2023 Bar passers urged: Uphold justice, rule of law

VICE President Sara Duterte and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez have exhorted successful examinees of the 2023 Bar examinations to make it their foremost mission to uphold justice and the rule of law once they join the legal profession.

In her message, the Vice President congratulated the incoming lawyers on overcoming the final hurdle and urged them to work for God, country, and the Filipino people.

“May you serve our fellow Filipinos and the country with humility, integrity, and a commitment to uphold justice, protect rights, and advocate for those who seek the shelter of law. Let us work together to build a society that embraces diversity, fairness, justice, and inclusivity,” she said.

In a separate statement, Romualdez challenged the most recent batch of bar passers to embrace their new roles as “instruments of justice” to contribute in reshaping the country’s legal processes to better serve the public.

“Embrace your role in our nation’s legal system with a commitment to fairness and ethical practice. Your journey is crucial in rekindling a sense of decency in our profession and ensuring that justice prevails in our society,” the Speaker said.

Even as he applauded their personal victory, Romualdez, president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), reminded those who made the cut that after taking the lawyer’s oath, they should become “the bearers of a profound responsibility… (with) the power to shape our legal landscape and infuse it with integrity and honor.”

Likewise, he encouraged those who did not make the rolls of bar passers to absorb the lesson of the experience and to persevere and overcome.

“The path to becoming a lawyer is arduous and demands intelligence, grit, and perseverance. Each challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser. Your time will come, and your victory will be all the sweeter when it does. Do not be disheartened,” he said.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday released the list of successful examinees, with 3,812 law graduates passing the tests out of the 10,387 applicants, or a passing rate of 38 percent.