The Rise of Extra-Legal Remedies

It’s 2020. Someone offended you for some reason, or violated your rights, or even looked at
you funny. What is your knee-jerk reaction? Is it to call your lawyer to enforce your rights or to
prevent the other person from continuing with his offensive acts? Is it to call the police or other
law enforcement agencies to arrest the individual? Or is it to post it in any of the multitude of
social media applications available to everyone?

Of course, everyone with a social media account would know that the go to solution for any
problem is to post the other person or the problem to our social media accounts, with the
intention of “pasikatin” the other person into submission. Think mob lynching in the 21 st
century.

This go-to remedy had replaced the need for lawyers and law enforcement agencies. Why go to
a lengthy, expensive, and arduous legal battle when you can just “cancel” the other person?

Vigilante Justice: Social Media Style

Of course, some people also fed on this need for instant solution, and found a new niche for
themselves, the king of vigilante justice: social media style. A short visit to any comment section
would show hundreds upon hundreds of comments tagging and hashtagging
#RaffyTulfoInAction, which of course pertains to Mr. Raffy Tulfo’s sensational television show
and youtube channel.

The fear of being put on the show have transcended the fear of being sued in the court of law.
Netizens would use the threat of “ipapa-Tulfo kita” rather than “ipapakulong kita”, which, not
surprisingly, works.

In this particular show, the protagonist, Mr. Raffy Tulfo, would help the poor and the
downtrodden with their problems, usually by inviting to the show the other party or a
government agency official, to discuss the issue. These discussions would inevitably be resolved
through settlement in two ways: Either the parties accept the wisdom of Mr. Tulfo or if the
other party would not accept his learned opinion on legal matters, get browbeat and bullied to
submission.

Ultimately, the matter is resolved and the complainant rides into the sunset and goes home
happy.

The Aftermath

Of course, after the show ends, real life continues.

The Complainant, who Mr. Tulfo helped, must now wait whether the other party complies with
the agreed terms of settlement.
The complained party must choose whether to honor the terms or to risk being called into the
show again.

Lastly, the staff of the show would post the video in YouTube, where it would earn a nifty
amount of coin, which according to some websites is around P3,270,000.00 to
Php50,000,000.00 per month.

The Aftermath Part Deux

Ultimately, with regards to the parties, the matter is not actually resolved.

The Complainant must wait whether the opposing party would honor any settlement reached
through the show, and if the opposing party would not, then the former would be constrained
to ultimately go to courts to protect or enforce his rights.

Verily, no matter how famous, powerful, or influential any person gets, the power to settle
actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable, and to
determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or
excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government still
resides in the Supreme Court and any lower courts established by law.

Frankly, any settlement made through any show, especially if duress was involved, would be
hard or near impossible to impose. It is only upon the decision of the courts that parties may be
bound to comply with such decision or resolution lest they suffer punishment from the Courts.

Should I go?

My neighbor is an asshole, should I go to Mr. Tulfo for help?

Well, you are within your rights to do so, but do remember that the attendance of your
neighbor to the show is purely voluntary on his part, and even if he attends, whatever
settlement you reach may ultimately be set aside.

What should I do then?

First, ask a lawyer to discuss your rights on the matter. Before you say expensive, please know
that your Local Government Units have legal departments that are equipped to assist you, as
well as our hardworking Public Attorney’s Office. These lawyers would not charge you a cent for
their help, but do not discount their abilities because they are probably one of the best lawyers
in our country.

You can also send a message here in politixxx.today and we would try to discuss your rights.
Coffee is highly appreciated 
Second, most likely you would be referred to a Barangay Conciliation Proceedings, wherein you
and your neighbor can air out your differences and find a way to settle the matter before filing
any case in court.
Third, if no settlement is reached, you can go back to your Public Attorney’s Office and ask their
help in filing the case.

My neighbor thinks I’m an asshole, should I attend the invitation made by Mr. Tulfo?

The short answer is “No”. The long answer is “Are you out of your mind? Of course not!”

Remember, no private individual has the right to compel you to take part in the said show, and
there is no logical reason for you to discuss the matter there, as any thing that may be
discussed there can be discussed through other mediums.

But he may help me settle the matter

Again, if you are inclined to end the matter as soon as possible, the best thing to do is to talk to
the other party and try to reach an agreement. This can be done without the show.

Why not?

Because in the event that you cannot reach an agreement, you may end up saying a lot of
things in that show that can be used against you.

What should I do then?

Same answer with your neighbor. Consult a lawyer.

Politixxx.Today is willing to help

If you have any legal questions, you can send it to our website and our network of lawyers
would try to help you.