MANILA, Philippines 鈥� What would it be like to take the Bar Exam with an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court standing behind you and observing your every move?
Despite the likelihood of feeling more anxious than ever, Marvin Cimafranca, a 2022 Bar examinee, still managed to conquer the daunting test.
On November 16, 2022, Cimafranca was caught battling the grueling test on camera. Perhaps, unbeknownst to him, Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen stood behind him 鈥� fixing his gaze on the examinee鈥檚 laptop, almost as if trying to glean some insight.
Leonen was among the Supreme Court justices who visited the examination sites on the third day of the exam.
The photo from the SC Public Information Office was retweeted by @lawschool_buddy with the caption: 鈥淕rabe 鈥榶ung nakatitig sa screen ng examinee si Justice Leonen.鈥� [Scary that Justice Leonen is staring intensely at the examinee鈥檚 laptop screen.]
It was then retweeted by the Senior Associate Justice himself, captioning his : 鈥淎no kaya sinusulat mo? Dissenting opinion? All the best po.鈥�
The tweet gained various reactions such as: 鈥滒煒傪煒� i kennat Justice 馃槀馃槀鈥�
READ: 3,992 of 9,183 pass 2022 Bar exam
One online user suggested that if he were in Cimafranca鈥檚 shoes, he would lower the brightness on his laptop screen. Other commenters expressed their desire to see Associate Justice Leonen making the rounds in other exam areas.
Little did Cimafranca know, the magistrate lingered behind him, a silent spectator of his actions.
鈥淣akita ko lang s鈥檡a sa peripheral vision na pumasok sa room kasi noticeable 鈥榶ung light-blue collared shirts ng admin. Bigla kong nalunok ng buo 鈥榶ung last two rows ng chocolate bar ko nung na-realize ko na si Justice Leonen. Akala ko kasi tapos na 鈥榶ung photo-op nung nasa harap pa si Justice,鈥� he recalled.
[I just saw him in my peripheral vision entering the room because the light-blue collared shirts of the administration were noticeable. I suddenly swallowed the last two rows of my chocolate bar when I realized it was Justice Leonen. I thought the photo-op was over when Justice Leonen was still in front.]
On Friday, Leonen again shared the same photo with the caption: 鈥渇or your information. he passed. Congrats atty!鈥�
for your information. he passed! Congrats atty!
鈥� Marvic Leonen 鈥� maroon check (@marvicleonen)
To which, Cimafranca reacted: 鈥淣atuwa ako. Hindi ko ineexpect 鈥榶un.鈥�
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