Visayan versions of barangay laws out

A Visayan lawyer has announced that his latest books, the Visayan translations of the 3-volume "The Barangay Justice System" and Book III of Civil Code on "Succession," are already available in the market.

Lawyer Rafael Ybañez, a native of Hilongos, Leyte who has been practicing his profession in Agusan del Sur, beat the odds of meager funds to publish the Visayan version of two law books that have served as references for barangay officials in Leyte, Cebu and Agusan provinces.

Ybañez's three volumes of "Hustisya sa Barangay" are "Hubad Binisaya sa Katarungang Pambarangay", "Mga Krimen ug Ubang Kaso Ubos sa Gahum sa Lupon", and "Pamaagi sa Paghusay ug Kaso sa Barangay inubanan sa Warrantless Arrest."

The preface of the books states: "Tinukmod sa tinguha nga makatabang sa pagsulbad ug pagsumpo sa mga bingkil og paglikay sa magasto sa kaso-nahimo kini nga mga basahon (Pushed by an aim to help solve the feuds and prevent the reader from opting to file costly cases, these books were realized)."

Ybañez has obtained copyrights of the books, including his latest book translation of the Civil Code's Succession is the "Balaod sa Pagpanunod sa Kabilin."

Supreme Court Justices, officials of the Department of Interior and Local Government, and prosecutors have endorsed these Visayan versions of the books as ready and easily comprehensible references for barangay officials.

Most of the cases handled at the barangay level are property disputes, domestic violence and minor offenses.

The Ybañez books are hardbound photocopies of texts he wrote because he said he could not afford the costs of printing. "For now, the books are sold at P950 per copy, it would have been lesser if these are printed," he said.

Printing presses require a minimum of P1,000 copies and initial payment of at least P250,000, he said, adding that he once thought of selling his books in bookstores but the slow return of investments prompted him to sell and deliver them himself.

Ybañez took his Bachelor of Laws at the University of San Jose Recoletos and had served as election registrar at Agusan del Sur, after a stint as assistant provincial attorney there. - Ferliza C. Contratista