Professional Documents
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* Tips on answers that require enumerating something. (i.e. elements). If you can enumerate all, write it in bulleted or
numbered form to highlight the fact that you know all of them and for more convenient-reading purposes. If you cannot
enumerate all, write it in paragraph form so that it would not easily be noticeable that you missed something. (I got the
above tip from our mentor Atty. Gafar Lutian)
DISTINCTION
When being asked to distinguish, do not state its definition. If you give its definition, you are in effect asking the
examiner to extract out the differences of the two [or more] from your definition. Do not also give their similarities. You
are asked to differentiate and contrast, so similarities are not included (That was a tip I learned from my professor in Civil
Law Review I, Atty. Virgilio Gesmundo).The number of distinctions you will give must also be proportionate on the points
allotted for such. If it is only worth two points, do not give 8 distinctions. The examiner cannot give you 8 points for
that…. For a two point distinction question, perhaps, three would be enough (four is not too much).
1. The (i.e. two) may be distinguished from each other in the followings
ways:
1. b.
2. In the first, it is necessary that there be….., whereas in the second it is sufficient
that there be ….
2. In the former, … while in the latter…
4. The former requires … while the latter…
5. … on the other hand ______________ is…
ANSWERING QUESTIONS WITH VAGUE FACTS (or which requires qualification)
But if the facts are complete in itself, do not attempt to add facts or assume anything.
1. We must distinguish. If… (or As far as the __________ is concerned)
2. It depends. If…(or As far as the __________ is concerned)
3. The question requires a qualified answer. If…
4. I will qualify. If…
5. On the assumption that…
6. My answer must be qualified.
JURISDICTION
1. The case is beyond the ambit of the jurisdiction of the (i.e. Regional TrialCourt)
2. It is within the ambit of the (i.e. Secretary of Labor’s) power.
3. It is not within the province of the (i.e. Municipal Trial Court)
4. It is clearly within the powers of the (i.e. Labor Arbiter) to…
5. The case of (i.e. ejectment) lies with the Municipal Trial Court.
6. The case is cognizable by the (i.e. Regional Trial Court)
7. The case is covered by the (Rules on Summary Procedure).
8. The law vests upon the (i.e. Secretary of Justice) the power to…
ELABORATING/EXPOUNDING ANSWERS
Go straight to the point. The length of answers and expounding the same, must always be proportionate to the points
allotted for such particular question. The higher the points, the more in-depth the elaboration should be. However, it
must not appear “na nambobola ka na”. Sometimes, if your answer is too long, it is an indication that you are not sure of
the answer so there is that need of getting around the bush. Remember that most of the times, MORE TALK, MORE
MISTAKE!!! (I got this tip frommy professor in Political Law, Dean Mariano F. Magsalin, Jr.)
1. It should be borne in mind that…
2. It must be noted that…
3. It may be recalled that…
4. It is worth observing…
5. It must be taken into consideration that…
6. More importantly, ….
7. Significantly,…
8. Corollarily,…
9. Furthermore,…
10. Moreover,…
11. Similarly,…
12. Parenthetically,…
13. In other words,…
14. Otherwise stated,…
15. Simply put,…
16. Simply stated,…
17. Stated more concretely…
18. The reasons are obvious. (expound)
19. The reasons are well-known. (expound)
20. The reasons are plain. (expound)
21. Under the same line of reasoning,…
22. As regards…
3. With regard to… (it is error to state “with regards to”)
24. Anent the (i.e. first issue),…
25. As far as the ________________ is concerned,…
26. This is indicated by the fact that…
27. The language of the law leaves no room for doubt that,…
28. Justice and fair-play dictates that,…
29. Applying the principle of….
30. For all its conceded merits, (i.e. equity is available in the absence of lawand not as its replacement)…
31. The law is categorical with regard to…
32. Notwithstanding the… (i.e. execution of the document)
33. It is beyond debate that,…
34. It is imperative to look at,…
5. This is consistent with the time-honored maxim (i.e. nullum crimen nulla poena sine lege).
36. As it is imbued with public interest,…
37. In like manner,
38. In the same manner,
39. In the same vein,
40. In the same breath,
41. Likewise,..
42. In fine,
43. It bears articulating that
44. The controlling element in the (i.e. crime of estafa) is…
45. By analogy,…
46. Suffice it to state that..
47. Emphasis must also be placed at…
48. Manifestly, there was (i.e. grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction)
49. Needless to stress that…
50. It goes without saying that
51. The Supreme Court frowns upon the (i.e. illegal practice of forum shopping as it erodes the administration of justice
and makes a mockery of the justice system).
52. There is no denying in this case, that (i.e. the petitioner never raised the issue of jurisdiction throughout the entire
proceedings in the trial court; case of Tijam vs. Sibonghanoy)
53. It is now too late in the day for the respondent/defendant to (i.e. raise the issue
of …)
54. Equally telling is the (i.e. factual finding of the lower court) that…
55. The gravamen of the (i.e. the crime of rebellion is an armed public uprising against the government)
56. It cannot be denied that (i.e. the petitioner is also guilty of negligence)…
57. Attention must be drawn to the fact that…
58. ___________ and ____________ are two mutually exclusive remedies. An application of one precludes the
application of the other.
59. To amplify,…
60. It must be pointed out that…
61. Notably,…
62. At the outset, the (i.e. defendant)…
63. Coming now to the issue of (i.e. prescription),…