THE physical closure of the offices in the Supreme Court (SC) due to the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) from August 2 to August 20 should not discourage aspiring lawyers from applying for the 2020/2021 Bar exam.

In a one-page notice, SC Deputy Clerk of Court and Office of the Bar Confidant Rosita Requillas-Nacional said Bar applicants could still submit their applications online via the Bar Personalized Login Unified System (Bar PLUS) system.

"Bar applicants can still submit their applications during the ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) period through the BAR PLUS and may send their queries or concerns regarding the BAR PLUS or the application process through the OBC (Office of the Bar Confidant) helpdesk email address: [email protected]," Nacional said. 

The helpdesk, according to Nacional, would only be available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during this period to assist aspiring lawyers.

The notice was issued pursuant to the memorandum issued by SC Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo ordering the physical closure of offices in the SC due to the reimposition of  ECQ in NCR to stop the possible community transmission of COVID-19 Delta variant which is said to be more contagious compared to the other variants.

SC Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, chairperson of the 2020/2021 Bar Examination, earlier said the SC's BAR PLUS is an online application system for Bar applicants that is a dedicated application platform for the Bar Examinations for 2020 and 2021.

"BAR PLUS is a homegrown online application system through which prospective applicants for the November 2021 Bar Examinations will submit their verified petition, other required documents and information including proof of payment of the bar application fee," Justice Leonen had said.

The system was created to facilitate safe, equitable, and inclusive Bar Examinations wherein all examinees would submit their applications digitally and through the mail.

Read full article on BusinessMirror