Tarlac State University’s School of Law (SOL) held a testimonial dinner for the newly sworn TSUian lawyers and other passers from the SOL refresher program earlier this evening (May 13, 2022) at the Bella Plaza, Tarlac City.
This is a celebration of the journey of the 2020-2021 Bar Exam passers – their hardships and success.
In his congratulatory message, SOL Dean Dr. Jose I. Dela Rama, Jr. read passages from Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and posed a challenge to the new lawyers.
“Outside the portals of our beloved law school, there are so many Basilios out there. Outside the portals of TSU Law, there are so many Crispins out there. Outside the comfort of your home and classrooms, there are so many Sisas out there. My challenge to you my dear students... Are you willing to help the people for their fight and quest for justice?” said Dean Dela Rama.
He also re-echoed the SOL motto of honor, integrity, and nobility in his message.
“In your quest for truth and justice, always maintain your honor. Always respect and maintain your integrity for the nobility of your profession,” he added.
The event was well attended by the SOL faculty, officers and members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and TSU officials led by University President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco.
Moreover, Executive Judge to the Regional Trial Court Branch 11 of the Family Court Hon. Joefferson B. Toribio graced the gathering as the guest of honor and speaker. He also reminded the passers about the nobility of law practice.
“So as a young practitioner, always keep in mind that your fidelity is to the court as to your clients. Thus, work hard to win your cases on the merits and shun corruption. Always remember that the practice of law is a noble profession and not a business,” Judge Toribio said.
“We should not measure the success of our law practice by the wealth we have acquired, but rather it should be measured by the good name and reputation for fairness and integrity we have earned for ourselves in the service of our countrymen,” he added.
Meanwhile, President Velasco’s presidential address focused on the story of national hero and patriot Apolinario Mabini who was also a lawyer.
“With the new 27 lawyers whom we are honoring tonight, and those multitudes of the School of Law that graduated [sic], become the modern 21st century, 4th Industrial Revolution lawyers who are not physically [disabled] like Mabini, but multi-talented, abled and ready to flex, the TSU brand of graduates who are competent, industrious, and people-oriented,” Pres. Velasco said.
He emphasized that quality law education can also be received within the country, particularly in the Tarlac province.
“Like Atty. Apolinario Mabini, we need not get out of the country to study law and be an exemplary jurist; one need not get out of Tarlac to find a good law school. It is right here at Tarlac State University which has the best, the brightest faculty of a school of law led by Dean Peng,” he added.
Among the honored guests who delivered congratulatory messages are Central Luzon IBP Governor Atty. Peter Paul Maglalang and Tarlac 2nd District Representative-elect Hon. Christian Tell A. Yap who was joined by his wife, TSU Board of Regents member Hon. Melissa Yeung-Yap.
Towards the end of the program, Dean Dela Rama released a dove, a symbol of sending off the new lawyers into the field. Plaques and monetary incentives amounting to 30,000 pesos from the university were also awarded to the passers.
Leading the new set of lawyers is Atty. Michael John O. Dimarucut who shared his success story. Atty. Dimarucut is one of the passers recognized for his exemplary performance, garnering a passing score ranging from 85% to 90%
The traditional list of topnotchers has been replaced with the list of exemplary and excellent (95% above) examinees.
TSU SOL garnered a 65.38% passing percentage for first time takers and an overall passing rate of 58.70% with a total of 27 new TSUian lawyers in the 2020-2021 Bar Examinations.
This batch gave TSU the highest number of passers since the establishment of SOL.
