Justice chief cheated in law school
By TheAdvocate
@TheAdvocate (2392)
Philippines
April 26, 2010 7:34pm CST
PCIJ dug up dirt on the embattled Justice chief Al Agra. They say that he cheated in law school in one of his subjects. He and six of his classmates were accused of cheating in Wills and Succession. But unfortunately, he became the fall guy for the group. He was the only one who owned up to it, and he had to re-take the subject. His friends came from influential families, one was allegedly a senator's son.
The report also speculated that he might be doing this for her daughter's tennis career, who is supposedly the beneficiary of government grants and scholarships.
What do you think? Do you think that Acting Secretary Al Agra has a history of being a fall guy? Is he GMA's fall guy this time? Or is it something deeper than that?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
I cannot accept that. You would call me self-righteous but I never cheated. My daughters as well. And my brothers. And my sisters. We were taught to study and we did. Why would we resort to cheating. There are so many students, friends of my children, who burn the midnight oil, just to perfect exams. They never cheated. And they are called scholars. They do their best to excel so that one day they could be really be worthy of their profession.
The problem with many students is they think they are in or they are smart when they cheat. That is why they are not really studying. Truth is, they are indolent and pathetic.
I am waiting for your first cashout... Now, I wish you are true to your word.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
29 Apr 10
You may have to share the cashout with me. I was lucky that I always had friends who frowned on cheating, and so it never occurred to me to copy. My mother was adamant that she would rather see me fail than cheat. She said that even if I was not caught, I would know. I would feel that I do not deserve any grade that I would get and my conscience would always bother me. Plus, God always knows. So why even try when Big Brother is watching?
@markleob (1902)
• Philippines
29 Apr 10
hmmm dont be so hypocrite to tell me that you havent even tried cheating.. i wont bet if i know i will loose...
you are not God... even simple questions to a classmate, copying assignment could be considered cheating...
all of the children have cheated their parents when lying... much more when a child is in her/his adolescent stage.. he/she will cheats her/his parents to keep secrets about her/his love matters....
nobody could go away from cheating..
hahahahaha lol
peace....
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
dear theadvocate,
it is very difficult to be caught in the middle. he is now tagged as the most hated person in the philippines because of his decision on the maguindanao massacre. 
many speculation will come out but he is hanging there. 
happy mylotting.
ann
many speculation will come out but he is hanging there.
happy mylotting.
ann@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
2 May 10
That's right, and the stakes are just high for him. If he resolves in favor of the Ampatuans, he will surely be mobbed, as he was. If he denies the petition of the Ampatuans, well, we know that there will be serious political consequences for him, one that he is not willing to face.
1 person likes this
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
It seems that he has been doing such deals ever since he was a kid. They say that we should always give people the benefit of the doubt. But it seems with this latest information on Agra, it only shows his character and morals that he will do anything and everything as long as he gets something bigger out of it. It can be argued that he took all the blame for the cheating and retook the subject so as to erase whatever doubts there might be. But his decision on the Ampatuan case in my opinion is causing him more destruction because his family is being dragged into the matter.
If I were Agra, no matter how much GMA promised in terms of money and power, I would still think things over. He has let himself be used by the most corrupt government official in our land and if he feels hurt that his daughter is being dragged over the issue, well serves him right. He should have foreseen this that people will be angry and will scrutinized his life.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
I would probably do the same, plus after announcing the reversal, I will point my finger at GMA then run for cover in the USA. At this stage there is just no way to salvage his reputation. Assuming that he is telling the truth and that was truly what he believed in legally, it only goes to show that he needs to go back to law school. I have not heard of any lawyer defending his position. They all say that he committed a basic legal blunder. How shameful to find out after 20 years of practicing.
On the other hand, if he refuses to budge, then people will just think that he was paid. Since he is caught between a rock and a hard place, he might as well abandon ship. Anyway, GMA has not stood up (or if she is nobody can see) for him.
@jlamela (4897)
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
I pitied with Secretary Agra because he is now caught in the middle. In this very high profile case I don't think he will do such drastic move to clear the Ampatuans, considering that people will be furious when they would be acquitted, without the blessing from the CHIEF EXECUTIVE. Of course it is very hard to accused of any conspiracy or that he is being dictated. I just pitied on him for this unfortunate turn of events. Hope everything will be resolved and the Maguindanao Massacre victims will be given justice.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
That's true, he has put himself in a catch-22 situation now. It's a damned if you do, damned if don't situation. If he decides to uphold his own resolution given all the outcry, it will come to a point where he might just be mobbed. His family will be the subject of ridicule, and his name and reputation will be forever sullied. If he does reverse his decision, GMA or whoever influenced him to issue that resolution will surely descend upon him. I don't envy his position.
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
If that is true, then things has a way of unraveling what we have done in the past. Crime never pays, and if the punishment does not come in one's lifetime, then be assured it will be on the next. Honesty is always the best policy. Abide by it. In Agra's case, he is caught in a hamartia. Too bad. But it is never too late to redeem himself. As of last night though, he is still adamant!
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
29 Apr 10
Hey, I seem to learn something from you always. I had to look up hamartia in a dictionary. :)
For me, it's just karma. I read in the paper that Sec. Agra denied that he cheated. Says he was cleared. Okay, so why did he take the class again? I cannot believe that caught in a lie, he continues to roll in it.
@Saranggola (956)
• Philippines
29 Apr 10
If he really is for justice, no matter how pressured at all circumstances, he wouldn't let injustice prevail.
