UC among venues for Bar exams

CEBU, Philippines —  The Supreme Court (SC) is “ready” to conduct the first-ever digital and regional Bar examinations in November this year, Justice Marvic Leonen said.

The University of Cebu (UC)-Banilad campus is among the at least 16 testing sites across the country. Earlier this year, the school hosted the pilot mock digital Bar exams.

Other schools that have been signed the memorandum with the high court, as of yesterday, are Saint Louis University in Baguio City, Ateneo de Manila University, Manila Adventist College, Saint Louis College – La Union, Saint Mary’s University, Cagayan State University, De La Salle Lipa, University of Nueva Caceres, Mindanao State University – Iligan, Mindanao State University – General Santos City, Ateneo de Davao University, Xavier University – Cagayan de Oro, and Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

The number of testing centers may reach 25 as the SC is still negotiating with several schools to accommodate more Bar examinees.

Leonen said Bar applicants will also no longer need to line up at the Office of the Bar Confidant.

The high court will launch on July 15 an online portal called Bar Personalized Login Unified System or Bar PLUS.

The online portal will allow applicants to submit their personal details, access the necessary forms and upload petition requirements and pay their application fees digitally. They can also pick their preferred exam venue, subject to the approval of the Office of the Bar Confidant.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, for his part, said reforms for Bar exams will continue beyond this year, as he will ask the SC members “to look into the revision of Rule 138 (of the Rules of Court), particularly on the Bar Exam coverage.”

The Chief Justice noted that the provisions of the said Rule have not changed since they were promulgated in 1964.

“Law courses have become varied; a lot of changes have happened in the field of law. And yet, we have not looked into these specific provisions of the Rules of Court,” he said.

He also rejected the idea of abolishing Bar exams, as he cited that the Rules of Court mandate the conduct of the test for lawyers.

Senator Bong Go, who was in Cebu yesterday, also expressed objection to the suggestion of Labor Secretary Silvestre Belo to abolish the licensure tests, including the Bar exams.

Senator Go said graduates should pass the standards set in their respective professions.

“Hindi po ako sang-ayon dun. Kailangang pumasa sa standard para malalaman na pwede nang gampanan ang kanilang propesyon,” said Go.

Go said he even asked for the Inter-Agency Task Force’s go signal to immediately vaccinate Professional Regulation Commission examiners so board and Bar exams will no longer have any delays. — Rowena Capistrano, KQD (FREEMAN)