Disclaimer: I am not a law student/professional and this story might consist of inaccuracies. I am only basing the things that will be discussed here in this book from my personal and own research. This will be my first time trying this kind of story. Thank you for understanding and letting me share this book to you!😊
Genre: Romance, Thriller
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Kabanata 1
"Good governance starts with us. Who pays for public servant and politician's salary? The citizens, us. The taxpayers. We pay them with our taxes in order for them to serve good governance for the people of our country," Attorney Iñigo Rafael Sandejas explained as his closing statement in the stand.
"We pay them to serve, inihalal natin sila sa pwesto para maging boses nating mga mamamayan. Ang magiging boses para sa ikabubuti ng nakararami't hindi ang magpapatahimik nito," he pulled his necktie. I heard Mom cleared her throat kaya napabaling ako sa kanya.
Si Kuya Chiel naman ay seryosong nakikinig kay Dad at nakasandal habang pasimpleng nagtitipa ng phone para gumawa ng notes niya.
I heard my Ate Crest chuckling. I felt my Mom shifted on her seat.
"My—"
"W-What?" biglang pinanlakihan ng mata ni Mommy si Ate na ngumisi at umiling, itinaas ang palad niya.
"Wala, wala naman..." she giggled, "I'm just calling you, it's bad ba?" ngumiti pa siyang parang anghel.
Mom's lips protruded. Kinurot niya ang tagiliran ni Ate kaya tahimik itong humagikhik habang namumula na si Mom.
What is happening? These two are weird, really. Buti na lang love ko sila kahit 'di ko ma-gets madalas ang sinasabi nila.
"I know and believe our honorable judge would make a fair judgment and with eyes open. People shouldn't just be a mere consumer of governance. We have our voice to speak and we should. That's what my client does. She exposed Senator Rojas' illegal transactions and doings, as what a good citizen should. However, she ended up getting threatened."
Sumulyap ako sa babaeng nakaupo at tahimik na naroon sa may upuan, nakatungo siya at halatang takot.
Injustice really is a thing nowadays. Ang mga tao sa itaas ay dapat sanang nagiging boses ng mamamayan pero sila pa ang nagpapatahimik dito.
"Good governance does not come directly from above, it comes from the bottom, to the foundation of this country. The people. We shouldn't be just consumers, we should be participants. Politicians, as well as public servants just like everyone here in this court of law including myself should serve the people, above all. We should use the law to protect our citizens and not use it against them." Dad nodded his head, glancing coldly at the Senator on his suit and tie, looking so unbothered.
"Public servants and the protector of law should do what people voted them for. Serve and protect." Sumulyap siya sa Judge bago tumango, "that's it, your honor. I rest my case."
Sabay tango niya at diretsong lakad sa pwesto ng kanyang kliyente. He tilted his head and massaged his neck then as he sat back, he pulled his necktie again like he's irritated of it.
"Papaayos na naman 'yan ng kurbata niya mamaya," bulong-bulong ni Mommy. Napatawa ako at sumandal sa kanya bago sumulyap kay Ate, magtatanong sana tungkol sa movie na papanoorin mamaya pero nahuli ko siyang tulala at tahimik.
I noticed something on her eyes. It was a mixture of rage and something else but maybe, she felt me staring. Bumaling siya sa akin at unti-unti'y lumiwanag ang mata niya.
"Yes, Adi ko?" she smiled.
"You okay, Ate?" malambing kong tanong sabay abot ng kamay ko. Tumango siya at nagkibit-balikat, inaabot din ang palad ko sabay pisil nito.
