"It is but proper and fitting that this Court commend the unfaltering and very able assistance rendered to the accused, seen from the excellent presentation made of his case, particularly by his defense counsel, Atty. Abelardo L. Aportadera, Jr., of Davao City, who unstintedly and magnanimously contributed his legal talents and efforts in the hope that justice may ultimately prevail." X X X
Supreme Court Decision in 'People of the Philippines - versus- Lucio Lumayok' G.R. No. L-54016
Atty. Abelardo "Billy" L. Aportadera, Jr., was born in Davao City and studied there until he finished high school at the Ateneo de Davao University. He entered Ateneo de Manila University for his college education and took up AB Behavioral Science while enjoying a university scholarship. He then went home to Davao City and decided to take up law to follow his father's footstep. He enrolled at Ateneo de Davao University, his Alma Mater and graduated with honors. Ten years afterwards, at Columbia University in New York, he received a scholarship for Master of Laws.
His father Judge Aportadera, Sr. must have inspired him a lot for Atty. Billy speaks of his father with fondness and expresses deep gratitude to him as he relates how his father encouraged him to do his very best as a student of law and later gave him tips on how to successfully defend his clients in court.
There's no doubt that as a practicing lawyer, Atty. Billy was brilliant, hardworking and a compassionate defender. In fact, the Supreme Court gave him a rare commendation in its decision in the case of People of the Philippines -vis- Lucio Lumayok citing that: "It is but proper and fitting that this court commend the unfaltering and very able assistance rendered to the accused, even from the excellent presentation made of his case, particularly by his defense counsel, Atty. Abelardo L. Aportadera, Jr. of Davao City who unsatiatedly and magnanimously contributed his legal talents and efforts in the hope that justice may ultimately prevail".