Re: 2021 Bar Examinations

May 11, 2021

EN BANC

B.M. No. 3490

RE: 2021 BAR EXAMINATIONS

NOTICE

Sirs/Mesdames :

Please take notice that the Court en banc issued a Resolution datedMAY 11, 2021, which reads as follows: aScITE

"B.M. No. 3490 (Re: 2021 Bar Examinations)

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court has approved several reforms toward a more equitable 2020/21 Bar Examinations, in particular, that the examinations will be administered in a localized, proctored, and digitalized manner;

WHEREAS, the 2020/21 Bar Examinations will be held in several local testing centers in different regions across the country, instead of conducting the examinations in one (1) venue, as had usually been carried out in the past;

WHEREAS, the localized Bar Examinations intend to significantly reduce the travel and accommodation expenses of examinees, especially those from outside Metro Manila;

WHEREAS, regionalization is imperative not only to achieve a more inclusive Bar Examinations, but also to comply with public health guidelines and minimize the transit of examinees in view of the COVID-19 pandemic;

WHEREAS, the localized Bar Examinations will be proctored physically through the Bar personnel present at the venue and virtually through a surveillance system;

WHEREAS, conducting the Bar Examinations in several local testing centers will essentially require rental of additional local testing centers, employment of more Bar personnel, and procurement of necessary surveillance equipment;

WHEREAS, the Bar Examinations will be administered digitally using a computer software, the license of which must be procured through a licensing agreement;

WHEREAS, considering the projected increase in examinees due to the postponement of the 2020 Bar Examinations and to maximize the efficiency in the evaluation of answers, the number of examiners is likewise increased;

WHEREAS, the implementation of these needed reforms will result in a substantial increase in the Bar operation costs, part of which will be covered by the Bar Examination fees;

WHEREAS, in the April 29, 2020 Resolution in this Bar Matter, entitled Regionalization of the Next Bar Examinations, the Court has already approved the increase in Bar application fees to cover the costs of regionalization and the various health protocols that must be implemented;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Court resolved, upon recommendation of Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, Chairperson of the 2020/2021 Bar Examinations, to approve the increase in application fees for the 2020/2021 Bar Examinations from P3,750.00 to P10,000.00.

The fees will cover the applicant's share in the license fees for the testing software and additional consideration for local testing centers.

(SGD.) ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDOChief Justice

(SGD.) ESTELA M. PERLAS-BERNABEAssociate Justice

(SGD.) MARVIC M.V.F. LEONENAssociate Justice

(SGD.) ALFREDO BENJAMIN S. CAGUIOAAssociate Justice

(SGD.) RAMON PAUL L. HERNANDOAssociate Justice

(SGD.) ROSMARI D. CARANDANGAssociate Justice

(SGD.) AMY C. LAZARO-JAVIERAssociate Justice

(SGD.) HENRI JEAN PAUL B. INTINGAssociate Justice

(SGD.) RODIL V. ZALAMEDAAssociate Justice

(SGD.) MARIO V. LOPEZAssociate Justice

(SGD.) EDGARDO L. DELOS SANTOSAssociate Justice

(SGD.) SAMUEL H. GAERLANAssociate Justice

(SGD.) RICARDO R. ROSARIOAssociate Justice

JHOSEP Y. LOPEZAssociate Justice

By authority of the Court:

(SGD.) MARIFE M. LOMIBAO-CUEVASClerk of Court

Published in the Manila Bulletin on July 31, 2021.