Written by Tina Miranda/THE RED CHRONICLES; Layout by Lynden Valenzuela/THE RED CHRONICLE
Last July 18, 2023, the San Beda College Alabang (SBCA) officially became the National Headquarters for the #HernanDoItBar, as formalized through the contract signing by key representatives of the Supreme Court and the SBCA, the En Banc Clerk of Court Atty. Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas, the Supreme Court Associate Justice and Bar Chairperson of the 2023 Bar, Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Rector-President of SBCA, Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB, and the Dean of SBCA School of Law, Ulpiano P. Sarmiento III.
In response to the honor bestowed upon San Beda College Alabang, Rector-President De Villa expressed, “It is a privilege that will be treasured by this Benedictine institution. May our partnership in the formation of future lawyers strengthen our shared vision for national development in the global society of all men and women of goodwill.”
Dean Sarmiento, for his part, expressed his sincerest reverence and gratitude to the Supreme Court, particularly to Justice Hernando, because he had first in mind San Beda College Alabang to become the mother center for the forthcoming Exams due to its well-rounded facilities.
“It is also a recognition of the credibility of the type of law school that the institution is offering. They chose [San Beda College] Alabang because we do have the facilities to be able to host such an event,” Dean Sarmiento shared.
SBCA ensures that everything is in place for a peaceful and well-coordinated event for the Barristers, their families, and the adjacent community in light of the anticipated traffic.
The institution coordinated with the cities of Muntinlupa and Paranaque, as well as the National Police and the Homeowners’ Association, to ensure everyone’s safety over the course of the three-day bar exams.
SBCA accommodates 750 Barristers
The Supreme Court staff, along with Associate Justice and Bar Chairperson Hernando and other justices, will be present to supervise and conduct the Bar throughout the Philippines, as well as monitor over 750 examinees who are slated to take their Bar on SBCA grounds.
“We are hoping that many of the 750 who are, at the moment, being accommodated to take their Bar here are graduates of [San Beda College] Alabang. It could be a slight advantage for them because it is [their] homebase. They will be more comfortable in the environment of which they are familiar with. This will help them out in the anxieties brought about by a new environment,” Dean Sarmiento said.
The 2023 Bar Examinations are set to be administered on September 17, 20, and 24, with 14 local testing centers across the country: 1) San Beda University – Manila; 2) University of Santo Tomas; 3) San Beda College Alabang; 4) University of the Philippines – Diliman; 5) Manila Adventist College; and 6) University of the Philippines – Bonifacio Global City (National Capital Region); 7) Saint Louis University; 8) Cagayan State University; and 9) University of Nueva Caceres (Luzon); 10) University of San Jose – Recoletos; 11) University of San Carlos; and 12) Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation (Visayas); and 13) Ateneo de Davao University and 14) Xavier University (Mindanao).