5,012 take Bar exams starting this Sunday

A total of 5,012 law graduates are scheduled to take the 2010 Bar examinations in four consecutive Sundays starting at 7 a.m. this Sunday at the De La Salle University (DLSU) on Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila.

The Bar examinations will be held Sept. 5, 12, 19, and 26, with Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales as the chairperson of the 2010 Bar Examinations Committee. Deputy Clerk of Court and Bar Confidant Ma. Cristina B. Layusa said that of the total 5,038 petitions to take the Bar exams, seven had been denied, and 19 have been withdrawn, reducing the number of Bar examinees to 5,012.

The Supreme Court, according to Layusa, has assigned around 1,200 personnel, including building coordinators, superintendents, supervisors, head watchers, watchers, Bar assistants, and special assistants to help ensure the successful conduct of the exams.

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Manila Police District (MPD) would deploy operatives to man the traffic, secure the area, and ensure peace and order in the vicinity. Bomb disposal and mobile units, as well as medical and dental personnel, will also be deployed in the area during all four Sundays.

Layusa urged the examinees to come early this Sunday since the annual “Alay Lakad” (walkathon) on Roxas Boulevard may adversely affect the traffic situation on that day.

The DLSU gates will open as early as 5 a.m. during the Bar exam dates.

The southbound portion of Taft Avenue from Quirino Avenue to Pablo Ocampo Sr. Street (formerly Vito Cruz) will also be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. on all Bar exam dates.

Layusa also called on personnel serving in the Bar exams to enter the DLSU through its south gate or the one near a fast food outlet.

A total of 121 rooms distributed in six buildings inside DLSU – the St. La Salle Hall, Yuchengco Hall, St. Joseph Hall, St. Miguel Hall, Gokongwei Hall, Velasco Hall – will be used in the four- Sunday exams. Because of the higher number of examinees last year, 147 rooms were used in seven DLSU buildings.

This year’s Bar exam marks the second time that the two examiners would be designated as examiners in each of the Bar examination subjects.

Thus, every bar subject, would be divided into parts, with each designated examiner assigned a specific scope. Examinees divided into two parts, with each designated examiner assigned a specific scope. Examinees would thus use two exam notebooks per Bar subject.

In February 2009, the SC, upon the recommendation of the committee on legal education and Bar matters, approved the proposal of Layusa to designate two examiners per Bar subject, pursuant to Paragraph 4, Part B of Bar Matter No. 1161.

The number of examinees this year is lower, compared to the 6,080 who took the Bar tests last year.

A total of 1,451 out of the 5,903 examinees or 24.58%, from 118 law schools nationwide passed the 2009 Bar examinations.

A total of 1,310 out of the 6,364 examinees, representing 20.58% of the total number of examinees from 108 law schools nationwide, hurdled the 2008 bar tests.

The Supreme Court conducts the Bar examinations pursuant to Article VIII, Sec. 5 of the Constitution which provides that it shall have the power to promulgate rules governing the admission to the practice of law.

The Rules of Court provide that a “candidate may be deemed to have passed his examination successfully if he has obtained a general average of 75% in all subjects without failing below 50% in any subject”

Jeamma Sabate, Manila Bulletin