LS#1: Ride me in court, Love✓

09

Status will never lead you to success, Miss

I was shocked when my name called up by the professor. Tumayo ako at doon ko nakita yung mga kaklase ko, on how their reactions would be.

"Batas Pambansa bilang 6, Batas Pambansa bilang 22, Batas Pambansa bilang 31, Batas Pambansa bilang 33, Batas Pambansa bilang 71, Batas Pambansa bilang 76, Batas Pambansa bilang 85." Ang sakit na nang lalamunan ko dahil dito. "Batas Pambansa bilang 92, Batas Pambansa bilang 179, Batas Pambansa bilang 186, Batas Pambansa bilang 871, at Batas Pambansa bilang 873." Napaupo na lamang ako nang matapos ko ang pag-sagot ko rito pero mukhang mali pa atang magpahinga kaagad.

"Okay, what's articles are under on it?" She said it without any hesitation. Gusto ba talaga akong pasagutin nito?

"Batas Pambansa bilang 6 is under the article–" She cut me off.

"I'm sorry, articles under the Batas Pambansa bilang 873 and 871, please."

Hay, buti na lang at dalawa lang ang tinanong niya. Gusto ata akong mamatay ng maaga dahil sa kaunting hinga ko sa sunod sunod na memorizing.

"Okay, Batas Pambansa bilang 871 is under articles of An act of Amending articles Two Hundred Ten and Two Hundred Eleven of Act Numbered Thirty Eight and Fifteen, otherwise known as  Revised Penal Code, as Amended, to Increase the penalty for the offense of Bribery." Magsasalita pa sana ako nang maunahan niya ako.

"And what does it means all about?"

"It's Art. 210. Direct Bribery. Any public officer who shall agree to perform an act constituting a crime, in connection with the performance of his official duties, in consideration of any offer, promise, gift or present received by such officer, personally or through the mediation of another, shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its medium and maximum periods and a fine of not less than three times the value of the gift, in addition to the penalty corresponding to the crime agreed upon, if the same shall have been committed.

"If the gift was accepted by the officer in consideration of the execution of an act which does not constitute a crime, and the officer executed said act, he shall suffer the same penalty provided in the preceding paragraph; and if said act shall not have been accomplished, the officer shall suffer the penalties of prision correccional in its medium period and a fine of not less than twice the value of such gift.

If the object for which the gift was received or promised was to make the public officer refrain from doing something which it was his official duty to do, he shall suffer the penalties of prision correccional in its maximum period to prision mayor in its minimum period and a fine of not less than three times the value of such gift.

"In addition to the penalties provided in the preceding paragraphs, the culprit shall suffer the penalty of special temporary disqualification.

"The provisions contained in the preceding paragraphs shall be made applicable to assessors, arbitrators, appraisal and claim commissioners, experts or any other persons performing public duties."

"Art. 211. Indirect bribery. The penalties of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods, suspension and public censure shall be imposed upon any public officer who shall accept gifts offered to him by reason of his office."

She didn't response yet she's letting me continue to 873. "And the Batas Pambansa bilang 873 is?"

"An act Amending Article 152 of the Revised Penal Code by considering Lawyers as Persons in Authority when in their performance of their duties or on the Occasion thereof." Hingal na hingal kong saad pero patuloy pa rin siya sa pagtatanong.

"And what that means though?"

"It's Article 152. Persons in authority and agents of persons is authority - Who shall be deemed as such. - In applying the provisions of the preceding and other articles of this Code, any person directly vested with jurisdiction, whether as an individual or as a member of some court or governmental corporation, board or commission, shall be deemed a person in authority. A barrio captain and a barangay chairman shall also be deemed a person in authority.

"Any person who, by direct provision of law or by election or by appointment by competent authority, is charged with the maintenance of public order and the protection and security of life and property, such as barrio councilman, barrio policeman and barangay leader, and any person who comes to the aid of persons in authority, shall be deemed an agent of a person in authority."

"In applying the provisions of Articles 148 and 151 of this Code, teachers, professors, and persons charged with the supervision of public or duly recognized private schools, colleges and universities, and lawyers in the actual performance of their professional duties or on the occasion of such performance shall be deemed persons in authority."

She stood up as the rings bells on. When the rings bell on, it's time for the break time of ours and the dismissal of the class. "Okay, goo–"

"I should be the one answering 'till now! Bakit si Koa ha?" Bulyaw ni Dominique kaya napalingon kami.

"It's because you did it in the wrong way, Dom."

"Tsk! Kahit na! I have a connection all people even the professors in this school." Pagmamaktol nito at tatalikuran sana ang professor namin nang hatakin siya nito sa braso pabalik.

"Look, you're saying about the connection got nothing on your performance, dear." She smirked. "And don't you know that status will never lead you to success, Miss. It'll just cause outbreaks and troubles." Binitawan niya ang braso ni Dom at saka sumenyas sa amin na tapos na ang klase.

"And oh btw, you did wrong so I won't expect for you to correct it. Because lawyers never wanted to have wrong doings lalo na kung ihaharap ka sa korte at magkamali. Kahiya hiya ka."

I was shocked. She did good yet a very lessonable professor then huh? Oh my.

Next chapter ahead. Enjoy reading!