Lawyer's Mumbo Jumbo

PHRASE: Ad cautelam ex superabundanti

MEANING: It is often used in legal contexts by the accused to indicate that extra precautions are being taken to ensure something is done correctly or to avoid any potential problems in the future. 

"Ad cautelam" is a legal term, typically used in court filings, meaning "out of abundant caution" or "just to be safe." It indicates that the person rebuked or impugned is taking a certain action, such as filing an answer, not because they believe it's strictly necessary, but to avoid any potential disadvantage or waiver of rights later in the case, essentially covering all bases. 

Think of it as a preventative measure. For example, if a party is unsure whether a particular legal argument is necessary, they might raise it "ad cautelam" to ensure it's preserved for consideration by the court, even if they don't strongly believe in its validity at that stage. 

EXAMPLE: Vice President Sara Duterte submitted an Answer Ad Cautelam, saying the impeachment case against her should be dismissed for "violating the one-year bar rule" of the 1987 Constitution. 

The 16 lawyers of VP Inday also made an appearance ad cautelam.  It is a legal maneuver where Inday and her lawyers appear in a case, not to admit guilt or liability but to protect their interests and ensure they are kept informed of the proceedings that might affect them. It is a precautionary measure allowing participation without formally joining the case.