A different RUM and BBM

In my very first month of teaching Political Law, some 48 years ago, a student of about eight years my senior, confidently raised his hand and asked an out-of-line question. “What is the most practical way to study Law, sir?” or words to that effect. Truly, I was unprepared for that kind of a query. I did not expect it at all. My mind went blank and for a while I was rendered speechless although I tried my best not to show it on my face. My forced smile attempted to hide my discomfiture. I recall having thoroughly prepared to lecture on the subject for the entire period without having to open my book as to impress my students but…

After getting back my composure, I remember telling my class something about RUM. It, actually, was my self-developed study methodology which I applied throughout my college of law years. It was Read, Understand, and Memorize. Read first the codal provision, Understand what it could possibly mean and then Memorize it. Last Sunday, the pianist of our church choir, asked me after the Palm Sunday Mass for a realistic and practical way to study Law. Instead of saying RUM, I told the pianist-cum-Law student BBM.

His eyes revealed more a kind of shock than embarrassment. He could not believe that I was a fan of the president. In order to veer his mind away from any political connotation which the three letters could suggest, I said Basaha ug Binisay-a ang balaod dayon Memoryaha. Whether RUM or BBM, the first order is to read. And to this young man, I meant for him to give more time to read the basic provisions of law and the relevant cases decided by the Supreme Court before attempting to memorize anything.

I remember RUM and BBM when I saw a social media post of former senator Antonio Trillanes IV. In the video, he openly admitted to cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigation into former president Rodrigo Duterte. There was no mistaking his familiar voice. Beside his face, however, there was drawn a box which supposedly contained, in readable print, what he said. The words in that box twisted what the senator uttered. I stuck to RUM or BBM. I read what was printed side by side what audio I heard. Whoever posted that video was a criminal manipulator. He was a fake and malicious propagandist. Trillanes should hail him to the court of law so that he should be punished for his evil deed.

Why? What was written in the supposed transcript? The propaganda manipulator did something no decent and honest man would do. He Recast and Unlawfully and Maliciously spliced the declaration of Trillanes by inserting words amounting to bribery right after the former senator’s admission to have helped the ICC. The propagandist wanted to make it appear that the senator received money from the ICC to help in the investigation. It was clear to me though that the words written in the box were not those which came out from the mouth of the former lawmaker.

The men and women whom I have helped to become lawyers, some of whom might not be friendly to Trillanes, must have also Recognized and Underscored the Machiavellian rephrasing done by the Facebook author. While the brain behind the post knew the wickedness of his post, this thing called karma will likely befall on him.