JUDGE BOB!

March 8, 2025 Opinion

In his life, Bob yearned for three things: First, to be a lawyer for his people, second to be a good husband and father
and third, which was more practical, to just enjoy life. And so it was that Robert R. Mabalot, a son of a great Pangasinense was born and raised in Alaminos of parents Mauricio S. Mabalot, Sr.- and Josefa R. Mabalot, He then came up to Baguio for college and law while working at the Bank of Philippine Islands, Harrison Branch. After
banking hours, he would hop-in in his green Volkswagen beetle and proceed to SLU Law.

Of course after class was happy hour at Macabalo’s Bar in GenLuna or Chicken House of Manang Naty in Session Road. Along the way, he met my classmate Jane Dominguez-Buclay and fell heads over heels in love with her. Together they established their family amidst the shrubs and trees of the City with their four beautiful children
Adelyn, Medical graduate, Roberto Jr. or Bobby, lawyer and Trade Vice Consul based in Hongkong, Adelaide who came home from Canada to be a Prosecutor in San Carlos City, Pangasinan and of course the very special Robin Josef.

After passing the Bar in 1986, he joined the office of the legendary former Provincial Fiscal Albert Caoili and together with STAR Lawyers-Jovito Sab-it, Lee Tadeo, myself and Tom Rufino and friends George Florendo, Nick Moran and the rest became part of the original Mandarin Boys. He had a lucrative practice in 1986, difficult at times but together
with Jane’s businesses apartments in San Luis, fleet taxicabs, they were able to raise their children in comfort. He
devoted good practice in Transport and Franchising field.

In 2006 tragedy struck the family when the eldest Adelyn, who was about to graduate from medical school fell ill and
succumb. He kept the pain of losing her to himself. The family was devastated and worked hard to move-on,
keeping her in their memory, heart and soul forever. A die-hard founder of the Guardians, he metamorphosized his legal career not only in the judiciary but also in the Academe as he taught at the University of Baguio College of Law. He had earlier tried politics in his hometown, taking a cue from bar-review-housemate Elmer Datuin but his overly generous habit and the voters’ fickle mindedness put an end to this dream.

When he was turned down, forgiving as he is, he never blamed the voters for their shortsightedness. He would have been the best public servant, their loss not his. In January, 2007 Bob was appointed by the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Presiding Judge of the Municipal Trial Court of Baguio, Branch I. He devoted a passion for dispensing justice in its truest sense. Aside from his reputation as a gentleman of leisure though, he was a deeply
sensitive, warm and forgiving human being.

Sometimes he was misunderstood though he gave his law career the respect it deserved as a profession of the wise surrounded by many fools where gibberish could be mistaken for logic, a glib tongue for brains and connections in
higher places for success. Unlike the rest of other lawyers Bob was marching to the beat of a different drummer, and he was in step and they were out. In court was known to dispose of his pending cases swiftly. He was contemptuous
of people pretending to be brilliant or those who try to put one over another.

He however never snickered at the fumblings of lesser skilled colleagues. Oftentimes he lacked tact but he never lacked wit. He took his job as Judge with his feet squarely placed on the ground. There never was any instance when one would fear bias or injustice in his decisions because he was fiercely honest, thorough. He weeded out corruption in the judiciary when he stopped employees from the using time, resources and facilities of government for a photo
business. He had an appetite for good food, coffee and booze, games and enjoyed the company of select friends and
family whom he has brought to Europe, Asia and everywhere.

His siblings- Mario, Venus, Mauricio, Bob, Adelm(+) looked up to him as a firm but loving ‘kabsat’ who always
looked out after them. Like all of us here in this earth, Bob was not perfect and had his frailities and he had his
weaknesses but he was a good man. He retired from the service yesterday March 8, 2025 after 18 years of distinguished service. He now has more time to be with family who were part of the sacrifice Enjoy life Apo Bob, hum the old traditional Pangasinan love song…”Nalinac lay labi oras lay mareen; Mapalpal nay dagem catecep toy linaew;
Samit day cogip co binangonan con tampol; Lapud say linggas o sican sica’y amamaywen; Lalo la bilay no sicala’y
manengneng; Napunas lan amin so ermenya acbibiten; No nanunutan colay samit day ugalim; Agtaca na lingwanan
Anggad cauyos la bilay- “”Peaceful night, quiet hours; Gentle is the wind mixed with dew; Sweet was my dream, and
once I awoke; My heart insisted that I caress you; Especially of you, sweetheart, I behold That all the sorrows I heard are gone; If I remember the sweetness of your actions; I will not forget you Until life ends! Sweet to no end.….Sigh!