Historic 2020/21 Bar exams post 96.5% turnout despite pandemic
MANILA, Philippines — The historic 2020/21 Bar exams — the first digital and localized test — taken in the extraordinary circumstances due to the pandemic had a 96.5% turnout.
Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, 2020/21 Bar chairperson, said in a virtual press conference on Friday that 11,378 examinees took the exams on Friday morning in the 31 testing sites scattered in 22 local government units across the country.
For this Bar exam, takers must also observe health protocols. The SC administered antigen test for examinees, but they may also opt to undergo COVID-19 testing under Department of Health-accredited facilities.
Of the 8,461 who underwent antigen testing provided by the SC, 1.36% tested positive. Leonen however stressed that not all of those who showed positive antigen results were barred from entering the testing sites.
He explained that some of those who tested positive have already recovered from COVID-19, and can submit proof that they have finished isolation period.
Leonen said it is also difficult for him, the team and the SC to prohibit those who tested positive from entering the testing sites, but “the SC cannot be the one violating ng protocols promulgated by DOH or LGU who chooses to have stricter guidelines.”
“Kahit masakit sa aming loob na di magpapasok ng reviewee na nag-aral ng dalawang taon, kami ay isang institusyon na kailangan pangalagaan ang amting rationale. Ang aming rationale is the application of the law,” he added.
(Even if it is difficult for us to stop a reviewee who studied for two years from entering, we are an institution that needs to protect our rationale. Our rationale is the application of the law.)
Contigency plans
The SC is still collating data of how many of those who tested positive were barred from entering the testing sites.
But the Bar chair stressed that although it was difficult to turn away those who tested positive, they cannot violate government protocols that they should isolate.
“Proctors are not allowed, even wearing PPEs, for isolation. Isolation is not at the Bar premises, isolation is at home, isolation is in another site,” Leonen pointed out.
Leonen also turned down the possibility of conducting a special exam for them. “This is not like a quiz or periodical exam that there will be a special exam because we have a set of examiners that are selected for each Bar exam,” he added.
He also refused to give answers on when the next Bar exam would be. Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa will next head the Bar exams. Leonen explained that it will be up to Caguioa to assess the circumstances relating to its conduct and make recommendations to the SC en banc.
“We cannot be careless. We cannot be careless just to be popular. We cannot be careless just to show that we are compassionate. In fact, we have to be protective of everybody who wishes to take the Bar exam,” Leonen added.
“I cannot sleep in the past few days because I am thinking what else we can do except to say that we may return the application fee,” he also said.
Second day
When a Bar taker shows symptoms on Saturday or on the second day of the Bar exam, they will no longer have to take another antigen test. Leonen explained that this is why they opted to hold the two days of the Bar exams with just one day in between.
They will still be allowed to continue the taking the test, but will be brought to isolation rooms.
Leonen said they will assess the conduct of the first day of the Bar exams and look for ways to improve for the coming Sunday exams. “But so far, I am personally so very satisfied and so very proud of the team and he various Bar personnel that we have recruited or volunteered,” he said.
After grueling Day 1 of the Bar, Leonen advised the examinees that they should “live in the present moment” and not rush through the subjects slated on the second day.
“Second day, after this day they should sleep. Don’t cram. Rest their bodies and their minds and tomorrow, review a little. As I said on Twitter, make peace with your faiths whatever it is and again, to be able to take the Bar and meaningfully understand their purpose,” the Bar chair continued.
Leonen said they cannot categorically say when the results of the 2020/21 Bar exams will come out. While the traditional Bar exams results were released five to six months after the test, Leonen said the digital modality of this year’s Bar may make it possible to release it earlier.
“What I can only tell you, at the soonest possible time given the advances of technology that we have,” he added.
- Latest
- Trending
