SC disowns ‘letter’ containing Leonen comment on 2017 bar exams

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday clarified that a supposed letter from Associate Justice Marvic Leonen commenting on the 2017 bar examination questions did not come from the magistrate. (Photo By Supreme Court of the Philippines, Public Domain)

MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday clarified that a supposed letter from Associate Justice Marvic Leonen commenting on the 2017 bar examination questions did not come from the magistrate.

The letter which circulated online included comments like, “All questions are basic principles from each respective subject that even a law graduate can comprehend and answer,” which refers to the bar examinations that began last Sunday.

Included in the said letter is an expectation of a high passing rate from this year’s bar examination takers.

A tweet clarified that Leonen “did not write [the] letter” was posted in the official Twitter account of the SC Public Information Office.

Days before the first day of the examinations, Leonen posted series of tweets in his Twitter account advising aspiring lawyers to chill and shy away from social media.

Leonen also suggested to prepare on the evening before the test by having good meals and rest, peaceful communication with their god, meditation and focusing in the present.

“For those taking the bar examinations: focus on being able to answer the questions one at a time. Do not be fixated to top or fail.” Leonen said in his Twitter account.

This year’s bar examinations which started on Sunday will be taken by 7,227 law graduates.

This will be held on all Sundays of November at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and covers eight law subjects namely Civil Law, Criminal Law, Labor Law, Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises, Mercantile Law, Political Law, Taxation and Remedial Law.

Compared to the last three years, the number of bar candidates this year increased by 4 percent.

According to the Office of the Bar Confidant and the SC PIO, 13 applicants were denied by the Court for various reasons while 30 of the admitted 7,257 candidates withdrew their applications prior to the examinations.

This year’s Bar Exams Committee chairperson is Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin while lawyer Ma. Cristina Layusa sits as the bar confidant.