Eight years of ‘A Dose of Law’
There can be no greater reward than knowing that the column has become, in its own modest way, a useful resource for the study, teaching and practice of law.
Daily TribuneThere can be no greater reward than knowing that the column has become, in its own modest way, a useful resource for the study, teaching and practice of law.
The number eight has long been regarded as a symbol of prosperity, continuity, and new beginnings. Whether by coincidence or providence, it also happens to be my favorite number. This year, that number takes on a special meaning as A Dose of Law celebrates its eighth anniversary.
When this column was first conceived, the objective was never simply to write about the law. There were already countless legal books, journals, and commentaries that served that purpose.
The greater challenge was to explain the law in a manner that ordinary readers could understand and appreciate—to show that the law is not reserved for lawyers and judges but belongs to everyone. It should not be intimidating or inaccessible, for the law governs every person’s rights, responsibilities, relationships, and everyday life.
Eight years later, that objective remains the same.
Although A Dose of Law appears only twice a week, it has, since its inception, published 836 articles, reaching 2,703,384 online readers. While these figures are encouraging, they tell only part of the story. Behind every article is the hope that one more reader has gained a better understanding of a legal concept, found an answer to a practical concern, or become more aware of the rights guaranteed by law and the responsibilities that accompany them.
It is equally gratifying that the column has reached readers beyond our shores. While the Philippines remains our largest readership, A Dose of Law is likewise read in the United States, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Australia, and the United Kingdom. This demonstrates that discussions on Philippine law resonate not only with Filipinos at home but also with our countrymen overseas and readers interested in our legal system.
As a law professor and academician, I am especially delighted whenever I learn that law students, lawyers, and even fellow professors have turned to A Dose of Law to better understand a legal doctrine or a Supreme Court decision. Over the years, lawyers have likewise shared with me that a particular article helped them discover a relevant case or legal principle that ultimately proved useful in handling their own cases. There can be no greater reward than knowing that the column has become, in its own modest way, a useful resource for the study, teaching, and practice of law.
The articles that have attracted the greatest readership likewise reveal the legal concerns that resonate most with the public. Among the most widely read are those discussing the expanded jurisdiction of first-level courts, preliminary investigations and inquest proceedings, warrantless arrests, debt collection harassment, property relations between spouses, negotiable instruments, fortuitous events, remedies after a preliminary investigation, and the mortgagor’s right of redemption.
They remind us that the law is not an abstract collection of statutes and jurisprudence but a living system that touches virtually every aspect of society.
For the past eight years, this column has endeavored to present the law accurately while making it understandable to the general public. If it has succeeded in encouraging more people to appreciate the importance of legal literacy, then it has fulfilled the purpose for which it was created.
This milestone would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the DAILY TRIBUNE, which has consistently provided a platform for legal education and public discourse. I consider its owners, writers, and staff family. It would likewise not have been possible without our readers, whose continued trust and engagement have sustained this column through the years.
Above all, I give thanks to God, whose grace and providence have sustained this undertaking from its very first article to its 836th. Every opportunity to write, teach, and share knowledge through this column has been a blessing. As the Psalmist prayed: “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17.)
As A Dose of Law begins its ninth year, the commitment remains unchanged — to continue discussing legal issues that matter, explain them with clarity and fairness, and contribute, in our own modest way, to a better-informed citizenry.
The law belongs to everyone. By God’s grace, if this column has helped make it a little less daunting, a little more understandable, and a little more accessible over the past eight years, then every one of its 836 articles has been well worth the effort.
