Atty. Jarel Villaroman Hernal

January 24, 2026 marks my First Anniversary of being a lawyer. As I look back 365 days ago, I am reminded of this question:

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂 𝒍𝒂𝒘𝒚𝒆𝒓?

Most of us give the same answer. We say it is to help people.

On January 24, 2025, that answer stopped being a script and became a calling. I did not wait around for the ink to dry on the Roll of Attorneys. One week after taking my oath, I was already standing in litigation, brushing up on everything from law school and bar review while the fire was already hot.

This first year has been a masterclass in humanity.
I have stood beside victims of abuse in pro bono cases and fought for the wrongly accused in high-stakes criminal trials. I have balanced labor cases for both employers and employees while navigating the intricacies of corporate disputes. I secured a victory in my first stint as an election lawyer for a mayoral candidate and stood before a national TV audience to discuss flood issues affecting our country.

From speaking for the DOJ and IBP about the duties of public officials to giving free legal consultations in the rain during Katarungan Caravans, the work has been constant and the lessons have been deep.

It has been exhausting. It has been humbling.

There are wins and there are losses. However, I have realized that it is always a victory when you never stop learning. To anyone dreaming of that “𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒚.” prefix, understand that it is not a title. It is a tool.

When the Supreme Court deems you 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒚 to 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒘, you do not squander it. You make the most out of it.

You return to the reason you started this journey in the first place.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆.

𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢 𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐤𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚 𝐤𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞. 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐬, 𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐚, 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐤 𝐧𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐚𝐧.

Bilang kinatawan ng bayan ng Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija, dumalo ako sa isang Comprehensive Course on Mediation na isinagawa ng Department of Justice Action Center (DOJAC) at Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR).

Ang kursong ito ay pinangungunahan ng mga DOJ Undersecretaries Raul Vasquez at Margarita Gutierrez, kasama si Program Director Joan Guevarra ng DOJAC.

Layunin ng training na palawakin ang kaalaman sa mediation, negotiation, at arbitration bilang mga alternatibong paraan sa pagresolba ng alitan, nang hindi agad kinakalangang dumaan sa korte.

Para sa ating mga kababayan, ito ay hakbang upang mailapit ang hustisya sa tao sa pamamagitan ng maayos na pag-uusap, makatarungang kasunduan, at solusyong abot-kamay para sa bawat pamilya, negosyo, at komunidad.

Happy Father’s Day, Pa!

You’ve always been more than just a doctor. You’ve been the standard. Integrity, hard work, and strength. You use your voice to make an impact, not for noise but for meaning. Thank you for showing us what it means to live with purpose and serve with heart. We’re proud to be your sons.