Law deans, IBP seek deferment of bar exams in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines —  The deans of the various law schools in Cebu and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Cebu City Chapter, in a joint resolution, have requested for the postponement of the 2020/2021 Bar Examinations in Cebu and other areas severely affected by Typhoon Odette.

Copies of the joint resolution were furnished to the Legal Education Board (LEB), the Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS), IBP Board of Governors, the Supreme Court through the Office of the Bar Confidant and Office of the Bar Chairperson.

The resolution said that the Law Deans in Cebu, through IBP-Cebu City, have made an assessment of the damage, reached out to and accounted its barristers, and conducted consultations with them regarding their concerns for the Bar Examinations.

It said that the Law Schools are yet to hear from all their barristers but upon consultation of those whom the Law Schools in Cebu were able to reach, the following have signified their request to have the Bar Examinations postponed – University of Cebu (70);  University of San Carlos (163), University of San Jose-Recoletos (109), University of Southern Philippines Foundation (46), University of the Visayas (24) and South Western University (20).

It said that the Visayan Electric (Veco) has issued a statement that it will only be able to fully restore power in Cebu by end of January 2022 while telecommunication companies are yet to give a commitment as to when the communication lines will be fully restored and whether the same will be stable enough for use during the Bar Examinations.

The resolution added that the three Bar Examination sites in Cebu (UC, USC, and USJ-R) have sustained physical damage and lost electrical, water, and internet connection.

“Although the repairs are ongoing to ensure that the testing sites will be ready for use, the restoration of electricity, water, and internet remains to be a concern,” it said.

The resolution further said that majority of the barristers in Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, and other areas in Mindanao have suffered from the effects of the typhoon and have not only lost focus in their preparation but had to use their resources they have supposedly prepared for the Bar Examinations to rebuild their homes and provide for their families.

Aside from the barristers, there is equal concern for court personnel and lawyers who have volunteered to be proctors during the Bar Examinations as they too have been affected by the typhoon.

Although they are cognizant of the preparations made by Law Schools and barristers who have not been affected by the typhoon as well as the preparations made by the Supreme Court through the Office of the Bar Chairperson and the Office of the Bar Confidant, the foregoing concerns and circumstances be taken into consideration by the Bar Chairperson, Associate Justice Marvic MVF Leonen and that the Bar Examinations in Cebu and other areas affected by Typhoon Odette be postponed.

They also asked that a site inspection and meeting with the Bar Chairperson, Law Schools in Cebu, and utility companies be conducted in order to properly assess the present situation in Cebu and other affected areas and to determine the new schedule of the Bar Examinations.

Typhoon Odette which hit the country last December 16, 2021 has caused severe damage to Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, and other areas in Mindanao.

Many have lost their homes and are without electricity and water. Telecommunication lines, Wi-Fi and data connection have been cut off. — GMR (FREEMAN)