MANILA, Philippines — What would it be like to take the Bar Exam with an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court standing behind you and observing your every move?
Despite the likelihood of feeling more anxious than ever, Marvin Cimafranca, a 2022 Bar examinee, still managed to conquer the daunting test.
On November 16, 2022, Cimafranca was caught battling the grueling test on camera. Perhaps, unbeknownst to him, Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen stood behind him – fixing his gaze on the examinee’s laptop, almost as if trying to glean some insight.
Leonen was among the Supreme Court justices who visited the examination sites on the third day of the exam.
The photo from the SC Public Information Office was retweeted by @lawschool_buddy with the caption: “Grabe ‘yung nakatitig sa screen ng examinee si Justice Leonen.” [Scary that Justice Leonen is staring intensely at the examinee’s laptop screen.]
It was then retweeted by the Senior Associate Justice himself, captioning his post: “Ano kaya sinusulat mo? Dissenting opinion? All the best po.”
The tweet gained various reactions such as: “😂😭 i kennat Justice 😂😂”
READ: 3,992 of 9,183 pass 2022 Bar exam
One online user suggested that if he were in Cimafranca’s shoes, he would lower the brightness on his laptop screen. Other commenters expressed their desire to see Associate Justice Leonen making the rounds in other exam areas.
Little did Cimafranca know, the magistrate lingered behind him, a silent spectator of his actions.
“Nakita ko lang s’ya sa peripheral vision na pumasok sa room kasi noticeable ‘yung light-blue collared shirts ng admin. Bigla kong nalunok ng buo ‘yung last two rows ng chocolate bar ko nung na-realize ko na si Justice Leonen. Akala ko kasi tapos na ‘yung photo-op nung nasa harap pa si Justice,” he recalled.
[I just saw him in my peripheral vision entering the room because the light-blue collared shirts of the administration were noticeable. I suddenly swallowed the last two rows of my chocolate bar when I realized it was Justice Leonen. I thought the photo-op was over when Justice Leonen was still in front.]
On Friday, Leonen again shared the same photo with the caption: “for your information. he passed. Congrats atty!”
for your information. he passed! Congrats atty! pic.twitter.com/Xidarfo5xj
— Marvic Leonen — maroon check (@marvicleonen) April 14, 2023
To which, Cimafranca reacted: “Natuwa ako. Hindi ko ineexpect ‘yun.”
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