Cebuano new lawyers (from left to right) Alen Joel Pita(10th placer), Marcley Augustus Natu-el (2nd placer), Mark Lawrence Badayos (3rd placer), and Jebb Lynus Cane (9th placer) who topped the recent Bar Examinations. | Delta Dyrecka Letigio
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The four Cebuano topnotchers of the recent Bar examinations is calling for the regionalization of the examinations.
New Lawyer Marcley Natu-el, who ranked second in the Bar exams, said that it would be high time that the Bar exam would be brought to the regions because the regions had the capability to produce “quality” lawyer as well.
He said that taking the review in Manila was difficult for him because he was far from his family and from his home.
Natu-el’s roommate in Manila and fellow topnotcher ranking third, Lawyer Mark Lawrence Badayos agreed with him saying that to pass the Bar exams, an aspirant would need to be emotionally stable to answer the exams.
“Once you bring the Bar closer to the hometowns, it will be a lot of help (to aspirants),” said Badayos.
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Dean Joan Largo of the University of San Carlos School of Law, where the topnotchers graduated, said they would keep lobbying to the Supreme Court to bring the Bar examinations to Cebu and other provinces.
“Those who top and pass the exams coming from places outside of Metro Manila should be credited with more because they are asking so much of us to take the Bar in Manila,” said Largo.
Aside from the regionalization of the Bar exams, Largo said they would also push for reforms like having their answers typewritten so that bad handwriting would not hinder someone from being a lawyer.
“We want to democratize the bar,” she said.
Natu-el also said that his handwriting was not exactly “pretty,” and he spent a lot of time practicing his handwriting, a time he could have used studying more.
“I spent a lot of time choosing a pen that would make my handwriting bearable,” said Natu-el.
He said that the reforms of the Bar exams would help future lawyers to focus more on studying the law than on finding means to take the exam in Manila or keeping a straight handwriting. /dbs