Online Bar exams to forge ahead as scheduled – SC

The 2020 and 2021 online bar examinations, which will be held in 16 testing centers in the country, will proceed as scheduled on four Sundays of November starting on November 7.

This came after the Supreme Court has made “no change in the previous announcements regarding bar matters.”

The 2020 bar examinations had been cancelled due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the SC decided to hold the tests simultaneously with the 2021 examinations this November.

The SC earlier announced that despite the closure of courts in the National Capital Region, which is under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until Aug. 20, the Office of the Bar Confidant will continue to accept online applications for the 2020 and 2021 bar examinations until Sept. 15.

In its announcement, the OBC said its helpdesk hotlines will be available only from Monday to Wednesday starting at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Aug. 20.

 The OBC  however said that bar applicants can access the Bar Personal Login Unified System (BAR PLUS) for their queries or concerns or through its helpdesk email – obc.helpdesk.sc.@judiciary.gov.ph.

Last July 15, the SC started accepting online applications for the 2020 and 2021 bar examinations which will be conducted in at least 16 testing centers nationwide.

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, chairman of the bar examinations, said the SC has launched the online application system through BAR PLUS, “a homegrown online application system through which prospective applicants for the Nov. 2021 Bar Examinations will submit their verified petition, other required documents and information including proof of payment of the bar application fee.”

“BAR PLUS was created to facilitate a safe, equitable, and inclusive Bar Examinations. All potential examinees will submit their applications digitally and through mail. A potential examinee will be required to personally appear only when there are difficult issues in their applications which cannot be addressed in any other manner,” Leonen said.

“Before accessing the portal, bar applicants are required to read and strictly follow the instructions in the document referred to as Frequently Asked Questions located at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/20109/,” he added.

The testing centers are the St. Louis University in Baguio City, Ateneo de Manila University, Manila Adventist College, Saint Louis College – La Union, Saint Mary’s University, Cagayan State University, De La Salle Lipa in Lipa City, University of Nueva Caceres, University of St. La Salle – Bacolod, Central Philippine University, University of Cebu – Banilad, Mindanao State University – Iligan, Mindanao State University – General Santos City, Ateneo de Davao University Xavier University – Cagayan de Oro, and Ateneo de Zamboanga University.