3,992 new lawyers take oath; reminded to ‘excel responsibly,’ ‘Tiktok wisely’

Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Chairman announces the result of the 2022 Bar examination at the Supreme Court in Manila on April 14, 2023. INQUIRER.net file photo / Tetch Torres-Tupas

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 3,992 Bar passers on Tuesday joined the legal profession as they took their oath before the Supreme Court sitting in a special en banc (full court) session.

Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, chairman of the 2022 Bar Examination, told the new lawyers to be thankful for their loved ones.

“I invite you to feel deep gratitude, feel thankful for everything that they have given you–the time, the space, the understanding, the patience, the love. Be thankful for everything that they have been to you–the gift that they are to you,” Caguioa said.

Caguioa told the new lawyers that everything is not accomplished after passing the Bar and signing the Roll of Attorneys.

“No, no, no, no, no far from it. Instead, this is only the beginning of your journey as lawyers…as it is with all skills, there remains to be so much room for improvement,” he said.

He added that in practicing the profession, what’s more important is “achieving justice in a way that is beneficial to all.”

Caguioa said it is vital that both parties to a case represent people with stories too; thus, the need to thread gently and compassionately.

Caguioa also recognized the 24 examiners, the top law schools in various categories as well as the top 30 passers.

Meanwhile, Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, the 2023 Bar examination chairperson, reminded new lawyers to be responsible when using social media.

“Be careful what you click. Tiktok wisely, Keep a clean profile. Call out improprieties on Facebook pages and lawyer groups….It is easy now to abuse the power of the internet as a social media as the remoteness and anonymity that promise is effective in empowering recklessness. Refrain from any such temptation, unless you want to run the risk of self-ruin,” Hernando said.

He also provided three notes to remember: First, the success of lawyering is not measured by money, fame, awards and other material things but by the “genuinely happy and cheerful smiles of people whose legal troubles were finally resolved.”

Second, Hernando told lawyers to keep their feet on the ground.

“Your ‘ATTY’ period is a professional title, not a social run. It is never a license to lord over other professions, for they are never beneath us,” Hernando said.

Third, Hernando told new lawyers to “excel responsibly. You are already excellent at this point and I know you can do more and even better. But as you continue to excel, be always aware of your moral limits.”

The new lawyers are the first to recite the new oath included in the new Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).

The CPRA is the overhaul of the 34-year-old Code of Professional Responsibility that governs the conduct of lawyers in the country.

After the oath-taking, the Supreme Court has set up over 30 booths outside PICC so that the Bar passers can immediately sign the Roll of Attorneys. Signing the Roll is the last step before a Bar passer can be called an Attorney and start a law practice.

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JPV/abc