MANILA, Philippines - Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno has challenged law schools to improve their competence in producing high-caliber graduates following the declining passing rates in recent Bar examinations.
She believes law school deans must revisit their programs after the passing rate in the 2014 Bar examinations dwindled to 18.82 percent from 22.18 percent in the previous year.
The lowest passing rate in the Bar exams in recent years was in 2012 when only 949 of 5,343 law graduates passed, a passing rate of just 17.76 percent.
Following the release of the Bar exam results, Sereno told reporters in Makati last Thursday law deans must undertake an extensive review on how their courses are being taught and how they recruit the faculty and students applying to take up law.
“I think what should be the concern of everybody, especially the law schools, is whether quality of instruction is improving at all levels,” she said.
“We cannot also allow (Bar) applicants who are unable to answer very basic questions, and who aren’t able to articulate in an appropriate fashion.”
Sereno said law graduates lacking practice before the courts would only cause injustice to their clients.
“We must assure their clients a credible level of competence,” she said.
The lowering of the passing grade in the Bar examinations to 73 percent for the second consecutive year must not be seen as a trend, especially since the SC has been trying to come up with the best formula to test the qualifications of law graduates, Sereno said.
In last year’s Bar exams, only 1,126 out of a total of 5,984 takers passed – a passing rate of 18.82 percent.
Sereno sees the latest batch of new lawyers as a “distinct group” because of the low passing rate.
Her advice to the Bar passers who will take their oath and officially become lawyers on April 24: “It is a distinct privilege to serve the public, especially in a noble profession such as law.
“They should always remember that taking up the cause of a client is a sacred duty that must be done with all integrity. It must not be pursued primarily for profit, but material rewards come as a product of hard work.”