2016 Bar exam ends without hitch—SC

MANILA—The Supreme Court said on Sunday the last day of the four-Sunday 2016 Bar examinations ended without a hitch.

The Bar exams kicked off last Nov. 6 at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila with a total of 6,831 law graduates trying their luck to become lawyers.

A total of 3,317 of the candidates were first-time takers while 3,514 were retakers, according to SC Spokesman Theodore Te.

The first day of the four-Sunday exams covered Political and Public International Law in the morning and Labor Law and Social Legislation in the afternoon.

The other six Bar subjects in the following three Sundays were Civil Law, Taxation, Criminal Law, Remedial Law, Mercantile Law and Legal and Judicial Ethics.

Just like in the previous three Sundays of the exams, the Manila Police Department maintained tight security watch around the UST Campus in Espana, Manila.

Aside from the policemen, rescue units, paramedics and ambulances were also on hand to ensure the safety of the examinees and prevent a repeat of the 2010 Bar exam bombing at De La Salle University that injured 47 people.

Also like in the previous examinations, the examinees were also required to use transparent or see-through bags for purposes of convenience and security and to “further ensure the safety and security of the examinees and Bar personnel.”

A liquor ban was imposed within the 100-meter radius of UST and a “no parking” policy was implemented along España and Dapitan streets during the conduct of the exams.

In the 2015 Bar exams, a total of 1,731 applicants passed, representing 26.21 percent of the total of 6,605 candidates who completed the tests.