1,913 new lawyers take oath

MANILA, Philippines - The 1,913 law graduates who hurdled last year’s Bar examinations officially became lawyers yesterday after taking their oath before justices of the Supreme Court.

In a ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, the new lawyers were told to live by their vow to protect the Constitution and uphold the rule of law at all times.

Justice Arturo Brion delivered a strongly worded speech and called on the new members of the Bar to fight tyranny as he cited the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, who also attended the event.

“Fighting against tyranny and defending democracy are not, by any measure, easy tasks, for we are not allowed to fight tyranny with the same tools it employs. The oath you took today commands you to fight by upholding the rule of law,” he said.

Brion, who addressed the 2011 Bar passers on behalf of Bar chairman Justice Roberto Abad, said the rule of law “means that every person, of whatever rank, class, or condition, is subject to the laws of the land, particularly the Constitution and its underlying principles, the separation of powers, checks and balances, and, most of all, the observance of due process.”

Brion told the new lawyers they are joining the ranks “amidst trying times.”

“I am sure that you are all aware of the challenges that our Chief Justice is currently facing – challenges that may have polarized the entire nation,” he said.

“I am not here to tell you which side is right and which side is wrong. I will leave that question to your own judgment as professionals skilled in the law and as aware citizens.

“But I mention this present case because it significantly involves the law and the rule of law, and as an example of the challenges you may face to undertake your role as lawyers, especially in these times of searing emotions when tempers are running high. It is especially in these highly charged times that we need to look to the law for guidance, for passion must be tempered with reason.”

Brion said the rule of law “serves to assure the general populace that before the eyes of the law, they will be treated fairly and with consistency”and “ensures the transparent and even-handed application of the laws, and guarantees all individuals the right to assert and defend their rights before the courts.

“Most important of all, the rule of law ensures that the state’s powers are defined and limited by law,” he said.

The rule of law “recognizes and gives no special treatment to any president, cabinet member, legislator, justice or judge” and “recognizes neither the Supreme Court nor the impeachment court as a tribunal higher than the other; both must bow to the supremacy of the Constitution, our highest law,” Brion said.

Successful Bar examinees who have taken their oath become lawyers after signing the Roll of Attorneys.

A total of 1,913 or 31.95 percent out of the 5,987 examinees who took the 2011 Bar examinations passed the first predominant multiple choice question-type tests in the Bar’s 110-year history.

Raoul Angelo Atadero of Ateneo de Manila University topped the 2011 Bar Examinations with a rating of 85.5363 percent.

Justice Abad chaired the 2011 Bar committee. Justice Martin Villarama Jr. will chair this year’s Bar examinations.

The 2011 Bar examinations saw for the first time the use of multiple choice-type questions, which constituted 60 percent of the tests.

This time, examinees are required to write two types of essays: a trial memorandum filed in court and a legal opinion given to a client.

Each essay was graded by a panel of four examiners.

The passing rate for the trial memorandum is 15.47 percent while that for the legal opinion is 50.78 percent, the SC revealed.