Movie Fan

8. The Trial

the trial

Siksikan ang mga reporters sa corridor outside the courtroom. Kahit na palaging nababangga, patuloy pa rin ang pagre-report ng Channel 5 field reporter:

"Today is the fourth day of the Elena Magtanggol trial and a couple of witnesses for the prosecution are being called to the stand."

Sa loob ng courtroom, the trial is underway. Mukhang lesbiana ang matandang judge. Masungit itong nakikinig habang kinukwestiyon ng inexperienced na guwapong prosecutor ang isang nakakalbo nang forensics expert.

"Ano ang findings niyo about this case?"

"Well, based on the position and the impact of the stab wounds, I conclude that they were made, not in defense, but in an offensive attack."

"So hindi nakahiga or in a vulnerable position si Ms. Magtanggol at the time of the murder, just like the defense stipulates."

"Hindi ho. She was the one in control. According to the angles and the depth of the wounds, she was on the attack."

Kinuha ng prosecutor ang nakaplastic na kutsilyo. Malaki ito at may kalawang.

"Your honor, I'd like to submit into evidence, the knife Elena Magtanggol used to stab her father."

Later in the proceedings, nasa stand ang pandak at duling na babae from the squatters area as witness for the prosecution.

"She was very always weird. No one doesn't like her in the neighborhood of ours."

"Uhm, miss, baka mas madali ho kung mag-Tagalog na lang kayo?" sabi ng prosecutor.

"Ang sinasabi ko ho, eh, yang si Elena, parang laging may topak. Hindi nakakapagtaka that she does killing her fathers!"

Tawanan sa courtroom. Smile si duling, savoring her moment while her bunging baklang BFF claps his hands from the sidelines.

~

That afternoon, sa labas ng courtroom, dinumog ng mga reporters sina Elena at Aileen habang palabas sila.

"Ms. De Ocampo! May koneksyon ba ang Elena Magtanggol case dun sa unang squatter's area homicide?" tanong ng isang reporter.

Deep inside, napangiti si Aileen De Ocampo. May naisip.

~

Mas marami pa ngayong reporters at expectators sa corridor ng courthouse. Sixth day na ito ng proceedings.

Sa loob ng courtroom, mukhang nine-nerbiyos si Elena. All ears ang lahat sa kanya.

"Regular customer ko ho si Mang Jessie, yung kapitbahay namin na sinaksak ng asawa," pagdiklera ni Elena.

"By regular customer, Elena, ano ang ibig mong sabihin?" tanong ng lawyer niyang si Aileen De Ocampo.

Mukhang naghe-hesitate si Elena. Lumapit si Aileen sa kanya.

"It's okay, Elena. Go ahead. Don't be afraid."

"Ang ibig ko hong sabihin ay isa ho akong...puta!"

Collective gasp ang lahat sa courtroom, followed by looks of Weh? Ang pangit-pangit mo para maging prostitute!

"Matagal na ho akong ibinubugaw ng tatay ko. Sa Ermita. Hindi niya ako pinapasa sa mga kapitbahay dahil ayaw niyang pag-usapan kami, pero kinailangan niya ng pera para sa shabu kaya napilitang ibugaw ako kay Mang Jessie. At nang malaman ni Aling Piring ang tungkol dito, nag-away sila, at dun niya pinatay si Mang Jessie."