An argument for the regionalization of the bar exam
For two successive days, we witnessed the unraveling of the national tragedy called the Mamasapano massacre thru live television. It was horror for me to learn from the Senate investigation that military officials pinned the blame not on any responsible officer but on the apparent lack of "coordination." They were not forewarned of the action of the PNP Special Action Force. Then, I also became indignant by the glaring attempt on the part of the former head of the Philippine National Police to extricate himself from liability by claiming that he did not interfere into a function he was legally rid of because he only gave advice on how to handle the police operation. By what got my goat was the emerging position of the MILF.
I planned to write in this column today my disappointment on our uniformed men and my indignation on the Muslim rebels. But I realized that whatever little I say here can add to the brewing discord between the military and the police. More so, it has a tendency to stoke the sense of distrust harbored by Christians on the corps of Muslim secessionists. Prudence being the better part of valor, I decided to veer away from the topic. Perhaps, at a later time, when my emotions simmer down a bit, I will have a cool composure to organize my sentiments.
Meanwhile, I just came across a heart-warming essay of Vladett G. Castro, a third year college of law student. Here in Cebu City, she is a team leader in a Business Process Outsourcing industry and holds a salary grade that receives pay definitely higher than the mandated minimum wage. While Ms. Castro, still has one more year to finish her law studies, she already has apprehensions in the bar exams she is planning to take.
1. Is she financially ready? Ms. Castro claims that notwithstanding her high salary scale, she is without savings. Since it was her decision to take up law and realize her dream to become a lawyer, she is financing her own undertaking. In her words, she is "paycheck to paycheck" with her take home pay barely enough to survive until the next payday.
The situation of Ms. Castro is similar to many other prospective barristers. Here in Cebu, many law students are employed. While studying, they earn their daily keep. But, since the Supreme Court administers the bar examinations only in Manila, when these working students take the yearly test, they have to leave their jobs for a good period of about six months, to include the pre-bar review course. It is therefore inconceivable for a Ms. Castro to be able to take the exams because she lives on a "paycheck to paycheck" basis.
2. Is she emotionally ready? While the financial aspect of taking the bar examinations in Manila is a big factor to consider, certainly it is not the only concern. The emotional composition of a bar candidate can spell success in passing the bar. Ms. Castro has expressed hesitations. She is aware of the difference in the Cebu and Manila "cultures." Even the process of adjusting to this changing environment makes her anxious. How much effect will it bear on her pre-bar review and in tacking the examination itself?
Ms. Castro, in her essay, asserts though that she has to have a brave heart in order to meet the anxiety of being separated from home. Being alone should not be a problem and the accompanying loneliness her motivation to pass the bar in one take so that she does not have to take the tests again.
That is the point. In the three decades that I have been teaching law, I came to know of some intelligent students who encountered hardship in the bar imposed by unfamiliar surroundings! To them, it was a hindering factor in getting better grades. And if meant lower passing grades to students who were supposedly better in their preparation, it could be the telling reason why less-adequately prepared barristers failed.
Soon the results of the 2014 Bar Examinations will be released. The issue of the regionalization of the tests will again surface. Ms. Castro has a personal argument for the proposal to give the bar examinations regionally. Her position represents thousands of other students. May the Supreme Court listen to their plea.
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