TARAKI’S SELF-REVIEW GUIDE FOR THE 2018 BAR EXAM

Prepared by Errol B. Comafay Jr.

Nota Bene: This guide was prepared by someone who has been advising law graduates how to self-review for the bar
exam. Those intending to self-review should have sufficient self-discipline to adhere with this guide. For questions and further
guidance, send e-mail to errol_comafay@yahoo.com.

I. SUGGESTED TECHNIQUE ON WRITING YOUR NOTES

If you are going to self-review, writing your own notes is indispensable. Your note should be handwritten in a notebook, which is
similar to the test booklet. Use a pen similar to the one you intend to use for the bar exam.

1. Read the entire chapter without underlining.

2. Re-read the chapter and underline the words, phrases, and sentences you want to retain in your memory. Underline the topics
which are the usual source of bar questions.
3. Write what you have underlined in your notebook.

(If you are short of time, skip No. 1)

II. SUGGESTED DAILY READING SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE A: For those who are not working

Monday to Friday 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday to Sunday 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

(Devote your Saturday and Sunday mornings for your personal needs.)

SCHEDULE B: For those who are working

Monday to Friday 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.

7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Saturday 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Sunday 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

(Devote Sunday mornings for your personal needs.)

(Those who are working should already be on leave from work starting October. Once on leave, shift to the schedule for non-
working reviewees.)

IV. SEQUENCE OF MATERIALS TO READ PER SUBJECT

First Reading
1. Previous Bar Exam Questions from the past 10 years
- For the purpose of being familiar with the type of questions and the topics which are the usual sources of questions.
- You do not need to answer the questions at this point.

2. Jurisprudence (digested cases)

- The Dean’s Office will provide it.
- I suggest that you read the jurisprudence first before reading your books; you might have no more time to read the jurisprudence
if you read the books first.

3. Books
- See suggested books.
- For TAXATION LAW: Read Revenue Regulations on TRAIN Law and VAT (the Dean’s Office will provide it).

4. Bar Exam Syllabus

- For the purpose of checking if you missed reading any topic.
- Immediately read any missed topic.

5. Previous Bar Exam Questions from the past 5 years

- For the purpose answering it; write your answers in a notebook and monitor the time you spend in answering each bar exam.
- If you are able to answer more than half of the questions, you are self-reviewing properly.

Second Reading
1. Your notes
2. Jurisprudence
3. Codal provisions

V. SUGGESTED SEQUENCE OF SUBJECTS TO BE REVIEWED

AND NUMBER OF DAYS TO BE DEVOTED PER SUBJECT

SCHEDULE A: For those who will start reviewing on May

First Reading
1. Remedial Law – 30 days
2. Legal Ethics – 10 days
3. Mercantile Law – 20 days
4. Criminal Law – 20 days
5. Civil Law – 30 days
6. Taxation Law – 20 days
7. Political Law – 25 days
8. Labor Law – 15 days

Second Reading
1. Labor Law Oct 29 – Oct 31
2. Political Law Nov 1 – Nov 3
3. Taxation Law Nov 5 – Nov 7
4. Civil Law Nov 8 – Nov 10
5. Criminal Law Nov 12 – Nov 14
6. Mercantile Law Nov 15 – Nov 17
7. Legal Ethics Nov 19 – Nov 21
8. Remedial Law Nov 22 – Nov 24

SCHEDULE B: For those who will start reviewing on June

First Reading
1. Remedial Law – 30 days
2. Legal Ethics – 10 days
3. Mercantile Law – 20 days
4. Criminal Law – 15 days
5. Civil Law – 25 days
6. Taxation Law – 15 days
7. Political Law – 20 days
8. Labor Law – 10 days

Second Reading
1. Labor Law Oct 29 – Oct 31
2. Political Law Nov 1 – Nov 3
3. Taxation Law Nov 5 – Nov 7
4. Civil Law Nov 8 – Nov 10
5. Criminal Law Nov 12 – Nov 14
6. Mercantile Law Nov 15 – Nov 17
7. Legal Ethics Nov 19 – Nov 21
8. Remedial Law Nov 22 – Nov 24

VI. SUGGESTED BOOKS PER SUBJECT

1. Labor Law Poquiz (Vol. 1 and 2) or J.G. Chan

and
Ungos (Social Legislation)

2. Political Law Gorospe

and
Cruz (Vol. 2)
and
Nachura

3. Taxation Law Vitug & Acosta

and
Lim

4. Civil Law Rabuya or Aquino or Jurado or Albano

5. Criminal Law Reyes (Vol. 1 and 2) or Festin

and
Sandoval

6. Mercantile Law Villuaneva or Sundiang & Aquino

and
Villanueva-Castro

7. Legal Ethics Agpalo

8. Remedial Law Riano (Bar Review Series)

(You do not have to buy all the books at once. You can request the Dean’s Office to order the book for you.)

VII. SUGGESTED MANNER ON ANSWERING BAR EXAM QUESTIONS

In questions involving hypothetical cases, your answer should have the following three parts:
a. the conclusion,
b. the statement of the rule, and
c. the statement of fact.
The conclusion is your answer to what is being asked.
The statement of the rule pertains to the applicable statute, jurisprudence, principle of law, rules of court, administrative rule, and
others.
The statement of fact refers to the relevant fact and its relationship to the rule.
Each part should be written as one paragraph.
The length of your answer depends on the point assigned to the question. If the question has only 2-points credit, you don’t need
to include a statement of fact. If the question has a 10-points credit, you need to expound on the statement of the rule (e.g. you
might need to state the applicable law and rules of court or jurisprudence.)

When the question is long, read the last portion first so you would immediately know what is being asked. You can write on the
questionnaire, so underline or encircle the essential parts of the questions.

If you did not encounter the question in your review, skip it. Return to the skipped questions after you answered those you are
familiar with. If you are unfamiliar with the question, write down the closest legal concept you can think of.
Example of an Answer to a Short Question
Explain the automatic renewal clause of collective bargaining agreements. (3%) (2008 Bar)
Suggested Answer:
The automatic renewal clause is a provision found in collective bargaining agreements which requires the parties to maintain the
status quo and continue the terms and conditions of the expired agreement until a new one is reached.

Example of an Answer to a Long Question

Nationwide protests have erupted over rising gas prices, including disruptive demonstrations in many universities throughout the
country. The Metro Manila State University, a public university, adopted a university-wide circular prohibiting public mass
demonstrations and rallies within the campus. Offended by the circular, militant students spread word that on the following
Friday, all students were to wear black T-shirts as a symbol of their protest both against high prices and the university ban on
demonstrations. The effort was only moderately successful, with around 30% of the students heeding the call. Nonetheless,
university officials were outraged and compelled the student leaders to explain why they should not be expelled for violating the
circular against demonstrations.
The student leaders approached you for legal advice. They contended that they should not be expelled since they did not violate
the circular, their protest action being neither a demonstration nor a rally since all they did was wear black T-shirts. What would
you advise the students? (6%) (2008 Bar)
Suggested Answer:
I would advise the students to explain to the university officials that they should not be expelled because they did not violate the
school’s circular against demonstrations.
I would further advise them to explain that their act of wearing black T-shirts is a form of symbolic speech and not a mass
demonstration. Symbolic speech is protected by the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech and of expression.
Lastly, I would advise them explain that they should not be punished since their act is protected by the Constitution.

Example of an Answer to a Question with Follow-up

Hubert and Eunice were married in the Philippines. Hubert took graduate studies in New York and met his former girlfriend Eula.
They renewed their friendship and finally decided to get married. The first wife, Eunice, heard about the marriage and secured a
copy of the marriage contract in New York. Eunice filed a case of bigamy against Hubert in the Philippines.
(a) Will the case prosper? Explain. (4%)
(b) If Eunice gave her consent to the second marriage, what will your answer be? Explain. (3%) (2008 Bar)
Suggested Answer:
(a) No, the case of bigamy against Hubert will not prosper.
Under the principle of territoriality, our penal laws are enforceable only within the bounds of the Philippine territory.
Since the second marriage of Hubert was celebrated in New York, he cannot be successfully prosecuted for bigamy in the
Philippines.
(b) My answer would still be the same even if Eunice consented to the second marriage.
The consent of Eunice does not affect the criminal liability of Hubert since bigamy is a public crime.
However, the case of bigamy against Hubert will still not prosper since our penal laws are not enforceable for acts committed
outside the Philippine territory.

VIII. OTHER SUGGESTIONS

1. You should exercise regularly and avoid gaining weight during your review.
2. Take vitamins and other food supplements only when necessary.
3. Eat healthy food. Don’t skip meals.
4. Turn off your phones and other gadgets while you are reading.
5. Disable your social media accounts during the review. Limit the time you spend on the internet.
6. Avoid gossips and don’t interfere with the review of others.
7. Constantly communicate with the Dean’s office for any news or updates.
8. If you are working, inform your superiors that you are reviewing.
9. Explain to your family and friends that you should not be disturbed during your review.
10. Make your handwriting bigger and rounder.
11. Save money by staying at home while you self-review. The money you saved can be used to buy the books you need.