MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) will release today the results of the 2022 Bar examinations, ending the four-month anticipation of over 9,000 Bar takers.
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said Bar exam chairman Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa would submit the roll of passers to the SC en banc.
The list will be posted on the high court’s website and a big screen within the SC grounds along Padre Faura, Manila.
Gesmundo refused to disclose the number of passers, but told Bar takers who would not be among the new lawyers to “never give up. Everything is according to God’s plan.”
The Bar examinations were held in November, with 9,183 examinees completing the four-day exams. A total of 10,006 law graduates applied to take the Bar.
Last year, the Bar examinations committee did away with the announcement of the Top 10 and instead named “excellent passers” who obtained 90 to 100 score.
New code for lawyers
Meanwhile, the SC launched yesterday an updated Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability for lawyers.
Unlike the 34-year-old code, the new code provides punishments ranging from reprimand to disbarment, depending on the gravity of the offense.
“The new code is no mere revision. It is an overhaul on the approach and attitude by lawyers of their ethical responsibility in the new era of law practice,” Gesmundo said during the launching at Manila Hotel.
Prohibiting romantic relationships with clients and sharing fake news on social media are among the additions to the code.
The SC said lawyers who post photos online disclosing gifts, communication with clients and pleadings filed in court may face disbarment as these social media postings violate the lawyer-client privilege.
A new Lawyer’s Oath was also launched, led by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, who crafted the new version, which included the word “justice,” stressing how the value of the Lawyer’s Oath is forming “the basic foundation of what a lawyer means.”
Related video: