A 69-year-old former police officer passed the 2023 Bar Examination, his eighth time of taking it.
In an interview during DZRH Stories: Pinoy Documentaries, Jenny Zacarias shared that he first attempted to become a lawyer in 1998, the year when he graduated from law school.
“Bale 25 years in the making ito at pang-walong take itong pinaka-huli,” he said.
“Dati akong miyembro ng Western Police District. At that time, naisip ko na para ang promotion ay maging mabilis, dapat magdagdag ng career. So, naisipan kong mag-aral ng abogasya,” Zacarias continued.
Atty. Jenny Zacarias, 69-year-old Bar passer: Bale 25 years in the making ito at pang-walong take itong pinakahuli. #DZRHStories#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
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According to the new lawyer, juggling between his police work and studying for the bar exam became an obstacle for him to pass.
“Medyo mahirap kapag may trabaho ka at kulang ang oras mo, 'yon ang nangyari kaya paulit-ulit ako,” Zacarias said.
In addition to this, he experienced a dislocation of the lens, an eye problem, and consequently, his time was poured into numerous check-ups and operations.
But despite the challenges, the new lawyer said he shifted all his focus to review.
“Napansin ko na medyo nakakarami na ako ng take. Iniwanan ko ang mga bagahe, yung nakakasagabal para maka-upo ako at mag-focus sa review," Zacarias said.
When asked about his recipe to pass the exam, he said “Commitment, discipline, and consistency in reviewing.”
On Tuesday, Dec. 5, the Supreme Court announced that 3,812 aspirants of the 10,387 examinees who passed the exam. The overall passing rate stood at 36.77 percent.
Aside from Zacarias, a 62-year-old senior citizen named Rosula Calcula passed the 2023 Bar exams on her first take.
