The country’s newly-minted lawyers made history in the first-ever online oath-taking last June 25, and the journey for one to be part of such a ceremony required the highest level of dedication, determination, and commitment. From the 7,685 examinees, 2,103 passed the nerve-wracking 2019 Bar Exams and one of them is a woman whose passion lies in serving the people with boots on the ground and now, with scales of justice on her hand.
“It was really my dream to become a lawyer,” said Sergeant Jerame A. Arreza, a non-commissioned officer who answered the call of serving the nation by joining the Philippine Army in 2005.
“It was a calling I think. I was first an applicant of CIDG-PNP (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - Philippine National Police) when one of my classmates invited me to PSG (Presidential Security Group) as there was a quota that time. Being a probinsyana, I thought PSG are civilians like the Secret Service of the U.S. Then the PSG sent us to 7th Infantry Division for candidate soldier training,” recalled Arreza.
The humble lass from Baliwasan Grande, Zamboanga City graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology degree from Western Mindanao State University in 2003. She was enlisted into the Armed Forces of the Philippines and became part of the agency tasked to secure the President of the Republic of the Philippines.
To Arreza, being a soldier and a law student was no joke as both demand dedication – being on call 24/7, and at the same time, handling the pressure of law studies. Another challenge she faced is how to make ends meet to pay law school’s tuition fees while financially helping her family and relatives in Zamboanga.
“Iiyak, then tuloy uli. Army eh’,” notes Arreza. “Mas na encourage ako to pursue my dreams noong na detail ako as close in security to former Solicitor General/Secretary of Justice Agnes Devanadera,” she added. Backed with inspiration and support from soldier and lawyer friends, Arreza graduated from Arellano Law School with a Bachelor of Laws degree.
“Masaya, nanghina, tumatawa, umiiyak,” stated Arreza while remembering the moment she was flooded with congratulatory text messages from her law school classmates and friends. “[The first thing that came into my mind is] to call my mom whom I did not inform na nag take ako ng Bar para sabihin ang magandang balita,” she added.
“During the Oath Taking Ceremony, the fact that I am a lawyer now has sank in to me. A lawyer with a lot of responsibility. As Justice Leonen said, ‘the privilege of your title comes with a lot of responsibility. You are more than your degrees and your professional titles. They are your masks and behind these masks and titles, should be authentic human beings.’ I knew from that moment that being a lawyer now will not just change my career but also my responsibilities and duties to the society, legal profession, Courts, and the community,” she said.
“My goal is to serve the AFP as JAGS (Judge Advocate General Service) officer.” Arreza will be signing the attorney’s roll this July to become a full-pledged lawyer.
With a heart molded in Philippine Army’s core values of honor, patriotism, and duty; Arreza defied the limitations to reach her dreams that will further equip her in serving the Filipino people and the nation.
“Whatever your rank and position is in the organization you should not limit yourself. You should have to aim high and when you have the chance and opportunity for career and self-improvement, go for it!” added Arreza.#
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Want to be a Soldier Lawyer? Join the Philippine Army today! Check out this link for the recruitment information:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/philippine-army/philippine-army-recruitment/1833668486881701/