Broadening our horizons

By Atty. Eduardo T. Reyes III

Flying out for a quick out of town engagement could be exhilarating.

Last weekend, I had to hop into a plane bound for Manila to iron out some issues on a law book I have written which will see publication later this year. The next day, I took the podium to lecture on the topic: “The Important Features of Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce” at the Bocobo Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. In particular, the UP Law Center Institute for the Administration of Justice can be said to be the mecca of legal learning in the country.

The event was put together for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) of lawyers from Metro Manila who seek to comply with Bar Matter No. 850 which mandates all active practicing lawyers to “keep abreast with law and jurisprudence, maintain the ethics of the profession and enhance the standards of the practice of law”.    The MCLE is a 36-unit course which lawyers must attend and comply with every three (3) years.

I didn’t realize until I was on the podium that lecturing before your colleagues in the profession could bring both honor and humility to the speaker. While the lecture is comprised of the pertinent laws, jurisprudence, notes and other related materials culled from decades of study, and nuanced views on the topic, the attendees could point out legal angles that could further widen one’s perspectives about the topic.

Indeed, the MCLE is a two-way process of learning whereby the speaker stirs the discussion with his/ her prepared lecture, then is asked of his/ her opinion on certain gray areas that the attendees’ minds may be clouded by, and then they too can point out their own understanding and/ or relevant experience relative to the topic which makes for a fruitful and healthy discussion.

On the flight back to Iloilo, I gazed at the clouds and stared at the horizon. It is but a mere line. And as I looked on, I realized that the line could be symbolic of our perspectives in life. The line could be seen as one that separates the sea from the sky. But that would be from a pessimistic lens. To me, the line connects the ocean and the heavens. The ocean is boundless while the sky is limitless.

Knowledge, too, that is shared during seminars like the MCLE is infinite. It is just a matter of dedicating one’s self to the study of the nuances of the law and have the heart to share it to others. This is honorable. Yet knowledge is both outflow and inflow. The latter is like opening fully the window and allowing the light to filter in. This is humbling.

As we touched down at the Iloilo International Airport, I felt a sense of fulfillment not only because I was able to share some knowledge to my colleagues, but more so because I was able to gain knowledge and experience.

MCLE seminars are indeed necessary for lawyers.  They not only ensure that lawyers “keep abreast with law and jurisprudence, maintain the ethics of the profession and enhance the standards of the practice of law”; but more importantly, the MCLEs bring profundity in one’s career and dignity to the legal profession.

Assuredly, the MCLE broadens our horizons.

            (The author is the senior partner of ET Reyes III & Associates– a law firm based in Iloilo City. He is a litigation attorney, a law professor, MCLE lecturer, bar reviewer and a book author. His website is etriiilaw.com).