UP Bar Operations 2006: UP Y.O.U.R.S.

:
Lectures
Your One-Stop Ultimate Review Source* Miles Malaya 09183550728/ water_nymph_20@yahoo.com
Our tagline for this year is almost self-explanatory. Basically, we just Secretariat
want you to concentrate on your review and leave all the logistical and Rhudz Raimundo 09198004422 / rhudz07@yahoo.com
other nitty-gritties to us. We want to be Your One-Stop Ultimate Review Hotel Ops
Izzy Laluna 09193237284 / izzy_laluna@yahoo.com
Source…We want to be of help to you...And we hope that you would
Peter Dizon 09168500501 / michaelgdizon@yahoo.com
help us help you.
Finance
Carlo Olivar 09204207148 / steverogersneo@yahoo.com
*special thanks to Mr. Jomi Manalo for this year’s tagline Web Affairs
Richelle Macapagal 09178557417 / oceanchelle@yahoo.com
Messsage from the Bar Ops Head Special Projects
Dear UP Law Barristers, JM Sison 09209244320 / blue.forehand@gmail.com
Lounge Commission
Third Bagro 09162434811 / thirdbagro02@yahoo.com
Congratulations for graduating from the UP College of Law! Now, on
Night Ops
you go to the next hurdle: preparing and taking the 2006 Bar
Polka Gan 09189422656 / polka_3na@yahoo.com
Examinations. We want to make sure that you will be fully armed and Transportation
prepared for this (hopefully) one-time battle.  Anj Manlangit 09178015030 /
As a final installment to our Bar Candidate Orientation Package For queries involving academic matters, you may contact the following
(comprised of the Bar Orientation Seminars, the Bar Starter Kit and this heads:
Primer), we have revised and are reproducing the Barely Legal BarOps Civil Law
2005 Primer. This primer, contains information gathered by the Special Paul Sorino 09178413147 / paulito_s@yahoo.com
Projects Committee of the 2005 Bar Operations, which gathers tips Political Law
given by various UP Law alumni across the years - information, which Jape de Leon 09279207135 / ja_pee@yahoo.com
would aid you in your review. Most, if not all of this materials, are Labor Law
available via the net (sent through your egroups and uploaded on Vivian Tan 09178564697
www.upbarops.com , yet still, we want to provide you guys with a Taxation
handy hard copy.  Ces Sicangco
Rowena Romero 09279312621/ rowena_v_romero@yahoo.com
True to our mantra (we want to be Y.O.U.R.S. – Your One-Stop Commercial Law
Ultimate Review Source), The BarOps 2006 team is committed to be in Lianne Gervacio 09178198530 / lianne_ger@yahoo.com
your service during your Bar Preparations. For any of your Criminal Law
Hyacinth Rafael 09153325480 / hyacinth_rafael@yahoo.com
queries/requests, do contact us!
Remedial Law
Ascheia Yumul 09178483204 / aschzyumul@yahoo.com
Bar Ops Head:
Legal Ethics / Forms
Lorybeth Baldrias 09178898783 / cpabaldrias@yahoo.com
Migs de Jesus 09175309796 /
Deputy Head:
Nayna Malayang 09178237151 / anrmqt@yahoo.com
Co-Head for Finance We are one in being Y.O.U.R.S. – Your One-Stop Ultimate Review
Hardy Aquende 09209507925/ hardy_aquende@yahoo.com Source, as we all both work and pray very hard for the success of your
Academics (Reviewers): Bar Review and Examinations. All the best!
Dionne Sanchez 09177625556 / dionnesanchez@yahoo.com
Lay-out/Distribution
Bobbie Sta Maria 09189285878 / bobbiesm@yahoo.com Lorybeth R. Baldrias
Jam Jacob 09209211747 / leamaj@yahoo.com Head, 2006 UP Law Bar Operations

lrb/04/22/06 
 Due to limited space, the student lounge has been divided into sixty
I. Announcements (60) slots to be made available for use to barristers. Each of the four
blocks (A, B, C and E) was allotted twelve (12) slots. These twelve
slots shall be raffled off and assigned to the respective block members
A SCHEDULES FROM THE ACADS COMMITTEE who have signified to their block presidents/representatives their wish to
get lounge slots1.
o 25 April: Release of Crim & Legal Ethics Reviewers
o May Wk 1: Release of Labor, Political Law & Tax Reviewers Students who have enrolled in Bar Review programs at other law
schools shall not be eligible for a slot in the lounge.
o May Wk 2: Release of Comm, Rem & Civ Reviewers
o May Wk 4: Release of 3 years of case surveys The following are the rules2 that shall govern the use of the Student
Lounge:
o June: Ateneo Reviewers*
o July: San Beda Reviewers* FREE SLOTS
o June-Aug: Lectures Four (4) slots shall be, at any given time, made available to a U.P.
o Mid-July: Mock Bar Barrister on a fist come, first served basis. These slots shall be
appropriately marked for your information.
*subject to availability, but we want to get them
for you by hook or by crook 
Things left on the free slot shall be deemed adverse claims to such and
Notes: shall therefore be subject to collection and placement in a box
1. Schedules are subject to change without prior notice, if any exigency arises conspicuously placed inside the lounge for claiming.
2. Distribution of materials will be via the Barrister’s frat/soro/org. For
RIGHTS of the SLOT ASSIGNEE
unaffiliated Barristers, materials will be distributed via lounge pigeon holes.
3. Further releases of BAR Materials will be announced by the end of summer Every slot assignee shall have the discretion to use the slot exclusively
for him/herself, subject to the following options:
B. COMMUNICATIONS
For Bar Ops Announcements, please make sure you have access to 1. Spot Sharing – An assignee has the right to permanently or
the following for a certain period of time share the slot to one or more U.P
o Posters – locations: Bar Ops Board, Lounge, Caf, Law Center, Lib Barristers, i.e., two or more barristers agree to share the
o Text groups – we will be texting your block reps for important same desk space in the lounge;
announcements every once in a while till the time that we get to
form a text group 2. Spot Swapping – Assignees shall have the discretion to trade
o Email – via uplaw2006@yahoogroups.com spots with other assignees by agreeing to change locations
o Website – www.upbarops.com within the Lounge;

3. Temporary 3rd Party Use – During times when the slot shall
C. GUIDELINES FROM THE LOUNGE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
not be occupied, the assignee can lend (strictly for free)
his/her slot to a 3rd party Barrister. This practice is highly
As of 17 April 2006
encouraged in order to accommodate those not granted
lounge slots, as well as to accumulate advantageous karmic
From April until September this year, the Student Lounge shall be used
vibes. =) This can be done via:
as a study room for U.P. Barristers.
1
See attached document for the complete list
2
Based from the 20 April 2005 LSG Circular #1

lrb/04/22/06 

a.) The assignee leaving a signed note posted on
the desk stating his/her intention to lend with
his/her contact number (The committee will exert
its best effort in providing for post-its.),
b.) and the 3rd party borrower obtaining the express
consent of the assignee either personally or
through the contact number indicated
This option shall also be done on a first come first served
basis.
4. Spot Renunciation – Assignees shall have the power to
renounce forever his/her spot for the benefit of either a
particular barrister or any other, subject to the Lounge
Committee’s pleasure. =)
IMPORTANT! In the exercise of the above rights, the assignees are
amiably requested to inform the Lounge Committee, within a
reasonably sufficient span of time, of any such arrangements as may
be agreed upon. We are afraid this measure is crucial to be able to
secure you an orderly, conflict-free, and bloodless stay at the Lounge.
FORFEITURE by NON-USAGE
Non-usage of an assigned slot for an unreasonable span of time (i.e.,
such time that will make a reasonably prudent man believe that the
assignee has no interest whatsoever in using the slot) shall be ground
for forfeiture of the assignment. This is in consistent with the principle
that a man is reasonably expected to protect his/her rights; here, by
simply texting or leaving a note for any member of the Lounge
Committee of any concern.
In the interest of maximizing the recognized advantages of the lounge
slots, a forfeited slot shall automatically become an additional free
slot. An assignee shall be given two notices (whether in writing or
text) of any prolonged non-usage before the Lounge Committee shall
declare the slot forfeited.
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES
1. The Student Lounge being within college premises is still subject to
the rules and regulations of the college and the university. The
rules on smoking indoors, consumption of alcoholic beverages, etc.
and their corresponding penalties, apply.
2. Garbage bags shall be placed near the sink (beside the mess
lrb/04/22/06 
table). Please make good use of them.
3. As per the memorandum of the Assistant Dean, food and
beverages are off limits inside the student lounge. Only drinking
water may be permitted within the premises. (However, for those
who cannot help it, there is a designated mess table to prevent
unnecessary mess on your desks.)
4. Assignees are allowed to “personalize” their slots (i.e., place
Styrofoam partitions, cover the desk with cartolina, etc.) as long as
these will not unduly interfere with the right of other assignees to a
clean and porn-free environment. And no “getting too personal” in
the lounge. It is understood that you are under pressure and, from
time to time, need release from stress. But really, let’s try to keep
our bodily fluids to ourselves.
The LSG through the Lounge Committee reserves the right to
promulgate additional or amend existing Lounge Rules and
Regulations.
**For Secretariat Announcements, please see your Bar Starter Kits
II. First Things First3
(1) Assess your strengths and weaknesses, and be honest about it.
What subjects am I good at? Terrible at? This will form the basis of your
studying.
(2) Organize, inventory, and assess all your law school materials. See
if they are sufficient or if you need to acquire new materials. DON’T
hold back on buying products that will help organize your materials
(folders, boxes, dividers, binders, etc.). Remember, always err on the
side of OC.
(3) Draw up a budget.
(4) Visit bookstores and browse through all the available law books.
Skim through them, and ask yourself if the format and writing style is
comfortable enough to read for six months. Seek good advice and
recommendations.
3
adapted from the 100% barops 2004 and Barely Legal: Bar Ops 2005 primers
(5) Draw up a list of materials you want or think you need. Two
commentaries, one reviewer, and the codal are recommended for each 1. Political Law and International Law
subject.
 Nachura
(6) Draft a schedule.  Magallona’s primer on International Law
 Barlongay Notes/Sample Questions
 Bar Q&A
III. Getting Started 2. Labor Law and Social Legislation
A. BAR REVIEW MUST HAVES4  Alcantara
 Bar Q & A
1. A reliable outline for the entire subject matter as a framework
or mind map for storage, retention and retrieval of information.  Azucena’s Everyone’s (ung maliit na green)
If a comprehensive outline is not available, then outlines per  Bar Q & A
topic will do.
3. Civil Law
2. CODALS, CODALS, CODALS
 Tolentino (except Persons and Succession)
3. At least one reliable commentary on the subject matter  Sempio Diy (Persons)
 Balane (Succession)
4. At least one reviewer which you can transfer your notes to  Aquino (Land Titles)
 Bar Q&A
B. THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN ACQUIRING BAR REVIEW MATERIALS5  JBL Reyes
 Jurado Reviewer
1. Time. Remember that you only have a limited time to review.
4. Taxation
2. Finances. Unless you can afford to buy all the books and  De Leon (Fundamentals, Income, Transfer, Tariff and Customs)
photocopy all the materials you want or need, you have to pick and
 Aban or Vitug (Remedies and Local Taxation)
choose.
 Bar Q&A
3. Reader-friendliness. It is important that the materials you read are  De Leon (comprehensive)
engaging enough to sustain your interest and keep you reading on.  Primus (Domondon)
Consider also the font size and layout.
5. Mercantile Law
4. The author’s credibility. You will not want to end up learning  Campos (Corporation and Insurance)
outdated laws, repealed jurisprudence, or legal opinions that have no  De Leon (Negotiable Instruments)
basis in law.  Bar Q&A
 Catindig Outline
 Perez
C. SUGGESTED LIST OF BOOKS AND READINGS6
6. Criminal Law
4
plagiarized from The Beginner’s Guide to Bar Review 2002  Reyes (Book I)
5
from The Beginner’s Guide to Bar Review 2002  Sandoval
6
Based in part on Pong Ponferrada’s list of books, as contained in The Beginner’s Guide to Bar Review  Bar Q&A
2002 and the 100% barops 2004 primer

lrb/04/22/06 
 General provisions
7. Remedial Law  LocGov
 Feria (CivPro)  Public Officers
 Regalado (CrimPro, Evidence, SpecPro)  Election Law
 Bar Q&A  Admin Law
 Agpalo (CrimPro)  PIL
 Herrera (CrimPro)
II. LABOR
8. Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises  Labor Standards
 Aguirre  Labor Relations
 Bautista (Forms)  Social Legislation
 Bar Q&A
 Te III. CIVIL LAW
 Persons
 Property
IV. Scheduling Tips and Samples7  Oblicon
Obligations
Keep in mind that you must draw up a schedule that will work for you. Contracts
But if you’re absolutely clueless on how to make your own, here are Donations
some tips and models which can help you in drafting your schedule.  Succession
These are patterned after study schedules of bar topnothers:  Land Titles and Deeds
 PRIL
A. THE FERNANDEZ TOPICAL AND OVERLAPPING STUDYING APPROACHES8
 Sales
Instead of the usual sequential approach - “2 weeks Poli, then 2 weeks  Torts and Damages
Rem” – to studying, Ms. Macel Fernandez outlined her study schedule  Credit Transactions
according to topic.  Agency and Partnership
 Sales

Ms. Fernandez gives us a breakdown of the exam areas.

I. POLI LAW IV. TAX

 Structure of government  General principles
Legislative  Income Taxation
Executive  Donor’s Tax
Judicial  Estate Tax
Constitutional Commissions  Local Taxation
 Bill of Rights  Real Property Tax
 Other Consti Provisions  Tariff and Customs Code
Principles and policies  Tax Remedies
National economy and patrimony  Court of Tax Appeals
ESTACS
V. COMMERCIAL LAW
7
Again, based on the Beginner’s Guide and . 100% barops 2004 primer .  Corporation Law
8
1st place, 1997 Bar Exams; Salutatorian, Class of 1997.

lrb/04/22/06 
 Nego exam areas), she could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. As
 Insurance redundant studying was avoided, efficiency increased.
 Transpo
 Special laws The groupings she made read thus:
Securities and Regulation Code
Banking A. Public Officers
Secrecy of bank deposits Civil Service
PDIC law Ombudsman Law (RA 6770)
Warehouse law Admin Law
Mortgage Quo Warranto (Civ Pro; Special Civil Action)
Letters of Credit
Trust Receipts B. Criminal Law (Books I and II)
Insolvency Bill of Rights
Intellectual Property Code CrimPro
Forms in Crim Pro
VI. CRIMINAL LAW
 Book 1 (Fundamentals) C. Persons
PRIL
 Book 2 (Specific Crimes)
Succession
SpecPro
VII. REMEDIAL LAW
Estate Tax
 Jurisdiction
 CivPro D. Evidence
Basic provisions Modes of Discovery (CivPro)
Modes of discovery
Appeal E. Transpo (Commercial)
Provisional remedies Torts (Civ)
Special civil actions Insurance (Commercial)
 CrimPro
 SpecPro F. Donations (Civ)
Estate proceedings Donor’s Tax
Adoption
Others G. National Economy and Patrimony (Consti)
 Evidence LTD (Civ)

VIII. ETHICS AND FORMS H. LocGov

 Code of Professional Responsibility Local Taxation
 Rule 139-B Real Property Taxation
 Forms
Motions I. Mortgage (Commercial)
Initiatory pleadings Mortgage (Civ)
Contracts Foreclosure of Mortgage (Rem, CivPro, Special Civil
Others Actions)

Breaking down each exam area’s topics, she found that by grouping J. Banking (Commercial)
topics that overlapped (even though they were assigned to different Bank Deposits (Commercial)

lrb/04/22/06 
PDIC Law (Commercial)
Loan (Civ; Credit Transactions) Rem 12 days 3 days
K. Insolvency (Commercial) Ethics 3 days 2 days
Concurrence and Preferences of Credit (Civ; Credit)
Payment by Cession (Oblicon) Reminder: Make your own sked! If you feel that a third reading is
required, then adjust your schedule accordingly. Remember that Mr.
L. Property (Civ) Ponferrada was Valedictorian of his batch.
Forcible Entry (Rem, Civ Pro, Special Civ Actions)
Foreclosure of Mortgage (Rem, Civ Pro, Special Civil First Reading
Actions)  Nachura
Partition (Rem, Civ Pro, Spec Civ Actions)  Reviewer
Expropriation (Rem, Civ Pro, Sp. Civ. Actions)  Magallona’s primer on International Law
Lease (Civ; Credit)  Bar Q&A
Second Reading
N. Remedial Law  Barlongay Notes/Sample Questions
Forms Pre-Week
 Nachura
Labor and most of Tax stand alone. But if you can find
overlaps elsewhere, pursue it!  San Beda/Ateneo reviewer
 Bar Q&A
 Primer

2. Labor Law and Social Legislation

B. THE PONFERRADA APPROACH
First Reading
 Alcantara
During the first reading, do focus on the codals and commentaries.
Then summarize and condense this information into notes which you  Reviewer
annotate onto your reviewer or text for the second reading.  Bar Q & A
Second Reading
The text you use for the second reading should be more compact.  Azucena’s Everyone’s
Distill this information further into an even more compact form, say Pre-Week
memory aids, an outline or mnemonics for pre-week.  Ateneo/San Beda reviewer
 Azucena
Make sure you have a schedule. Here’s Mr. Pong Ponferrada’s  Bar Q & A
sample:  Primer
Subject 1st reading 2nd reading 3. Civil Law
Poli 10 days 3 days First Reading
Labor 8 days 3 days
 Tolentino (except Persons and Succession)
Civ 14 days 3 days  Sempio Diy (Persons)
Tax 8 days 3 days  Balane (Succession)
 Aquino (Land Titles)
Mercantile 12 days 3 days  Reviewer
Crim 6 days 3 days  Bar Q&A

lrb/04/22/06 
Second Reading  Sandoval
 JBL Reyes  Primer
 Jurado Reviewer
Pre-Week 7. Remedial Law
 Ateneo/San Beda reviewer First Reading
 Jurado or JBL  Feria (CivPro)
 Primer  Regalado (CrimPro, Evidence, SpecPro)
 Reviewer
4. Taxation  Bar Q&A
First Reading Second Reading
 De Leon (Fundamentals, Income, Transfer, Tariff and Customs)  Feria
 Aban or Vitug (Remedies and Local Taxation)  Agpalo (CrimPro)
 Reviewer  Herrera (CrimPro)
 Bar Q&A
Second Reading Pre-Week
 De Leon (comprehensive)  Primer
Pre-Week  San Beda/Ateneo reviewer
 Primus (Domondon)
 De Leon
8. Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises
5. Mercantile Law First Reading
First Reading  Aguirre
 Campos (Corporation and Insurance)  Bautista (Forms)
 De Leon (Negotiable Instruments)  Bar Q&A
 Reviewer Second Reading
 Bar Q&A  Aguirre
Second Reading  Te
 Catindig Outline Third
 Perez  Primer
Pre-Week  Aguirre
 Catindig  San Beda/Ateneo reviewer
 Perez
 Primer
C. THE JANUARY SANCHEZ9 METHOD
6. Criminal Law
First Reading 1. Review schedule
 Reyes (Book I)
 Sandoval I started after our graduation so that’s around end of April already. For
me, the ideal number of readings is three (3) – first reading, second
 Reviewer
 Bar Q&A reading and pre-week. Good if you took review subjects back in 4th/5th
Second Reading year because you may consider that your first reading, assuming you
 Sandoval really read thoroughly, even just the codal provisions.
Pre-Week
 San Beda/Ateneo reviewer 9
1st place, 2004 Bar Exams

lrb/04/22/06 
Below is the number of days I allotted for the first and second reading.
Note that this depends on how confident you are with respect to a Subject First Reading Second Reading
particular subject. For example, I did not take Remedial law review so I
allotted more days over Political Law and Civil Law, both of which I Poli 7 5
enrolled during my 5th year. Also, this allotment is subject to change
Labor 9 5
especially as you go along your review. For instance, you may wish to
attend Atty. Domondon’s lecture and his schedule may coincide with
Civ 6 6
your own schedule for Civ/Rem or any other subject. You may adjust
the days you allot for Tax since the lecture of Atty. Domondon is good
Tax 9 6
and you may want to treat it as one (1) day for Tax reading. Lastly, it is
actually a matter of personal pacing – how fast and how well you read. Commercial 8 6
Do not be tied to a particular schedule and do not be anxious that you
are not keeping up with your other batchmates. Be flexible so you can Crim 9 6
read and absorb better.
Rem 17 10

Ethics 5 2

As to my daily schedule, I would read from around 8am until 11am, go

to mass at 12noon then read again from then until around 9pm or
10pm. In some days when I am not able to wake up early, I would
extend my reading hours until 12 midnight. In between these times, I
would attend selected review classes and take short naps if my eyes
are tired already. I keep my Sundays free, to unwind and to store the
needed energy for the following week.

2. Review materials
It is important to choose your materials very well. You may start each
subject by reading the codals or read the books/reviewers with it. In my
case, I consider the codal provisions in the reviewers (some have no
reproduction of the codal provisions though) as my first codal reading
for the review. Then, during the pre-week, I just read my notes, codal
and some updates/new materials.

As for the books/reviewers I read, I just borrowed books from my friend

Maan so I had a guide somehow on what to read. Ask around what are
the good books for a certain subject. For me, though, I read the
following books/reviewers:
Poli –

lrb/04/22/06 
Paras’ Primer (1st reading) For Crim, since I had a solid Crim I and Crim II foundation, I read
Nachura’s Outline in Political Law (pre-week) Sandoval first before I read Regalado.
Cruz’s International Law
Magallona’s Primer in International Law
In between your textbook readings, I recommend that you read the
Labor –
materials from the UP Law Center. These are usually short and
Alcantara’s Reviewer in Labor law (1st reading) concise materials so they are good for either “warming up” or “cooling
Azucena’s Labor Code (2nd reading) down” from your readings. Plus, you don’t have to worry that you are
not able to read the materials you paid for. Before you realize it, you are
Civ –
finished with the materials and are already anxious waiting for more.
Jurado’s Civil Law Reviewer (the older, shorter
version, early 1990s I think)
Sempio-Diy’s Family Code Keep your old notes. They will come in handy especially during the pre-
Sempio-Dy’s Succession in a Nutshell week. When reading textbooks/reviewers, try to take down notes also.
Balane’s Jottings and Jurisprudence This will not only help you retain what you read but this will serve as
your practice writing activity. Use the grade I notebooks, which are
Tax –
approximately the same size as the Bar booklets. Likewise, make time
De Leon’s Income Tax to take down notes when you are attending review classes. It’s also
Dimaampao’s Principles and Remedies in better if you jot them these “short” notes in the margins of your codal so
Taxation that you can refer to them easily come pre-week.
Vitug’s (Tariff & Customs and the practical exercises)
Also read the LSG Bar Ops reviewers. In my case, I found particularly
Aban’s (CTA, local tax, RPT, and TCC)
helpful the 2004 bar ops materials for Labor and Civ, especially
Commercial – Partnership and Property.
Villanueva ‘s Commercial Law Reviewer
Catindig’s Notes in Commercial Laws
3. Some tips on rest/leisure activities
Perez’s Quizzers in Insurance, Transportation,
and Corporation Read, read and read but also do not forget to take a rest. Ideally, keep
a day off from reading. Catch up on other things like your family and
Crim –
friends. In my case, I have friends who are also reviewing for the Bar so
Regalado’s Reviewer/Compendium in between readings we find time to relax – occasionally, we would
Sandoval’s watch movies or just have long lunches or long dinners, where we also
Remedial – discuss unclear or vague points in our readings.

Feria Noche’s Civil Procedure (vol. 1 & 2)

Bautista’s Civil Procedure and Evidence
Regalado’s SpecProc and Evidence
Do not be overwhelmed. Some of these books like Nachura, Perez and
Catindig, I was able to read during my review classes so it was easier
reading them. Start with the material you are most unfamiliar with and
with the subject which you find most difficult. In my case for instance, I
started with Remedial Law because I was not able to take a review
class for it. I read thoroughly Justice Feria’s book and took down notes.
It is also important to be healthy all throughout the bar review. During
my review until the Bar month (May to September), I attempted to take
out coffee, softdrinks and meat from my diet. I believed that if there’s
one thing that would really affect my performance, it’s my health. I had
previous experiences in law school when I was sick during the exams
and the results were not good.
I was down with the flu around May so I thought that was my “quota” for
the review. I really rested and did not read for the week that I got sick.
So, if you feel like you will catch a cold or you are not feeling well, just

lrb/04/22/06 
rest, have a good sleep and the following day, you will be okay. There
is no use in forcing yourself to read when you are down with the flu or
with a bad headache. There are physical limits that you have to deal
with. Taking vitamin C and multivitamins may help in increasing your
resistance to diseases.
I did not exercise regularly but I walked around the UP oval sometimes.
It’s nice to engage in some physical activity once in a while but you
should not let it eat your reading time.
Lastly, be spiritually healthy. In my case, I pray a lot and I even served
as Lector/Commentator in UP Parish during my review. It really helps
when you feel close to the Almighty at this very important point in your
life.
4. Tips on how to answer the bar questions
Focus on the question. There are many irrelevant facts and issues that
you need not address in your answer. Just answer what is being asked.
The examiner does not have all the time to read long answers.
As much as possible, do not qualify or answer “it depends”. Answer yes
or no then state your legal basis (law and/or jurisprudence without
specifically mentioning the case). In my case, the second sentence of
my answer already contains the legal basis. The third or last sentence
contains my conclusion – whether the law is applicable to the case at
bar.
Write clearly and legibly. If you can avoid it, do not make unnecessary
erasures. I think it is to your advantage that the examiner has an
impression that you are sure and confident about your answers.
D. RON DE VERA’S TIPS
1. What was your review schedule?
Mondays to Saturdays. I took the Sundays off for R & R to watch
movies and spend quality time with my family.
I allocated the number of days that I will devote in reviewing for each
subject according to their weight in the bar.
lrb/04/22/06 
2. Recommended review materials?
Poli- Nachura, Bernas, Isagani Cruz' book for Public International Law
Labor- Codal, Azucena, Everybody's Labor Code; Alcantara and
Alacantara
Civil- Jurado, Coquia and Ma'm Beth's Book for PRIL.
Tax- Aban, Vitug Acosta
Commercial -Perez
Crim- Reyes, Sandoval
Remedial Law- Feria Noche-Civil Procedure, Herrera-Criminal
Procedure, Evidence and Spec Pro- Codal
Ethics-Aguirre, Agpalo
Basically, I used the books that were recommended by the 2004-
2005 LSG in their old primer. I also read some of the review materials
of the LSG, and UP Law Center.
Ateneo's Review Materials are over-rated, support your own! Animo
U.P.!!!!!
3. Rest/Sleep time?
I sleep when I don't think that I can read any longer. I also take quick
naps in between.
How did you prepare for the bar?
I studied hard and prayed harder.
I went through a dry-run/mock bar examinations for all subjects, and
tried to simulate the bar examinations to prepare myself mentally and
psychologically.
4. Can you share some tips on how to study for the bar?
The good study habits that you instilled in law school will carry you to
the bar. Think of the bar exams as a war that you have to conquer and
survive. Know your enemy, keep yourself healthy, stock-up on your
ammunitions, prepare for contingencies like illnesses, personal
problems, etc., practice discipline and restraint. Follow the path of those
who have been successful before you, and do not venture on unknown
grounds.
Keep yourself surrounded by people who have a positive outlook not
only with the bar but with life as well.
Keep yourself healthy, exercise....I took tai-chi and that’s what I
did every 6 a.m. during the review. Although I had the cold and cough
during the exam days itself, my strong constitution helped me to remain
focused during the exams. Read this Primer!!
5. Tips on how to answer the bar questions?
Do not tire yourself the night before the bar. Make sure that you get
enough rest. Do not bother to cram and read reviewers, etc. that you
have not read before. I've never been a believer of last minute bar
exam tips, they will only make you confused and stressed. Read
them leisurely, and only when you have the time.
Start strong... impress the examiner from the very beginning. You
should always keep in mind who your audience/reader is, he/she is
looking for key words and principles that will make him/her convinced
that you are worthy of becoming a lawyer.
Be conscious of the time element. Skip questions that you cannot
answer in the meantime, just make sure that you leave enough space
to write your answer when you are ready to do so.
Do not be discouraged. I have one of the ugliest handwritings not only
in my class, but in my batch as well. Not only my classmates, but my
professors, would always make fun of my handwriting. Just make an
effort to make it legible enough for it to be read by the examiner. I
recommend that you make your letters big and straight. Remember,
after passing the bar, you can always make use of the computer and
relieve yourself of the burden of using long-hand. :)
If you do not get to sleep the night before the exam, do not panic. I
myself got to sleep for only an hour during my first week, and for 30
minutes during my second week. What I did was to rest and lay my
head during breaks.
In my humble opinion staying in hotels near the Taft area is over-
rated. As long as you can wake-up early, and have a way to
have yourself brought to the Taft area, there is really no need to stay in
hotels. After my first two weeks in staying at a hotel, where I was
not comfortable in the very beginning, I decided to stay at our house
lrb/04/22/06 
instead. There are much more important things where you can place
your hotel money.
E. THE BEN CORDOVA FRAMEWORK (aka “The No-exam-will-ruin-my-
nightlife Framework”)
1. To avoid cramming for the first Sunday-
Make a calendar. In your calendar allot 2 weeks before the first Sunday
of the Bar for Poli and Labor. This will cover the pre-week for the first
two exams as well as another week to make sure that your first Sunday
runs smoothly at hindi ka harassed sa kaka-cram. Handwriring practice
na rin ako nung panahon na ‘to
2. When I started-
I started early. As in April or even March (sinasabi ko sa mga next
batch na March ako nagstart para hindi sila mag-relax pero actually
mga Holy Week yun or the week after the Summer OLA orientation).
Hindi kasi ako mahusay sa school kaya I had to make up for the lost
years.
3. Order of subjects
I started with what I considered my weakest subject which was
Remedial Law, then Ethics, Com, Crim, Tax and Labor then Civ tapos
Poli. I didn’t study Poli much during the first reading. Kinodal ko lang
din yung mismong 1987 Constitution at binasa ko lang ang Pub Off,
Election at Admin Law sa Nachura. Nung pre-week (which in my case
was 2 weeks before the 1st Sunday) ko na lang kinumpleto at inulit ulit
ang Nachura. Nag-Poli Review kasi ako nung 4th year at presko pa sa
PIL at Locgov. Locgov kasi ako at PIL nung last sem ko. Actually
kasama na rin yun sa plano ko nun pa kung sakaling ga-graduate ako
on time. Para sa akin walang abogadong tanga sa poli subjects na sikat
at malamang walang hindi gagaling sa poli pagka malapit na ang bar
kahit maiksi pa ang review period dahil unang exam yun at unang
natututunan ang poli kaya unforgettable.
4. Study period-
I studied for 5 days a week (kapag sinabi kong week eh 5 days lang
yun) with an average of 8 hours a day. I extend my review on
weekends kapag may gimik within the week. I did not deprive myself
of TV and radio pati gimik as long as I get my minimum number of
hours. Kapag kalat araw mo mag-extend ka na lang. Minsan umabot
ako ng 15 hours para lang makahabol sa calendar ko. Kapag within the
schedule ako eh hindi talaga ako nag-aaral sa rest day para hindi ma-
burn-out at mag-sawa mag-aral.
Huwag din nga pala kalimutang mag-exercise at i-treat out ang sarili
dahil kelangan relaxed lagi. Kung pwede nga magpamasahe gawin
nyo na minsan. Mura lang naman.
5. Allotment of time for morning subjects
Wala ako poli masyado sa first reading kaya tig 2 weeks ang Rem at
Com ko sa first reading. Yung Civ 3 weeks pero yun na yun. hindi ko
na inaral ulit until the pre-week dahil nag-civ review class ako at parang
ordinary knowledge ata ang civ (ang sablay ko lang hindi ko inaral ang
PRIL dahil hurt pa rin ako hanggang ngayon).
6. Allotment of time for afternoon subjects
I allotted one week for each afternoon subject nung first reading. Codal
lang talaga ako nung first reading dahil napansin ko na sobrang dali
maintindihan ang commentary pagka-kabisado mo ang batas.
Minarkahan ko na rin ng todo mga review materials ko para malaman
kung ano ang mga dapat balikan at ano ang medyo pampagulo lang.
Dati, hindi ako nagma-mark at minsan wala pang libro pero nung bar
useful na magsulat sa libro dahil sa dami ng babasahin. Tungkol ulit sa
codal, case law ang UP kaya malamang hindi pa natin kabisado
yung codal so para sa akin mainam na mag-codal muna. Pag-nag-
codal ka eh yung labor mahaba na ang 4 days kasama na related laws.
Tig-5 days ang Crim and Tax. Ethics baka nga 1-2 days lang yung
judicial conduct pati professional responsibility.
Sa Legal Forms memorize mo yung kay Te tapos practice kang
gumawa nang walang kinokopyahan ng complaint, contract,
deeds, motion at information at iba pa (like nego instruments para sa
Commercial na rin at pati wills na pinagawa sa Bar exam namin) .
Isang araw kaya na yan kahit sa harap pa ng TV. Pero nag-allot ako
talaga ng 1 week for each afternoon subject tapos inuusog ko lang
yung calendar ko pabaliktad pag may days ako na hindi nagamit para
magka-grace period pa ako lalo before my 2 week pre-first Sunday
exam tapos dun ko kinaklaro ang mga hindi ko pa naiintindihan o
kabisado masyado.
7. The second reading
lrb/04/22/06 
Inulit ko lahat with the same allotment of weeks (except for Poli na
maiksi muna ang pag-aral ko at Civ na hinabaan ko na ang review sa
first reading) pero this time may commentary na ako na binabasa.
Pagka nakatapos ako ng subject nang maaga eh study na ako ng next
subject para mapa-haba ang grace period ko before the two-week pre-
week ko (mga mahigit isang lingo din ang na-save ko kaya binalikan ko
ulit ang com at tax tapos bar questions). So for example tapos na ako
ng ethics ng Tuesday eh start na ako ng Com sa Wednesday.
Maganda rin ang epekto nun dahil may sense of accomplishment ka at
parang natatanggalan ka unti-unti ng pressure. Gaganahan ka tuloy
mag-aral for the next subject kapag maaga ka natatapos.
Reading List:
*Codal muna tapos isang maiksi lang na reviewer. Hindi ako nagbasa
ng marami dahil malilito ako at mapapraning sa kakahagilap at kaka-
alala kung saan ko nabasa yung isang sagot:
Poli-Nachura (focus sa ibang poli laws aside from consti 1 and 2 dahil
alam nyo na yung dalawa at wala kayong alam sa PIL)
Labor-Azucena (yung maliit na green)
Civ-Jurado (kunin mo na din yung top 400 provisions ni Vitug pero
codal rin naman yun); Mag-aral kayo ng PRIL sobra.
Tax-Vitug,Domondon at De leon (Q & A lang yung Domondon at De
Leon)
Com-Katindig (for special laws), Perez (Corp,Insurance,Transpo) Puyat
reviewer (Nego)
Crim-Sandoval at Revised Ortega Notes ni Fran and Aman
Rem-Regalado (Civpro, Specpro and Evidence), Bautista (Crimpro)
Ethics-Codal lang.humiram ako Agpalo pero ang haba pala so tinigil ko
na lang.
Legal Forms-Te
Finally, huwag na huwag kakalimutan mag-bar questions para alam nyo
na ang style ng tanungan. Pag nakasagot ka ng mga 5 o 6 pagkatapos
sa unang reading ok na yan muna at huwag mapraning dahil
pagkatapos ng second reading eh mapapansin nyo na may mga bar
exam years na halos alam nyo lahat ng sagot.
 MATERIALS USED BY FLORIN HILBAY FOR BAR REVIEW
F. TIPS FROM FLORIN HILBAY10 Remember, less is more

Political Law
BAR REVIEW POINTERS Bar Questions and Answers
1. Less is more. Nachura
Early in the review, decide which materials to read and stick to Constitution
them. It is better to master a few materials than to cover too
many and not read them well. Labor Law
2. Start reading from your weakest subject to the strongest subject. Bar Questions and Answers
3. Read the bar questions and answers first before starting every Labor Code
subject. Take note of topics frequently asked. Everyone's Labor Code by Azucena (Not the 2-volume version)
According to Florin, during the bar he had no difficulty Alcantara
answering because all the questions were familiar to him. BQA
gives you an overview of how bar questions are phrased. Civil Law
4. Read the Philippine Law Reports (contains digests of recent cases) Bar Questions and Answers
1 1/2 years back. Jurado
5. Have at least ONE good reading Code
(Florin had three readings in all because he started April 1.
Still, he suggests that of all the readings, the first one must be Commercial Law
done thoroughly. Miravite
He didn't highlight his reading materials. He just underlined and Villanueva
made marginal notes. He transferred these notes to codes and Bar Questions and Answers
he uses these codes for the third reading/ pre-week.)
6. Take a rest every hour of studying. Pause and take deep breaths. If Criminal Law
you feel like continuing for more than an hour, do so but make sure Bar Questions and Answers
to take a rest when you feel your brain can't take in information RPC
anymore. Ortega Notes
(Florin studied 5 days and had 2 days rest every week. He Dennis Gorecho Notes
watched a movie every Wednesday. Contrary to claims, he (Norge's Batchmate)
didn’t believe exercise worked. He gained weight during the
review.) Taxation
7. Take a rest after eating a full meal as most of the blood Bar Questions and Answers
concentrates on the stomach at that time. (He ate a light breakfast Book 1 Domondon (Ignore Book 2)
during the review.) NIRC
8. During the exam, read all the questions first before you start
answering. (Florin says that since you've already read all the Remedial Law
questions, your brain is already starting to process the answers.) Bar Questions and Answers
9. Bring a clock inside the exam room. Count the number of items and Regalado for Civ Pro and Evidence
divide your time accordingly. This will ensure you will be answering Rules of Court for Spec Pro and
at a correct pace. Crim Pro
10. When answering the exam, take a brief break after every 30
minutes. Do breathing exercises and rest your eyes. Legal Ethics and Legal Forms
Bar Questions and Answers
Vyva Aguirre' Book (2001 Edition)
10
1st place, 2000 Bar Exams; as interviewed on April 18, 2001

lrb/04/22/06 
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Last Year’s Special Projects Committee

(thanks for making a really comprehensive primer!)

Special Thanks to
Rhudz Raimundo – for already including the supposed 1st portion of
the Bar Ops primer in the Bar Ops starter kit (less tuloy ang pages ng
primer)
Third Bagro – for the Lounge Guidelines
Sharon Corpuz – for being the source of the Hilbay Tips
Dionne Sanchez – for the Acads Department critical path
Bobbie Sta Maria – for taking charge of the printing and distributions
Jam Jacob – for the lay-out of the cover page
Jomi Manalo – for the wonderful Bar Ops tagline

lrb/04/22/06 