DoTr Usec Reinier Yebra on a bar topnotcher’s fate in public service, a legal system that pro-techs, and how the laws of society– prevent a loss of society.

Eighty-Four Point Eight Percent

“I was eating in Katipunan with my friends and my mom called,” Atty Reinier Yebra recalls. “I thought she was joking.” Reinier  only believed his mother when she talked of the 2009 bar examination results being all over national television. Now, more than a decade later, Reinier’s reputation as a bar topnotcher still precedes him.

San Beda University (then San Beda College) has not had a topnotcher since 1967 until Atty. Yebra’s stunning feat. Conquering the notoriously difficult bar exams, Reinier emerged on top with an 84.8% rating. San Beda celebrated their first topnotcher in decades, who also happened to be their class valedictorian. Indeed, despite his disbelief, the eldest Yebra was no stranger to academic excellence. Reinier, however, feels that his introduction as a topnotcher is already dated. “I feel like I’ve done more important things since topping the bar,” he explains.

“Sir Arthur Tugade offered to sponsor my studies in the US before he became Secretary for the Department of Transportation,” reveals Atty Yebra, “I thanked him for his generosity, but told him I had to find my own way.” Reinier successfully obtained his Master of Laws degree in Columbia University in 2015 as a Fulbright scholar.

With his stellar track record, Reinier received lucrative offers abroad, giving him an opportunity of becoming how most imagine lawyers are: highly-paid fast-talkers living the glamorous life. With their designer suits as armor, lawyers could be seen as modern knights who live for and champion large corporations’ interests in and out of the courtroom.

But Reinier flew back to the Philippines. Secretary Tugade again got in touch with the newly minted Columbia graduate. This 9time, Atty Yebra accepted. Asked by the secretary what made him change his mind, Reinier remembers replying, “I’m not working for money; I’m working for the people.”

As a government lawyer, Reinier appears quite understated. Sporting a no-nonsense crewcut, Atty. Yebra minds his lawsuits more than suits. And now, as Department of Transportation Undersecretary, he is far more worried about how millions of Filipino commuters can get to their destinations efficiently and safely.

“Topping the bar was something I did for myself. The work I have now—public service—is something I’m doing for others,” Atty. Yebra continued.

The Best of Interests

It is ironic that what the public would likely consider as uninteresting often concerns  their best interests.

Atty. Yebra started his career minding the minutiae of public coffers. Tax laws and finances rarely excite or intrigue, but the fiscal management of the bureaucracy is something which Atty. Yebra feels does the most good for the most people—the goal of public service. “Both my parents were in public service,” he shares. “My dad was in the military, then joined the police force. My mom was a teacher and later, dean. I grew up thinking that one should use one’s talents to help the country—our fellowmen.”

At the Department of Transportation, the usual office work—review of contracts and other documents, meetings with the public, hearings—starts at nine a.m. Internal meetings start at seven a.m. “I wake up at around five or six a.m. At  six p.m., the Secretary usually calls us in to discuss projects and plans.” Weekends are for department-wide town halls. ”The Secretary welcomes opinions from everyone,“ Undersecretary Yebra adds. “Our secretary is a strong-willed man of action, and has been an achiever all his life. And he expects everyone to keep pace. His work ethic is an inspiration. It encourages deep commitment.”

Under such a driven boss, Atty. Yebra has been on his toes since he assumed office in the transport department. “Secretary Tugade is a very hardworking man—once he asks for something he’s assigned to you, you’re already late. He isn’t into ‘talk talk talk,’” Reinier alludes to this administration’s Build Build Build program “The Secretary wants to ‘act act act,’ or Build Build Build.” With this commitment, Undersecretary Yebra helms the legal affairs of the Department of Transportation.

Atty. Yebra serves wherever he is called, always looking out for opportunities to help craft laws for society that prevent a loss of society. He personally advocates for healthcare and social equality, and he understands that technology plays a crucial role in the future rule of law.

A Legal System That Pro-Techs

Before the pandemic, Reinier’s team would often go out to meet stakeholders. “Nowadays, everything is done via Zoom.” He excitedly adds, “And actually, that makes the system work faster.”

Having studied in the United States, Atty. Yebra marveled at the ease and convenience their justice system. “Everything is cashless. Most things are done via the computer,” he says. “But we are slowly catching up.” Online systems like Gcash and Paymaya have accelerated progress towards a post-COVID world —“And the same can be applied to court hearings!” He looks forward to a time where that most dreaded of cause of court delays becomes a thing of the past. “There is no way someone can keep declaring ‘postponements’ when they can attend from the convenience of their own home,” he reasons.

“But lawyers love hearings,” Reinier laughs. “It’s a chance for us to express ourselves, dress the part and play the role of the patron’s champion in the gladiatorial arena of the courtroom.” Looks can show the client (and the other party) what they paid for; online hearings prevent this. But Atty Yebra, as someone who strives for objectivity at all times, takes this as a good thing.

At a press conference on the filing of charges against the previous administration for apparent anomalies, Atty Yebra avoided dramatic declarations and stuck with the facts. “I present facts as clearly as I can. It’s then up to the Ombudsman and the courts to decide.” He sees this as the best way to quickly gain experience for a time when he perhaps pursues a career in the judiciary. But until then, it’s a life of unending work in the Executive, even at home.

Order in the Home Court

“I actually find it really hard to take a day off to relax,” Atty. Yebra admits. “It’s as if I am missing out and can still do something.” In the rare occasions where Reinier finds the time to relax, he considers eight straight hours of sleep as the ultimate pleasure. He lifts weights to address a repetitive stress injury to his spine, and dives deep into books. “I read Malcolm Gladwell, Robert Greene, and Mark Manson,” he says. “I am also a student of history.”

With some of his published work revolving around World War II, he reveals (at the risk of controversy) that if given the chance to speak to anyone from history,  Reinier would choose Hitler. “He was a horrific example of hatred and bigotry. I want to understand where he was coming from, to address these problems—ones that persist even today.”

With less than a year left in the current administration’s term, Atty Yebra now also looks forward to serving the public further. Whether that be through staying in the public transport sector, navigating the halls of government, or leading a microfinance NGO, he is certain that his purpose is to make easier the journey of people from all walks of life.

—alike.com.ph

Real stories. Real people.

We believe that life isn’t about a binary of ones and zeros – but about the sum of our hopes and dreams, our struggles and heartaches, our tragedies and triumphs.

The things that unite us are far stronger than the things that divide us.

And those stories are why we are alike