WELCOME MESSAGE

This is already crunch time for you. You can longer afford to lower your standard or be
complacent for the task before you. After three years in law school, it is expected that you have
already embraced the reason why you want to become a lawyer. That reason will sustain you all
throughout this year and next year.

I will be lying if I say that Political Law Review will be easy. It is not easy in the sense
that your time is not enough to cover all your readings. I don’t doubt your brain cells that they
will work for you. I am more concerned about your willingness to sacrifice so much to be able to
finish your readings, your digests, your notes or any other tasks assigned to you.

I am not here to make life miserable for you. My role is to guide you, to pressure you if
you are not performing by the standards, and to inspire you not to settle for what is mediocre but
always to strive for excellence.

I have only three words. FAITH. GRIT. DETERMINATION.(FGD)

FAITH.

It is the complete belief in yourself and what you can do to achieve your goal.
Don’t enroll in your law subjects if you do not believe you can pass it.
It is also a belief in some being, a God, who can and will always complete you.
You are never a complete product after all. You are always lacking.
Faith also is a positive act of the will to actualize your belief.
It must be reflected in your actions—-everyday, consistently, passionately, without fail. In the
parlance of Public International Law, it should be Jus Cogens—no derogation is allowed under
any circumstance.
If you believe you will pass but you only study when you feel like it,
Then you will not.
Faith alone without action is shallow, meaningless.

GRIT AND DETERMINATION.

It is the courage and absolute resolve as well as that unwavering decision to

Accomplish your task even in the face of insurmountable odds
Or overwhelming adversities.
You will encounter all kinds of challenges—
From paralyzing internet connection to lack of funds,
A loss or problem in the family,
Break-ups or finding a new love,
Sickness, fatigue, loneliness or burn out.
You simply don’t give up.
Always find a way to overcome every adversity.
More importantly, in not giving up, you don’t lower your standard.
“Taposon ko na lang kay na umpisahan ko na.” Wrong.
It should be “pasaron ko gid ni subong.”
In your moments of silence and loneliness, you may ask “why do you have to sacrifice so
much?”
You have to sacrifice so much because you have chosen to measure yourselves by a much higher
standard,
By a bar that does not accept mediocrity but demands excellence.
It is only when you catch that vision and embrace that standard that you will be willing to toil for
every inch of distance towards your dream.
No more, no less.
FAITH. Don’t doubt.
GRIT. Don’t be complacent.
DETERMINATION. Don’t give up.

I have been teaching in law school since I passed the Bar in 1994. I know how to guide students
to pass and excel in Political Law. I am still excited to do it every year. This year is no exception.
The crucial question now is “are you willing to do your share in this journey?” If you are, then
welcome to Political Law Review.

Let us continue with this exciting journey.

Jeeg 8272020