SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday challenged the country’s newest batch of incoming lawyers who passed the 2023 Bar exams to rekindle the sense of decency and ethical conduct in the legal community.
“Embrace your role in our nation’s legal system with a commitment to fairness and ethical practice. Your journey is crucial in rekindling a sense of decency in our profession and ensuring that justice prevails in our society,” Speaker Romualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippines (UP), said as he lamented that the legal profession was tarnished by a small number of less exemplary individuals in the profession.
“Heartfelt congratulations to each of you who have successfully cleared the recent Bar Exams. This moment is a personal victory and a testament to your commitment and resilience. As you step into the world of law, remember that you are now the bearers of a profound responsibility. You have the power to shape our legal landscape and infuse it with integrity and honor,” Speaker Romualdez, president of the illustrious Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), whose members include judges and justices, in extending his warm congratulations to the new bar passers.
“To those who are yet to succeed, let this moment be a lesson, not a setback. The path to becoming a lawyer is arduous and demands intelligence, grit, and perseverance. Each challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser. Your time will come, and your victory will be all the sweeter when it does. Do not be disheartened. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Take this experience as the first step towards a future filled with successes and triumphs,” the Speaker – the fourth highest elected official of the land – said.
“To all aspiring lawyers, your dedication and hard work are commendable. Whether celebrating success or gearing up for the next opportunity, remember that your journey is integral to upholding justice and the rule of law in our country. Best wishes for a bright and impactful career,” said Speaker Romualdez, the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives leader.
“We wish them all well in their careers. Let them be instruments of truth, justice, peace, and progress. I also call on them to help elevate the level of discourse and competence in whatever specific field of endeavor they have ventured into,” he said.
A total of 3,812 Barristers have passed the exams for law graduates out of the 10,387 applicants, equivalent to a 38 percent passing rate.
“Lastly, it would be a great achievement if these new lawyers could contribute to improving our rather slow justice system. We have a vibrant and working justice system – but not as efficient as everyone wants it to be,” the Speaker conceded.
“The legal profession is a noble profession where justice is served without fear or favor,” Romualdez, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) president, said.
