2010 Bar blast suspect passes Bar exams

CEBU CITY, Philippines  - Once hunted, very nearly jailed and wrongfully accused for the deadly bombing of the Bar examinations in 2010, Jed Carlo Lazaga has found vindication by passing the Bar.

In an interview over TV Patrol Central Visayas, Lazaga said what motivated him to study hard to pass the Bar exams was the ordeal he went through after he was wrongfully accused as asuspect in the bombing.

“I would have been jailed had it not been for the help of my school,” he said, as he thanked his alma mater, University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) in Cebu City.

Lazaga added USJ-R provided them a good professor when they learned that the bar exam will be in a legal memorandum type.

The purpose of a legal memorandum is to analyze a legal problem and give an objective opinion on that problem. A legal memorandum is used to strategize approaches and to formulate arguments.

Lazaga claimed that during the exam, he had some difficulty answering the multiple choice category compared to the traditional essay type.

“Multiple choice was hard because once you’re wrong then you are really wrong. There was also a slight difference in the choice of answers whereas in essay, you can expound the answers and earn some points,” he said.

When asked about his plans now that he’s a certified lawyer, Lazaga revealed he wanted to apply at the Public Attorney’s Office and be of service to those who are wrongfully accused like him.

Lazaga was initially accused of throwing a grenade that injured 47 people with two law students losing their legs.

Lazaga was immediately implicated as a suspect when his identification card was found at the scene.

However, upon further investigation, Lazaga was later cleared.

Bulakenyos’ pride

Bar topnotcher Angelo Atadero, on the other hand, will be honored by his province mates in Bulacan.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Bulacan chapter is also preparing to honor Atadero.

“It’s no ordinary achievement. It’s really inspiring,” said Ted Villanueva, president of IBP-Bulacan.

Villanueva added that while Atadero topped the bar exams, his parents must be also be given recognition.

“I tip my hat off to his parents for helping and encouraging him,” Villanueva said, referring to Meycauayan City Councilor Raoul Atadero and his wife.

The Ataderos are from Barangay Saluysoy in Meycauayan City and have been operating a string of pawnshops in different parts of the country.

Villanueva, for his part, expressed hope that Atadero would join the IBP chapter in the province.

“We are preparing to give him recognition, along with other Bulakenyo bar passers,” he said.

Former IBP-Bulacan president Jose de la Rama Jr. said Atadero would be included in the roster of Bulakenyo bar topnotchers.

De la Rama said IBP Bulacan has established a wall of fame in recognition of bar examinees that made it to the top 10.

For his part, lawyer Teddy de Belen, head of the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) said Atadero’s feat is another testament that Bulakenyos are ready to excel if given a chance.

“Bulakenyos are really a cut above the rest. We are proud of them,” he said.

De Belen said almost every year, a Bulakenyo always lands in the top 10 of bar examinations.

Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad, who passed the bar about four years ago, hailed Atadero’s achievement.

“Bulakenyos continuously position (their) youth as a potent source of bright men motivated by opportunities in their proximity to schools,” Natividad said.

Atadero is joined in the top 10 by Eireene Xinia Acosta of San Jose del Monte City, who placed seventh in the last bar exams. 

La Union’s pride

Second place bar topnotcher Luz Danielle Ortega Bolong, on the other hand, hails from the province of La Union, along with Christian Louie Gonzales who placed fifth.

Luz, 24, is from Barangay Lingsat of San Fernando City and belongs to a family of businessmen.

Her father is Daniel Bolong Jr.; her mother is Luz-Ortega Bolong, a relative of the Ortega political clan.

Bolong said her determination to strive and prayers helped her achieve her goal to pass the bar.

“We do not expect to get all what we like to happen in life; strive for it and not to forget God and family,” she said.

Bolong said she learned that she topped the bar when she and her sister, Marie Diane, who also passed the bar exams, were attending mass at Baclaran Church.

“I was surprised, deeply surprised. You can’t tell the excitement,” she said.

Bolong said they both cried when they saw the text messages that they both passed the bar.

Gonzales, on the other hand, hails from Barangay Nagrebcan, Bauang. He is also a certified public accountant.

Gonzales graduated with a degree in accounting at the Union Christian College before taking law at the University of Sto. Tomas.

Gonzales said he wanted to enter government service. - Ria Mae Booc/The Freeman, Dino Balabo, Jun Elias