The Public Atorni acquits herself well

If I were to pass a verdict on Percida Acosta, chief of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), as a celebrity lawyer hosting Public Atorni: Asunto o Areglo, now aired daily starting last Monday before T3 on TV5, I would sentence her to a lifetime term on television. She has grown so used to the medium that she acts naturally, undistracted by the cameras while hearing cases that range from infidelity to inheritance — name it and Percida has heard it always with fairness.

Last Monday, lawyer Percida heard the case of a daughter accused by her own mother and her own children of forcing them to beg on the streets; followed yesterday by the case of a housemaid who was demanding support from her boss who got her pregnant.

Late this afternoon, Percida will hear the case of a woman who accuses her husband not only of womanizing but also of beating her up; tomorrow, the case of a GRO (Guest Relations Officer) who accuses her mother of not returning the child she (the GRO) has entrusted to her and on Friday, the case of neighborhood drunkards versus loud gays.

Public Atorni is obviously inspired by a hit US TV show and somewhat similar to but definitely not copied from Face-To-Face, a confrontational show also on TV5 hosted by Amy Perez, now back to its original 10:30 a.m. timeslot.

As a public (pro bono) lawyer, Percida is noted for being feisty although not offensive and abrasive like some female lawyers. But on Public Atorni, she is a bit more reserved and she tells why in the following Q&A:

What’s the difference between hearing cases in an actual court and doing it in front of TV cameras?

“It’s the same. In both, I follow the rules on evidence. The only difference is that in front of the TV cameras, there’s no counsel assisting either of the protagonists. I do the direct- and cross-examination and the interpellation to dig out the truth behind the problem at hand so that I can decide kung sino sa kanila ang dapat panigan bilang biktima and who is the offender. I pass judgment but there’s no punishment, only counseling.”

What if there’s some damage involved?

“Aba, eh, magbayad ‘yung dapat magbayad. But more of the time, the protagonists end up in a compromise.”

What if there’s a violation of your “verdict”?

“Then, we can bring the case to a real court.”

How do you choose the cases that you put on your show?

“Our researchers are the ones who do that. The only reminder that I give them is to choose the cases which are based on truth. Ayoko ng nag-i-imbento o ini-imbento lang. It’s more spontaneous at mas may dating kapag totoong nangyari.”

Of course, before you got into TV you were already a celebrity in your own right. But now, you’re on a higher level of celebrity status. How do you deal with it?

“I never expected this; I never imagined that I’d be hosting a TV show. Initially, I served as one of the Trio Tagapayo on Amy Perez’s show Face-To-Face; I took care of the legal aspect. Then, the staff of Mr. (Ray) Espinosa (TV5 president and CEO) called me and said they would cover my mediation and conciliation, and then make it a reality-TV show. And now, this.”

How does your celebrity affect your conduct in a real court or in your everyday life?

“In my everyday life, hindi na ako puwede lumabas ng naka-duster; parang nakakahiya na akong naka-duster. When I go to the market, I have to be properly dressed because people recognize me. Kumakaway sila; they greet me, so nakakahiya naman kung hindi ako nakaayos, di ba? Para bang kung kumilos ako ng pangit at wala sa lugar, ma-o-offend ko sila.”

As a pro bono lawyer, do you get requests for legal assistance?

“I got several requests even before I went into TV. Now, I’m getting even more requests and I try my best to accommodate as many as I can if not all of them. I have two celfones. ‘Yung Smart phone ko is open 24/7 and they can text me anytime. I have a hotline in my office where somebody receives calls. Sa celfone, ako mismo ang sumasagot.”

How does your TV work affect your personal life and your work as a lawyer?

“I tape for my show on Saturdays and Sundays, so my everyday life as a person and my work as a lawyer are not affected at all.”

Does your husband understand your now even more hectic schedule?

“Okey lang. My husband, Benedicto Acosta Jr., is also doing TV; he took my place as tagapayo on Face-To-Face. We have two daughters; one, Kyla Gethsemane, is taking up AB Psychology in Ateneo and the other, Camila Percida, is in second year high school at the Diliman Preparatory School.”

Have you gotten used to being so fully made up on TV?

“Noong una, naghahabulan kami n’ung make-up artist kasi ayoko ng may make-up; gusto ko pulbo-pulbo lang. But she told me that I would look pale on the screen kung pulbo-pulbo lang.”

By the way, do you also get death threats?

“Oh yeah. Dati pa ‘yan. Medyo nabawasan na lang lately. Before, once a week; now, once a month na lang. I just dismiss them as part of the hazards of the trade.”

What security measures do you take?

“I have two police officers with me.”

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