The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday released the list of 24 local sites for the regional Bar examinations scheduled in November.
In a bulletin, the High Court said aside from the 24 sites, four more venues — three in Metro Manila and one in Central Luzon are also being evaluated for the exams.
This is the first time that multiple sites will be used for the Bar examinations.
Manila universities, including the Manuel Luis Quezon University (MLQU), De La Salle University (DLSU), and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) were the past sites of the exams.
Under the measure, each bar applicant will select their local testing center through the Bar Personal Login Unified System (PLUS).
Venue-matching will not be on a first-come, first-served basis and instead, applicants from remote areas will be prioritized.
Applicants may select their chosen local testing centers after their applications have been approved by the Supreme Court en banc. The Office of the Bar Confidant will send separate emails to the approved applicants.
The SC advised applicants to choose the testing center that is closest to their residence.
“This will not only reduce their expenses, but will also free up the slots in vicinities closest to those with the least resources.” the Court said.
Earlier, the SC has approved other changes, including the possibility of including bar examinees in the list of priority individuals for anti-coronavirus vaccination.
The 24 testing centers approved so far are the following:
National Capital Region
1. Ateneo de Manila University Law School, Ateneo Professional Schools Building, 20 Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati City (maximum of 269 slots)
2. Manila Adventist College, 1975 San Juan Street, Pasay City (maximum of 450 slots)
3. University of Makati, J.P. Rizal Extension, West Rembo, Makati City (maximum of 1,000 slots)
4. Far Eastern University, Nicanor Reyes, Sampaloc, Manila (maximum of 600 slots).
5. University of Santo Tomas, España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila (maximum of 500 slots)
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
6. St. Louis University School of Law, A. Bonifacio Street, Baguio City (maximum of 1,035 slots)
Ilocos Region
7. St. Louis College, Carlatan, San Fernando City, La Union (maximum of 1,280 slots)
Cagayan Valley
8. Cagayan State University College of Law, Carig Campus – Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (maximum of 421 slots)
9. St. Mary’s University College of Law, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (maximum of 259 slots)
Calabarzon
10. De La Salle University – Lipa, 1962 Pres. J.P. Laurel National Highway, Lipa City, Batangas (maximum of 1,125 slots)
Mimaropa
11. City College of Calapan, Barangay Guinobatan, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro (maximum of 200 slots)
Bicol
12. University of Nueva Caceres, J. Hernandez Avenue, Naga, Camarines Sur (maximum of 1,000 slots)
Western Visayas
13. Central Philippine University, University Avenue, Jaro, Iloilo City, Iloilo (maximum of 475 slots)
14. University of St. La Salle, La Salle Avenue, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental (maximum of 1,340 slots)
Central Visayas
15. University of San Jose Recoletos – Basak Campus, N. Bacalso Street, Basak, Pardo, Cebu City (maximum of 600 slots)
16. University of Cebu School of Law, UC Banilad, M. Cuenco Avenue, Banilad, Cebu City (maximum of 1,000 slots)
17. University of San Carlos School of Law and Governance, University of San Carlos Law Building, Pelaez Street, Cebu City (maximum of 200 slots)
18. Silliman University College of Law, 1 Hibbard Avenue, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental (maximum of 1,000 slots)
Eastern Visayas
19. Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation, Calanipawan Road, Barangay Calanipawan, Tacloban City, Leyte (maximum of 400 slots)
Zamboanga Peninsula
20. Ateneo de Zamboanga University, La Purisima Street, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur (maximum of 365 slots)
Northern Mindanao
21. Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan College of Law, 73 Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental (maximum of 240 slots)
22.Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Andres Bonifacio Avenue, Tibanga, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte (maximum of 250 slots)
Davao Region
23. Ateneo de Davao University, Senior High School Campus, Bangkal, Davao City (maximum of 800 slots)
Soccsksargen
- Mindanao State University, Fatima, General Santos City (maximum of 204 slots) (PNA)