tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88854206437139007882024-02-07T11:11:04.855+08:00Law School ChroniclesSurviving the toughest law school in the country.Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-77702024652501338672011-07-26T14:02:00.001+08:002011-07-26T14:04:37.093+08:00Except For Professor Avena...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u0wwZ-Ts3cPsgKNcG9tWFZkw7UZT_xyW9UyrKDKuwDgSQ89sbX83gFdgID9bEkVQ4Dg8kUycgWRk4UeSGfQZuYi386eJelWYGnLy3WgtENNKFsZ0SiPUCchSxpoTqK2EzDbwbIfKre8/s1600/YUNo-UPLaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u0wwZ-Ts3cPsgKNcG9tWFZkw7UZT_xyW9UyrKDKuwDgSQ89sbX83gFdgID9bEkVQ4Dg8kUycgWRk4UeSGfQZuYi386eJelWYGnLy3WgtENNKFsZ0SiPUCchSxpoTqK2EzDbwbIfKre8/s1600/YUNo-UPLaw.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Most law professors cite cases using the SCRA (Supreme Court Reports Annotated) method. <br />
<br />
Cases are actually identified by their G.R. Numbers. (I believe it stands for "General Register" or something.) However, G.R. Nos. are assigned to a case upon filing, not upon decision. This means that a chronological list of decided cases will not necessarily have the G.R. Nos. in order.<br />
<br />
The SCRA, a compendium of Supreme Court decisions, used to be the sole source of cases for law students. This was of course during pre-internet days. When someone wanted to photocopy a certain case, all they had to know was the SCRA citation, so they could find the correct SCRA volume and page number.<br />
<br />
But those days are gone. Nowadays, cases can be found on God's gift to mankind─the internet. So if a professor asks you to look for a case, he/she shouldn't provide you with the SCRA citation. That's like so old school. The jurisprudence databases do not use the SCRA citation. They use G.R. Nos.<br />
<br />
So again, law professors (except for Professor Avena), the year is 2011. You should provide your students with the G.R. No. of cases. If you want to provide both G.R. Nos. and SCRA citations, you are welcome to do so. But please. G.R. Nos. That is all I ask. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Y U No Macro created 22 Jul 2011.</span>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-32983202075966494792011-07-06T08:11:00.000+08:002011-07-06T08:11:12.615+08:00Balane's Birthday BashTue, 5 Jul 2011.<br />
<br />
By the way... I'm back, bitches. <br />
<br />
This is my third Balane Birthday. First was two years ago, when my blockmates brought me in to read poetry. Second was last year, and the third was this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0zQvd6DPx1IYhZFQ12vKUgP0cpu6OYbfeyQffDdAjTaOuix_wnrhh9EXTfFWA0AimeyXpoAK9jjsuPu0alS8GxfDeuhZQLVg1ilxcnvO-kyI3xlikKD4dVgO1jrwvgFnBOOD_fGD0xk/s1600/IMG01408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0zQvd6DPx1IYhZFQ12vKUgP0cpu6OYbfeyQffDdAjTaOuix_wnrhh9EXTfFWA0AimeyXpoAK9jjsuPu0alS8GxfDeuhZQLVg1ilxcnvO-kyI3xlikKD4dVgO1jrwvgFnBOOD_fGD0xk/s320/IMG01408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>First, we read him some Neruda. That's Liway. We went to college together. The guy on the guitar is Roi. We play in the same band. Notice how stiff everyone in the background is. Recitation's over, classmates, relax.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAkJBNBL-6_asWi6tmQg0otalKca17s6V_d2_ZRb9XO8cqzz0eIS1GC5T9tk1lyaYsC6lXVnQyxR04cIl4-QfuNyPv8GtcTwJjOIoQz3DH2-8xIakdWLcv-_GoLKnrJ3zL56HAlXeKdc/s1600/IMG01409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAkJBNBL-6_asWi6tmQg0otalKca17s6V_d2_ZRb9XO8cqzz0eIS1GC5T9tk1lyaYsC6lXVnQyxR04cIl4-QfuNyPv8GtcTwJjOIoQz3DH2-8xIakdWLcv-_GoLKnrJ3zL56HAlXeKdc/s320/IMG01409.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then they imported someone from another class who speaks Spanish, and made him sing a Spanish song like Enrique Iglesias. It's the same song Christian Silva sang last year. Because I was bored, and because my classmates were too serious, I took one of those hotdog balloons and made a party hat.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzp-IMnxf4dGZ9KMnDsTUT4lb70vmRZbVLKTfcQZXW-6Vo6c_O6g7Glm-SnHSfxvGs2Lv59G82dHfZmBN630Tw4EwuUfU3fmgnGgvHGCPgHftlIbRr-BhixiXJQaY7OnZcTi0FkC5rQc/s1600/IMG01410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzp-IMnxf4dGZ9KMnDsTUT4lb70vmRZbVLKTfcQZXW-6Vo6c_O6g7Glm-SnHSfxvGs2Lv59G82dHfZmBN630Tw4EwuUfU3fmgnGgvHGCPgHftlIbRr-BhixiXJQaY7OnZcTi0FkC5rQc/s320/IMG01410.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then after that, everyone started making party hats. The first one I made, I gave to Ms. Sacramento... <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQzMrVWaCDJ_3nlMCCJbVqW9CHtmQL6TmoXY1H0UGRsnFgEE4PzlBAr8qAICroHfA9NwQyETiLanNNNk79q7x7_HE9r-F_nlrCZ464HW6VPNFRarvZ-22_H3BGMAH4hyphenhypheng6FlLCE4OF-k/s1600/IMG01413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQzMrVWaCDJ_3nlMCCJbVqW9CHtmQL6TmoXY1H0UGRsnFgEE4PzlBAr8qAICroHfA9NwQyETiLanNNNk79q7x7_HE9r-F_nlrCZ464HW6VPNFRarvZ-22_H3BGMAH4hyphenhypheng6FlLCE4OF-k/s320/IMG01413.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>...who in turn gave it to Sir Balane. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbUiBNC_oTiyIqGi1R1OvIngSv_dWyFIbosG5-3siZuaTlARuTumokFYxDPTe7ojUgYwD0xbOLonBRGcLu1TvlZcSGEwEPNkQ8F9MlsgShtPsC0kSufOa8xFvP-cTeQDRYZW4-5z-ifE/s1600/IMG01412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbUiBNC_oTiyIqGi1R1OvIngSv_dWyFIbosG5-3siZuaTlARuTumokFYxDPTe7ojUgYwD0xbOLonBRGcLu1TvlZcSGEwEPNkQ8F9MlsgShtPsC0kSufOa8xFvP-cTeQDRYZW4-5z-ifE/s320/IMG01412.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Wait, what? Balane in a balloon hat? Let's see that again up close.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ex4khh6jMg7TXCGZCuleAX3C_MnCIkHS3jqoeEPXuGbYLYtOD1Q4lqfqPp7qrIHXyXTu_f67hNuB0P6-1-Kd4Evqvl_Zx3tgSoBWh9SPNJ8uL9rshHlximBV492Z1-rl8DtZPEntTXk/s1600/IMG01411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ex4khh6jMg7TXCGZCuleAX3C_MnCIkHS3jqoeEPXuGbYLYtOD1Q4lqfqPp7qrIHXyXTu_f67hNuB0P6-1-Kd4Evqvl_Zx3tgSoBWh9SPNJ8uL9rshHlximBV492Z1-rl8DtZPEntTXk/s320/IMG01411.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Awww. How cute. Take that, Ateneo. We got him to wear an inflated condom on his head.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*pics taken with my crappy BlackBerry camera</span>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-12917772108675695722010-06-20T07:34:00.004+08:002010-06-20T08:07:19.179+08:00The Ruben Balane Show. Episode 2Thu, 17 Jun 2010.<br /><br />More words of wisdom from the great Ruben Balane:<br /><br />While discussing the case of <span style="font-style: italic;">Bonilla v. Barcena</span>:<br /><br /><blockquote>Here the heirs of Barcena said, "Your Honor, our mother is dead, and we will be substituting her because we are her heirs." Sabi naman n'ung judge, "No, you cannot, because your mother is dead." Sabi naman n'ung heirs, "E kaya nga we will be substituting her e, kasi nga she is dead, and we are her heirs! Sa'n ka ba nag-aral, sa Ateneo?" </blockquote><br /><br />Boom. Haha.<br /><br />*Prof. Balane is also a member of <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> (thee) Ateneo Law School Faculty. Which I guess gives him the right to do this.Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-9992013250728712212010-06-18T09:21:00.003+08:002010-06-18T09:31:07.232+08:00The Ruben Balane ShowThu, 10 Jun 2010.<br /><br />Professor Ruben Balane, referring to the word "decedent":<br /><br /><blockquote>It's pronounced "di-see-dent". You don't say "di-si-dent". A dissident is one who takes up arms against the government. Well, unless you're an Abu Sayyaf, and you get killed by government troops, then you become a dissident decedent. </blockquote>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-52549380135859649192010-06-17T08:08:00.002+08:002010-06-17T08:12:47.125+08:00Overheard at the OCSWed, 9 Jun 2010.<br /><br /><blockquote>"Tignan niyo itong binabasa ko o. SCRA 600. Alam niyo ito? This is where Corona reverses himself. O, ha."<br /><br />-Dean Carale<br /></blockquote>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-65825659982946041602010-05-07T16:23:00.002+08:002010-05-07T17:16:36.555+08:00How to Bail Someone Out From NBI Detention<ul><li>Go to the Court that issued the Warrant of Arrest. </li></ul><ul><li>File a Motion to Reduce Bail. Have it signed by the Judge. </li></ul><ul><li>Also get a copy of the Warrant of Arrest. </li></ul><ul><li>Visit Detainee at the NBI (Taft Avenue, Manila) detention cell. For moral support. And also to take his/her picture. Bust shot. Front, left, and right. </li></ul><ul><li>Get a Certificate of Detention from the Security Management Division (SMD) Office. Look for Ma'am Judith<sup>1</sup>. </li></ul><ul><li>Have the Detainee's pictures printed. Size: 2x2. </li></ul><ul><li>Get a blank piece of bond paper. </li></ul><ul><li>Go back to the Detention Cell and have the detainee sign the back of the 2x2 pictures. </li></ul><ul><li>Borrow the stamp pad from the guard on duty. Take the Detainee's fingerprints on the blank piece of paper, and have him/her sign at the bottom of the paper. </li></ul><ul><li>Go back to the issuing Court, and file an application for bail. Then submit the requirements, which are the Certificate of Detention, the 2x2 pics, and the signed fingerprints. Plus the cash, of course. </li></ul><ul><li>The Court will now issue an Order of Release. Photocopy it. Also photocopy the official receipts for the cash bond deposits and the cash bond fees. </li></ul><ul><li>Go back to the NBI SMD Office. You have to take the arresting officer and the Court process server with you. Tell them to bring a photocopy of their ID, front and back. If it is impossible to get hold of the arresting officer, ask Ma'am Judith what your options are. </li></ul><ul><li>Present the following at the SMD office: the arresting officer, the Court process server, a photocopy of their IDs, the Order of Release, and the photocopy of the official receipts. </li></ul><ul><li>Once the SMD clears everything, go back to the detention cell. Present the SMD clearance to the guard on duty. </li></ul><ul><li>Once the Detainee is released, get away from the NBI office as fast as you can. Tell the Detainee to savor the air of freedom. </li></ul><br /><br /><sup>1</sup>As of 6 May 2010.Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-831676880815742142010-03-11T16:19:00.005+08:002010-03-11T16:37:52.402+08:00Professor Harry Roque on Our PresidentFri, 5 Mar 2010.<br /><br /><blockquote>"Our president is really a man. Pretending to be a woman. Pretending to be Nora Aunor."<br /><br />-Professor Harry Roque</blockquote>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-42307034085539040802010-03-11T15:38:00.004+08:002010-03-11T16:15:10.983+08:00I Might Consider Intellectual Property Law as a CareerFri, 26 Feb 2010.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Check this out: <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqD2qAkaU05RatND8D_DPwRox2vFtApQwREU6W_itzL20vdLS5BF9gsO9d-B1AIFtEWvBRJ0jkv1DcGXojzd06CVV2PqhZXGXhUQJKBcBY1mG7ltyj-oZYLCrlQJz3xkem0EqXa0C7Hg/s1600-h/exam+result.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqD2qAkaU05RatND8D_DPwRox2vFtApQwREU6W_itzL20vdLS5BF9gsO9d-B1AIFtEWvBRJ0jkv1DcGXojzd06CVV2PqhZXGXhUQJKBcBY1mG7ltyj-oZYLCrlQJz3xkem0EqXa0C7Hg/s320/exam+result.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447279007297347922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px; " /></a></div><div>This is why I ♥ Professor Vicente Amador.</div>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-77606854601324605512010-01-16T17:46:00.004+08:002010-01-16T18:31:37.342+08:00I ♥ Professor Vicente AmadorIf you're going to take Intellectual Property Law, take Vicente Amador.<br /><br />I can guarantee you, his class is super stress-free. Like super-duper stress free.<br /><br />And here's what I learned in class today:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnxYvew_QVwlXgIsyN28R-KoA_7v4S6q3K0iMoXkt8Jl-5wkQ_F2wJLNbbm4hklPUcAqnUxI1xmCHNgwWeAVqXcMgD6yi5asujEGleJKMNDR4ZcDRGRt5ADwec3d3Yy7HPHpxqQsM84Q/s1600-h/GTB_Automation__Amapatuan_by_stinglacson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnxYvew_QVwlXgIsyN28R-KoA_7v4S6q3K0iMoXkt8Jl-5wkQ_F2wJLNbbm4hklPUcAqnUxI1xmCHNgwWeAVqXcMgD6yi5asujEGleJKMNDR4ZcDRGRt5ADwec3d3Yy7HPHpxqQsM84Q/s320/GTB_Automation__Amapatuan_by_stinglacson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427280140383635234" border="0" /></a>This picture is NOT considered as copyright infringement of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Grand Theft Auto</span> artworks. It is considered a parody, and is entitled to the defense of fair-use.<br /><br />What have you learned today?<br /><br /><br />*pic from <a href="http://stinglacson.deviantart.com/art/GTB-Automation-Ampatuan-145248325">me</a>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-40344451565123157642009-12-07T16:35:00.002+08:002010-03-11T16:21:39.001+08:00Professor Florin Hilbay on PlurkWed, 2 Dec 2009.<br /><br /><blockquote>"What's Plurk? <span style="font-style: italic;">(changes to a suspicious tone)</span> Is that a porn site?"<br /><br />-Professor Florin Hilbay</blockquote>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-30719203766695614372009-11-08T19:26:00.003+08:002009-11-12T15:51:08.342+08:00Return of the Comeback: Conversation with GodTues, 10 Nov 2009.<br /><br /><br />This is my most recent conversation with God. Because law school and spirituality go together. <div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> Oy, 'musta na? </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Oks naman. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> O, enrolled ka na?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> 'Di pa tapos.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> Anobeh, bakit hindi pa?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> E si Ma'm Guanzon kasi wala pa 'yung Loc Gov grade ko.<br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> Pero pasado ka na?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Yes sir.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> E 'yung kay Arno?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Pasado rin. Kaso naawa lang sa akin.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> O ayan ha. Basta 'yung promise mo sa akin ha.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Anong promise?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> Na pag-pina-graduate kita sa UP Law, maghu-human rights ka at <span style="font-style: italic;">pro bono</span> ng bonggang bongga. Remember? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Of course naman.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> So natuto ka na ng lesson sa lahat ng nangyari sa'yo?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Anong lesson?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> Tungkol sa paggawa ng groups sa FB.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Ay oo naman. 'Pag ginawan mo ng Fezbook group ang professor mo, makwa-kwatro ka.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> Korak. Kaya 'wag ka na gagawa ng FB group.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> 'Wag ka nga gumamit ng "FB," hindi bagay sa'yo. Two syllables na nga lang, shino-shortcut mo pa.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> Meh ganon...E ikaw nga "Fezbook" e.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Mas ok nga ang "Fezbook" kaysa sa "FB" e.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> Whatever. Pam-bakla ang "fez" e.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> E mas bakla ka nga kaysa sa akin e.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> Trueness. So kailan matatapos ang enrollment mo?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Um, this week?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> Hay nako, tapusin mo na 'yan! Classmates mo ba uli ang blockmates mo?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Oo, 'pag Fridays.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> Nyak. E 'di classmate mo uli si...<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Malamang. Pero kebs. Hahaha.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> Oo nga. Kebs. Ano ba 'yan, bakit ganyan ka pa rin tumawa sa intarwebz? "Hahahaha" is so 20th century. New millenium na. Ang uso na ngayon ay "LOL". Or mas uso pa d'on: "lawlz".<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Yuck kadiri ka God ang tanda mo na, nakiki-lawlz ka pa.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOD:</span> I know right. (<span style="font-style: italic;">hairflip and beardflip</span>)<br /></div><div><br /></div><br />END.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-30564420625853947632009-07-10T14:52:00.007+08:002009-07-10T16:18:29.383+08:00Legal Education—Outside the ClassroomNothing should stop me from getting my legal education.<br /><br />Despite being on residency this semester, I have decided to keep myself busy by finding a job, since idle minds are the devil's workshop.<br /><br />And my job right now: Legal researcher and Administrative Assistant for a non-government organization.<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">Conversation between me and my auntie:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TITA:</span> Sa'n ka nagwo-work ngayon?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Sa NGO po.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TITA:</span> Saang NGO?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Sa NUPL.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TITA:</span> NUPL? National Union of...?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> National Union of Peoples' Lawyers.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TITA:</span> 'Di ba mga radikal 'yan?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME:</span> Um...'di naman po masyado. </blockquote><br /><br />People may criticize my choice to work for NUPL, and they may scoff at the pay I'm getting (let's put it this way: my sister's allowance is bigger than my paycheck). But I don't really care. I like it here. I get to do legal research for human rights cases. And that is the path I wish to take, once I get the title of "Attorney" prefixed to my name.<br /><br />Also, the best advantage of this line of work is that you get jaded early. During the first two years of law school, you may think that the legal profession is all pristine and sacred, and that Lady Justice is totally blind behind the blindfold. But that's not true.<br /><br />The legal profession is a very dirty ballgame. Well of course it is. It is probably the dirtiest profession in the history of the human race. It has more than a millenium of corruption and foul play behind it, and it will most likely remain unchanged. Possibly forever. But that's all right, really. The more rotten the profession, the more the good people stand out.<br /><br />And that's what NUPL has. Good people who care nothing about money. Which is why I am so proud of it.Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-49264870894630375972009-06-14T03:31:00.000+08:002009-06-14T03:32:40.697+08:00RealizationsMon, 8 Jun 2009.<br /><br />Realization: Am not as brilliant as I thought I was.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Oh well. C'est la vie.Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-32318096370429587742009-04-26T11:27:00.003+08:002009-04-26T12:11:12.805+08:00On Senseless Facebook GroupsThe thing with law school is that you have to do some crazy stuff just to keep your sanity. And my outlet is blogging and Facebooking. (Is Facebooking a recognized verb now?) Anyway, this is a story about a seemingly senseless Facebook group.<br /><br />I created two Facebook groups, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=feed&id=576359054#/group.php?gid=50418139911">The Arno Sanidad Fan Club</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=feed&id=576359054#/group.php?gid=58617426495">Groupies of the Bing Guanzon Show</a>. And then one day I got a message that said:<br /><br /><blockquote>hi,<br />I am a very old, long lost friend of Bing Guanzon. Saw this group on FB. would love to get in touch with her. Please tell her it is Jiji Pama-Pawley. She can view my info on FB under Aura-Marie Pama Pawley. Hopefully we can reconnect. Thanks very much. I appreciate your help.</blockquote><br /><br />So I told Ma'am, and this is what she said:<br /><br /><div></div><blockquote><div>hi GP, </div> <div>thank you for the fan club! HAHAHA</div> <div>Did you get my photo when I was mayor, seated on a rock, in black and white?</div> <div>That's a good photo to remember your loc gov by.</div> <div> </div> <div><br />I will leave the CD of "The Morning Show" ABSCBN visayas interview of me, the one you saw on the first day of class. if you want to post that, you may.</div> <div> </div> <div><br />Jiji Pama is a dear friend. Thank you for reconnecting me with her.</div> <div>Please give her this email address and my mobile phone.</div> <div> </div> <div><br />Hmm, I think I will get a facebook too, to reconnect with old friends.</div> <div> </div> <div><br />thank you</div></blockquote><div></div><br />I was waiting for something like, "because you reconnected me with my dear old friend, I will give you a high grade." Or something like that. Hahaha. Of course I am only joking.<br /><br />But still, moral of the story: seemingly senseless Facebook groups are not senseless after all. I have reconnected two old friends, and thus have made the world a better place.<br /><br />And for that, the Barry Gutierrez Facebook group will be coming up soon. If I can find a decent picture of him. Only problem is, Sir Barry is also on Facebook. I just hope he's cool with it.Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-59353294355360122502009-04-25T18:32:00.004+08:002009-04-25T19:38:47.347+08:00Gender Rights in the Continuum of Human Rights Development<span style="font-style: italic;">(The title alone should stop you from reading any further. This is a full academic paper, though not one I'm proud of, as I believe it is inferior in quality to the academic papers I used to churn out in my undergrad days. Final paper submitted for Gender and Law, II AY 08-09.)</span><br /><br />I. Introduction<br /><br />The first mention of the equal protection clause was from the United Nations Charter, specifically Article 1 (3), which states one of the purposes of the United Nations as “[t]o To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion”.[1] And of course we all know from UN history that the charter is basically smut, because it binds no one. Enter now the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or the UDHR. Take note of Article 2, which states that “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status x x x”[2]. Another sort of drawback here is that though the UDHR uses more legalese than the UN Charter, they are both not legally binding.<br /><br />Enter now the conventions. First, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, more popularly known as the ICCPR, specifically, Articles 3 and 26. Article 3 states that “The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all civil and political rights set forth in the present Covenant”[3], while Article 26 states “All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law.” In this respect, the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”[4] The ICCPR was the first enacted covenant in response to the non-binding characteristic of the UDHR, more specifically the equality clause. Most of the civil and political rights sought to be enforced are rooted in equal protection.<br /><br />Next, we have the ICESCR, known also by its longer name, the International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. This convention sought to go into detail on some basic rights that seem to have been overlooked when drafting the ICCPR. These rights include the rights to education, clean water, and housing, among others. And like the name suggests, the rights sought to be enforced by the ICESCR mostly stay within the economic, social, and cultural realm. Then after that, we have the first attempt at addressing discrimination, albeit in its racial form, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination[5], or CERD.<br /><br />After that is where it gets really exciting. The next major convention dealt with something that previous conventions never tried to tackle, at least independently. I am of course talking about the gender movement, or the fight for the rights of women, history’s most oppressed sex at that time (and some may argue, up to now). Which is why we now have the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women[6], known by its fearsome acronym, CEDAW. This five-lettered acronym somehow serves as the “last bastion of hope”, so to speak, for oppressed women everywhere. Finally, there is an international remedy available to females around the world, regardless of race, sex or nationality.<br /><br />The gender movement has actually spawned several sub-movements, all falling under the category of discrimination based on gender. We have the fight for homosexual rights (which include the rights of both gays and lesbians). This radicalism encouraged more and more people who are oppressed because of their gender to come out into the open, and fight for their rights. These new radicals include the bisexuals, as well as the transgenders, who all claim to be fighting for one thing and one thing only: recognition before the law as a normal human being.<br /><br /><br />II. Main Arguments<br /><br />The broad umbrella of human rights, specifically its development, is often misconceived. Most regard it as having happened in waves, in order of importance. For example, since the ICCPR came first, it is often argued that civil and political rights occupy center stage in the rights to be enforced. Does it follow, then, that since this covenant is meant to enforce the basic rights seemingly denied by the apathetic approach to the UDHR’s non-binding nature, that civil and political rights rank higher than other rights?<br /><br />This is actually the point I would like to question, for to presuppose the transcendental importance of one group of rights over another is to presuppose a hierarchy. This is what brought about the wave theory, claiming that civil and political rights belong to the first wave, while economic, social, and cultural rights belong to the second wave, et cetera. But to assume that human rights developed in waves would be to conclude that gender rights are not as important as civil and political rights.<br /><br />What I would like to posit is that human rights developed, and is developing, in a continuum. Every succeeding treaty, covenant, or protocol developed because the previous one was not entirely successful in implementing the crucial clauses, among others the equality clause. Discrimination based on gender (including also other forms of discrimination) is actually a continuing call for the strict reinforcement of the equality clause. In order to describe it better, it is the same as saying that gender equality should have already been guaranteed as far back as the UDHR; and since gender-based discrimination still proliferated, the ICCPR should have done the trick. But since the ICCPR was still unsuccessful in eradicating discrimination based on gender, they had to come up with the CEDAW to finally cement their claim. But honestly, after the CEDAW, gender-based discrimination still has a very strong presence in many cultures of the world, and in my opinion, this will never be enough. Human rights will continue to develop until we get everything right.<br /><br /><br />III. History<br /><br />First up: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document came about because of that atrocious event known as World War II. It is no surprise that when you say “World War II Europe” one of the first images that comes to mind is that of almost-skeletal people in striped pajamas. These were the Jews, six million of them slaughtered like cattle in the event known as “The Holocaust”.<br /><br />Along with the advent of world banking and dividing the world amongst themselves, the western powers improved on their previous attempt at a world government, the League of Nations, and developed the United Nations. A few years later, they came up with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in response to all the human lives lost during the war. The UDHR guaranteed equality before the law, as a person, and more importantly as a human being. Everyone in this world is entitled to the same basic rights, whether or not they have blond hair and blue eyes. Then they went beyond the physical, and threw in a few other things, like equality based on religious, linguistic, and sexual differences. Take note of the use of the word “sex” as opposed to “gender”, which is something I will be discussing later.<br /><br />So now we have the UDHR, and everybody seems happy. Wrong. Discrimination still persisted, discrimination in all its reincarnations. Racial discrimination was still rampant, even post-1945, as well as the other types of discrimination, all in flagrant violation of the UDHR’s equality clause. And then they discovered one flaw: the UDHR was not binding on any nation, as it was not a treaty. What a convenient loophole, on the part of the violators, that is.<br /><br />And thus was born the ICCPR on 16 December, 1966. Take note of these specific provisions (which I already mentioned at the beginning): Article 3, “The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all civil and political rights set forth in the present Covenant.”[7] And Article 28, “All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. In this respect, the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”[8] These are reinforcements of the equality clause, and being the most important clause in the UDHR, violations of it cannot be made to pass on the mere technicality that it is not binding. The equality clause must be enforced, specifically because of the events mentioned in the preceding paragraph, and if it requires a treaty to bind the nations of the world, then that treaty has to be created.<br /><br />Note that while the ICCPR seems to have partially solved the problem, it enumerates eight types of discrimination: 1) as to race; 2) as to color (although I think they are one and the same thing); 3) as to language; 4) as to religion; 5) as to political or other opinion; 6) as to national or social origin; 7) as to property; and 8) as to birth or other status. Now that is quite a mouthful in itself, taking into account also the sheer population of the planet, and if all these types of discrimination do indeed exist, then it is most likely that only one or two types of discrimination will actually be cured by the ICCPR. The status quo, like a living organism, will find a way to survive, and the rest of the other types of discrimination shall continue as if no treaty had been drafted in the first place.<br /><br />Proof of this lies in the fact that despite the ratification of the ICCPR, the discrimination of women, simply because they are women, continues to thrive. Discrimination continues despite the ICCPR’s Article 28. It is as if Article 28 was never written at all.<br /><br />And because of this, the women of the world had to unite and move for the creation of the Convention to End All Forms of Discrimination Against Women[9]. This was actually the second covenant to zero in on a specific type of discrimination, the first being the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination[10]. Its main objective is to make sure that the equality clause is strictly enforced in the area of discrimination based on sex.<br /><br />Taking off from that point, we move now to the difference between the words “sex” and “gender”. What exactly is the difference? “Experts tell us that in the human person, sex and gender—the biological principle and the cultural expression—are not identical.”[11] Well, the word “sex” is most often used in its biological sense. It relies on one’s physical attributes. If someone has a penis, that someone is a male; a vagina, female. But discrimination is not based on physical attributes alone. Women are discriminated from some forms of labor not because of their vagina; women are expected to fulfill a certain “feminine role”, like staying at home, taking care of the children, and doing the laundry. Lesbians who fall under the “butch” category are often allowed masculine roles because the role they are expected to play in society is “exactly like a man, only with breasts and a pussy” (pardon my French). And homosexual men are discriminated from certain “masculine” professions, like the army, because gay men are expected to fulfill a softer, less manlier role, and a testosterone-filled place like the army cannot provide them with an opportunity to fulfill that role.<br /><br />Because of that, the role of a person, as opposed to that person’s biological sex, had to be qualified, and the term gender was used to describe a person’s role in society. For both heterosexual males and females, “sex” and “gender” may overlap. But for the gays, lesbians, and transgenders, the distinction must be clear. Some people think that gays and lesbians only came out of the woodwork, so to speak, in the twentieth century. That is totally false. Gays and lesbians have existed as far back as recorded history allows. It was only during the last century that they started campaigning for the rights which they should already have in the first place.<br /><br /><br />IV. Analysis<br /><br />Since the fight for the equality clause seems to have divided itself into as many groups as there are types of discriminations, we can predict that the full and actual realization of the equality clause as envisioned in the original Declaration might take years, even decades. The status quo is not something static that you can topple like a house of cards; it is a living and breathing organism, and it evolves with the times. So if new conventions or covenants against discrimination are passed, then the status quo, which thrives on discrimination, will be forced to adapt. So new types of discrimination might actually be formed from the prevention of other types.<br /><br />So again, let me just reiterate that there is no such thing as a hierarchy of rights. There is only one long continuum of the enforcement of the equality clause as promised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.<br /><br /><br />V. Local Application<br /><br />Let us now go to the application of the gender-based discrimination struggle in the local scene by taking a look at some of the laws enacted especially for women.<br /><br />Republic Act 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, is an improvement on the previous criminal statutes against rape. R.A. 8353 repealed Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code, where it was still classified as a Crime Against Chastitiy under Title Eleven.<br /><br />The Anti-Rape Law significantly broadened the crime of rape, and now redefined the act of sexual assault to include “inserting [a man’s] penis into another person’s mouth or anal orifice, or any instrument or object, into the genital or anal orifice of another person.”[12] This then makes it possible for men to be raped. So this law not only favors women, but also homosexual males, who are often victims of rape in prisons.<br /><br />Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, was a latter enactment. This went further than redefining terms; this law actually went as far as to provide extraordinary remedies, namely the three types of protection orders: the Baranggay Protection Order, the Temporary Protection Order, and the Permanent Protection Order. Of the three, the Baranggay Protection Order, or the BPO, is the most innovative, as it provides a fifteen-day destierro against an offender, at the baranggay level, without need of judicial intervention.<br /><br />R.A. 9262 was enacted also to answer the need of women to be protected from violence against them. The predominantly male Filipino culture expects women to fulfill the submissive role of a punching bag, there to take the blows of the her spouse when he is feeling angry, and there to give him sexual gratification when he is horny. These types of battery do not only leave physical pain, they also leave emotional scars, often for life. And worse than this is that they also propagate a culture of violence, and the less women talk about this problem, the greater the chance that this culture will be passed on to the succeeding generations.<br /><br />And finally, we have the latest of our legal developments in the field of gender, and that is the Reproductive Health Bill. Those who have been keeping abreast know about the controversies surrounding this bill, about its stance on contraception, and its supposed effect on the Philippine population. I shall try not to dwell on its pros and cons, for even the experts can’t seem to compromise and find middle ground on this law.<br /><br />The Reproductive Health Bill, or the RH Bill for brevity, was drafted using the word “gender”. It is specifically this six-letter word which caused quite a stir (that and the abortion angle), as this is first time the Philippines recognized the difference between the words “sex” and “gender”, and has seemingly applied it correctly. The Catholic Church, on the other hand, in true violation of the wall of separation between church and state, has “strategically suggested” that the word “sex” be used instead. I leave it up to your imaginative minds to figure out the Church’s motive in doing so.<br /><br /><br />In conclusion, let me just state that I believe that I have not done justice to this paper, as there a lot more points I would have liked to raise. Due to limited time, and unavailability of research materials, I have not been able to delve as deep as I would have liked to on this topic. The gender struggle, and the human rights movement as a continuum, cannot be adequately explained in approximately three thousand words. If given the chance, I would like to go deeper, and explore the human rights struggle in its entirety, focusing on the really strong and popular movements like gender. Well even the gender movement itself is such a broad topic that writing on that alone would consume so many pages, which in turn would consume so much paper, which in turn would consume so much trees. But such is the beauty of legal research, and academic writing should become second nature to law students, since no other method can expand one’s knowledge of something unless one writes about that topic. And the gender movement, especially in the times we live in, needs great writers to propel their ideas and advocacies through the new millennium.<br /><br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />[1]<a href="http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/chapter1.shtml">http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/chapter1.shtml</a><br />[2]<a href="http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html">http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html</a><br />[3]<a href="http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/a_ccpr.htm">http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/a_ccpr.htm</a><br />[4]<a href="http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/a_ccpr.htm">Ibid.</a><br />[5]<a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cerd.htm">http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cerd.htm</a><br />[6]<a href="http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm">http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm</a><br />[7]<a href="http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm">Ibid. </a><br />[8]<a href="http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm">Ibid. </a><br />[9]<a href="http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm">http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm</a><br />[10]<a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cerd.htm">http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cerd.htm</a><br />[11]<a href="http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0801&022008/opinion07.html">http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0801&022008/opinion07.html</a><br />[12]Article 266-A (2), Revised Penal Code, amended by R.A. 8353Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-64091055781218492022009-04-14T01:18:00.004+08:002009-04-14T01:55:24.272+08:00Last Day of Class: Loc Gov, or The Bing Guanzon Show Season FinaleTues, 24 Mar 2009.<br /><br />Because we are a very chummy class, we have pictures taken like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJuLT-s8S04BwwOhVQJiVHtIS001blLbS4RQwZmJvJcJ7NJScUne7x5_jCI8iSXON6MMG9aZNeYloL26g8Ao68XyFVHqZznsCKVZDhW4bYjPG9u79N0kpVnDkVFXudpMX6lIU2aWymxw/s1600-h/IMG_2316.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJuLT-s8S04BwwOhVQJiVHtIS001blLbS4RQwZmJvJcJ7NJScUne7x5_jCI8iSXON6MMG9aZNeYloL26g8Ao68XyFVHqZznsCKVZDhW4bYjPG9u79N0kpVnDkVFXudpMX6lIU2aWymxw/s320/IMG_2316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324235027907611522" border="0" /></a>Check that out. That's us in the classic Bing Guanzon pose. She should have had that pose copyrighted, because Bayani Fernando might use it for his presidential campaign.<br /><br />We are possibly the chummiest class this semester. Possibly even the chummiest class <span style="font-style: italic;">ever</span>. I've never seen a chummier class, even in undergrad.<br /><br />The Bing Guanzon Show is the only class in UP Law that lets you go out and immerse with the real local government units. The baranggay project may be the first and the last time that you can experience something like it within the halls of Malcolm.<br /><br />And for more chumminess:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPfbZ0WWg5FLAwEYf_bMM6f6aRBVaMYOeLsS9suWje7Id-CH0LOMdgwIZ7HBrNCAgX4Z-wT5A6fFM-6NfWVWUbfVdaD3ZuURc1Drca6QPwCyr66wTUVDhJKXNr2t3R9aQ0Q2aJ-fA-Zc/s1600-h/IMG_2338.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPfbZ0WWg5FLAwEYf_bMM6f6aRBVaMYOeLsS9suWje7Id-CH0LOMdgwIZ7HBrNCAgX4Z-wT5A6fFM-6NfWVWUbfVdaD3ZuURc1Drca6QPwCyr66wTUVDhJKXNr2t3R9aQ0Q2aJ-fA-Zc/s320/IMG_2338.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324235031697960898" border="0" /></a>These were taken with Ma'am's camera; hence, the high quality (and the very long upload time). I believe I am the only one with copies of these pics. I even have the pics of the other class. Haha. There are actually more of them. My classmates are closet camwhores.<br /><br />Join <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=576359054&v=feed&story_fbid=64882129333#/group.php?gid=58617426495">Groupies of the Bing Guanzon Show</a> on Facebook. (Stay tuned for I Heart Sir Barry. For those who both love and hate Barry Gutierrez.)<br /><br />It makes me wonder if we now have the right to call her Tita Bing. For more closeness.Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-8614781431981918392009-04-10T17:09:00.004+08:002009-04-10T17:18:08.090+08:00For More EncryptionOnce again. Encrypted for protection.<br /><br />Date: HL30BD+3<br /><br />The main event for this day shall be codenamed "Sleepless in Seattle".<br /><br /><em>*Play back memory. Again. And again. And again.*</em><br /><em></em><br />Best.<br> Day. <br> EVER. <br>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-6172248458512388142009-04-05T09:57:00.003+08:002009-04-05T10:11:38.963+08:00That Monstrosity Called Criminal ProcedureSat, 4 Apr 2009.<br /><br />I loved the exam. Yes, it was a bit difficult. Yes, I missed seven points (I left number nine blank). But I had fun. That exam is actually a preview of my career outside law school---defending all cases under The Dangerous Drugs Act. How to exclude evidence. How to get them out on bail. Et cetera. Et cetera.<br /><br />There was one question there about "the distinct odor of burning shabu". I wanted to answer "but burning shabu has no odor!" But it might just invite questions like, "Well, how do you know so much?"<br /><br />Duh. A lawyer should know those things, even if he/she doesn't use drugs.<br /><br />Anyway, highlights of the day:<br /><ol><li>I arrived almost twenty minutes late for the test (no excuse, just damn tardy).</li><li>I failed to answer number nine. </li><li>I got a parking ticket. </li><li>I busted a tire. </li></ol>All that in one day. Talk about bad luck. I just hope that after all that misfortune, I pass the exam. Please, God. Give me a break. I will lawyer for the poor people for free when I graduate. I promise. Just let me pass.Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-72169693582349680602009-03-31T08:47:00.007+08:002009-04-25T18:59:07.972+08:00The Right to Smoke(<em>Final paper submitted for IHR, II AY 08-09. This is more a reflection paper, not an academic paper.</em>)<br /><br />Let me start off by introducing you to Mario. Mario is a bright, recent college graduate. He graduated <span style="font-style: italic;">cum laude</span>, and applied at once for a job. He was denied the position because it was found out that he smoked marijuana. He has been smoking pot since he was sixteen.<br /><br />Then there's John, also a college graduate. He married a girl who was a US citizen. During the interview for immigration, he admitted to having smoked weed a few times when he was in college. He was denied immigrant status for something he smoked several years ago.<br /><br />The names of these people are, of course, all fictional. But their scenarios are real. I personally know people who have experienced this kind of discrimination, all because of their marijuana smoking.<br /><br />What I would like to point out here is that the right to smoke marijuana should be recognized. People should be allowed to smoke, or at least given the choice to smoke or not to smoke.<br /><br />Before we start, let me just define some terms I will be using in this discussion. Marijuana is, of course, that infamous plant that is used for mind-altering purposes. Its active chemical is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The plant belongs to the genus <span style="font-style: italic;">Cannabis</span>, of which the most popular species for human consumption is <span style="font-style: italic;">indica</span>. It may be smoked, like tobacco, or it may also be ingested. The act of intoxicating oneself with marijuana is known as getting high.<br /><br />Marijuana is also known by several names, the most popular being "weed" and "pot". The term "pothead" refers to chronic smokers, or those who get high at least once everyday, or almost everyday. I will be using the term "pothead" a lot in this discussion, simply because the alternative name "addict" is too harsh in my opinion.<br /><br />Marijuana is of course outlawed by Western society, and by most of the world in general. They have declared potheads as criminals, because their acts (of getting high) are defined as criminal.<br /><br />The criminalization of marijuana is rooted mostly in economics. This began way back in the early part of the twentieth century, and the war on marijuana was instigated by William Randolph Hearst, a rich American tycoon. Hearst owned a huge part of the US cotton industry, and declared war on the hemp industry to preserve his semi-monopoly on American fiber. He spread rumors about marijuana being "the devil's weed", used mostly by the African-Americans and Mexicans in committing atrocious crimes. In 1937, the United States Congress passed the <a href="http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/taxact/mjtaxact.htm">Marihuana Tax Act</a>[1], which is the law that criminalized the marijuana plant.<br /><br />But that's just the American scene. The rest of the world followed suit following the <a href="http://www.incb.org/pdf/e/conv/convention_1961_en.pdf">United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs</a>[2] in 1961. Previous treaties only mentioned opium and coca, and this is the first UN Convention that incorporated cannabis as a controlled substance. Several conventions followed, of which the latest is the <a href="http://www.unodc.org/pdf/convention_1988_en.pdf">United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances</a>[3] in 1988. And even today, marijuana still remains in the criminal category.<br /><br />Of course, this is not to say that all states have the same marijuana laws. The Netherlands is one of the most popular countries where marijuana use is not considered criminal. The Dutch people actually “overwhelmingly approve of current cannabis policy which seeks to normalize rather than dramatize cannabis use.”[4] Take note that what the Dutch government decriminalizes is only drug use. “Production, trading and stocking drugs remain a criminal offence, as in any other country.”[5] Some American states and European nations have lowered the penalty for marijuana possession and drug use, but the Dutch government is still the leader in decriminalization for providing no penalty at all for personal marijuana use.<br /><br />And since marijuana laws are not the same in all countries, despite the existence of all those conventions, then it follows that potheads are not treated the same in every country in the world. This then is where the problem lies. The right to smoke is recognized in some jurisdictions only. But I would argue that it is, and it should be, a universal right that must be enforced. The criminalization of marijuana has caused more harm to society, has broken up more families, and has shattered more futures than the actual plant itself.<br /><br />Okay, so the anti-legalization advocates will argue that it is illegal because the law says it is, and because the United Nations classified it as such. And yet the power to reclassify marijuana, or to move it to a different schedule, also lies with the same body that declared it illegal. Somehow the illegal status of marijuana based on statutes is the first hurdle that must be overcome for decriminalization.<br /><br />But assuming that there is no international convention or treaty in the way of decriminalization, marijuana use should still be afforded the same status as alcohol and tobacco. What alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana have in common is that these are all substances consumed for the sake of pleasure only. Alcoholics, smokers, and potheads should thus be given equal treatment, for the reason that people similarly situated should be treated equally. And the only thing that differentiates alcoholics, smokers, and potheads, is that potheads are, in the eyes of the law, dangerous criminals.<br /><br />The difference in society’s perception between all these vices is actually one of the causes of discrimination. People who have drinking problems are sent to support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous; people who smoke pot are sent to jail. In the workplace, people who drink are reprimanded; people who smoke pot are fired. And again, what is the difference between the two but a few words on some piece of paper?<br /><br />Another argument I would like to pose is that discrimination against potheads is a discrimination based on culture, or more specifically, a subculture. I firmly believe that pot smoking is already a valid yet unrecognized subculture. Among all the so-called substance abusers, the potheads are the only ones that satisfy the characteristics of a legitimate subculture. Let’s take for example the junkies (the heroin users), and the ravers (the party people who love dropping ecstasy). One could also argue that these people also form their own subculture, since they too have their own jargon, their own terms, and this subculture is also seen in the movies when they portray junkies and ravers, most of the time with startling accuracy.<br /><br />But the pothead universe goes way, way deeper than the other so-called subcultures of the drug users. Potheads have their own websites, and their own literature. They have their own monthly publications, like <span style="font-style: italic;">High Times</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Cannabis Culture</span>, both very popular magazines with international circulation. Potheads also have a wide range of paraphernalia, which include, among others: bongs, or water pipes; rolling papers, with different grades, depending on the thickness of the papers; rolling machines, for those who do not know how to roll a marijuana cigarette with their hands; pipes, literally in all shapes and sizes, wooden, glass, and other materials, and even special pipes for smoking hashish; and hookahs, also in all shapes and sizes. These paraphernalia are sold online through the websites, or through the magazines, or physically at the marijuana coffee shops in the Netherlands. The companies who make these paraphernalia are devoted solely to that. They don’t make pipes on the side. They make pipes especially for these customers. These companies were created to cater solely to the potheads’ needs.<br /><br />The potheads have their own line of clothes, the most popular being ordinary t-shirts emblazoned with the marijuana leaf. They also have their own music, embracing the laid-back sound of Jamaican-born reggae as their own, being compatible with their own laid-back lifestyle, and declaring Bob Marley as their official icon. They also have major organizations like NORML (National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws), whose sole mission is to see that potheads are protected from the unjust arms of the law. And they have countless celebrities, including famous actors, as well as athletes, all endorsing their call for decriminalization. Now I’m pretty sure the alcoholics, smokers, junkies, and ravers have nothing like this under their belt.<br /><br />Much as I would like to stretch this topic into a full-blown academic paper, it would require tremendous research on my part, which I am not sure I would be able to do right now. But still, I hope I got my point across. Though some people may not recognize the right to smoke marijuana as a human right, something still has to be done about the discrimination that potheads go through simply because they refuse to stop smoking. Despite its illegal and criminal status, marijuana smokers continue to thrive, and I don’t see them decreasing in number in the years to come. So either the governments of the world start to reform the marijuana laws, or the potheads of the world will unite and start demanding their rights.<br /><br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />[1]<a href="http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/taxact/mjtaxact.htm">http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/taxact/mjtaxact.htm</a><br />[2]<a href="http://www.incb.org/pdf/e/conv/convention_1961_en.pdf">http://www.incb.org/pdf/e/conv/convention_1961_en.pdf</a><br />[3]<a href="http://www.unodc.org/pdf/convention_1988_en.pdf">http://www.unodc.org/pdf/convention_1988_en.pdf</a><br />[4]<a href="http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/">http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/</a><br />[5]<a href="http://www.amsterdam.info/drugs/">http://www.amsterdam.info/drugs/</a>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-19300530965074974042009-03-29T16:27:00.002+08:002009-03-29T16:53:19.590+08:00How to Study for Crim Pro<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabEHp1oUBqEEaArG1wAKh8HPatKFaLK7LxTaqG7yIpMr0plZXqpqiFbNjBtHa4rMCgwZVBzcGyXI1k4AwG12g1vdHbvWPzNJzLrrCqOP6VK0BZigOmScgo-Xmlb-lIJ0qRJQHAWqfUNg/s1600-h/gpsmoke.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabEHp1oUBqEEaArG1wAKh8HPatKFaLK7LxTaqG7yIpMr0plZXqpqiFbNjBtHa4rMCgwZVBzcGyXI1k4AwG12g1vdHbvWPzNJzLrrCqOP6VK0BZigOmScgo-Xmlb-lIJ0qRJQHAWqfUNg/s320/gpsmoke.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318528969538206962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.</span> Smoke.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIZ3agpfE-1JBakIZRiN0za8HyhZOYZPj-mGSy8NE8pyzUca7Vrs-FzxIGpH7omREP1Y4I9Be0MLuLq8xAsQdzJxi23mMr6WHoBfdX7EyDQ75FXepn_OZsVMadeV0mFbY7foTVC2n8og/s1600-h/gpswim.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIZ3agpfE-1JBakIZRiN0za8HyhZOYZPj-mGSy8NE8pyzUca7Vrs-FzxIGpH7omREP1Y4I9Be0MLuLq8xAsQdzJxi23mMr6WHoBfdX7EyDQ75FXepn_OZsVMadeV0mFbY7foTVC2n8og/s320/gpswim.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318528983886940242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.</span> Swim.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjE8UwGoMRcS2tIIT1nvhjCzJ9RGAKx4aZuTz8bMVyA2zl1DlAnhCb47vbnQPwjbor1J_-fNw8XK3y7eHWD0wCoyiQvdAjGAUOo_NTYNxdGV-clwbNKjiMmsDjxIzPyfgKPthpPFihc8Q/s1600-h/gpstudy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjE8UwGoMRcS2tIIT1nvhjCzJ9RGAKx4aZuTz8bMVyA2zl1DlAnhCb47vbnQPwjbor1J_-fNw8XK3y7eHWD0wCoyiQvdAjGAUOo_NTYNxdGV-clwbNKjiMmsDjxIzPyfgKPthpPFihc8Q/s320/gpstudy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318528983461722706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.</span> Read <span style="font-style: italic;">Rules of Court</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br />Repeat 'til sunset.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And I pray that I pass this semester.<br /><br /><br />*first two pics from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1608691&id=576359054#/album.php?aid=70613&id=576359054">Facebook</a>. Last pic from Dino.<br /></div></div>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-44633611655833775622009-03-21T11:17:00.006+08:002009-03-21T12:19:29.289+08:00Last Day of Class: GenderFri, 20 Mar 2009.<br /><br />This is another elective subject. And like most electives, we have no exams.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrVGtOkiDaLgBvanCGONUFD8fqXLm7YKKLUGPzY1cJlbxQ3b2WDM8tTrSf9bymZdGmtv6yC3dmY7RakI6o2k7urr_-kpiUf4HSuYjWz0XK7_3PFxxQLXti98MSlT4RFDa_IUNM_PinLg/s1600-h/carol.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrVGtOkiDaLgBvanCGONUFD8fqXLm7YKKLUGPzY1cJlbxQ3b2WDM8tTrSf9bymZdGmtv6yC3dmY7RakI6o2k7urr_-kpiUf4HSuYjWz0XK7_3PFxxQLXti98MSlT4RFDa_IUNM_PinLg/s320/carol.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315487255797797442" border="0" /></a>That's my professor, Carolina Ruiz Austria. Here are a few things I have learned about her since the start of the semester:<br /><br /><ul><li>She is a hard-core feminist; </li><li>Her political alignment is red (not really sure, but I am almost certain); </li><li>She is smart; </li><li>She is pretty; </li><li>She is smart and pretty; </li><li>She is married (but does not wear her wedding ring); </li><li>She has a daughter.</li></ul><br />I have a schoolboy crush on her. If she wasn't married, I would ask her out. Haha.<br /><br /><br />*pic taken without consentSting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-60410198102132597492009-03-20T04:25:00.001+08:002009-03-20T04:29:27.662+08:00Last Day of Class: Crim ProThurs, 19 Mar 2009.<br /><br />Goodbye, Sir Arno. I love Thursdays because of you.<br /><br />Because we are a chummier class, we can have pictures taken like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NGmSZYzpvg_cip1rlZFnixQs9gt0-0RXUQArOa6EfMG4O7zOKeELXp_wdTNBnu0Qc6YA7Gc1r0KhisYaDZDRWE_JpEZ4w-NSIppGasMK98HHSdTPu2iM1P0dp6Xe_5xejJGY7v92h6I/s1600-h/arno.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NGmSZYzpvg_cip1rlZFnixQs9gt0-0RXUQArOa6EfMG4O7zOKeELXp_wdTNBnu0Qc6YA7Gc1r0KhisYaDZDRWE_JpEZ4w-NSIppGasMK98HHSdTPu2iM1P0dp6Xe_5xejJGY7v92h6I/s320/arno.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314998295012565698" border="0" /></a>That's Sir Arno Sanidad in the middle. Everyone present except Doc Jan Esquivel.<br /><br />Thanks to Christian Silva for the not-so-high-quality pic. Ho-hum. (Why is everyone smiling except Sir Arno? And me. Hahahaha)<br /><br />You can also join <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=50418139911">The Arno Sanidad Fan Club</a> on Facebook. Another senseless Facebook group created by me. I love senseless Facebook groups. (Coming soon: I Heart Sir Barry on Facebook.)Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-13441572220366403012009-03-19T07:20:00.003+08:002009-03-31T09:09:17.559+08:00Last Day of Class: IHRWed, 18 Mar 2009.<br /><br />The semester is indeed almost over. I will miss Sir Barry.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikS9W56E4fEnfsZtF3gdwxYs5LdNDpDcz8spSf83-wFysPtMPnNlLTS6UhETs9hs6Ap41KqNDrGpgQlH-w9sbWYN2IUmNHp-W8o0HQC9gFQ7y9rMHiSmvvZy9Qj2fbbOfTMizT3bhyDbc/s1600-h/DSC01150.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikS9W56E4fEnfsZtF3gdwxYs5LdNDpDcz8spSf83-wFysPtMPnNlLTS6UhETs9hs6Ap41KqNDrGpgQlH-w9sbWYN2IUmNHp-W8o0HQC9gFQ7y9rMHiSmvvZy9Qj2fbbOfTMizT3bhyDbc/s320/DSC01150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314673068861145330" border="0" /></a>I will always remember him as the professor who was able to explain the difference between "equality in law" and "equality in fact," in less than a minute, in a way that you will never forget for the rest of your life.<br /><br />I heart Sir Barry. Despite the previous dismal grades. Sir Barry is funny without even trying. Or maybe it's just me.<br /><br /><br />*pic taken without consent.Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-17454990588912669202009-03-17T07:43:00.001+08:002009-03-17T07:45:56.277+08:00Sharon, Gabby, and the Baranggay Protection OrderMon, 16 Mar 2009.<br /><br />More adventures outside Malcolm.<br /><br />My neighbor and childhood friend (codename Gabby), male, police officer with the rank of PO1, had an argument with his wife (codename Sharon) last Saturday night. He hit his wife at the back of the head four times with the butt of his standard issue handgun. Then he left. As a police officer, he spent weekdays at his assignment (somewhere south) and weekends with his family. He would be back on Friday.<br /><br />I went to his house and saw his mother. I gave her a copy of the Baranggay Protection Order form, told her to tell Sharon to fill it up, take it to the baranggay, then wait for the protection order, which should only take a few minutes. That would be valid for fifteen (15) days, at which Gabby would not be allowed to come near his wife and children.<br /><br />Yay. I feel so lawyerly.<br /><br />However, I sense a certain weakness with the mother, as if she is not brave enough to go against her handgun-hitting first-born. I also remember that there is also a certain weakness with the wife Sharon. Maybe by Friday, her head would have cooled off. Maybe she would miss her husband. Maybe they would have great make-up sex afterwards. Maybe the protection order would be forgotten. But still...<br /><br />Yay, I feel so lawyerly. (Lawyerly may not even be a word.)<br /><br />I would like to thank my professor Bing Guanzon, for teaching me to start acting like a lawyer outside the classroom. I heart Bing Guanzon because she makes me say I heart.<br /><a href="http://law-school-chronicles.blogspot.com/"></a>Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885420643713900788.post-13258490555161149182009-03-13T07:59:00.003+08:002009-03-13T08:12:02.232+08:00Happy Birthday Miss PresidentThursday, 12 Mar 09.<br /><br />Happy birthday to our beloved class president, the soon-to-be-married Ms. Maricel Casison. She is 27 years old.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGmfclRlMfZ9AFi9oOBL4Ebe2j4UeR324u0pAdT6IjL6x8PJ3hBdhTjZqhLRpZQ85AdGSrj-tRYsADKAQlvrRdixBxxbtICQT2r24NkFbfkRDBCnhL8RBOpwd-1GP4Fx8rEL1lIBwE-I/s1600-h/DSC01134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGmfclRlMfZ9AFi9oOBL4Ebe2j4UeR324u0pAdT6IjL6x8PJ3hBdhTjZqhLRpZQ85AdGSrj-tRYsADKAQlvrRdixBxxbtICQT2r24NkFbfkRDBCnhL8RBOpwd-1GP4Fx8rEL1lIBwE-I/s320/DSC01134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312457705754924066" border="0" /></a>That's her on the right, calling everyone to eat her cake. Behind her is the usually tense Ms. Monica Marcelo, and the one in red is the always bitchy Mr. Rex Paras.Sting Lacsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10728085726181867621noreply@blogger.com0