Bar exam passers take oath; told to uphold ethical standards

Uphold ethical standards and be humble at all times, Supreme Court Associate Justice Martin Villarama reminded 1,126 Bar examination passers who took their oath Friday at the Philippine International Convention Center.

“Have I told you how it feels so right when one’s conscience is clear,” Villarama said.

Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said “the number one obligation of all members of the Bar [is] to uphold and maintain and adhere to the Code of Ethics.”

Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta, chairperson of the 2014 Committee on the Bar Examination, administered the oath to the successful Bar examinees.

A total of 1,126 out of 5,984 passed the 2014 Bar examinations.

After passing the Bar, the candidate shall take the oath of office and then receive his or her certificate of membership to the Philippine Bar. The last in the process is the signing of the roll of attorneys before one can become a lawyer and use the title “Attorney.”

The Bar examination covers eight subjects-Political Law and Public International Law, Labor and Social Legislation, Civil Law, Taxation, Mercantile Law, Criminal Law, Remedial law and Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises.

Earlier, the high court removed the cap on exam retakes as it lifted the five-strike rule.

In the 2013 bar exam, only 1, 174 out of the 5, 593 examinees passed.

Innovations were also introduced in the 2014 Bar exam including the use of Bar Codes for the examination booklets and requiring all examinees to place their personal belongings in clear, plastic bags or containers to avoid long lines at the entrance and facilitate entry into the UST campus. AU