Rule 1

Singular Subject requires a singular verb

Subject- Person, Place, Idea, Doer of action, something is being said about it

Verb- action, state of being,occurrence,tells us what the subject is doing

Linking Verb it links the subject to a statement about it

When a PERSON QUESTIONS the constitutionality of a statute, the BURDEN OF

PROOF RESTS upon him.

ROBERT still HAS one year before PRESCRIPTION ARISES.

Rule 2
A plural subject requires a plural verb
The GROUNDS raised by the petitioner in challenging the constitutionality of the law
STAND to fall.

EXTRADITION CASES as held by the Supreme Court, ARE sui generis.

Rule 3

A singular subject requires a singular verb even if there is a prepositional phrase with a
plural object between them

Prepositional phrase begins in a preposition and ends with an object which is usually a
noun

Of, at, from, in, on, with

The LIST ( of voters) contains 3000 names.

---Disregard prepositional phrase---

The PRESCRIPTION ( of actions) IS interrupted when they are files before the court.

A MEETING ( of the minds) EXISTS when there is acceptance of the offer.

The RIGHT TO PRIVACY ( like all other rights) IS not absolute.

In a conditional sale,the TITLE ( to the goods) REMAINS with the seller until certain
conditions are met.
Rule 4

A singular subject requires a singular verb even if there is a relative clause with a plural
object between them

that, which, whose, where, when

The BUY- BUST OPERATION ( that resulted in the arrest of several drug dealers) WAS
a success.

RICHARD, ( who is one of the prosecutors), was absent at the hearing.

Rule 5

A singular subject takes a singular verb even if there is a phrase beginning with "as well
as", "along with", or "together with" that has a different number between them

SEPARATION PAY , ( as well as attorney fees), WAS granted by the Labor Arbiter.

THOMAS, ( along with his accomplices) , WAS arraigned last week.

NATHAN'S TESTIMONY , ( taken together with the other evidence on record) ,

LEAVES no room for doubt that the accused is guilty as charged.

Rule 6
The indefinite pronouns "each" and "neither"require Singular verbs even when they are
dollowed by a prepositional phrase with a plural object

EACH ( of the respondents) WAS found guilty of estafa

NEITHER ( of the parties) IS entitled to the possession of the contested property

Rule 7
The indefinite pronouns anyone, someone, everyone, one, no one, anybody, somebody,
everybody, nobody, anything, something, and nothing are always singular and requires
singular verbs

- EVERYONE IS presumed to know the law

- In a democracy, EVERYBODY IS entitled to his honest opinion
- NO ONE IS above the law
- NOTHING IS as elementary as the concept of jurisdiction
Rule 8
The indefinite pronouns several, few, both, many, and others are always plural and
require plural verbs

SEVERAL HAVE filed an appeal

BOTH WERE declared disqualified
MANY HAVE voted early
OTHERS HAVE fled

Rule 9
The indefinite pronouns some, most, and all are singular or plural depending on what
they refer to

-Most of the TOWN IS accessible only by boat

-Most of the TOWNS ARE accessible only by boat
-All of the PROPERTY in question IS conjugal in nature
-All of the PROPERTIES of the decedent ARE mortgaged

Rule 10
Two singular subjects joined by "or", either/or, neither/or require a singular verb

- The president OR the ceo IS arriving to sign the documents today

- Neither the plaintiff NOR his counsel IS available for the pre-trial
- Either the tugboat OR the passenger vessel IS responsible for the collision

Rule 11

Two or more subjects connected by " AND" require a plural verb, except when they refer
to the same person or things
1. James AND Michael HAVE equal rights to the inheritance
2. The plaintiff AND the defendant ARE present in court

Rule 12

Two or more subjects connected by AND require a plural verb even if the sentence is
inverted

2. What remains in the crime scene ARE a PISTOL AND an EMPTY SHELL
3. ARE Kevin AND Brian going to testify for the defense?
Rule 13
When there is one subject and several verbs, all the verbs must agree with the subject
throughout the sentence

3. The COURT RULES in favor of the petitioner and hereby DECLARES the
questioned law as unconstitutional

Rule 14
In mixed singular and plural subjects joined by "or, either/ or, or neither/nor the verb
must agree with the subject nearer to it. This is the rule of proximity

4. Neither the firearm nor the KNIVES WERE revovered from the crime scene
5. Neither the firearms nor the KNIFE WAS recovered from the crime scene

Rule 15
Expressions of time, distance, weight, and sums of money when taken as one unit require
a singular verb

5. SIX YEARS IS the maximum period of prision correccional

6. TEN KILOMETERS IS the range of his radio signal
7. ONE MILLION PESOS WAS paid to the seller

Rule 16

In the subjunctive mood, that is, when expressing a wish or a condition that is contrary to
fact, use "were" instead of "was"

I wish MARTINE WERE still alive to testify on this matter

If EDUARDO WERE President, he would not allow this

Accordingly, for purposes of the 2020/21 Bar Examinations, each Bar subject will have a
total of 15 to 18 straightforward questions designed to address entry-level legal
competency. There will be no sub-questions.

The following are examples of straightforward questions:

1. CRIMINAL LAW: Without permission or consent, A took a pencil from his seatmate
B. Later on, A returned it to B. Was theft committed? Explain briefly.

ANSWER FROM BAR BULLETIN: Yes, all of the elements of the crime of theft are
present. The essential elements of theft are: (1) taking of personal property; (2) the
property taken belongs to another; (3) the taking was done without the owner’s consent;
(4) there was intent to gain; and (5) the taking was done without violence against or
intimidation of the person or force upon things. It is not an exempting or justifying
circumstance to return the thing taken.

2. LEGAL ETHICS: X, a civil service eligible, filed a petition to apply as notary public,
invoking as her sole credential her civil service eligibility. Should the petition be
granted? Explain briefly.

ANSWER FROM BAR BULLETIN: No. There is no showing that the petitioner
satisfies all the requirements to be eligible for commissioning as notary public,
particularly that she is a member of the Philippine bar. Thus, the petition should not be
granted.

3. REMEDIAL LAW: Z filed a complaint for forcible entry against Y before the
Regional Trial Court of Isabela. Can the Regional Trial Court dismiss the complaint for
lack of jurisdiction? Explain briefly.

ANSWER FROM BAR BULLETIN:

Yes. Under the law, metropolitan trial courts, municipal trial courts, and municipal
circuit trial courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over cases of forcible entry and
unlawful detainer. Here, the Regional Trial Court of Isabela has no jurisdiction over the
complaint for forcible entry and can therefore dismiss it outright.

#BestBarEver2020_21
Source: BAR BULLETIN NO. 25, S. 2021