No Other Substitute

The bar examinations, while it maintained its flamboyant style for almost a hundred years, is not immune from the demands of the changing need of time. The Supreme Court over the past two years instituted abrupt changes to the bar examination which may have referred to as one of the most difficult examinations in the world and probably, the greatest  and rigorous ordeal a man has to take. It is the view of Justice Abad to test the examinees of the basic knowledge in law that is required for an entry level lawyer. Thus, the 2011 bar examination catered a multiple choice questions in all major fields of the study of law and dealt with opinion-making and trial memorandum, a total departure from the essay type examination. To polish, perhaps, the success of the previous bar examination, the head of the 2012 bar committee initiated, as in fact it adapted, few changes when it added the essay type examination.

There is no mistake that an examinee will inevitably face four classes of test, viz: multiple choice question; essay type examination; opinion-making; and trial memorandum. In addition to the degree of difficulty in the bar, despite its syllabus, are the ever-changing doctrines of the Supreme Court and the multifarious statutes promulgated by the law-making authorities.  Nevertheless, a law student is not expected to do a miracle- memory of all laws. Regardless, however, of the development in passing the bar, there can never be any other substitute in preparing for the bar than reading. As it has been the mantra of law professors, since time immemorial, that law is a reading profession and that the preparation for the bar starts at the very first day of class.

Hence, membership in the legal profession is not a sweet walk over the gates of UST neither an effortless seat during the four Sundays of the bar. It is achieved on the merits of a long and laborious study taken together with faith and prayer. Ultimately, it is not luck but a product of hard work and splendid dedication. The bar examination is not only a formality whether one is fit to be in the roll of attorneys but, rather, it is a test of whether one can now do justice to every man.