700 cops deployed in UST for Bar exams

MANILA, Philippines — Over 700 police officers will be deployed around the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila to secure thousands of law graduates who will take this year’s Bar examinations starting tomorrow, officials announced yesterday.

The Supreme Court (SC) will set up a special court within the UST grounds to maintain peace and order during the exams.

Anyone caught creating trouble within the 100-meter radius of the UST campus will be held and tried for direct contempt, the SC said.

The special court, presided over by a regional trial court judge, is authorized to hand down on-the-spot punishment to offenders such as fines, imprisonment of up to 10 days or both, depending on the gravity of the offense.

A total of 7,227 aspiring lawyers will take the Bar to be held on four Sundays of this month.

There are more examinees this year compared to last year’s 6,831.

The Bar exams cover eight subjects: Political Law, Civil Law, Taxation, Labor Law, Criminal Law, Remedial Law, Mercantile Law, and Legal and Judicial Ethics.

In case of inclement weather, deputy clerk of court and Bar confidant Ma. Christina Layusa said the SC would  deploy 10 buses to transport examinees to and from the UST. 

The designated pickup and drop-off points are the Quezon City Memorial Circle, Lawton and Taft Avenue in Manila,  Ayala Center in Makati and Marikina Sports Complex.

Mayor Joseph Estrada ordered Chief Superintendent Joel Coronel, director of the Manila Police District, to deploy additional policemen to ensure that no untoward incident would mar the exams.

“We intend to keep the Bar exams trouble-free just like last year. So we’re not letting our guard down. As to the troublemakers, I’m warning you, may kalalagyan kayo,” Estrada said. 

Coronel said a total of 775 police personnel would secure the UST campus during the exams.

“Mayor Estrada’s instruction is to ensure peace and order during the exams and protect the examinees, SC personnel and those doing the Bar operations,” Coronel said.

Traffic rerouting scheme

Police said traffic along the Quiapo-bound lane of España Avenue would be rerouted from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Parking will be strictly prohibited on the streets surrounding the perimeter of UST such as España, Dapitan, P. Noval and Lacson.

Bar takers and SC personnel were advised to avoid Roxas Boulevard on Nov. 12 due to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.

Coronel said these measures aim to ensure the safe and unhampered movement of the examinees. 

 For the convenience of the elderly and handicapped examinees as well as SC personnel, Estrada said five e-tricycles would be on standby to provide free rides.

Liquor ban

 Coronel said the sale, distribution and consumption of liquor would be prohibited during the examinations.

 “Violators will be arrested, particularly those who will engage in fraternity-related riots. They will be charged with direct contempt because the conduct of the Bar exams is supervised by the SC,” he said.

The UST has been designated as the venue of the Bar exams since 2011.

In 2010, at least 47 people were injured when a grenade exploded in front of De La Salle University along Taft Avenue on the last day of the Bar exams.