PhiLSAT 2019 Advisory

The Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to stop Legal Education Board from implementing their LEB Memo. No. 18. This Memo covers the eligibility of incoming Law Students for the Academic Year 2018-2019. Moreover, this Memo also prohibited the Conditional Enrollment of Non-PhiLSAT Takers.

Last March 19, 2019, The Legal Education Board issued LEB Memo No. 27 (2019).

The Memo states that since the Supreme Court only issued a TRO regarding the implementation of the LEB Memo No. 18, the April 7, 2019 will push through as scheduled.

The following maybe conditionally admitted and enrolled as freshmen/1st ear students in the basic law course by law schools in the incoming first semester of Academic Year 2019-2020,
1. Those who have not taken the PhiLSAT;

2. Those who have taken the PhiLSAT but did not pass;

3. Those who have passed the PhiLSAT but have expired Certificates of Eligibility;

4. College Honor Graduates without Certificates of Exemption; and

5. College Honor Graduates with expired Certificates of Exemption;

If a student is conditionally accepted, he/she is required to take the next scheduled PhiLSAT on September 2019 or else, his/her conditional enrollment shall be automatically revoked and barred from enrolling in the following semester.

The Conditional Application Form is found here

To read the full text of the memo, please see attached photos below.

BAR EXAM SCORE CALCULATOR

Instructions:

*Input your desired score in each of the 8 Bar Subjects.
*The relative weight is the percentage assigned by the Supreme Court per subject.

*This is just a simulation in order for you to weigh on the possible scenarios for you to pass the grueling Bar Exams.
*Enjoy!

CONFESSIONS OF A BAR FLUNKER

It has been told a million times over that once a law student graduates from law school, the student already earned the letters "ATTY". One letter earned after completing one year in Law School; the one missing is that elusive "dot" or "." to complete the shortened title of Attorney.

I graduated from Law School last May 2017.

I took the Bar last November of 2017.

The Bar Results were released April 26, 2018.

More than 6,000 bar examinees were hopeful to catch that elusive "dot"; it was revealed in the morning that only 25.55% passed the bar exams.

The list of the Top 20 were initially released.

At around 1:00 pm, the official list were posted and were flashed before a big LED board in the Supreme Court Compound.

As the names started to flash starting with those family names starting with A; you could hear the shouts and cheers of those well-wishers and actual bar examinees who successfully passed the exam. For every scream and shouts heard, media members will automatically surround and crowd the bar passer; for sure they will become viral and be shown in National TV later that day (2 of blocmates became viral that day)

So the list goes on, slowly but surely, the Family Names starting with P,R,S,T started to flash; my heart started to pound because of nervousness, anxiety and excitement all at once.

U, V, W, X...

Then all the passers with Family Names starting Y and Z were flashed.

Ydia, Ronald Allan De Guzman was not in the list.

I failed.

I was not part of the 1,728 or 25.55% who passed the so-called #BersaminBattle.

I was not able to get that elusive "dot".

If I probably had the superpowers of Doctor Strange, I would've magically inserted my name in the list but I can't do it, I am neither a member of an Avengers nor am I a ridiculously-good looking Marvel Character.

I was obviously disappointed with the result but I prayed earlier that day that aside from passing the Bar, I would like God to give me the strength the accept the result if it turned out to be negative. My fiance and I went to 4 churches (Edsa Shrine, Sto. Domingo, Quiapo Church and St. Jude) before going to the Supreme Court; When we were at the Sto. Domingo Church, I felt that my mind and my heart is at ease that whatever the result maybe, I would accept it.

After learning that I failed the Bar, I immediately texted my Mom. I also informed my Boss, my officemates and other well-wishers who messaged me during the morning and those who were with me during my Bar Exam Journey.

I didn't shed a single tear when I was at the SC compound but my fiance was crying the whole time, offering me words of encouragement which I am extremely grateful for; I congratulated my law school friends and blocmates who made it and afterwards, my fiance and I left to go to Baclaran Church as planned; we planned when we were in Quiapo Church, that whatever the result maybe, we will go to Baclaran Church to pray.

While riding the LRT going to the Baclaran Church, my mother was calling me via FB messenger but I let Grace answered the phone for me because I was not ready to talk to my mom that time, I was ashamed because I felt that I didn't made my mother proud.

But due to the insistence of Grace, I talked to my mom and I heard the voice of my mom with a cheerful tone, she said that it is ok because I can still retake the Bar Exams this coming November and I that I must not give up.

Right then and there, It finally sink-in and I felt a sudden rush of emotions as I was trying to fight back my tears; it didn't help that my family kept giving me messages of support saying that in their eyes, I am already a lawyer;

I kept my composure throughout that LRT ride until we reached Baclaran Church; I prayed to the Lord that I Trust His Plan and that I am still thankful because despite failing the Bar Exams, He still continuously shower us with His Blessings and that I am lucky that I have a loving and supportive family who always have my back.

Later that night, when I was about to take a shower before going to sleep, that was when tears were uncontrollably fell through my face. Thankfully I was not bawling like a kid throwing a tantrum.

If this happened to me when I was a lot younger, I would have doubted the authenticity of the results because I know that I have poured my blood,sweat and tears to prepare for the Bar Exams. I would have laughed at those who passed because back in Law School, I know I was better than them. In short, I will be sour-graping.

Thank God, it was not that case.

I congratulated my friends who passed via FB Messenger and Viber; some in an attempt to probably console me and make me feel better, told me that I was better than half of those who passed the exams and that they were just lucky to pass the exams; I simply replied, "It is not just my time and that this is their time to fulfill their dreams of becoming a lawyer".

For full disclosure, I only felt a tinge of envy when my friends posted their pictures during the oath-taking ceremonies as well as the roll-signing; I wished I was also took the oath at the PICC and signed at the Lawyers Roll.

But for now, I have to lick my wounds and dust-off the negativity because I will try again to take the Bar Exams this 2018.

Hopefully this time, I would be able to get that elusive "dot"

PhilSAT 2018 Testing Date with recommended reviewers

Online registration will start from July 11 to August 19, 2018

To register and to know the requirements click here

PhilSAT testing date: SEPTEMBER 23, 2018

TESTING SITES:

Manila - University of Santo Tomas
Baguio - University of Cordilleras
Tuguegarao - Cagayan State University
Cebu - University of San Jose - Recoletos
Bacolod - University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos
Tacloban - Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Education Foundation
Davao - Jose Maria College
Cagayan de Oro - Xavier University - TBA

REVIEWERS:

Legal Education Board PhilSAT practice booklet

Pre-Lex Book from Rex Bookstore


Good luck future lawyers!

2016 BAR EXAMS PASSING RATE OF LAW SCHOOLS

NAME OF SCHOOL	PERCENTAGE OF PASSING (%)
	NEW	REPEATER	TOTAL
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY	28.57	39.29	37.14
ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION	92.86	100	94.12
ARELLANO UNIVERSITY	66.3	77.72	72.15
ATENEO de DAVAO UNIVERSITY	100	66.67	91.43
ATENEO de MANILA UNIVERSITY	99.43	91.84	97.78
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY	53.85	50	52.38
BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY	56	40	48.89
CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY	55.56	35.71	46.88
CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY	83.33	32.26	51.02
CENTRO ESCOLAR UNIVERSITY	88.89	60	82.61
COR JESU COLLEGE	60.71	62.5	61.54
DE LA SALLE LIPA	100	100	100
DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY - MANILA	81.82	81.82	81.82
DR. V.O ROMUALDEZ EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION	66.67	44.74	54.93
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY	78.08	76.4	77.16
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY - DLSU (JD-MBA)	81.82	71.43	77.78
FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY	37.5	16.67	28.57
HOLY NAME UNIVERSITY (DWC-T)	50	50	50
JOSE RIZAL MEMORIAL STATE UNIVERSITY	33.33	0	28.57
JOSE RIZAL UNIVERSITY	77.78	38.46	54.55
LEYTE COLLEGES	45.45	38.46	41.67
LICEO de CAGAYAN UNIVERSITY	77.27	73.08	74.32
MANUEL LUIS QUEZON UNIVERSITY	25	27.69	27.16
MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY	100	100	100
MEDINA COLLEGES	35.29	16.67	30.43
MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY	41.18	40.63	40.87
NEW ERA UNIVERSITY	44.44	43.4	43.82
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY	16.67	11.11	13.33
PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY	100	100	100
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MANILA	100	88.24	93.33
PHILIPINE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY	35.96	55.24	46.39
PHILIPPINE LAW SCHOOL	18.81	28.4	25.64
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES	100	80.95	86.67
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY	85	90.48	87.26
SAN BEDA COLLEGE - ALABANG	78.41	86.87	82.89
SAN BEDA COLLEGE - MENDIOLA	98.73	92.94	96.69
SAN SEBASTIAN COLLEGE - RECOLETOS	75.9	69.12	71.69
SILIMAN UNIVERSITY	82.35	50	70.37
ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY	53.85	56.25	55.17
TARLAC STATE UNIVERSITY	50	40	42.86
UNIBERSIDAD de MANILA	32	40	34.29
UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS	86	77.05	81.08
UNIVERSITY OF BATANGAS	80	66.67	73.68
UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY	73.68	60	65.91
UNIVERSITY OF CEBU	94.87	100	95.92
UNIVERSITY OF ILOILO	68.75	51.43	58.86
UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERAS	53.66	44.44	48.42
UNIVERSITY OF PERPETUAL HELP - RIZAL	75	65	68.75
UNIVERSITY OF PERPETUAL HELP SYSTEM - LAGUNA	77.78	25	61.53
UNIVERSITY OF SAN AGUSTIN	82.5	83.87	83.1
UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS	98.57	87.1	95.05
UNIVERSITY OF SAN JOSE - RECOLETOS	80	61.97	70.79
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES FOUNDATION	41.38	30.43	36.53
UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE	87.5	55.56	70.59
UNIVERSITY OF STO. THOMAS	95.24	90.24	93.6
UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST	64.58	41.42	50.84
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES	99.18	90.48	97.9
UNIVERSITY OF THE VISAYAS	9.09	13.21	11.63
WESTERN MINDANAO UNIVERSITY	27.4	34.69	30.33
XAVIER UNIVERSITY	94.59	72.22	87.27
NATIONAL PASSING RATE	64.23	53.79	59.06
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE BAR CONFIDANT

2016 BAR EXAMS COMPARATIVE STATISTICAL DATA

SUBJECTS	MEDIAN RATING	HIGHEST RATING	LOWEST RATING	EXAMINEES WHO PASSED		EXAMINEES WHO FAILED
				NUMBER	PERCENTAGE	NUMBER	PERCENTAGE
POLITICAL AND INTERNATIONAL LAW	74.50%	93.00%	25.00%	3,390	54.3522%	2,964	46.6478%
LABOR AND SOCIAL LEGISLATION	77.71%	96.00%	39.00%	4,582	72.1348%	1,770	27.8652%
CIVIL LAW	72.48%	93.00%	45.00%	2,654	41.8019%	3,695	58.1981%
TAXATION	72.87%	98.00%	21.00%	2,598	40.9198%	3,751	59.0802%
MERCANTILE LAW	76.21%	95.00%	10.00%	4,424	69.7242%	1,921	30.2758%
CRIMINAL LAW	78.23%	98.00%	41.00%	4,643	73.1757%	1,702	26.8243%
REMEDIAL LAW	79.29%	100.00%	6.50%	4,305	67.8487%	2,040	32.1513%
LEGAL ETHICS AND PRACTICAL EXERCISES	77.11%	96.00%	23.00%	4,404	69.4199%	1,940	30.5801%

NOTE: 

The subject which has the highest number of passers is Labor and Social Legislation while Criminal Law subject has the least number of passers

Here are the list of examiners for each subject

SUBJECT	EXAMINER
POLITICAL LAW AND INTERNATIONAL LAW	(Ret.) SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE ANTONIO NACHURA
LABOR AND SOCIAL LEGISLATION	COURT OF APPEALS JUSTICE MAGDANGAL DE LEON
CIVIL LAW	COURT OF APPEALS JUSTICE JAPAR DIMAAMPAO
TAXATION	COURT OF TAX APPEALS JUSTICE LOVELL BAUTISTA
MERCANTILE LAW	COURT OF APPEALS JUSTICE RAMON PAUL HERANDO
CRIMINAL LAW	COURT OF APPEALS JUSTICE VICTORIA ISABEL PAREDES
REMEDIAL LAW	SUPREME COURT JUSTICE NOEL TIJAM
LEGAL ETHICS AND PRACTICAL EXERCISES	COURT OF APPEALS JUSTICE MYRA GARCIA-FERNANDEZ

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE BAR CONFIDANT

FOR THOSE WHO FAILED TO TAKE THE PHILSAT LAST APRIL 16, 2017

The Legal Education Board (LEB) released LEB Memorandum Order No. 11 (LEBMO) as posted in their Facebook Account last April 21, 2017.

The Memo is entitled "Policies and Regulations for the Administration of a Nationwide Uniform Law School Admission Test for Applicants to the Basic Law Courses in All Law Schools in the Country"

This Memo caters to those who individuals who were not familiar with the Implementation of PhiLSAT because it is just in the stage of implementation and also due to the inclement weather that affected some parts of the country during the administration of the PhiLSAT on April 16, 2017.

First, the memo addresses those who failed to take the PhiLSAT administered for justiable or meritorious reason(s), they maybe admitted by a Law School and enroll in the basic Law Course in the First semester of A.Y 2017-2018, subject to the conditions stated therein.

1. The student shall take the next scheduled PhiLSAT;
2. If the student fails to take the next scheduled PhiLSAT for any reason, his/her conditional admission in the law school shall be automatically revoked;
3. If the student takes the scheduled PhiLSAT but scores below the passing or cut-off score, his/her conditional admission shall also be revoked and barred from enrolling in the following semester, unless the law school expressly admits him/her in the exercise of the discretion given under the Section/Paragraph 14 of LEBMO No. 7, series of 2016, subject to the requirements of the same provisions;
4. The student whose conditional admission and enrollment is subsequently revoked shall not be entitled to the reversal of the school fees assessed and/or refund of the school fees paid; and
5. The student shall execute under oath and file with his/her application for a Permit for Conditional Admission/Enrollment, an UNDERTAKING expressly agreeing to the foregoing conditions.

Simultaneous with the filing of the application for a Permit for Conditional Admission/Enrollment, the applicant shall pay to the Board an Application fee of Three Hundred Pesos (Php 300.00)

Those taking the next scheduled PhiLSAT pursuant to this Memorandum shall be exempted from paying the testing fee for the April 16, 2017 PhiLSAT but were prevented from taking the test due to the inclement weather.

For the purpose of availing of the exemption, the applicant shall state the in his/her application for a Permit for Conditional/Enrollment the details of his/her registration and testing fee payment for the April 16, 2017 PhiLSAT and the circumstances that result to his/her failure to take the test on April 16, 2017. The applicant shall attach as annexes to the application such documentary evidence as may support his/her claim.

In case the application is denied, the applicant may file a written appeal to the Board En Banc within three (3) days from receipt of the notice of denial.

For the softcopy of the Undertaking just click here

For the softcopy of the Application form just click here

MY THOUGHTS ON PhiLSAT

The LEBMO No. 7 series of 2016 released by the Legal Education Board (LEB) establishing a unified standardized test for aspiring law school called Philippine Law School Admission Test (PhiLSAT) is a welcome development in the legal education in the Philippines.

My previous post regarding the implementation of PhiLSAT is clearly a product of my overthinking because apparently it doesn't matter if a potential law student has taken an entrance exam last December or January.

When I had the time to ask the admissions office of San Beda Alabang to clarify, the admin officer told me that all potential law students who would like to enroll to San Beda still needs to take the school's entrance exam on top of the PhiLSAT and those students who have already passed San Beda's entrance exam still needs to take PhiLSAT because they won't be allowed to enroll in law school if they don't. I guess the school recognizes that its income will reasonably decrease if they will stop giving entrance exams *wink* *wink*

In short, a potential law student needs to pass 2 exams in order to study in San Beda Alabang School of Law. One is PhiLSAT and one is the San Beda's entrance exam for School of Law.

Somehow, it becomes clear to me the statement of the LEB Chairman Aquende that PhiLSAT is implemented because some law schools implement "open admission" policy. Open admission policy means the school does not give an entrance exam.

In my previous post, I said before that PhiLSAT is at par with the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) given to aspiring medical students. However, I was wrong.

From my understanding, the score of the potential medical student in NMAT will determine in what Medical School he/she be allowed to enroll. For instance, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery requires its students to have an NMAT score of at least 85% percentile while San Beda College Mendiola College of Medicine requires its student to have an NMAT score of at least 40% percentile.
Furthermore, NMAT does not have a passing score, it just shows you the number of students who got lower score than you. To illustrate, if you got a score of 75% percentile, it means that that 75% of NMAT takers scored lower than you while 25% of NMAT takers scored higher than you.

On the other hand, PhiLSAT has a passing score requirement. A student is not allowed to enroll to any law school if he fails to obtain a score of at least 55%. I thought in my previous post that passing PhiLSAT means that law schools will no longer hold their own entrance exams and I also thought that  those who have already taken and passed the entrance exams of some law schools last December and January will not be affected by the LEB's Memo because of its date of implementation.

To summarize and as far San Beda is concern, a potential law student who wants to enroll in San Beda, the students needs to pass 2 exams, one for PhiLSAT and one for the entrance exam.

On the other hand, if a potential law student wants to enroll, for example in University "X" which does not have any entrance exam, he/she only needs to pass the PhiLSAT.

Basically, LEB just wants to mandate an entrance exam for all law schools in the country.

PRIMER ON THE PhiLSAT

The Legal Education Board (LEB) recently released a memo stating that starting Academic Year 2017-2018, all students who wants to study should take the Philippine Law School Admission Test (PhiLSAT) and obtain a score of at least 55%.

The objective of this new measure is to improve the quality of legal education in the country. 

The PhiLSAT will cover the following topics:

• Communications and Language Proficiency:
• This subtest measures the ability to recognize grammar and usage errors and determine the appropriateness of words and phrases in given sentences. This subtest consists of three question types—sentence completion, identifying sentence error, and improving sentences.
• Critical Thinking Skills:
• This subtest measures the ability to analyze and evaluate reasoning in written materials and to draw conclusions about given propositions. This subtest consists of two question types—logical reasoning and analytical reasoning.
• Verbal Reasoning:
• This subtest measures the ability to understand written materials and make conclusions based on their content. This subtest consists of reading passages followed by questions about the passage.
• Quantitative reasoning:
• This subtest measures the ability to apply basic mathematical skills to the analysis and interpretation of real-world numerical information to draw conclusions. This subtest consists of three question types—pattern recognition, data interpretation, and data sufficiency.

However, law schools have the discretion of giving additional or supplemental exam in addition to the PhiLSAT such as essay exams or a panel interview. In addition, law schools are also given the discretion to impose a higher passing score before admitting a student.

Students who garnered a score lower than 55% can still be admitted, provided, that the Dean of the Law school will give the a written justification to the LEB for each student stating  the reasons for admitting him/her and the general weighted average obtained of the applicant in his/her bachelors degree.

If the written justification could not be done, the student can still retake PhiLSAT as the memo states that a qualified examinee may take the PhiLSAT as many times as he/she wants, without any limit.

The qualification for the PhilSAT examinees are the same as regards the admission policies of law schools which have entrance exams. The only difference is that Honor students who were given Professional Civil Service eligibility two years from their graduation date, are exempted from taking PhiLSAT,  they just need to submit their Certificate of Eligibility to the LEB. For the format of the  exemption form, just click the link. For the certification form from your school, just click the link. 

PhiLSATS shall be administered at least once a year starting this April 16, 2017.

Testing centers shall be located in the following:

• Metro Manila - Univesity of Santo Tomas
• Baguio City - University of the Cordilleras
• Legaspi City - Aquinas University
• Cebu City - University of San Jose-Recoletos
• Iloilo City - University of SanAgustin
• Davao City - Jose Maria College
• Cagayan De Oro City - Xavier University

Additional testing dates and testing centers shall be fixed by the LEB as necessary.

The testing fee is now finalized and it Php 1,000.00 which can be paid online or via on-line counters at the any Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) branches.

All Law Schools are expected to comply with the memorandum released by the LEB. Administrative sanctions, as much as Php 10,000 per infraction. shall be given to the Law Schools if they violate the provisions of the memo.

To view the complete instructions for PhiLSAT, just click this link.

For PhiLSAT practice items, just click this link

TOP PERFORMING LAW SCHOOLS DURING THE 2015 BAR EXAMS

Highest Ranked Law Schools based in Over-all Passing Rates

1. University of the Philippines
2. Ateneo de Manila University
3. Ateneo de Davao University
4. San Beda College - Manila
5. University of Perpetual Help System-Laguna
6. University of San Carlos
7. Centro Escolar University
8. University of Santo Tomas
9. St. Thomas More School of Law and Business
10. De La Salle Lipa
11. Angeles University Foundation
12. De La Salle University-Taft
13. Silliman University
14. University of Cebu
15. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

Highest Ranked Law Schools for New/First Time Examinees

1. Angeles University Foundation
2 University of the Philippines
3. Ateneo de Davao University
4. Ateneo de Manila University
5. University of Santo Tomas
6. University of San Carlos
7. San Beda College - Manila
8. De La Salle Lipa
9. University of Perpetual Help System-Laguna
10. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
11. Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
12. Saint Louis University
13. Silliman University
14. Centro Escolar University
15. Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan

Source: Legal Education Board of the Philippines

FRESHMAN GUIDE: WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES

Congratulations!!!

You are about to embark on a new journey in your life. This journey will present new challenges which will test your will and determination.  This path will lead you to your dream of becoming a lawyer. 

WELCOME TO LAW SCHOOL!

So let's get down to business.

During the first week, more often than not, your professors will not come to class
(insert smiley face). 

HOWEVER,

If ever they come to class, the first thing the class should do is to stand-up when the professor is about to enter the room. This is a sign of courtesy and respect.

The professor will then check the attendance of the class and will distribute the class cards. 

Fill-up your classcard with the necessary information 

If he/she hasn't introduced her name in your class, you have the option to ask him/her. If ever the said professor didn't divulge his/her name, you could ask the Dean's Office later (ask them nicely)

The professors will also select the student who will be the class beadle. The beadle is tasked to speak in behalf of the class and distribute any information pertinent to the class. The professor will contact the beadle in case he/she could not come to class or will give additional assignments etc.

Next is the professor will give their house rules.

Every professor has his/her own house rules so keep note of them. Some prohibit the use of gadgets in class, some only allow handwritten notes (no books allowed), some do not allow students going out of the room to pee once the class starts among others. 

Always ask your professor of his/her preferred textbook. Ask him if he/she grants ceasefires (no recitation for the said meeting)

After introducing themselves and giving their house rules, some professors would like to know their students better so they will ask you to introduce yourself in class. You will recite your full name, undergrad course, undergrad school and hobbies.  Also be prepared to answer the question, why did you pursue the study of law.

Next is the professor will give the first assignment for next meeting. The assignment will likely include chapters to be read and the corresponding cases.

In jotting down the list of cases, it is imperative for you to listen intently. It would be better for you to sit near the professor.
The professor will say the following in succeeding order.
CASE TITLE, SCRA NUMBER, DATE OF PROMULGATION OF JUDGEMENT

Example:

Tañada v. Tuvera, 136 SCRA 27, April 24, 1985

Don't fret if you missed the case title, the most important thing for you to know is the SCRA Number.

It would be better if the professor will give you a hardcopy of the list of cases he/she will assign the entire semester.

If you have the list of cases, ask the beadle after the class to give the list to the photocopying services in the library. The person in charge of the photocopying service will be the one who will search for your cases and you will get your compiled full text of cases probably in just a couple of hours. (Pretty neat right?)

If you do not like bringing/holding piles of cases in school, you could search it online and save it to your gadget. Just make sure you have the right citations. 

Going back,

After the professor gives the assignment, he/she will likely dismiss the class. Again, stand-up as a sign of courtesy and respect.

Bear in mind that students are not allowed to leave the room until the professor leaves first. 

NOW,

What if your professor did not arrive?

I want you to take this opportunity to get to know your blocmates.

Interact with them, introduce yourself and be charming as you can possibly be. 

As a rule of thumb, never assume that the professor will not go to class when he/she is one hour late. Always ask the advice of the dean's office before going home. There will be severe consequences when the professor arrives in class and more than 30% of the class is absent. This is called "boycott" 

Before going home, bond with your blocmates by going to dinner together. Your blocmates will be your constant companions not only in the first semester but also in the 2nd semester.

The first week in law school will be ok, there will be less pressure BUT as the weeks go by, the pressure gradually increases.

You can do it! Good Luck! and remember the benedictine values of Ora Et Labora.



***PLEASE SHARE THIS POST IF YOU KNOW ANY INCOMING FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENT***

FAQs: DO I NEED TO JOIN A FRATERNITY/SORORITY IN LAW SCHOOL?

Do I need to join an organization or even fraternity/sorority in order to survive law school? 

Nope, it is not a requirement.

Hardwork, dedication, passion for learning and continuous seeking guidance from above are still the key fundamentals to survive law school

What will I gain if join these organizations/fraternities/sororities?

First, they could give you copies of the previous exams given by your professor.

Second, they could give you up-to-date review materials from time-to-time

Third, they could help you find employment once you graduate in law school or even while in law school

Fourth, they will tell you the list of "who's-who" in the legal profession which are also members of their organization. One particular fraternity is connected to our newly-elected President. 

And lastly, they will help you prepare when you are about to take the BAR examinations through BAR operations.

Is it true that I will automatically pass my subject if my professor knows that I am his fellow brod/sis in the organization?

Nope, it is not a guarantee. Remember that there are no shortcuts in order to achieve success.

Why are the fraternities/sororities are still allowed to recruit even if there are strict prohibitions and stiff penalties for joining the same? 

To be clear, most schools discourage law students to join fraternities and sororities because the means of joining the said organizations are not in-line with the mission/vision of the school. Not to mention that most prominent law schools are managed by Priests of the various Religious orders.

Now here lies the problem, most of the faculty members in the College of Law are, more often than not, fraternity/sorority members themselves. The latter may appear that they are against the recruitment but honestly, they are just doing the same to appease with the Father Rector.

A fraternity/sorority member approached me to join them, they said that they no longer require physical violence during the initiation process, is it true?

I have obtained an information from a very credible member of one Fraternity that they no longer inflict physical violence to their neophytes like paddling, punching among others. Instead, they only give the neophytes 3 whips in the body. 1st strike will be the hardest, 2nd strike will not be as hard as the first one and the 3rd and last strike will be lightest. I will not share the meaning of those 3 strikes because if I do, it will be a giveaway already.

On the flipside, some sororities claim that they don't inflict physical harm towards their recruits. One friend of mine said to me that her sorority is not really a sorority but just an organization exclusively for girls. She further added that her religious affiliation won't allow her to join if the said organization was a sorority.

So there, it might be tricky but If you really want to join, just ask permission from your parents first or at least inform them that you will join. It is the least thing you could do.

Will the activities of the organization affect my studies?

Yup, in one way or another. However, the thing about having affiliation in law school is that there activities are mostly likely scheduled after the exam week. So it will have minimal effect on your studies not unless you are an officer of the said organization.

The busiest time for each organization in law school will be the BAR month. It will be a major challenge to manage time, especially if the Final examinations are scheduled during the same month as the BAR exams.

At the end of the day, it will ultimately be your decision to make whether you would like to join the aforementioned organizations or not.

***PLEASE SHARE THIS POST IF YOU KNOW ANY INCOMING FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENT***

2015 BAR EXAM RESULTS: COMPARATIVE STATISTICAL DATA

SUBJECTS	MEDIAN RATING	HIGHEST RATING	LOWEST RATING	EXAMINEES WHO PASSED		EXAMINEES WHO FAILED
				NUMBER	PERCENTAGE	NUMBER	PERCENTAGE
POLITICAL AND INTERNATIONAL LAW	62.37%	92.00%	9.00%	1,533	23.15%	5,090	76.85%
LABOR AND SOCIAL LEGISLATION	76.38%	85.50%	28.00%	4,656	70.34%	1,963	29.66%
CIVIL LAW	66.84%	97.00%	13.00%	1,591	24.06%	5,021	75.94%
TAXATION	69.13%	99.00%	12.00%	5,021	36.25%	4,215	63.75%
MERCANTILE LAW	74.32%	97.00%	19.00%	4,215	55.67%	2,929	44.33%
CRIMINAL LAW	69.56%	94.00%	33.50%	5,447	17.57%	5,447	82.43%
REMEDIAL LAW	75.85%	93.00%	21.00%	2,983	54.84%	2,983	45.16%
LEGAL ETHICS AND PRACTICAL EXERCISES	75.39%	99.00%	9.00%	2,913	55.90%	2,913	44.10%

NOTE: 

The subject which has the highest number of passers is Labor and Social Legislation while Criminal Law subject has the least number of passers

Here are the list of examiners for each subject

SUBJECT	EXAMINER
POLITICAL LAW AND INTERNATIONAL LAW	SANDIGANBAYAN PRESIDING JUSTICE AMPARO CABOTAJE-TANG
LABOR AND SOCIAL LEGISLATION	SC SPOKESMAN ATTY. THEODORE TE
CIVIL LAW	ATTY. LITA RINDA-JIMENO
TAXATION	CTA ASSOC. JUSTICE AMELIA COTANGCO-MANALASTAS
MERCANTILE LAW	ATTY. RAPHAEL MORALES
CRIMINAL LAW	SANDIGANBAYAN ASSOC. JUSTICE EFREN DELA CRUZ
REMEDIAL LAW	SANDIGANBAYAN ASSOC. JUSTICE ALEXANDER GESMUNDO
LEGAL ETHICS AND PRACTICAL EXERCISES	SANDIGANBAYAN ASSOC. JUSTICE MARIA THERESA MENDOZA-ARCEGA

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE BAR CONFIDANT