Dear Warrior Lawyer,

It is probably out of sheer frustration that I purposely looked up a blog… ANY BLOG… where I could give my two cents’ worth on these elections. I understand that your a fortysomething lawyer based in Makati. Well, I’m a thirtysomething lawyer working and living in Makati.

My comment is about a certain candidate for councilor who is running under the banner of the administration party; he is running against Binay’s candidates.

It’s probably borne out of a brilliant campaign strategy (nay, desperation?) that this guy has a roving jeep with a loudspeaker going around our community in San Antonio Village announcing his name and playing his campaign jingle FOR AT LEAST 16 HOURS A DAY! I have an infant daughter who is still trying to adjust to more stable sleeping patterns and this guy just about ruins it everytime!

I know that these politicians resort to cheap gimmicks because that is what clicks with the masses. These politicians sometimes forget that the crowd they are trying to attract are repulsed by their tactics; I live in a condominium in San Antonio Village with about 3,000 voters, all middle class (including their househelp who will vote according to the suggestion of their employers, especially for local candidates who are not really known anyway). The “informal settlers” this guy is trying to attract number less than 10 families within the immediate vicinity!

I decided long ago that I will not vote for this guy. Not that I’m a fan of Binay; not only is this guy an irritant and a pest, he also does not deserve my vote for being plain stupid! He doesn’t even know how to market himself without being obnoxious. This is also the sentiment of the unit owners’ association during our last meeting; seems like everyone in our condominium is aware and very much irritated with this candidate’s antics.

Come to think of it, what do they get out of being office anyway? What is so great about a job that pays maybe P10,000, P20,000 a month? I don’t even want to hear the standard crap that they want to “serve.” The question is: serve who?

Hello warrior lawyer,

Ok - so, who are you?! Are you Loren Legarda? Or was it just a name you left on my blog?

Please! I want to talk to the Senatress! I have some issues that needs to be addressed!

a suggestion for persons 40 yrs and over
looking for employment but is unable to considering there is age,discrimination with respect to jobs. There should be a law for such persons, An equal opportunity law like in the U.S., can this be possible? Thanks!

asteg ng mga reviews nyo poh..
someday i’ll be a lawyer(i hope)..
people like you are my motivation..
swerte koh npadpad akoh s blog mo..
god speed!

Hi,

I think we share the same name. I am a doctor based here in the USA. I was born and raised in the Philippines but moved here sometime ago.

Have fun,

Bob

Lemme make a wild guess –

You graduated from UP Law sometime in the late 1980s, you were once head of your fraternity which is headquartered in the 2nd floor lobby of Palma Hall, you trace your roots to Benguet, your wife is a blogger, you were married even when you were in law school, you used to drink beer heavily with someone like me once in a frequent while.

You once told me, “I used to think you shallow but I understand now — you just have a high tolerance for fools.”

Unless that’s a line you’ve been practicing on old drinking buddies, unless my web detective skills are failing, it must be you
_ _ _ s H. _ a _ _

Correct me if I’m wrong.

Estudyanteng Malupet: Salamat sa pagdalaw mo. Kayang-kaya mo ‘yan. Just keep yourself motivated.

Baguio Insider: You got me. Great to hear from you. Its been a while. Hope things are going well in your part of the (Baguio) woods.

You have a fantastic blog and have added it to my favorites. Will drop by often.

Hi Warrior Lawyer!

i passed the bar two years ago. I choose private practice cause i saw it as the most challenging of all the careers lawyers can go into since it involves all aspects of law, civil, criminal etc….

The problem is my practice is not that lucrative. I am an associate in a law firm but since i am not from the city where i work i don’t have that much clients. Sometimes the law firm lets me handle some cases but mostly the pro bono ones. i want to continue practicing private law but i barely make ends meet. ( Can you believe a lawyer saying that?) I myself can’t seem to fathom why. I earn just enough for my daily expenses and i don’t have ipon. At first i was thinking heyyy it’s okay. I’m learning naman…but lately i was becoming discouraged and frustrated because i also want naman to be able to help my parents….you know, treat them somewhere nice kahit once in a while lang…..i’m thinking of applying for a job na lang in the government where at least i have sweldo monthly…. the problem is not that many open positions in the place where i work.

Lahat halos in Manila…..

Any advice you can give this disheartened lawyer?

Hi Arabella,

It’s a tough profession and not at all as glamorous as we thought it would be when we entered law school, isn’t it ?

I sympathize with your predicament, as I found myself in the same position many years ago. Being an associate is no easy task, at the bottom of the pecking order, so to speak, and in many firms there’s no defined career path. However, the experience you gain can be invaluable.

What are your options at this point?Stick it out and hope you make partner some day. This will take a lot of hard work and perseverance. And no guarantee of making it unless you have a talent for rainmaking. In which case it may be better to strike out on your own.

If you choose government service, the financial rewards may not be that great either. Your best bet would be to work for the government financial institutions like BSP, SSS, GSIS etc. which are more generous in terms of salary and perks. Did you ever consider the DFA ? Why not take the foreign service exams ? I know of many lawyers, including my brother, who chose a diplomatic career, which gives you a chance to travel and work in an interesting environment.

If you choose the private sector, you have many choices. Banks and other financial service companies, including insurance, are always looking for legal talent. Property developers also.

Here are a few tips which I hope will work for you:

1. Network; build your contacts not only among your schoolmates and fellow alumni but everywhere: the IBP, government offices, civic and church groups, even online. You never know when an opportunity will crop up. Be visible.

2. Keep learning new skills and searching out knowledge. Education is a life-long process. I myself am a human resources development practitioner which gives an added dimension to my lawyering. I also get as much short course training as possible, whether required (MCLE) or not. We have to adapt to the fast pace of change or risk being left behind.

3. Ask yourself where your interests lie and what you feel passionate about. Litigation ? Corporate work ? Public interest law ? Take it from me, it makes a difference in the long haul if you end up in an area that gives you personal fulfillment. Although it might not seem that way now, money isn’t everything.

4. Set goals. Try to define where you want to be 5 years from now, financially, professionally and in your personal life. Then think of the next five years and so on. It helps to have a clear idea of where you want to be rather than leave it to chance.

5. Nurture a spiritual life. This will sustain you in bad AND good times. Believe me, success will bring with it its own set of problems. Our relationship with a higher power may be the only true constant in our lives.

Hang in there. With hard work, prayers and a little luck (which you can make happen; luck is just preparedness meeting opportunity ), you will have a rewarding career.

Take care.