Oath Taking

It's April 25, 2007: The day that I, and my fellow Bar Passers, will take the our oath before the Chief and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court. The Oath-Taking will start at exactly 3 PM and we were advised to be inside the PICC Plenary Hall at least two hours before that time for the registration.

In a little over 3 PM, the program started. The examiners for each subjects were introduced amidst the cheers and boos by the Bar Passers. The 2006 Bar Examiners as introduced by the 2006 Bar Chairperson Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez were:

Political Law - Atty. Salvador B. Lao
Labor Law and Social Legislation - Atty. Salvador C. Medialdea
Civil Law - Justice Josue N. Bellosillo
Taxation Law - CTA Presiding Justice Ernesto D. Acosta
Mercantile Law - Atty. Nilo B. Pena
Criminal Law - Justice Romeo M. Escareal, Jr.
Remedial Law - Justice Bernardo P. Pardo
Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises - DCA Zenaida N. Elepano

The loudest cheers were given to the examiners in Labor Law and Remedial Law while the loudest jeers, as expected, were received by the examiner on Taxation and Criminal Law. Further, the bar passers were jubilant upon learning that the examiners in Labor, Taxation, Criminal and Remedial Law gave a 50% plus passing rate.

Then, the SC Clerk of Court Atty Ma. Luisa Villarama administered the taking of the oath:



I, Norman Perez Serapio , do solemnly swear that I will maintain allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines; I will support its Constitution and obey the laws as well as the legal orders of the duly constituted authorities therein; I will do no falsehood, nor consent to its commission; I will not wittingly or willingly promote or sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit nor give aid nor consent to the same; I will delay no man for money or malice, and will conduct myself as a lawyer according to the best of my knowledge and discretion with all good fidelity as well to the courts as to my clients; and I impose upon myself this voluntary obligation without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. SO HELP ME GOD!

As I recite this oath, together with other Bar Passers, I feel like electricity is flowing in my veins and it sends chills down my spine. It is one of the best feelings I ever had, my hair is raising as the unison voice of around 1,900 Bar Passers fill the air. It's heavenly and euphoric, an indescribable feeling that is better than ***. Suddenly, I feel nostalgic. All the sacrifices, lost opportunities, my blood, sweat and tears during the four years in law school (believe me, it is difficult to work and study at the same time), and the six months I have spent reviewing and taking the Bar - are all worth it. GOD IS GOOD!

And when Chief Justice Renato Puno granted the petition for admission to the Bar of the successful 2006 Bar Candidates,the entire hall erupted in jubilee.

So, there is just one more final step to take - the signing in the roll of attorneys. I am scheduled to sign the roll on May 3, 2007. So after that, I can now legally affix the title "ATTY" before my name.