Justice Bernabe to 2019 Bar passers: Society calls on you to fight for the oppressed

Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe on Wednesday encouraged the passers of the 2019 Bar examinations to defend the oppressed.

Bernabe, the 2019 Bar chair, congratulated the 2,103 examinees who passed the licensure test for lawyers and reminded them of their responsibility to "further the ideals of justice and the rule of law."

"Our society, especially during these most trying times, beckons you to not only become learned experts but more so to fight for the cause of the oppressed, to advance the pleas of the helpless, and to inspire others as a living example of integrity above all," she said in a video message.

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen also has reminders for the Bar passers.

"For those who will become lawyers, remember that the profession is not all that you are. Be humble. Resist greed. Learn to sacrifice. Every privilege comes with responsibility.  Address inequality. Strive for social justice. Serve the people," he said on Twitter.

A total of 2,103 candidates passed the 2019 Bar exams, representing 27.36% of 7,685 examinees who completed the four-Sunday licensure test held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) last November.

Bernabe said the passing grade was lowered from 75% to 74% "in light of, among other considerations, the discerned need for more younger and technologically adept lawyers to help different fronts of society as we meet the peculiar challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and transition to the new normal."

Mae Diane Azores of UST-Legazpi in Bicol was the topnotcher with a rating of 91.0490%. — RSJ, GMA News