COVID-infected bar examinees fail to take tests in Cebu, Zamboanga

CEBU CITY—An undetermined number of barristers set to take part in the first regional bar examinations were barred from entering the testing centers in the cities of Cebu and Zamboanga on Friday after they tested positive for COVID-19.

Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of Cebu City’s Emergency Operations Center, declined to reveal the exact number of examinees who had contracted the virus, saying only the Supreme Court has the authority to disclose their names.

Three universities hosted the first day of the bar examinations in Cebu City, which were held for the first time in key areas outside the National Capital Region.

In Zamboanga City, however, local officials revealed that 25 barristers failed to show up for the first day of the two-day bar exams, including 12 examinees who tested positive for the coronavirus disease.

Elmeir Apolinario, chief of Zambonga City’s COVID-19 task force, revealed that of the 259 expected examinees, only 234 entered the Ateneo de Zamboanga University campus for the exams. Twelve tested positive for the coronavirus while 13 did not show up.

He said they were still trying to establish the health conditions of the 13 others so they could be given appropriate medical attention if they were sick.

The 259 barristers underwent antigen and confirmatory reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests before they were allowed to take the bar even if they were all fully vaccinated and covered with follow-up boosters.

Unfortunate

In Naga City, Camarines Sur province, there were 474 barristers scheduled to take the examinations at the University of Nueva Caceres but it was not disclosed if there were among them who were excluded for testing positive for the virus.

In Baguio City, officials also declined to say if there were examinees who were unable to participate in the exams held at the St. Louis University.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong, referring to the general exclusion of those infected with COVID-19, said it was “unfortunate” that there were applicants who were not allowed to take the examinations after testing positive for the virus.

“These bar examinations [are] challenging not only for the examinees but also to all others involved because of the distinct dynamics resorted to due to the pandemic. But as in any crisis, we do what we can to rise up and overcome the trials,” the mayor said.

Successful

Garganera said that except for the inability of some barristers to take the exams, the bar was successful as no untoward incident happened at the three Cebu universities that hosted what has been considered as the toughest licensure examination in the country. About 1,200 law graduates took the bar exams in Cebu at the University of Cebu, University of San Carlos and University of San Jose Recoletos.

The second and final day of the exams will be held on Feb. 6. The bar exams cover eight subjects: political law, civil law, taxation, labor law, criminal law, remedial law, mercantile law, and legal and judicial ethics. On Thursday, some Cebu lawyers offered to shoulder the hotel accommodation, food and other necessities of examinees who tested positive for COVID-19 and underwent isolation, just so they could take the bar. But the Supreme Court declined the offer, upholding its decision to not allow those who tested positive for COVID-19 to join this year’s exams. —REPORTS FROM JULIE ALIPALA, NESTLE SEMILLA AND PAOLO GABRIEL JAMER

gsg