Hail to all Environmentalists!

It's just nice to hear that for the first time dolphins won over the high court ruling in the Philippines. Definitely they have nobody amongst them to defend the litigation but we have good human souls who are willing to stand for their cause.

            After reading the news that "Dolphins' lawyer has the last laugh" by Ador Vincent S. Mayol of the Philippine Daily Inquirer today April 23, 2015, I can't help but relish the surging happiness of the environmentalist's triumph in the country.

            Environmental lawyer Benjamin Cabrido, Jr., joined by ecology lawyers Gloria Estanzo-Ramos and Liza Osorio in "filing the case on behalf of the dolphins, toothed whales, porpoises and other cetacean species at Taňon Strait" against Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd (Japex) on December 20, 2007, Cabrido's Birthday.

            Accordingly, the said exploration "lies between the islands of Cebu and Negros" the Taňon Strait which started "late on 2007 until early 2008" causes havoc to the oceans' habitat displacing both the marine life and the fishermen in the area considerably.

            After 8 years of battle in the court, the judges rendered judgment favorable for environmental effect.

            My praises to Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro and the Supreme Court as a whole who penned the high court's decision to nullify "the service contract awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE) to Japex for oil exploration and drilling" as unconstitutional as it violates the Republic Act No. 7586, or the National Integrated  Protected Areas System (Nipas) of 1992.

            Hopefully this might serve as precedence to any future decisions of the high court for environmental cause against mining both in the land and in the sea. Indeed, it's highly commendable to seek progress. But what is prosperity at the expense of our nature. We consumed our natural resources beyond its capacity to restore.

            My warm salute is to Atty. Cabrido, Extanzo-Ramos and Osorio for their unwavering courage to protect the rights of the marine life thus, serving the necessary help of our local fisherman in the area. May your examples encourage other lawyers to protect others' interest first before serving their own.

            God may reward you all the success and prosperity in your career.