Duterte lauds 3 PSG members for passing Bar exams

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has lauded three members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) who passed the 2020/2021 Bar examinations.

Duterte personally congratulated the new lawyers: Capt. Joan Napay, assigned at the PSG Station Hospital, Lt. April Bayabao from the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics and S/Sgt. Byron Angelo Bacud from the Presidential Police Security Force Unit.

The Bar passers were invited by Duterte for a photo opportunity at the Malago clubhouse in Malacañang Park on April 21, PSG spokesman Maj. Zeerah Blanche Lucrecia said yesterday.

Napay said the President shared to them his personal experiences as a lawyer and as a prosecutor.

Duterte urged the new lawyers to read more books on trial techniques and encouraged them to engage in law practice whether in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or in private.

Napay said she is planning to serve in the AFP.

Bacud said he is preparing for his reassignment to the Philippine National Police legal service unit, which provides legal aid to PNP members.

Bayabao said she would continue to serve the people through the AFP.

“Hopefully, while in the AFP, I can practice the profession. I am open to any kind of practice of law. Anyway, there is only one goal, to promote justice and protect the rights of the people,” she said.

A total of 8,241 out of 11,402 examinees passed the Bar exams for a 72.28 percent passing rate, according to the Supreme Court.