An estimated 11,790 law graduates are expected to take the first-ever online and regionalized bar examinations starting on Friday, Feb. 4, and on Sunday, Feb. 6, in 29 testing centers nationwide.
The Supreme Court (SC), through its Office of the Bar Confidant (OBC), has adopted strict measures for admission in the testing centers due to restrictions imposed by the national government and local government units (LGUs) where the bar examinations will be held.
Those positive for the infections of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the time of the examinations will not be allowed to take the examinations.
Examinees are required to undergo anti-gen test before the examinations and those found positive have to take the confirmatory RT-PCR test.
The bar examinations for 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic and the SC decided to hold the tests simultaneously with the 2021 law graduates.
The SC had also decided to reduce the coverage and shorten the duration of the 2020-2021 online bar examinations.
The two-day examinations – instead of four successive Sundays – will cover four comprehensive sets unlike the traditional eight subjects.
The four sets are: 1. The Law Pertaining to the State and Its Relationship with Its Citizens (formerly Political Law, Labor Law, and Taxation Law), 2. Criminal Law, 3. The Law Pertaining to Private Personal and Commercial Relations (formerly Civil Law and Commercial Law), and 4. Procedure and Professional Ethics (formerly Remedial Law, Legal Ethics, and Practical Exercises).
The first two sets will be taken up on Feb. 4, while the other two sets will be on Feb. 6.
As recommended by Bar Chairperson and Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the changes in the bar examinations will apply pro hac vice (for this one time only), meaning only for the 2020-2021 bar examinations.
Also, there will be no announcement on 10 topnotchers in the 2020-2021 bar examinations but those who get a weighted average score of 85 per cent will be recognized for exemplary performance.
The SC said that aside from recognizing exemplary performance of examinees, it will have a list of law schools ranked from the most to the least number of passers among first time examinees, and a separate list ranked from those with the most to the least number of examinees recognized for exemplary performance.
“It is hoped that by shifting the focus away from how select individuals excel and onto a school’s collective performance, this will encourage deep-seated and wide-ranging improvements in legal education,” Justice Leonen said.
The SC’s decision is a departure from the traditional policy that 10 topnotchers are announced simultaneously with the release of the results of the bar examinations.
The 29 testing centers with their maximum available slots are:
National Capital Region — Ateneo de Manila University Law School, Ateneo Professional Schools Building, 20 Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati City (maximum 269 slots); Manila Adventist College, 1975 San Juan Street, Pasay City (maximum 450 slots); University of Makati, J.P. Rizal Extension, West Rembo, Makati City (maximum 1,000 slots); Far Eastern University, Nicanor Reyes, Sampaloc, Manila (maximum 600 slots); and University of Santo Tomas, España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila (maximum 500 slots); University of the Philippines in Diliman Quezon City, (maximum 756 slots; University of the Philippines, Bonifacio Global City, (maximum 436 slots); and Dela Salle University, Taft Avenue, Manila, (maximum 794 slots).
Cordillera Administrative Region — St. Louis University School of Law, A. Bonifacio Street, Baguio City (maximum 1,035 slots).
Region 1 (Ilocos Region) — St. Louis College, Carlatan, San Fernando City, La Union (maximum 1,280 slots).
Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) — Cagayan State University College of Law, Carig Campus – Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (maximum 421 slots); St. Mary’s University College of Law, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (maximum 259 slots).
Region 4A (CALABARZON) — De La Salle University – Lipa, 1962 Pres. J.P. Laurel National Highway, Lipa City, Batangas (maximum 1,125 slots).
Region 4B (MIMAROPA) — City College of Calapan, Barangay Guinobatan, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro (maximum 200 slots).
Region 5 (Bicol Region) — University of Nueva Caceres, J. Hernandez Avenue, Naga, Camarines Sur (maximum 1,000 slots).
Region 6 (Western Visayas) — Central Philippine University, University Avenue, Jaro, Iloilo City, Iloilo (maximum 475 slots) and University of St. La Salle, La Salle Avenue, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental (maximum 1,340 slots).
Region 7 (Central Visayas) — University of San Jose Recoletos – Basak Campus, N. Bacalso Street, Basak, Pardo, Cebu City (maximum 600 slots); University of Cebu School of Law, UC Banilad, M. Cuenco Avenue, Banilad, Cebu City (maximum 1,000 slots); University of San Carlos School of Law and Governance, University of San Carlos Law Building, Pelaez Street, Cebu City (maximum 200 slots); and Silliman University College of Law, 1 Hibbard Avenue, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental (maximum 1,000 slots).
Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) — Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation, Calanipawan Road, Barangay Calanipawan, Tacloban City, Leyte (maximum 400 slots).
Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) — Ateneo de Zamboanga University, La Purisima Street, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur (maximum 365 slots).
Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) — Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan College of Law, 73 Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental (maximum 240 slots); Liceo de Cagayan University, Paseo del Rio Campus, Rodelsa Circle, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, (maximum 208 slots); Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Andres Bonifacio Avenue, Tibanga, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte (maximum 250 slots).
Region 11 (Davao Region) — Ateneo de Davao University, Senior High School Campus, Bangkal, Davao City (maximum 800 slots).
Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) — Mindanao State University, Fatima, General Santos City (maximum 204 slots).
Last Feb. 1, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) decided to close to traffic several roads within the vicinity of three Manila universities where the bar examinations will be held.
In an advisory, the MMDA said that the affected roads are located within the vicinity of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Far Eastern University (FEU), and De La Salle University (DLSU).
A Manila Bulletin report stated that the Manila Police District (MPD) will implement the road closures from 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 4 and on Feb. 6 onwards and affected motorists were advised to re-route.
In UST, the westbound lane of España Boulevard from Lacson Avenue to P. Noval will be closed to traffic.
All vehicles intending to utilize the westbound lane of España should turn right at A.H Lacson, left to Dapitan or left to A. Mendoza to point of destination. All vehicles from southbound of A.H Lacson Ave. should go straight to Nagtahan to point of destination.
In FEU, the westbound lane of N. Reyes Street from España Boulevard to Claro M. Recto Avenue will not be accessible.
All vehicles coming from España Boulevard intending to utilize the westbound lane of N. Reyes Street should turn right to P. Campa Street, turn left to A. Mendoza Street going to CM Recto to point of destination.
In DLSU, the southbound lane of Taft Avenue from Quirino Avenue to Estrada Street will be closed to motorists.
All vehicles utilizing southbound lane of Taft Avenue going to Makati/Pasay area should turn right to Quirino Avenue, left to Adriatico to P. Ocampo to point of destination. All vehicles travelling eastbound of Quirino Avenue intending to utilize southbound lane of Taft Avenue going to Makati/Pasay area should turn right to L. Guinto Street, right to Estrada Street, left to Taft Avenue to point of destination.
The stop and go traffic scheme will be implemented on España Boulevard, N. Reyes Street, and Taft Avenue during drop-off of bar examinees.
Parking within the vicinity of the venues is prohibited before and during examination. The actual time of closing and opening of affected roads will be based on actual traffic situation.