Courts are strange places, with its sterile poetry of setting.
With such natural order, the décor scarcely matters, reduced to benches, tables, doors and a wall.
In ponderous tones (of an outdated literary manner), men pass judgment on business interests, and on the emotions and freedom of others.
There is almost a funeral eloquence in black and white collars; a contrast between the pompous voice of the defense and the infinite variety and unpretentious humility of the accused.
Yet, never have the rascally tribe of quibblers been so hard-pressed and more eagerly hounded, their dishonest tricks so ruthlessly dissected.
It is a world of countless excited lawyers; mocking, unrelenting or slumbering judges; and exasperated guardians of the law.
While the crowd listens, rigid with fear and curiosity, what impresses the public is: can anyone live life without lawyers?
Atty. Jose Lauchengco Jr. (though he prefers to be simply called Joe) carries his everyday business suit like they were black tie and tails.
His demeanor gives the impression that he had been born with a gold watch and a chain, instead of an umbilical cord.
In his meetings, he had no need to ask for silence — he merely smiled and the spectators would hush.
His brilliant scholastic record and excellent credentials, rigorous training, wealth of experience and solid values have seasoned Atty. Lauchengco’s every movement.
No one could doubt his intentions. He is always for truth and justice, for a good cause or the right reason, for service to the community.
Atty. Jose Lauchengco, Jr. is impeccable.
He sees law as the basis of society and respect for justice is paramount. He even wants it rendered with the pomp it deserves.
“It gives you peace of mind knowing you’re doing everything you can do for the little guy, who have no one else to fight for them, or too shy and feel theirs are just small cases. The big lawyers wouldn’t even consider. There should be a warrior for the underprivileged,” he said.
The civil justice system does what it does best. That has never changed and will never change.
I wasn’t surprised by the showman instinct in which he anticipated acute questions, or the dignified ways in which he parried the probing ones.
It was inevitable to listen to him speak about law, and justice is a pleasure that should be taken as a gift.
The conversation with Atty. Lauchengco and this writer progressed in the following manner.
On what matters to Atty. Lauchengco as a man
“Qualities that are timeless, to be aware that our strengths and values come from our surrounding community. We should work tirelessly to give something of value back: dignity, strength and dedication.”
On his childhood
When asked who influenced him more — his mother of father — Atty. Lauchengco said both of them.
“The spirit of equality they both infused in me. My father cared very much about courage, both physical and intellectual, my mother is a woman of abiding faith. Never did she lose her soft-spoken ways or depart from her quiet reserve. She had one answer, one cure for everything: prayer. In an emergency, trouble or dismay. It was her only remedy. She was a transfusion of courage.”
On respecting an adversary
“Always. The moment you think you’re better than your adversary, you lose [dignity.] No one should be beneath you or above you. Just be in that special grace by God. Every human being should be treated with dignity.”
On dignity
“Dignity is recognizing yourself as a child of God. How can you be undignified?”
On what gives him anxiety
“There’s the Noblesse Oblige – weary in the head that wears a crown. You have to be aware that our strengths and values come from our surrounding community. We should work tirelessly to give something of value back.”
On retiring
“Who said anything about retiring? How can you say that? What am I going to do now, with God’s bountiful grace, wonderfully blessed family, no severe downturns? My answer is sky is the limit. My horizon would expand, as long as I have the capacity to serve with a job that I love.”
On taking it easy
“That is difficult to say because the point of arrival is continually shifting, like climbing a mountain. Even when you reach the highest point, that is only an impression that doesn’t last long. You’ll soon realize that the peak you’ve climbed was only one of the lowest part of a chain of mountains, and there are still many more to climb.”
On old age
“Old age is like an airplane flying in a storm. Once you’re in it, there is nothing you can do. You can’t stop a plane. You can’t stop a storm. You can’t stop time. So you might as well take it in stride, with wisdom and never give in to decay of intelligence. Always be ready to come to terms with life.”
Final thoughts
“Justice is ephemeral, it’s source divine. You’re looking at the intersection of mystical and secular, of the spirit and the flesh.”
