People's cognitive bias makes them blind to how arrogant and abrasive the private prosecutors are in the impeachment case

This is an unpopular opinion, so I will relish the downvotes.

As a lawyer and citizen, I try hard not to brand myself as either a "kakampink," BBM or DDS. But I admit to lean more on the principles of one side over the other, so naturally, my algorithm exposes me mostly to the kakampink (oh how this term makes me cringe) crowd.

I shudder and shake my head when todo puri sa mga private prosecutors kesyo magaling at dekalibre daw.

I won't comment on their competence, but I find the proceedings hard to watch dahil ang daming irrelevant considerations sa personalities ng mga abogado. And I feel that people's cognitive bias make them blind to how arrogant and abrasive the private prosecutors are.

Remember that one who was speaking Waray when addressing the witness and pretended to be shocked by the defense counsel's objection. More recently, merong defense counsel na obvious naman na nagkamali sa pagsabi tungkol sa "leading/misleading questions" pero todo patol naman ung kabila. Don't get me started at that "spanking" remark by a more senior lawyer.

Their actuations give the impression na ginagamit lang nila tong impeachment para pumorma o matupad lang ang pangarap maging impeachment lawyer.

Do better, counsels! Sana maelevate ung discourse ng public to the substantive issues rather than the personality of the lawyers.

On this topic, one lawyer who stands out to me is Atty. Michael Poa. Very articulate, humble and exudes professionalism. Sana tularan sya ng lawyers of both sides.

Edit: lest this be misunderstood, this is not to praise the defense counsels. Mas concern ng post ko ung pagcelebrate sa conduct ng mga private prosecutors.

reddit.com
u/avocadothe8th — 7 days ago

Doing Elder Law serves as a moral anchor to Jimmy/Saul, which reflected in S06E12

I'm rewatching the series, and I'm in the episode where Marion found out who Gene really was. Just when it seemed like Jimmy was going to hurt Marion, he stopped, allowing her to call for help. Clearly, it was Jimmy snapping out of it, knowing he was not a killer. I also view it as seeing Marion helpless reminded Jimmy of his time doing elder law, which pulled him back from doing the worst. The time Jimmy was genuinely helping the elderly and championing their causes seemed to be the only time when Jimmy acted like a decent person and lawyer.

reddit.com
u/avocadothe8th — 16 days ago
▲ 163 r/LawyersPH

Maybe because the backstory and personal life if Atty. Lotoc is not at issue?

I'm not one to gatekeep legal discussions from non-lawyers, but posts like this make me cringe. The witness is testifying on the investigation the NBI did, so why on earth would the defense cross-examine him about his backstory? At most, the cross-examination may touch on his educational attainment and work history. Daming mema. Sadly, puro collateral issues ng impeachment napaguusapan (e.g., namuong laway, ano suot at kayabangan ng mga abogado, etc.) and barely on the actual merits.

Full post:

Now it all makes sense bakit hindi binira ng Defense ang backstory or personal na buhay ni Atty. Jeremy Lotoc noong kino-cross examine siya to test his credibility as a witness.

Standard tactic na kasi na tingnan din ang personal na buhay ng witness to expose any credibilty issues. Instead, napunta lang sa typo errors at akusasyon na “golden boy” siya ng NBI.

Because if the defense went through his personal life, the Filipino people would know that Atty. Jeremy Lotoc is a man of honor and integrity.

Sino ba si Atty. Lotoc? Ipinanganak sa Tacloban sa isang ordinaryong pamilya. Pangingisda ang hanapbuhay ng kanyang ama samantalang housewife ang kanyang ina.

To have a better lot and chance in life, nag-OFW bilang isang marino. Kalaunan bumalik sa Pinas si Atty. Jeremy Lotoc para tumulong sa fishing business ng kanyang pamilya and at the same time, pursue law, inspired by his aunt who was a practicing lawyer. During this time, naging pastor din siya sa isang Christian church.

He passed the bar in 2012 on his first try. By this time, Atty. Lotoc already had a wife and young son. Then came the Yolanda tragedy in 2013 in Tacloban. Natangay ng storm surge ang pamilya niya. His wife and his father perished in the calamity. He himself barely survived, but managed to save his son and other family members.

Soon after, he joined the NBI as a young recruit, quickly rose through the ranks not only through sheer hard work, but also out of a sense of duty to his country.

Ang kwento ng pagpupursige para sa isang ordinaryong pamilya seems to run in the family as he also has a sister who is a licensed physician.

The fisherman, former OFW, pastor, lawyer, widower, and Yolanda survivor has since remarried a fellow lawyer.

Atty. Jeremy Lotoc is a straight-up honorable, dedicated NBI law enforcement agent and director diligently working behind the scenes who was suddenly thrust in the national limelight.

The defense and allies of Sara Duterte wanted to shake his credibility to the core, but they left his backtory untouched because they knew he is a man of integrity. And throughout the 11-hour, two-day cross-examination, Atty. Lotoc showed what integrity looks like under pressure.

(Again, many thanks and a big shoutout to Dr. Ronald Lotoc for graciously sharing the journey of his cousin, Atty. Jeremy Lotoc.)

📷 Senate of the Philippines

u/avocadothe8th — 1 month ago

I have a Switzerland visa, didn’t make my trip to Switzerland. Can I use the same visa for a later Paris trip?

I have a trip to Switzerland this August 2026, and I have another trip to France this December 2026. I have a Schengen visa issued for my Switzerland trip. My visa is valid for two years. I have no other Schengen visa. 

My concern now is I foresee that I would be unable to go to my Switzerland trip due to a combination of work and personal reasons. 

Can I use my Switzerland visa to proceed with my trip to France this December if I was not able to go to Switzerland.

reddit.com
u/avocadothe8th — 1 month ago

I have a Switzerland visa, didn’t make my trip to Switzerland. Can I use the same visa for a later Paris trip?

I have a trip to Switzerland this August 2026, and I have another trip to France this December 2026. I have a Schengen visa issued for my Switzerland trip. My visa is valid for two years. I have no other Schengen visa. 

My concern now is I foresee that I would be unable to go to my Switzerland trip due to a combination of work and personal reasons. 

Can I use my Switzerland visa to proceed with my trip to France this December if I was not able to go to Switzerland.

reddit.com
u/avocadothe8th — 1 month ago

I have a Switzerland visa, didn’t make my trip to Switzerland. Can I use the same visa for a later Paris trip?

I have a trip to Switzerland this August 2026, and I have another trip to France this December 2026. I have a Schengen visa issued for my Switzerland trip. My visa is valid for two years. I have no other Schengen visa. 

My concern now is I foresee that I would be unable to go to my Switzerland trip due to a combination of work and personal reasons. 

Can I use my Switzerland visa to proceed with my trip to France this December if I was not able to go to Switzerland.

reddit.com
u/avocadothe8th — 1 month ago