The adventure of a lifetime for 3,992 young men and women ultimately came to an end as they took their oath as the country’s newest lawyers in ceremonies held Tuesday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City under the auspices of the Supreme Court (SC).
The SC administered the oath to the first batch of passers of the 2022 Bar examinations who recited their solemn pledge under the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).
For its part, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) exhorted its new members to uphold the integrity and the ethics of the legal profession.
The High Tribunal held a special en banc session for the ceremony while family members and guests of the inductees viewed the proceedings via live stream at the Reception Hall, as well as in Fora 1, 2, and 3. The signing of the Roll of Attorneys was held at the Reception Hall in the afternoon.
A total of 3,992 out of the 9,183 who completed all the tests during the four days of the exams passed the 2022 Bar Examinations, constituting a passing rate of 43.47 percent.
SC Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, chairman of the 2022 Bar exams, underscored the importance of being “critical thinkers, as well as articulate advocates” to the newly minted lawyers.
Caguioa added that “their courage must be so fueled by love – of country, of the law, of others – that their resolve to fight on becomes unshakeable, with their conviction running deep, but their love and compassion running deeper still.”
“Good lawyers must know that there truly are heavenly proportions to the toil that we do on this side of life, and in so knowing are moved to submit to Him every outcome, even as we must presently apply ourselves to approximating, albeit faintly, what peace and justice on the other side of eternity can look like in the here and now,” he said.
“Let this imprint be upon you, dear 2022 bar passers, let it be what defines you: a good lawyer, in the truest sense of the word. I hope you will remember the passwords, and the meanings behind them. Take them to heart as you go off to become the best lawyers you are all meant to be,” he emphasized.
The magistrate revealed that the passwords in the eight subjects of the Bar exams were personal to him and not just random quotes. The passwords “describe not just the short journey of an examinee called the Bar exams, but they also depict the long journey you, as a successful bar passer, will take in the practice and love of the law.”
Among these passwords were “Use your little grey cells,” “Dream the Impossible Dream,” ”One day more,” and I have fought the good fight” which were taken from lines of fictional detective characters ormusicals, as well as a verse from the Bible which had personal meaning to Justice Caguioa.
“One day more,” taken from the musical Les Miserables, is an expression of hope for things to change for everyone.
Caguioa said the musical’s underlying theme is love which he said should also be the underlying theme of the Bar passers’ career as lawyers – love of country and fellow man and love for the rule of law.
For his part, incoming 2023 Bar chairman Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando reminded the new lawyers to “aim to be a lawyer of good repute throughout your professional life, keep your feet on the ground, and excel responsibly.”
With the recently approved CPRA, Justice Hernando also encouraged them to use social media responsibly and to work free of charge “at least 1,000 times” in their professional lifetime.
Justice Hernando likewise implored them to “never tarnish the image of the legal profession directly or indirectly, in person or online” and to love and defend the country.
The 2022 Bar examinations were held on November 9, 13, 16 and 20, 2022 in 14 local testing centers spread out across the National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It was the 120th professional licensure tests conducted for Philippine lawyers.
Czar Matthew Gerard Torres Dayday, a graduate of University of the Philippines, topped the tests with the highest over-all rating of 88.8083 percent.
The Court also recognized the top performing law schools, with the ratings of the law schools were grouped per category (based on number of Bar candidates) and with a distinction of the ratings covering all Bar candidates and the ratings covering only first-takers.
On the first day of the Examinations on November 9, 2022, 9,207 candidates completed the exams on Political Law and International Law (with related Tax Principles) and Labor Law. On the second day, November 13, 2022, 9,196 candidates completed the tests on Criminal Law (and Practical Exercises) and Commercial Law while on the third day, November 16, 2022, 9,190 examinees finished the tests on Civil Law I and Civil Law II (and Practical Exercises). The fourth day of the examinations on November 20, 2022 saw 9,183 examinees taking the tests on Remedial Law I and Remedial Law II (with Basic Tax Remedies) and Legal Ethics
The 2022 Bar Examinations adopted a three-examiner policy. The examiners were: former Commission on Audit and Current Philippine Competition Commission Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo, Prof. Dante B. Gatmaytan, and Prof. Reynaldo G. Lopez (Political and International Law with related tax principles); Prof. Luisito V. Liban, Prof. Marlon J. Manuel, and Atty. Divinagracia S. San Juan (Labor Law); Regional Trial Court Judge Augusto Jose Y. Arreza (ret.), Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Carlito Calpatura, Prof. Giovanni Vallente (Criminal Law and practical exercises); Former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairperson Teresita J. Herbosa, Atty. Jose Perpetuo M. Lotilla, and Prof. Maria Zarah R. Villanueva- Castro (Commercial Law); Prof. Hector M. de Leon, Jr., Prof. Avelino M. Sebastian, Jr., and Prof. Amparita S. Sta. Maria (Civil Law I); Prof. Joan A. De Venecia-Fabul, Land Registration Authority Deputy Administrator Robert Nomar V. Leyretana, and CA Justice Jose Lorenzo R. dela Rosa (Civil Law II and practical exercises); Prof. Victoria A. Avena, Sandiganbayan Justice Michael Frederick L. Musngi, and CA Justice Wilhelmina B. Jorge-Wagan (Remedial Law I); Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe (ret.), Atty. Rodolfo Ma. A. Ponferrada, and Atty. Jesus Paolo U. Protacio (Remedial Law II with basic tax remedies and Legal Ethics)
After the oath-taking, the inductees signed the Roll of Attorneys, the official list of lawyers in the country.
In a statement, the IBP said the lawyers have “a duty to uphold the law and promote justice for all.”
“With that in mind, we entreat you to always act with integrity and live ethically, even in difficult situations,” the IBP said.
“The legal profession is not for the faint-hearted, nor is it for the morally decrepit. It requires honesty, integrity, and an undying commitment to serving the greater good,” it added.
“After years of sacrifice, prayers, and countless sleepless nights, you are now all representatives of the legal profession, and your actions and words will reflect on the reputation of the entire legal community.”
The lawyers group admonished the new lawyers to “never forget the true purpose of being a lawyer–to give everyone their due, to allow everyone their day in court, and to empower those who have less in life, for this has always been the defining characteristic of justice and the spirit of our laws.”
It pointed out that as lawyers, they will “face many challenges along the way.” However, it urged them “to always stay true to your values and principles.”
“Most of all, may you never forget the true purpose of being a lawyer–to give everyone their due, to allow everyone their day in court, and to empower those who have less in life, for this has always been the defining characteristic of justice and the spirit of our laws,” the IBP said.