Ethan's POV

This is the day, we are in court already. I can face the death of me now, while looking at the man who is capable of doing crimes on the other side of the court.

"Don't be scared, Ethan. He'll rot in hell." sambit ni Attorney Fernandez sa akin.

I sighed, "Sapat na ba ang ebidensyang nakalap para sa kaso niya?" I asked, nervously.

Tinapik nito ang aking balikat. "Trust me, Ethan. Lahat ng ebidensya ay nasa prosecutor na," usal niya. "But it is just few... because the other evidences is here with me." dugtong niya.

Hindi ako sumagot, nanatili ang tingin ko sa kabilang panig. Lumukob ang kaba ko nang dumating na ang Judge. Tumayo kami bilang galang sa kaniya.

"Ladies and gentleman, calling the case of Saavedra vs People of the Philippines. Are both side ready?" tanong ng Judge.

"Ready, Your Honor." sagot ni Attorney Claude.

Nagsimula ang trial. Hindi ko na alam kung anong klaseng kaba ang nararamdaman ko. Paano kung hindi kami manalo sa kaso? Paano na lamang ang mga taong nais kong imulat sa katothanan patungkol sa hustisya?

"Rule 128 section 2 of the 1989 Rules on evidence states that the rules of evidence shall be the same in all courts and in all trials and hearings, except as otherwise provided by law or these rules." sambit ni Attorney Claude.

It's about time to start the interrogation. Huminga nang malalim si Attorney Claude Fernandez na nasa stand bago siya tumingin sa akin at sinasabi na huwag kabahan.

Nagsalita ang Deputy DA. "Your Honor, the evidence that I will show to you will prove that the accused is not guilty about the crimes he didn't do."

"Proceed with the trial, Prosecutor. Call out your first witness," sambit nito.

"Your Honor, may I call out Mr. Rivera in the witness stands..." sambit niya.

Nagtungo si Mr. Rivera sa witness stands. Hindi siya kinakabahan, batid ko ang nakausling galit sa kaniyang mukha ngunit pinipigilan lamang niya ito.

"Mr. Rivera, September 8, 2021, nasaan ka noong gabing 'yan?" My lawyer asked him. "Could you please state what you had seen on that night?"

"Paauwi ako noong gabing iyon, Ma'am." simula niya.

"Then?"

Huminga siya nang malalim. "Pagdaan ko sa lugar na iyon, may nakita akong paparating na bibigating sasakyan kaya nagtago ako. Sinundan ko iyon hanggang sa makapasok sa isang warehouse. Nagkalat ang mga armadong lalaki..." pag-kuwento niya.

"Anong nakita mo sa warehouse?" muling tanong ni Attorney Claude.

"Nakita ko ang pagbaba ni Mayor Concepcion sa isang SUV. May hawak ang tauhan niya na isang babae."

Napatingin kami sa gawi nang abogado ng Alkalde. "Objection Your Honor, the witness statement is irrelevant to the case!" pagtutol nito.

"Sustained!"

Nagkibit-balikat lang si Attorney Fernandez, walang bakas ng takot ang kaniyang mukha maging ang kaba ay hindi maipinta sa kaniyang mukha. Matalim at malamig ang tingin niya sa witness.

"Nakita mo ba na may ginagahasang babae si Ethan Saavedra?" tanong niya. Napatiim bagang ako sa aking kinauupuan.

Umiling si Mr. Rivera. "Hindi... wala siyang ginahasa," seryosong usal niya. Itinuro nito si Mayor Concepcion. "Siya... siya ang gumahasa sa babae, tinulungan lamang siya ni Mr. Saavedra at saktong dumating ang mga parak." He stated.

"Is that all the evidence you have?" tanong ng abogado ni Mayor Concepcion.

Umismid lang sa kaniya si Attorney Fernandez. Nais kong sumabat ngunit itinikom ko na lamang ang aking bibig.

"I have plenty of evidences here, Attorney. And I can prove you that your Mayor is not innocent as fuck on his crimes!" gigil na sambit ni Attorney Claude.

Pinugpog ng Judge ang kaniyang gavel. "Manners, Attorney!" singhal niya.

Napayuko na lang silang dalawa. Ipinahayag ni Attorney Fernandez ang mga nakalap niyang ebidensya maski ang voice record na idinidiin si Mayor Concepcion.

"You bitch!" sigaw ni Mayor Concepcion sa aking abogado. "How dare you record me!"

"Order in the court!" sigaw ng Judge.

Natahimik ang lahat.

"There is no proof that the accused is guilty on the crimes he didn't do. Your Honor, as all the evidence presented, it was on the Mayor evil-doings." The prosecutor stated.

Sumingit si Attorney Fernandez. "Your Honor, illegal dealing of drugs and killing is a crime. Also, rape is rape and he－the Mayor did this to blame someone as the suspect for his evil-doings aftermath. Ayaw niyang magkaroon ng maruming pangalan sa politika kaya nagawa niyang ituro ang isang tao na inosente sa krimen na ginawa niya." She pointed out.

"Noted, Attorney!" The Judge said.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwang, hindi nagtagal natapos ang kaso. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag, makakalabas na ako sa impyerno. Unti-unti na rin napuputol ang sungay ng demonyo.

"In this Supreme Court, Article II of Republic Act 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) the penalty of illegal possession of Dangerous drugs is sentenced of 12 years imprisonment and 1 day to 20 years and a fine." sabi ng Judge. "And according to law, rape is still a crime. The accused violates the Republic Act 8353 and from Chapter 3 Article 266 of the Revised Penal Code, it is punishable by Reclusion Perpetua to death." dugtong ng Judge.

"Your Honor! I am the Mayor of the District 2 in Tondo, I didn't commit such crimes like that." pagsusumamo ni Mayor Concepcion.

"Even if you're the Mayor, evil-doings is prohibited in your jurisdiction, Mayor Concepcion. You committed crimes as your downfall. Maaalis ka sa pwesto mo kapalit nang mga kasalanan mo," sambit ng Judge.

He pointed his gavel and we win my case. I can't believed this. We really win the case. I smirk at Mayor Concepcion. Galit na galit ang mata niyang nakatingin sa akin.

The crime is finally ended. The demon itself cut his horn. I am free, my freedom and justice is already on me. Hindi na bulag ang hustisya, maituturing ko iyon na isang tuwid na desisyon sa ating sistema.

Handa ko nang imulat ang ibang tao, kabataan man o matatanda na ang hustisya ay nariyan lang sa tamang panahon. Ang sistema ay tutuwid kung may isang tagapagtanggol na malinis ang hangarin para sa tao.

"You're finally free, Ethan." sabi ni Attorney Fernandez.

"Maraming salamat... maraming salamat Attorney, alam kong mahirap kumalap ng ebidensya ngunit nabigyan mo ng hustisya ang sarili ko," maluha-luhang sambit ko.

I was once a victim of being accused but now, I am free. The only way to prove your innocence is that you have someone to lean on and someone who can win your case on the justice system.

The reality sucks because of the justice system and political issues in the country. People on the higher position must take actions on this. The world is full of chaos but in one country, you must need unity and fair judgement in order to live to the fullest of the society. You don't need to be blind of millions, you must not let your principle take down by money and power.

As political leader, you must carry the ethics of discipline and professionalism plus the right conduct. You are a public servant, you serve your own country and own people, you must be open-minded on the crimes you are making. Being a political leader, stand out and see the bigger picture of the country's future. Don't love the money of your people but loved how you govern your people in a sensual and well-mannered way.

As a protector of the justice system, you should have a fair judgement. You shouldn't be blinded by millions just to hide the truth. Even if it's reality, the truth shall be revealed according to the process. Due process of law is granted to have a fair rulings and achieve fundamental fairness and justice. Being a protector of justice, never hide the reality's true identity. In order to make peace and order, make a fair judgement, give the people who deserves justice. Rich and poor should have equal rights.

-End-