One of the most awaited news this summer is the result of the Bar Examinations conducted by the Supreme Court last year. Many still look up to the law profession and it is believed that the Bar examinations is the toughest qualifying examinations in the Philippines. This place of the law profession in our society is reinforced by the fact that many of our public officials are lawyers so much so that it is virtually a requirement for entering public office. Many look up to lawyers but most do not know the difficult process that they have gone through just to be entitled to exercise this noble profession.
Law School
The process of hurdling the Bar begins at law school and before entering law school one has to be a graduate of a four-year course. Beginning this year however, passing the PhilSAT will be required for those intending to enter law school. This is supposed to address the problem of having too many bar flunkers by making sure that those who enter law school are at least found to be prepared to pursue the profession. In school, law students are made to read laws, rules, Supreme Court decisions, annotated books and are required to memorize important provisions. Recitations are common making students tremble out of fear and embarrassment. Of course, if the student did not read the required case he will most likely suffer the humiliation of saying “pass” to avoid further embarrassment of giving invented answers. To most law students, obtaining high grades is not so important because passing the bar is the ultimate goal. This was also my excuse for not getting impressive grades.
Preparing for the Bar
Graduating from law school is not the end. In fact it it the beginning of “calvary”. Right after graduation, preparations will be made for the application to take the bar. There was an instance where a candidate was not able to take the examinations because of some inconsistencies in his certificate of live birth. He no longer pursued his application because the name he used is totally different from what was contained in his certificate of live birth. Intensive review usually precedes the examination. There are review schools who offer daily 8-5 review classes while others are conducted on weekends only while some enroll in on-line review classes. In just a period of 5-6 months, the candidate goes through all the laws, rules, and cases he studied for the past four years. Psychologically, the candidate is burdened by the pressure whether actual or perceived, from his family, friends, community, and school. This ordeal is too much for some that they suffer mental breakdown. There is always the thought of embarrassment if he flunks. This is the heaviest of all. But for me, this was not the one that bothered me most. What was running through my mind was the thought that I wouldn’t want to go through the whole process all over again in case I failed. When I learned that I passed, it was as if I was walking on air and my feet did not touch the ground for at least one year. I could not imagine or approximate what the bar examinees are going through right now but I wish them well. I salute you for going through a very tough process. God bless!
