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Hannah-Isabela M. Barluado, RN

1. Why do you want to study law? You may include your personal stories or experiences

that have inspired you to study law. Do not hesitate to state the real reason why you

will study law. (max. 800 words).

The study of law has always fascinated me. During my college days when I

am able to pass by the law library in MSU-IIT, I always thought to myself how

hollowed this institution is, and often wondered what if someday I would study here,

pass the Bar Exam and become a successful lawyer. Years passed by, and life had

different plans. Instead I found myself in a different institution and a very different

field---Nursing, and on to that path, I strived to better myself, and took a lot of career

advancement seminars in order for me to be efficient in saving lives, but whenever I

am assigned in my area of duty, I never felt accomplished. There was always

something missing and a void that can never be filled even with the sincerest ‘thank

you’ from my patients. Any person can say it has been their childhood dream to

become a lawyer, but that does not discount them the legitimacy of their reasons why

they wanted to be in the legal profession. As time goes by, we all grow up and we are

no longer children. We are now faced with the reality of life. We clearly see the

injustices that happened in our society, how unfair the system works, how it is clearly

evident in the news, in social media, and even in our own communities.

I want to study law because the law gives anyone the upper hand to be better

in life, and in the same way make the lives of others better. To study law, pass the Bar

exam, and eventually become a successful lawyer makes the ordinary “Juan” to

become “Someone”. Lawyers indeed do better in life.

The law despite being intimidating at first impression remains a common

encounter to any person, as it deals with all aspects of our society---from birth to

death, and everything in between. Therefore an aspiring law student will definitely

find some sort of connection one way or another. This connection, when found, can

kindle the spark to grasp the wisdom of the law, and when all odds are in favour, can

make that spark a burning passion, and makes one truly in love with its logic and

reason.

Mindanao State University College of Law is a leading academic institution

committed to the attainment of social justice thru legal education---it prepares its

students to the practice of law and inculcates the awareness and commitment to the

needs of the marginalized and oppressed sectors of our society---the very reason why

I wanted to be in the legal profession.

This coming school year is going to be a huge challenge to all of us due to the

impact of this pandemic. Acknowledging the effect of this global crisis and limited

resources, my commitment to study law and eventually becoming a lawyer will not be

dampened by the presence of these uncertainties. If there is a will, there is a way. I am

innovative, I am resilient.

I am certain that I wanted to graduate from law school, pass the Bar exam, and

become a successful lawyer someday. And so excuses cannot simply co-exist with

passionate ambition. Excuses must not remain as excuses but rather obstacles to
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Hannah-Isabela M. Barluado, RN
overcome in order to finish stronger. Every stumbling block is a stepping stone to

success.

It will be a long race, but I am fervently praying to reach the finish line

steadfast--- then I can say that the nurse finally became a lawyer.

2. Covid-19 has disrupted everyone’s activities. In response to the crisis, governments

across the globe have used their emergency powers, but the exercise of emergency

powers is not without issues from constitutional and human rights lenses. In your

view, how is the law relevant or important in this health crisis? What is the role of

rule of law norm in battling the pandemic? (max. 800 words).

The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of

our time. It has indeed disrupted our lives. Governments all across the globe are

working hard to contain and protect its citizens from the dreadful effects of this

virus. Thus the exercise of emergency powers---but it is not without issues from

constitutional and human rights lenses.

In my view, laws are relevant and central to a country’s strategy to improve

measures in handling emergency response in a health crisis. Technically, all the major

public health achievements of the last century depended on legal interventions. The

law is such an integral part of public health that public health professionals, and not

only lawyers, are working with the law on a regular basis, doing important roles in the

development, enforcement and evaluation of health-related laws. Citing an example,

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed into law the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, also
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Hannah-Isabela M. Barluado, RN
known as the Bayanihan Act. The law provides the President of the Philippines the

power to implement temporary emergency measures to respond to the crisis brought

about by COVID-19, such as: adopting and implementing measures, which are based

on World Health Organization guidelines and best practices, to prevent or suppress

further transmission and spread of COVID-19 through education, detection,

protection and treatment. This is very proactive in combating this virus from further

spreading. But also in the same Act, it states that disobeying national government

policies or directives in imposing quarantines by officials of local government units is

penalized with two month imprisonment or a fine of not less than ten thousand pesos

(₱10,000.00) but not more than one million pesos (₱1,000,000.00) or both shall be

meted to offenses. The problem here is double standards, as we have seen in the local

news and social media, high ranking officials are often given “sympathy’, but poor

people who ventured out in order to provide for their needs are often the ones easily

apprehended. Don’t get me wrong, I am not against the government I am Pro-

Government. It is just by mere observation of what is currently happening in our

society. Nonetheless, the said Act has more advantages in containing the virus spread

than its disadvantages. It is just in the manner of its proper implementation, that is in

the absence of double standards.

In battling this pandemic, the principles of the rule of law should be observed.

There should be accountability, just laws, open government, accessible justice. As

mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the government as well as private sectors must

be accountable under the law. Double standards must be eradicated, for how will an

ordinary citizen respect the law if his officials are not following it. There should be

just laws. The poor are already less in life they should be more in law. Just laws are
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Hannah-Isabela M. Barluado, RN
clear, publicized, and stable; are applied evenly; and protect fundamental and human

rights. There should be open government---the processes by which the laws are

enacted, administered, and enforced are accessible, fair, and efficient. Last but not the

least, there should be accessible justice---delivered timely by competent, ethical, and

independent representatives and neutrals who reflect the makeup of the communities

they serve. With these principles applied, it is safe to say that the Filipinos will be

able to have a fighting chance in winning over this pandemic, as we are able to “Heal

as One”. To God be the Glory!