Sa pagdayong sugod sa bista karong buntaga, nangulo una sa pangadye sa Centennial Prayer si Judge Terence Yano. Nagkanayon ang huwes ug mga abogado. “Almighty God, we stand in your holy presence as our supreme judge.
We humbly bessech you to bless and inspire us so that what we think, say and do will be in accordance with your will. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our spirit and fill our hearts with fraternal love, wisdom and understanding so that we can be effective channels of truth, justice and peace in our proceedings today, guide us the path of righteousness for the fulfillment of your greater glory.â€
Pagkahuman, nanglingkod ang tanan gawas sa usa ka abogado. Nagpabiling nagtindog ug niisa sa tuong kamot si Atty. Nilo Conde kanhi estudyante sa huwes.
Ug kadaghan nakalalis sa huwes sa tunghaan. Unya may higayon gyung gipagawas si Nilo sa classroom tungod sa kalagot sa propesor. “Your Honor please. May I make a manifestation?†ni Nilo. “Your case was not yet called. We are not yet starting the hearing,†sa huwes. “This is not about any case, Your Honor. But about all of us inside this courtroom,†ni Nilo. “Go ahead sa huwes. “I would like to request everyone inside the courtroom to ponder on the solemn message of the prayer. That the judge, lawyers, litigants and witnesses should be effective channels of truth, justice and peace. It should be the prayer of all of us†ni Nilo.
“I know what you mean, kompanyero. I can read you betwen the lines. But I assure you that we are a government of laws and not of men.
So, personal prejudice, bias, grudges, and bigotry should be set aside. In favor of what the law and evidence say. The parties favored by law and evidence should prevail†sa huwes.
Nagtutok ni Nilo. Seryoso. “Thank you, Your Honor†ni Nilo. Nilingkod nga malaumon nga mahatagan siya’g fair trial sa iyang kaso karon. (Kataposan)