I was a Field Officer of the Day of GHQ, MAC (PA), as a newly promoted Captain when the Bar Exam results were finally published in May, 1950. According to rumors, it was delayed because the son of President Elpidio Quirino, Tony Quirino, failed to make the grade and they were trying to stretch his grades to make him pass so as not to embarrass the President of the Philippines, who was a lawyer himself. They published the results only when Pres. Quirino was not reelected and was beaten by his National Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay.
When I went to get my grades, I saw Quirino’s grades in the Register of Bar Examiners as all around 60% to 65%. I guess he was not able to express himself in English or his handwriting could not be read! He failed!
Coming from field inspection of the Stockade where Capt. Crisologo Alejelende, father of Gen. Fabian Ver, was detained for war crimes, I stopped the car I was driving at the corner of EDSA and Aurora Blvd. (then a rotonde) to buy a newspaper that had a very BIG headline: BAR RESULTS!
When I saw my name, I proceeded home to tell Pat the GOOD NEWS! How we rejoiced and thanked God! My ambition was fulfilled at last! Praise the Lord!
Then I proceeded to the Chapel to pray and praise and thank the Lord for His blessings.
As FOD, I had to turn over my brassard to the officer relieving me, and so I went to the office where I was restored as Adm. O., Supply O, Finance O, and CO, Hq, & HQ QMSC Co., MPC (PA), when everybody was already there.
On my table was a BIG sign, CONGRATULATIONS, ATTORNEY SIBAYAN! Everybody congratulated me. JBS
Then a round of parties by my enlisted men, officers, civilian employees, and Col. Solud followed.
Leave a Reply