Wednesday, November 25, 2009

We Mourn for Attorneys Concepcion Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo


The lives of election lawyers will never be the same again after November 23. On that day, two lady lawyers were among the 57 souls (to date) who were mercilessly slaughtered on the lonely road of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao. These lawyers were there to provide legal advice in observance of a democratic political process but sadly, they become victims of barbaric acts unimaginable in this present times.

I do not know these two lady lawyers personally but like them, I am also an election lawyer having served my first tour of duty in 2007 (the year I passed the Bar). As election lawyers, we see to it that our clients are protected against illegal activities made by their opposites and ensure that their rights on a just and equitable election are protected. As lawyers however, we do our battles either in the courts or in COMELEC offices – not on killing fields. The massacre that happened in Ampatuan was an extreme example of the violent politics that caught two lawyers in the middle.

This post is a tribute to these two lady lawyers who were victims of a democratic process that they tried to fight for.

Atty. Concepcion Brizuela

Concepcion Brizuela, 56, is a human rights lawyer and a fixture of woman’s right in Mindanao. From what I have gathered around the net, she embraced human rights and public-interest cases and also handled cases against military officials, the police and civilian armed groups. She was a former broadcaster who was jailed following a libel suit filed against her by a governor. She is known as an advocate criticizing wrongdoers and fights for good governance in Cotabato.

Atty. Cynthia Oquendo

Cynthia Oquendo, 35, is a young, artistic mother who quietly fought for her beliefs. She is active in social justice movements and was known to be involved in activism and health-related causes. She finished law in South Western University in 2000 and practices law in South Cotabato and surrounding areas. Her friendster account list lawyering, mothering and teaching as her occupation and defending, cross-examining lying witnesses, ukay-ukay, art classes, thinking, eating her honey's delicious preps, driving alone, interests with the unknown, mental telepathy, the sixth sense, developmental milestones and sanity as her hobbies and interest.

As a result of probably the bloodiest election-related atrocity in the country, President Arroyo has declared Thursday as a national day of mourning. We mourn for the loss of Attorneys Brizuela and Oquendo and all others that include women, journalists and others who were at the wrong place at the wrong time. As we mourn their loss, we promise to continue to fight for justice and equity in the only country we have. GOD HELP US!!!

16 comments:

  1. my heart goes out to their families
    may justice be served

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  2. i am not well-informed on current events lately but when i read the paper again just yesterday after several weeks, the article sent shivers up and down my spine. such barbaric acts at these supposedly civilized times. yes, may justice be served.

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  3. Sorry to read about this. So sad.

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  4. nagimbal talaga ako sa pangyayaring ito, nawa'y makamit na nila ang hustisya, condolence to their families at sa iba pang namatay sa massacre na yan, at sana mahuli na amg lahat ng may sala..

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  5. I am sickened by this horrendous act. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. May justice be served on these cowardly, vicious killers.

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  6. My heart goes out to the families of these wonderful women...prayers ascending...
    Sandi

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  7. Condolence to their families .
    Sobra ra na talaga ito. Sana lumabas na ang totoong totoong totoooooooooooooong.. katotohanan

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  8. it's indeed a sad day for our profession. let justice be served!

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  9. the Ampatuan massacre enraged me. if only the equitable retribution of an eye for an eye could be applied here. i hope this is not the beginning of a bloody election period.

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  10. My heart grieves for the families of the victims. May they obtain justice in this God-forsaken place.

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  11. meron naman comment box dito.

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  12. Hope that Justice be served to the victims.

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  13. Couldn't believe when I saw it on TV. Incredible!!

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  14. I pervently wish that justice be served to all the victims of this atrocities...

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  15. It is so sad... it is beyond comprehension!
    Evil in its worst form.

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  16. Cynthia was my pianist when I competed and won the Kundiman Fiesta 1996 Inter Regional Championships. She's a great friend that I'll cherish for life. I'm still in shock and sad because my dream of singing our winning piece will not be possible anymore. May justice be rendered soon. Cynthia my friend, I know that you are with our Creator now, may you and Sir Narciso continue to fill the heavens with unending harmonies of praise. May your soul be at peace as justice be rendered to those who perpetrated this inhuman act.

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