5,686 aspiring lawyers to take 2012 Bar exams

MANILA -- A total of 5,686 people had been admitted by the Supreme Court to take the 2012 Bar examinations on all four Sundays of October at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

Bar Confidant Ma. Cristina Layusa said this year's edition is back to the original schedule where there will be two exams of the eight Bar examination subjects per Sunday unlike last year where the exam coverage was drawn up by topics and sub-topics.

The order of the exam is as follows: first day (October 7): Political Law (morning) and Labor and Social Legislation (afternoon); second day (October 14): Civil Law (morning) and Taxation (afternoon); third day (October 21): Mercantile Law (morning) and Criminal Law (afternoon); fourth day (October 28): Remedial Law (morning) and Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises (afternoon).

Scores in the multiple-choice questions will carry a weight of 60 percent, while those of the essay-type examinations will be given a weight of 40 percent in computing a candidate's final grade.

Takers will also be required to prepare a trial memorandum on October 28.

In determining the average, subjects in the examinations are given the following relative weights: Political and International Law, 15 percent; Labor and Social Legislation, 10 percent; Civil Law, 15 percent; Taxation, 10 percent; Mercantile Law, 15 percent; Criminal Law, 10 percent; Remedial Law, 20 percent; and Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises, 5 percent, for a total of 100 percent.

Of the total 5,710 petitions to take the Bar exams, five had been denied, and 19 have been withdrawn, reducing the number of examinees to 5,686.

"I want perfect, flawless Bar Exams," said Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr., this year's Bar exam chairperson.

Meantime, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim issued Executive Order 32 prohibiting the sale and distribution of beer, wine and other intoxicating liquor on the four Sundays of October around the perimeter walls of UST.

The liquor ban is from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. within 200 meters from the premises of UST along España Boulevard, Lacson Avenue (formerly Governor Forbes), Dapitan Street and P. Noval Street.

Those who failed to follow the order will be meted a fine not exceeding P200 or a jail term of not more than six months or both depending on the decision of the court.

A total of 6,200 law graduates were admitted to the exams last year but only 5,990 showed up.

Ateneo de Manila's Raoul Angelo Atadero led the 1,913 passers of the 2011 edition, which was taken in four Sundays of November also at UST. He was followed by fellow Atenean Luz Danielle Bolong.

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 percent." The rule disqualifying applicants having grades in any subject falling below 50 percent has been abolished since 2010, said Layusa.

The first Bar exams were held in 1901 with 13 examinees. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)