By Charmaine Delos Santos
PHOTO: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Associate Justice Marivic Leonen on Sunday stressed that there are large numbers of 2020/21 bar examinees who violated the honor code policies, which are: 

  • Entering local testing centers without disclosing that they previously tested positive for COVID-19,
  • Smuggling mobile phones inside the examination rooms, and
  • Accessing social media during their lunch break inside the premises.

“For their infractions, I am exercising my prerogative as Bar Chairperson to disqualify these examinees from the 2020/21 Bar Examinations,” Leonen stated.

The bar exam was postponed repeatedly due to the pandemic, and to the number of examinees that were affected by the COVID-19. Later, it was eventually moved to the final date of February 4 and 6. 
 
“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 [examination] happen despite all odds but most especially to those examinees who could have taken the [exam] were it not for their positive COVID-19 test results," said Leonen. 

"For now, reflect on what you have done, but know that you can still change your narrative. You will not end up as an examinee who lost your honor forever in your desperation to pass an exam. Learn from your mistake, and earn your honor back,” he further expressed.

On the other hand, there are still some examinees who didn’t violate the honor code policies and successfully finished the 2020/21 Bar Examinations.

“The Office of the Bar Chairperson congratulates all the Bar examinees who have successfully finished the 2020/21 Bar Examinations,” he said.

In addition, he also encouraged and told those who were unable to take the bar examinations for being infected with COVID-19 to not lose hope.

“For approximately 219 Bar examinees who were unable to take the Bar Examinations after having tested positive for COVID-19, do not lose hope. Your time will come,” he added.


Edited by Phylline Calubayan