The 2008 Bar Chairman

Justice Dante Tinga is reportedly the 2008 Bar Chairman. There are some who say that Justice Tinga's reputation is the same as that of Justice Azcuna's (this will probably send jitters to the 2008 bar takers). But there are also some who say that Justice Tinga will probably be more lenient, since the bar is cyclical: if the exam is hard this year, then the exam next year will probably easier, and vice versa. These are all rumors of course. I'll post more information when I get some.

Here is Justice Tinga's profile:

Justice Dante O. Tinga was appointed to the Supreme Court on July 4, 2003. Before his appointment to the High Court, he served as dean of the College of Law at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and a managing partner at the Tinga & Corvera Law Firm. He also served as House Representative of the lone district of Taguig-Pateros for three consecutive terms from 1987 to 1998. As a Congressman, he served as House Majority Whip for Luzon from 1992 until 1998 and Speaker’s Deputy in the Committee on Rules from 1995 to 1998. He also chaired the House Committees on Energy (1992-1998) and on Corporations and Franchises (1987 to 1992). During his three-year term, he also became vice-chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and a ranking member of the House Committees on Natural Resources, Justice, Constitutional Amendments, Appropriations and Ways and Means. He was consistently chosen as an outstanding congressman by various publications and periodicals.

Justice Tinga received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the East College of Law in 1960. He graduated magna cum laude. He passed the 1960 Bar Examinations with an 87.7 % rating. He obtained his Masters of Laws degree from the University of California at Berkeley, U.S.A. in 1970, graduating with High Honors and among the top five percent. He also engaged in private law practice. He was senior attorney at the Araneta, Mendoza & Papa Law Offices from 1961 to 1977 and senior partner at the Santiago, Tinga & Associates from 1978 to 1984 and also a senior partner at the Pimentel Cuenco Fuentes Tinga Law Firm from 1984 to 1986. He was also dean of the University of the East College of Law from 1988 to 1992.

Born on May 11, 1939, Justice Tinga is a recipient of several honors including the Most Distinguished Alumnus in Education in 1991 and the Most Distinguished Alumnus in the Legal Profession in 1988, both conferred by the University of the East. A resident of Taguig, Justice Tinga also served as President of the Kilusang Diwa ng Taguig (KDT). Justice Tinga is a widower (married to the late Ma. Asuncion R. Tinga) with six children.

If you have any information regarding Justice Tinga or the upcoming bar exam, please feel free to comment or to email me. Thanks!