Oath Taking Speech

for the 2018 Bar Exams Successful Examinees

June 13, 2019, Philippine International Convention Center

Greetings

My esteemed colleagues, led by our Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin; the

man of the hour, Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo – Chairman of the 2018
Philippine Bar Exams (a warm round of applause for him please, everyone); the
Deans of the different law schools; our Bar Examiners; our Bar Confidant, Atty.
Ma. Cristina B. Layusa; all the hardworking staff of the Supreme Court of the
Philippines; parents and relatives of our bar passers; distinguished guests; and of
course, to the reason we are all here today – the successful examinees of the 2018
Philippine Bar Exams – a pleasant afternoon to all of you!

It is with great honor and joy that I stand here today to welcome our 1,800
successful examinees into the legal profession. It is always an uplifting experience
to attend an oath taking of new lawyers. It is an occasion to see hope and
exuberance etched on every face; to feel the pride of their achievement and the joy
of their success; and to be carried away by the positivity and optimism flowing
freely and abundantly all throughout the activity.

Undoubtedly, your journey towards becoming a lawyer has been a long and
arduous one. Graduating from law school, going through several grueling months
of bar review, powering through the four Sundays of the Bar, tensely waiting for
the results, and finally seeing your names on that most coveted list are no small
feats of patience, resilience, and faith that not most people can endure. Truly, for
your accomplishments, you all deserve the heartiest of congratulations – friends
and families, please join me in giving all of our new lawyers another big round of
applause!

Now that you have passed the bar and have finally gained the distinction of
being called an “attorney-at-law”, your journey to the next chapter – called legal
practice – begins. When pondering about the thought of where to start, most of you
have harbored – or are still harboring – apprehensions, or even fear, in making the
right choice. After all, in a myriad of possibilities offered by the legal profession, it
is always ideal to take root in a job where you can realize your full potential.

As every one of us is a product of our own unique circumstance, the

beginning of every legal career begets a story which is peculiar. While this may be
so, we have goals that we factor in common, one of which is to be able to acquire
solid training in developing foundational lawyering skills. May it be through
litigation or corporate practice, learning the ropes of the most prominent areas of
legal practice will make you versatile lawyers and will always prove useful no
matter where you go. In this light, joining a prestigious law firm would be a logical
first choice. Law firms are known testing grounds for young lawyers. However,
since you will enter the firm as the most junior of lawyers, expect to be always on
call and to bear the brunt of the work.
 In addition to providing quality training, some of the most reputable law
firms even offer high compensation packages for a neophyte lawyer. This is also
true for big private corporations. There is no denying that the financial aspect of
the job is one of the key considerations in making a career choice. In fact, for some
of you, it may even be the most important factor in choosing where to start. Truth
be told, the predisposition for most of us to seek financially rewarding jobs is but a
natural response to the necessities of life. This especially goes for most of you who
are just experiencing or have yet to experience what it is like to earn. Indeed,
crossing over from being students who were largely dependent on parental support
to being full-fledged professionals, a well-paying job will not only sustain your
own personal needs but will also enable you to help and give back to your
respective families.

Financial considerations and good training in litigation were also two of my

prime concerns early on in my career. My first job was as a Technical Assistant in
the office of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court in obedience to my
father’s wish who wanted me to become a judge someday. However, my stint there
was short-lived because the meager pay I was receiving could hardly meet the
future needs of raising a new family. Fortunately, I was soon given an opportunity
to work at the legal department of a prominent bank, before I moved on to two
other reputable financial institutions and eventually, put up a law office.

In the early years, my career was geared towards the path of private practice
but, as it turned out, there was a different blue print for me. Little did I know that
yearning for public service would take root in my heart and branch out to every
corner of my entire being. Never did I imagine that working as a public servant
would give me a sense of fulfillment that is incomparable to anything. I have
served in the Judiciary for 23 uninterrupted years now. While there have been
times that my determination and fortitude as a person have been truly tested, I have
always found it in my heart to endure and persevere. As my story goes, public
service was not my ideal path; in fact, I initially shunned away from it. But then
again, we will never truly know where we will be until we have listened to life’s
greatest teacher and that is, experience.

My young lawyers, you will have your own lives to live, and your own
stories to tell. As authors of your individual careers, never allow anybody else to
hold the pen. Banish the illusion of perfection, and do not be afraid to take
calculated risks. I have often heard it said: when making a choice, go with your
heart even if it terrifies you. Hardly will there be a perfect first choice; and rarely
will everyone have a perfect beginning. And so, do not be anxious and just treasure
every experience.

However, as you watch your bright careers unfold before you, I implore all
of you to always remember these three things:

First, hard work is the foundation of your dreams. Keep in mind that no
matter how talented or naturally gifted you are, there is no substitute for hard work.
As one famous line even goes, “perseverance is the secret of all triumphs.” And so,
cultivate an unyielding work ethic and ingrain it deeply in your system that it
becomes a way of life. Never shortchange yourselves or your employers with the
quality of your effort. No matter how you fare in the early days of your career,
know that improvement comes from an unrelenting work attitude.

Second, and more importantly, in whatever you decide to do, never

compromise your integrity. I am certain that the title of an “attorney” will open you
to a whole new world of opportunities. But, at the end of it all, always remember
that in whatever opportunity you choose, your integrity is non-negotiable. As new
members of this noble profession, you bear the cause of advancing justice and the
rule of law in our society. Such is a task that is not bound by any personal
qualification as it transcends every circumstance. And so, wear your integrity like a
badge, firmly stamped on every legal work. Do not be lured by the artificial
glimmer of power or money. After all, your legacy in this profession will not be
measured by how much wealth you have gained or any status you have achieved,
but rather, by the number of lives you have touched in fighting for the cause of the
oppressed in a world filled with injustice.

And finally, as millennials, continue to be technologically-savvy,

resourceful, and socially-minded. No one can adapt to the changes brought about
by the rapid growth of technology better than you. In this day and age where we
are all inter-connected through channels of cyberspace, you can do more to
influence society in a good way. Use the gifts of technology not for your own
personal interests and gain but for the improvement of the legal field. As the future
leaders of the legal profession, assume the greater responsibility of harnessing the
law to meet the new challenges brought about by this modern age.

In closing, let me congratulate you once more for a job well done. I am sure
that you, the digital natives of this hashtag generation, will be posting about the
pride and joy of your achievement on your social media accounts. Truly, my heart
joins you all in your jubilation; nevertheless, it is my sincere hope that when you
look back on that post years from now, you will remember not only the celebration
of the distinction conferred upon you today, but also the solemn oath you took to
uphold the ideals of truth and justice and to be life-long disciples of the law.

Thank you and good afternoon to all!