High court disqualifies 'dishonest' bar examinees

SUPREME Court Associate Justice and 2020 and 2021 Bar Chairman Marvic Leonen confirmed the disqualification of a number of bar examinees who entered testing centers without disclosing that they had previously tested positive for Covid-19.

In a bar bulletin, Leonen revealed that some examinees also tried to smuggle mobile phones inside the examination rooms, while others accessed social media during lunch break.

"Unfortunately, a number of examinees who were able to take the bar examinations violated the clearly established policies of the Office of the Bar Chairperson and their Honor Code," he said.

"I take my constant message of honor to the examinees seriously. I owe it not only to those who risked their lives just to make the exams happen despite all odds, but most especially to those examinees who could have taken the bar examinations were it not for their positive Covid-19 test results," the magistrate added.

He advised those who have been disqualified to "reflect on what you have done, but know that you can still change your narrative."

"You will not end up as the examinee who lost your honor forever in your desperation to pass an examination. Learn from your mistake, and earn your honor back," Leonen said.

At least 11,378 aspiring lawyers took the exam out of the 11,790 who paid application fees.

The exams were held in 31 local testing sites in 22 local government units.

The vaccinated examinees were segregated from the unvaccinated in observance of health protocols.

Twelve examinees were allowed to take the examination in the traditional handwritten format, while a disabled examinee was allowed to take the exam with the aid of a stenographer who encoded his answers.

Source: TheManila Times