University of Asia and the Pacific

Institute of Law
Bar Preparations Committee SY 2024-2025

Source: Question Log

Number Bar Exam Question Notes and Comments
The Parents of Romeo and Juliet sternly objected to their relationship. To bind
their love forever Romeo and Juliet decided to have a blood compact. Juliet
made a small cut on Romeo's wrist and sipped a few drops of his blood. In return,
1 Romeo slashed Juliet's wrist hitting a major vein. Juliet died due to massive blood
loss. Romeo was then charged with and convicted of homicide. On appeal,
Romeo argued that he has no intent to kill Juliet and that his action was pursuant
to their love pact. Is Romeo Correct?
At nighttime, Mirage sneakily entered the house of Bob and Helen through the
window. Mirage stole pictures of Helen and wrote thereon witchcraft spells ad
incantations. Thereafter, Helen suffered high fever and was hospitalized for two
days. Helen's condition worsened until she suffered cardiac arrest resulting in her
2
death. Bob then discovered Helen's pictures with black art enchantments inside
Mirage's house. With this evidence, bob filed criminal complaints for homicide
and trespass to dwelling. How would you rule on Mirage's criminal liability, if any?
Discuss.
Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust borrowed PhP 500,000.00 from Bing
Bong, binding themselves individually and jointly. Thereafter, Bing Bong
3 condoned Anger's share in the debt. Disgust became insolvent before the
obligation became due and demandable. Later, Bing Bong demanded the
payment of the entire debt from Joy. How much can Joy be compelled to pay?

Harry bought a pain reliever capsule from a neighborhood pharmacist. Few

minutes before taking the medicine, Harry suffered convulsion resulting in his
death. The autopsy revealed that the capsule did not contain pain reliever but
4
substances that caused severe allergic reaction to Harry. After preliminary
investigation, the public prosecutor charged the pharmacist with murder. Is the
criminal charge correct? Explain.

For Internal Use Only. Uncontrolled When Printed. Confidential.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
LAUREL, CI.
 University of Asia and the Pacific
Institute of Law
Bar Preparations Committee SY 2024-2025
Daniel, a naturalized American citizen, executed a will where he designated his
cousin, Erica, as executor of his assets located in the Philippines. Daniel died
abroad in January 2024. Erica then filed a petition for the allowance of will before
the Regional Trial Court in the Philippines. However, Erica failed to allege the
5
foreign law that governs the formalities of the will. Daniel's sister, opposed the
petition on the ground that the witness did not sign each and every page of the
will, and that the attestation clause failed to state the number of pages. May
Daniel's will be allowed for probate?

President Mabeth expressed her frustrations in the outcome of the midterm

elections after several opposition candidates won. President Mabeth delivered a
speech that she is ashamed to be a Filipino since voters elected ex-convicts,
plunderers and persons without moral ascendency. President Mabeth said that
she does not want to be a Filipino anymore and she publicly signed a document
6
expressly renouncing her Philippine citizenship. Thereafter, the Office of the
Solicitor General filed a petition for quo warranto against President Mabeth
asking her removal from office on the ground that she lost her Philippine
citizenship during her term. President Mabeth argued that she can only be
removed through impeachment. Is President Mabeth correct?

Elias and Olive both residents of Quezon City, applied for a marriage license in
the City of Manila on January 5, 2016, and were married in Marikina City by a
Regional Trial Court Judge of Makati City on May 14, 2016. Later, Elias filed a
7
complaint for the declaration of nullity of marriage on the groun that the marriage
was solemnized outside the jurisdiction of the court and for lack of a valid
marriage license. Are the arguments of Elias tenable?

Write the new Lawyer's Oath.

8

For Internal Use Only. Uncontrolled When Printed. Confidential.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
LAUREL, CI.
 University of Asia and the Pacific
Institute of Law
Bar Preparations Committee SY 2024-2025

Mater was a gasoline attendant at a station which operate with a manpower

9
complement of eight employees. On January 1, 2024, Mater was required to
work. Is Mater entitiled to holiday pay?

Ember constructed a house worth PhP 5,000,000, which he ensured against fire
for the same amount and renewed annually. After a few years, the house was
10
valued at PhP 15,000,000, one-fifth (1/5) thereof was destroyed by fire. How
much can Ember recover from the insurance company?

To facilitate the filing of a complaint in court, Atty. Lester charged his client PhP
20,000.00 for filing fees. Atty. Lester paid PhP 8,000.00 as filing fees and failed to
11
account the balance. Can Atty. Lester be charged by his client for misconduct as
a member of the Philippine bar?

In 1990, Philippine Producing Bank (PPB) hired Tonio as a bank clerk. Thereafter
Tonio joined the labor union Samahan ng mga Bankero sa PPB (SB-PPB). In
2024, Tonio retired and applied for retirement benefits under the collective
bargaining agreement. After one year, however, PPB has not paid Tonio's
12 retirement benefits. Thus, SB-PPB on behalf of Tonio, filed a complaint against
PPB for payment of his retirement benefits before the labor arbiter. PPB Moved to
dismiss the complaint on the ground that SB-PPB has no personality to represent
Tonio who already lost his status as an employee after retirement. Is PPB's
contention correct?

For Internal Use Only. Uncontrolled When Printed. Confidential.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
LAUREL, CI.
 University of Asia and the Pacific
Institute of Law
Bar Preparations Committee SY 2024-2025

In his last will and testament, Carson specified that his house and lot in Davao
City worth PhP 50,000,000.00 shall be transferred to Daniel, and after 20 years,
13
Daniel should transfer the property to Elaine. Upon Carson's death, will the
transfer of the property to Daniel be exempt from estate tax?

The Senate Committee on Agriculture conducted inquiries in aid of legislation to

determine possible amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.
The Committee invited Nemo, a rice importer, as a resource person to attend the
public hearing. The Committee members asked Nemo how he disposes imported
14 rice once they arrive in the country. Nemo refusted to answer and invoked his
right against self-incrimination. The Committee cited Nemo in contempt and
detained him in the Senate holding room until he answers the question. After
three weeks, the Committee concluded the inquiry and approved the final report.
May the Senate continue to detain Nemo?

Bert released Rose's commercial building to establish his hardware business.

The lease contract stipulated a monthly rental of PhP 50,000.00 for a 4-year
period starting on January 1, 2021. On January 1, 2022, Bert died. Carl was then
appointed as administrator of Bert's estate. Carl failed to pay Rose the rentals
15
from January to June 2022. On July 1, 2022, Rose filed an action for rescission of
contract with damages and payment of accrued rentals with the Regional Trial
Court. Can Carl move to dismiss the complaint on the ground that the Regional
Trial Court lacks jurisdiction since the amount claimed is only PHP 300,000.00?

In one of the regular board meetings of Magnificent views, Inc., two-thirds of the
board of directors voted to remove Director Lina. In the same meeting, Susan
16
was elected as new director to replace Lina. Is the removal and replacement of
Lina valid?

For Internal Use Only. Uncontrolled When Printed. Confidential.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
LAUREL, CI.
 University of Asia and the Pacific
Institute of Law
Bar Preparations Committee SY 2024-2025

Brando is the chief executive officer and majority stockholder of Majestic Value
Lands Corporation (MVL Corporation), a company specializing in upscale real
estate developments. Cindy expressed her intention to purchase a commercial lot
from MVL Corporation. As long-time friends, Brando negotiated with Cindy and
17
signed the contract to sell in his capacity as chief executive officer. Later, the real
estate project encountered significant delays, financial constraints, and regulatory
hurdles. Aggrieved, Cindy filed an action for damages against MVL Corporation
and Brando. Will the action prosper?

Gina is an active member of the Social Security System (SSS) for 10 years. Gina
18 got pregnant out of wedlock. Gina is apprehensive if she can avail the SSS
Maternity benefits considering her status as an unwed mother. Discuss a
favorable legal advice that you can give to Gina.

Coco would like to correct the entries in his birth certificate of live birth as to sex
from "female," to "male," and as regards citizenship from "Chinese" to "Filipino"
19
as he was born of a Filipino mother. What course of action are you going to
advise Coco?

A group of high school students protested the foul smell and accumulated waste
coming from the bay which severely affected the health of inhabitants in the
coastal cities. The students organized a series of rallies and appealed to the
government to act. However, the authorities failed to address the issue. The
20
students, represented by their class adviser, filed a petition for the issuance of a
Writ of Kalikasan against the concerned national and local government agencies.
The students alleged that the continued neglect of the authorities to abate
pollution violated their constitutional right to life, health, and a balanced ecology.

For Internal Use Only. Uncontrolled When Printed. Confidential.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
LAUREL, CI.