By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang joined the rest of the nation in wishing the at least 8,000 individuals who took the bar examinations Sunday the best of luck, saying it was now their time to rise to the challenge.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo (OPS / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a statement, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the 2019 Bar Examinations was the finish line for those who were looking forward for their career as lawyers.
"Today, November 3, is the first of four Sundays of the 2019 Bar Examinations. It marks the culmination of a journey for more than 8,000 examinees who dream of embarking on a career in the legal profession," he said Sunday.
Panelo, who is also Duterte's chief presidential legal counsel, then wished bar takers the best of luck and urged them to believe in their abilities.
"We offer our sincere prayers to our legal aspirants who toiled day and night poring over their law books, court decisions, and jurisprudence in preparation for this life-changing moment," he said.
"To our bar candidates, good luck as we wish you all the best. Believe in yourselves and give your best shot. Make your family, school, and community proud. This is your moment. Rise to the challenge!" he added.
Early this year, Panelo also said the practice is faced with endless challenges and a constant wrestling with conscience and that it was a path that "is exciting as it is rewarding even if at times perilous."
"We ought to remove our partisanship, personal feelings, and biases as well as prejudices when a question of law or a case subject of litigation is thrown to our lap for the application of the letter and spirit of the law," he said.
Early this year, Malacañang reminded the 1,800 passers of the 2018 Bar Examinations to make sure to keep their integrity as they enter the world of the legal profession, saying integrity was still the most important thing for a lawyer.
He, likewise, hoped that many of the passers would opt to work for the government and help the Duterte administration build a better nation.
"We hope that many of our country’s new lawyers consider pursuing a career in the government and help build a progressive and peaceful nation that will provide a comfortable life for all," Panelo expressed.
"Their youth, idealism, academic competence and personal integrity are welcome under the present Administration, and should be in succeeding administrations as well," he added.
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