Pañero ka ba?

As what I am expecting, school’s hell week will coincide with an office rush/ad hoc/special project.

Our “Big Boss” wants the office look at Diwalwal – probably the country’s richest gold reserve.

Gold in Diwalwal was first discovered by a group of natives in September 1983 along the creeks at Mt. Diwata. Diwalwal quickly became a gold rush area so that by 1986, the population of Mt. Diwata increased to around one hundred twenty-five thousand. It has been the subject of conflicts brought about by the numerous mining claimants scrambling for gold that lies beneath its bosom; hence the name Diwalwal – which refers to fortune or misfortune.

Given such, a lot of issues are involved. Among them are:

• Unpermitted mining and mineral processing operations, especially by small-scale miners
• Environmental Degradation (mercury pollution, siltation)
• Social Conflicts (land claim conflicts, child labor, tax issues, violence)
• Work and Health Hazards (accidents, landslides, unsafe working conditions)

photo courtesy of pcij.org


Along with these issues are legal cases concerning mining claims in Diwalwal, two of which have reached the Supreme Court. Being the staff who is taking up law, I was specifically tasked to look at the legal aspect.

I have no choice but to talk with the Office of the Solicitor General and the Legal Department of PMDC (the government agency handling Diwalwal).

I have to look at into substantial law and procedural law and of course develop my questions on the said laws and the processes which the parties have went through.

In the course of my conversation with the legal of PMDC, the lawyer said “Pañero ka ba?” I honestly said; “hindi po sir.” But deep inside I really flattered being mistaken as a lawyer (maybe because of the technical terms I used and the questions I ask.... though I failed my crimpro).

This work load took a lot of time and energy from me, which I should have devoted for my review (sigh). I am not confident in taking my exams. I know my midterms will not yield very good grades, but I am hoping I will pass.