Day 65: The Night Before the First Trial
In a canteen across from the Hall of Justice in Quezon City, Justin (A), a lawyer for three months, prepares for his first trial tomorrow, a breach of contract case over a botched house renovation, with his law school classmate Dan (B), a public attorney.
How to study this lesson 3 steps
- Read the situation under the title. It says who is talking and how they know each other, which decides how politely they speak.
- Read the dialogue line by line with its translation, until every line makes sense.
- Spend at least 30 minutes listening to native Tagalog. It doesn't matter if you don't understand it yet.
Dialogue
Audio for this lesson is coming soon. For now, read the dialogue and its translation.
Keys: E hide English · ← → previous / next day
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A
Dan, salamat sa oras mo. Bukas na ang unang trial ko, at nanginginig pa rin ang kamay ko.
Dan, thanks for your time. My first trial is tomorrow, and my hand's still shaking.
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B
Normal 'yan. Si Judge, alas-otso y medya pumapasok, at ayaw niya ng nagbabasa ng tanong.
That's normal. The judge comes in at eight-thirty, and she can't stand lawyers who read their questions.
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A
Noted. Sa direct, judicial affidavit na ng kliyente ko ang testimonya, 'di ba?
Noted. On direct, my client's judicial affidavit is already her testimony, right?
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B
Oo. Sa cross, huwag kang magtatanong ng hindi mo alam ang sagot. At huwag mong kalimutan ang formal offer of evidence.
Yes. On cross, never ask a question you don't know the answer to. And don't forget your formal offer of evidence.
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A
Sige, practice tayo ng objections. Ikaw ang abogado ng contractor, i-cross mo ang kliyente ko.
Okay, let's practice objections. You're the contractor's lawyer, cross-examine my client.
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B
"Madam Witness, isn't it true na kayo ang nagpabago ng disenyo, kaya bumigay ang kisame?"
"Madam Witness, isn't it true that you had the design changed, which is why the ceiling gave way?"
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A
Objection, Your Honor, leading, at assumes facts not in evidence! Tama ba 'yon?
Objection, Your Honor, leading, and assumes facts not in evidence! Was that right?
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B
Kalahati lang. Cross 'yan, puwede ang leading. 'Yung "assumes facts" lang, at sabihin mo nang kalmado.
Only half. That's cross, leading is allowed. Just "assumes facts," and say it calmly.
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A
Okay. Handa na ang exhibits: kontrata, resibo, litrato, at report ng engineer na palpak ang trabaho.
Okay. The exhibits are ready: the contract, the receipts, the photos, and the engineer's report saying the work was botched.
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B
Teka, tetestigo ba ang engineer? Kung hindi, hearsay ang report niya, at 'yan ang buong kaso mo.
Wait, is the engineer testifying? If not, his report is hearsay, and that's your whole case.
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A
...Hindi ko siya inilista. Dan, umorder ka pa ng kape, hindi tayo makakauwi nang maaga.
...I didn't list him. Dan, order more coffee, we won't be going home early.
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