(REACTION PAPER)

On January 25, 2019 the BS.Criminolgy class is supposed to have a

tour on the three Courts of government we visit first is on the judicial branch
3 Municipal Trial Court in Cities located at City of San Jose Del Monte,
Bulacan. When we arrived at the court, there were already inmates from the
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology of San Jose Del Monte City who
came to hear their trial along with their counsel. The presiding judge arrived
exact time and they started the Trial. The presiding judge of branch 3 is
Honorable Gerlyn S. Turingan-De Los Reyes. Though we already knew what
will happen during a trial because it's frequently showed in the movies but
it's a different feeling to witness a real one. The first case tried was about a
man who was arrested for attempted homicide a crime he committed. When
the accused called the name for an interrogation and stand at the court, the
atmosphere in that court room started to heat up almost to its boiling point.
I observed that the accused was admitting his guilt the fiscal as well as the
presiding judge actually did a great job of digging out the truth from the
accused. I realized that no matter how hard you try to hide the truth, it shall
always prevail. Another cases tried is arraignment that they settle too fast
for paying the physical damage to the complainant like cases of Slight
Physical Injuries. After that, we had a break wherein we grabbed the
opportunity to eat because we all hungry. After that break the next trial is
about Attempted Homicide, the accused is three (3) young adult while the
judge asked the complainant on what resolution he want to do by the three
(3) accused. He said that the three (3) accused is need to pay worth of
fifteen thousand (15,000) pesos, Judge asked the complainant if it’s ok that
five thousand (5000) pesos per accused the complainant agree to the
suggestion of the judge and one of the parents agree to pay it she get the
exact amount and give it to the complainant but the other parents of the
other accused did not come for the hearing and can’t pay the said amount.
The Judge refuse to continue the deal because they agreed that this last
hearing and then the Judge this is no more next hearing she said it’s enough
to continue put the accused in jail their parents don’t want to help their
child. Then she proceed to the last trial about Serious Physical Injuries were
the complainant had no feet he sit in front of me and my other classmate he
is a Gay and when I asked what happen he refuse to answer me because he
can’t accept what happen to him. Then a few minute the accused was came
the mood of the complainant was change his body is trembling then he
silently cried, the Judge asked the accused if he already brought the money
but the accused said he will get it first in a bank because when he arrived at
the bank last night it is already closed. Then the Judge said ok go get it right
now when the accused gone the complainant tell that every time he see the
accused, he can’t Breath normally and his mood change he felt mix emotion
of angry and sadness. Then when the accused come back brought the exact
amount of five hundred thousand (500,000) pesos he gave it to the parents
of the complainant and the Judge said wait for the Agreement Letter that the
complainant will not continue the complaint for the accused because the
accused already paid the damage he unintentionally did but he accept what
is the consequences of it.
I and my Classmate were thankful to have the chance to witness a real
court trial. We realized that it's not easy being a lawyer or a judge because it
entails a lot of mental alertness and a sound knowledge of the law. You also
have to be good in interrogation for you to uncover the truth. Because of
this tour I became more aware of the justice system of this country.
 The second court we visit is the Sandiganbayan located at the Quezon
City and the Court Room is in Fourth Division at the day of January 30, 2019
Wednesday at the time of 1:30pm and inside the court room have 3
Associate Justice they are Honorable Alex L. Quiroz, Honorable Reynaldo P.
Cruz and the last one Honorable Bayani H. Jacinto and the Court Personnel
Atty. Maria Lourdes M. Lobiano-Alviola the Executive Clerk of Court, Ms
Beverly B. Ledesma the Court Stenographer, Ms. Maria Raquel R. San Luis
the Court Interpreter and Mr. Zaldy G. Gonzales the Court Bailff.

The First case they tried is about the Violation of Section 3(e) of R.A.
No. 3019 and Violation of Article 217 in relation to Article 171 and 48 of the
Revised Penal Code. They have four accused that attend in Arraignment and
Pre – Trial they all are detained, I’ve heard that they are the former mayor,
former municipal accountant and municipal treasurer of Baganga, Davao
Oriental

The Second Pre-Trial is about the Violation of Section 3(e) of the

Republic Act No. 3019 that the three Justices tackle the Suspended them
from their offices Pendente lite and are hereby directed to CEASE AND
DESIST from performing and/or exercising the functions and duties, as well
as receiving and/or enjoying the salaries, benefits, and privileges of their
present public positions or any other public offices or positions they may
now or hereafter be holding, effective upon notice hereof and continuing for
a period of ninety (90) days then after that the judge proceed for the next
trial but the accused in the third trial didn’t attend that’s why the judge said
proceed for the fourth trial.

The Fourth trial is about in Violation of Section 3 par. (e) Of Republic

Act No. 3019 and Violation of Section 3 par. (j) of Republic Act No. 3019 they
will discuss the respective motions for reconsideration filed by those eight
(8) accused but one of the counsel of the accused did not come for the trial
that’s why one of the Judge recommend one of the counsel inside the court
and they will resetting the trial for the next to let their new counsel to review
their cases.

Then the judge dismissed the Court Trial.