Bar exams start today

CEBU, Philippines - The City of Manila has implemented a liquor ban around the University of Santo Tomas (UST) as the Bar examinations open today.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim issued an executive order No. 32 prohibiting the sale and distribution of liquor within 200 meters from the school where the examinations will be held for the rest of the Sundays of October.

The Supreme Court, in a press statement posted on its website, warned that violators will be meted the penalty of a fine not exceeding P200 or imprisonment of not more than six months or both upon the discretion of the court.

“No store or any eating places will be allowed to sell or offer for drink to any person intoxicating beverages such as: beer liquors, wines and the like between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.”

Regional Trial Court Judge Mienrado Paredes who is also teaching law at the University of Cebu and the University of San Carlos said that liquor was minimized or was totally banned within the area of the testing center to avoid any untoward incident.

In 2010, an examinee from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), now lawyer Jed Carlo Lazaga, was arrested after he was tagged as suspect in the explosion during a post-bar examination party in Manila.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima cleared Lazaga after the principal suspect Anthony Nepomuceno, a member of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity, surrendered.

The explosion happened in front of De La Salle University along Taft Avenue, Manila.

Paredes will be in Manila to support the bar examinees coming from UC and the USC. He said he will hold a lecture for them to be prepared.

Paredes is a professor on remedial law and political science. Paredes reminded the examinees to prepare themselves physically and mentally because it would be a great battle for them.

There will be more than 10 graduates from UC and 78 from the USC who are taking the bar exam this year. The exam will start today then October 14, 21 and 28, 2012.

USC College of Law dean Joan Largo encouraged their graduates who are taking the exams to have faith and be prepared.

“Our message to them (USC bar examinees) is to have faith—faith in their readiness to take this one great exam of their lives and in the kindness and generosity of God,” Largo said.

There will be 5,686 bar takers nationwide this year. According to the records, there were actually 5,710 who applied to take the exams but five were denied while 19 have withdrawn.

The examination consists of 60 percent multiple choice questions and 40 percent essay type exam.— /FPL (FREEMAN)