Churning out more Filipino Muslim lawyers
By Rosli Abidin Yahya in Manila

The Dean and Vice President of PLS, Domingo (L) with Dr Hj Abdul Latiff

Ex-Brunei envoy Zaldivar delivers a speech

Former Philippines envoy to Brunei Darussalam, Enrique A Zaldivar mesmerised his three-year term in Brunei during a conferment of an honorary doctorate to a Bruneian business association leader in Manila last Tuesday. The conferment of an honorary doctorate in Business Administration was presented to Dr Hj Abdul Latiff Chuchu by the Philippines Islamic University (PIU) of Marawi City at the Philippines Law School (PLS) in Pasay City, Manila.

Zaldivar was more than happy to attend the ceremony, saying that he wanted to grab hold of the chance to meet up with people from Brunei.

After Zaldivar's three-year term had ended in Brunei, he retired from public office.

"I am now running my own business in Paranaque City near Manila," he said, adding that his friends in Brunei would be able to contact him at 0917-8483735.

"I miss the serenity and tranquillity of Brunei," he said, adding that he had made a lot of close friends there. "I would like to send my best regards to all in Brunei."

He was delivering an address at the ceremony, which was also attended by the Dean and Vice President of PLS, Domingo, the first Philippines envoy to Brunei. The ceremony also saw the official launching of the Institute of Shari'a Law and Islamic Studies at PLS.

A non-Muslim, Domingo's efforts in opening such a department at PLS is very much appreciated by the Muslim community in the Philippines.

"I realised that Islamic Law was more 'humane' after witnessing Filipino lives being spared by the gallows in Middle East," Zaldivar pointed out.

"When a Filipino maid was pardoned the death penalty in Abu Dhabi, I realised it was Islamic Law that saved her," he said.

"Did you know that a murderer could be spared death by hanging if the victim's family members forgave the convicted killer?" he questioned attendees at the ceremony.

"When a Filipino's life was spared because of this condition, I thought about the other 60 Filipinos who are currently on death row in the Middle East," he went on to say.

"If we can churn out enough Filipino Muslim lawyers to help defend them (the convicted), they could be spared the death sentence," he said.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin