from a court based on the merits of the case.
What was the toughest case that you handled so far?
I consider every case as a tough case whether it is criminal, civil or administrative. In criminal cases, prosecution must prove the guilt of an accused beyond reasonable doubt. In one criminal case for Rape that I handled, my client (accused) was acquitted because I was able to rebut the testimony of the complainant by documentary and testimonial evidence. The complainant was found to be lying by the court because of inconsistencies in her testimony. The case was dismissed outright. That was the first case I won. Also, in one criminal case for Slight Physical Injuries, I was able to acquit my client because the testimony of the complainant that he was punched by my client did not correspond to the injuries he sustained. Instead of contusions, he only sustained abrasions based on a medical certificate that the complainant submitted before the court, an injury not consistent with his allegation that he was punched by my client.
How is the “dynamics“ in your house when it comes to discussing law and/or politics?
We usually do not discuss politics in our family. The family of my wife belongs to a political clan; her father, a veteran politician since the Marcos regime, is an incumbent provincial board member while her brother is an incumbent city councilor. Both are allies/aligned with the party of the incumbent Governor, Vice-Governor, City Mayor and 2nd District Congressman. But during election period, we are all involved in helping our candidate win an elective position. Our children, their cousins and relatives also extend support to our common candidate by helping in the production of propaganda materials, sharing their talents during political rallies, etc. Politics is usually a family affair to us. Law is also a common menu in the family. My father-in-law is a well-known lawyer in the province. His two brothers, two children and a nephew are all lawyers. In a way, I was influenced by them to take up law as a second profession. We usually discuss and analyze the interpretation and application of a certain law if there is a case brought before us for prosecution or for defense.
Are you involved in other activities aside from law/politics?
I have no other involvement except in activities related to school/education of my children. I actively participate in and give my fullt-ime support to school-related activities of my two children. My daughter, a third year highschool student , is the editor-in-chief of their school paper and also a debater in their school. My son is also an editorial writer in their school paper, a debater and basketball player. I sometimes accompany them when they participate in regional or national press conferences, debates, sports, etc.
What advice can you give for those Varrons who are thinking of going into law?
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Portrait of Varrons as 'Lahing Pikutin'. Bong Llanes (left) is joined in this photo, from left, by the late Gerardo 'Gerry' Declaro (Jeffrox '78), Ramon 'Mon' Razal (Skylove '73), Sofronio 'Sonny' Camacho (Flood Victims '72), Roberto Oliveros (Tagsibol '78), Philip Sarreal (Monosomic '76), and Thaddeus 'Ted' Jimenez (FQS '78; front). Photo taken in the late 1970s.
I am advising them to go ahead with their plan of taking law as a profession. Once they decide to take this profession, they should pursue it up to the finish line. There is no turning back. Once you are there, you will be trained to reason out based on law and jurisprudence, if given a legal problem. So take time to read your lawbooks, discipline yourself, and persevere. In my case, I spend an average of 10-15 hours a day of quality reading. I know that I am not the only Varron-lawyer. There are vrods and sis who are already lawyers, like Atty. Marlon Cardinoza (Two for the Road batch) who is now in Canada, Atty. Michele Oriel-Capadocia (Survivors ’78) who is now an MTC Judge, and another sis whose name I forgot.
Last Updated on October 12, 2016 by Tudla_Admin
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