SC gives nod to 7k law graduates to take bar exams in November

A total of 7,227 law graduates have been allowed by the Supreme Court (SC) to take the 2017 Bar examinations on all four Sundays of November at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila.

That figure is higher than last year's 6,831 individuals who were admitted to take the exam, according to the Office of the Bar Confidant.

Beginning November 5, the examinees will have to hurdle eight subjects: Political Law, Civil Law, Taxation, Labor Law, Criminal Law, Remedial Law, Mercantile Law and Legal and Judicial Ethics.

Contingency measures have also been in place in case of inclement weather during the exams, which will also be conducted on November 12, 19 and 26.

In case of heavy rain in the morning of a Bar examination day, SC shuttle buses shall be available to transport Bar Examinees and duty personnel to UST from designated pick-up points: Quezon Memorial Circle, Park and Ride in Lawton, Manila, SC compound, EDSA Magallanes flyover, Pasay City, Greenbelt and Glorietta malls in Makati City, and the Marikina Sports Complex.

The SC shuttle buses will be stationed at these areas as early as 5 a.m. and will leave at exactly 5:30 a.m.

"In order to avail of this service, they must present their Notice of Admission, Gate Pass and/or ID card, as the case may be, to the bus driver before being allowed to board,” Deputy Clerk of Court and Bar Confidant Ma. Cristina Layusa said.

In case of flooding inside the UST compound before the exams begin, commuter vans of the SC shall be available to transport bar examinees and duty personnel from the UST gates to their respective examination buildings within UST.

Priority in the use of the commuter vans shall be given to senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disability (PWDs).

In case flooding persists after the end of the examinations on any given examination day, the SC commuter vans on standby at each examination building in UST shall be available to transport back bar examinees and duty personnel to the Osmeña and Arellano Drives near Gate 5 on España Boulevard, where the SC shuttle buses are parked.

The SC also reminded bar takers that Roxas Boulevard will be closed to traffic on November 12, the second day of the exams, due to the 31st ASEAN Summit.

For his part, Manila Police District director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel said a total of 775 policemen will be deployed in and around the UST campus on November 5, 12, 19, and 26.

During these four Sundays, Coronel said that traffic along the Quiapo-bound lane of España Avenue will be “rerouted” from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Parking will also be strictly prohibited in the streets surrounding the perimeter of UST such as España, Dapitan, P. Noval, and Lacson.

Coronel said the sale, distribution, and consumption of liquor will not be allowed within 100 meters of UST during those four Sundays to prevent any alcohol-related incident.

“Violators will be placed under arrest, particularly those who will engage in fraternity-related riots. They will be charged with direct contempt of court because the conduct of bar exams is a court proceeding directly supervised by the Supreme Court,” he said. —NB, GMA News