5,421 examinees to take Bar exams at DLSU

A total of 5,421 law graduates are set to take the 2004 Bar on four consecutive Sundays in September, starting this Sunday at the De La Salle University on Taft Avenue, Manila.

It will be the first Bar examinations since the Supreme Court promulgated reforms in the tests that took effect last July 15.

Personnel from the Western Police District (WPD) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) from the traffic, area security, bomb disposal and mobile units as well as medical and dental personnel will be deployed in the area during the examinations tomorrow and on Sept. 12, 19 and 26.

A portion of Taft Avenue — from Quirino Avenue to Pablo Ocampo street (formerly Vito Cruz) — will be closed to vehicular traffic from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the days of the examinations.

Justice Leonardo Quisumbing, chairman of the 2004 Committee on Bar Examinations, said the result of the examinations will be released in April 2005.

Ma. Cristina Layusa, deputy clerk of court and bar confidant, said the Supreme Court has tasked more than 1,000 personnel to help ensure the successful conduct of the examinations.

Layusa urged examinees to report early to the venue of the examinations as there will be an annual Alay Lakad along Roxas Boulevard, which might affect the traffic situation in the area.

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

Bar Matter No. 1161 provides that candidates are disqualified from taking the Bar after failing in three examinations. They will only be qualified to take give it a fourth or fifth try if they complete a one-year refresher course.

Last year, a record 5,455 lawyer-aspirants applied to take the test but only 5,349 actually took the tests. A total of 1,108 or 20 percent passed.

In 2002, there were 4,659 who took the Bar exams but only 19.68 percent or 917 passed.