Side Comment: My Two Cents Worth…

Due to the flux of conjectures on the recent  frat-related violence at San Beda College of Law, I am suddenly actuated to vent my take on a sudden dash. Ergo, here’s my off-the-cut take on the issue…

I read quite a number of messages, opinions, and standpoints on the ill-fated death of Bedan Marvin Reglos.

On one hand, Marvin definitely deserves speedy and impartial justice. On the other hand, the fratmen are protected by the due process clause and their substantive rights.

We are all entitled to our personal opinions. People may engage in heated debates and some even compromise friendships because of their legal opinions or of their emotional outbursts, or a concoction of both... It is good that we know our law and have an informed appreciation of it.

I myself have a stand on the issue...considering my yet meager knowledge on RA 8049 (Anti-Hazing Law), murder, homicide, jurisprudence, the school policy, personal experience on initiation rites, Canons, and Atty. Rene Saquisag’s discussion on Natural and Positive Law, etc.

Despite all the hullaballoo and as a “neophyte” in the “brotherhood” of administrators of justice, I am reminding myself that the court is not a forum to plead for sympathy and of the Latin maxim “Dura Lex Sed Lex” (the law is harsh, but it is the law).

Marvin must be given an impartial and efficient trial, even while he rests on his grave, as the law operates from the womb to the tomb. Meanwhile, the frat members, being innocent until proven guilty, must manfully face (as what the frat head just did) the court to adduce their own evidence and shed light on the case.

Marvin eagerly wanted to be a brother to them. Now is the time for them to become a brother to the person who once gambled his life to be with them.

San Beda being a Catholic Law School…

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This is my command: Love each other.”--John 15:13, 17

“We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.”-- 1 Timothy 1:8

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.”--Proverbs 3:27

"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.”-- Zechariah 7:9

“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”-- Leviticus 19:15