Hurdling another kind of bar

Monday, 06 October 2014 14:22

(BY: ATTY. VICENTE R. SOLIS) Two weeks ago on this space I wrote that the final test of the
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will be made at the Supreme Court when an appropriate case is brought
before it for judicial scrutiny by way of a challenge on the validity or constitutionality of the finalized
BBL. The
short piece
was
titled
HURDLING
THE
CONSTITUTIONAL
BAR.
Today I have a few thoughts on hurdling another kind of bar, that which started yesterday at the University of
Sto. Tomas campus in Manila. I refer to the bar examinations administered yearly by the Supreme Court for
those possessed of a law degree and wantingto have the four letters Atty. prefixed to their names. The
examinations, which consist of eight subjects, including Political Law, Labor Law, Civil Law, Taxation,
Mercantile Law, Criminal Law, Remedial Law, and Legal & Judicial Ethics, are held during four consecutive
Sundays of October, with two subjects per test day, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
For this year, there is a total of 6,344 examinees, of which 3,229 are repeaters (or those who had failed in
prior years) and 3,115 first timers. How many of these bar-takers (and re-takers) will become lawyers will
be known only in March next year when the results are released. Incidentally, the passing percentage last
year was only 22% (of 5,292 examinees, only 1,174 made it). Inevitably the question arises, How do you
become
part
of
the
passing
percentage?
How
do
you
hurdle
the
bar?
I faced that same question years back, when, after four years at the Ateneo de Manila in Padre Faura, I took
the bar examinations. In recollection and summary, these are some of the things I did. One, I abandoned the
paralyzing thought of failing, and brainwashed myself that I would pass the examinations in one take (the
effect of reading Peales books on positive thinking in college). Two, I convinced myself that if passing was a
cinch, pulling down the highest possible score would be a viable goal. (I cant possibly deny this. Its every
examinees dream.) Three, I adopted a regimented and spartan life for six months and buried myself in law
books and jurisprudence like never before. (I never counted the hours reading rulings of the Supreme Court.
However, I would hit the sack when absorption level dropped to zero.) Four, without becoming a recluse, I
severed myself from practically all social linkages (hard to do this these days with sms, email, Twitter, and
Facebook), but stayed engaged with a highly supportive family (my father Luis and mother Isabel) at Sta.
Maria. Five, I took care of my health (Chat Shinn forked over all the vitamins I needed to stay in fighting
form). Six, I clung to a method in answering the examination questions, which included time
management (allocating minutes for each question), brevity in answers (never try to impress the examiner
with your citations of the law and case titles) and legibility of handwriting (whats the use if
your answers cant be read?). Seven, after having done all that, I left the rest to the Almighty. On May 4,
1974, or six months after the examinations, I received a call from a national newspaper. The rest is history.
*******
OTRAS COSAS: The ordinance-imposed ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in the city is a signal
achievement of the city council for this year. Definitely, it enhances security and peace of mind in the
community. We dont have to second guess anymore the unnerving loud bangs and booms from oversized
firecrackers during civil and religious festivities. ***** A window of opportunity opens up for Rommel if both
Celso and Beng decide to run for mayor in 2016. The latter two contesting the same office will divide and
crack open the political base and machinery inherited by the congressman directly and the mayor indirectly
from the late Mayor Maria Clara L. Lobregat. ***** The Ateneo high school class of 1964 will celebrate its

golden year during the schools homecoming at LaPurisima this coming December 4-7. The golden blue
eagles may get in touch with batchmate Jules Julian at julianfort2247@yahoo.com or see him at Pasonanca
for details. (PO Box 333, Zamboanga City, solislaw@outlook.ph)