In a recent report issued by the Philippine Supreme Court, it was revealed that a record 6,533 law graduates were set to take the 2008 Bar examinations to be held on all four Sundays of September 2008 at the De La Salle University, Manila. (see www.supremecourt.gov.ph).
The 2008 Committee on Bar Examinations is chaired by Justice Dante O. Tinga.
Deputy Clerk of Court and Bar Confidant Ma. Cristina B. Layusa said of the total 6,560 petitions to take the Bar exams, 11 had been denied. Sixteen Bar candidates have also withdrawn, reducing the number of Bar examinees to 6,533 as of press time.
Atty. Layusa added that the Supreme Court has tasked more than 1,440 personnel to help ensure the successful conduct of the exams.
This year’s examinees will use 95 rooms, five conference rooms, and Central Plaza, and 57 additional classrooms, including six theater-type rooms of the DLSU Taft campus.
SC Justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura was also introduced during the said briefing as the Chairperson of the 2009 Committee on the Bar Examinations.
In a related development, the Court has adopted guidelines for all concerned regarding their conduct and activities within the perimeter of the venue of the Bar exams (“Perimeter Area”).
Stressing that the Bar examinations are in the nature of a court proceeding, the Court enjoins all examinees and all other persons within the Perimeter Area “to observe the same conduct and decorum as they would attend a court hearing or when within the immediate vicinity thereof.”
The 2005 Bar exams marked the first time that the “five-strike” rule was implemented. The “five-strike” rule limits to five the maximum number of times a candidate may take what is reputed to be the most grueling government-administered test.
Last year, 5,626 examinees took the 2007 Bar exams. Of the total, 1,289 examinees, or 22.91 percent, passed.
The first Bar exams were held in 1901, with 13 examinees.
The Court conducts the Bar examinations pursuant to Article VIII, Sec. 5 of the Constitution which provides that it shall have the power to promulgate rules governing the admission to the practice of law.
The Rules of Court provide that “a candidate may be deemed to have passed his examination successfully if he has obtained a general average of 75% in all subjects without falling below 50% in any subject.” In determining the average, subjects in the examinations are given the following relative weights: Political and International Law, 15%; Labor and Social Legislation, 10%; Civil Law, 15%; Taxation, 10%; Mercantile Law, 15%; Criminal Law, 10%; Remedial Law, 20%; and Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises, 5%, for a total of 100%.
