MALACAÑANG has urged over 8,000 aspiring lawyers taking the 2019 bar examinations at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila to “rise to the challenge."

The Palace issued the statement on Sunday, November 3, as it wished Bar examinees “good luck.”

“Today, November 3, is the first of four Sundays of the 2019 Bar Examinations. It marks the culmination of a journey for more than 8,000 examinees who dream of embarking a career in the legal profession,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“To our bar candidates, good luck as we wish you all the best. Believe in yourselves and give your best shot. Make your family, school, and community proud,” he added.

A total of 8,425 lawyer hopefuls will take the Bar exams on four Sundays — November 3, 10, 17, and 24 — at the UST.

Panelo was optimistic that the hardships of aspiring lawyers would pay off.

“We offer our sincere prayers to our legal aspirants who toiled day and night poring over their law books, court decisions, and jurisprudence in preparation for this life-changing moment,” he said.

“This is your moment. Rise to the challenge,” the Palace official added. (NASE/SunStar Philippines)