NEARLY 4,000 new lawyers yesterday took their oath before justices of the before the Supreme Court, the first batch to take their oath under the recently-launched Code of Professional Conduct and Accountability (CPRA).
The CPRA updated the 34-year old Code of Professional Responsibility (CPR) that governs the conduct of lawyers in the country.
There were 3,992 examinees who passed the 2022 Bar out of the 9,183 who completed the 4-day examinations in November last year, for a passing rate of 43.47 percent.
Czar Matthew Gerard Torres Dayday of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines topped the Bar exams with a rating of 88.80 percent.
The second to fifth top rankings in the Bar were also held by UP College of Law graduates.
In his message, Associate Justice and 2022 Bar chairperson Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa reminded the new lawyers that in their practice, they must be true to themselves and be conscious of the fact that laws are weapons as much as they are tools.
He urged them to have “sober recognition” that parties in a case are people with stories, and that they must tread gently and compassionately.
“Good lawyers must also be true to themselves as to others and in that honesty, navigate legal problems with creativity, innovation and a healthy imagination of how a resolution can help all,” Caguioa said.
He added that their courage in the practice of the legal profession must be “fueled by love of country, of the law, and of others.”
He said they must work hard to possess the “delicate medley” of virtue and skills, adding that they must also be critical thinkers and articulate advocates of law and justice.
He then reminded that they should also strive to not only win their cases but to “achieve justice in a way that is beneficial to all.”
“Your tools as lawyers would be words, both written and spoken. They are your weapons for defending your clients against injustice. So please continue to sharpen them, continue your mastery of the craft, your mastery of the language,” Caguioa said.
“Please do not think that because you have passed the bar exams, everything has been accomplished. No, no, no, far from it. Instead, this is only the beginning of your journey as lawyers,” he added.
Caguioa’s successor as chairperson of the 2023 Bar exams, Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando reminded the Bar passers to always be lawyers of good reputation, to keep their feet on the ground and excel responsibly.
He said membership in the Bar is not a self-centered occupation and being a lawyer does not make them more important than non-lawyers.
He likewise reminded them that success is not and should not be measured in terms of wealth, fame or award that they received or will receive.
“Membership in the Bar is not a self-centered occupation. It is a delicate and jealous privilege, a dangerous mission towards fairness and justice, and an unbreakable relationship with society,” Hernando said.
“In truth, the true golden laurel rests in the lives and livelihood that were secured rights that were protected, the injustices that were rectified and justice that was served,” he added.
Lastly, he told the Bar passers to use social media with responsibility.
“Be careful what you click. Please wield your words with caution. Be careful what you click online. TikTok wisely. Call out improprieties in Facebook pages and lawyer groups,” Hernando said.
Last month, during the official launch of the CPRA, Gesmundo reminded those in the legal profession that ethical standards should be their guide not only within the confines of the court room.
“In a world where the rule of law is the cornerstone of justice, it is our duty, as members of the legal profession, to adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct and professional responsibility,” Gesmundo said then.
The CPRA according to Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh, chairperson of the Subcommittee for the Revision of the Code of Professional Responsibility, was prompted among others by “disturbing” online posts by some lawyers, leading the High Court to constitute the sub-committe to revise the legal profession’s Bible.
After the oathtaking at the Philippine International Convention Center, the new lawyers will sign the Roll of Attorneys in the same venue, marking the last step before they become full-pledged lawyers.