Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Novels & Stories

Tinawag na nang judge ang kaisa-isang witness sa korte. Nakita ko ang naging reaksyon ni Luna niya. Maging lahat nang mga tao ay nagulat at nagalit dahil bakit ngayon lang daw lumabas ang witness, edi sana wala nang nag-buwis pa nang buhay. “I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” pag-sabi niya nang panunumpa sa harapan nang maraming tao.

sambit nito nang di makatingin. "You are aware, Mr. Walker, that you just took the oath of perjury. According to Article 183 under the law of perjury, any person who willfully and knowingly offers in evidence a false witness or testimony in any judicial or official proceeding shall be punished as guilty of false testimony and shall suffer the respective penalties provided in this section. Punishment for committing perjury could result in probation, fines, or a prison sentence of up to 5 years. So now, are you willing to tell me the truth? " After she said that, the prosecutor smirked.

“Sige. Sabihin mo lang sa akin kung anong kailangan kong gawin.” “You have to testify to the court. And… I hate to say this but we have to break some truth.” “A-Ano?” Huminga ng malalim si Ninong Azrael. “We’re basically bringing innocence out of an almost-murderer. Sorry for the term but that was it. Sa paningin ng batas, pinagtangkaan pa rin ng kuya mo na patayin ang sarili niyong ama. We can’t just simply say the fact that Leio hear tried to kill your father because of basically hearsays that he tried to assault you—”

biro niya sabay tawa. Umikot ang mga mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya. "May nakakalimutan ka ata Khalil? One rule: don't fall, 'di ba? Baka nahuhulog ka na sa'kin ha kaya sinasabi mo 'yan." biro ko.

Humugot naman ako ng malalim na hininga at pinanood si Liam na maupo roon at naghintay na interogahin. “In our trial today, the defendant has decided to testify. The prosecution cannot force the defendant to testify. If the defendant chooses to testify, the prosecution is allowed to question the defendant.” Pinanood ko ang Clerk na patayuin si Liam. “Please stand. Raise your right hand. Do you promise that the testimony you shall give in the case now before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” “I do,” Liam replied.

Nanatili akong nakatayo nang tuwid sa gitna ng aisle, malamig na nakatitig sa kanya. "You may tear up that piece of paper, Mr. Delgado, but you cannot tear up the truth that this case has already been officially registered in the court system. And tearing up a government document in front of the authorities? That's an additional charge of Obstruction of Justice and Contempt of Court."

Chapter 17: Proving innocence while fighting for justice "..ipinapangako kong katotohanan ang lahat ng aking sasabihin. Walang dagdag, walang bawas. Kapag ako ay nagsinungaling at nahuli, malugod kong tatanggapin na ako ay kasuhan ng perjury."

"Kung sasabihin ko… baka mapahamak ako." Tumingin ako sa judge. "Your Honor, I request that the witness be reminded of his legal obligation to testify truthfully." Tumango ang judge. "Mr. Alvarado, kung hindi mo sasabihin ang katotohanan, maaari kang kasuhan ng perjury." Tumikhim ang opposing counsel. "Objection, Your Honor! My client is under duress—" "Overruled," sagot ng judge. "Let the witness answer."

Sinasabi nito na ang batas ay may kakayahang mag-disiplina at hindi dapat ginagamit upang ipang-abuso o upang gamitin sa masama. The scales represent that the evidence provided must be weighed and should stand on its own. Na kailangang timbangin kung sino ang nakapagsasabi ng katotohanan nang maparusahan. The weighing will just end until the court reaches a certain verdict that was proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Nang magsalita siya, kalmado ang kanyang tinig ngunit ramdam ang bigat ng bawat salita. “Huwag tayong basta-basta maniwala sa mga nakikita, naririnig, at sinasabi ng mga tao sa ating paligid. Ang ating mga paniniwala ay dapat nakabatay sa katotohanan at sa mga ebidensiyang nakalap. Huwag tayong humatol, dahil hindi pa tapos ang laban. Ang korte ang magdedesisyon kung ang isang tao ay inosente o may sala. Maniwala tayo sa hustisya ng ating bansa. Buhay ang katarungan.”