PB echoes call to hold Bar exams in the regions

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board has joined the call for the Supreme Court to hold the Bar examinations in regional centers including Cebu City.

 The PB passed a resolution sponsored by Board Member Peter John Calderon making the said call "for and on behalf of their poor constituents." The call is also in support of a similar request already made by the Cebu City Council.

Calderon argued that Bar candidates from provinces are mostly working and have families and they have to take a leave from their work to go and stay in Manila, where the examinations are only given.

Besides, Calderon said that Bar candidates from the provinces are at a terrible disadvantage when taking the Bar examinations in Manila as they have to spend an enormous amount of money while on leave and not earn their income.

 "Whereas, as a result of their separation, Bar candidates from provinces who will be in Manila, cannot fully concentrate on their preparation for the Bar examinations most especially when someone in the family gets sick, thereby causing worry and anxiety on their part," read the resolution.

 Calderon said that holding the examination in regional centers could minimize the expenses to be incurred by the poor Bar candidates from the provinces and to lessen the psychological and emotional burdens they have to face in preparing for and in taking the examinations given only in Manila.

 Calderon added that the advances in technology will assure the integrity of the Bar examination questions even if the same is given in the provinces, in the same manner as the Professional Regulations Commission is giving the licensure examinations.

 The SC is studying the possibility of holding Bar exams in Visayas and Mindanao after the Cebu City Council passed a resolution asking the high court to hold the exams outside Metro Manila.

 The SC justices referred the request to the Committee on Bar Examinations after the recommendation made by the Office of   the Bar Confidant.

 The president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Cebu City chapter and assistant dean of the School of Law of the University of   San  Jose-Recoletos, Mae Elaine Bathan, is hoping the SC will grant the request of  the Cebu City Council. — (FREEMAN)