Yes.

I believe that employing a purely essay bar examination will effectively determine the
competence and capability of bar examinees and in turn identify those who deserve to write
their names on the roll of attorneys. It is of my humble opinion that essay questions are more
effective and reliable measure of knowledge, critical thinking, and analytical skills than multiple
choice questions. To support this, I hold that the line that draws and separates the two is the
method of recalling or the process of applying learned principles of law to given situational or
objective questions. I am of the judgment that essay questions squeeze more stored
information in a bar examinee’s brain than Multiple Choice Questions. In multiple choice
questions, the possibility of chance or randomly choosing a correct answer is high. Thus, it can
be deduced that in a Multiple Choice Bar Examination, luck could be a great factor. This would
be upsetting if so and repugnant to the purpose of the examination – to measure who’s ready
for the profession and who’s not.

Espousing my opinion above, I therefore do not fully support the notion of using the MCQ-
Memorandum Writing type of exam used in 2011 again – but with qualification. As a
clarification, I am aware of the benefits of using such method. Here, a question could test a bar
examinee’s skill of identifying the best answer from a choices of correct answers which cannot
be done in an essay question. The probability of “recognition” is also high, therefore, one who
may have forgot an answer, may satisfyingly recognize the best answer from the choices thus
increasing the likelihood of passing the bar. This is the reason why I qualify my answer as, I
support a categorized way of bar examinations, which the Supreme Court has implemented in
the past. An 75% essay and 25% multiple choice is what I think could be enough as a testing
methodology in Bar Examinations.

To sum, I unquestionably and undeniably submit that it is rigorous to hurdle the bar. The past
several years, the passing rates haven’t been so favorable and pleasing. It is a hard to swallow
truth that dreaming to become a lawyer is truly a hard to achieve dream. It may be because of
the way of questioning in the Bar that strains the examinees. But I also unquestionably and
undeniably submit that perseverance, will, preparation, determination, and prayers can
significantly help one in hurdling the bar.
The law profession has been my fire in the belly throughout my academe venture. In my first
year in Law School, I have been acquainted to several interesting law areas. All of these areas
absolutely captured my interest, but only few stood out to be the areas that I envision myself
practicing. Definitely, the administration of justice and putting into practice the rule of law are
the two major factors that I consider in choosing where to focus my attention, if, God willing, I
become a lawyer. To answer the question, the two fields that I would like to specialize on are –
Constitutional Law and Criminal Law.

Criminal Law to me is a spice that gives strong zest to the practice of law. I reason that
practicing criminal law, particularly in court gives additional essence and feat to being a lawyer.
The practice of prosecuting criminals or defending innocents is undeniably a challenge that is
worthy of accepting. The complexities of litigation in criminal law adds to the challenge that
attracts me. Although I deem that practicing criminal law is absolutely stressful, the fruit of its
labor to me is what I am craving for. Putting a criminal behind bars or freeing an innocent of his
chains is a badge that I would be wiling to step up for and dedicate my life to.

“The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the land”, this phrase sounds music to my ears. It
means to me that specializing on the Constitution, is mastering the validity of all laws, for all
laws bow to the mandate of the Constitution. It is a special field to me that somehow gives an
inch of advantage to all other fields. The study of the structure of the government and its
instrumentalities, the powers of the state and its limitations, and the guaranteed rights of the
people under Bill of Rights are fundamental features of the study of the Constitution that totally
make my brain drools. Unfortunately, the study of the Constitution which corollary compels
one to read bunch of cases, is to me exhaustive. Notwithstanding, my love for the field does not
cease and continues to grow. For in my judgment, being expert on the Constitution gives one a
bird’s eye-view of the rule of law. It is the rule of law. The embodiment of justice, the basic end
of being a lawyer.