Love At First Argument (Law student series#1)

CHAPTER 26

A “perfect combination” that is what we have heard from people around us, after we aced even the semi-final round.

“GO GLS! GO GLS! GO GLS!” The cheerful support from our school after hearing our name being called as the first finalist in the final round.

Hindi na kami sa bawat room mag lalaban dahil dalawang school nalang kaming finalists, dito na sa stage gaganapin ang laban. At ang kalaban namin ay mismong istudyante ng Adamson. Expected naman ‘yon, dahil ang Adamson ang rank number 1 Law School around Asia.

Kaya ganoon ang saya ng buong school na kami ang makakalaban ng Adamson. Guevara is just rank number 5. Now, we’ll strive hard for it to at least be one of the top three schools around Asia.

“We got this.” Kade whispered to my ears while everyone are cheering for their desired school to win.

Ngumiti naman ako at humarap sa kaniya. “Yes, kaya natin ‘to.”

We just remained standing while waiting for the announcer kung kailan mag-sisimula ang laban.

After minutes of cheering from the crowd, the announcer finally stood up in the stage.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.” The announcer greeted everyone. Seryoso lamang ang lahat na nakatingin at nakikinig sa kaniya. Tumikhim naman ito at nagpatuloy. “This is the exciting part. The final argument of this competition. Just like the past rounds, walang on-act dito. The students from GLS and ALS will argue over a case. Though, this time ang Chief of Justice na si Judge Quiño ang mag huhusga. The students from two schools will have to chose from this box on what side they will be fighting.” Litanya ng announcer.

Bumulong naman ako kay Kade. “Ikaw na mag bunot this time. Para equal tayo.” Ngumiti naman ito saakin at tumango.

Alam niya na naman na walang patutungohan pag aayaw siya. Dahil pag ako na ang nag-sabi, auto payag ‘yan agad.

Lumapit naman si Kade kasama ‘yong lalaking representative ng ALS para bumunot sa box na sinasabi ng announcer. Babae at Lalaki din pala sila. And I think, nasa 3rd or 4th year sila.

“Alright people! GLS got the prosecuting side. And ALS got the defendant’s side.” Said by the announcer. “I will be announcing the case. Though, we will still distribute the folders sa mga contestants. We will just announce it para malaman nila ano ang case.” Pagpapatuloy nito.

Seryoso lamang kaming nakikinig sa kaniya para hindi kami malingat at alam na namin ang aming sasabihin. Una pa naman kami dahil kami ang prosecuting side.

“This is a segregation case.” Panimula nito. Binuksan naman nito ang folder na hawak niya, kaya’t ginaya namin siya. Parehas lang naman ang laman ng folder. We’ll be reading it silently while listening to the announcer.

SEGREGATION

Morthe Smith and his brother had to attend an all black school even though there is a white school closer to their home.

The family sued the board of education because they believed racially segregated schools violated the students constitutional rights. Now, is the family right for suing the board of education for segregating the students base on their race?

I smirked after reading the case. It is really a good think na sa prosecuting side kami napunta dahil malaki ang advantage namin. Unang-una palang, racism na ang ginagawa ng board of education. Hindi naman sa race na de-define ang isang studyante.

After the announcer read the case at ang mga kailangang sabihin to start the argument. Finally, magsisimula na ang round one. And of course, kami ang mauuna dahil kami ang nasa prosecuting side.