NELSON BORJA: LEGAL LUMINARY
ATTY. NELSON B. BORJA, a widower for 18 years, came from a poor family in Panay, Capiz. During his younger years, he worked at the fishpond and became a truck-helper plying finished products of nipa and other basic commodities between Capiz and Iloilo. He also sold sweepstakes- tickets while studying but then forced to quit his studies due to extreme poverty.
At the age of 19, he went to Manila with life full of uncertainties. He used to sleep at the ringside of then Besa Arena Boxing Stadium (now Metropolitan theater) at Plaza Lawton, Sta. Cruz, Manila where he experienced occasional hunger. It was his townmate Ramon Bosales who saw him through those days. Later, he worked as a laborer at Vitarich Corporation in Bulacan, and then enlisted as private at the PC Special Forces.
While serving as investigator, he went back to college in 1969 as a working-student and obtained a degree of B.S. Criminology at the University of Manila. Despite hardships and financial constraints, he finished Bachelor of Laws in 1978 and passed the Bar Examinations on the same year. He was commended by his Commanding General for being the first Metrocom soldier who hurdled the rigid examinations. From the rank of Technical Sergeant, Borja was called to active duty as 2nd Lieutenant of the Philippine Constabulary until he left the military in 1982 with a reserved rank of Captain in the AFP Judge Advocate General Service.
During his student’s days, Borja was a half-scholar and active student-leader after he was elected President of UM Criminology Student Council in 1972. He was also a recipient of silver and bronze medals as a debater and 2nd placer in Legal Essay Writing Competition. He graduated Advanced PC-ROTC and later Probationary Officers Training Course where he landed No. 6 out of 147 Officers.
As Chief Investigator and Junior Officer of the PC Metrocom, he finished several military and police trainings and schoolings. He was responsible in the solution of high-profile cases and busting of various criminal syndicates engaged in big-time extortions, robberyhold- ups, high-jackings, kidnappings, etc. in Metro Manila, and the apprehension of controversial Margarita Carian who was posing as Malacanang Agent victimizing government officials in her nefarious activities. He was a recipient of four (4) Military Commendation Medals, and several Commendations and Citations from his former Commanding Generals and then PC Chief General Fidel V. Ramos for exemplary performance that earned him the highest nomination for the Most Outstanding Junior Officer of the Year in 1981. He was also assigned legal officer of then PC Judge Advocate (now PNP Legal Service).
The uncompromising stand of Borja against any form of injustice perpetrated by the rich and influential against the lowly, his courageous display in the solution of high-profile cases and his exploits in busting various criminal syndicates are not far-fetched from any true-to-life story of prominent personalities being shown in the movies.
After more than 14 years serving the military with utmost integrity, Borja returned to his private life and started his law practice in 1982 with nothing on hand except the meager amount of P 2,000.00 which at the time he loaned from GSIS. Thus, it was only then he got married to his long-time girlfriend in 1984.
As a lawyer, Borja attended various seminars in law and jurisprudence at the UP Law Center and Quezon City’s Integrated Bar of the Philippines. He was also awarded three plaques of Appreciation by the Rizal-Metro Manila Tri-Media as its Adviser and as one of the incorruptible and true legal practitioners in 1988.
He was responsible for the acquittal of former national swimmer Djila Winebrenner and several foreign nationals for various criminal offenses; the acquittal of former Mr. Philippines Sgt. Ernesto Ybanez for Multiple Murder and whose true-to-life story was shown in the movie “Tirtir Gang” in 1990s.
Borja was also a co-defense counsel of high-profile cases involving controversial PC Col. Rolando Abadilla who was charged and acquitted for various crimes against national security; the defense lawyer of former Negros Provincial Commander Col. Francisco Agudon and 9 others who were exonerated with Multiple Murder; the exoneration of P/Cpl. Jess Remolacio in the celebrated kidnapping and double-murder of Cochise-Beebom Bernabe Castanos; the exoneration of John Mark Doromal in the killing of controversial child-actress “Strawberry”; and co-counsel in the acquittal of controversial Bulacan Mayor Honorato Galvez who was charged in the killing of a La Salle student and wounding of 2 others.
He also served as defense lawyer of the late action star Ace Vergel in a number of criminal and civil cases; QC policeman Elmer Buena who was charged in the murder of his wife whose body was found under the bridge of Marikina river; the successful recovery of Lido Beach Resort against the former Mayor of Noveleta, Cavite; the former Mutya ng Pilipinas 1997 Esabela Cabrera who was divested of her crown and prizes; and several other controversial cases involving prominent personalities.
As part of Christian charity, Borja also extended free legal services to countless poor litigants in their quest for truth and justice. Among those where Atty. Borja also gained prominence was the acquittal by the Supreme Court in 1997 of a fishvendor Fernando Gallera, the first death-convict after the reimposition of Death Penalty Law, and who was charged with rape and robbery. This was preceded with the acquittal by then Judge Maximiano Asuncion after a new trial of Olympia Andres, a poor single-mother from Baguio City who was earlier convicted for transporting of marijuana and sentenced to life imprisonment.
As a criminal lawyer, Borja was a legal-analyst in several TV programs during the promulgation of a former Congressman and the acquittal of first death-convict Fernando Galera; and the issue against the Death Penalty which led to the earlier suspension on the execution of death-convict Leo Echegaray.
On constitutional and political issues, Borja wrote articles for Manila Bulletin on the Concept of Revolutionary Government after President Aquino rose to power in 1986, and the issue of Constitutional Change during the time of President Ramos – that the six-year term limit is too short for a good president but too long for a corrupt one. On several occasions, he was a guest-panelist in different TV programs on conflicting legal and political issues.
Borja also shared his inspiration when he took the responsibility to take care of his loving wife Yvonne who was diagnosed of cancer in 1991. Despite his many setbacks and got widowed, Borja continued to persevere for his then 5-year old son with strong faith in the Lord – and it took him about 3 years to fully recover from grieving a loved one. As a single father, he raised his only son Niel Anthony who excelled in academics, graduating Salutatorian both in elementary and high school at Kostka School in Quezon City. In 2006, Niel graduated Political Science minor in English at the Ateneo de Manila University, and now in his 3rd year at the Ateneo Law School.
At present, Borja has already reached his peak and realized the fruits of his labor as a trial lawyer. He also plans to join politics and being groomed to run for Congressman in the 3rd District of Quezon City where he could make use of his legal expertise and help the less-fortunate. Borja confided the secret of his success through honesty, courage, self-discipline, hardwork, dedication to legal profession and the spiritual values imparted to him by his deeply-religious wife.
But most of all, being a God-fearing, humble and compassionate to the plight of the poor – he being mindful to the motto of his late mother: “MALUOY KA”.
He has a piece of unsolicited advice: “Don’t forget to pray and be a good son or daughter to your parents”. And I hope that my humble beginnings, my perseverance, and professional contributions will serve as an inspiration to others, Borja concluded.
