MMSU's first batch of law graduates take bar exam

By Herdy La. Yumul

AFTER the university handed diplomas to the first batch of law graduates last April, it inches closer to producing lawyers.

Thirteen MMSU barristers are currently taking the 2013 bar examinations which started on October 6 and shall carry on in the next three Sundays of October at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Manila.

MMSU’s first batch of law graduates prepares to take the bar exams.

  Photo by Cherry Joy Discaya-Garma

In support to the examinees, the College of Law (COL) conducted its bar operations (BarOps) to assist and motivate the examinees. Two days before the first examination day, six professors led by lawyer Brian Jay Corpuz, the college secretary, and 15 student leaders travelled to Manila for this purpose.

In charge of the MMSU BarOps are Law Student Council grand chancellor McArthur Aguinaldo, student leader and Pinili councilor Maynard Bumanglag, and lawyer Melver Tolentino who has very strong ties with his alma mater, the San Beda College of Law (SBC Law).

On Saturday, the MMSU examinees checked in at the Waterfornt Manila Pavillion Hotel, where SBC Law hopefuls were also billeted. The BarOps team assisted the barristers with their food, transportation, and with other errands. They were also on the lookout for last minute tips and review materials.

Other COL professors who joined the first BarOps weekend were lawyers Esperanza Orig, Eric Cua, and John Paul Martin, and Judge Myra Nalupta.

Unlike other schools which brought marching bands and conducted gimmicks, the MMSU send-off was simple. They huddled in prayer before going to the venue, and accompanied the examinees until they entered UST’s Gate 4 before the scheduled 8 am start for the first subject. The morning session ended at 12 noon. The afternoon session was started at 2 pm and ended at 6 pm.

Members of the BarOps team stayed in a nearby recreation area while waiting for the examinees to emerge from the gate.  

During the first day, the barristers tackled political law and labor law. Other subjects to be tackled in the next three Sundays are civil law, taxation, commercial law, criminal law, remedial law, and legal ethics. 

The examination is composed of 80 percent essay questions and 20 percent multiple choice questions (MCQ). The use of MCQs in the Philippine Bar Examinations was first introduced in 2011.

Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Arturo Brion, a labor law expert, is chair of this year’s bar examinations. He topped the bar examinations in 1974.

Two of the 15 MMSU law graduates decided not to take the bar examinations yet but joined the BarOps to acclimatize themselves with what is largely considered as one of the toughest bar examinations in the world, next only to South Korea, which conducts oral tests and has an average passing rate of only five percent. 

Seventeen percent hurdled last year’s edition of the Philippine Bar Examinations.

Lawyer Ramon A. Leaño, COL dean, expressed confidence that the MMSU barristers will turn in good results. While he noted that some examinees are better prepared than others, he said MMSU did its best to help all 13 examinees make their mark.

The 13 MMSU barristers are: Anna Marie G. Antonio, Fleurdeliz F. Credo, Dandy L. Cruz, Enrique A. Gallardo, May Encarnina P. Gaoiran, Ernielinio B. Labrador, Rowel Jake L. Leonador, Moera Joy N. Galing-luna, Kristelle Joy Ann B. Quibuyen, Justine Precius A. Taggaoa, Mayvelyn P. Tajon, Ma. Trinidad A. Unciano, and Rizza Joy S. Vallesteros.

They took bar review classes at San Beda College, San Sebastian College, University of Sto. Tomas, and the Albano Bar Review Center.