A lawyer's speech on the death of another lawyer
(With apologies to William Shakespeare in Mark Anthony's eulogy on the death of Caesar.)
Friends, brethren and sisters, countrymen and lovers. Listen to me, and hear my words. I come to pay tribute to a fellow apostle of truth, a brother in the mission to administer justice, a fellow member of the court, a lawyer, true, just, and faithful servant of the law. His brutal critics, detractors and those who wished him harm have all the harsh words against him. But we who loved him and knew him well, we who saw him grow from a boy who wanted to be a priest to a young man who was enamored with the romances of law, we have nothing but awe and admiration for such a passionate, energetic, and hardworking man. He was a man of the law, a public servant, a very good father, a romantic husband, and a true friend. While those who know him not have a lot of speculations about his person, we who truly know him have nothing but good words for him.
I knew Atty. Jan Jan Ungab since he was a small boy. He was full of energy, very articulate and very well-behaved. His mother Alma Blanco-Ungab, a nurse and his father Dr. Eugenio "Jun" Ungab (deceased) trained him to be polite, hardworking, and friendly. He and his two brothers, Moy Moy and Ann Ann (who died a few years ago of a strange disease) were in my wedding entourage in 1978. Jan Jan was my ring bearer. His mother is my distant cousin and the family is very close to me. I can testify in whatever court or tribunal to prove his family is honorable, he was an honorable man. His detractors who are only jealous of his professional success invent a lot of stories about his career and his love life. But to me, what matters most is that he was a lawyer who never violated the canons of legal ethics or the code of professional responsibility. He was faithful to his calling, he never violated the trust of his clients, and he remained loyal to the court and to society.
As a public servant, a vice mayor, and former councilor of Ronda town, Jan Jan was a commendable official who served beyond the call of duty. He was seen by the small employees in the local government as a paragon of honesty, dedication, and people-orientation. He was approachable even to the poorest. He was well-loved and well-appreciated. He was an inspiration to all young Rondahanons, so young yet so accomplished, full of passion, energy and enthusiasm. He was always on the go, doing multiple tasks as a lawyer, law professor, public servant, and head of a big family and clan. He was always available to listen to the many problems presented by his clients, his constituents and his friends. He never closed his door even to the poor, the unlettered, and the unwashed. He was a man of the masses.
As a lawyer, he was a roaring gladiator in the courtroom. He was merciless in his cross-examination, and almost flawless in his pleadings and manifestations. He was courteous to court personnel, respectful to judges, and fair to his opponents. He never refused to defend the accused even if others were either afraid or do not think the client can pay. He was the true apostle of truth, a pillar of justice, and advocate for the rule of law. It is the greatest irony that his death was by the hands of criminals. It is the saddest twist of fate that evil hands should promulgate a death sentence to a righteous man who was full of life. Perhaps God has a reason which, as of the moment, is too hazy for us mortals to understand. We just have to pray that evil will cease to triumph over those who choose the straight and narrow path.
As a lawyer, I also died somehow when Atty. Jan Jan Ungab passed to the great beyond. I pray that justice be done to his undeserved summary execution for he was an honorable man.
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