Supreme Court resets 2021 Bar to early 2022

MANILA, Philippines — Bar hopefuls would have to wait until early next year to take their examinations after the Supreme Court-Office of the Bar Confidant (SC-OBC) announced the resetting of the Bar exams from the four Sundays of November to the Sundays in January and February.

At noon yesterday, the SC tweeted Associate Justice and 2020/2021 Bar examinations chairman Marvic Leonen’s one-page Bar Bulletin No. 28, S.2021, stating that the Bar exams had been reset to Jan. 16, 23, 30 and Feb. 6 next year.

Leonen said they decided to postpone because of the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country.

“After considering the COVID-19 situation nationally and in all the testing sites, as well as receiving advice from various experts, the Supreme Court, after recommendation by the Bar chairperson, with an abundance of caution and to assure the highest level of safety for all the Bar applicants and personnel, decided to reset the Bar examinations from November 2021 to Jan. 16, 23, 30 and Feb. 6, 2022,” said Leonen.

He added they would no longer accept additional applicants for the 2020/2021 Bar exam. The application period closed last Sept. 15.

Leonen said that while the Bar exams have been reset to early next year, they are continuing with their preparations.

“All preparatory activities for the Bar examinations, including the selection of the Bar applicants of their venue, downloading of the secure exam delivery program and other activities, shall continue,” he said.

Leonen advised Bar takers to “treat this as an opportunity. Keep your momentum. Remember that you study not only to pass the Bar examinations, but also so that you will best serve others. Study well, purposely and with passion.”