One Wednesday morning, Atty. Althea received a visit from Atty. Laura, the Secretary of the Department of Justice.
"Good Morning, Atty!" Althea greeted her boss
"Good Morning, Atty. Henares." her boss greeted her back and sat in front of her
Laura handed Althea a folder which contained a file for her next case.
"That's the file for the multiple homicide case of Segundo Ventura and I am assigning you to be the prosecutor for that case." Laura told her
"Attorney, this is a high-profile case and you are assigning me for it? We don't even know who's his lawyer." Althea objected
"Thea, alam nating lahat na sa lahat ng prosecutor dito sa DOJ, ikaw ang pinakamagaling. You never lost a case ever since you became a prosecutor here at kahit noong baguhan ka pa lang." Laura told her
"Hindi ba, he cannot pay for a lawyer as he told the media? Sino sa PAO ang hahawak sa kaso niya?" Althea asked
"According to my source, he did not even reach out sa PAO." Laura responded
"What? So he can pay for a lawyer?" Althea asked again
"Ang sabi, a US based Filipina lawyer heard his story and offered to be his legal counsel. She was so convinced daw that Ventura is innocent and she is the best defense lawyer in Massachusetts. Never lost a case. She took it as pro-bono." Laura responded
"Matinding laban pala itong haharapin ko. A criminal case with an undefeated US based Filipina defense lawyer. I might as well get ready and I'll meet with the investigator para masimulan na natin itong trabaho." Althea told Laura
"I have faith that you will win this case, Thea." Laura told her
"Para sa tao at kay Inangbayan." she responded and smiled at Laura
"Mahaba-habang trabaho na naman." she told herself and started reviewing the case that was given to her
While she was reading, she can't help but think about the lawyer who will be defending the defendant.
"A US-based Filipina lawyer na undefeated abroad. Sino kaya siya? Nagpapaka-anonymous pa eh makikila ko rin naman siya sa arraignment." she told to herself
At her office in Cambridge, Leona is reviewing the pro-bono case that she offered to a high-profile homicide case from the Philippines when her secretary knocked on her door.
"Leona, here are some of the files that you asked me for the Ventura case." Shirley, her secretary told her and handed the files over to her
"Thank you, Shirley." she said
"Are you sure that you are going to take the case? You know that it will last up to 6 months, right? What about your other cases here at the firm?" Shirley asked
"Shirley, this man needs my help and as a Filipino, it is my duty to help him. We have associates there, let them take the cases for now, okay? Don't worry about me. It will also be helpful for me once I extend my firm in the Philippines and I will be able to help more people and I can provide them with competent service." Leona assured her
That night, Leona and her associates together with their staff had a send-off party and to wish Leona a good luck.
The day for the arraignment came and it is vital for the accused to have a lawyer with him so that he will be aware of his rights and explain the information being read to him.
The accused is already there when Althea arrived however, his counsel is not with him.
"All rise, the Honorable Sixto Gamboa presiding. Silence is hereby enjoined." the Clerk of Court started and the judge entered the courtroom
Then the Clerk of Court started to read the case.
"For arraignment, Criminal Case number 27-0586. People of the Philippines versus Segundo Ventura for Multiple Homicide."
"Atty. Allegra Theadora Henares appearing as a prosecutor for the government, Your Honor." Althea introduced herself to the judge
The session already started but the counsel of the accused is nowhere to be found.
"Baka naman umatras na." she thought to herself
Since no legal counsel is there for the accused, the judge asked him.
"Mr. Ventura, do you have a lawyer or do you want the court to appoint a lawyer for you?"
Just when the accused was about to answer, the doors of the courtroom opened.
"Your Honor, I apologize for my tardiness." Leona apologized and entered the bar
When Althea saw her, she was frozen in her seat.
"Your Honor, I am Atty. Mara Leontine Guanzon, appearing as the defense counsel for the accused." Leona introduced herself
YOU ARE READING
Objection, your Honor
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