What does it mean to fight for fairness
in a world where justice can feel out of reach? This is the question at the
heart of They Will Be in Heaven Before
the Devil Knows, the gripping new novel by Dean Amado D. Valdez, published by C&E Publishing, Inc.
In the novel, the law is not just a profession—it is a battlefield. Lawyers fight against corruption and abuse of power in the very institutions meant to uphold justice. Its explosive opening, an attack targeting the Chief Justice, sets the tone for a high-stakes story where justice and injustice are locked in relentless struggle.
But beneath the legal battles lies a
deeply human story. The novel reflects the bounds of family, the weight of
fatherhood, and the unbreakable ties of brotherhood and sisterhood among those
who share the calling of the law. Real-life tensions—ambition and integrity,
vengeance and forgiveness—form the emotional backbone of a narrative that is as
much an indictment of systemic flaws as it is a testament to courage,
redemption, and the enduring power of justice.
Valdez, a former dean of the University
of the East College of Law, drew from hard realities faced by lawyers and
ordinary citizens alike. The result is a work of Philippine legal fiction that
dares the readers to question, reflect, and act, not only as lawyers and
students of the law but also as citizens who believe justice must remain a
living, breathing mission.
The book was formally launched recently
at Conrad Manila, where legal luminaries, Rotarians, and members of the
publishing community gathered for a timely conversation on injustice. A panel
discussion led by Justice Solomon
Hermosura, Atty. Jordan Pizarras,
Atty. Citos Manalaysay, and
Integrated Bar of the Philippines President Atty. Allan G. Panolong, with Atty.
Teddy Kalaw as moderator, underscored the continuing need for vigilance in
upholding fairness in Philippine society.
In his message, Eric G. Eugenio, Director of C&E Publishing, emphasized the
role of literature in sparking dialogue: “Every book we bring to the public is
a commitment—to ideas that challenge, to stories that matter, and to truths
that must be heard.”
They
Will Be in Heaven Before the Devil Knows was also
featured at the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), the longest-running and
largest book fair in the Philippines, and is now available through www.cebookshop.com, C&E Publishing’s
e-commerce platforms, and at C&E Bookshop branches nationwide.
Like this post? Subscribe to Manila Life by Email
