The enigmatic men-at-arms in ancient Rome’s most infamous form of entertainment were called Gladiators. Lured by the thrill of battle and the roar of the crowd, these men got fed and trained, and sweat blood to fight other contestants (even animals) to the death. Their profile normally involves conquered peoples and slaves, but the demographics changed. Historians reveal that these combatants eventually consisted of despondent ex-soldiers, some were upper-class aristocrats, others were knights, and a few were politicians raring to showcase their warrior pedigree. And they all fought for glory and prize money.
Our very own Supreme Court magistrates, in their role as members of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, were swept into a gladiatorial bout in resolving the electoral protest lodged by former Sen. Bongbong Marcos against winning Vice-Presidential candidate Leni Robredo. As magistrates are expected to be locked in combat against each other due to their different backgrounds, diverse personalities, distinct educational milieu, and political patronage, they were all on one side, this time around, against a much bigger foe. Using legal precepts and jurisprudential principles as their swords, spears, and shields, the gladiators in robes acted in unison, quite surprisingly, to fight a formidable monster called “disparagement of the rule of law.” In a spectacle that stretched for nearly five years, the Supreme Court magistrates legally confirmed the victory of the sitting Vice President and legally sealed the electoral defeat of the former Senator.
For others, the decision was about Robredo defeating Marcos, again. For me, the victory should be credited to the judiciary, which managed to hoist the values of impartiality and justice. Working against some distracting moves such as the move to inhibit Justice Leonen and some accusations of personal biases, the Supreme Court Justices were not deterred from pursuing a greater cause. It took a long time but the gladiators collectively successfully defended the subtle attack against the rule of law, in an amazing display of legal combat fought, not in the Colosseum in Rome, but in the largest Hall of Justice in the country. Fighting not for glory or prize money like the Roman gladiators did, the Justices fought a “good fight” as they acted in rare unanimity. While all 15 members of the Supreme Court agreed to dismiss the entire electoral protest, perhaps the laurel that crowns such an accomplishment can be found in the accolades proffered by Malacañang, notwithstanding President Duterte’s publicly known preference for Mr. Marcos.
From this latest achievement, I see that hope can still be accessible, not only in our justice system but also in our country in general. As a lawyer, I still believe that most judicial decisions coming from the lower courts to the Supreme Court are embedded with much legal wisdom. However, in my short litigation experience, I saw a few counsels win cases based on “who they know” and not “what they know.”
My courtroom career was cut short on purpose as I witnessed an apparent erosion of righteousness from litigants, practitioners, and judges alike. But with a candle of optimism, the Justices as premier gladiators in the legal profession demonstrated how the noble fight of upholding the rule of law can be won despite challenging circumstances.
In our earthly world filled with personal struggles and toils, we can fascinatingly draw a stirring metaphor of the Olympic contests for a prize from the Bible—the metaphor which the Apostle Paul loved so well through an exhortation in 1 Timothy 6:12, thus, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” For believers, the fight really means to exercise discipline, patience, endurance, and perseverance in life, like any athlete in any sport. For me, to fight the good fight of faith means to remain true to His word even in the face of opposition and adversity. In my 16 years in public service, I kept on fighting the good fight by finding joy and contentment in what God has given me rather than lust for power and money. I can say the same thing for my father and my older brother who rendered a total of 74 years of military service, with careers beyond reproach, living within the means of respectable public servants.
The gladiators in robes fought the good fight of faith in resolving this electoral protest as their collective action exhibited a godly character under hostile circumstances. Taking a cue from our justices of the Supreme Court, we can and should pursue the real prize of eternal life by fighting the good fight of faith. And like the famous men-at-arms of ancient Rome who fought to the death, we shall be “faithful unto death,” hopeful in the promise found in the Bible in James 1:12 that says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
By faith, gladiators we have become. In life and in death, gladiators we all are!
A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission.
For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.