Mark William B.

De Jesus

As an aspiring lawyer, what is The Rule of Law for you?

Years ago, I remember looking at a graffiti that says the law applies to all or not at all. Its
message is so striking that it ignited my inner advocacy of equality and justice. I realized, the law
must benefit all, and for the common good of the society.
As an aspiring lawyer, the Rule of Law for me is the backbone of our society which promotes the
fair and equal rights and responsibilities of its people. The Rule of Law then helps our society to
be peaceful, functional, and progressive.
I say peaceful because the Rule of Law provides that no-one is above the law itself. The law
being clear, stable and just. Recognizing that we have to follow necessary due process and not
taking the law at our hands give our society a more peaceful environment. Be it a government
employee, lawmaker, or simply an ordinary individual in the society, we are all accountable and
given with equal rights and opportunities to co-exist and harmoniously live together.
The Rule of Law inspires us with the value of respect. We have to respect that others have the
same opportunities of maximizing the law for their personal benefit just like us. Like us,
everybody else shall not be deprived of the same basic rights.
The Rule of Law helps our society to be functional as it inspires us to be in order. Without it, we
would all spawn chaos not only to ourselves, but to the society as well. The Rule of Law
prescribe standards that are fair and just to everyone, regardless of our social disposition and
class. The Rule of Law protects our individual and collective functions to perform our rights,
duties and responsibilities which are vulnerable to the interest of the powerful few.
Finally, the Rule of Law helps our society to be progressive. Stability, peace, and justice are the
few basic pre-requisites that any developing nation need. Effective implementation of the Rule of
Law inspires confidence to businesses that makes it more enticing to invest and catalyze
progress.
Social conflicts must be resolved in a manner that all parties could agree, without the Rule of
Law, our progress will always be disrupted. Conflicts will relapse, and the society will collapse.

Mark William B. De Jesus

In a hindsight, what I have written above is easy to say, easy to believe, and easy to hold on to.
But the world is in chaos right now because defending the Rule of Law is no easy feat. There are
still many countries that the Rule of Law is not respected, nor even known and their people
succumbs to hopelessness abuse of those in power.
Even in free countries like ours, the Rule of Law is still being abused and disregarded. People
with power abuse the vulnerable poor families. Maybe this is why we want change, Filipinos are
tired of being disregarded and left out. Many of them believes that the Rule of Law belongs only
to those who can afford to pay the law. A shameful truth but the truth nonetheless.
The Rule of Law should protect.
The Rule of Law should be protected.
The problem we are facing today is that the Rule of Law is being attacked by sectors that seek to
take advantage of the weak and under-privileged. Instead of protecting the rights of the people
and the state, its being used against its sole reason of existence, to protect.
We have laws - laws existing to protect - but none of that matters if we fail to use the Rule of
Law. The Rule of Law is one of the best things in life we have. To be able to be just and fair is
nothing short of spectacular. This is why we have to protect it.
I believe regardless of our upbringings, it is a gift to us and like many gifts, it can be taken away.
Many will try, and some may succeed, but we all have to make an effort to preserve justness.
Preserving the Rule of Law benefits us all. Protecting an individuals rights means protecting
ours. Persevering for justice, equality, fairness, security, and peace no matter where in the world
we may be means persevering for our own sake. We are all part of it.
I took Law for because I love it. As an aspiring lawyer, I knew from the beginning this was what
Im going to do protect the Rule of Law. My inspiration for this is my grandfather who served
the government practicing law. Ive seen first-hand how intimidating it was to preserve the Rule
of Law. Once, he even had credible threats and bribes that weak-willed lawyers may take and
run-away with it. But he never did. He declined every-penny he was offered, faced every threat

Mark William B. De Jesus

he was given, and upheld the Rule of Law even if he may not be recognized by the institution he
protects.
If God-willed me to be a lawyer, thats the same thing Ill do. Follow the footsteps of my Lolo
and live with honor and pride that every lawyer should do. Doing the right thing may be difficult,
but its difficulty makes such achievement sweeter.
This is what I ultimately believe of what the Rule of Law is. Its every lawyers duty to use the
laws to what its intended for to protect. It would be such a shame if we use this opportunity for
personal gains and selfish ambitions.

Mark William B. De Jesus